Apple - Take a Bite

Apple’s product has revolutionized the tech industry.  The product that probably was the most revolutionary in my opinion was the iPod.  It is difficult to imagine that the first one only came out in 2001.  By creating iTunes and making music truly portable by allowing users to create Playlists and only purchase songs that they wanted from an album, Apple changed the music industry as well.  Websites like Napster were around at that time and artists were losing a great deal of money to free downloads.  iTunes Music Store, created in 2003, and the iPod gave artists a place to continue to sell their music in a format that people wanted to use, and users a place to purchase music and put onto their iPod to be portable.  Since the first classic iPods could hold up to 1000 songs, this was very attractive to people that had been burning their own CDs with 20 songs.  As the iPod progressed, the iPod Touch was introduced in 2007.  Although it was released a few months after the iPhone, the two are very similar.  

The App Store is what has really changed the mobile device world.  Launched in July of 2008, the App store allows users to buy games, organization tools, weather services etc.  The App store also put the other tech companies on notice about what was possible for mobile users and they quickly scrambled to catch up.  We now have the Google Play Store and the Android Market and many app developers have made their apps available on all of these formats.  Apple has now made it possible for more people to create their own apps by introducing a new coding language called Swift as well as a free coding app called XCode.  Our school will be using this to bring app development into our University Level computer programming courses.  This new language is simpler to use than other coding languages (I was even able to create my own app for my phone) and the interactive “Playground” is very user friendly.  The other educational use that Apple has created is iTunes U.  This app contains course material for thousands of courses created by professionals.  Our Board has nine iTunes U courses created by students that are available on the app and we are hoping for more next year.

Finally, the MacBook and iOS systems are very reliable.  I can only speak from personal use and experience, but my MacBook does not crash, is a powerful processor, and has essentially replaced my home PC desktop.  I can not conclude without speaking to the accessibility features Apple has created for students/individuals with Special Needs.  As a SERT for the Board, I have put many iPads into the hands of students and although the screens are not indestructible, the communication apps and features like the integrated microphone for speech to text and the ability to use speak selection has been a game changer for students trying to survive in an integrated education system.  My own son uses an iPad for school, and is able to take Academic Level courses because of the assistance the iPad gives him.

Source of Apple dates and other info: http://www.apple.com/ca/pr/products/ipodhistory/

Social Engineering

This is a relatively new term for me (I'd never heard of it before!) but it is one that I was aware of, just didn't know that there was a term for it.  Social engineering is essentially hacking with someone's permission; they just don't know that they have given it, or necessarily want to give it.  These attackers use a person's desire to be helpful against them.  A victim of social engineering would be someone that replies to a suspicious email or gives information over the phone, or in person, that would leave them vulnerable to a cyber attack.  I found three resources to give more information about this topic:

1.  The 7 Best Social Engineering Attacks Ever
http://www.darkreading.com/the-7-best-social-engineering-attacks-ever/d/d-id/1319411?image_number=4

This article contains information about famous Social Engineering attacks beginning with the Trojan Horse and ending with the 2013 Target attack of credit card numbers.  Each attack is detailed with how the attackers got their information and the lessons learned.

2.  5 Social Engineering Attacks to Watch Out For
http://www.tripwire.com/state-of-security/security-awareness/5-social-engineering-attacks-to-watch-out-for/

This article explains the five most common types of attack that social engineers will use and they include:  phishing, pretexting, baiting, quid pro quo and tailgating.  It also gives specific examples of each type and what to watch for on your own computer.

3.  Social Engineering:  Don't Trust Fancy Ties & Polished Lies
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1byRtf2r-B8

This video explains social engineering and gives an example that relates to a business situation, but could easily be applied to any situation that a data breach could be detrimental.  There is a lot of sensitive information in our schools that could be accidentally given away in a scenario similar to this one.

Math Slide 1000 App

     This iPad app is a math game that teaches hundreds, tens, and ones.  This app was used at my school for a Grade 9/10 Locally Developed Math class in conjunction with place value and base ten block manipulatives, but could probably be used with younger students as well. The app is essentially a game that up to four students can play on the same device as long as they sit around the iPad (see screenshot below).  It is a race to match the number to the description and slide the card to the centre of the board.  This app could be used as consolidation after a lesson since there is no tutorial or information about place value in the app.  The purpose of the game is to be the first player to get rid of all of your cards since only the first person in actually loses their card with each clue.  The game was engaging for the students and they enjoyed it the most playing with only two players so they could sit across from each other.  They also really enjoyed playing against, and beating, the adults in the room as they got more confident with their abilities.

Cell World App

Cell World is a free app from the App Store that is designed to give a 3D view of a Eukaryotic/Animal Cell.  It takes you through each of the organelles in the cell and gives a short description that you can read, or you can tap a plus sign to have a description of the organelle read to you.  This app was used successfully with Grade 10 science classes to allow them to explore organelles found in a cell on their own.  As they explored, the classroom teacher would ask and answer questions about how the various parts of the cell worked.  The app is interactive and engaging for students.  As the student taps each organelle, the view zooms in to that specific part of the cell and includes sound and animation.  It does not take a great deal of time for students to navigate the app so they do not lose interest.  The app can be explored individually or in pairs.

Duolingo

Duolingo is an app that I found while exploring websites for language learning.  Duolingo is a website as well as an App Store App and part of the Google Chrome Web store.  Duolingo helps anyone learn a number of languages.  The learning is done in levels with the user earning xp points and "Lingots" for completing the various levels.  There is also the ability for users to follow eachother, which makes it easy for a teacher to follow their students to monitor progress.  Recently, the app created a classroom capability that allows students to essentially subscribe to your class and this will give the teacher all of the students' data on one screen.  I used the app as part of a rotational model in my classroom to allow for small group instruction with other students.  I would set a goal for the number of xp points the students should earn in a week, then gave out weekly prizes for the student with the most xp points for the week.  I have only used the app for French language learning, and for the most part it is fairly practical phrases that the students learn.  It is very repetitive though, so any more than 20 minutes with my Grade 9 Applied Core French class and the kids are done.

Getting Started...Again

This topic is going to be my second blog.  I also have a blog at christyhopcraft.blogspot.ca which is about the new MakerSpace at our high school.  This blog will be related to my Part 2 Integrating Technology AQ and what I am learning about in the course.  There is a lot of great learning going on in the course with new tools and strategies to integrate in the classroom.  Right now I am really enjoying exploring new apps, websites etc. that can be used in the classroom and that I feel comfortable supporting others to use.  The last two assignments I have found particularly interesting since I have not spent much time exploring what they involved.  The first assignment was around using videos in lesson plans.  It was interesting to reflect on what websites provide the best educational/curriculum related videos that are short, yet effective and engaging for students.  It was refreshing how easy it was to create an entire lesson plan around a simple 3-5 minute video from sites like Learn360 that I honestly haven't spent much time exploring.  The second assignment was about Learning Objects.  I had only associated Learning Objects with the OERB, however, there are many other sources for learning objects that again, I had not really considered.  Using criteria that I created for effective learning objects, I was able to find many learning objects that could be used in the classroom from many different websites and apps.  Further, specific breakdowns of what I have found so far, are coming!