Podcastomatic Becomes a GameChanger!

I don't throw the term "Game Changer" around loosely, but something I stumbled across this morning just blew my mind!

Podcastomatic was a very nice way to host a podcast.  I attempted to use it some years back and found it had a nice interface.  For some reason, call it kismet, I was drawn to the site this morning only to discover it has completely changed it's function.  Podcastomatic now allows you to type in ANY blog address.  Now, when you don't have time to read your favorite blogs, you can take them on the run - literally! Just download the mp3 to your favorite listening device and you have access to the information you can't live without on the go and even away from the Internet.  Whether going for a run, drive, flight - whatever it may be, you can catch up on essential knowledge.

Of course the text to speech feature opens the doors to unlimited potential in education as well.  If you have students who are auditory by nature or have other unique learning challenges.  It looks like it has the potential to work with any RSS feed, but I have yet to have a chance to explore it enough to say with certainty.

Another bonus, as if you needed another reason to stop reading this post and head directly to Podcastomatic  is that you can subscribe to the created podcast via RSS or in iTunes - so you never miss another post from your favorite blog author!

You can grab the RSS podcast feed Zenodotus.net  here: http://podcastomatic.com/podcast/zenodotus/feed.rss

Or Click here to subscribe to this blog / podcast in iTunes

Video Killed the Radio Star

OK, so that's not exactly true. But as I type, the edtech world is once again being rocked by another popular Web 2.0 tool joining the dead pool. This time it appears Google Reader will go away July 1st, 2013. You can read all about it at tinyurl.com/RIPGreader My Facebook feed is blowing up right now with people disappointed with the loss of a favorite tool. But fear not my friends, while Google Reader may be joining the dead pool, RSS is not. Indeed Google Reader was an essential piece that many individuals rely on to aggregate information. Personally, it was not visual enough for me. And I think that may be part of the reason it is now past it's prime, as it were. Tools like flipboard.com, scoop.it, paper.li and others have taken the rss world by storm. They are flashier and in my opinion easier to navigate. Now. I am not suggesting that those tools will be as robust or feature rich as the most rabid of you information hounds would like. Goodnoows.com, newsgator.com, reader.feedshow.com and others may be up your alley. The important thing is you already know about RSS and the power of aggregation. You have the skillset and probably a large collection of your favorite RSS feeds to export and get you started - hopefully Zenodotus.net is among them (if not you can grab the RSS feed from the top left of this page). Who knows Google may have something in the wings that is better than reader...We all remember what happened with Google Wave right? Many of us rode it al the way into Google + (which I am still trying to figure out how it fits into my PLN these many months later.)
We survived the Ning debacle and this to shall pass, however painfully. The important thing is to start looking for your exit strategy now. Start exploring the best alternative and keep the information flowing!

