An Apple Fanboy and His Droid

It started with the iPod Touch.  For years, I’d resisted Apple products, but about two years ago, I began to soften because of my experiences with the iPod Touch.  Since then, I’ve been advocating their use in schools and soon we’ll be seeing the iPad (a learning window?) in district classrooms.  Yes, I’ve been dubbed an Apple Fanboy, and it might be warranted.

So, the time arose for me to upgrade phones, and for a few months, I’ve been watching the smartphone market closely.  Now for someone who’s a gadget-loving freak, this is no easy decision these days.  It seems like nearly every week a newer, faster phone enters the market, and going from a basic voice plan on a flip phone to a data plan (plus voice) is a big leap for educators on a tight budget.  And, a two-year contract is a major commitment in a rapidly evolving sector.  Now, the assumption is that someone who’s an Apple sell-out would obviously go for the new iPhone 4, but I’ve resisted that.  Professionally, AT&T isn’t a viable option for both voice and data coverage in our district as I do quite a bit of travelling from school to school, and I’m already a Verizon customer.  So, I began researching Android-based phones.

I made an appointment at a local Verizon store for July 15th, the launch date for the Motorola Droid X, and picked one up.  I’ve been using the phone for just over a week, and so far, I love it.  Everything I’ve thought I’d want to be able to do with a smartphone I’ve been able to do.  Facebook, Twitter, Email, and FourSquare all work perfectly.  The GPS functions well with turn-by-turn directions.  The 8 mega pixel camera takes great pictures and can record HD-quality video (720p).  I’ve used a free app called DoubeTwist that works just like iTunes for syncing media to the phone (pics, music, videos and podcasts).

I’m really excited to hear about other folks in our district using Android-based phones, too.  With over 70,000 apps available, and strong marketing from carriers like Verizon and Sprint, Android-based phones are catching up to the iPhone (and will likely overtake it in the number of users before the end of the year).  So, for those of you out there using the Droid, the Incredible, and others, I’m learning with you!  That said, I want to end by sharing some resources for those who are new to Android.  If you’re used to Blackberry or, like me, the iPhone operating system, the Android experience is different (in a good way).  Here are resources to help you get started:

Android Central – a blog and podcast devoted to all things Android.

Phandroid – a blog devoted to the Android.

Android.com – the official Android website (including the Android Market).

Android Community – another blog/news site devoted to Android.

It’s exciting to see Android maturing.  That means competition in the market and that’s usually a very good thing for consumers.  It also means that more development money is pouring in which means we’ll be seeing more and better products.  That’s good for education.  Work has already begun on several Android-based competitors to the tablet arena.

Also, just a reminder… If you’re a Pender County Schools employee and a Verizon customer, you are eligible for a significant discount on phones, accessories, and your monthly bill!  Just take your ID and a pay stub into your nearest Verizon store.  Other local carriers may offer this too, so ask!

-Lucas

Response to “Should I Go Into Instructional Technology?”

-Lucas

Dan Pink’s Drive, Illustrated

Just finished this book. I highly recommend it to anyone in education, because the implications are huge. Here’s a talk Dan Pink did on the topic, illustrated as he speaks. Pretty awesome….

-Lucas

A Learning Window

So, here it is, finally, my review of Apple’s iPad. I’ve spent some time with the device, now, and am beginning to not only consider it’s uses in my role as an instructional technology coordinator for my district, but more importantly, its potential role in the classroom.

Setting The Stage

So, here’s where our district stands so far as it relates to this topic: We rolled out our first iPod Touch carts last year at Cape Fear Middle School. Under Craig Lawson’s management and creative approach, the Touches were phenomenal. The implementation in his 7th Grade Language Arts classroom, drew a great deal of attention, and now, as we’re nearing the close of the year, three other schools are on board, and we’re up to five carts.

Philosophically, our district is moving away from the idea of “computer labs” as destinations. Technology is mobile, and we’re fast embracing that shift. Many of our principals are exploring mobile computing purchases for their school, and the three main contenders are netbooks, iPod Touches, and now the iPad. We are in the process of upgrading our wireless infrastructure to accommodate the increasing demands.

The iPad – Professional Use

Frankly, I have hardly put this device down since I got it. So, where does it fit into my daily routine? First off, I’ve only used my netbook once since getting the iPad, and that’s because I needed an extra display at a recent poster presentation I did. Otherwise, I’ve had no need for it, nor do I see a need for a laptop, except for a few rare cases that are due to needing a PC to run specific software.

The iPad is perfect for monitoring emails, sending Tweets, and taking notes during meetings. In landscape mode, the keyboard is fine. I was really surprised how quickly I could type, especially if I put a little trust in the auto-correct. My only frustration with the keyboard is the lack of an apostrophe on the main key set. You can easily access it with what amounts to shifting, but I wish I had the option of replacing the right shift with an apostrophe. Typing will even be easier once my case arrives that props the iPad at a slight angle that’s much more ergonomic.

