"Is the Cell Phone the New Pencil?" and More

Is the cell Phone the New Pencil?

Creative Commons photo by emdot

It is commonplace to bemoan the poor writing skills of students today. Yes, there is no question that writing effectively is difficult. Yes, it is true that we don't provide enough high quality writing instruction (writing is known as the "forgotten R"). And yes, the demands of a knowledge economy require excellent writing abilities. But the students we teach today write more than any generation in human history http://bit.ly/MTBUND

Where Microsoft Has More Taste than AppleApple’s most recent skeuomorph is one of the worst. The company’s Podcasts app, released in June, actually shows a reel-to-reel tape playing while the podcast is running. Do people under the age of 30 even know what a reel-to-reel tape player is?The Calendar app for the iPad has torn paper, suggesting that previous months have been ripped from a physical calendar. Gimme a break. http://bit.ly/Mheu6v

Top Universities Test the Online Appeal of FreeIn a major development on Tuesday, a dozen highly ranked universities said they had signed on with Coursera, a new venture offering free classes online. They still must overcome some skepticism about the quality of online education and the prospects for having the courses cover the costs of producing them, but their enthusiasm is undimmed. http://nyti.ms/NJ4fKY

Is the Khan Academy a Real 'Education Solution'
Dan Meyer and Ed Week opinion blogger Justin Reich, noting that there are errors in some of the Khan Academy videos, have started a contest inviting readers to critique the academy lessons. http://wapo.st/OcBqCG


Education Takes a Dramatic New Course [in Australia]

FOR the first time, all Australian students will study dance, drama, media arts, music and the visual arts until year 10, under a draft new national curriculum released yesterday. http://bit.ly/NFfRxx

10 Things in School that Should be Obsolete

So much about how and where kids learn has changed over the years, but the physical structure of schools has not. Looking around most school facilities — even those that aren’t old and crumbling – it’s obvious that so much of it is obsolete today, and yet still in wide use. http://bit.ly/LDUNEg

Our New Multimedia Lab

After considerable reflection, we have recently come to a final decision about our new multimedia lane equipment. This lab will complement the high powered P.C. lab where our fine school newspaper and yearbook is currently designed. It ins high-end Adobe software.

The new lab will host 26 Apple iMac computers. Such classes as Design Fundamentals (which all 9th graders will be taking), Graphic Design, and Broadcasting. But of course all students will have access to the lab when classes are not scheduled for its use. We are thrilled to be building a lab with the following hardware and software configuration:

Hardware:

1.5-inch: 2.7GHz

2.7GHz Quad-Core Intel Core i5

1920 x 1080 resolution

8GB memory

1TB hard drive

Software

Final Cut Pro X

Motion

Compression

Adobe CS6 suite

iWork

Microsoft Office Suite

We are hoping that this high powered lab will play a role in developing an even more robust multimedia curriculum in the not too distant future.

Apple Slices

Apple "Mountain Lion" OS logo

Rethinking Testing in the Age of iPad
Moving assessments onto mobile devices may open the door to quicker feedback for students and teachers as well as richer data, but without proper management of the devices and a strong infrastructure to support them, integrating the devices can be a challenge.
http://bit.ly/yJmX7b


Why China and Apple Are a Match Made in Hell
As recent events have demonstrated, Apple is incompatible with China’s business culture, legal system and worker culture.
http://bit.ly/Ai9f85


iPad Owners Rush to Sell Devices ahead of iPad3
According to the Boston Herald, Gazelle, an online service that buys used electronics and resells them through retail outlets, saw a 500% increase in iPad resale orders last Thursday, a number that grew steadily stronger over the weekend.

http://on.mash.to/xMIORo

30 New OS Mountain Lion Features
Since only developers have access to the Mountain Lion beta at this point, I put together this quick video for all of Cult Of Mac’s great readers detailing 30 of the best new features of Mountain Lion, all jam packed into just two minutes. 
http://bit.ly/zz6qgn

RIP iChat,  2002-12

What we mourn today is the loss of your earthly shell: the name that became a verb. “I’ll iChat you” — how many times have I said that? It took a while for it to shift to “I’ll gChat you,” which is what I say now. I used the name iChat while using gChat for at least a year.


http://on.mash.to/waf6PW

WSJ Predicts New iPad Release on March 7
The iPad 3 will come in 4G LTE versions for Verizon and AT&T according to a report from the Wall Street Journal. It was reported earlier today that the iPad 3 announcement would come on March 7. 
http://bit.ly/z1Pe6N

Super Bowl, Embracing Digital Textbooks, (and other Links)

Super Bowl Viewers Will Check iPhones Ten Times . . . .

