tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22661285051160552722024-02-19T05:25:15.473-08:00NPSD GlassStronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06888241980696290662noreply@blogger.comBlogger59125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2266128505116055272.post-35759710532470516482016-04-06T05:14:00.002-07:002016-04-06T05:15:19.568-07:00Holo Crap! Another one!Well, it's been over a year since I posted anything on this site. I guess in the world of interactive glasses, things fizzled out for me. I did pick up a pair of $40 "spy" glasses from Amazon to use for video recording. Surprisingly, they're working out well for recording (1080p) and I'm getting about as much useful out of them as I was from Google Glass. Funny how that works: $1500 for Google Glass and $40 for my spy glasses. Lesson learned.<br />
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Maybe.<br />
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On to HoloLens. I'm interested in this for a couple of reasons and turned off for a couple of more. First, it's nice to see someone else pushing forward with a wearable, useful system. Don't get me wrong, other than there being a pair of glasses that houses a computer, the two function quite differently. Google Glass was to enhance your life and be as inconspicuous as possible. Microsoft HoloLens is none of that. They're huge and bulky and ugly. The main difference is they seem to support a very specific purpose and aren't trying to be trendy or anything mainstream. Rather, they seem to be trying to be useful and innovative (not to say Google wasn't).<br />
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Here's where I stray from my excitement: $3000 for a developer version. Whew! It took everything I could muster to convince interested parties in my life that I should spend $1500 on Glass. How in the world am I going to convince anyone that $3k is going to fly. Since Google basically said "thanks" with a book as they dropped the program, I hesitate to be another explorer or developer or whatever anyone wants to call it. I'm all for crowd sourcing and getting product out for people to see, but I feel kind of like a fool after Google refused to fix my broken glass (out of warranty) and their only solution to repair services was to "buy another one."<br />
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In the end, I'm receiving emails from Microsoft telling me about HoloLens and I'm following its emergence into the market AND I would like to get my hands on some to see how they work within education BUT fool me once . . .Stronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06888241980696290662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2266128505116055272.post-19174219336771502542015-02-23T09:35:00.000-08:002015-03-23T08:33:20.615-07:00Removing GlassThings change rapidly and so has the world of Google Glass. On January 19th they officially closed the Glass program.<br />
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I don't know how to feel about this. I understand it's a program that was designed to crowd-source development of the product but do I need to feel let down that it's over. Now I'm stuck with an out-dated no longer supported piece of tech.<br />
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I actually feel kind of inspired. It's the first time I've taken part in something like this and I feel, in a small way, as though I've been part of the development team. More importantly, I feel like I took a chance and gambled that I was going to be on the cutting edge and there would be value in what I had to say about the technology; especially in how it affects or can affect education.<br />
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Now that it's been passed along to another division of Google, or maybe it's a whole different company (maybe they read Passing Glass and were inspired), will there be a future for it or will Google move on to their other wearables (like the 360)?<br />
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Here's the next phase for NPSD Glass: Tech in school. Not just <i>another</i> laptop or chromebook or another something-we-already-have-and-now-is-faster tool, but cutting edge tech that has the ability to help learning.<br />
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I admit, I was drawn in with the cool factor, romanced by the potential and dumped by corporate but I'm not giving up. I'm evolving to evaluate other types of technology and seeking the opportunity to weed out the bad and promote the good.<br />
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I started with TIES in Minneapolis when we presented our findings with Glass and it evolved into a presentation about technology in general, specifically wearable tech.Stronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06888241980696290662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2266128505116055272.post-63357068353187750662015-02-19T11:36:00.000-08:002015-02-19T11:36:06.775-08:00HoloGlassHere I am back again and haven't worn my Google Glasses in quite a while. I'm probably going to have to start again soon since Ann, Josh and I are presenting our results at the CESA Google Summit in Green Bay on March 20th. I'm disappointed still that the support for the program is gone; especially disappointed that I haven't gotten my "reward" book from Google yet. A hardcover book of images from Glass explorers.<br />
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I'm still looking, though, at wearable tech as a good possibility for education. Google Glass was a good start, but still too consumer-oriented for it to be effective in education. I was researching a little today and came across a couple of things that look promising.<br />
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First, is HoloLens from Microsoft.<br />
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This looks promising and could definitely have a place in education. It's a different avenue than Google Glass. I see this as having the potential to provide unique, immersive experiences for students in tech ed and science (and who knows what else). I'm following them on Twitter and planning on finding out about a pilot/developer program that will allow us to try them out here and compare the results to Glass. We'll see where it goes.</div>
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The other promising development is Oculus. This is more the gaming side of things, but could have the potential to apply to school. As I delve further into the world of online and blended learning, I can't help but think this experience would go far in providing virtual labs and experiences for students to complete work outside the four brick walls. The developer kit is $350 so I don't know if it's worth the gamble to try for one and then see where it goes. I'll be sold on it if there's enough VR support programs that would allow it to enhance learning.</div>
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<br />Stronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06888241980696290662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2266128505116055272.post-74957805304742591522014-12-09T05:39:00.000-08:002014-12-09T09:43:02.296-08:00Glass TIES<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Follow the video to find us at TIES!</div>