The Pages App and Keynote App, both of which I’ve downloaded seem to work great. Do they make for an ideal “productivity environment?”. No, that’s what my desktop is for, however, so far, I think they make a great “mobile productivity environment.” Yes, I also purchased the VGA adapter, and briefly tested Keynote’s output ability. It seems to work fine, though I hear there’s some room for improvement when it comes to Safari integration. I also picked up GoodReader for $0.99, and with it, I can access all of my Google Docs and DropBox files for viewing. With Skype, I can make free calls to my Skype contacts, and the iPad’s mic picked up voice just fine. Likewise, since our district recently migrated to Google Apps, I get lots of functionality out of the Google Mobile App.

The iPad – Uses in the Classroom

So, a netbook cart or a class set of iPads? Here are my thoughts. Ultimately, my goal is to push for more student-centered, integrated, differentiated, and creative learning in the classroom. To date, what I’ve seen with netbooks is the same sort of activity we do in the computer lab: type a report, make a PowerPoint, research something online. Not bad, but the projects I’ve seen done with our iPod Touch labs has been much more creative. Storytelling though comics (StripDesign App), game-based learning (The SIMS App and Civilzation Revolution), graphic organizers, and more, with all assignments potentially submitted paperlessly.

The iPad offers all of those apps and more with a much greater screen real estate. The drawback, is that some of our most common uses of computers, for example using web-based monitoring assessments, like ClassScapes, isn’t an option due to a lack of Flash, though other tools, such as AIMSWeb, are very functional.

So far I’ve tried StarWalk (currently, my favorite App), iBird Yard, WeatherBug, and, of course, iBooks, among others. Just as with the iPod Touch, you can purchase apps once and sync them to multiple iPads. The same seems to be true of iBooks as well. This could be huge for classrooms, if it continues to be the case.

As for long-term durability in the classroom, that remains to be seen. Our iPod Touches are holding up fine. Good classroom management is a critical component. Another huge plus for the iPad is the battery life. It’s rated at 10 hours of typical use and many are reporting longer times of use. For the classroom this would free the teacher from the stress of having to plug up and charge between classes which is a time sink. So, far my average daily use drains the battery to about 30-40% by the time I’m home.

Conclusion

Some have mentioned how the iPad significantly changes how we interface with a computer. I agree. I’m doing computer things, but where’s the computer? The best analogy I’ve heard likens the iPad to a window to the Web. I can’t help but be reminded of the student’s “desks” mentioned in the science fiction classic, Ender’s Game. If they’re used properly, I think the iPad could become a window for learning.

-Lucas

P.S. – I created this post from my iPad.

Chris Lehmann’s Talk at the 140 Conference

I’ve said it before, and here again, “Educators must get plugged into an online professional network.”  I found this talk via Twitter, and was able to watch it live online as the presentation was made.  Thanks to Steve Anderson, a North Carolina educator you should definitely follow, I was able to locate an archive of Lehmann’s talk.  Chris Lehmann is a principal at the Science Leadership Academy in Philadelphia.  Folks, Chris gets it…

Watch the video, here – http://www.ippio.com/video/5351/Social-Media-Education

-Lucas

Check Out Jennifer Angel’s Prezi: What Great Principals Do Differently

I love it when I see our teachers integrating technology. It’s just as exciting to see our district administrator’s putting new technology to work. I’ve posted about Prezi before, but I wanted to share a great example. Below is a Prezi created by one of our assistant principals, Jennifer Angel. The subject matter, Todd Whitaker’s What Great Principals Do Differently is very relevant and this showcases what Prezi can do.

So, are you interested in using Prezi? Educators can sign up for a free account with 500MB of storage and lots of extra features. Just visit Prezi’s Edu License page and sign up. Then you can create your own Prezi’s. Yes, these can be embedded into your teacher websites as well!

Todd Smith of CFES Integrates Technology

Today I came across the work of one of our teachers, Todd Smith of Cape Fear Elementary. Take a look at some of the exciting ways he’s engaging students with technology in his classroom:

Also, check out his students’ history vodcasts and their wiki.

Great work!

-Lucas

An Open Letter To Educators – Food For Thought

I came across this video today through “my network.” It’s quite poignant. What do you think? Share your comments.

-Lucas

Mathtrain.tv – The YouTube of Mathematics

Got this great resource through my network today. It’s called Mathtrain, and it’s the equivalent of a YouTube site featuring mathematics videos like this one:

Enjoy!

-Lucas

The Apple iPad – Are Textbooks Obselete?

Again, Apple has raised the bar and set a standard with portable technology. Today, Apple introduced the iPad, a portable tablet/slate device with a multi-touch, full-color, LED screen. With its launch, they’ll also be opening a new store in iTunes which will carry books. (Watch out Kindle!) This device is much more than an eBook reader, though. Take a look at the video:

-Lucas