Tag: ipad

ashley brown kayaking
Assessment, Checkout Equipment, Innovative Instruction, iPad, Pedagogy, Tech Happens! Un-Grant, TLT, Video

Guest Post: Using Video In-Class Assessment Under Water!

Mendi Benigni

Our guest blogger is Ashley Brown from Health and Human Performance.  In January Ashley was awarded an Ungrant for an iPod touch.  Her goal was to film her kayaking students while they learn to paddle to help critique their performance and allow them to improve.  Not only is this an interesting experiment into real-time assessment but also into exploring the waterproofing options for tablets and phones.  There are many departments, such as the sciences and education, that can benefit from her trials with using the waterproof cases in the field.  

I won an iPod Touch from the Ungrant through TLT!!

The Goal

My main objective is to video students paddling during their Coastal Kayaking class and give them feedback on their strokes and maneuvers using the Coach my Video app. 

The Challenge

My first challenge was the hardware.  The iPod does not like to work when it is wet.  I have it in a waterproof case and a life jacket to keep it floating, but when I swiped my wet hands over the wet surface the machine just ignored me.  Believe it or not I took it out two times before it occurred to me that the machine doesn’t work when wet, it won’t work when the waterproof case is wet, it won’t work when my hands are wet…so I’m still trying to figure out how to stay dry when I’m wet.   I haven’t tried filming under water, but plan to when it warms up – by then I hope to have solved the ‘dry when wet’ problem

Then, after washing my face one might, I had a revelation; if a towel could dry my face…although I still haven’t figured out how to keep the towel dry.

The iPod is still not a big fan of wet hands, and it is hard to get them completely dry.

The Outcome

I had luck videoing the students and using the Coach my Video app to show them their work. However, I didn’t want to waste class time discussing each video individually, and still haven’t found an easily accessible way to project the video for the whole class to watch.  So my next challenge is to send them their own assessed video. 

I’m enjoying the new technology, and the challenge of using it in an environment where one of the first things I say to students  is, “Lock your electronics in your car if you don’t want to lose them or ruin them!” is ongoing…maybe a really big ziplock bag…I mean really big.

Side note from TLT

We’ll keep following Ashley’s progress as she works through some of these issues.  Check back to see the resolutions and more on student outcomes!  TLT has longterm iPad minis and two waterproof cases available in our Checkout Equipment if you are interested in trying something like this in your classes.

screenshot of iPhone on a Mac
iPad, Mobile, Share, TLT, Video

Record a Screencast of your iPad/iPhone from your Mac for Free!

Mendi Benigni

This is for all my Mac users running Yosemite (OS 10.10).  Here’s a handy tip that you may not know that allows you to record what you are doing on your iPad or iPhone to a movie that you can share with your students or others.   In the past we’ve been able to do this by purchasing additional software such as AirServe or Reflector but these cost money (not a lot $14-$19) and they didn’t work on our CofC secured network.  Now if you are running the newest Mac OS 10.10 you can do this using only the USB cable you use to charge your phone and the built-in Quicktime Player.

Here’s a quick rundown:

1)  Connect your iPad or iPhone to your computer using the USB to lightning cable.

2)  On your computer launch QuickTime and select File > New Movie Recording from the menu bar.

3)  Choose your iPad or iPhone from the dropdown menu next to the record button.

4)  Press the record button to record.

5)  Press it again to stop recording.

6)  Choose File > Save to save the video recording.

Here’s a better way to understand what to do:

Now remember, this will only work with Macs running Yosemite and iOS devices that use the lightning connection. I hope this helps the Mac folks. For all you Windows users, if you have this need then contact your Instructional Technologist for assistance.

Score Keeper Screenshot
Assessment, iPad, Mobile, Tech Generation

Track Your Teams with Score Keeper by Learning Dojo

Amy Ostrom

Score Keeper – What is it and how can I use it?