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Great audience for our presentation. Many comments about the honesty we expressed.</div>
<br />Stronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06888241980696290662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2266128505116055272.post-44003898584813233712014-09-24T09:12:00.001-07:002014-09-24T09:12:42.765-07:00Back in the GameHere we go again, I'm rockin' the Google Glass at school and once again taking a fresh look at what's now (to me) old technology. Funny to say that, really, it hasn't hit the market yet and it's old, familiar and lost its luster. Is that where we're really at with technology now? My daughter is looking into an iPhone 6 and I'm just getting used to the idea of the 4s?<br />
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So anyway, I'm back to taking a look at the device and continuing my journey. I wore it at the end of last week; intending to wear it daily and then just forgot about it on my counter. Saturday was the annual skeet shoot in the UP and I purposefully didn't wear it because a bunch of old paranoid Yoopers with guns is not the place to introduce a camera on glasses.<br />
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So I waited until today.<br />
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Some thoughts for now: <br />
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FINALLY, FINALLY, FINALLY, the apps are catching up with the device. It's like when I got my first PDA and all I could use was the calendar. When they came out with more apps it became more useful and eventually began to evolve into something useful, not just something neat. By far my favorite app is Pandora. Not something new but definitely something convenient and attractive. Some of the apps are obvious commercial connections. This is to be expected. I'd like to see the barrier completely dropped and all the third party apps be able to be used easily. Google's in danger of being as exclusive as Apple.<br />
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Still hung up on the camera. Works great and might just be the most appealing part of the device.<br />
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Kids are still interested in it, adults are cautious and curious.<br />
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I'll keep playing with it and investigating.<br />
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Educationally, it's still up in the air. I'm going to be looking into it for more<br />
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--24 hour break-- (Things get busy in IT)<br />
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So, back again. Wore Glass to work for a second time. Having issues with it connecting to the Wi-Fi in the buildings so I'll try and work that out down the road somewhere. <br />
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Beautiful fall colors this week; hopefully I'll be able to give you some great pics and video of the ER chain from Glass this weekend.<br />
<br />Stronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06888241980696290662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2266128505116055272.post-85323496688731113502014-09-11T12:37:00.001-07:002014-09-11T12:37:17.766-07:00Glass on the Go!Well, school's back in session and it's time once again to get Glass into the hands of teachers to see what they think.<br />
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Before I get to that, I just have to say I've had Glass very little in my hands. The time I've had it seems to get reactions from people about the camera.<br />
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For the first round of 2014/15, John Hayes (Math teacher) is using it for some professional development.<br />
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Here's his first post:<br />
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http://goo.gl/JXR4FSStronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06888241980696290662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2266128505116055272.post-35928146110266963852014-07-15T04:28:00.000-07:002014-07-15T04:28:32.577-07:00Magnifying GlassIt's been far too long since I've posted and it's time to start again. I've spent the last month really researching and thinking about Glass. I needed to set it aside and evaluate. I started using Glass and had it with me everywhere I went. I wore it at work (arguably the best place for this type of evaluation), I wore it at home and I wore it out in the community. The whole time I wore it I was talking with people, showing off Glass and generally immersed in the "new tech" side of it. Many months later, after Glass has passed from person to person, I'm ready for a fresh start.<br />
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I found myself in Green Bay yesterday having fun with the kids at Bay Beach Amusement Park. A combination of carnival rides and, a city park and a small roller coaster, this was a great place to finish off a weekend of camping before heading home. I didn't bring Glass camping. Maybe I should have. There were several times when I thought <i>I wish I had Glass . . . </i> to capture family moments, video tape my youngest's first roller coaster drop (terrifying . . . we went 7 more times!) and generally be the only one with Glass in the park. I'm headed to Canada at the end of the week and I'm really torn about bringing it. I'm going to use a GoPro for action shots (I don't think the Glass battery can make it for all-day fishing) but I'm thinking of Glass for some of the other parts . . . maybe just a head-to-head comparison with the GoPro.<br />
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I have to say, after using the GoPro (actually a knock-off version I bought for $40), I'm starting to see the gap between the two. Boldly, I've made the comparison and questioned if Glass is really that much more special that it's worth the cost. I mean, the GoPro takes video and pictures and I can mount it just about anywhere. In the end it comes down to convenience.<br />
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Here's an example: I have a smart phone that does, essentially, what other devices can already do. If I had a rotary dial phone I could still make calls. If I had my old bag phone, I could still make calls away from home and in my car. I can access the Internet on my laptop, desktop and iPad. I can take pictures with my camera. Each of these devices does its job well (maybe not so much the bag phone) and very specifically. I have a smart phone because it does the job better.<br />
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In many circumstances, especially where there's a plan and ample time to set it up, using a mounted camera (like the GoPro) makes sense. Glass is delicate (maybe this is an assumption, at $1500 I'm unwilling to test the limits too much) and the GoPro is tough as nails. In wet or dangerous situations I'm not willing to put Glass to the test.<br />
