Tech in Education – “The dilemma”

Posted by vinstan on

With the advancement of technology and the emergence of new technologies every 6 months it has become a budgeting nightmare for educational institutions to keep up with the new and emerging technologies, some of the newer technologies are so amazing that the educational outcomes can be enhanced.
Even if you are willing to spend the money the second aspect that needs to be looked at is professional training of the staff. Read the blogs and forums you see numerous questions on how to do the simple stuff with the new tech devices or software.
Is there a unique solution to this problem, I doubt. If one is inclined to take on the new devices and software for use and even willing to take the additional training, where can you find the time to get trained.
So how will one achieve the new learning strategies whether it be blended learning, performing differentiated instruction or flip your class room. The input one needs to achieve all of this is humongous and when you thought that you achieved some of this, there comes a better technology which is going to make your life a lot easier ;) Enjoy life being a teacher.

TeachersPayTeachers

Posted by vinstan on

Recently came across this article in “Flipboard” about how a teacher made $700,000/- was curious and did check this site out. Quite interesting there are a number of teachers who are actually earning money off of this website.
Overnight you become an entrepreneur, and it is an amazing opportunity to showcase your products and get financial recognition for your hard work. One of the other aspects of the whole process that I see interesting is that, you take the product that you already own and polish it so that other teachers can use it; this in itself is a great professional development,and enhancement of the quality of work you do. The incentive is great.
Those that are not tech savvy, tends to be more so and lines of communication with teaching community opens up. The next generation of students tends to have more screen time that one needs, so this will take you to the next level in showing your on-line presence.
The pocket money is great and it even becomes a second job for many. Hats off to Teacherspayteachers.
One of the aspects that I noticed is that this site is more popular with elementary teachers than the secondary teachers, interestingly there is quite a bit of stuff for the secondary levels, attracting them in greater numbers too would be a good idea.
From a student perspective this website becomes helpful and useful as there are a number of freebies for download. And in dire circumstances you can even purchase some of the worksheets and PowerPoints as they also have solutions, and most of them are reasonably priced. Have fun visiting the website.

K’night rider

Posted by vinstan on

A ride in the night through the streets of Toronto on an April evening was very tempting and got an opportunity to test my new camcorder. Here is the result, the video was captured through the glass, the camcorder was secured using a tripod.

Back Waters of Kerala

Posted by vinstan on

The back waters of Kerala, is one of my weaknesses, I love to go back there at the first opportunity available. Some of the wonderful memories on the back waters on a house boat was captured on my camcorder some time back here is a visual of it. I’m sure you would agree with me.

Apple account for free applications without a credit card

Posted by vinstan on

This post was written in 2009 and at that time it did work, however I don’t think, the instructions below might work you may try.
Re published

Workaround
Get an itunes card and create an account to redeem the iTunes card and that usually allows you to create an apple account even without a credit card. You will need an unused iTunes card.

How to get a free apple account to download the free applications without using your credit card information.

  • Fire up your iTunes Store
  • Click App store on left pane  ( If you try to open account with iTunes it will insist on you giving credit card information)
  • Choose a free application and double click to download
  • A pop up will ask you for your apple account
  • Click create new account
  • Agree to terms and it will take you to a page with options of setting up account with credit card and “none”
  • Choose “none” and proceed
  • You will get an email in the email address you have provided
  • Verify by clicking the link
  • This should take you back to a login in iTunes
  • Now you are all set to download all free applications.
  • Give a couple of minutes between setting up account and email verification. Now enjoy your free downloads