Google Play Books

I enjoy using the iPad as a book reader. Apple's iBooks nicely arrange my notes and PDF files that I have. But I also like to use Google's Play books to read my books because it has the "page flipping effect" even it is a PDF file (i like this feature over iBooks). Play books  also allows me to store the files in the cloud and read them on my phone or computer as needed.

FYI, you cannot upload your files through the Play books app. You will need to login the google play book website and upload the files. Hope you like this book reader app too.

https://play.google.com/books

Like everyone else, I've been getting to know my new friend, and here's what I've discovered: 1. I don't like the touchpad. As someone who keyboards all day long, whether it's responding to students' emails, grading papers electronically, editing a manuscript (one of my students has written a novel, and I'm helping him get set with chapter 1), or responding to the College's emails, I find the touchpad annoying. Therefore, I bought a case with a keyboard attached. This is quite a handy gadget, folks, if like me, you're happier with a traditional keyboard. 2. Speaking of keyboarding, I MUST find a way to disable the autocorrect. I don't like this feature on any computer or tablet, because I don't want Hal putting words in my mouth. Autocorrect is especially assertive on the I-pad. Anyone know how to dismantle this? 3. I've always thought of myself as resolutely uncool, the stereotypical nerdy kid (allow me my illusions, please) with her head buried in a thick book. But when I carry the I-pad, I am suddenly tres cool, au courant, stylish. What is that about? In my later years, I suddenly assume the heavy mantle of coolness because I'm carrying a sleek gadget? This says far more about our society than it says about me, I fear.

Ipad—not a laptop

My hesitation about setting up and using the ipad was misplaced. Turns out, you just have to turn it on and it appears ready for action. There was some organization required (if you prefer a clutter-free screen).  I spent some time just getting to know some apps that came on the tablet. I already had an Apple id (required to download anything) so I shooed my salivating children away and sat down to do some serious research on the device.

I intend to use the ipad in VIS 332 and VIS 334. These courses are upper division classes where students are immersed in interactive web design including designing for different digital devices. Yes, that means they will be designing for tablets. This involves fluid grids, flexible images, media queries, and dynamic content. While you can complete this task on a desktop, there are a lot of applications that can aid in development for the ipad. Finding the most efficient ones is on my summer to do list. But at the orientation, Michael Knauth indicated that we should consider how to use the ipad in the classroom as a teaching tool. 

I began exploring with some games. Can you blame me? To appease my children, I downloaded a fairy fashion game (where you pick clothes out for the fairy "model"), a dentist game (where you clean characters teeth…I am not kidding), Interactive Pet  (where you take care of your pet), Smurf build a town, Candy Crush, Bubble Breaker, word games and more. In fact, it appears that my children have downloaded every free game available. But I would recommend skipping this step because I became obsessed with candy crush and can't remember one whole week before summer session A began. Once I realized how much time I was devoting to the game, I deleted it from the device.

Armed with my beginning-of-summer willpower, I began to investigate 21st century literacy applications and processes. I went to search for information by browsing. But browsing on the ipad was slow because it difficult to type on the virtual keyboard. Additionally, not all sites were easy to navigate.  When I research a topic, I gather data first. I create bookmarks and sometimes copy and paste into word files to review later. This takes seconds on the laptop but much longer on the ipad.  I wondered if I should invest in an external keyboard to see if I could work better, but I already have a laptop and a desktop. Apparently I am not alone in thinking that browsing the internet on an ipad is not ideal.

That said, I did enjoy watching things in the ipad. I like learning via tutorials, videos and webinars. Currently,  Lynda.com or Learnable are my go to sites for software tutorials. While waiting for my daughter's dance class, I brought the ipad and watched a video. I would never have brought my laptop (I was already weighed down with all the girls stuff—change of clothes, shoes, snacks, water bottles.) Lightweight and slim, the ipad took no extra space than a magazine. I popped in my earbuds and the hour flew by. I would think watching anything [videos, tv programs and movies] would work great. In fact, I have a friend who commutes to Manhattan from Holbrook and watches movies on her ipad.

So my results after a month in summary—Ipad—not a laptop but a good device for consuming media. While I don't plan on requiring students to use an ipad in my courses, my conclusions are shared by other teachers.

IPad and Meetings

I have been using my iPad for all the meetings that I go to either on campus or off-campus. I used to bring a clunky notepad and then if I was going to a morning meeting I would forget it and then ask someone for a paper and pen. I no longer have to do that. When I attend meetings I bring it with me and take notes on the Pages app. It is very useful.

In addition I am able to show people where certain training documents are whether in my emails or on the web. I am in need of an app that will allow me to edit numbers/formulas in spreadsheets like the Numbers App. Waiting to see if Campus will get it pushed to our iPads.

I am very excited to be a part of this iPad program.  Upon receipt , I downloaded many of the apps that I already had on my phone that relate to my teaching clinical microbiology classes such as the Centers for Disease Control(CDC).  I also began to investigate other apps that I may find useful in helping me achieve  my main goal of using my iPad to capture videos and pictures of clinical microbiology in practice.  I downloaded a few photo editing apps to get started.  I was excited to bring the iPad to the laboratory today and I was able to capture a few videos and some pictures. I then used the app to add some text to my photo.   Here is one of the images to share with you:

 

I am not crazy about the logo being applied to the picture, and the font doesn't seem to get large enough so  I will have to explore some more!  Overall though I am very happy with the clarity and detail of the image!  I will be able to create some very nice case studies for my students. 
That's all for now.......