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  • iOS 6 Update

    Posted by JOEL ADKINS at 9/12/2012 6:05:00 AM
    Apple_Sept_12
     
    Today Apple is making announcements regarding their product line. As you probably know, Apple does not reveal its secrets until these events so much of the hype in the news media is rumor and speculation. I found out from our Apple sales rep that the sales teams do not even find out the new products until everyone is in on the secret. In fact, she tells about being at an Apple product launch in California a few years ago where the sales teams were sequestered in one room to watch the presentation by Steve Jobs on a monitor. When the presentation ended, the sales team had to go out with the audience and press to answer questions about the product line as if they were in on the whole development. They had no other information than what everyone had seen in the actual worldwide presentation.

     

    But we do know one thing that will be released soon and that is iOS 6. iOS is the operating system on the Apple iDevice product line. We are currently at version 5.1.1 and iOS 6 will be available very soon.

     

    I am sharing this link from Apple that explains features of iOS 6 if you want to take a sneak peek into what this new operating system includes: http://www.apple.com/ios/ios6

     

    If you scroll all the way to the bottom of the page, we see some sad news about this new iOS: it will not be compatible with the first generation of iPhone, first generation iPad and older versions of iPod Touch. This doesn’t mean those devices will not work at all with the apps and resources they currently use. It just means they will may work with the new iOS. It also means that as apps upgrade to work in the new iOS, they ones on the first generation devices will not upgrade.

     

    So how does someone update their device?

     

    Before updating, there are two things to consider:

    1.      Backup– you always want to make sure you have backed-up what you have on your device.This is true for any major operating system upgrade. Backup what you have just in case something goes wrong.

    2.      Prepare for failure – A new iOS means lots of cool new features, but it also means no one has really tested it out to make sure there aren’t bugs. Being one ofthe first to install an upgrade means you get to be one of the first to experience the bugs. Bugs include apps not working that used to work before you upgraded, loss of data, faster battery power loss (due to a software miscalculation of power consumption) and even antennae issues with connecting to a WIFI or cellular network. You may or may not experience bugs. Such is the nature of upgrades!

     

    So think before you leap! But if you do leap or you wait until some bugs are reported and fixed, here are the steps for installing a new iOS to an Apple device:

     

    1.      Connect your device to a power source and make sure it is connected to a WIFI Internet source.

    2.      Go to Settings, General, Software Update

    a.       If an update is available, there is usually a “1” in a dark grey circle to show an iOS update is available.

    3.      If the update is available, it will show in this section. Tap “Download” to download.

    a.       You can download the update and then do the install later if you choose. Or go to step 4 to install the update.

    4.      After the download has completed, tap “Install”to update the iOS.

    a.       It will take several minutes to install and will usually restart your device a few times to fully install. This is why connecting it to a power source is important.

     

    Feel free to share this post if you feel it would be helpful with anyone who uses iOS devices.

    Comments (1)

  • empowered

    Posted by JOEL ADKINS at 9/12/2012 3:00:00 AM
    I haven't been able to get a good iPad rollout brand in my head to design until today.
     
    So far, we have had 3E, e3, Project-E, Project 3E, and Project: iPad Rollout in our list of names for what we are doing.

    I kept my eye on the original plan put out by the Ed Tech Design Team which was defined in one statement: "To identify excellent, engaging, and effective teaching and learning."
     
    But I felt that this was leaving out what the real message and foundation for what the Ed Tech Design Team was focusing on. So I altered it in my head and this is our new logo.
     
    empowered logo
     
    It is the name of our technology rollout, our EdTech plan, and our overall goal for providing resources to our teachers and students. We want to empower them.
     
    I definitely like this name better. I hope you do too.
     
    Look for information on our new Empowered website coming soon full of hands-on training resources and integration activities.
    Comments (0)

  • Building Materials

    Posted by JOEL ADKINS at 9/5/2012 7:00:00 AM
    Last week, I did something new. I learned and built my very first iTunesU course. I had help. I viewed other courses made by other districts and universities that have posted materials online. I even downloaded a course by a local district and dissected it to build my course (with their permission).
     
