Dirk

Assignment 1
=ITunesU - Creative Problem Solving on TED =

"How do we create educational environments that maximize how students harness their creative and problem-solving potential?". This statement caught my attention as I searched education and problem solving The course has 8 lessons or units outlining problem solving and creativity in education. The six presenters provide a collection of different ways that creativity and problem solving should be incorporated into the classroom.

One topic that got my attention was titled " Schools kill creativity" presented by Sir Ken Robinson. He points out that schools have taught kids that they shouldn't fail and by doing so students stop taking chances. The result of this approach restricts student creativity.

**6. VMware View for iPad**- //**(DID NOT WORK- SEE 6B)**// I have downloaded this app on my iPad but have yet been able to get it to work the way I want to use it. iPad is not java friendly and this causes a problem with our student management system. VMware would allow me to interface with my school PC (running Windows7) by making my iPad a dummy terminal. This way I could move around the room evaluating student performance and enter scores on my PC on the the spot. The issue right now is with our Firewall and getting our IT people to allow this to work. 10. **Skitch for iPad-** (Free) This app is part of the Evernote family. With Skitch you can use the iPad camera and take a picture and then capture your ideas on top for the picture. My hope is to use this app to capture student work, write comments over the picture, save and then share it with that student.
 * Assignment 2**
 * My 10 Content Specific Apps**
 * 1. F-Sim Space Shuttle-** My 8th grade Technology class does a team building activity centered around our Space Shuttle Simulator. This simulation is very realistic and provides the student with close view of landing the space shuttle.
 * 2. ISS Live!-** I downloaded this app and I intend to use it in class to demonstrate how “systems” make it possible for us to achieve goals that could not have been done had systems technology not been available. Student also will also be able to explore and learn about the International Space Station.
 * 3. iWindTurbine**- ( 0.99 App) During our Environmental/Green Technologies unit student can use iWindTurbine to explore how the diameter of a turbine and density of the wind effects the amount of energy a wind turbine can produce. This is done through simulation.
 * 4. Wattulator**- (0.99 App) This is also an app that I will use during the Environmental/Green Technologies unit. Wattulator allows students to enter power consumption data on common devices and then they are able to see the cost to use that device over a certain period of time from an hour to a year. By changing one variable they can experience the savings of green technology such as compact fluorescents.
 * 5. NASA TV-** (Free App) This app is much like the NASA TV channel. You can select Watch Now, On Demand, or view the schedule of upcoming broadcasts. Most of the programs are a few minutes so they would fit into the classroom as short clips of information to support larger content.
 * 6B. Splashtop-** (4.99 app) This app replaced my attempt to get VMware View to work. After finding out VMware didn't work I found Splashtop. It turns my iPad into a virtual PC. I have my Ipad paired with my school laptop and as long as my laptop is powered up I am able to log into my school computer from anywhere via my ipad. With this app I am able to evaluate student performance from anywhere in class.
 * 7. Educreations Interactive Whiteboard-** (Free) This app is described as “Educreations turns your iPad into a recordable whiteboard. Creating a great video tutorial is as simple as touching, tapping and talking.” What I like about it is the ability to record a presentation or lesson and then putting out on the web for students who were absent to view and get caught up.
 * 8. Giant Timer-** (Free) Every class needs a timer. The time offers large display and alarms.
 * 9. Air Sketch –** (9.99 App) With Air Sketch you can moving around the room looking at student work and if you wanted to share something with the class you could take a picture and convert it to a PDF and draw notes over the picture while showing the rest of the class. The attraction of this app is that it is wireless using an IP address to connect with the PC operating the projector or the whiteboard. They do offer an Air Sketch Free but you can not import PDF’s.
 * My 5 Personal Apps**
 * 1. Fly Tying-** (Free) This app show how to tie flies through “How To Videos” It also includes a material list. I am not an expert or even a novice but with this app I am making progress.
 * 2. The Weather Channel for iPad**- (Free) I use this app more than any other app I have installed. My classroom is in the basement so this app not only gives me the weather but I also enjoy the animated picture of the weather outside. It usually is the only Sun I get.
 * 3. Chess Classics HD**- (Free) My dad taught me the game and we played often but now that he is gone I do not have anyone else in my immediate family who plays so I play using this app.
 * 4. Torch**- (Free) This is the coolest flashlight.
 * 5. Peterson Feeder Birds of North America-** (Free) My wife and I enjoy the birds and she loves to look them up using this app.

 **Assignment 3**

Gore, Al. // Our Choice: A Plan to Solve the Climate Crisis //. Push Pop. 2011. Web. 24 Mar. 2012.

Whitaker, Todd. // What Great Teachers Do Differently //. 2nd ed. Eye on Education, 2011. Ebook.