Why Twitter Still Matters

It has been a while since my last post and I have not even started to look into my plan to start writing about apps.  The ICE conference just completed and my stress levels were kind of through the roof since my two of my three sessions were not all about tools but rather about pedagogy and communication. Topics that until now have been completely out of my comfort zone.  And while I was only able to attend a few sessions, I left the conference rejuvenated.
I am always fascinated by how a stressful few days can cleanse the soul and open the mind! For me an educational technology conference is all about finding out what amazing things others are doing and making connections.  Incidentally, Jim Rowley's session, "Differentiation Through Online Gamification" needs to be adapted into a TED-Ed talk, he is an educational rock star!. His work is on the cutting edge of shifting the paradigm in education to learner centered engagement (a place I personally believe we need to get to - and soon.)
From a connection stand point, I had the opportunity to meet many people I have been conversing with on social networks for some time.  Having an opportunity to meet Angela Maiers, Wesley Fryer, Tony Vincent, Scott McLeod and Tom Whitby in person for the first time or getting to reconnect with Hall Davidson Shannon Miller and one of my copresenters Jennifer Wagner was extremely meaningful for me. Not only because I have learned so much from them as a professional but also because their wisdom has helped me to grow as a person.  Watching each of them give of themselves to everyone who wanted to stop and say hello was amazing because it highlighted the importance of connection. While this may sound like name dropping, it is only because these are the people I can't easily connect with in person as they are spread across the country and I truly cherish the opportunities I get to spend with such individuals whom without first knowing on Twitter, I would never had the courage to introduce myself.  Witnessing these interactions also inspired me to get back to work on a book I have been writing for years on building Professional Learning Networks.  The human need for connection is so important to be successful, we cannot afford to live in silos of solitude.
So why does Twitter still matter? Because, it allows you to break from that isolation. Make connections to the people who matter most and share what you do.  I have been on a personal crusade since being introduced to Twitter over 4 years ago to get more educators to truly harness it's power.  First, I saw the potential for use in the classroom, but quickly found that was too taboo for all but the most brave of educators to attempt.  So, instead I encouraged members of the educational community to embrace the social network as a way to make those all important connections and have meaningful conversations.  For me Twitter has become a conduit of growth.  There is not a day that goes by that I don't learn something new or find encouragement and inspiration from my colleagues.  But, I must add a word of caution here.  You can end up building your own silo with Twitter if you only follow people you know or those in your immediate profession.  As I have been re-evaluating my Twitter strategy (something I recommend you do at least twice a year), I have noticed two things.  First, I am mostly connected to educators outside the classroom.  My network namely consists of  District Technology Coordinators, technology coaches, tech support staff and network people, integration specialists and strategists.  What is missing from that mix? The classroom teacher.  While I am connected to a number of stellar teachers who share amazing things, I am missing that true connection to those on the "front lines".  I want to hear the amazing things you are doing and your #eduwin.  I started to become concerned that I had built a lopsided network and was not connected to enough teachers. As I scrolled through the almost 800 people I follow, I noticed a number of classroom teachers, but I also noted they are not "active users". A few tweets here and there about the mundane daily duties they face.  I can already hear the responses.  "Not enough time", "what I say won't have impact", and "I don't have access to Twitter during the day".  These are unacceptable excuses ladies and gentleman.  What you do matters and it only takes a few seconds to share something you did during your day that made an impact.  Please don't keep your achievements to yourself. Share them with the world and make it a better place as a result!
You will be hearing more about the #eduwin movement from me in coming days.  But please take a moment to look at whatisyoureduwin.com and see what it is all about!

A New Road to Travel

Zenodotus is about to take on a new direction once again.  Just over a year ago I finished a 365 project in which I reviewed a different web 2.0 application every day.  Then I collapsed.  I took a year sabbatical from blogging only occasionally sharing an insight or two.  Thought I would try a 52 week vodcast - #FAIL This year I thought I'd take on a 365 lightt.com project - guess what I discovered?  My life isn't that visually interesting - again #FAIL
And during that year there has been a major shift from Web 2.0 to Apps and Chrome extensions - you see what is coming don't you?  I'm already a month behind so this will not be a 365 project; but, in 2013 I am going to try and tackle as many apps as I can for iOS, Android and Chrome devices (my district will likely be taking on a 1:1 Chromebook initiative over the course of the next year - more on that later).
My emphasis will likely be on media creation with an emphasis on differentiated learning.  There will likely be a number of posts over the next year that deal with comparing apps on different platforms (especially if I discover a non-cross platform app).  So whatever flavor of mobile Internet device you posses there will be something here for you.  I will also try to include a link to where the app can be downloaded for iOS, Android, Chrome, Windows 8 or used as a web 2.0 utility in a table at the bottom of each post.  Do not count on this being a daily post - life has a way of getting overwhelming sometimes.  The first step on this new journey will start later this evening or tomorrow.  Stay tuned and be sure to add the RSS for Zenodotus to your favorite reader.  Oh and if there is something you think I'm missing and would like to share - be sure to let me know!

A Tribute to Aaron Swartz

This week, we lost an amazing mind in the world of technology.  Aaron Swartz committed suicide after a prolonged battle with depression.  In case you are unaware of Aaron's contributions to our world: he had a part (and no small part) in developing the concept of RSS Feeds, Co-founding Reddit, led the development of the nonprofit Open Library in 2007 and assisted in laying structure of the framework for the development of Creative Commons licensing - among many other projects.  But until now, you probably didn't have a clue who he was.  Aaron was also a man of conviction and was passionate about the concepts of freedom of information the Internet.  This led him to develop Demand Progress an organization committed to the aforementioned ideal.

Unfortunately, living by one's convictions can often lead you over the top and outside the bounds of social norms.  In 2011, Aaron was indicted on charges of downloading millions of documents illegally from the non for profit online database JSTOR which provide academic journal articles free of charge.  I will not speculate on whether his actions were right or wrong.  Unfortunately, facing a prison sentence of up to 35 years for hacking, Aaron took his own life.  Aaron had suffered from depression for some time as he noted in this blog post from 2007.  It is my opinion that passion, genius and depression are typically a recipe for a catastrophic disaster and in this particular case it took a young 26 year old from us much too soon.  

