Wednesday, August 5, 2015

iPadPaloozaMN: Turn Your iPad Into A Document Camera

Are you thinking about purchasing a document camera for your classroom? If you have an iPad, then this session may change your mind completely and save you hundreds of dollars!


Turn Your iPad Into A Document Camera With The Stage App


Image Source
iPlay Midway Session Description:
Learn how to use the free Stage app to transform your iPad into a document camera. Annotate on top of a live image, add labels to draw attention to things, and snap a photo that can be posted on a website or airdropped to students. 

Resources:
AppsStage: Interactive Whiteboard and Document Camera  - free

Stage Pro: Interactive Whiteboard and Document Camera - Paid app - $4.99*



Quick Tutorial Video

Belkin Portable Tablet Stand
Amazon listing

Belkin Overview of Portable Table Stand


*Price listed reflects the price at the time this blog post was written. App prices may change in the App Store.

Tuesday, August 4, 2015

iPadPaloozaMN: Create Metacognitive eBook Coaches

Ever wish that you could whisper in your student's ear while they are reading or working a math problem? What if every iBook you created had a personalized instructor or eCoach that could prompt students with metacognitive questions or remind them to use particular strategies? You could provide just-in-time support to your students even when you're not at their elbow or looking over their shoulder. If this sounds like a way to clone yourself and provide extra support to your students, then this session is just what you need.


Meet Your Personalized Instructor

Session Description:
Learn how to create talking metacognitive eBook coaches with free and low cost iOS apps. Snap a selfie or use a photo of a pet or even a cartoon, add a movable mouth, and record directions, homework hints, timely tips, and encouragement, and then app smash these recordings into your eBook creation app of choice. Voila ~ you have a personalized metacognitive coach to guide your students through tasks or to create a read aloud eBook.

Apps:
Download some or all of the apps below to play along today.
Book Creator for iPad





Camera App - Video - Use the camera app on your iPad in video mode to record yourself giving directions or hints.

Photos and built-in audio tool in Book Creator - Take a picture of something with your camera app on your iPad  and add narration with the audio tool in the Inspector in Book Creator.

Paper Fifty-Three 

ChatterPix

ChatterPix Kid

Tellagami - free and in-app purchases

My Talking Avatar - free and paid versions

Crazy Talk Free

My Pet Can Talk

iFunFace

Animate Me

Photo Talk Free

PhotoSpeak

Green Screen by Do Ink

Explain Everything

Photo Blather - In order to save need to pay $0.99 in app fee for Extras

MorfoIn order to save need to pay $0.99 in app fee for Extras

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Extra:
Book Creator for iPad App Giveaway
Click above if you want to be entered into a random giveaway for the Book Creator for iPad App
courtesy of Book Creator and were present for the session.














    Saturday, August 1, 2015

    EdCamp Global - iBook and eBook Creation

    Are you interested in Creating iBooks and eBooks to Personalize and Publish Student Learning? If you are thinking "Yes!," then click the link below to join the Google Hangout for this EdCamp Global session.

    Image Source

    Session Description: August 1, 12:00 P.M. CDT
    Image Source
    There are lots of reasons to create iBooks/eBooks for your students. Maybe the textbook for the content area that you teach is out-dated and you want your students to have up-to-date information. Perhaps it is difficult to find or expensive to purchase leveled reading books or books with a controlled set of vocabulary for your students. Maybe you are creating supplemental materials to go along with your content area text and you want to nicely package text and multimedia together. Or maybe you want to  provide a more authentic, project-based, and shareable method for students to show what they learned in your class or during Genius Time. Whatever the reason, it is easy to create and publish iBooks/eBooks and distribute them. Join the conversation and share your knowledge as part of EdCamp Global.



    Click here to participate in the Hangouts On Air Event Page

    Shared Resources:
    Join the conversation and chime in during the hangout and add resources to the shared Google Doc.

    Resources:
    Several resources are listed below, but please add more resources in the shared Doc or in the comments at the end of the blog post.

    iBook and eBook Creation Tools
    Book Creator - iPad app and PC computer app
    iBooks Author - app for Mac computers
    iBooks - iPad and Mac computer app for reading iBooks


    Creative Commons Licensed Images
    Morgue File
    Wylie Image Search
    World Images
    Animal Photos
    The Noun Project
    Google Images Advanced Search - Free to Use and Share

    Image Source

    Book Creator For iPad
    Great app that allows you to easily create iBooks featuring images, great fonts, narration, music, and video right on the iPad. Simple enough for young students to use but capable of creating beautiful books loaded with interactive elements.