    Since then, I have been building course ideas in my office and I am starting to build the components to offer staff development on iPads in the very environment of the iPad for learning. I haven't mastered the art of making these run independently of a workshop leader. The materials are very much supplemental to an in-house workshop, but the idea and flow work well if taken on one's own time.
     
    I am re-editing the first course and will make it available as soon as it is complete. It is really a focus on getting to know your iPad from buttons to operating system. I am using that to build the original training all staff will go through to learn to use their iPads to connect to district resources.
     
    But my second course is focused on finding apps and building classroom "apptivities". The focus will be on Inquiry-Based and Project-Based Learning models with emphasis on creativity & collaboration and critical thinking & communication.
     
    I am really excited about the possibilities in iTunesU and I cannot wait to share these resources with everyone! I hope to have these ready and rolling by next week!
    Comments (0)

  • My PLC

    Posted by JOEL ADKINS at 8/23/2012 7:00:00 PM
    For years, I have been cultivating an online personal learning community using various social networking tools. When blogging was cool, I was reading and replying to many blogs put out by colleagues. But when "micro-blogs" kicked in, I really changed to follow more people on the topics I was most interested in.
     
    Micro-blogs? Is this something you never heard?
     
    Twitter is a micro-blog. It is defined by a limited amount of allowed characters in which someone can create a post. 
    Here is a great clip explaining Twitter from Common Craft show: http://www.commoncraft.com/video/twitter
    And an even better clip explaining Twitter Search as well: http://www.commoncraft.com/video/twitter-search
     
    Twitter is where I can ask questions and get a variety of responses based on the #hashtags I use when I post. 
     
    For instance, when looking for assistive technology resources,  will use the #assistivetech and #edtech tags because anyone following those tags will be able to see my post and reply. When searching for these #hashtags and reading replies, I may see other threads to follow such as #edapps, #speced, and #ipaded. Expanding on these will allow me to find new people to follow who are posting about these topics and finding resources they are sharing. I am able to "curate" my own list of resources post to share them with others. 
     
    The best way I use Twitter though is to follow the #hashtags surrounding conferences I am not able to attend. This means I am able to follow the posts of those in the sessions taking place hour by hour. In one weekend, I was able to "attend" 3 conferences in 3 different states without leaving home. I used the #hashtags to search for the conversations.
     
    This past year, I attended the South by Southwest Interactive (SxSWi) conference in Austin. My schedule literally contained 8 sessions I wanted to attend each hour! So many choices but just one of me! So I used the Twitter #hashtags to follow the topics in each session. I was sharing my posts about what I was finding until I discovered a site called Storify. In Storify, I could view the entire timeline by a topic and create my own story from the posts others were making.
     
    Here is a Storify I made about keynote speaker Dean Kamen. I not only included the Tweets from those in the audience but I was able to pull in a video from TED explaining concepts related to Dean. The story part is the timeline of the conversation created from a group of people in the room posting about what their favorite parts of his speech.
     
    My PLC is constantly changing. I am curating people who are mentioned by people I follow and in conversations where I am finding all sorts of resources. I can ask and answer questions in a daily timeline. I can post quick summaries and links to really great online teaching treasures. It is a fantastic resource I recommend for those just-in-time questions and support you need in a day to day PLC.
     
    If you are interested in using Twitter and need help, let me know!
     
    Comments (0)

  • New Teachers Beware

    Posted by JOEL ADKINS at 8/17/2012 7:00:00 AM
    JoelAdkins Have you seen this man? If you have been attending the New Teacher Orientation training, then I bet you have. This is Joel Adkins and he is the new Educational Technology Coordinator in the Curriculum & Instruction department. In a group of teachers yesterday, Dr. Brad Lancaster, Superintendent of Schools, introduced Joel as "part teacher, part technology, and part game-show host". An accurate description of the type of energy Joel brings to staff development. 
     
    There is a more detailed description of what his personality is like in a post below.
     
    But if you see this man, you know you are in for a good learning experience. Don't be afraid if you see him on your campus or coming into your classroom. And if you ever want to setup training for yourself, your classes, your department, grade level or just a group of friends, just email him to schedule your training. He is always looking for an excuse to be at the campuses!
     
