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Mason’s awesome blogs 03/03/2012

Mason’s awesome blogs 03/03/2012

Posted from Diigo. The rest of my favorite links are here.

Mason’s awesome blogs 02/10/2012

Mason’s awesome blogs 02/10/2012

Posted from Diigo. The rest of my favorite links are here.

Can the iPAD Deliver as an eBook Reader for Education.

Can the iPAD Deliver as an eBook Reader for Education.

We all know that the Kindle does deliver much more than the iPAD when it comes to leisure reading… the use of the e-ink display has no flicker and so is kinder to the eyes rather than the iPad with its LCD backlit display that flickers at a frequency that over long periods of time will cause tiredness. BUT would an iPAD work for textbooks – as these are not read over long periods of time but in short bursts and if the software offered the ability to annotate and collaborate it could even add to the model and use of textbooks. Obviously beyond cost and the benefits of not carrying around a bag full of brick heavy books – there are many more advantages however up until now this has not led the shall we say traditional textbook publishers to rush forward with ebooks and systems that would work for students.

In fact while designing and writing one of the new Pamoja online IB courses – it was evident how difficult it was to persuade publishers that this could be a fabulous way ahead and not ruin there current ‘business models.’ Often the rental models used and software is so intrusive or costly that it is cheaper to buy two physical copies. However things seem to be changing and recently we took part in a Cambridge trial of Read and Note software where Cambridge Unviersity Press are actually publishing and sharing official IB books and software that allows collaboration. Great news but as the Read and Note software is browser based would it work well on the iPad? Below and some screenshots showing it in action on the iPad.

ReadAndNote in Action2

ReadAndNote in Action2

ReadAndNote in Action

ReadAndNote in Action

Initial thoughts are it is fine but could be better and if Cambridge want to expand in this area then making the browsing experience on mobile devices there number one priority will be essential. Obviously Cambridge do not provide the technology and so will need to lean on companies like Read and Note to keep on improving the user experience and often the only route is to go down a native app route rather than through a browser to make sure that the user experience is a reliable and smooth one. One of the most frustrating areas was that none of the annotation tools worked to any level of use… but all I can say is it is a start and something our school can carefully consider if the iPad trial moves forward quickly.

Although to finish – one thoughtful blog writer suggests that however good those apps become for reading books it will not help when you come to students trying to study from 4 0r 5 texts at once?

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Initial Meeting and Ruminations…while using Daily Note

Initial Meeting and Ruminations…while using Daily Note

Daily Notes - the best Notetaking App on the iPAD?

We had out first planning at the end of last week to discuss through some of the initial constraints and ideas related to the iPAD iniative. It was an interesting discussion as it showed what a great deal of work needs to happen to be able to facilitate the implementation properly and hopefully ensure its success. Below are some of my initial notes that I wrote on the App “Daily Notes” which so far is my pick on the many note taking apps out there.

I have also tried – Bamboo Paper, Note Taker HD, Notes Plus and Noteshelf which all have some great tools but for some reason the link between a notetaking app and a diary calendar view just seems the right way forward for my organisational style and also how I work within school. So the notes below were written in Daily Notes. The missing link with all of these notemaking apps though is that the handwriting recognition apps are all separate – which is just so annoying at this stage. However more about those in another post.

Meeting Notes and Questions…

– iPad ownership – how does the trial work
Logistics of 1-to-1 ownership dsicussed at length including  payment, vouchers/redemption codes – key apps…not sustainable

Members of team will continue to go on School visits… of schools of excellence – Cedars hosting an event, 29th/30th

hardware – numbers, teachers involved – paragons in each department, 3G …
How will the trial become sustainable … long term there will be a fee if taken forward, or do we take device…
If paid for –  it is the students and so will look after more?

– software issues – legal, base apps, free apps, gifting
Ideas – jampf, mobile iron…purchase licenses
Apple – speak to apps…different apple store education
Precedent…be careful…
Key apps… Parents? A cost –  parent engagement…
What if kid has one already?

– policies and standards
Damage on devices – 1% to 5% , 11-13 year olds?
Insurance – bundle discount…
AUP
Talk inspirational – genius bar environment

– communication –  parents, students
Event evening – needs everyone involved… will be incredibly important
Unknown territory? Parents concerns…Responsibility of use…

– timeline … Stop dithering, however needs to be structured… Needs success, longer term – move this on
Team… Who is this?

As you can see alot was discussed with no real answers – however at least Daily Notes was up to the task 🙂

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