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This being said, the convenience of Glass -- right there, always ready -- is intriguing and I'm finding many situations that I would have liked to had my camera, phone, computer . . . but I didn't. Glass is integrated and always ready (OK, the battery could last a little longer).<br />
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But I'm doing the evaluation for education, right? Maybe it's time to stop using the magnifying glass while evaluating it and just start enjoying it. After all, so many things I've used for education I've discovered in a completely unrelated way. I'm confident that in the back of my mind I'm <i>always</i> evaluating everything for educational merit anyway. So, I'm going to start wearing it regularly and finding out what it's capable of outside the "education" realm.<br />
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My ongoing task (getting frustrated with this one) is to get other apps on the device. This "easy" task has been beating me senseless the more I try it. I'm going to unlock it. It can't be that hard, many others are already there. I've followed the instructions online and I'm getting close. It shouldn't be this hard but, then again, I'm not a programmer so maybe there's something I'm missing. Actually, this could be the first educational use of the device. How do you add and write apps for Glass? Maybe I need to talk to the computer teacher some more.Stronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06888241980696290662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2266128505116055272.post-27686643518222707162014-06-20T20:29:00.001-07:002014-06-20T20:29:23.311-07:00Racing GlassAnd they're off!<div><br></div><div>Today I came across some pretty thought provoking stuff. I mean, I'm always thinking, but I've been frustrated and concerned that there really isn't anything more exciting about Glass than a camera on my head. In all reality, that's awesome, but not awesome enough to make it even remotely worth the cost.</div><div><br></div><div>So I put on my thinking cap. The more I see Glass and look at videos and pictures, the more I start to grasp what's happening in the Glass world and where Google's missing the boat. Explorers are showing, through Glass, their lives; sharing excitement and Awwww! Moments. They're also using some of the apps to do other things (some of the easy to get apps, others are fiddling with third party or developer apps), but mostly I'm finding the "look at me and my cool thing I'm doing and recording" examples. Not enough. GoPro users and enthusiasts are doing it bigger, better, faster and cheaper.</div><div><br></div><div>Then I picked up the iPad and went to YouYube. My youngest had been searching for videos on how to be a spy. I watched a couple and decided I would make a good spy, a little hard to conceal, but I've got the skills (and super-spy glasses). As I often do, I started to click on some of the suggested videos until one popped up that was the best smart glasses of 2014. </div><div><br></div><div>What?! There's ONLY Google Glass! </div><div><br></div><div>I watched the video. This is exactly what I'm looking for and, more importantly, what Google so desperately needs to work towards. True augmented reality. The featured glasses (Glass was one) showcased exactly what I want. </div><div><br></div><div>Go to YouTube and search for the best smart glasses of 2014 and see what you think. Preliminary research shows as early as July and late as next year Google will be paced and quickly passed by the competition. I need to call Apple and get them working on it.</div>Stronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06888241980696290662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2266128505116055272.post-46092468052273397592014-06-19T05:30:00.001-07:002014-06-19T08:04:30.154-07:00Frosted GlassIt didn't work out for Harlan.<br />
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There's something about Glass that doesn't work for some people. He had trouble getting it to focus and work correctly from him. Makes me think about the Glass experiment and where it's going. I'm trying to focus on how it works for both teachers and students. Once it hits the market, there's going to be an influx of users that will be on both sides.<br />
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Increasingly, like all new technologies, I'm seeing news coverage about Glass and more and more of these reports are starting to move from WOW! to Really? For example, The Daily Show has a segment that highlights some of the more ridiculous sides of Google Glass. While for entertainment, it does ring true in a lot of ways. There's a perception that being a Glass Explorer (really rips into that idea) is an elitist, wealthy program in which socially awkward people can feel important. I've heard this before. <br />
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Anyway, it gives me reason to pause and think about the natural evolution of technology. I don't believe for a moment that Google is presenting Glass in more than just an "Explorer" program, it's a media stunt as well to create demand for the product. In terms of technological evolution it's time for people to start really looking at the need and use of Glass. I haven't seen a <i>need</i> for Glass but I am definitely looking for a use. The longer I have it, the more I come back to the same thing: it's great to have a camera on my head.<br />
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It needs to be more. <br />
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This week and next I'm going to be reflecting on it from the viewpoint of the teacher. I'm teaching training sessions for our LMS at Pines to MS and HS teachers. I'm going to attempt to use it in this setting for something more productive than tweeting pics of them working.<br />
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Leave comments if you have suggestions for things you'd like to see me try. Educationally, that is.<br />
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Through Glass while Ann talks about WikiProjects in Haiku.</div>
Stronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06888241980696290662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2266128505116055272.post-17346011127661280822014-06-14T05:01:00.001-07:002014-06-14T05:01:45.888-07:00New GlassNo, I didn't get another set of Glass, but I passed it along to someone new and, this time, someone who's life with technology is different than mine. I've passed it along to someone who's life has been more involved with a lifestyle that's more in tune with what I believe Google intended Glass to be. Harlan is a Social Studies teacher turned computer teacher and a tech coach as well. Side by side we train staff and students and work to integrate technology into Pines. More importantly for this experiment, Harlan lives with technology in a different way than I do. I'm a digital immigrant. I didn't grow up with technology the way he did. His life integrates his phone in a much more all inclusive way and I believe some of the functionality of Glass, some of the understanding of how the features will enhance life will be explored more easily by him.<div><br></div><div>With the end of the school year madness just finishing I was unable to push the envelope and try some of the more experimental side. It's still coming, but without classrooms full of students it's time to examine the consumer side if Glass. Harlan will have it for a few weeks and then I'm turning it over to one of our students to get a truly unique perspective. Some time in late July I'll get it back and pull out all the stops.</div><div><br></div><div>I'm excited to see where Harlan takes it and what he discovers as well. The teacher in me is excited to see where he goes.</div><div><br></div>Stronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06888241980696290662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2266128505116055272.post-27597076675394053462014-06-05T20:02:00.001-07:002014-06-05T20:05:05.435-07:00Fish BowlSo, it's been a while and I have Glass back and I'm ready to venture forth with new vigor and excitement in my evaluation of Google Glass for education.<br />