    Leave your snarky comments below.

     
     
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  • A UI I Can Stand By

    Posted by JOEL ADKINS at 8/13/2012 8:00:00 AM
    Something you should know about me: I am all about the UI - User Interaction.
     
    UI is big these days in the realm of technology. The user interactivity of devices is no longer just the mouse clicking. It involves gestures of tap, scroll, pinch, zoom, swipe, and tilt. But for me, I like to look into the UI experience of interacting with learning.
     
    I have spent a few months developing an idea for a UI interface over the web that would make a learning window similar to how I learn. I like to have a window open of content where I am receiving information (a presentation or video). I need a window also open to connect me to Twitter or some backchannel conversation. I also like to interact with the speaker and presentation by asking questions or posting comments. And I also like another window that has links to more resources on the same topic. 
     
    All these windows are open and I am constantly switching back and forth. I use whatever devices around me to also connect so I may have my laptop open to some resources while using my phone to tweet to about what is happening. I also want this system to provide a way to track progress so one could receive professional development credit based on their progress in learning.
     
    Not too much to ask, right?
    This type of interface does not exist for me so I am crowdsourcing the idea to find someone to make it. I wish I had the skills to develop this but for now all I have is a giant piece of paper outlining what I want. I don't have the tools in myself to code this system. In a way, I think it will overlay the web and work similar to a browser like Google Chrome, Firefox or even Internet Explorer. 
     
    But I hope to make it a reality soon as this is my way of learning. It is how I connect and learn with the people connected to the same training online. And there are people and companies out there looking for new ways to create tools for teachers and learners to use. So now I just have to connect with them and work on a shared vision for a Professional Development UI. 
     
    Just thought I would share this with you all on this early Monday morning. 
    Comments (0)

  • BYO Training

    Posted by JOEL ADKINS at 8/9/2012 2:00:00 PM
    This week, I was able to share on the topic of "BYO-WHAT?!?" with groups of teachers on both Monday and Wednesday.
     
    I have missed having that time to interact with teachers so I found it to be really fun and interesting. There is a page of my resources linked off this site if you want to see what we discussed.
     
    The most impactful topics shared were in PollEverywhere, the CK12 Flexbooks and with making QR Codes. We had some great ideas shared within the group and I hope to share more as this rolls out during the year.
    Comments (0)

  • Ed Tech Coordination

    Posted by JOEL ADKINS at 7/19/2012
    Hi! I'm new here.
     
    My name is Joel and I am the Educational Technology Coordinator for LTISD. My first draft of this post included my background and all that stuff. I can post that in the Handouts section if you want to see my resume.  I didn't want to bore you on my first post.
     
    If you read this, here are 10 things you now know about me:
     
    1. I am an adult educator. My training does not make adults feel like children. It is fun and interactive but respectful of your experiences.
    2. I do not know everything. I just know how to use Google really well!
    3. I struggled with learning technology when I was a classroom teacher who taught technology classes. I learned short-cuts and ways to make it work for me better than me work for it. 
    4. I am completely self-taught. Never taken a class on technology but I learn most of what I know from the people I connect with online and in person. 
    5. I deconstruct. If you want me to think inside the box, I am going to have trouble with that. 
    6. I still use paper and Post-It Notes. I am adapting to mobile devices. My car contains Post-Its, Sharpies and large sheets of paper just in case.
    7. I am on Twitter and I never post what I am eating. @mradkins
    8. I have won some awards but my greatest achievement was hearing a principal introduce me to his teachers as someone who "speaks teacher".
    9. I sometimes break rules.
    10. I am snarky and I prefer interactive training where people are snarky right back at me. Learning should be fun even on professional development days!
     I am looking forward to meeting you all!
     
     
    JoelAdkins  
     
    Here is a picture of me. It isn't my professional headshot as you can see. This was taken from my condo when I was in Kerrville.
     
    My expression will be this for a while because I will get lost as I learn navigation to your buildings and inside them. Please do not take advantage of my weakness by pointing me in the wrong direction. Karma is that I have done this many times to people. I do enjoy doing that to other people. I expect this to come back on me. 
     
     
    Comments (1)

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