Class Flow

I have found one of the most innovative exciting websites to come around in a while, but I haven't shared it will the teachers at my school yet.  All for the simple fact that I don't know if it will work if I do.  Let me start off by saying I love the idea of classflow.com.  I believe that it was created by Promethean and even though we are a SMART school, I love this idea.  First it's a free program, and if you know me, if its free its for me.  You set up your class, you are able to browse lessons or create your own.  And then you teach.  Ok well maybe its not that simple.  But what classflow is able to do is "With ClassFlow, teachers can build and access interactive lessons from any web browser, share lessons with other peers and collaborate using the latest mobile and student response technology. Not only will ClassFlow help teachers save time at the planning and setup stages of lesson development, but it can also facilitate a more connected classroom. 

ClassFlow allows teachers to foster student engagement by connecting all of the technology devices in the classroom, including tablets, laptops and teachers' surface systems. Once connected, teachers can share content, poll the class in real-time and exchange annotated lessons via mobile devices- all within the ClassFlow platform."

Now that might be overstating it a bit as it came straight from the classflow website, but the students have your lesson that you are teaching from right in front of them, it incorporates  a response system into the lesson, so you can have built in questions or ask them on the fly and if you change or add something it appears right on their device.   Its wonderful especially in a 1:1 classroom, however there is a dark side.

Classflow.com is in Beta, and when they say that they really mean it.  I tried for over an hour yesterday to try to add a class, it would not let me, I log in today and ten seconds later I have a new class set up.  I tried to browse other lessons to see what was available ( not much)  and it wouldn't play any of the lessons.  

I love this idea and if I was in a 1:1 setting I would be all over this, despite the issues, but if they are able to get this to work how they have proposed it, it will be great.

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A Look Back: Vocaroo

We have been asked by several followers of the The Tech Ninja Blog  to share some of our favorite tools.  We thought that we would share some of our early posts about the tools and why we like them.  You can link to the original post by clicking here.

So Jay let me know about this cool website, www.vocaroo.com.  It lets you record your voice ( or anything else for that matter) and then creates an URL to an MP3 of the recording.  He had a teacher at his school using it for a biography project, he had a picture of the person the students were researching an then used the Vocaroo url to create a QR code, then put the QR code over the mouth of the person.  Then when you scan the QR code the student explains all about their person in their own voice.
     I LOVE this idea and I would almost say that any piece of student work that is out in the hallway or even hanging up in the room should have a QR code that explains about that project.  Now I know everyone might not be that extreme about it, but I am interested in the possibilities and see that as a better way to use QR codes them some of the other-ways that I see them being used.
     Now what about if you are not a teacher, you have a child that you have to be away from, you could create a Vocaroo for each page of a book, turn it into a qr code and paste it into the corner of each page, then your child could listen to you reading the book to them even if you are not there.  Just some ideas and I am sure more will pop up.

TRANSFORMING

http://wonderfulengineering.com/hd-transformers-wallpapers-backgrounds-for-free-download/

Ok today I want to talk about a moment of transformation. I work with great Teachers but not all of them have reached what I call the "TRANSFORMATION"stage.  What I am speaking of is the transformation of a teacher who goes from waiting for someone to show them ways to use technology to a teacher who is creating ways to use technology. I work with great third grade teachers. One in particular has recently become a creator instead of a consumer in terms of how she views and uses technology. The best part is that she is excited about teaching again and her students are excited to participate in every new lesson. She is combining applications in innovative ways to create meaningful, challenging, and engaging lessons. This is what I hope will happen to all teachers sooner than later. In the past this teacher was satisfied waiting for instructional technology that was delivered in staff development and or attached in emails (and there is a need for that but why are teachers waiting?). Now she no longer waits for technology to come to her but actively seeks it out. I have watched her classroom environment change and other teachers have begun to take notice as well. So I want to congratulate all those who have strived to evolve to a new level of instruction and who truly embrace The Tech Ninja motto to BE FEARLESS!

Croak.it

30 seconds, it's a short amount of time that can feel like forever.  Croak.it is a online application that allows you to record your voice or any other sound in thirty second clips.  It then posts them online.  You can create a free account or just use it as a guest.  You can have students read a story they wrote, read a story and check for fluency later on.  Now you may have to be careful with what you just pull up in your classroom, because the homepage has lots of random goodness.  Sometimes you get stuff like So you never know what might show up.  But its quick, easy and can be anonymous, so it would be fine for students to use.  It's avvailable for the computer, IOS, or android. Check it out.  http://croak.it/

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Welcome Back

Well I just wanted to say welcome back, not to you, but rather to me. Its been five months since I last posted and I am hoping to get back into a routine with posting more often.  I have a couple of new websites to use, but I just wanted to give a shout out to all those who are supporting The Tech Ninja Blog.  We know that we will not get famous blogging about education, but we are just trying to get information that we feel is important out there.  That is one of the hardest things in todays age. Like Jay mention in his post there is so much more information out there and it gets more and more visually appealing, yet, so much gets missed.  So maybe we post to facebook too much, or on twitter, but we are just trying to help you.  If we are being annoying let us know.

