Coding for kids is in. MIT and the Scratch programming environment have been pioneers in this area which is also sometimes labelled as computational thinking.
Scratch Jr is the newest offering – a way for learners 5-7 to have coding experiences. As is the case with many environments for younger learners, Scratch Jr makes use of “tiles” that are arranged (the program) to control a character.
This is the iPad app (free).
I often travel with a Macbook Air because it is small, light, and I can fit it in my camera bag. The downside of my computer is that it has such a small storage capacity. I discovered something today that concerns me. When you upload images from iPhoto to Flickr, you evidently cannot delete the images from your computer or the online images will also be deleted. I am not certain I understand the logic of this connection but Apple says it is true. I hope I have always read the fine print, but now I am concerned.
I understand the importance of a backup and the understanding that online storage alone does not count as a backup. My strategy is to upload twice – once to Flickr and once to Trovebox. Why must I also keep my collection of photos on one of my computers?
Project Noah combines my interest in field biology and photography. The concept is that amateurs upload photographs they have taken and are willing to share. I limit my uploads to images I have taken at our Wisconsin cabin. Photos can be identified or not (the small frog photo I just uploaded I think is an immature Gray Tree Frog, but this is a guess). Others can respond with additional information. There are special challenges and options for educators.
Project Noah offers apps for iOS and android encouraging the use of phones for photography.
Educators who live in the Apple world have known about and perhaps used Explain Everything since 2011. It was just announced that this app is now available for Windows 8.1.
For those unfamiliar with this software, here is my early description of the original version for the iPad. This is a multimedia development environment that can be used productively by authors of a wide range of age and skill.
I hate when companies change their terminology. Why is this necessary when pretty much everything remains the same? It makes what I write seem dated.
OK – ignore this mini-rant. If you use online Google services, you may have noticed people starting to use the phrases “Google docs” and “Google drive” to refer to what you thought was a single thing. Here is a video from the Lynda.com collection that explains the actual differences. Yes, Lynda is a paid service, but sometimes segments are made available at no cost. This is one of those times (BTW – I am a big Lynda fan).
e-Rate pioneers (Washington Post story) are concerned with the direction FCC is proposing for the e-rate.
The lawmakers object to how the FCC has suggested funding WiFi upgrades in schools and libraries according to a per-student or per-square-foot formula, arguing that it unfairly allocates more money to large and wealthy institutions over smaller, poorer ones where the need may be greater.
There is also the issue on whether e-rate funding should be increased with board members weighing in along party lines.
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