Twitter's New App: Vine - How Can It Benefit Edu?

Twitter has just released (January 24, 2013) a new app that is perfect for sharing on such "to the point" social networks like Twitter.  It's called Vine.

If you are familiar with the format of tweets and how Twitter works, you know that it is short, sweet and to the point.  Twitter allows you to easily scan through a lot of information, quickly find what you need and get the content.  It is no different with their new app, Vine, as an addition.

Vine allows you to create 6 sec video recordings and share them on Twitter or Facebook.  6 seconds certainly does not sound like a lot of meaningful time; then again, neither did 160 characters.  It is amazing how creative you can get when you are limited within certain parameters.

Basically, this is how it works:  The app records when you touch the screen, so you can start and stop as often as needed (view demo below); showing only what you want; recording multiple locations and multiple time-frames.

The thing that makes this an exciting new media concept is that for schools that utilize social networking in their classrooms, like Twitter, can now improve that dialog.  Teachers can post small snippets of video demonstrating math concepts, displaying examples of work, or a simple video message to their class.  What a great way for a Flipped Classroom.  Students could, in turn, share their work and offer suggestions through small video.

Check out Vine's blog for the latest updates and to see some samples of what they do.

I put together a quick vid on what it looks like while in the Twitter feed:

Here is a nice demo of the app:

Why NOTHING is Saved to My Desktop

Does this look like your desktop?

Incidentally, most of our computer desktops are no different.  It is said, a cluttered environment is a cluttered mind (irrespective of what Einstein once said).  A cluttered mind is the last thing we need when preparing for a class or a meeting.  I would like to share with you some ideas on how to de-clutter your digital life using what you already have.

Most often, in my experience, I see teachers and other laptop users execute a common reflex when saving files and attachments - "Save it to my desktop...".

This would seem like a place that would be the most effective, as far as accessibility and productivity.  Having files and folders readily accessible is necessary for an on-the-move professional.  Our desktop seems like the easiest and best way to manage this since files are right there.  However, for many, the desktop has become the catch-all and, in turn, has developed into something counter-productive and not as accessible when searching through many files.

Let me share with you a couple of ideas and tricks (or what I do) that could make your download/attachment-workflow much more efficient and, not to mention, much less cluttered.

Disclaimer:  For those outside of my district or are non-MLTI users, this post will cover desktop organization in the perspective of the Apple Macbook.

Back to basics:  First of all, let's simply utilize what we already have.

1.  The Desktop
What is the problem with using your desktop for storage of files and folders.  The problem lies when your desktop starts getting fairly full of these files and folders.  The more stuff you place on your desktop, the slower your computer's performance will be; especially when starting up.  Because the desktop (or your Finder) is what is always visible, it will cause your computer to constantly be scanning for any updates or changes to your files and folders.  Whereas other files and folders that are located elsewhere, will only need update checks when the file or folder is accessed.  "Bottom line, a cleaner desktop will make for a snappier computer experience, and less of the color wheel waiting...", stated Troy (PIMS computer technician)

2.  The Dock
Your dock is the best way to do transactions of adding and taking in your workflow; because it it right there and always available.  Not only does the dock house your frequently visited applications, but it can hold your frequently visited folders as well; located from any where on your hard drive.  So accessing content from your folders is as easy as going to your dock.  Below is an example of what folders in my dock looks like (I regularly have my dock hidden to make the most of my screens real-estate).

3.  Home Folder (Teacher)
Your Home Folder is your user account's base or hub.  It houses all of the other important folders that are associated with the user - Downloads, Documents, Movies, Pictures, etc.  As a teacher, your user Home Folder is called "Teacher".  Open the Finder icon in your dock.  By default, your Teacher folder should appear with its contents.

By making this your hub or file center, you will be able to manage and access files and folders from one main location and without having to load your desktop.  You do not have to only use the folder that are located in your Teacher folder.  I have added some of my own - an Inbox, Personal, Photo Inbox, etc.  I make it a point to only allow on my desktop only what I plan on using immediately; in other words, that day or the day after.

I also created an Inbox or "junk-drawer" folder that I believe is necessary for everyone.  It is the one and only place that I can just put stuff and organize it later.  In any organizational flow, one has to have this one place that everything is funneled to, then sorted at a more convenient time.  I used to call it, Monica's Closet.

MLTI has put together a great tutorial explaining what the Home Folder is and its purpose.