Don’t forget that besides from just following the blog you can like us on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/pages/Thetechninjablog/111528315703424, follow us on Twitter @Tech_Ninja_Blog  and now subscribe to our YouTube channel 

This Weeks Tech Rumors – Ninja Style April 21-27

Image by Hector Gomez

Openclipart.org

Leap Motion delayed to July 22^nd  

            So we have posted a couple of times about the Leap Motion.  Both Jay and I can’t wait to get our hands on it.  That’s why we were so disappointed to hear that it would be delayed to July 22^nd.  Bow they are saying this is just to allow for more beta testing and there is no delay with the actual device.  They also have said that they have already made 500,000 devices.  Why is this so important to a Tech Ninja, because it sounds like they are having software issues, and you may want to pass until the glitches get worked out. 

http://www.latimes.com/business/technology/la-fi-tn-leap-motion-delay-20130425,0,1814411.story

The NY Times release an app for Google Glass

            I want a pair of Google Glasses, and even though I didn’t have the $1500 I still thought long and hard about trying to be a beta tester.  As they have been given out to the beta testers, news is trickling out about them.  The latest is that  New York Times in releasing an app for them.  Why is this so important to a Tech Ninja, because it gives you us more information about how they work and how we might be able to integrate them into our everyday lives. 

http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-57581514-93/new-york-times-launches-google-glass-app/

Amazon is Making TV set box

            Another favorite gadget of The Tech Ninja Blog is Apple TV.  But soon they will have more completion with Amazon creating their own TV set box.  Now I have heard wonderful things about the Roku box and if I were Amazon, I might even think about trying to acquire Roku, but with the power of Amazon behind it I could see this TV set box becoming dominant, just like the Kindle Fire has become the dominant Android tablet.   Why is this so important to a Tech Ninja, because completion is always good, it forces both companies to bring new features faster as well as brings down prices.

http://www.theverge.com/2013/4/25/4263262/how-the-living-room-became-prime-territory-for-amazon

Verizon Dropping Traditional Contracts?

            I love the iPhone.  I would recommend it to anyone looking for a smartphone.  I also love Verizon wireless service. When I had them as my cell phone provider, I never had any issues with service or dropped calls.  But I did say had, right now I am using Virgin Mobile with and LG Optimus.  It’s decent, but not great.  So why am I not using the iPhone with Verizon.  It’s all about the monthly price.  The iPhone with Verizon would cost roughly $70 a month; with the Virgin Mobile I page $26 for unlimited data and messaging (with 300 voice minutes).  I do have to make some compromises for the phone and service, but the savings I feel its worth it.  I also know that because I don’t have a contract, I can leave and go back to Verizon at any point if I want.  Why is this so important to a Tech Ninja, because without the traditional contracts, people will be more likely to connect more devices to the cellular data networks.  Being connected will become an even more ubiquitous part of everyday life on the go.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/04/05/verizon-contracts_n_3020309.html

Apple’s WWDC13 sells out in two minutes

            Who doesn’t want to go to Apple’s World Wide Developers Conference 2013?  I know I do and so do a lot of other people.  Now Apple made waves saying the would now announce any new hardware until the end of the year.  Then a couple of days later they announce that IOS 7 and OS 10.9 would be showcased at WWDC13.  This just shows how important Apple has become and it is not just dependent on hardware releases to show its importance.  Why is this so important to a Tech Ninja, because its Apple and they may have some surprises up their sleeve.

http://techcrunch.com/2013/04/25/apple-wwdc-2013-tickets-sold-out/

AT&T Announces Digital Life

            I think the key is stupid.  At this point in civilization I want to be able to control everything with a touch of a button (or maybe a retinal scan).  AT&T’s Digital Life is a step in the right direction.  At its basic level, Digital Life is a home security system that is customizable to fit your needs.  This includes security cameras, sensors placed throughout the home, and professional monitoring provided through AT&T.  This will allow for wireless connectivity and remote access allowing customers to quickly and easily view live feeds of their home from mobile devices.  You are also able to add on services like climate control, lighting and water shutoff valves.  This is not necessarily anything ground breaking there are ways to do this already, but not in a joined way for an affordable prices like they have set up.  “This extends beyond monitoring and simple on/off controls, as Digital Life offers automated schedules and even rules for how your home will react to changing conditions. For example, you can set your porch light to turn on and off at the same time every day or set up sensors to shut off your water if a leak is detected.”  Why is this so important to a Tech Ninja, because every Tech Ninja wants a Smart House.

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2418196,00.asp

Don’t forget that besides from just following the blog you can like us on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/pages/Thetechninjablog/111528315703424, follow us on Twitter @Tech_Ninja_Blog  and now subscribe to our YouTube channel  http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYzFJ-VbCBBNKqu5sWH8KDg.