Here is a cool example of augmented reality from UC Davis:
Augmented Reality
May 8th, 2012
Flash CS6 to HTML5
May 8th, 2012The following video demonstrates Adobe Flash’s CS6 to HTML5 conversion tool codenamed Wallaby. The tool converted my file in one second. It worked great in Safari but did not work in Firefox. I am not sure if Flash’s tool is not working or HTML5 is not working. I say this because of the compatibility issues I have with HTML5, especially in Firefox. Also, Adobe’s Wallaby tool was last updated on March 8th, which means that a new version is just around the corner. Overall, I am impressed it worked but need to test this with more advanced Flash files. I was not really surprised there was a compatibility issue as that is HTML5. Here is the video with the demonstration:
How technology is changing college students infographic
May 7th, 2012
Adobe CS6 available
May 7th, 2012CS6 is finally here. You can get the products from http://www.adobe.com
Publishing with Amazon: My reflections
May 7th, 2012I recently ran a test of all publishing services for one of my classes as we are publishing a book together. After evaluating all options, we decided to publish with Amazon. So before I published that book with my class I wanted to see what the tool was really like, so I published another book. Here is my experience:
I formatted my book into PDF format and then I signed into createspace. Overall, it was very easy to use. I created a book title, entered author information, and then had to choose payment information. I then selected if my book would be color or black and white and what size it would be. At first I chose 6×9 but realized that I created my book in word and it was 8.5×11 so I had to choose 8.5×11. Otherwise there were no formatting issues. Then I created a cover. Amazon has a great cover creator template that was very easy to use. It does not allow much customization and I think it can be improved tremendously however it was good enough. I have a feeling they will not improve it as they want you to purchase the design services they offer. Once my book was created I had to choose a price. The cheapest my book could be sold for was $2.65. That means that I can sell for 2.65 or higher. At $2.65 I collect no royalty. I chose $4.99. This means that for every copy sold I get $0.84 from Amazon. Not too great but honestly my book is on amazon.com and they are doing all of the work. I am still waiting for the book to be listed on Amazon, they say it take 5-7 business days and today is day 1:) I will post the book to the blog once it is posted to Amazon. Also, you can order copies for yourself as author for $2.15 a copy and provide discount codes to family/friends.
Here is what my book looks like in the createspace store. It should be uploaded to Amazon in the next 5-7 business days: https://www.createspace.com/3864560
Now onto Kindle publishing. Well this was a bit more complicated and I will need to continue this post when it works because right now my book is in limbo with Kindle. Publishing was just as easy as Amazon’s createspace. The only difference was that I needed to reformat my text. Kindle recognized certain symbols but not others. For instance, a lot of my text, such as the beginning and end of each chapter was smashed together. Thus I had to use page breaks. It took me about and hour to reformat, so be prepared for that. Then I submitted my text for review. My book is currently in limbo because I have two websites that offer sections of the book for free on the sites. So Amazon is currently making sure I actually own those sites because they did an online content check. I am glad they are checking for copyright and people scamming the system however this is taking longer and I am now waiting two days for a response. I am hoping this issue is cleared up asap. I also hope that I do not have to take the content down from the sites before publishing with Kindle.
iPhone vs. Galaxy Nexus vs. S3? Can’t compare on specs alone
May 4th, 2012While certain features of these phones are comparable, like the camera. There are just certain things that you cannot compare when looking at these devices.
For instance, while the 1.2 dual core processor or 1.4 quad core processor seem to blow Apple’s .800 dual core processor out of the water, this couldnt be further from the truth. Many forget that Apple runs a different OS. Meaning that Apple’s iPhone is built specifically for their OS. They didnt need a 1.5 quad core processor because their OS does not require or utilize it. Additionally, you cant really even compare the Gnex to the S3 for the same reason. While they both run ICS, the Gnex runs a vanilla version of the OS and was made to specifically to run the OS just as the iPhone was for iOS. The S3 contains TouchWiz, which is Samsung’s bloatware and thus needs that extra power that the Gnex does not need.
All in all, there are some things you can compare but overall you cannot compare these devices by just looking at the specs. The specs are not very helpful in really telling you much about the big picture, they are simply a small piece. Each of these phones is so different that it’s going to be a matter of preference which is better, not the one that has the best specs is king.
