Enjoyed your conversation this week. Sounded a little down about the new job… I’m sorry about that. Changing jobs is emotionally difficult whether it’s your choice or not. :\

I did want to join in on your conversation about losing touch with the classroom. I currently teach Middle School Computer Applications during the day and graduate Ed Tech classes for teachers in the evening. I also am looking at tech type leadership or training positions at the district or county level, and while I sometimes enjoy working with the teacher even more than working with the kids I worry that leaving the classroom might lead me to lose touch with what is really working in classrooms. I like the comments about being sure to keep up to date with what’s going on on Twitter, but maybe having some partners in the classroom that you could pilot new projects and get real world feedback would be an interesting set up as well.

Might be a good topic for a future show. Probably many of the type of people that listen to this show may have careers heading in that direction as well.

Also, wanted to jump in and mention Air Server, since you are talking about AirPlay, iPad, etc. This is a program that you can run on your Mac or Windows computer that makes the computer an AirPlay device. If you already have a computer hooked to a classroom projector you can use Air Server to wirelessly project from your iPad without buying any additional hardware.

Bill Selak and I have a series of tutorial videos for teacher at http://edtechmoment.com and just did one recently on AirPlay and Air Server if you would like to take a look and share with your listeners as well.

Enjoy the discussions… keep em coming.

Tim McKean
@timothymckean
http://edtechmoment.com

WordPress on a Stick (running WP & serving pages from a USB drive)
http://fsuwebtools.wordpress.com/2011/07/29/wordpress-on-a-stick/
This would allow students to have a working copy of a digital textbook with them (even if not connected to the Internet). A twenty chapter textbook, with all images and even a bunch of mp4 audio clips is relatively small and could fit on a USB flash drive. Then when connected to the Internet, could view larger files such as video or multimedia clips and access other info links. *A student could even add notes & pages to the existing content.

DLO (digital learning object) If you don’t want to mimic a paper textbook, then you are free to start anywhere: survey learner to determine their level of expertise and then provide learning path accordingly; start with a video or audio clip to spark interest; provide a Prezi, or VoiceThread presentation to pique student interest; redirect to PDF or other lengthier word docs. *This might mean using an LMS (e.g. Blackboard) to encapsulate all the content.

Probably have to get away from paper textbook cycles. A paper textbook just can’t keep up with today’s changes. It is out of date by the time you get it into the student’s hands.

If we spell you name correctly, will you pretty please come back this year?? =)

Checking out Strong Bad now and free is good.