CEO Sydney ILe@RN with Mobile Devices - Ipad 2 - Module 2

I currently have IOS7 installed on my Ipad. This has meant that how you use Safari has changed significantly.
For instance the book icon which has been the bookmark feature is only used to help you find a bookmark. Instead you have to tap the "Share" icon just to the left of the URL:

You are then given options. You can email the link or post it on social media. To bookmark, you tap on the "bookmark" icon on the bottom left. To webclip, tap on the "Add to Home Screen".

With webclips on IOS7, I found a useful video that gives you step by step instructions in case you are not sure of what to do.



I thought web clips were useful because it allows me to be able to tap straight through to a website straight away, particularly a website that I might use frequently. It almost feels like an app on its own.

The chapter in the IOS5 manual that is of most importance to me as a teacher is IBooks (Chapter 22 for IOS5). I checked for IOS7 and its the same chapter. With E-Books on the rise (and other learning resources going electronic), it is important that I am able to guide students that may wish to read books in an electronic format. It is even handy too for viewing pdf files as many learning resources are presented in this format and can be synced into IBooks. In addition, I can guide the students in utilising features that can support their learning such as the inclusion of bookmarks and being able to place notes wherever on the text. Thank goodness that a book cannot be vandalised or wrecked in an electronic format and makes understanding content that little easier. Collections can be organised according to individual subjects and interests. However at this stage it doesn't link into E-Book library collections like Overdrive which I am accustomed to.

CEO Sydney ILe@RN with Mobile Devices - Ipad 2 - Module 1

I've decided to do another E-Learning Course that is being provided through the Catholic Education Office Sydney. This year, I've decided to do the Ipad 2 course. This comes after doing a very interesting and informative Web 2.0 Course which I would recommend to those working in Catholic Schools within the Sydney region.

This also comes on the back of purchasing an Ipad over the past few months and keen to use it for educational purposes. I already have used it as a means of marking rolls in schools through the Sentral Program which is a start or for simple notetaking during staff meetings.

In my casual/temporary work at Waverley College as teacher librarian, I have used Ipad's in providing library services such as searches for OPAC during Wide Reading periods and when a student wishes to borrow a book. Also the school has been encouraging students to embrace E-Books through the E-Book Collection on Overdrive. Last term, I facilitated sessions to several Year 9 classes on how to access Overdrive.

In responding to the first module, this has been easy for me as being an owner of an Ipad, I am already familiar with a number of its key features.

If there were three new things I learn't, this is what I would have for this module:

1. Being able to split the keyboard in two. I do have a wireless keyboard that I tend to use when typing emails, notes etc but for little messages etc, I do use the touchscreen keyboard. It is more a comfort for my hands. Splitting the keyboard allows for better movement of my hands and if I want, I can use the thumbs only. Even being able to move the keyboard around the screen comes in handy as well.
2. Screenshots - I've never seen the need to take screenshots as I have used an Ipad more for recreation but I had no idea that the feature is there if I need it. It will come great for any "How to" guides that I might create or for troubleshooting when the Ipad plays up.
3. Highlighting & taking notes from text - It is nice to be able to highlight and create notes without making a mess particularly if I see something that I think is important. 

Aspergers Syndrome

During the Easter Weekend this year, Good Weekend (The Sydney Morning Herald & The Age) had a feature report on how Aspergers Syndrome is now regarded as "cool" to have and also looked at how this form of Autism impacts on those who suffer the condition and their families.

What has concerned me as of late are plans to classify it as a remove Aspergers Syndrome from the Autism Spectrum and classify it as a "social anxiety disorder". This has implications for sufferers, their families and for us as teachers.

My mother, a teachers assistant has attended inservices on Autism and has amassed a collection of resources relating to Aspergers Syndrome.

I also have done my own research as part of my university studies plus I also have read the book "The Complete Guide to Aspergers Syndrome" by Dr.Tony Attwood. It is a must read.

I do have a huge interest for Special Education hence my interest. If I wasn't going to be a teacher librarian, I'd most likely be a Special Education Teacher.

At least 1 % of children have Asperger Syndrome. Some of the characteristics found in those with the syndrome include:

• Obsession with routine and order.
• Special interests which can be obsessive.
• Difficulty understanding non verbal communication.
• Poor social skills.
• Difficulty controlling emotions.
• Academically they perform at average or above average levels.
• Difficulty with fine motor skills.
• Can be clumsy.
• Hypersensitivity with their senses (taste, sight, smell, touch, hearing)

There is not just a social or mental impact, but there is a physical side too.  If it was to be classed as a "social anxiety disorder", then how is one to account for the broader characteristics of Aspergers Syndrome within the definition?

To move Asperger Syndrome away from the Autism spectrum I feel will impact on students with the condition within the classroom because I feel that they will be denied the support that they might have under the current definition.

Flickr - A photographers dream?

I love my recreational photography and enjoy sharing photos on the Ozscrapers forum of cityscapes, architecture and more.

Until recently, I had been using Imageshack but had found for instance that you could not organize photos effectively with a 100 photo limit per album nor your edits with the images would be recognized. I found I would rotate an image and then the photo was "out of service" with the change or edit not accepted.

I enjoy the relative freedom that Flickr gives you in terms of editing your images and organizing them into sets. There is no limit to how many photos can be placed in a set for instance and hundreds of photos can be viewable on the one page. Few clicks are needed to reach your image.

The 1TB of storage space (and its free) should serve me well for a long time. My ten years of photography has only taken 100GB of my hard drive unless I opt for bigger photos. Even if you are not an active photographer, the 1TB is extremely generous compared to your rivals. You could easily fit a lifetime of photos within the 1TB.

Another big advantage is the fact that it allows for third party apps that allow you to control how you use flickr and even let you use the desktop to do so. The options are completely endless. The apps also allow you to be creative with the images. You can make albums, create effects and mosaics. For those like me who have many photos, desktop managers allow the albums to be managed on the desktop and are automatically synchronized. Upload managers allow you to upload a countless number of photos, much more effectively than the website upload feature (200 photos max per upload).

As a classroom resource, I would highly recommend it for photo hosting or to host any visual files that might support ones learning. I think the fact that the user can have a lot of control and flexibility allows it to be use effectively as well,

I'm obviously continuing to learn about its features and obviously if anything of interest pops up, I'll comment on them.

A few links of interest are included if you are interested in downloading apps to support the Flickr experience. However you may find that some are no longer available for download.

The App Garden (Flickr hosted)
Hongkiat.com
"Flickr Toolbox"