Old Blog posts

Wed 14 Sept 2011
Started looking at the apps for office type files. Pages, numbers and keynote are the apps that office offers. Apple has good ratings and they handle new and old files well. Some others can't handle docx yet. The only draw back is not being able to directly save the files to a free doc server like drop box. there is a way to do it but it is not direct.

Wed, 19 Oct 2011 07:30:35
If you get "Error 1004" it could mean a number of things.Check your date, clear memory, restart or in my case I had to reset the network setting.

Wed, 19 Oct 2011 07:32:59
Found an amazing physics app yesterday. It's called ripple tank. Best one I found yet for physics!

Wed, 19 Oct 2011 07:36:26
If you are wondering about a word processor and stuff check out this review.Http://www.ipadforums.net-forum/36629-office-app-comparison.html
JN

Splashtop and Smartboard

All the functionality of a Smartboard may be controlled using an iPad. The pens may be accessed by selecting the pen option and then choosing a colour. Objects may be moved, modified and created using the iPad. There is no real lag time and the smooth integration of this technology with existing PCs and Smartboards is good to see. AD

iPad adds to interactions

Here is a video of an iPad in action in a language class. The iPad is accessing a webpage being projected for the class and the iPad is connected to the projecting computer through the Splashtop app. FC (AD)

Direct remote control! Very cool indeed - if it works.

Yesterday, I stumbled upon an app, Cubase iC, that is designed exclusively to work as a"direct" remote control for the Cubase recording software / hardware combination that I have set up on my desktop computer and connected to the Yamaha 01x digital console. If this app works as described, it means that I can control the recording software directly from the ipad. It could run on the ipod too; however, the display is too small for functional operation. The ipad's screen size, high resolution, and excellent tactile tracking should be a perfect fit for this purpose. In short, I won't have to run VNC or Splashtop remote apps, whose latency is more annoying than watching paint dry. I should be able to set up a recording session and run the Cubase controls from anywhere on the network. Cool and functional, but like I said, "if" it works. This is the kind of productivity that I was hoping to find for this device. The app is free, so there's no harm in trying...let's go!

JS

iPad and Biology

Biology Classes

• Have used the ipad to walk around to each lab group in all 3 of my grade 11 classes as we carry out a lab where they are looking to see the effects of salt water on onion cells. It can be difficult to describe what they’re looking for so I can just show a pic on the ipad to each group and they immediately understand. See inage of cells below.
  

• Have also used the itranslate app to the benefit of one of the ELLs in my class.

• During a section on cells I utilized an app that was a 3D virtual cell where you could move the cell around and click on all of the components to get descriptions and questions. I showed the class the app using the LCD projector.
  

• I have come across a ton of apps that will be very beneficial when I’m covering the human health and physiology sections.

There is a learning curve for those not already familiar with Apple products and so the natural tendancy is to stay with PPT and not move to Keynote. There is also the lack of familiarity with a lot of the built in functionality of the Apple devices and it seems that the staff with iPhones and or Macs are at less of a disadvantage and can more easily swap between devices as well as moving info and apps between devices. PM (AD)

Using Google Docs with the iPad

Google Docs has updated its presentation software as well as its other services, I have yet to try out the updated services, but found a nice link to an article from PC Magazine about using iPad as a replacement PC and navigating Google Docs. AD

article link

http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/227796/day_12_google_docs_on_the_go_with_my_ipad.html

Musical Performance Tool

My music students enjoy recording their performance tests. Doing so enables me to review the recording with each student after I have completed a standardized adjudication form including comments and marks; thus, each student can examine any concerns and implement corrections.
JS

Whipplehill and iPad

WH runs without problems on the iPad, sometimes the data cannot be seen due to larger window needed for the necessary font size to access the links. Effort grade entry was easier than attendance due to the layout of the EG pages in WH. AD

Splashtop App

The splashtop app may be used to remotely control a pc using an iPad. Install the app on the iPad and then download the free streaming program to the computer. It works well and there are mouse controls available to the Ipad through gestures.

The app does not appear to allow the use of pens when accessing the Smartboard, but slides may be advanced.

The photo below is from an IB Spanish class where the students are accessing the course webpage using the Ipad and the student actions on the website are being shown on Smartboard for all to see. The students may easily interact with the website and the Ipad can be passed from student to student so that there is a lot of interaction. AD

Note that there is sometimes a change of projected screen size when this app is engaged and this took place on an XP PC.

New Educational Paradigms

Here is a link to a nice video by Sir Ken Robinson, from the RSA sketching site, talking about new educational paradigms and the need to seriously look at how we teach in light of the changes that have occurred in our society and the world around us. It will be interesting to see how and if Ipads can become a part of the new paradigm. AD