MLTI Minute Episode 6:  Overview of Your Home Folder

4.  Create Your Workflow

Now that you have understood the purpose of your Home Folder and what it contains, let's put this in to practical action - workflow.  Get into the habit of placing your downloads or files in your Teacher folders.  To make your Teacher folders more accessible, place the folders that you feel you will be using on a regular basis in your dock.  From there you can add, view, and take away simply by accessing your dock.

If you have any questions concerning this material, please do not hesitate to ask.

Have You Updated Your iPad?

For those who are new to the iPad scene, Apple will update the operating systems (OS) of their iOS products (iPhone, iPad, iPod) from time to time to either fix some bugs or offer some new helpful features.  Currently the latest OS update is iOS 6.1.

If you are not familiar with how to update your iPad, Apple explains this process.  This article explains how you can update your device either wirelessly (for iOS 5 or later), or updating through iTunes.  Be sure to review the tips at the end.  This current update (from 6.0 to 6.1) took about 5min, however if you have not updated your iPad in a while, it may take up to 10 to 30min.  So, as suggested, make sure your device is plugged in to a power source, so the battery does not run out during the upgrade.

For those who are visual learners:

If you are wondering why this is such a big deal and are interested in seeing the details of what exactly is being updated, changed or fixed, browse through this Wikipedia article of iOS updates.  Also, check this visually robust article from The Verge.  Some of Apple's update are minor; sometimes they are quite major.

Please contact me if you are having issues with your updates.

Vsauce - YouTube

Perhaps I have featured this YouTube channel before, but I'll do it again.

Vsauce is a great video blog of "Myth Buster" style documentaries or explanations of Science, Math and a lot of other odd things that we have have questions about.  These small videos are a great addition to some of your lessons or just share as a fun tidbit to generate some intrigue and curiosity.

Here is a sample - Why Do We Have Two Nostrils?

Be Careful With How Many Apps You "Try Out".

For those who backup their iOS devices (i.e. iPad, iPhone) to their computer verses iCloud, a word of advice for you.

(Side note: there are two ways to backup your device's data (photos, apps, eBooks, etc) - either iCloud or your computer. Since the MLTI MacBooks are not iCloud compatible, we backup with our laptop only)

Occasionally, you may come across apps that you want to try out, then decide to delete them from your device for one reason or another. However, just because you have deleted them from your device, does not mean they are deleted entirely. What I mean is, these deleted apps are still stored on your computer as an inactive app. The reason for this is because you purchased it (even if it was FREE) and all purchased apps are stored somewhere. In our case, on your laptop.

If you are not careful enough, these inactive, purchased apps can take up room on your computer's hard drive space; which may be critical for those of us who have a lot of content already stored on our computer. An overly stocked hard drive could severely effect the performance and speed of your laptop. This could be very important when trying to use your laptop in class or on your interactive whiteboard. You want as little delay as possible when students are waiting.

In my case, I have a lot of video, extra software, images and hefty documents already stored on my MLTI laptop. On top of that, I discovered I have over 20GB of inactive and active apps stored and backed up on my computer; along with the video, podcasts, and eBooks, purchased though the iPad I use.  20GB is enough to reach my hard drive's performance threshold.

You can remedy or check this out for yourself simply by launching iTunes, going to your iTunes library and viewing your apps library. Select the apps you no longer want to keep and delete them. You can event sort your iTunes app library by app size. Sometimes you can locate "heavy" unwanted apps.

Nothing like minimizing!

Great Resource For iPad App Reviews

Richard Byrne delivers again with his third very popular blog devoted to iPad app reviews - iPad Apps for School.  Though not all of them, but most of his app reviews are of FREE apps.  He does, however, feature some very pertinent apps for education.  Richard Byrne is best known for his edublog Free Technology for Teachers.

Add his iPad blog to your list of frequent visits or your blog reader to find some valuable content for your iPad in the classroom.

Google Image Search Revamped

Google just announced yesterday their new design to their image search.  Before, when you or your students were searching for images, you would have to click on the image to get more information on the image, or to be able to save it in its original size (incase you didn't know, before when you saved an image from Google's image search right from the thumbnail, you were not getting the original size; only the thumbnail size).

Now with Google's beautiful design layout, you do not have leave your image search to another page location.  You can simply browse through the list of thumbnail images; find one you like; click on it to enlarge and for more information without leaving the page.  Use your arrow keys while the enlarged image is open to toggle through all of the other images and view them and their information instantly.

Review CNET's article from yesterday morning for more details.

Try it out