Wired Educator

According to a recent post on Cult of Mac, the Aoyama Gakuin University in Japan is handing out free iPhones to students to help curb truancy.  One Thousand 3G iPhones will be handed out to those enrolled in the School of Social Informatics.  The phones will be used by the university and the students as a research tool, and to keep students updated with schedules, but the GPS system will be used to help keep truancy down. The program is in its trial stage.

An iPod in Every Classroom

For the past four years I have been giving presentations and instructing teachers on the fantastic uses of an iPod in Education.  In my presentation, I really try to help teachers in every course of study find valuable uses for an iPod in their instruction and lessons.  Being an artist myself, it is with great pleasure to see meaningful use of an iPod Touch and the app Brushes as a learning tool and medium for artists.

There are great apps for many classrooms, and the app store has been heavy on programs for Math, Science, and Social Studies, but this new app Brushes may leap frog all of them.

This week The New Yorker announced their plan to feature the impressionist work of Jorge Colombo on the cover of their June issue created on an iPhone with the app Brushes. I think it is amazing that the cover of the New Yorker is made with a finger on this $4.99 app.

There are many other great apps for the art class as well, and combined with video and audio podcasting and the other great features, you have an excellent tool for your art room.

So, how are you planning on using an iPod in your classroom?  Contact us and tell us how you do it.

Here is the New Yorker article on the cover: http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/tny/2009/05/jorge-colombo-iphone-cover.html

And here is a video of Colombo and the app in action: http://www.newyorker.com/video?videoID=24059201001

Apple today announced its traditional Back to School Sale which entitles students to a free iPod Touch (or nano/shuffle) with the purchase of a new Mac after rebate.  Despite our earlier report, it doesn’t appear that iPhones are going to be part of the plan.  This year’s program runs through September 8th, 2009 – which is when the new products comes.

Apple’s annual Back to School Promotion may be launching as early as June 2nd, and rumors have this year’s promotion including the iPhone as a possible option. If this year’s promotion is close to last year’s, students and teachers may be eligible for a FREE 8Gb iPod nano with a new Mac. a 8GB iPod Touch, and perhaps this year, if rumors are accurate, an 8GB iPhone as a third option. (Not including the two-year AT&T contract.)

There are many, many iPhone rumors out right now including ideas that Apple may be unveiling several new models of different price ranges and abilities. One of these models could become the third option of the Back to School Promotion.

Typically Students and educators receive a discount on a new Mac and receive some type of iPod as a free gift as part of Apple’s Back to School Promotion.  Stay Tuned.

Educational budgets being what they are, purchasing new DVDs to replace old VHS tapes may not be a possibility for many.  Many teachers would love to be able to convert part or all of their VHS collection to a digital format.  Well, now they can, with both ease and low cost.  Roxio’s new $80 Mac Bundle called “Easy VHS to DVD is the solution.

The bundle includes software and a USB video capturing device that includes S-Video and composite video input cables, red and white stereo cables, to support recordings from lots of devices and practically any analog device.  The software allows you to directly burn copies of the new digital content or you can send it to QuickTime Player or iMovie in a wide range of formats. (Another great way to get content onto your iPods for you iPod in the Classroom fans.)

Great for both Mac and PC.  (I’m a Mac and must pay $20 more for the device, but it sure beats the alternative.)

Watch this video to learn more: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3SWSYy-dvew

There are many benefits for teachers to convert VHS to DVD.

From www.macrumors.com 

MacRumors gives us an update on upcoming edcuational iMac.

Direct From MacRumors Page 2: “Apple has published a new service document to authorized Apple repair shops that details the differences between the Early 2009 iMac and the recently released $899 (Mid 2009) 20″ Educational iMac.
According to the document, the Early 2009 iMac and Mid 2009 iMacs are very similar. The only differences detailed are that the Mid 2009 iMac does not have Infrared or Bluetooth and has a smaller 160GB Harddrive.”

Amazon introduced the next generation of it’s eBook reader earlier today, the Kindle DX.

The Kindle DX is available for pre-order.  It sports a $489 price tag, a 9.7″ screen, and seems to be focused on education.  The Kindle DX is aimed for reading newspapers, textbooks, and other documents that do not work as well on the smaller screen of the Kindle 2’s six inch screen. Other features include an accelerometer that allows the display to auto-rotate content between portrait and landscape viewing, increased storage, 3G acces through Sprint’s Network, and native PDF support. 

Bloggers and tech journalists are predicting that the Kindle DX is to be aimed at the education market.  (I still just don’t understand why I would want that if I already have a laptop though.  Someone help me out here.) 

I am wondering how the new Kindle 2 owners are adjusting to a new device being offered so soon.  Send me your thoughts!