Art Teaching with a touch of Technology

This week has been fun.  Reading and trying to apply it to my daily work.  When I was reading the Living with New Media  section, I began to wonder about the ones that don't fit in to these groups.  One project I am involved in at school is Mac and iPad Management.  I use a Mobile Device Manager, (Casper Suite) to assist students and faculty with these devices.  We deploy out software and updates on demand, via the Mobile Device Manager.  There are many kinds of learners out there, and some are not the "messing around" or "geek-out" type.  What about the more apprehensive group, the ones who fear change?  What I am concerned about is the resistant to move with the times crowd.  The "too scared" to try.  The more cautious, that have to be forced to update software.  The unorganised that never have a backup when their computer fails, or "lost" that assignment.  The ones who get upset by the "new" Facebook.  Mi...

Image Source Are all technologies in the classroom created equal? Well no.  There are many models to discuss what is a better use of technology in the classroom. Revised Blooms and SAMR discusses the difference between the types of technology that can be used, and the levels of achievement in these areas. Revised Blooms SAMR https://sites.google.com/a/msad60.org/technology-is-learning/samr-model Both look to simplify how we approach technology in the classroom.  Giving us a prescribed App vs Higher order thinking method to the madness of the use of technology in the classroom. When we look at use of technology, be it iPads, computer labs, smart board, laptops... We need to look towards the lesson plan and the unit plan, rather than that of the tool. Higher order thinking can be shown in almost any application or with any tool, as well as low level thinking can be shown with poor planning and lots of resources thrown at the problem.  The simple...

This week I have been teaching about Minecraft to teachers in my job as an EdTech Specialist.  If you haven't used it, its a pretty interesting little game.  If you have a child that is between 7 and 15, just ask how interesting it is.  The presentation below is of my work mate, David Lee , who is an Elementary Tech integrationist, and wrote the training we presented to staff members at Korea International School.    In this entry, I am going to explain how this new media game, relates to our course objectives. In the reading, " Living and Learning, a New Media Report " from the MacArthur foundation, a few main types of online communities are described.  These types are: "Hanging Out", "Messing Around", and "Geeking Out". In "Hanging Out" one extends their real world to an online community, extending themselves across distances (or in the same room).  Messing around is best described as "... young people begin to take...

WIFI is a great thing.  iPads, iPhones and iPods all love WIFI.  But, these devices will often stray from your WIFI.  I live in an apartment building, and most of my neighbors have unprotected WIFI.  My iPod Touch will often connect to their network, and I need to switch to my network. Most computers will allow you to set a preference as to which WIFI to connect to first, second, third and so forth.  But in iOS, not so much.  Unfortunately, this cannot be done on the device.  Here are some quick tips as to how to set up a preference for this on an iOS device. What do you need? A Mac or PC iPhone Configuration Utility for that computer ( MAC , PC ) iPad / iPhone / iPod cable for your device. All of these steps are done in iPhone Configuration Utility.  Other applications that support this procedure include Apple Configurator and Jamf's Casper Suite.  The other applications may look a bit different, but essentially are the same...

At KIS, my edtech team and I have had the task to find alternatives to re-imaging computers.  Re-imaging is stressful for all involved. You want all of your computers up to date, with the software that is needed.  With Re-imaging, computers are collected, connected to a server, and computers are overwritten.  Folks often forget to backup their computers, tears flowing over lost data. I work in a 1:1 Mac environment, with many iPads.  Many teen agers who are new to Macs, and often have a problem making sure their computer is up to date.  A big issue:  lots of iPads, in little hands.  We are also trailing 1:1 iPads in grades 3 and 4 this year. My school also wanted an alternative to Apple Remote Desktop.  A system that allows for monitoring Macs.  At my school, it did not work.  Due to networking issues, it was nearly impossible to find all students in your class with ARD. We were able to find solutions, but ultimately, we ...

After discussing his term in Physical Education with his teacher, Miss Early, we talked about what my son enjoyed in Class. The Yoga unit was one of his favourites, and living in a small apartment, can be done in a small space. But, I am not some yoga master. Miss Early suggested we look at an iPad app for Yoga for kids. My son is a first grader at KIS, where they use iPads from a cart in the classroom. Santa had brought him an iPad mini for Christmas, and we have already been using it for him to be more organized for school. He uses it for recreation, and a bit for school related tasks. I came across two apps, but Super Stretch became his favourite. It has pleasant animations, video clips of kids doing the poses, a reward system, and a code of ethics. My son decided that everyone in the house needed to do the Yoga, getting his little sister, Gran, Pop, Mom & Dad to join in. Here is the AppStore link: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/super-stretch-yoga-hd/i...

I had recently had a Mac on Lion unable to load the Users & Groups Preference Pane.   Like this: My IT support had suggested reimaging the computer.  Reinstalling the Operating System, reloading the applications, and transferring back the User information from Time Machine Backup. Well, after doing all of that, the problem reappeared immediately.  I scoured through Apple Support Communities and found this fix.  For some reason, some transparent users are showing up in your system.  They need to be deleted.  But since you cannot load Users & Groups... it becomes a problem. Here is the solution / procedure. Quit System Preferences.   Launch Terminal.  (Applications/Utilities/Terminal)   Copy & Paste these commands. sudo dscl . delete /Users/Guest press enter Terminal may ask for your Administrator Password, enter that. sudo dscl . delete /Users/Guest1 press enter ...