Nearly half of Super Bowl XLVI viewers will check their mobile device as many as 10 times during the game, and almost a third of viewers under age 45 will watch the game “with device in hand.”

http://on.mash.to/wBRgXt

The Secrets Apple Keeps

Apple employees know something big is afoot when the carpenters appear in their office building. New walls are quickly erected. Doors are added and new security protocols put into place. Windows that once were transparent are now frosted. Other rooms have no windows at all. They are called lockdown rooms: No information goes in or out without a reason.

http://bit.ly/yLl4p1

Worksheets and Kodachrome-- Lessons [for Schools] in Kodak's Bankruptcy

At the same time the George Eastman popularized photography, compulsory public education brought education to the masses. Instruction was based on the notion that you could tell people what they needed to know. State education departments, publishers and teachers decided what was important and then delivered it to students via textbook and lectures. Perhaps the unstated slogan of that instructional model was "you listen and take the notes, and we do the rest.”

http://bit.ly/wFqKmf

Three Phrases that Change EducationTo really move education, maybe it takes three phrases.

To change the landscape of a classroom, maybe it takes just three phrases.

To empower, engage, excite, energize a student it might just take three phrases.

http://blog.mrkemp.ca/?p=11

Challenge to Schools -- Embracing Digital Textbooks
Education Secretary Arne Duncan and Federal Communications Commission chairman Julius Genachowski on Wednesday challenged schools and companies to get digital textbooks in students' hands within five years.
http://yhoo.it/y7qSeK

The Magician

Innovation used to spill over from military and corporate laboratories to the consumer market, but lately this process has gone into reverse. Many people’s homes now have more powerful, and more flexible, devices than their offices do; consumer gizmos and online services are smarter and easier to use than most companies’ systems. Familiar consumer products are being adopted by businesses, government and the armed forces. Companies are employing in-house versions of Facebook and creating their own “app stores” to deliver software to smartphone-toting employees. Doctors use tablet computers for their work in hospitals.  

http://econ.st/pYt5Ll

Design, Context, Flipped, and other Links

From "The Power of Design . . . ."

The Power of Design and Visualization Data

There’s a growing recognition that design is not simply about making products attractive. A well-designed product, (or space, image, service) can be easier to use, fit better into the flow of people’s lives, suit the needs of a broader range of end-users, increase productivity, and even influence emotions (which in turn can influence cognition). Sectors as hard-nosed and utilitarian as healthcare and manufacturing are now taking the “soft” subject of design very seriously.

Video: http://bit.ly/vi2AJx
Blog Post: http://bit.ly/vzI8I9


Bring Your Own Context
If I am processing audio, I want to be on a Mac. If I am tweeting on the bus, I want to be on a smartphone. If I am reading the news, I want to kick back with a tablet. If I am learning a new language, my iPod will do just fine.
http://bit.ly/w2gK8Z


Can Apple Products Pave the Way to Personalized Learning?
But as ZDNet’s Christopher Dawson recently noted, “the jury’s still out” on the success of these deployments. Despite the move towards a more paper-free classroom and despite all the new apps and e-books available, it’s hard to know if the adoption of the Apple devices — the tablets as well as iPod Touches — is necessarily changing things. Without adjusting classroom instruction to take full advantage of a one-to-one classroom, many of these schools are just doing the “same old thing” but using more expensive tools to do so. And the operative word here may be “expensive” too.
http://bit.ly/nQZszz


Learners, Not Knowers
This is why we should all be feeling an acute urgency right now to take back the definition of what “learning” really is in a world filled with content and teachers and personalization. It’s not an easy task, especially when test scores and grades take such precedence in the conversation. Don’t get me wrong; there is some opportunity in the use of technology to prepare kids at a content level for the bigger learning conversations to come, the conversations that we need real teachers for, the ones which develop the dispositions of learning that are uniquely human.
http://bit.ly/qRyPyF


Radical Flip at Macomb County School Getting Results

And when kids do homework in class, they're getting help from their teacher rather than parents who might struggle with the material. Teachers say flipping at times quadruples the amount of time they spend working directly with students -- ensuring students have a firm grasp of the lesson.

The initial success has gained Clintondale and Green some notice in national education circles. Green's a hot ticket at teacher conferences and has been speaking to packed rooms.

http://bit.ly/pcmrDx

The Rise (and Fall?) of Text Messaging in Schools

It’s an indication that text-messaging is becoming recognized as a powerful tool that schools should find a way to use. It’s one that can keep students engaged in class (though that idea remains fairly controversial, as cell phones are still viewed by many as a distraction). And it’s one that can help bridge the communication gulf between home and school.

But just as text-messaging may be on the cusp of widespread adoption in schools, there are rumblings in other sectors that text-messaging is dead. Or more accurately, perhaps, that text-messaging should simply die.

http://bit.ly/nQIerj

Hot Links!

The Seven Golden Rules of Using Technology in Schools 

Sometimes teachers and administrators need a kick in the pants to see what they perceive as problems re-framed in a different way. Adam S. Bellow, author of The Tech Commandments, and founder of eduTecher, spoke to a roomful of receptive teachers at the recent ISTE 2011 conference, and demonstrated some of the ironies and contradictions the education system is mired in. And he had some advice.

http://bit.ly/r1Ag2k 

Detroit Design Festival, September 21-18

DDF is a weeklong festival in Detroit, including signature events that showcase Detroit design and designers, through exhibitions, installations, design shows, roundtable discussions, studio tours, and virtual discussions. Detroit creative practitioners connect to each other.

