Another Blog to Check Out: Speed of Creativity

Moving at the Speed of creativity

Wesley Fryer's Moving at the speed of creativity is a great source for new on technological learning, as well as other quirky bits of information. He takes the stand point of a teacher through some of the same topics that I have covered. If you are looking to learn through open sourcing or happen to be a teacher who is looking for a way to spice up your classroom, give this man’s blog a look through.

Reasons why I like his writing:

• We both have very similar opinions on education technology; his however is coming more from a teacher's standpoint where mine is a learning standpoint. It gives a nice look at both sides. 

• The man can make a connection out of anything, I mean it anything. After reading a few articles I can honestly say he's a legend at bouncing off tangent rambles back into comfortable on topic conversations as if they were meant to be there.

There are many more reasons, but I won't dredge on, point after point. Mainly because I want to talk about one specific post. This post is titled "Schools are no longer the knowledge gatekeepers". Wow, straight to the point. This article talks about how in today's society schools and teachers need to redefine themselves so that they can keep up with technology. He goes on to talk about Google, and the fundamental restructuring of education. It may seem like an impossible task but somehow it must be done if we want to advance as a society.

Educreations: An App for both Teachers and Students

Educreations

For all you Mac users out there, this app is one that you are missing out on! Most people are unaware of this FREE app for education; in fact, mostly only educators know about it. This app is commonly used by educators in 1:1 technology situations; however, our world is missing out on a huge opportunity for a free education by not downloading Educreations.

The major function of this application is a presentation. Educreations allows the user to create a presentation. Within your presentation you can add graphics and text to prepare the information. Still using just the standard presentation function, Educreations allows the user to begin recording a presentation. This is when the user is sharing the creation with and audience, or presenting it to be shared with an audience. The way Educreations records a presentation is by showing the presentation with mark ups and the overhead voice of the presenter. After the presentation, or flipped classroom presentation, the user is able to share the presentation with the live voice and markup with anyone via email, social media, and more.

This seems like it is still mainly an app for educators and presentations; however, what is commonly unused are the featured presentations pre-stored on this application. Educreations has a nearly innumerable amount of featured presentations available to anyone on this application for free. The teaching demonstrations range in a multitude of subject areas: Computer Technology, Creative Arts, Health and P.E., Language Arts, Mathematics, Professional Development for teachers, Science, Social Students, Special Education, Vocational Studies, World Languages, and for any other presentation that may not fit in those categories, an Other section. The leveling of these classes may be toward a younger crowd, more toward the high school age; yet, this does not mean that they cannot be useful to everyone. The typically eight minute presentations can allow any life-long learner to further their education with as much breadth or depth that they may please. Check out Educreations!

Education done Apple style: iTunesU Review.

iTunesU

Giving an honest review of iTunesU is going to take a lot from me. So I am going to try and put aside my dislike of apple products. I'm going to give this review a little different than the others because it is quite a unique educational platform.

Pro's:

• With iTunesU I have the freedom to learn anywhere I choose. This can come in handy for a bunch of reasons. With iTunesU anyone who takes the train may now turn that long drive into a learning experience. I know you can do so with a laptop or book, but I don't carry those around with me everywhere I go.
• iTunesU has curriculum from very respected scholars. The teachers come from a range of Harvard, and Stanford Professors, to company executives.

Con's:

• Everything I do in iTunesU is directly correlated to iTunes. Let me explain, I open the app, then proceed to spend time deciding what subject I want to take a crack at. I choose French 1. I don't know what possessed me, it just seemed like a good class to play around in. I even pick a few phrases up. Between lessons I am clicking to go to other parts of the authors book; this would be fine, if I wasn't being redirected to iTunes favorite eBook Fault in our Stars. Not a bad choice but I feel as if I got the free version of Pandora and between pages it wants to show me an advertisement.
• The user interface is semi challenging to figure out. There is not much instruction, and it is hard to figure out where you are supposed to go once you pick a class.

Furthering Education: udemy Style

udemy (https://www.udemy.com/courses/)

Udemy is another example of a MOOC. For those of you who don't follow my blog, a MOOC is a massive open online course. All MOOCs offer a multitude of free courses; however, some MOOCs have a pay to register model as well. Udemy fall into this category. 

Access to these courses have allowed students who cannot afford formal college the opportunity to obtain a higher level of education. The times are changing and with that comes a need to adjust and adapt. These courses have been key advancements in the ability to educate yourself at a cost that is reasonable.

For this I strongly recommend udemy, as well as all other MOOCs I have endorsed previously in my blog.

Enough of my rant... Into the good stuff. 

My Course Picks:

• CalendarBudget's Budgeting Habit Installer.