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There's only a week left before the official summer break for Pines so much of it's going to be speculative and exploratory; planning and evaluation what I <i>think</i> will be beneficial. As always, I'll also look at it critically to determine what I have and <i>if</i> it even has any value in education at all.<br />
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Maybe that's the wrong way to look at it. Just about everything has some sort of value to education. After all, that's the art and craft of being an educator. We evaluate and recognize the qualities, discard what doesn't have enough value and then use it, pass it along or dismiss it.<br />
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The title is deliberate because, for those who know me or have the misfortune of asking, I am an avid (read obsessed) fisherman and spend much of my free time after work here:<br />
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I sometimes catch fish, oftentimes don't, but thoroughly enjoy the time I spend in my 16 1/2 feet of floating peace and quiet.</div>
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As I move forward and our seniors move on, expect many examples of me out and about enjoying all the beautiful north woods has to offer.</div>
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Back to Glass. It's time to take it to the next level. Let's recap: I used it for several weeks when I first got it. I passed it along to Ann who used it in HS Science and posted here, she passed it along to Josh who used it in HS Tech Ed and then I almost made it back to my office when I decided to pass it off to Jenni who used it in a HS Science classroom. Each of them were excited and, most importantly, honest in their evaluations. Jenni was the most enthusiastic about one aspect that I believe has merit in education: she was able to post what was going on quickly an efficiently. This is something she felt the need to do before but Glass provided the easiest avenue to date.</div>
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I like to hear this because that's an important part of education as we move forward. Students of Jenni's that were absent or unable to get to class could take advantage of the lesson she was teaching after the fact. This can be done with other recording devices but the fact that it was easy and available made it worthwhile. Chalk one up for innovative, effective teaching.</div>
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Josh and Ann had similar thoughts and are planning to integrate this into next year's adventure.</div>
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So, Phase Three:</div>
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The consumer market is absolutely driven by third party support for the technology tools we have. I feel as though Google has a limited number of apps available through their My Glass site and app and this has hindered my ability to really, truly use much more than the camera. Don't get me wrong, the camera is a powerful and extremely high quality component, but so is a $300 GoPro.</div>
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My next piece of the quest is to explore the third party apps that are out there, put them on Glass and see where they go. To do this I have to install a developer program on my Mac and then install the apps manually. I'm not sure what Google thinks of this, but I'm going to do it anyway. Preliminary research suggests leads me to these:</div>
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1. Sphero. Augmented reality through a robotic ball. There's an app for Glass and I'm pretty sure our Charter school has one. (sorry Scott)</div>
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2. Homework. There's an app that works as a homework reminder. I want to check it out since some day our students will have this device or one like it.</div>
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3. Astronomy. There's an app that lets you look at the night sky and then Glass identifies constellations. Too cool to even imagine now. We have an astronomy class at the HS.</div>
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I'm sure I'll find more and keep you posted.</div>
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Professionally, I'm relieved to see there are groups forming (Google+) of teachers with Glass that are connecting and collaborating. There are presentations at ISTE from some of these teachers. I won't be going to ISTE this year but I will be sure to follow what they do and connect with them to increase my knowledge base.</div>
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For Pines teachers that follow this blog or have been bugged enough by me to read it, don't be afraid to ask about it, I'm open to anyone who wants to give it a try next year. Josh, Ann and Jenni have done something wonderful for me by being my test group. They are all dedicated, busy teachers that took on the extra burden of trying something new.</div>
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I have to throw in one more photo of a couple of SOAR students. They saw me looking through an expansion pack for the Lego robotics kits they've been using and were enthusiastic to share with me what they did, problem solve with me their struggles and continue to push themselves to learn at the wee hours of the school year.</div>
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This is why I love what I do. </div>
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<br />Stronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06888241980696290662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2266128505116055272.post-69388317480985993392014-05-22T09:01:00.002-07:002014-05-22T09:01:28.853-07:00Tech Ed Hiatus Posting from Josh on Google Glass.<br />
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http://goo.gl/vcZWrJ<br />