New Samsung Phone: Galaxy S3
May 3rd, 2012For more info: http://www.thenextgalaxy.com/
Galaxy S3 confirmed
- 4.8 inch screen
- 8mp camera (1.9 inch front camera)
- 2100 battery
- summer launch in America
- looks very similar to nexus
- 2 feature – s-voice and s-stay – both look ok but are bloatware.
- 1.4 GHZ Quad core processor
- MicroSD slot
- Runs ICS Android 4.0
- 1 GB Ram
My thoughts from what I have seen ( I have not touched the phone or seen it in real life): It’s a definite upgrade the S2 and GNex, however, it is not what I would call significant. It’s reminds me of the upgrade from the iPhone 4 to the 4s. Some specs are great, like the quad core, and microSD card. But the S2 has an 8MP camera already. And while Samsung is really pushing their bloatware – it’s bloatware, although I will admit that if you did not want the bloatware you already have a Gnex which has a vanilla version of Android 4.0 on it. Would I buy this phone? Well I have the Gnex so there is no way this is worth the upgrade. I personally do NOT want bloatware – but that is my big selling point. Additionally, I have the extended battery for the Gnex which is the same one used as default on this phone. Others really like the microSD card, that alone may be a huge selling point. If I had the S2 I would probably upgrade although honestly if you care about a better camera, phones will have 10-12mp by the end of the year.
edX: Harvard and MIT offer courses online for anyone
May 3rd, 2012Harvard and MIT have teamed up to offer courses online for anyone: http://www.edxonline.org. At this point, they have not stated what courses will be offered. It seems like they are in the very beginning stages of this project.
Details appear to be limited as to how this will really operate. Here is information about the technology used to deliver the courses:
“An open-source online learning platform that will feature teaching designed specifically for the web. Features will include: self-paced learning, online discussion groups, wiki-based collaborative learning, assessment of learning as a student progresses through a course, and online laboratories.”
Now here is one thing I found very interesting:
“The platform will also serve as a laboratory from which data will be gathered to better understand how students learn.”
Essentially what this means: If you sign up and participate in these courses your data CAN be used for research. I assume MIT and Harvard got a grant to develop this and conduct research on it, however, that is not stated from what I saw.
Now here is the most interesting thing in regards to getting credit for taking these courses:
“EdX will be available to anyone in the world with an internet connection, and in general, there will not be an admissions process. For a modest fee, and as determined by the edX board, MIT and Harvard, credentials will be granted only to students who earn them by demonstrating mastery of the material of a subject.
As determined by the edX board, MIT and Harvard, online learners who demonstrate mastery of subjects could earn a certificate of completion, but such certificates would not be issued under the name Harvard or MIT.”
Does that mean the courses are free or will there be a charge? It seems there definitely will be a charge to get the certificate which will not be associated with MIT or Harvard. So I guess the question is, why take these for this certificate? How much will the fee be? What is the value of this certificate (i.e., will anyone recognize it and for what subjects). These questions should seriously be considered by anyone before taking these courses. Even if the courses are offered for free there is still a free for proof that you took it which essentially means these courses are not free.
NYC passes social media law for K-12 Educators
May 3rd, 2012I cannot say this is a bad law. While I wish it wasnt needed, unfortunately there are just so many problems that something like this needs to be in place. In fact, this probably just makes it easier for the teacher to say ‘no’ when their students ask because many students do ask their teachers to be facebook friends and it puts the teacher in an uncomfortable situation. Here is what the law says:
“NYC DOE Teachers cannot use social media accounts unaffiliated to the school on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Google+ and Flickr to contact students regardless of the nature of the message.”
Source: http://mashable.com/2012/05/02/social-media-student-teacher-contact/
Now the good thing to point out here: These services can still be used as long as its for educational purposes. So the schools are not banning the tools. If they were, I would have a major problem with this. They are simply banning personal connections, which I believe is fine. I warn all of my K-12 pre-service to teachers to say ‘No’ to any student that requests them on facebook. Not that I think its bad in all cases but that it just avoids a potential future problem.
Here is a video on the topic:
Turn your iPhone into a projector
May 3rd, 2012This seems like a very useful device for educators. For only $99 you can display your iPhone on a projector:
Company website: http://thepopvideo.com/popvideo
Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/03/pop-video-pico-projector-for-iphone-ipod-touch/
See the product demo here:
