Future of Technology/Media

2 informative and interesting videos on the future (and history) of technology and media.

iPad2 - VGA question.

We are currently having our classrooms revamped with new digital projectors and teaching stations. I will now have the opportunity to hook up my iPad up as well but there has been some question as to what the iPad 2 will display if you use the VGA adapter released originally for the iPad 1 (the iPad 1 only displayed certain apps such as Keynote through the adapter). There has also been questions if the VGA adapter would display true mirroring like the HDMI adapter does. I have found out the answer. The VGA adapter does indeed display in the same mirroring format as the HDMI does (only on the iPad 2). Below is video of the adapter in action.




Here is a picture of the HDMI cord.

Prezi - a new tool for creating a presentation

Prezi is a web based tool for creating a presentation.  I think it is the next level of slideshow presentations and a great example of how the web 2.0 is making our lives easier and a little less boring.

Check out the video below to see what it's all about.

Social Bookmarking

I have recently started experimenting with a social bookmarking site called Del.icio.us.  If you don't know what social bookmarking is check out this quick little video (I love these "In Plain English" vids).



 I think this site may have the opportunity to open up more ways we teachers can build even more combined resources for each other.  I'll be on there.  My username is sirhcbookie23.  Lets network!  Post your Del.icio.us user names below or find me on the site.

The Teacher Vs. Facebook

I know that the use of Facebook by teachers is a hot topic in many districts.  I for one believe that teachers need to know what it is all about.  Here is a great resource in regards to teachers creating/using Facebook.

"A Teachers Guide to Using Facebook" by Bernadette Rego
Click HERE to goto the free book with access to a downloadable PDF.

Drill Book using forScore app

I just recently finished up our 2011 band camp and had the opportunity to use my iPad 2 in a really great way.  I was playing around with an app called forScore.  Mark referred to it in a recent blog posting about great iPad apps.

forScore  ($4.99)  This is in my opinion the best music reader out there.  My initial complaint was the lack of drop box integration within the program itself.  HOWEVER - by opening dropbox, finding the .pdf to view, then selecting "open with", any .pdf file can be then opened in forScore.  The best part about this music reader is the programs ability to pre-load the pages before you turn them, making for very quick page turns.  Plus it just looks good.  If you have ever played in a dark-lit room where you need a music stand light - eliminate this need by getting forScore app where your iPad IS the light.


I was adding my marching band scores to the app using Dropbox and decided to take it one step further adding pdf's of all my marching drill for the show.  I created a set list with all the drill running back to back and the app sets up all alignment.  All of the sudden this tool had expanded the iPad into a huge new direction.  I can edit drill using the editing/note tabs built into forScore and turning pages is really easy.  My only complaint is how small text can be but using "pinching" on the screen or cropping can fix that, and also dealing with sun glare on the screen (brightness adjustments help).  The learning curve for this use of the app was probably about 20 minutes to get comfortable with the gestures and everything makes sense.  Try it out and let me know any little secrets you find out.