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Again, thanks Josh for taking a chance and willingness to look to the future of education and evaluate its usefulness.Stronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06888241980696290662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2266128505116055272.post-70077146132948374652014-05-21T13:47:00.000-07:002014-05-21T13:47:12.376-07:00"Field" GlassDay 2 with Glass- feeling a LOT more comfortable using them today. Thought today would be the perfect opportunity to try them out in the "field" as we were completing the dropping portion of the Egg Drop Lab with my physical science classes. Had a student volunteer to wear them and record video as each student dropped their Egg Drop Device- just downloaded the videos- AMAZING!! I can use these very clear, precise videos to point out differences in air resistance, acceleration due to gravity, etc. as I now have a video "record" of each dropped device. One of the higher level skills we work on in physical science is data analysis- what a perfect way to point out differences in velocity due to shape differences, etc. - very impressive. I had often thought of videoing the "drops" but a video camera was cumbersome- this fits perfectly- on to more opportunities in the "field" with glass- Hydrorockets here we come!!<br />
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<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2266128505116055272.post-34304197826457939862014-05-19T12:06:00.001-07:002014-05-19T12:06:55.117-07:00Don't Break the Google Glass!!Wow- what a day- have finally had some time to sit and reflect on using Glass. Students were beyond fascinated with them and several asked to try them on- of course I obliged but was also a little nervous of freshman and something breakable in the same room! I have fantastic students and if they can be trusted to light a bunsen burner I was pretty sure they could be trusted to try them on for a spin. It is definitely a learning curve. I guess I felt a little "distracted" while wearing them but by 5th period did not really notice they were there and felt comfortable enough to take some video and pictures of the students with their Egg Drop creations. The question remains- how can I use them to increase student learning or show a concept in more detail? I am tumbling through the Looking "Glass"- who knows where it will lead me!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2266128505116055272.post-12275273862959599972014-05-19T11:15:00.002-07:002014-05-19T11:15:37.952-07:00Google SiO2Well, I got Glass back on Friday and then, before I made it back to my room, pawned it off on another teacher. For Josh's most recent blog, <a href="http://atechedworld.blogspot.com/">click here</a>.<br />
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As I walked the scant 50 yards from Josh's room I had plenty of time to think about all the things I would try, new ideas I had . . . and then I walked by the science wing and I heard Jenni Nickel's voice booming from her room. <br />
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Jenni has been a shining star in our 1:1 program this year. She's embraced the concept, worked hard to adapt to the environment and definitely geeked-out on all the tech.<br />
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I gave her Glass to use for a few weeks. It's a nice way to round out the year, she's going to put it to good use and, besides, they're making trebuchets.<br />
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Stay tuned for her posts.<br />
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<br />Stronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06888241980696290662noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2266128505116055272.post-6820737113113224332014-05-15T07:36:00.004-07:002014-05-15T07:36:47.875-07:00A Tech Ed WorldGreat post from Josh about the Glass experience.<br />
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<a href="http://goo.gl/5in7k3">A Tech Ed World</a><br />
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<br />Stronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06888241980696290662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2266128505116055272.post-19917084064077002102014-05-14T06:04:00.004-07:002014-05-14T06:04:53.849-07:00The Future of GlassBeen a while since I posted and, considering I'll be getting Glass back some time in the next week, I figured it was time to put down a few thoughts about where I'm heading in the future.<br />
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To start with, I want to thank both Josh and Ann for their work with me on the NPSD Glass project. It's challenging and exciting to take a new piece of technology and evaluate it for its effectiveness in education. On top of getting used to how it functions, they've had to evaluate their own classrooms and teaching and think about a use for the device. I want to emphasize <i>use</i> for the device. In education it's not just about how tech functions, but rather how it's functional. Without the focus of "Are my students learning?" we're just putting more stuff in front of them and it becomes cumbersome.<br />
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For example, I loved my motorcycle and it was extremely fun and useful but it would serve no purpose in my classroom. Josh, however, may find it extremely useful in Tech Ed.<br />
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So, the future:<br />
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<ul>
<li>Continue to connect with other educators around the country that are using Glass and communicate</li>
<li>Present our experiences at conferences (TIES)</li>
<li>Explore apps that will specifically connect with and apply to education</li>
<li>Connect with Google and try to establish a pilot program at Pines for Glass with kids</li>
<li>Find a trustworthy student to use Glass for a period of time and evaluate its usefulness in education</li>
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I've noticed more and more groups in education popping up that use Glass and are excited to share experiences and collaborate. Specifically, through Google+, there's a strong group growing and meeting regularly about Glass through a hangout. So far I have not attended one of these meetings, but I've also been without Glass for 6 weeks.</div>
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I'm once again excited to get Glass back. Not the same excited as I was when I first got it, but excited that I can move to the next stage.</div>
Stronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06888241980696290662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2266128505116055272.post-10217891781970029442014-05-07T10:04:00.003-07:002014-05-07T10:04:57.017-07:00Giving it the GlassAnother post from Josh and his experiences with Google Glass. <br />
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http://goo.gl/ZRmJAo<br />
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I'm hearing echoes of many of the thoughts I've already had regarding Glass in education.Stronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06888241980696290662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2266128505116055272.post-69240741119969496692014-04-29T06:06:00.002-07:002014-04-29T06:06:13.665-07:00Scratching My GlassMy last post was a small introduction of Josh Fuller to the Google Glass team at Northland Pines. As promised, he's started his blog and I will provide a link to each of his postings.<br />
