Thursday, March 28, 2013

Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 for Education

This fully-featured tablet runs on the latest Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich O/S. It's an outstanding choice for schools looking for a value-priced tablet to meet their BYOD and 1-to-1 Initiatives head on. A high resolution screen, access to thousands of educational apps in the full Google Play market and more are showcased in this highlight video.

Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Schools Embrace Follett eBooks

Chromebooks for Education Overview

Published on May 16, 2012

Chromebooks are fast, intuitive, and easy-to-manage computers that connect students and teachers with the power of the web.

For more information, visit: google.com/chromebook/education

Meraki Dashboard & Network Setup

The Meraki Story

City of San Jose: Wickedly Fast Wi-Fi what a community network looked like

SPOT Bid Deadlines


The message below was sent out on 3/15.  The deadline for getting a user account is TODAY 3/27.  The deadline for entering your purchase quantity estimate is FRIDAY 3/29. 
 
Why would you want to do this process?  The 22i Category 3 Activity 4 does two major things - first it allows for a statewide spot bid for computer devices including laptops, chromebooks and ipads (desktops were not allowed by MDE).  The hope is that by doing this spot bid there will be a very large quantity purchased at one time driving the cost per device down.  Second, the 22i funds will provide between a $50-$100 additional discount per device for all devices purchased in this first round.  The final amount of the discount will be determined based on the final quantity of devices purchased vs. the amount of funds available.  THE DISCOUNT IS ONLY EXPECTED TO BE AVAILABLE FOR THIS FIRST PURCHASE, there are expected to be future spot bids to continue to drive down the per device cost but there is NOT expected to be future 22i funds to provide the additional per device discount.
 
Below are the details for getting an account created (by today).  Once you have an account please login and enter your quantities by Friday.
 
GMEC Members

The Rural Northern Michigan Consortium sent out the following message concerning Activity Four.

We are pleased to announce that the 22i Device Purchase Pilot program is nearly ready to launch. In preparation for the launching of the State Purchasing Online Tool (SPOT) on Monday March 18, please complete the survey below ASAP to create authorized users in this new system. Districts should have a single authorized SPOT user to ensure accurate district wide forecasting and purchasing.

http://goo.gl/Z4zDI
(the long link is here - https://docs.google.com/forms/d/18TP0GFns1we2jXM7QbAOC5ZT9JS26GTrPLPz263cBeg/viewform)

In order to ensure that users are created in time to complete the forecasting, please complete this survey by March 26th.

Device technical specifications will be available inside the SPOT tool by Monday, March 18, and also will be on the REMC Save bid site under Customer Center Resources.

Once users are created, districts and charter schools will be able to use the SPOT tool to indicate their anticipated (non-binding) purchase volume of each device. This information will be collected from 3/18/13 until 3/29/13. The aggregate totals will then be shared with our prospective vendors to help drive pricing based on projected sales. Bids will be received, analyzed, and awarded by May 21.

After bids are awarded, districts will be asked to complete their purchases through the SPOT tool from 6/1/13 through 7/31/13, for delivery no later than 8/30/13.

There will be up to $5M in incentive payments available after all purchases have been completed statewide, up to a maximum of $100 per device purchased. Specific incentive amounts will not be available until all purchasing under this program is complete.

This purchasing program is open to all districts and charter schools in the state. The incentives will only be available to those that are participating in the 22i Tech Readiness Infrastructure Grant and that purchase devices through this bid.

Questions about accessing the SPOT tool or completing the survey can be directed to
SPOThelp@remc.org

Thank you!

Rural Northern Michigan Consortium

Sunday, March 24, 2013

What's new on TED-Ed...

TED-ED is an idea wroth Sharing!

How to BYOD with Ruckus Wireless

Acer C7 vs Samsung Chromebook: Which to Buy

Chromebooks for Education keynote at FETC

Chromebooks for Education Overview webinar

What is Hapara? Teacher tool for Google Apps.

Tom Brenner at Education Nation Detroit 2013

Internet Bandwidth Monitoring with PRTG


How much Internet Bandwidth do you you use on a given day? you Don't really know. If you would like to know all you have to do is to load PRTG on a machine and it can collect data for you and send you a daily report. All you would need to do is to setup SNMP on your firewall or router with a Public Name and Password don't be worried it only needs to be read only not write. This is so that the PRTG box can get the packet counts. The amount of traffic is very low in the a few Kb of traffic to collect this information. I am doing this for a couple of local schools and it has been very helpful in monitoring Internet usage. After it is setup it just sends an Email daily with the report. This tool has help me to plan for network internet growth and to identify a baseline and any issues that may arise can be detected quicker. With the Technology Readiness collection it would be helpful to have a tool as we are all going to have to report this information soon. With the Technology Readiness you will have to address the amount of bandwidth that you have available and how much you are using daily. If you collect it with a tool like PRTG you will have a better understanding how to answer this question. You can also download this tool for free and set it up on a computer at your district and collect the same data. The free version only allows for 10 devices to be monitor but that is plenty as you really only need one to find out your Internet usage.

