Wired Educator

Tonight I was searching for a one-stop treasure trove of SMARTboard templates for educators to download and design great interactive whiteboard lessons; I failed.  If you know of such a website, please send me your links.

The search did turn up a good podcasting site on SMARTboards that is updated fairly regularly by two top-notch educators.  Set your web browser to: http://pdtogo.com/smart/  to test it out.  You can download the podcasts automatically from iTunes and XML too. Tune in to Ben Hazzard and Joan Badger during your lunch or plan period and see if they have something to offer you, or perhaps you have some tips for them.

Note: Please send me your favorite website of SMARTboard template and tools!

The new Kindle was released today.  Kindle 2 features a new design making it thinner yet it holds much more than the previous model. The new “wow” feature touted is that the Kindle 2 can read to you. It weighs 10.2 ounces and holds 1500 titles. Just like the previous model you purchase your books wirelessly directly from the device. (No syncing.) 

Kindle 2 sells for $359 at Amazon.com and will officially be released on February 24, 2009. Over 230,000 books to choose from  and download times for a book average in under a minute. 

The already innovative display has been enhanced and reads like real paper, and and the improved battery life is advertised to last for days of reading. You can switch from reading to listening as you commute or choose. There apparently are more features that are downloadable to the device such as personal documents. 

Note: I have not used a Kindle or a Kindle 2, but I have contacted Amazon for a test drive.  I really want to examine this for the possibilities in education.  I have heard many teachers share their curiosity, but no one has yet provided me with a plan for implementation. I did run across this interview with a History teacher in Indiana that uses five Kindles in his classroom.  (http://www.teleread.org/2008/09/15/kindles-in-the-classroom-world-history-teacher-is-sold-on-the-k-machine/)

Please tell me your ideas for implementing the Kindle 2 in your classroom.

During my presentation at the eTech Conference in Columbus I mentioned the great uses of the flip video in the educational setting.  I just sent a request to www.theflip.com to sample the Flip Mino HD for a review on this blog.  (I’ll keep you posted if I receive an answer.)

I ran across two points of interest for Wired Educators at Flip’s website. First, educators can receive a $10 rebate.  The rebate is good for both the institution and individual educators.  You are limited to a max of three. Click here for a link to the rebate download certificate. Second, it appears you can have your school logo/mascot placed on the video for personalization.  I think that would be great for classrooms, teams, and labs. 

Checking prices, Amazon.com still has some of the best prices for the Flip video series.

I was able to demo the new Smart Table at the eTech Conference in Columbus.  I must admit it was very cool.  Fortunately for me I had two top-notch educators from my district with me to give it a real demonstration. Elementary teachers, Cassy Dornbusch and Cathy Bergman (pictured) with SmartEd representative demonstrated all the wonders of the new $8000 table aimed at elementary classrooms.  The table is available in very limited numbers, as explained to me by the rep. Only 100 will be manufactured now, with 80 staying in the US and 20 going overseas.  Cassy and Cathy sure would like to have one for their buildings and gave the Smart table a great review.

Pictured above is a math problem for multiple users.  The table will wait for the correct number of fingers to be placed on the screen to register as a correct answer, so multiple users is a must.

Here is a demo video:

SMART has now  integrated touch recognition to allow for educators to move objects around using their fingers and allows for erasing of the board with the palm of their hand. Previously, users had to return the pen to the SMART Pen Tray in order to switch modes.

Update: While at the eTech Conference in Columbus, Ohio I contacted a SmartEd representative and she promised to get me some details about the upgrade.  Apparently the upgrade is NOT just a software download for the older board. It requires a simple fix.  Here is the email reply I received:

Hi Kelly,

 We spoke briefly in the hallway about updating an old SMART Board with the new touch recognition abilities. You were curious about the price and I said I would get back to you. Since the product was just released the price is not set, but it looks like it will be between $100 and $200. Stay in touch with SmartEd Services and they will be able to update you as time goes by. It was great to sit in on your iPod Touch presentation on Monday and great to hear you are excited about the Senteo’s.

Thank you,

Rebecca

Google released a new version of Google Earth.  The Free download is available from Google’s Web site.   New features released in this version include 3D bathymetry that lets you explore the ocean floor.  You can even see wave motion on the water surface if your computer has the 3D capabilities to handle it.  Now you can see 3D terrain underwater, a step up from the 2D relief mapping of the previous version.

Also added in this version is Historical Imagery which allows you to turn back the clock to view historical satellite imagery.

You can now even view mars using the same GE controls and with many awesome features.

System requirements call for Mac OS X 10.4 or later, 1GHz or faster processor, 256MB RAM, 400MB hard disk space, 3D-capable graphics with at least 16MB VRAM.