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<a href="http://atechedworld.blogspot.com/">Josh's Blog</a><br />
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It's important to note that, in his blog, he mentions Glass and damage and worries about the device. This is a great point to think about since so much of the time I'm hearing people talk about the value of this and the worry about breaking that. I'm not condoning dangerous or reckless behavior, but I am saying <i>use it</i>. No authentic data has been gathered through bubble wrap.<br />
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I accept the risk associated with letting others use the device. I maintain that it is <i>just a device</i>. While the price tag is hefty, it's much smaller than the waste of a resource sitting in a drawer.<br />
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<br />Stronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06888241980696290662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2266128505116055272.post-57189645332695124262014-04-28T12:21:00.000-07:002014-04-28T12:21:03.625-07:00Tech SpecsFriday Ann turned over Google Glass to Josh, a technology education teacher at the high school. I'm excited for Josh to try them out and give feedback. Josh has opted to create his own blog but I will be sure to connect the links to this blog so you can read all about it.<br />
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I've taken a little time to reflect on the growing communities of Glass wearers in the world. Specifically, there are more and more communities that focus on education that are popping up, getting together and sharing the experience with others. This is mirrored in the non-education world of Glass as well. Communities are forming, like Harley riders or Jeep owners. They're taking pride in ownership and uniqueness.<br />
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Is this furthering education? I certainly hope so. It's hard to tell. I predict this year's round of education and tech conferences are going to feature more and more Google Glass. I hope to see this spur the industry into providing a variety of apps that are designed to help Glass improve instruction or accessibility or something.<br />
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Anyway, after talking to Josh I'm hopeful he's going to geek out like the rest of us and show us some truly unique, interesting and engaging ways to use Glass.Stronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06888241980696290662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2266128505116055272.post-69682979017965569852014-04-25T06:37:00.001-07:002014-04-25T06:37:50.833-07:00The Final GlassSo I was charging Glass and needed to return a phone call to a community member about a service project our students partake in next month. I pulled out my cell phone (my school phone tends to cut out or lose charge at critical moments) and dialed up. To my surprise the call was picked up by Glass and I had to scramble to toss Glass on my face so I could take care of the call - now I know that I could make calls from Glass so that wasn't surprising, but the fact that I initiated a call from my cell but it was completed (taken over really) by Glass did take me by surprise.<br />
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The attempt to sit in with another teacher and work on using Glass with dissections never panned out with schedule changes and snow days. Perhaps the other teacher will also get a crack at Glass yet this year. Yesterday however, my anatomy students were working through a vocabulary jig saw activity and I used Glass to record the sharing of definitions etc.<br />
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It's long, and shaky, but you can see the video <a href="https://plus.google.com/105530219890897247082/posts/4sk4os3U9ep" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
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This was shared on the student resource page and allows the students to go back anytime they need to review the terminology. It was a bit novel as normally, I'd have the definitions posted on a document, but this time the students have something more entertaining to watch! As it stands, I'm turning over Glass today to Josh. So this morning I factory reset Glass, plugged it in so he has it fully charged and will deliver it to him before the end of the day. Good Luck Josh and I can't even begin to thank Dave enough for getting me in on the whole Glass experience!!!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12826410848190801318noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2266128505116055272.post-90039360087327487502014-04-22T15:02:00.001-07:002014-04-22T15:02:27.883-07:00Doing Things Half Glassed!Wish I could have used the title "Kickin' Glass and Takin' Names" for this post but I think that implies that Glass has been glued to my head and at the forefront of most of my work recently. And it hasn't - hence my feeling like I'm doing it half-glassed. Also, I said in my first post that I couldn't think of great "Glass" puns and titles - yeah, still can't. I can't even take credit for either post title here, they're the work of my husband who I'm sure could rant out another 10 or so if I gave him half a chance. Oh well - onward...<br />
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So as I posted last time, I was really excited to use Glass to screencast from my point of view. My classroom is equipped with a projector and AppleTV. I had everything up and running first thing last Tuesday morning and lo and behold, the screen cast played sideways (half-glassed)! I believe this has to do with the fact that I'm using an iPhone with Glass and the phone doesn't AirPlay but my iPad does and it only has an iPhone app which makes it play sideways as it won't orient correctly. For that class, I ended up taking off Glass, holding the frame sideways so the video was upright and went through my demo. All said and done, I simply used the iPad camera to AirPlay to the screen for the remainder of my classes that day - much simpler. I still feel that the live screencast would be much more valuable when you need to be 100% hands free and have the correct perspective/point of view. I've been chatting with another biology teacher and I'm going to go into her class tomorrow - get ready for some earthworm dissection! I plan on trying out some of the ideas mentioned in my last post from both the teacher and student perspective.<br />
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The rest of last week was pretty much a bust for me and Glass. Wednesday was an out of town funeral and then I came home Wednesday night to 6 inches of snow and magically overnight that 6 inches turned into about 15.<br />
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No school Thursday - snow day - April 17th. No school Friday - Good Friday. That week was half glassed.<br />