Depression needs to stop being looked at as a stigma in the world in which we live.  It is a sickness that must be addressed and allowed to be done without shame.  Who knows what a bright star like Aaron would have accomplished if he had gotten the help he obviously needed.  We need to watch out for each other and be a support system to those in need.  We need to be more alert so that these kinds of tragedies can be prevented.  Rest in Peace Aaron and as Tim Berners Lee so succinctly tweeted at the news of your loss: "Aaron dead. World wanderers, we have lost a wise elder. Hackers for right, we are one down. Parents all, we have lost a child. Let us weep."  You will be missed.

Switching Devices during a Google + Hangout

Google continues to blow my mind with Google +.  For a long time the most exciting feature for me on this social networking tool has been the Hangout feature.  Being able to have meetings with 9 other individuals is fantastic.  Then Google added app integration and suddenly you could collaborate on Google Docs, watch Youtube videos together and most recently share and control their Slideshare.com presentations.  In a previous post, I believe I described how Don Goble did just that to keynote a recent SET Connections conference. The tonight I was privileged to "Hangout" with Carol Broos and a number of Golden Apple Academy members, many of whom were new to the idea of the Hangout feature.  Carol had asked me to talk a bit about PLNs and in preparation I wanted to make sure my screenshare feature was working properly so I could show Twitter, Facebook and Google + So I opened a Hangout and saw Carlos Fernandez was available.  I sent him an invite and was surprised to find he answered on his cell phone.  I knew this was possible but really needed him on a device where he could confirm my screen looked right.  So he walked over to his laptop and suddenly the screen blipped and his image became clearer.  My jaw dropped when it dawned on me that he had just switched his connection to the hangout "on the fly" between his IPhone and his laptop.  This was because he had the invitation to Hangout open on his laptop and simply clicked it and disconnected his phone.  At least I think that's what happened.
So during tonight's meeting the question arose as to whether you could join a Hangout on an iPAD.  I knew you could but wasn't sure exactly how.  So, during the meeting I downloaded the Google+ app to investigate.  Sure enough once you have the app installed and are signed in, you can look in your notifications for Hangouts happening now and click the join button and you can Hangout from your iPAD.  Now here's the even more mind blowing part.  If you join a hangout your already in on another device - you actually get in TWICE! Which is really confusing to yourself and other participants - but this has implications.  Maybe you need to have a screenshare happening on you desktop or laptop but still wish to be seen?  Pull your video connection up on your device and screen on the other! Maybe you need to show multiple angles of an object, put it between your tablet or iTouch (yes, it works on those too) and now you have a multiple angle shot.  I'm trying to figure out the best way to do a screencast of this using a Hangout.  But until then I hope this info blew your mind as much as it did mine and you are already thinking about implications!

*******************************Addendum**************************************
In trying to record a Google + "On Air" Hangout so I could demonstrate how this works, I discovered that it does not seem to work in a recorded Hangout. I was not able to join a recording session in progress from an iTouch like I was the live discussion last night.  If anyone knows how this can be done, please let me know! We all learn from each other!

A Late Night Glance at Common Core Standards as They Apply to Technology

Unless you have been hiding under a rock for the past few years you have heard the rumble of the Common Core State Standards.  At present 45 states are in the process of adopting a set of common standards that aim to "provide a consistent, clear understanding of what students are expected to learn, so teachers and parents know what they need to do to help them."  Unfortunately, many of the educators I have spoken with, while aware of these standards, are confused or overwhelmed by the abundance of information they contain.  And I must be included in the previous statement and I am by no mean a Common Core expert.  What is contained within this post are late night ramblings based on my understanding thus far.

Over the past few years, I have tried to tie presentations I give on educational technology to ISTE's NETS.  But now I am trying to relate those same presentations to the Common Core and am having some difficulty in doing so. Perhaps, it is because there is a different set of standards for each grade level K-12.  Or maybe it's because at present time there are no Technology Standards?  Currently the Common Core has standards for Math and Language Arts.  Apparently, teachers of other subject matter have to find ways to integrate their lessons into those competencies.

