Ha! I finally got DRM-locked books I purchased from three separate sources (Sony/Borders, BooksOnBoard, and Barnes&Noble) unlocked and into Apples iBooks. Thank you, the internet, for connecting me with smart people who must have spent many hours creating the software and tutorials to make this happen.
Ironically, the most annoying part of the whole process was getting the newly DRM-free epub files onto the iPad and into iBooks. I tried to email the files to myself, but the iPad won't open them up (for unknown reasons). So I needed a current copy of iTunes because older versions won't recognize the iPad. Once I got that sorted out, I dug through my collection of cables looking for that magic proprietary thing the folks at Apple insist on using. No dice. I was at work and out of luck. I created the files during my lunch break, with left me two periods to circle around the room asking: do you have an iPod cable.... do you have an iPod cable.... do you have an iPod cable?
No dice... but when i got home I finally made it happen. Unfortunately, iTunes on a MacBook crashes if you try to drag a file from the desktop directly into the iPad... you have to put it in the library, and from the library you can put it onto the iPad. Whew.
Happy reading to me! iBooks is pretty!
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
More iPad Thoughts
Excuse me for saying so, but the iPad does NOT present the "best" browsing experience I've ever had. First of all, page loads are slow. Too slow. Second, when switching from one browser window to another, the software seems to force reload the old web page... which is unfortunate when the page is too full of information (loads too slow).
If you're just going to do some REALLY simple web browsing or reading, this device is cool. I will admit that. I find myself just reaching for it naturally when I want to quickly look something up. But it is useless for getting anything productive done. Once again, I really hate the iPhone OS.
What's the deal with "Settings"? Why do I have to close out of an application and find the settings application in order to change any settings? Why can't I just change the settings from within the App?
I really can't wait for a Google Tablet to hit the scene. Hopefully the hardware will be as elegant as the iPad (not likely though) but I just love the Android OS.
FTW: http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/11/verizon-confirms-its-working-on-a-tablet-with-google/
If you're just going to do some REALLY simple web browsing or reading, this device is cool. I will admit that. I find myself just reaching for it naturally when I want to quickly look something up. But it is useless for getting anything productive done. Once again, I really hate the iPhone OS.
What's the deal with "Settings"? Why do I have to close out of an application and find the settings application in order to change any settings? Why can't I just change the settings from within the App?
I really can't wait for a Google Tablet to hit the scene. Hopefully the hardware will be as elegant as the iPad (not likely though) but I just love the Android OS.
FTW: http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/11/verizon-confirms-its-working-on-a-tablet-with-google/
Thanks 830
Again with the Prezi... I introduced this application to my Frosh students and it went better than expected (you never know if the site will be blocked, or the site will block multiple registration attempts from the same IP address).
We finished PowerPoint, as usual, then moved onto the Google Docs Presentation application, somewhat unusual. The students did NOT like Google's app (mostly because it isn't as "pretty" as PowerPoint). We jumped into Prezi yesterday and they really took off with it. I was surprised how many didn't produce a strictly linear presentation. Some were using the "invisible" frames to zoom in (or out) of elements embedded within other elements. I was really pleased with the creativity some showed.
Of course, some projects were utter disasters. That's what happens when you introduce 9th graders to the basic skills, then let them "explore". When you have a group of 36 people some will really explore and run with a project, others will just sit there because the lack of structure just doesn't work for them. It's important to mix it up for everyone!
Next year: Blogs. We're going to do blogs. I didn't like the blog concept and haven't been able to see much value, but if students are reflecting on their LEARNING, it can be a really powerful tool. A blog can be especially helpful for students who are trying to wrap up a portfolio at the end of their high school career. It's really satisfying to look back at a time before we acquired all these skills we take for granted! We're doing it!
We finished PowerPoint, as usual, then moved onto the Google Docs Presentation application, somewhat unusual. The students did NOT like Google's app (mostly because it isn't as "pretty" as PowerPoint). We jumped into Prezi yesterday and they really took off with it. I was surprised how many didn't produce a strictly linear presentation. Some were using the "invisible" frames to zoom in (or out) of elements embedded within other elements. I was really pleased with the creativity some showed.
Of course, some projects were utter disasters. That's what happens when you introduce 9th graders to the basic skills, then let them "explore". When you have a group of 36 people some will really explore and run with a project, others will just sit there because the lack of structure just doesn't work for them. It's important to mix it up for everyone!
Next year: Blogs. We're going to do blogs. I didn't like the blog concept and haven't been able to see much value, but if students are reflecting on their LEARNING, it can be a really powerful tool. A blog can be especially helpful for students who are trying to wrap up a portfolio at the end of their high school career. It's really satisfying to look back at a time before we acquired all these skills we take for granted! We're doing it!
Friday, May 7, 2010
Session Reflection
OK, as "tweeted" during the session, I totally missed Ian's presentation after he started the presentation with some Twitter instructions. That happens to me all the time! One thing I am learning in these Instructional Technologies classes is to be very, very careful with "The Hook". Education professionals are constantly searching for that hook that will get their students interested and focused on the task at hand. But it's been my experience that the hook can be extremely distracting for certain learners. I'm one of those learners! That "Voki" thing that everyone is throwing into their projects now... whenever I see it I tune out of the project and go play with Voki!
The other day another student prefaced a presentation with a demo of Spokeo. I spent the entire presentation looking myself and others up on Spokeo. The irony is, the actual presentation had nothing to do with Spokeo.... the presenter just thought it would be something interesting for us to see.
Anyway... I have to lookup Ian's presentation because what I glanced at was informative, and the actual design of his presentation materials looked GREAT!
#itec562010
The other day another student prefaced a presentation with a demo of Spokeo. I spent the entire presentation looking myself and others up on Spokeo. The irony is, the actual presentation had nothing to do with Spokeo.... the presenter just thought it would be something interesting for us to see.
Anyway... I have to lookup Ian's presentation because what I glanced at was informative, and the actual design of his presentation materials looked GREAT!
#itec562010
Sunday, May 2, 2010
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