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Over the weekend I did share Glass with my mother (former teacher) and some other relatives, relations and friends. I found an interesting trend. The over 60 year old group kept mentioning big brother and how they "just don't like the idea of it" i.e. that they could be videotaped/under surveillance without their knowledge. The under 45 year old group was for the most part amazed and excited to try it on and check it out. The only nay-sayer in the younger group was my cousin's wife and I think it had more to do with her not wanting him to have any more gadgets as he proclaimed that Glass was all he wanted for his birthday (which was yesterday - and no, he didn't get Glass). I didn't have enough guts to wear Glass at the local drinking establishment one evening over the weekend either - more half glassed attitude from me.<br />
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And so here we are, halfway through the last week that I'll have Glass and I'm not sure that I've accomplished anything revolutionary - not that I have to, but I did feel at one point that I would have some epiphany and everything would clarify and roll right out. Don't get me wrong, there have been some great moments, snapshots if you will, but still I have a feeling that I've just done it half glassed.<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12826410848190801318noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2266128505116055272.post-10023548951643134872014-04-14T19:26:00.002-07:002014-04-14T19:39:16.528-07:00Jagged Glass<b>No, I didn't break the Google Glass (thank goodness)! But, my thoughts are kind of random and jagged and I found myself using Google Glass on and off throughout the weekend, hence the name. Also, my success at implementing some of the features was also hit or miss...</b><br />
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<b>Friday:</b><br />
<u>Lefties (eyes that is...)</u><br />
So Friday was the first day I wore glass for an entire day. I was still getting plenty of questions and spent time allowing others to try glass for themselves. One question a student posed was if Google would ever have a left-eye version of Glass. He (and I) are both left eye dominant for shooting sports and the like and it didn't dawn on me until his question that this may be one reason why I felt (feel) eye-strain when wearing Glass. It's gotten better as I wear Glass longer, but when I first put on Glass in the morning, it still takes awhile before my eyes feel comfortable. Some days I can only take 3-4 hours at the most. Currently, it doesn't appear (at least in Explorer phase) that Google plans on a left version, and so some are taking issues into their own hands, <a href="http://blog.glassdiary.com/post/74886420674/google-glass-left-eye-version-finally" target="_blank">wearing Glass upside down</a>.<br />
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<u>Demo for Dissection</u><br />
So I teach anatomy, but most of the dissections in my class are finished. In a neighboring biology classroom however, students are just starting dissections dealing with advanced invertebrates. I discussed using Glass with two students in the midst of a clam dissection and they described their experience and knowledge of clam anatomy. I see a number of potential uses for Glass in this manner.<br />
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<ul>
<li>Teacher with glass has students explain (as the video shows) - the teacher now has a formative assessment of how the class is progressing. Additionally, the teacher has caught snapshot videos that can be viewed later - this is different than what I do right now. Currently, I have to try and remember what each group struggled with or what their strengths were off the top of my head, with video I can refer back at any time and I know that I can take "regular" video with a phone or iPad, but Glass is much more seamless. </li>
<li>Teacher could run through dissection while recording to give students a point of view demonstration of the technique - the hands free application is better than anything I've tried so far in trying to share this with a full class. </li>
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<li>Screencasting this for students to watch would help for students to see during a class.</li>
<li>In a flipped classroom, the video could be posted ahead of time for students to preview. </li>
</ul>
<li>Students could video their own dissection and then use it for review. (I'm going to try and have these young ladies work this out at least once in the next week.)</li>
<li>Any video could be posted and shared with students absent for the dissection day, even though there is no replacement for the true lab experience, its a great substitute. </li>
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<u>Brainstorming</u><br />
My Anatomy classes were working on an activity that helps them differentiate between excretion and elimination (aren't you wishing I was a social studies teacher right now?) and after lots of discussion and debate. We came up with our delineation and a lot of brainstorming on the whiteboard. I've been known in the past to remind students that a great way to remember the conversation is to snap a picture of our "notes" for future reference. Many times, I'll take a picture and post it in our CMS for students to go back to. Well, with Glass I simply told Glass to take a picture and then shared it directly in Google+ with my Anatomy class circle. Pretty cool!<br />
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<u>Dance Pictures - Facebook Fail (temporarily!)</u><br />
After school on Friday my two daughters had pictures for their upcoming dance recital. I wore Glass and took some candids and attempted to post them directly to Facebook (which I do have activated in Glassware). My phone doesn't act as a hotspot and so I had some difficulty posting directly to Facebook Friday without a network, but today when I tested it at home, there was no problem taking a photo from the card stack and sharing it as well as taking a "fresh" photo and posting that directly to Facebook as well. I really liked the ease of captioning a photo/video with voice commands only.<br />
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<b>Saturday</b><br />
<u>Law enforcement conversation</u><br />
My husband works for the WI DNR as a law enforcement officer and he and I had a long discussion about the potential for Glass in his field. As long as the durability of Glass was increased, he had some ideas, here's a brief rundown...<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>videotaping contacts with the public (think dashcam)</li>
<li>crime scene recording for later assessment</li>
<li>recording interviews with suspects/witnesses</li>
<li>search databases hands-free on the spot (would need secure wifi/glassware)</li>
<li>training</li>
<ul>
<li>record training scenarios from contact officer perspective</li>
<li>assure consistency during scenario training/testing from one contact officer to the next; this could also save time in training (not having to run each officer through every scenario)</li>
<li>allows officers in training a chance to reflect on their performance in varying situations</li>
</ul>
</ul>
<br />
<b>Sunday</b><br />
No Glass!<br />
<br />
<b>Monday</b><br />
<u>Screen Cast Fail (until next time)</u><br />