Platform – iPod Touch, iPhone, iPad
Price – free in the App Store (NOTE: this is listed as an iPhone app)
Download – https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/score-keeper-by-learning-dojo/id954956153?mt=8 

Overview

Using Team Based Learning or Gaming in your classroom?  Having a hard time easily keeping or resetting the score? Score Keeper will not only help you to add up or detract points from 2 teams, but it also allows  you to reset the score with one touch.  When a team gains or loses a point the app will comment with encouragement or gentle teasing. (Yes, you have the option to silence the app if you’d like!).  Simple to use and ready to go, Score Keeper will help you keep track of those points!  Game on!

Score Keeper Screenshot

 

Faculty Showcase, Information Session, Innovative Instruction, Round Table Discussion, TLT

Giving Thanks for Technology: November Faculty Showcase

Jessica Smith

At our November Faculty Showcase, we gave thanks for the many ways technology makes us more efficient, productive, and engaging instructors.  Special thanks to Kate Pfile, Mary Ann Hartshorn, and Gayle Goudy for sharing their experiences using instructional technologies.  In addition to learning about innovative teaching strategies, we also collected over 34 pounds of canned goods to be donated in time for Thanksgiving.  Thank you to everyone who contributed!

Amy thanks you for your donations!
Amy thanks you for your donations!

During the Showcase, Kate Pfile (HHP) showed us how her students use Popplet (Free; iOS and Web) for a postural assessment assignment.  Popplet is a digital mind-mapping application that allows users to visually capture ideas and make connections between them.  Kate asks her students to take pictures of a friend’s posture, then use Popplet to analyze musculature by identifying the relationships among various body parts.  Popplet can also be used to enhance brainstorming, tease out ideas, plan projects, and organize one’s thoughts, such as when writing a research paper.  Even better, Popplet allows multiple users to collaborate synchronously or asynchronously, so small groups or an entire class could work together.

Example Popplet with Kate's Annotations, made in Goodnotes
Example Popplet with Kate’s annotations, made in Goodnotes

Gayle Goudy (SOTA) shared her experiences with flipping her art history courses.  Flipping has become a hot topic in education, as instructors move lectures outside the classroom while reserving class time for discussion, problem-solving, activities, and group work.  This allows students to accomplish the lower levels of Bloom’s Taxonomy on their own while they work through higher levels of cognitive work with their classmates and instructor.  There are a variety of approaches to flipping your course, whether you want to flip the entire semester or just a handful of classes.  TLT can point you to numerous technology tools that will facilitate this change, including Voicethread and Kaltura Mediaspace.

Kate Pfile and Guoli Liu
Kate Pfile and Guoli Liu

Mary Ann Hartshorn (TEDU) is a TLT Superstar: she presented at both of our Faculty Showcases this semester!  Mary Ann shared how she uses Google Docs for a collaborative annotated bibliography assignment and the OAKS Discussion tool to encourage community-formation.  To read more, check out our recap of the October Faculty Showcase.

TLT’s instructional technologists also had tech tools to share.  Laura Plotts, instructional technologist for LCWA, showed faculty how Haiku Deck (Free; iOS and Web) provides a fantastic alternative to “death by Powerpoint.”  With Haiku Deck, there’s no chance of presenting slides crammed with bullet points.  Instead, the application forces users to keep text to a minimum and use images to tell their story.  If you want students to learn to speak extemporaneously, Haiku Deck can help wean them off of reading directly from their slides.  Because of its eye-catching designs and graphics, it’s also perfect for video lectures, conference presentations, sales pitches, and keynote addresses.

Kaitlin Woodlief, instructional technologist for SSM, shared a tool that allows instructors to collect real-time feedback without the need for student devices.  Plickers (Free; Android and iOS) makes formative assessment and live polling simple.

Students don’t need iPads or smartphones; instead, each student responds by holding up a card that’s printed with a special image that has letters around the sides.  If, for example, the answer to the question is A, the student will turn the card so that the letter A is on top.

