Nikon Coolpix 5700

Nueva Cámara - Nikon Coolpix 5700
Originally uploaded by Jorge Louzao Penalva

I haven't used my Nikon Coolpix 5700 in quite a while - I have a little Canon PowerShot that is so handy that I usually use it, or just snap pics with my iPhone. But fall is here and I want to get some shots with my Nikon, so I got it out and charged the battery and grrrrrrr.... It will not focus - really strange stuff and the picture looks just like it does in the viewfinder.

I was sooooo disappointed, but then I did some research, and it appears that it is a known issue with the Coolpix 5700 and Nikon has issued an advisory here. All I have to do is ship it to them and they will fix it.

I plan to ship it out on Monday - I'll keep ya posted as to how it goes...

Large Hadron Collider

Originally uploaded by Arsmor

If you read the book by Dan Brown, Angels and Demons, you too probably headed to Google to try to sort fact from fiction.... I was amazed by the stuff I read about CERN and the Large Hadron Collider (LHC).

Well they successfully tested the first beam of protons today, and the world did not end (and I didn't find anything that said they had created "anti-matter" that could destroy the world).

This machine is indeed a wonder of scientific engineering. If you want to see a model of it (the biggest machine in the world), have a look at Joey Wade's 3D diagram and models showing the LHC floating above its actual location so you can see how it looks in Google Earth. Get the Google Earth 3D model here (KMZ file).

So how does this solar panel thing work?

solar panel
Originally uploaded by absentmindedprof

I'm sure that the science behind the solar panel is over my head, but still I was curious.

I've been listening to/watching podcasts for my "Using Podcasts to Differentiate Instruction" workshop in Chillicothe this week. I happened upon this podcast, in the iTunes U section from the University of California Televison (UCTV), called "The Power of the Sun: The Science of the Silicon Solar Cell." If you have iTunes installed, here is the link. If you don't have iTunes, you can check out their web site.

Granted, it is some real chemistry and other sciences, but this podcast - if you stick with it - makes it very understandable. Just one example of the vast amount of content out there for our schools that is totally free and right on target for K-12 education. UCTV alone has more than 300 video podcasts, and they are just one of the Universities in iTunes U.

If you have a great podcast to share, post the iTunes link in the comments. (In iTunes, right click on the podcast and choose "Copy iTunes Store URL".)

My latest project...

This is my latest project - redesigning the ohioedtechs.org site. I LOVE creating a new web site, especially if I have control over the design (to a large degree anyways). I can't take all the credit for the design. I started with a purchased template from Open Source Web Design and just tweaked colors and images.

At any rate, that will let you know what I've been up to - now I have to get down to business with ITSCO's web site. Lots of updates for new and exciting workshops and other PD coming this fall! (I've taken up exclamation points again, but will try very hard not to be a GA.)

Gwen is Ninety

This is Gwen. She's my mother and she will be 90 on Wednesday.

She is the most incredible lady I know. She still lives at home in the house I grew up in (in WV - at least 3 hours from any of her children). She still drives - it's 13 miles (of curvy, hilly WV roads) to the nearest town - and she goes to town 2-3 times a week. She is very active at the Senior Center, walking on the tread mill, playing "set back," and generally socializing with friends. She still cleans (obsessively) and does yard work and cooks (for herself and for my uncle who lives across the road). Up until this summer, she also did all the yard trimming with a push mower. She decided that this summer, she just wasn't going to do that any longer. She has had a hip replacement, but it really has not slowed her down any... She refuses to "dress like an old lady" - she is always very modern.

And she is still the boss. She is in charge of her own life and thinks she is still in charge of her kids as well (woe is the one who tries to tell her she's not!). We wanted to have a birthday event for her, but she said definitely "not," so I guess we will save that party for the 100th.

She makes me proud and I love her...

Adobe's "Acrobat.com"

We've been using Google Docs (free) for quite some time now and it's been very good for us as an agency - easy to share files and collaborate. But it is certainly not very "pretty." We also use WebEx (not free) for online meetings/trainings. We've been happy with WebEx, although there is a set up that teachers have to be able to do on their desktop computer - but it's pretty simple.

Today I had a look at Adobe's new Acrobat.com site (still in beta, but free for now). It lacks the spreadsheet feature that we use a lot in Google Docs, but the word processing feature (dubbed "Buzzword") is gorgeous! The whole system allows you to share docs, collaborate, video conference and share your desktop very similar to WebEx, but you are connected to your documents at the same time. The whole thing is done in Flash, so it is wonderfully elegant and seems much peppier than Google Docs. One caveat though, you HAVE to be online, no offline option yet.

