Saturday, July 31, 2010

History Pin

What is it: History Pin is a site that was created through the partnership of We Are What We Do and Google. History Pin allows you to use a map, add photos and write a story about that photo. What's unique about this site is that you can narrow a search down and view other posted images and stories taken during a particular time period. But that's not all. Because you can look at posted photos, that were taken during an earlier time period,  you can layer them over current Google Street Views and see all the changes that may have occurred over time. Take a look at the History Pin intro video.



How to integrate it into the classroom: This is GREAT for your history or geography classes. I'm a huge visual learner and so are many students. Occasionally I have teachers ask me for an electronic copy of a map or a web page with an "interactive" map that students can label. My answer is always, "Download Google Earth" or "Have you tried Google Maps?" Now I can add a little more to those requests. How powerful would it be if you had students locate a city that your class may be discussing in your history class and then have another student post a pic their Grandparents took when they visited that city. Then you could layer the old photo with Street View!

A big "Thank You!" To Li-Bear-y Corner for sharing this great find!

Wednesday, July 7, 2010

Document Scanner Android App

What is it: Document Scanner is an app in the Android Market that allows you to "scan" a document, using your phone's camera, and convert it to a pdf. so that you can then email to everyone.  A new feature is that you can now upload the document to Google Docs for storing. 


What makes this app stand out is that you can scan any number of pages and merge them into one document. You also have the ability to add scans to an existing pdf. and reorder the pages. The build in camera allows you to talk higher quality images. 
How to integrate it into the classroom: There are an infinite number of possibilities for this app.  Whether it's on a personal or educational level. Teachers can scan student projects to place in a student portfolio or to post on their blog.  Students can scan notes from the teacher to reference information at a later time. And it can all be in one document instead of several images. 

I like to use it after meetings. I tend to take notes on post-its, napkins or whatever my pen will write on.  This allows me to organize those notes to refer to later.

Flipchart Wiki Status

I have had a lot of requests for flipcharts over the past few weeks and I promise I will get those up on my Flipchart Wiki soon. I just started a new position in St. Louis and I'm trying to get settled in. Some of the Flipcharts I previewed at the Promethean ActivEducator Conference in Fort Worth can be found on Promethean Planet. Here's a link to my "Blank Refrigerator Magnets" Enjoy.



http://www.prometheanplanet.com/en-us/Resources/Item/53841/blank-fridge-magnets/

Saturday, July 3, 2010

Testing Blogger Droid App




I recently downloaded the Blogger Droid app for my HTC EVO. I'm hoping to blog a little more and provide more information as I come across it. So if you're reading this and can see my test pic... it worked.

Published with Blogger-droid v1.3.9