List of Recommended iPad Apps Updated

Posted on February 15, 2012 by Karlton| Leave a comment

In order to assist both newcomers and seasoned iPad users, I have been providing a list of recommended iPad apps that might be helpful to faculty and staff in higher education (and especially here at Rowan). The last time I updated the list of recommended iPad apps was in October. Since then, I have been researching, downloading, and testing numerous apps in different categories on a daily basis. So much has changed and it’s about time for an updated list. Continue reading →

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Posted in iPad, Reviews, Rowan News

Education & Technology Related Conference Calendar UPDATED!

Posted on January 24, 2012 by Karlton| Leave a comment

The conference calendar page has been updated. If you’re looking to get away but want to learn something or rub elbows in the process, head on over. And with the recent technology advancements and announcements that are related to education, I am sure you’ll find something that is right up your alley. There’s a list of annual conferences and a calendar of when they will be running. Now, all you have to do is pay the registration, secure the room, then book the flight.

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Posted in General News

Not Only Did My Prediction Come True…It’s More Significant Than I Predicted

Posted on January 20, 2012 by Karlton| Leave a comment

Last year around this time, I made several predictions that revolved around computing and education progressing toward a reliance on tablet-based devices. I also believed that Apple and the iPad would play a large part in that progression–I just wasn’t sure how much. But, here are three of the more interesting predictions that I made:

  • Education will embrace and implement the use of media computing tablets in the curriculum.
  • Google, Apple, or some publishing house will create an online repository for faculty wishing to publish their own books or research, thus subverting the normal publishing process.
  • Students will be asked to export their projects in the ePub format allowing faculty to read papers and projects on their tablet.

Continue reading →

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Posted in eBooks, Integration, iPad, Predictions

Reviewing the 2011-2012 vir•†ech•go Predictions

Posted on January 10, 2012 by Karlton| Leave a comment

Today, I say once again, “HAPPY NEW YEAR!” So, you know what that means…It’s time to revisit the predictions that I made this time last year in order to see how far I was from reality. Or, was it just the opposite, and I do truly know everything about technology and education.

We’ll be reviewing what I thought would happen from the beginning of 2011 up until today. I figured that I would coincide my prediction wrap ups with the beginning of the annual Consumer Electronics Show (CES), which unfortunately, I won’t be attending yet again. Anyway, let’s look at last year’s predictions…

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Posted in FutureEDU, Predictions

Schools Must Standardize on a Tablet

Posted on January 9, 2012 by Karlton| Leave a comment

Last week a couple of our Rowan staff walked into my office with brand spanking new shiny tablet-based devices. They had just received them from our Central Receiving department, so they were eager to get started using their newly acquired tools right away. They came over seeking guidance and training from the people they think have all the answers.  Oh, they were so excited. The excitement quickly faded when someone sent them to me and I told them I didn’t know if I would be much help to them. The problem, unfortunately, was that their tablets were not iPads. I specialize in and have expertise in Apple’s iOS-based tablet devices. I know all about the hardware and the operating system; I test and review tons of iPad apps; and I am well versed in many accessories for the iPad. Well, I did my best. I gave them advice, options, and pointed them in a helpful direction. I think they left satisfied–not happy–just satisfied. It was after they left that I realized that in this new era of tablet-based devices, it pays to standardize on one or two actual tablet-based devices. Here’s why…

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Posted in Integration, iPad, Tablet-devices

Revisiting the Question: Can Technology Save Education?

Posted on December 20, 2011 by Karlton| Leave a comment

Note: This is one of those posts you’re going to want to read to the very end and then formulate your position.

I don’t know  why so many people ignored the housing bubble and the inevitable collapse of the economy a few years ago. I remember going house hunting with a friend years before the collapse; we realized then that the rising cost of housing was far outpacing people’s incomes. Well, it seems we are entering into another questionable period. Higher education seems to be far outpacing people’s incomes. The costs associated with college tuition (not to mention room and board) is rising on average somewhere near 5% to 10% every year. How do we avoid a similar collapse in higher education? Could technology be the answer?  Continue reading →

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Posted in FutureEDU, Predictions

iPad…It’s Not Just for Mac Users

Posted on November 28, 2011 by turnquist| Leave a comment

Many people may say: I don’t have a Mac so the iPad is not for me. Well that’s a myth and I’m a myth buster. The iPad is for everyone, including you. When the iPad first came out it had to be synced with iTunes on a computer and most people assumed that iTunes and iPod and iPhones were only Mac compatible. There is also a Windows version of iTunes that can be used with these devices. So not only can you use iTunes with Windows but you can use your iPad with your PC.

Better yet now that Apple has come out with the new iOS 5 release that allows you to use your iPad, PC Free. What does that mean? That means you do not need a computer at all, so if you don’t have a Mac or a Windows machine, no problem, you can still use the iPad. Continue reading →

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Posted in Integration, iPad, Tablet-devices

Video in the Classroom…You Got Issues, We Got Solutions: #1 Rogue Student Content

Posted on November 23, 2011 by Karlton| Leave a comment

This posting is rated E for Everyone. While attending a faculty showcase called Video and the Classroom, in which faculty demonstrated how they are having students use video for class projects, one of the professors indicated that she was confounded by one issue in particular…She had a student create a video presentation that bordered on objectionable. Let me paint this picture. Just imagine your students are presenting their video projects to the class and one of the projects contains nudity or foul language. What are you to do? If you’re offended, do you continue to watch it? How should you grade the project? Should you make the student redo the project? Continue reading →

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Posted in Integration, Tips

iOS 5: You Should Definitely Update!

Posted on November 9, 2011 by turnquist| Leave a comment

Picture of Ipad and iphone

(Wednesday,  October 12, 2011 – iOS 5 Date of Release) I know that updating from the previous iOS to iOS 5 can be pretty scary. I was feeling pretty nervous about iOS 5 myself. Why? iCloud! I thought all my “stuff” is going to be in the cloud. How secure is that? Who else can see it? What if there is ever a breach? And what if, by chance, my stuff somehow gets lost in the cloud. All of these concerns are very valid but a study says 1 in 3 Apple devices runs iOS 5. If you are one who hasn’t then here are a few reasons to upgrade.

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Posted in FutureEDU

Skype in the Classroom (education.skype.com)

Posted on October 24, 2011 by Shalanda Gray| Leave a comment

Skype is a free application that allows video calling, voice calling and instant messaging. Skype is available and is available on Mac, Windows, Linux, and many mobile platforms.  Developed as a means of communication other that cell phones and widely used to avoid long distance charges, Skype has made it possible for individuals to be in more than one place at a time. Businesses use Skype as a means of telecommuting. Parent traveling for business are able to speak with their children at bedtime.

Introduced in 2010, Skype the classroom (education.skype.com) added an additional level of interaction to theSkype. Skype in the classroom allows educators to collaborate on projects, connect with other educators, and to learn  how Skype is being used in other classrooms. Continue reading →

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Posted in Integration