This course is applicable to everyone. What you're getting from this course is not that of a professional finance class. You aren't learning how to plot large financial decisions of companies, or even how to put your money into stocks. What you are learning is, how to stay organized and plan your financial future so that you can get out of debt and stay out of debt.

• Trigonometry: Trigonometry Functions I

It was hard to choose one specific math course that to include; I mean, they have it all. They even had a course for the GRE, and March madness bracket math. I did choose this class for a reason though. From the website this author has created a level of math classes that build on one another. This is one. Trigonometry may be something you will never have to use in your life, this is true. However, in most upper end jobs a strong grasp of math will come in handy.

• Working with Video in Photoshop CS6

I am including this course because it seems interesting to me. It has less than one hour of course work, and based on comments and my preview, the author seems to explain things very well. (I may even continue to take the whole course after this post.)


If you have time, check out our Gift Shop!

Interactive Educational Games "K-8"

This next source can be great as a teaching tool for all ages K-8. If you are a teacher, or you have kids yourself; this may just be perfect for you.If this has no use for you, click here to take you to something more fitting.

http://interactivesites.weebly.com/

This sight has fun interesting games, and tools to teach a wide variety of subjects. From math to music, this site seems to have it all. I mean it. It really has it all. Don't Believe me? Okay, take a look at this. For the parent who wants to experience the nostalgia of playing Pacman with their child, while also improving math skills; I give you Math Man. Yes, this is simple math but the content does cover all the way up to algebra and geometry.

Another one of my favorite subject matter is English. Many people think that having skills in math will get you ahead in life; however, without properly developing your English and writing abilities it is easy to get left behind. This website can help kids learn to use correct English, before it's too late. My favorite game had me inserting punctuation. More specifically, the game had me inserting semicolon's.

The site doesn't stop there. It also covers music, Spanish, art, social studies, and typing. All of this is in a fun and easy to manage format, that is user friendly. It also has teacher tools, for those thinking about using their programs for educational purposes.

It doesn't matter if you are trying to learn simple math, or teach punctuation this site will have you covered.

Programming for Beginners: A Codecademy Review

Codecademy (http://www.codecademy.com/)

I first stumbled upon Codecademy two years ago. At this time the concept of programming was very new to me, I had no previous knowledge, and no real interest in computers. However, that changed pretty fast. Soon enough I was hooked. (I still am.)

Codecademy gives you free online interactive coding classes, in a range of different languages. These languages can give you the skills to make a website, develop an app, or even to build interactive games. Lessons will take you step by step through concepts that build onto each other until you have a mastery of the basics.

Languages you can learn:

• HTML/CSS

This is where you learn the basics of web development. With HTML you will be able to create your own website. Throw CSS in there too and you will be able to make your website look amazing!

• JavaScript

JavaScript is one of the most sought after programming languages in the professional world. With this language you can make the online world interactive. After learning the basics with Codecademy, you will be put to the test by creating your own interactive resume, and an interactive browser game. The possibilities are endless.

• jQuery

This language actually uses Javascript to build interactive websites, more efficiently. It can also teach you a thing or two about animation.

• Ruby

Ruby created in 1990 is a general purpose programming language. On of it's main uses is as a tool used to create web apps.

• And More! Click Here!

There are other languages that you can learn, and many forms of projects that can be done using this platform. Codecademy is always looking at adding new content, and even came out with new bits where it will walk you through making cool programs in under an hour!


If you have time, check out our Gift Shop!

Learning Spanish: Duolingo Style

Doulingo (https://www.duolingo.com/)

Speaking a second language, makes you as a person that much more of a double threat. It opens up a whole new world for you. Recently, my best friend has become the Duolingo Owl; as he helps me learn Spanish, bit by bit. (No, not really. Unfortunately the owl does not actually help.)

Languages

• English to Spanish
• English to German
• English to Italian
• English to French
• English to Portuguese
• And many languages I don't speak to other languages I don't speak! 

I am currently crunching my way through the second wrung of Spanish speaking, and am currently learning conjunctions. Duolingo has you listen, speak, and translate texts so that all parts of your mind are utilized. All while looking at pictures. This overloads all of your senses making learning a language much faster than before. I have learned more in a few weeks from Duolingo than I have in 3 years of high school Spanish. This may also be attributed to me thinking of it as a game. 

What I am not taking advantage of that is offered, is learning by reading and  translating articles. Articles are chosen by topic.Topic range from about Ford Mustang's Xbox 360's, and Immanual Kant (Father of categorical Imperative). 

Advantages

• Fun learning methods 
• Ability to test into harder skill sets
• Knows how often you should review old matterial.
• Available for online and as an app for both iPhone, and Android operating systems
• Completely Free 

If you are looking to pick up a language in a fun and exciting way, I strongly suggest taking a look at Duolingo.Click Here!