The instructor then uses their smartphone or iPad camera to scan the room and capture the cards.  The app registers the student answers which then can be displayed to the room.  For those who worry about their entire class having devices, or those who simply don’t want to bother with students having to log in or register, Plickers may be just what you’re looking for.

Trying out Plickers!
Trying out Plickers!

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you’d like to learn more about any of these tools and strategies, please contact your instructional technologist.  Thank you to everyone who stopped by!  Be on the look-out for our Spring Faculty Showcases, including a few new, exciting events!

AWW Web Whiteboard
Collaboration

Collaborative Whiteboard

Mendi Benigni

Free, Fun, Easy

Are you looking for an easy to use, collaborative whiteboard app that works on all tablets, phones, AND computers? Check out AWW: a web whiteboard (https://awwapp.com). Recommended by Sarah Davis in Teacher Education (EHHP), it allows you and your students to collaborate through drawing.  Sarah used it to online tutor her niece in math.  It’s great for writing, math, brainstorming, anything that can be done by drawing or writing.

It also couldn’t be easier to use if it had to be.  Just go to https://awwapp.com and click Start Drawing.  Once in the board just share the link with your users via email or a tweet and you’re on your way to collaboration.

 

three people talking about iPads and Airsketch
1-1-1, Collaboration, Faculty Technology Institute, iPad, Mobile, Presentation, TLT

Guest Post: Using the iPad and AirSketch for In-class Activities and to Facilitate Discussions

Mendi Benigni

Our guest blogger is Faye Hicks-Townes, a faculty member in Teacher Education.

I was a participant in the Summer 2013 Summer FIT.  Initially I was overwhelmed with the sheer number of available apps. Although I must admit I was impressed with AirSketch when I first saw it.  I wasn’t certain how I would use it in class, but I was attracted to the freedom it provided.  I could present, discuss, and highlight material without being tethered to the computer. I have used AirSketch in two types of assignments, a primary source analysis paper and in-class assignments requiring visual representations.

I am teaching a class that requires the use of primary documents for a writing assignment. Students are required to read and interpret primary source materials to respond to questions on the history of education in Charleston and the Lowcountry.  To help introduce my students to this type of material and I wanted to work with them as a group to facilitate discussion.  AirSketch fit this role perfectly.  The primary documents the students are using are located at the Avery Center and available on line in digital format.  I was able to download some of the material to use in class.  The material includes diaries, interviews, and minutes.  Many are handwritten. After downloaded examples, I was able to take pictures of the documents to share with students by using AirSketch.  To use AirSketch, I just had to open the app and type in the displayed URL into the computer in the classroom.  It was very easy and quick.  I then chose the document that I wanted to use.  Once I had the document up on the screen, I could walk through it with my students.  It was also easy to select a writing tool to highlight or circle specific information for discussion.  As the students asked questions or responded, I was able to give them my tablet so that they could also highlight or circle information.  The students did not have to get up from their seats and go to the front of the class.  They could respond, ask questions, or discuss while highlighting or even writing on the material on the screen.  I liked being able to focus on sections of documents by highlighting and circling.  The students and I had clarity throughout the discussion and were able to easily address areas of concern.

Using the iPad’s camera and mini scan was easier than making copies for students and it was very useful in facilitating discussion.  The students were more involved and I found it easier to interact with them.

I plan to continue to use the app for classroom presentations.  It is very easy to use and that’s definitely a plus for me.

This spring I have also begun to use AirSketch for classroom activities.  When we discuss philosophies, theories, and perspectives, I often ask students to create a visual representation of their views or their interpretation of others’ views.  For instance, I may ask them to create a visual of behaviorism or progressivism. In the past I have used ELMO to display these visuals.  It was a hit or miss.  Sometimes it worked well, other times, not so well. Now I have begun to use AirSketch.  I can take a picture of the student’s visual and display it.  The student can, from his/her seat, discuss the visual, and even make changes as the discussion continues.  The students do not have to present from a finished product.  They can create as they explain their thoughts.  I have found that some students are more comfortable sharing when they do not have to stand before the class.