I may be rambling a bit because this post is being written in the wee hours of the morning.  But after weeks of research, I may have finally encountered a breakthrough when it comes to integrating technology into the Common Core.

While most sites I have encountered suggest that technology best fits into English Language Arts Category, I think there are some ways that technology also fits within Mathematics.  These Mathematical Standards are broken into two sections: Content and Mathematical Practices.

Content seems focused on specific knowledge by grade level.  And that in itself for me is one of the challenges of the Common Core. For example, within Grade 5: Operations & Algebraic Thinking we have: CCSS.Math.Content.5.OA.A.2 Write simple expressions that record calculations with numbers, and interpret numerical expressions without evaluating them. For example, express the calculation “add 8 and 7, then multiply by 2” as 2 × (8 + 7). Recognize that 3 × (18932 + 921) is three times as large as 18932 + 921, without having to calculate the indicated sum or product.
There are certainly plenty of pieces of software that could assist with achieving these very concrete concepts.

But I think where technology integration will really shine is within the Mathematical Practices.  Within the K-8 Mathematical Practices are common across grade levels:

1. 1. Make sense of problems and persevere in solving them.
2. 2. Reason abstractly and quantitatively.
3. 3. Construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others.
4. 4. Model with mathematics.
5. 5. Use appropriate tools strategically.
6. 6. Attend to precision.
7. 7. Look for and make use of structure.
8. 8. Look for and express regularity in repeated reasoning

Because there is true commonality across grade levels it should be easier to tie technology to these Standards.  For example, Wolfram Alpha could apply to "Use appropriate tools strategically" 

At the High School level, there are also Content and Practices sections.  Content, is not broken down by grade level and include Number and Quantity,Algebra, Functions, Geometry and Statistics and Probability. Again, these are very specific goals to which it should be easy to tie specific software programs.

Practices appear to be referred to as "Modeling."  According to corestandards.org, "Modeling links classroom mathematics and statistics to everyday life, work, and decision-making. Modeling is the process of choosing and using appropriate mathematics and statistics to analyze empirical situations, to understand them better, and to improve decisions...modeling standards appear throughout the high school standards indicated by a star symbol (★)"  As such, finding real life scenarios and solutions using Web 2.0 should be relatively easy. They provide the example of  "Estimating how much water and food is needed for emergency relief in a devastated city of 3 million people, and how it might be distribute" Tools like Google's Crisis Map immediately come to mind as real world technology implementation.

So in my sleep deprived mind I see Content as relating to specific softwares and Practices as adhering more to Web 2.0 and the 21st century skills of Communication, Collaboration and Creativity.  Does that make sense?

Within Language Arts, there are 5 key areas: Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening, Language and Media and Technology.  This is a bit confusing since there are not actually standards for Media and Technology. Instead they are embedded into the other 4 key areas.  Confused yet?  Well, here's my take on it.  Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening and Language have very specific grade level standards.  For example: "CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RF.2.4 Read with sufficient accuracy and fluency to support comprehension."  Certainly, a site like raz-kids.com would be helpful here.

Throughout the English standards are technical opportunities.  For example "CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.9-10.2 Integrate multiple sources of information presented in diverse media or formats (e.g., visually, quantitatively, orally) evaluating the credibility and accuracy of each source." Suddenly, we start to see opportunity for applications like wevideo, Prezi and Voicethread to be used in creative ways and still adhere to standards.

The English Language Standards seem to culminate with the "College and Career Readiness Anchor Standards for Language".  Here we seem to see the most opportunity for Collaboration, Communication and Creativity.  For example: ""CCSS.ELA-Literacy.CCRA.L.6 Acquire and use accurately a range of general academic and domain-specific words and phrases sufficient for reading, writing, speaking, and listening at the college and career readiness level; demonstrate independence in gathering vocabulary knowledge when encountering an unknown term important to comprehension or expression." allows for ideas like Project Based Learning and Digital Storytelling start to shine because the seem to be the end goals for each Grade Level in High School.   Why there are no Anchor Standards for Math I have yet to discover.  Perhaps I am missing them?

Two videos from AlignAssessAchieve on YouTube helped me to really start to see the light as it were and those can be found here and here. I am not sure if I am on point but I think I am on the right track?!

If you found this information to be helpful in anyway or if you think I am completely off point.  Please leave a comment. 

I am going to get some sleep now and probably re-visit my rambling in the morning