    Video
    Imports video from Photos/Camera Roll.

    Audio
    Built-in recording tool or import audio from iTunes library.

    Distribution
    Dropbox
    Website
    Google Drive
    iTunes - with iTunes Producer
    iTunes U
    Learning Management System

    Sample Books
    Book Creator has many sample books pinned on the Book Creator Pinterest page.

    Student-created books: (You may need to tap on the image below and wait a few seconds for the dots to appear. Tap on the dots to see student-created books from @MathyCathy.)


    Support
    There are lots of helpful articles in the Support section of the Book Creator Red Jumper website.


    Image Source
    iBooks Author
    iBooks Author is an app that runs on Mac computers and allows you to create multimedia-rich books loaded with swappable and tappable interactive elements in addition to a myriad of fonts, images, slideshows, video, and audio. Built-in and third party widgets allow for self-check reviews, slideshows, image galleries, and 3D objects that can be manipulated.

    Video
    Format - .mp4 file extension

    Audio
    Format - AAC  - .m4a file extension

    Other Widget Creation Tools
    Bookry - sign up for free account
    BookWidgets
    iAD Producer - free
    Tumult Hype

    File Types
    Image Source
    iba - editable iBooks Author file
    ibooks - finished book - cannot be edited

    Distribution
    Dropbox
    Website
    Google Drive
    iTunes - with iTunes Producer
    iTunes U
    Learning Management System


    Interactive iBook Example
    Sample book showing some of the interactivity that you can quickly create with iBooks Author, the standard iBooks Author widgets, and some of the Bookry widgets.
    11.9MB
    Downloading on an iPad:
    Tap on the link above > Download > Direct download > No thanks, continue to download (at the bottom of the pop up window) > Open in "iBooks" (This won't appear until the book has downloaded to your iPad so there may be a short pause depending on your Internet connection.)

    Many free books created with iBooks Author are available for download from the iTunes Store.


    Mirroring iPad to Computer
    Image Source
    You can mirror the screen of your iPad onto your computer, which can then be projected or recorded by using the Reflector app on your computer. This makes it easy to project your iPad for your
    students or for a presentation while still allowing you to move around the room and to make videos or screencast tutorials of your iPad screen.


    Other Apps or Resources?
    Are there other apps or resources that I did not mention that you use for creating and publishing books? If yes, please share them in a comment below.

    Monday, July 27, 2015

    Minnesota eLearning Summit: Publish Amazing Interactive Books With iBooks Author

    Attend my session today at the Minnesota eLearning Summit if you are interested in creating textbooks, long or short, for students using classroom content you have created or curated from Creative Commons licensed resources.


    Image Source


    Session Description:
    Looking for creative ways to publish student writing or to create a textbook tailored for your students to distribute in your classroom, school, college, or university or even to share globally? iBooks Author is the answer! Come learn how to create interactive books with this amazing easy-to-use Mac software and widgets.

    Presentation
    The presentation is embedded below:



    Why iBooks Author?
    Are you interested in creating your own curriculum materials and developing an interactive textbook that combines flipped classroom content and creative commons licensed materials to create a personalized learning experience that students can take on the go with them and access on their iPads with or without wifi access? This session explores how to create interactive content with a variety of free and low-cost tools that can then be easily imported into the free iBooks Author program to create and publish your own iBooks that can be downloaded onto the iPad or onto a Mac computer running the iBooks app. A variety of ways to use widgets, video, and interactive elements to enrich your text and make the learning experience more personalized, engaging, and interactive will be shared and demonstrated.

    iBook and eBook Creation Tools
    iBooks Author - app for Mac computers
    iBooks - iPad and Mac computer app for reading iBooks
    Book Creator - iPad app and PC computer app

    Creative Commons Licensed Images
    Morgue File
    Wylie Image Search
    World Images
    Animal Photos
    The Noun Project
    Google Images Advanced Search - Free to Use and Share

    Video
    Format - .mp4 file extension

    Audio
    Format - AAC  - .m4a file extension

    Other Widget Creation Tools
    Bookry - sign up for free account
    BookWidgets
    iAD Producer - free
    Tumult Hype

    File Types
    iba - editable iBooks Author file
    ibooks - finished book - cannot be edited

    Distribution
    Dropbox
    Website
    Google Drive
    iTunes - with iTunes Producer
    iTunes U

    eLearning Summit Interactive Book Example
    Sample book showing some of the interactivity that you can quickly create with iBooks Author, the standard iBooks Author widgets, and some of the Bookry widgets.
    11.9MB
    Downloading on an iPad:
    Tap on the link above > Download > Direct download > No thanks, continue to download (at the bottom of the pop up window) > Open in "iBooks" (This won't appear until the book has downloaded to your iPad so there may be a short pause depending on your Internet connection.)


    Mirroring iPad to Computer
    You can mirror the screen of your iPad onto your computer, which can then be projected by using the Reflector app on your computer. This makes it easy to project your iPad for your students or for a presentation while still allowing you to move around the room.

    Sunday, July 26, 2015

    Minnesota eLearning Summit Poster Session: 30 Plus Ways To Use Your iPad For Personalized Professional Development

    Are you looking for free or low cost professional development opportunities? Do you have an iPad? You can use several apps to find the content to create your own personalized professional development.

    Image Source


    Session Description:
    Use your iPad to build your professional learning network, engage in self-selected professional development, and transform your learning.

    Resources:
    I listed the apps below in categories of how the apps can be used for personalized professional development. Most apps are free but there are a few that are not but they do something really well that makes them worth the cost.


    Click on the image below and then click on the colored dots on the image to learn more about the apps shown.






    Record Yourself and Others 
    (With Permission - Some conferences and presenters do not allow recording) 
    Camera
    iMovie
    YouTube Capture

    Record Your Voice
    GarageBand
    Recorder


    Collect Artifacts
    Camera
    Photos

    Create Podcasts
    GarageBand
    TouchCast
    Adobe Voice
    Camera
    iMovie
    DoInk
    Tellagami
    Tellaprompter

    Capture Your Learning - Take Notes
    Notes
    Pages
    Evernote
    Google Docs
    Notability
    GoodNote
    Microsoft Word
    Penultimate
    Moleskine

    Create and Expand Your PLN (Personal Learning Network)
    Twitter
    Hootsuite
    Voxer
    FaceBook
    Google+

    QR Code Readers
    QR Code Reader by Scan
    Qrafter

    Curate Resources
    FlipBoard
    Scoop.It
    Pocket
    Slideshare
    Pinterest
    Learnist
    Instapaper
    YouTube
    iTunes U
    Pearltrees

    Create Publications
    Pages
    Book Creator
    iBooks Author (On Your Mac)

    Professional Reading
    iBooks
    Kindle

    Expand Your Skill Set
    YouTube
    iTunes U
    Tips app
    Drippler
    Simple K12
    Lynda.com
    Udemy.com

    Create Professional Development Resources
    iTunes U
    Blogger
    Zaption

    Connect and Learn
    FaceTime
    Skype
    Google Hangouts
    BlackBoard Collaborate
    WebEx
    Adobe Connect
    FlipGrid

    Collect and Organize Your Learning
    Evernote
    Penultimate
    OneNote
    Notability
    GoodNotes
    Paperport Notes
    Google Drive
    Google Docs
    Google Slides

    Organize Your Thoughts
    Inspiration
    Padlet
    Lineoit
    Sticky Notes
    Total Recall
    Popplet

    Organize and Transfer Resources
    Google Drive
    Box
    Dropbox

    Inspire Yourself
    YouTube
    TED

    Create Presentations
    Keynote
    Google Slides
    Haiku Deck
    Prezi
    Microsoft PowerPoint

    Track Your Time
    Timer
    Do Now Then

    Health and Well-being
    Health
    Hydrate
    Waterlogged
    Pedometer

    Illustrate Your Ideas
    Notability
    GoodNotes
    Paper 53
    Adobe Draw
    Tayasui Sketches

    Blog - Reflect On Your Learning
    Blogger

    Schedule Your Time
    Calendar
    Google Calendar

    Explain - Create Screencasts
    Educreations
    Skitch
    Explain Everything
    30Hands
    Doceri
    Reflector
    QuickTime (On Your Mac)
    ShowMe
    ScreenChomp
    Stage
    Knowmia Teach
    TechSmith Fuse

    Expand Your Programming Knowledge
    Scratch
    Hopscotch

    Collaboratively Brainstorm
    Baiboard

    Create Flyers and Infographics
    Keynote
    Canva

    Relax
    Metronome
    Zen Garden

    Reminders and Task Lists
    Remember The Milk
    2Do

    PDF Annotations/Scanning
    PDF Scanner
    Cam Scanner
    iAnnotate PDF
    Tiny PDF
    Notability
    GoodNotes
    Paperport Notes
    Skitch

    Siri
    Search internet
    Answer questions
    Take notes and reminders

    Accessibility Settings
    Screen zoom
    Screen brightness
    Font size
    Color contrast
    Text to speech

    Presenting
    Reflector is a must-have app for your Mac computer if you are presenting on an iPad. Reflector mirrors your iPad screen to your computer, allowing you to move around without any VGA or HDMI cables attached to your iPad.

    Other Apps or Resources?
    Are there other apps or resources that I did not mention that you use for expanding your PLN (Personal Learning Network) or for curating, consuming, or creating personalized professional development resources? If yes, please share them in a comment below.


    Thursday, July 23, 2015

    EdCamp Global - iBook and eBook Creation: Personalizing and Publishing Student Learning

    Are you interested in Creating iBooks and eBooks to Personalize and Publish Student Learning? If you are thinking "Yes!," then you will want to join the Google Hangout for this EdCamp Global session on Saturday, August 1 at 12:00 P.M. CST.


    Image Source

    Session Description: 
    Image Source
    There are lots of reasons to create iBooks/eBooks for your students. Maybe the textbook for the content area that you teach is out dated and you want your students to have up-to-date information. Perhaps it is difficult to find or expensive to purchase leveled reading books or books with a controlled set of vocabulary for your students. Maybe you are creating supplemental materials to go along with your content area text and you want to nicely package text and multimedia together. Or
    maybe you want to  provide a more authentic, project-based, and shareable method for students to show what they learned in your class or during Genius Time. Whatever the reason, it is easy to publish iBooks/eBooks and distribute them. Join the conversation and share your knowledge as part of EdCamp Global.

    Session Link:
    The link to join the Google Hangout will be posted on this blog on Saturday, August 1 shortly before 12:00 P.M. CST.

    Tuesday, July 14, 2015

    FlipCon15 - Flipped Classroom Learning On The Go With iBooks

    Thanks to everyone who attended my session at the 8th Annual Flipped Learning Conference held in East Lansing, Michigan on creating textbooks, long or short, for students using flipped classroom content created by yourself or curated from Creative Commons licensed resources.


    Image Source



    Session Description:
    Are you interested in creating your own curriculum materials and developing an interactive textbook that combines flipped classroom content and creative commons licensed materials to create a personalized learning experience that students can take on the go with them and access on their iPads with or without wifi access? This session explores how to create interactive flipped content with a variety of free and low-cost tools that can then be easily imported into the free iBooks Author program to create and publish your own iBooks that can be downloaded onto the iPad. A variety of ways to use widgets, video, and interactive elements to enrich your text and make the learning experience more personalized, engaging, and interactive will be shared and demonstrated.


    Shared Notes
    Please contribute to the shared notes doc if you know of resources not included in this blog post.

    iBook and eBook Creation Tools
    iBooks Author - app for Mac computers
    iBooks - iPad and Mac app for reading iBooks
    Book Creator - iPad app and PC app

    Creative Commons Licensed Images
    Morgue File
    Wylie Image Search
    World Images
    Animal Photos
    The Noun Project
    Google Images Advanced Search - Free to Use and Share

    Video
    Format - .mp4 file extension

    Audio
    Format - AAC  - .m4a file extension

    Other Widget Creation Tools
    Bookry - sign up for free account
    BookWidgets
    iAD Producer - free
    Tumult Hype


    File Types
    iba - editable iBooks Author file
    ibooks - finished book - cannot be edited

    Distribution
    Dropbox
    Website
    iTunes - with iTunes Producer
    iTunes U

    FlipCon15 Interactive Book Example
    Sample book showing some of the interactivity that you can quickly create with iBooks Author, the standard iBooks Author widgets, and some of the Bookry widgets.
    11.9MB
    Tap on the link above > Download > Direct download > No thanks, continue to download (at the bottom of the pop up window) > Open in "iBooks" (This won't appear until the book has downloaded to your iPad so there may be a short pause depending on your Internet connection.)

    Great Example Available in iTunes iBooks Store
    Uses iBooks Author widgets and widgets created with iAD Producer and Tumult Hype
    Writing Tune-Ups: Adjectives & Opening Adjectives by Shawn Jacob, East Zeeland East High School

    Mirroring iPad to Computer
    You can mirror the screen of your iPad onto your computer, which can then be projected by using the Reflector app on your computer. This makes it easy to project your iPad for your students or for a presentation while still allowing you to move around the room.