Here is a list of three tools that you can use to do this.

http://www.paessler.com/prtg/download

http://www.cacti.net/

http://oss.oetiker.ch/mrtg/index.en.html

My Cloud - VMware for 21st Century Education

VMware K-12 Virtualization & Server Consolidation for Schools & Classrooms

Some information on K12 Schools and using Vmware with some case studies.
VMware K-12 Virtualization & Server Consolidation for Schools & Classrooms:

'via Blog this'

Saturday, March 23, 2013

iPad Apps (playlist)

Google Drive (playlist)

Google Calendar (playlist)

TPCK Described

TPCK is a model developed by Punya Mishra and Matthew Koehler based on the work of Shulman with Content and Pedagogy. Mishra and Koehler added their research to define technological knowledge to the effectiveness of teaching.

Understanding TPACK

The Professor explains Technological Pedagogical and Content Knowledge and how it is acquired by preservice teachers.

TPACK commercial (whiteboard / UPS version)

A commercial for the TPACK framework created by Punya Mishra for ISTE2010. It is "inspired" by the whiteboard/UPS series of commercials.

Harlem Shake (MACUL13 Edition)

And who say techies and teachers are boring ;-)

Chromebook Classroom webinar: Moving your Classroom to the Web

Managing Chromebook Apps and Extensions

Enroll a Chromebook

Before you distribute Chromebooks to your users, you must enroll each device to associate it with your domain and the organizational policies you define. Important: You must enroll each Chromebook before any user signs in to the Chromebook, including you as the administrator.

How to Wipe a Chromebook

You must enroll a Chromebook before any user signs in to the Chromebook, including you as the administrator. If a user signs in before you enroll the Chromebook, your Google Apps account policies and preferences will not apply, and you need to wipe the device to restart the enrollment process.

Socrative in the Classroom

Students! Treat Your Chromebook with Respect!

Samsung Chromebook: Unboxing & Review

Google Chromebook 

Video hands-on with Google's new $249 Chromebook

Google's newest Chromebook, made by Samsung, only costs $249 and offers the same general performance of ChromeOS is a smaller, lighter package. How'd they do it? This model uses the same chip type that powers smartphones and tablets. Take a look at my hands-on thoughts.

Learn Web Design, Coding & More at Treehouse

Learn Programing at Treehouse

Treehouse teaches topics such as coding, web design, business and much more! Check back every Tuesday for the latest in web technology on the Treehouse Show. Don't forget to swing by for Quick Tips and other bonus content you won't see anywhere else!

Our videos include how-tos, online video training, interviews, ideas, tips, advice, screencasts, and much more so don't forget to subscribe: http://trhou.se/subscribe-treehouse-yt

Can Technology Enhance the Student Experience?: Dr. Siobhan O'Sullivan a...

Dr. Siobhán O' Sullivan is the Curriculum Development Manager of the Ed4Life Structured PhD training in Life Sciences, at Cork Institute of Technology. Siobhán worked for several years as a postdoctoral researcher and has published widely on the potential of information technology in the classroom, in continuing professional development and in distance learning. Most recently, her research has been on the effective use of Web 2.0 tools in Teaching & Learning, the potential use of eportfolios in documenting learning, reflective practice and in the engagement of students in learning.

Schools are getting beat up but there are many good things happening in schools

These are the kinds of things that we are seeing today in many schools when it comes to a learning community.

Thinking about moving to Central Kansas and wanting an innovative school for your children to attend. Small town feel, large school amenities. Small class size with all students in grades 3-12 having a 1-1 computing environment. Check us out on Facebook--Like "Inman Schools".

MACUL 2012 - Reflections on a great EDTech Conference

A Closer Look - Power2U AC/USB Wall Outlet by Newer Technology

What a great idea no more charges to get lost.

Wednesday, March 13, 2013

Vibrational energy harvester - created by College students.