As I was setting up for class today, one thing I wanted to try was to screencast my view in Glass with the entire class (using AirPlay to broadcast to the "big screen" in my room). I was trying to show something very small (capillary action in a microcapillary tube) to the entire class and screencast would have been helpful. As it was, I found the directions to screencasting (1. Bluetooth to phone and use hotspot or 2. Make sure both devices are on same network). But that was it - no further direction. Now I know that I need to think intuitively, but faced with a class full of students waiting for me to get rolling, I didn't have time to think on my feet. Sitting tonight, it dawned on me that I should have simply started a recording with Glass and then the screencast would "start" on its own. Aha! Tested and working - can't wait to use it tomorrow when I demonstrate setting up chromatography tests with the students tomorrow~Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12826410848190801318noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2266128505116055272.post-8263693775506509302014-04-14T16:37:00.001-07:002014-04-14T16:37:13.683-07:00I'm a MacRemember that commercial? Did you feel attached to the hip, comfortable Mac or the stuffy, nervous PC? <br />
<br />
I've thought a lot about the earlier post I wrote and it was bothering me that we could be limiting our students and my children by presenting them with technology we're comfortable with rather than allowing them to learn the process, learn the 21st Century skills that involve flexibility and openness to new ideas and comfort with technology.<br />
<br />
I'm pushing 40 and identify myself with a generation of transition. Transitioning from family structures, societal norms and limited thinking. I grew up in a house where racism, sexism and bigotry were present and, over the years, I transitioned into where I am now: free from that thinking. I didn't have a computer in my house when I was there; in fact, I didn't get my first one until I was 22. Now, I own a pair of Google Glass.<br />
<br />
I think about the limits some of my peers, my colleagues and even some of my students put on themselves ("I can't use a Mac!") and worry that this narrow thinking is going to be passed along to our children, placing a ceiling on what they strive to understand.<br />
<br />
And then my 8 year old did her homework and I did what I do best: I watched.<br />
<br />
"Dad, did you bring your computer home?"<br />
<br />
"Why?"<br />
<br />
"I'm researching and I want to be able to type."<br />
<br />
"Why don't you use the iPad?" (She's taken mine and now it no longer has the sleek black keyboard case but rather an indestructible "girly" case)<br />
<br />
"I can't use my home-row keys."<br />
<br />
Conversation over. She retrieved my laptop (Mac) from my backpack and proceeded to go to Chrome, search with the voice-recognition feature and then find out that Mrs. Waffenschmidt was in Italy. I was floored at her comfort and capability. I kept my cool. After all, I'm a Mac.<br />
<br />
I realized something as I watched her work. I realized that she wasn't a Mac or a PC. She's not a Chromebook or an iPad. She's a 21st Century learner. I didn't teach her how to use a Mac vs. a PC. Granted, she's had technology around her and available for, like, ever. She has absolutely no hesitation in picking up a piece of technology, any technology, and just using it. It's not because I put it in her hand and insist on it, it's because <i>she's not afraid</i>.<br />
<br />
She's not worried that she's going to break it or lose a file. She doesn't worry that there's two buttons on the track pad of my wife's PC and none on my computer. If she can't scroll with two fingers on the pad, then she grabs the scroll bar, clicks and holds and moves down the page. She does all of this without hesitation and doesn't let something unfamiliar stop her from moving forward.<br />
<br />
She's a critical thinker, a problem solver and a learner.<br />
<br />
And she's only 8.<br />
<br />
Let's all take a lesson from her and from the rest of the children that are digital natives:<br />
<br />
Let them go. Stop putting limits on them because we feel uncomfortable. Let them go and follow them and learn.<br />
<br />
Stop saying "don't do that" and start saying "Wow, I didn't expect that to happen. I learned something new."<br />
<br />
This post wasn't as much about Google Glass as it was about potential.<br />
<br />
I'll make a prediction. At the start of next school year or very close to it, a 9 year old girl will be sporting a pair of Google Glass that used to be mine. <br />
<br />
And she'll use them without fear.<br />
<br />
And I'll learn from her.<br />
<br />
Watch out, Mrs. Waffenschmidt, it's going to be a lot harder to hide from her.Stronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06888241980696290662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2266128505116055272.post-45167141972826744652014-04-13T16:44:00.001-07:002014-04-13T16:44:03.580-07:00Safety GlassI've posted before about privacy and concerns associated with Glass and I think, in the education community, we need to be respectful of privacy issues and up-front when we take pictures. Here's what got me thinking about it:<div><br></div><div>I was reading a post on the Google Glass in education community on Google+ about a man who had Glass knocked from his face and then stepped on to let him know his ability to take pictures was unwelcome. It was a short post and I don't know all the details (he may have had it coming) but the post made my ears perk up. I continued to read the comments and responses to the post and was extremely surprised at the number of people who commented about reactions they're having to Glass.</div><div><br></div><div>For the most part, people posted that they were up front about taking pictures and it was well recieved as long as the pictures didn't include the person. Kind of like "take a pic of my stuff but leave me out of it." The responses (more than one) continued to indicate that taking a pic with Glass was forbidden, but pull out your phone and take as many as you like. It seems like the understanding that it's <i>the same thing</i> is lost.</div><div><br></div><div>As I reflect on this I really only have two comments: </div><div><br></div><div>I have <i>never</i> come across a single person who is angry about Glass or anything other than interested. I've had a few with concerned questions and one with a request to not take a picture (I think it was in jest, but I respeced it nonetheless).</div><div><br></div><div>People need to understand the technology and the role it does or can play in our lives. I appreciate the opportunuty to be a Glass Explorer. Not because it's some elite group, but because I have the opportunity to share and educate people about it.</div><div><br></div><div>As this moves into mainstream use and students start showing up with any type of wearable tech we need to be prepared to share with them the safety, responsibility and potential of the tech. Through education of the public as well as the children we'll avoid a potentially eruptive response and learn to accept and embrace the future.</div>Stronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06888241980696290662noreply@blogger.com0