I'm excited about this new beta.... Not because it will replace what we currently use (for the moment at least), but because it will force the online developlers to take a hard look at creating a better end-user experience. I doubt it will be free for long, but it appears to be a game changer....

You can log in with your existing Adobe username and password - I was up and running in seconds. Did I say the user interface is elegant? More of what we Mac users have come to expect...

Google SketchUp Teacher's Guide

Have you downloaded and played with Google SketchUp? It's pretty awesome, even for adults. And it's free. If you put it in the hands of your students, they will learn a lot of math, science, geometry, etc. - plus you would be meeting Technology Standard 6: Design of the Ohio Academic Content Standards. Here is the standard:

Standard 6: Design

Students apply a number of problem-solving strategies demonstrating the nature of design, the role of engineering and the role of assessment. Students recognize the attributes of design; that it is purposeful, based on requirements, systematic, iterative, creative, and provides solution and alternatives. Students explain critical design factors and/or processes in the development, application and utilization of technology as a key process in problem solving. Students describe inventors and their inventions, multiple inventions that solve the same problem, and how design has affected their community. They apply and explain the contribution of thinking and procedural steps to create an appropriate design and the process skills required to build a product or system. They critically evaluate a design to address a problem of personal, societal and environmental interests. Students systematically solve a variety of problems using different design approaches including troubleshooting, research and development, innovation, invention and experimentation.

And I found the PERFECT teacher resource for how to implement this cool tool in the classroom... Check out this "Google SketchUp Teacher Guide" - it is awesome. There are great instructions and lessons/projects for every grade level.

PBWiki Summer Camp

If you need a space online to share classroom materials with students and parents, there is no better way to do that than with a "wiki." A wiki (Hawaiin for "quick") is an easy to use web space - and you have options for making it public or private for your students.

We use PBwiki at ITSCO, and we have teachers sign up for an account and free wiki in our Web 2.0 classes. (See an example here. Click on "Sidebar" on the right column to see all the pages.) PBwiki is one of the best choices for educators - they seem to know what teachers want.... :-)

Right now, they are having a free online Summer Camp. Here's the info from their site:

"Want to build the ultimate classroom wiki and have it ready for the start of the fall semester?

Join us for PBwiki Summer Camp!

We know that a lot of educators have heard about wikis but just aren’t sure how to use them in the classroom. In PBwiki Summer Camp you will learn the best way to structure your classroom site, engage your students with audio and video and connect with experienced wiki mentors.

At the end of the summer, Campers who have followed the program receive a free platinum wiki for the school year, as well as some fun swag along the way."

Did you catch that "free platinum wiki" for the school year? What a great way to get ready for fall! Give it a try, you can't lose - it's all free! (I know, got the GA Factor going with this post - too many exclamation points...)

Desmond Dekker

We watched "Fool's Gold" last weekend, and there was a song that I really loved in the movie... (Of course I also really love Matthew McConaughey too...) The song was "You Can Get It If You Really Want." So I headed on over to iTunes to buy it and saw that it was by Desmond Dekker - I already have "The Israelites." Thought maybe someone else saw the movie and liked the music too...

"Paint" application for the Mac

Sometimes when we do a workshop, we refer folks to "Paint," (Accessories, Paint) on the Windows platform. I found a little program that works almost exactly the same on the Mac - it's called "Paintbrush." Sometimes you just need a simple little drawing program....

Find it here.

Oh, and if you want to grab an application's icon and blow it up (like the one here), Bittbox has the "how-to."

I like her...

Of course I "love" her - she's my daughter, but I really LIKE her too. She is so creative and has such a weird sense of humor, that she is really fun to be around. I'm not saying she's "perfect," (she can be a WHOLE lot like her Dad sometimes), but dang it, I really do like her.

She just wrote another article for Crafty Places. She's a darn good writer and a pretty good photographer too. Makes me proud. Also makes me realize that she is sooooo much better at taking pictures that I am - waaaaaa.... I'll just have to enjoy her talent and scrap her pics!

Wordle Word Cloud

This is fun - and it would be great for digital scrapbooking! You can use your blog (which is what I did), your Del.icio.us tags, or just paste in some text.

One of the participants in my online class had put their word cloud on their wiki - thanks Jan!

Make your own at http://wordle.net.

An acre of green...