Here is an interesting story of some Central Michigan University student who are working on an engineering project they came up with on their own. The students are constructing an electrical panel that will serve as a vibrational energy harvester to create renewable energy for powering a temperature display. By using the vibrations of pedestrian footsteps walking in and out of the building, they'll be able to generate electricity. This research, should it be successful, could be used to create similar panels that could be installed in train stations and other high traffic areas so that these facilities can be self-sustainable and generate their own energy. Pretty cool, huh? Here is a video on YouTube of the project. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hvjXSFoBRIw&list=UU5sQwUTU5uXe2cShQKviNOw&index=2 CMU engineering students harvesting pedestrian energy to produce electricity Electrical panel to provide renewable energy to power temperature display Press Release: MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich., March 4, 2013 — Central Michigan University engineering students are constructing an electrical panel that will serve as a vibrational energy harvester to create renewable energy for powering a temperature display. The panel, which will be located in the entrance of CMU’s Engineering and Technology building, will generate electricity by using the vibrations of pedestrian footsteps as they walk in and out of the facility. Assistant professor of engineering Tolga Kaya says the student-led project could lead to the development of self-sustainable electric systems to be used in settings highly populated by pedestrians like subway stations or settings that experience heavy vehicle traffic like highways. Read more: http://media.cmich.edu/pr/cmu/cmu-engineering-students-harvesting-243911.aspx For more information contact: Danny Goodwin Jr. Assistant Director of Public Relations University Communications Central Michigan University (989) 774-1072 goodw1db@cmich.edu

Tech Audit overview:

Tech Audit overview:

Monday, March 11, 2013

6 Elevator Pitches for the 21st Century



From tweeting to rhyming, bestselling author Daniel H. Pink gives you six new pitching techniques from his latest book, TO SELL IS HUMAN

Saturday, March 9, 2013

How state budgets are breaking US schools - Bill Gates

Girls in STEM: A New Generation of Women in Science



 Girls in STEM, featuring young women scientists and engineers who wowed the President and the nation at the White House Science Fair in February, shines a spotlight on these extraordinary young role models and their exciting projects -- ranging from a machine that detects buried landmines, to a prosthetic hand device, to a lunchbox that uses UV light to kill bacteria on food. http://www.whitehouse.gov/stem


Monday, March 4, 2013

Miguel Nicolelis: A monkey that controls a robot with its thoughts. No, ...

Bill Gates talks about Late Steve Jobs in an Interview latest

Bill Gates talks about his conversation with Late Steve Jobs at Steve home.

Imagine: How creativity works

What most schools don't teach 5 min video

RSA Animate - The Power of Networks

In this new RSA Animate, Manuel Lima, senior UX design lead at Microsoft Bing, explores the power of network visualisation to help navigate our complex modern world. Taken from a lecture given by Manuel Lima as part of the RSA's free public events programme.

What Most Schools Don't Teach - Short Film

Learn about a new "superpower" that isn't being taught in 90% of US schools.

Starring Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg, will.i.am, Chris Bosh, Jack Dorsey, Tony Hsieh, Drew Houston, Gabe Newell, Ruchi Sanghvi, Elena Silenok, Vanessa Hurst, and Hadi Partovi.

Code.org teach student to program today 1 min video

A short message from Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg, will.i.am, NBA all-star Chris Bosh, Gabe Newell of Valve, Drew Houston of Dropbox, Elena Silenok of Clothia, and other tech heroes, to inspire students to learn to code. This is a trailer, for a longer 5-min or 10-min short-film, available at http://code.org. Directed by Lesley Chilcott.

Sunday, March 3, 2013

Microsoft Vision of the Classroom of the Future

This video shows a small glimmer of how technology might effect a classroom of the future. Students will be collaborating on a massive scale, and as teachers are job will be to facilitate that.

Considering how much technology has changed in even the last 5 years, it's an mind blowing thought.

The Harsh Reality of the Classroom of the Future - Edudemic

The Harsh Reality of the Classroom of the Future - Edudemic: "Harsh Reality of the Classroom of the Future"

'via Blog this'

Saturday, March 2, 2013

Sugata Mitra's new experiments in self-teaching

Hacking Cisco Phones [29C3]

Julia Li: The Rebirth of Learning Starts With Mindset - TEDX

Professor Sugata Mitra didn't invent student-driven learning. But he is championing field research and a compelling case that there has never been a time in history when the SOLE (self-organized learning environment) model is so vital to children's learning. Self-organized learning complements traditional education systems.

Full Article: 
Julia Li: The Rebirth of Learning Starts With Mindset:

'via Blog this'

Copy & Drobo - A match made in the cloud.

Here is another great service offered by Barracuda for you to be able to save your files so that they are accessible to you any time any where and on any device. Sign up for copy today & start earning bonus storage! Get 5 GB of extra, free storage for yourself & whoever you refer each time you introduce someone new to Copy.
Click here to get your free 5 GB account today!




Barracuda Networks and Drobo recently announced a partnership that will bring cloud accessibility and storage to Drobo users. Through this relationship, the Drobo 5N will be integrated with Copy™, a Barracuda Service, allowing users to access shared files from any location and any device.

Sign up today for 5GB Free. Tell your friends and get an extra 5GB for each one that signs up!* http://www.copy.com

Check out the new Drobo 5N at http://www.drobo.com

Complex IT simplified.
Barracuda Networks

http://www.barracuda.com

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How Will You Measure Your Life? Clay Christensen at TEDxBoston

I find his work so interesting.