http://www.detroitdesignfestival.com/

Automatic Mobile Rendering for Google Sites

As the dramatic growth of the mobile web changes the way people consume content, it’s becoming increasingly important for publishers to provide a good mobile experience. With this in mind, [Google] just added automatic mobile rendering in Google Sites for iOS 3.0+ and Android 2.2+ devices, and a mobile version of the Google Sites lists. 

http://bit.ly/lCP9ZG



Apple v. Google
An operating system used to be device-specific. However, as we move further toward a completely cloud-based, mobile experience, the definition of an operating system becomes somewhat elusive. 

http://bit.ly/mfbg90


AARP Begins an Internet Radio Service
The AARP, one of the biggest symbols of life in the gray years, is betting that a custom digital player on its Web site will rekindle its members’ love for discovering new music.Last month AARP quietly introduced a free Internet radio service for listeners 50 and older, with 18 channels programmed by the Concord Music Group.

http://nyti.ms/km4Tj9

The Future of Education and Other Matters

"Linked Together" by willowmina

The Future of Education is Mobile"

by Daniel Donahoo
The revolution in technology, and subsequently educational technology, is an opportunity, but not a guarantee.

http://huff.to/k1CTqB

"10 Facebook settings to check right now!" by Mark W. Smith

As Facebook becomes the window to the Web for its more than 500 million users worldwide, the security of the social network has never been a hotter topic.

http://bit.ly/kNQQaV


"Apple is Killing the WWW"  by Ben Camm-Jones

Venture capitalist thinks the company's iOS app model is winning the battle for the internet.

http://www.cfoworld.com/technology/7255/apple-killing-world-wide-web

"Peak Social" by George Siemens

Social is one of those lovely words that can be added to anything to make it better.

http://www.connectivism.ca/?p=317


"Bring Your Own Device Catching on in Schools" by Jason Ohler
It is especially important to understand how students use mobile devices for learning, and how educators can encourage that use, so that technology is not incorporated without a positive impact.
http://www.infosavvygroup.com/blogpost.cfm?blogID=1925




" . . . Please Make My School a Prison"  by Scott Mcleod'
A school superintendent in Michigan has written a public letter to the editor asking Governor Rick Snyder if his school can become a prison instead.


http://bigthink.com/ideas/38573

This week the Drive-thru begins its twice-a-week summer schedule.

Reflections on the CBL Webinar

L to R: Don, Mark, Larry, Katie (photo shared by Katie)

On November 30, I had an enriching experience, participating in a live Challenge Based Learning webinar with Don Henderson, Katie Morrow, and Mark Nichols.  The broadcast will soon available on demand

Unsurprisingly, I feel like I gained more than I gave to the experience.  The planning and execution informed me greatly about the history and research behind Challenge Based Learning, giving me a stronger context for understanding it.

At the end of the webinar Mark Nichols announced some really terrific news about CBL resources that should all be operational by January.

1) Mark has produced a wonderful CBL Classroom Guide that offers explanations, templates, best practices, and answers to frequently asked questions.  It is detailed but eminently readable.  He’s putting the finishing touches on the appendices and it will be available as a pdf soon!

2) Mark also announced the creation of a CBL Community Site which educators and students may go to find, discuss, post challenges and all things CBL.  It has a beautiful design and will be easy to use.  It is potentially a great boon to those of us who have been innovating on our own.  Now, whether we are home schooled or an entire school we will have a place to draw from others and contribute to a greater CBL community.

3) CBL is entering a new research phase.  15 more pilot schools will be selected for CBL training in Dallas and their CBL experiences will be thoroughly researched and reported by the New Media Consortium.

It’s exciting to be involved in all three endeavors, and of course I will continue to take more than I give.  But as I do, I will try to share it with my own community of faithful blog readers!  Three days in Cupertino has given Larry’s Opinion Drive-thru a major content boost!

MACUL Conference Presentation on Challenge Based Learning

I'm the Amway Plaza, today (March 12), presenting for the 2010 MACUL (Michigan Association for Computer Users in Learning) Conference. Here's the description of today's session:

Using Apple’s Challenge-Based Learning to Build Learning networks
Larry Baker, Teacher, Mercy High School

This presentation outlines Apple’s “Challenge Based Learning” as implemented in two courses. CBL is not dependent on specific software/equipment. It fosters authentic learning and leverages technology tools and resources. Students use Web 2.0 for planning, collaborating, and sharing, while seeking solutions. The shift from teacher-learner to co-learners will be examined.

I've been looking forward to this presentation ever since the students completed their presentations in early December. I am going to let their videos and online solutions do much of the talking. Here are many of the presentation resources:

My 2010 MACUL Presentation Slides: Challenge Based Learning

The Challenge Assignment: Create an Authentic Medium for Improving our Democracy

Student Video Interviews: Challenge Based Learning

Student Created Challenge Solution: Gov Love Ning

Student Created Challenge Solution: Operation iVote Demo

Student Created Challenge Solution: The Ideal Voter Site

Student Created Challenge Solution: The Democracy of Tomorrow Site

Student Created Challenge Solution: What Up, Gov! Facebook Group

Apple Computer: Challenge Based Learning

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Screenshot from Apple Keynote created slide Challenge Based Learning presentation