Apple TV

      First off if you are unaware I am not talking about an actual TV(although I think we all feel that would be an incredible idea), but rather an unassuming black box that connect to your TV or projector.  I had heard rumblings about Apple TV and I was interested, but I didn't get it.  What application could it have in a school.  Netflix is blocked along with many of the other applications so I thought it would be a waste. But I was wrong for one reason...

AIR PLAY

      If you are using an ipad in the classroom you need to have an Apple TV, two wires and you can wireless stream anything on your ipad to your projector or TV.  Now I will say that we have a strong wireless network and projectors that can handle HDMI and if you didn't have those things I don't know how well it would work.  But I am in love, I have only had it two days and I couldn't believe all the things that I was missing.  If the ipad itself was an educational game changer, Apple TV changes the game again, and for those who don't think the ipad is a game changer, Apple TV will change their mind.  The best part, relatively cheap.  Think three cartons of paper cheap.

     I have it set up in three classrooms so far, and I have pulled teachers in to show them, and at first they blow it off, smile and say "thats neat", but by the time the reach the door, they turn and say "hey I can use it for", "the kids could".
 
     If you haven't looked at it, you should.   In my humble opinion its a worthwhile investment.

AR Parrot Drone 2.0

I was just awarded a grant of the AR Parrot Drone 2.0.   I have a ton of great ideas and I hope to be post some video shortly, but I was wondering what you would use a drone quadicopter for?

The Tech Ninja Blog is Blowing up

Hey Jay and I just wanted to say thanks to everyone for all of their support with this blog, we are really taking off with page views.  I just wanted to let you know that you are also able to follow us on twitter

@Tech_Ninja_Blog or follow us on facebook thetechninjablog .  Thank you.

Thin Air

Ok everyone this post is going to be a short one so pay attention.  I just took a look at the website Displair.com and I was geeking out big time.  The Displair system is a way to view a totally physically interactive display in the air.  As amazed as I was I found it difficult to find the practicality in this new technology in reference to the classroom.  I am sure that once I let this concept of manipulating imagery in thin air that some ideas will come to me, but for now go check out the website and get ya geek on.

Educreations App

Matt and I returned from the NCTIES conference with some cool new information. One of the coolest apps we learned about is Educreations ( http://www.educreations.com/ ). To quote the site verbatim, "Educreations is a recordable interactive whiteboard that captures your voice and handwriting to produce amazing video lessons that you can share online. Students and colleagues can replay your lessons in any web browser, or from within our app on their iPads. Check out the "Showcase" on our homepage or the "Featured" tab in our iPad app to view some great lessons that other teachers have created with Educreations." The teachers at my school are really excited about this app. One second grade teacher is using it to assess students by letting students create lessons on content they have learned and then submitting it to the teacher via email. I had a front row seat today watching a whole class recording the steps to solve an addition problem and how to use a number line right on their iPads. The teacher then watched the lessons on her computer to see if the students had mastered the content.  Student engagement was through the roof and the teacher was able to assess the students quickly. I thought this activity was much better than a quiz! Keep you eye on this app I think it's going to be a hot one. 

Leap Motion

Have you seen this https://www.leapmotion.com/  ??

Jay wants one, it would be great to have in the classroom.  Turn each computer into a touch device

What do you think?

Be Fearless

Hi, my name is Jay and I would like to give you a very important tip about using technology.  Be fearless.  I have worked with students and teachers alike and one of the most common excuses I hear about why they do not use technology is that they think it is to complicated for them.  Technology can be overwhelming but don't let that keep you from trying something new and AWESOME!

The Tech Ninja Blog

I would like to welcome you to the Tech Ninja blog.  I'm Matt and I am sure that you will hear from Jay in just a  little bit, we are two self professed Tech Ninja, looking at ways to make our lives more fun.  We both work with students on a daily basis and we hope that you are able to take something away that will help you turn into a tech ninja.