I am pleased with AirSketch because it is easy to use and an effective tool for discussion and presentation.  I’m certain I will continue to find uses for it in my classes.  The only drawbacks I have experienced now are not being able to zoom in on sections of the pictures.  At least I haven’t found out how to.  I would also like to be able to use the keyboard instead of the pen.  Overall, AirSketch has been a useful addition to my class.

Checkout Equipment, iPad, TLT

Product review: iPad Stylus

Laura Plotts

In my search for the perfect stylus I have tried  everything from a Dollar Store stylus to the $75.00 Jot Script.  Here is a list of Pros and Cons for 7 different stylus.  I used each of these on my iPad mini with a note taking app.  Click on the stylus name for an image and more information.

Boxwave  $8.00

PROS:

  • Perforated tip makes writing easy and no drag

  • Tip is replaceable

  • Length similar to a pen

  • Barrel of the stylus is hollow, which makes the stylus slightly lighter than some other  such as the Bamboo Stylus

CONS:

  • None

roocase $10.00

PROS:

  • Price

CONS:

  • Large sponge tip caused drag when writing

  • Short body. Similar to golf pencil

pogo sketch $15.00

PROS:

  • Lightweight

CONS:

  • Because body is so thin, my fingers tended to slide around

  • Short body. Similar to golf pencil

adonit Jot Classics $16.00

PROS:

  • Very different tip from other stylus. Not foam, but instead is a plastic tip which made for very easy writing with no drag

CONS:

  • Sound of plastic tip hitting the iPad glass was distracting
  • Having to always have to remove the cap to use the stylus.

pogo sketch pro $25.00 *Top pick

PROS:

  • Tapered body (not a standard pen or stylus body type)

  • Ergonomic grip kept fingers from sliding off stylus

  • Special (replaceable) tip makes it very easy to write with and no drag

CONS:

  • Price

Bamboo Stylus by Wacom  $28.00

PROS:

  • Tip is a good size for writing.  Feel like you  can write more precisely than with other  styluses.

CONS:

  • Attached pen clip – some may like this, but I thought it got in the way

  • Price

  • Length. Not quite as long as a pen.  More like a golf pencil in length.


Jot Script  $75.00

PROS:

  • Pixelpoint tip. Most like a pen than any other stylus I have tried so far

  • Works with Penultimate which is a note taking app I use along with Evernote

CONS:

  • Price

  • Relying on batteries

  • Much thicker than most stylus

  • Without constant use must turn it on before using

If you would like to test out a stylus yourself first before purchasing,  TLT does have all those tested above that you can checkout for 10 days except for the Jot Script.   To checkout, visit https://blogs.charleston.edu/tlt/technology/checkout-equipment/ 

Honorable Mention:

Walgreens stylus – At $5.00 I found it comparable with the $15.00 pogo sketch.  Pros:  price and because of how light it is there is no drag when writing.  Cons:  Short.  I prefer a stylus that is the same length of a pen.

Smith & Wesson Tactical Stylus – My favorite pen/stylus combo at $25.00.  Pros:  Length. I prefer a stylus that is the same length of a pen.  I like a pen/stylus combo.  Cons: a bit heavy and large tip causes it to drag on the screen a little more than others I had tested.

What is next for me? http://www.fiftythree.com/pencil

Do you have a stylus you recommend or not?  Let us know!

iPad

App for creating presentations

Laura Plotts

Looking for an app to create a PowerPoint type presentation all on your iPad?   Then checkout Haiku Deck.

Haiku Deck is the simple new way to create  presentations.  Sort, select, and import multiple images in one step from your iPad’s Camera Roll or Albums.  Automatic image attribution and sizing for Creative Commons and Getty Images saves time. It is a free and easy app that you can share via email, Twitter, Facebook or embed in your blog or website.

For a list of more apps for creating presentations, please see our iPad matrix.