We have 4 city lots to mow and this kind of weather makes it really hard to get the grass cut, so this week I had to flex some work hours to get it done... I love to mow (usually, but the air was like soup today). It's such a nice break from working on the computer. I've spent a LOT of time on the computer this week working on a project that is really fun. I tend to be more productive when I can work long periods of time without interruption and this week has been perfect for that (although, the project did not demand staying up till 2:00 a.m. - that's just my creative time). When I get the project done, I'll post a link.

Tonight my lawn is lovely and I took a picture, because we will probably have another storm overnight and it will be covered with leaf litter again....

Nana Mouskouri

No one has ever heard of her, but I LOVE her music, no matter what language... I also admire that she has done so many songs in so many languages... (Thanks Miss Nybakken at OU) There are 6 songs in the mix below - some in French, some in Greek, etc. Have a listen, you might find you like her too. :-)

Walking with friends

Dragonfly with lying of the sun
Originally uploaded by le_faju

It’s amazing where your thoughts will take you when you have time to go for a walk alone (with some good music of course). It’s the only time I can really let my thoughts wander and the sights and sounds along the trail inspire thoughts and memories of very special times and people…

Sometimes it’s a bunny sitting along the path that reminds me of that little grandbaby and how cute he is and how thrilled he is at the mere sight of a little bunny or a bird in the yard – young mind just learning to appreciate his world.

Other times it is a beautiful butterfly that brings me thoughts of my Dad and how much I still miss him – but I know he’s never far away and that little butterfly was just sent to remind me…

This evening though, a dragonfly followed a long way on the path swooping from side to side, sometimes flying ahead, other times coming up from behind. So tonight I walked with thoughts of Stace and how proud I am of her…

(No sign of Hans and Frans though (lol), but I got to spend a little time with L. after the walk. It was a good evening…)

Grandparents

Neighbors & Grandparents
Originally uploaded by dericafox

Boy has our little germ bucket of a grandbaby had me down with what Amy calls "kid krud." We haven't been around little ones for a long time, so I guess our immune systems (mine anyways) just can't handle all the new germs! I have had the "kid krud" for about 3 weeks now.

I got some antibiotics yesterday, so maybe things will clear up.

Meanwhile, we plan to wear masks next time we see our boy Elroy....

Mahna Mahna

Nana and Grandpa got to keep little Elroy last week and this was the favorite entertainment - even on the iPhone!

Google Earth at OU Lancaster

OU Lancaster
Originally uploaded by pwhyte

What a great day today was... The Heart of Ohio Tech Prep folks (Marcia Key) invited me to do some training on "Explore (and SHARE) Your World with Google Earth." All together we had about 60 wonderfully dedicated teachers from all over the region, and we split them into smaller groups of 15 for hands-on training in the computer lab at OU Lancaster.

We learned a lot about using Google Earth and Picasa in the classroom in many subject areas. I hope (since it's summer and all) that they have some time now to download and leisurely play with the software at home. That way they can get comfortable enough to turn their students loose with a real-world project in the fall.

It was great fun.... Thanks for inviting me :-)

View from our window

View from our window
Originally uploaded by pwhyte

Last week was a very difficult week with the loss of my husband's father. However, in the middle of the week, I had been invited to Put-in-Bay by one of our schools to do a presentation on a boat. It ended up being just what the doctor ordered for me and my husband - a nice little get away with some time to think and reflect. The last time my husband had been to PIB was on a camping trip with his Dad when he was just a boy...

It was cold and rainy, and on the way over, (we caught the 8:30 pm ferry), we were the only ones on the ferry. When we got to our room, we were delighted to find it had a balcony that looked out over the pool with Lake Erie just beyond. We slept with the glass sliding door open and listened to the waves and enjoyed the fresh breeze all night.

The next morning, we had breakfast at 7 with the crew from New Boston and boarded the boat at 8 am. It was quite cool from the rain and very foggy. We all ended up with soaked behinds from the seats - who knew rain gear would have been in order? The presentation was a flop... Turns out, my power converter (plugged into the boat's cigarette lighter) didn't have enough juice to run the projector... UGH! I did the presentation just the same though - albeit I'm sure it was somewhat lacking...

The boat ride lasted till 1:00 in the afternoon and we got the grand tour of the islands and a picnic lunch. All in all, it was quite enjoyable.

This opportunity gave me the incentive to learn to use PowerPoint on my iPhone, so in actuality, I learned a lot. Not all was lost with the presentation, and I did enjoy hangin' out with the folks from New Boston. :-)

Lost Patriarch