I wanted to apologize for the late blog post. It's been a busy and difficult summer but now that the semester has begun I'm back and in full swing. 

When I first heard about the CTLT iPad initiative, I considered the use of the iPad in a statistics class as the most powerful use of the device. As I began preparing for my courses this summer, I started to play around with the iPad and found some differences in the user interface compared to my phone and computer which are both running on non-Mac operating systems. Getting comfortable using the iPad has proven a challenge. While the device itself is simple to use I always find the operating system differences between Android and Windows to be a bit off-putting. As an avowed fan of Android stepping into the world of iOS has been eye-opening. However, fitting the iPad's use into my standard class sessions has been a bit challenging. I'm slowly integrating the device into my classroom sessions. 

Thus far, I have found the iPad useful for in-class presentations of PowerPoint slides in class. I'm going to begin using some statistics applications (some of which are listed at this helpful link) I'm looking forward to sharing my experiences with this device in this classroom especially in light of the challenges of teaching statistics. Hopefully everyone can benefit from my musings on the iPad over the next several months. 

Dr. Sy Islam  

Writing on PDF files

Welcome back, everyone! Over the summer, I was looking for an app that allows sketching on PDF, PPT or other office files. In my classes, I usually display the teaching materials through PowerPoint. Most of the time, I would roll up the screen and let the materials projected onto the whiteboard. With this setup, I can explain the materials better by writing comments directly on the board while having the teaching materials as a background. But it is not comfortable to teach with the bright light shining on me all the time. So I explored the possibility of delivering the materials through iPad with the sketching app. The app I found is called “Wireshare”.  It allows sketching on PDF files on iPad. Unfortunately, it doesn’t allow sketching on PowerPoint files. But guess what! I can always convert the ppt files to PDF format.   Another great feature about this app is that it can transfer my files directly from the computer to the iPad through wifi without using dropbox or some cloud storage services.

If you know any other sketching apps for Words, Excel, or any MS packages, please let me know too.

Solar Carport Ribbon Cutting

The Solar Carport Ribbon Cutting was a great event. I did not have access to a good camera at the time so I decided to bring my iPad. The picture quality was great it isn't my digital camera but it is almost at good. This is a picture of the car charging station. It was a great day and the lighting was perfect I did not need any flash or anything. I am not a photographer and wouldn't be able to make any comments regarding professional quality or lighting that an expert would make. This picture served the purpose though and allowed me to document the event and I can use the pictures when posting on social media or reporting during presentations.

Just got back from the lab

Hello everyone, I hope you are all enjoying the last few days......
I apologize for the late posting again this month, but I have been tending to some nagging medical issues....nothing serious, just some needed maintenance!
As far as the iPad project,  I have now taken over 200 pictures and several videos!   I am so excited to use them in class.
Ken previously mentioned the connection for presentation use.......I too hope a decision  has been made so we are able to do this because I want to be able to present a picture of a culture with mixed bacterial flora ( as is normally what happens in a clinical specimen) and I will be able to use the zoom in real time from the iPad screen to focus in on the individual colony types for discussion.
 The pictures are just so clear.

I actually wrote this post before the start of the semester, but for some reason it would not load.  I am trying again today.

Well, I waited until today to meet my students to see if any met the criteria for my study and yes! I have several students in each class whose first language isn't English. Several students appear to be weak readers, which I concluded from having everyone read aloud from my "Notes to Students" (the class guidelines) and the syllabus. After I administer the diagnostic writing exams (on Wednesday), I'll know which students I'll invite to use the I-pad to learn to read with greater fluency. Lucky kids - they get to try the latest technology for learning.

Some useful Ipad settings

Having spent my summer jockeying my children to different summer activities and timing their use on the ipad. I have come to two conclusions: Summer activities are awesome and my girls' appetite for downloading games is voracious. I think giving them carte blanche to pick from the myriad of free games available to them may be an error.  I don't get it and really I don't care as long as they are free and appropriate for their age. Problem is, every time they want to download something, I have to stop what I am doing, read the reviews and make sure the content isn't improper (pardon the pun) and enter my apple id numerous times a day.  Good news? I don't have to do all this. There are some general settings help that I came across and thought I would share. Ipad parental controls and Ipad parental ratings.

But here is something that is helpful for the child-ful or child-free especially if you play games that allow in-app purchases. There has been a rise in-app games because the developers add in an easy way to make purchases inside the game itself. In fact this article indicates that in app transactions are responsible for 72% of app revenue.

As a recovering candy crush addict, I have stayed away from games on the ipad, but for those of you that are still able to handle a game or two I recommend turning this off in your settings.
Especially if you are bordering on not being able to help yourself or if you have small children using your device.  

IPAD

Hi! Ken, I am also an android user but have been enjoying this IPAD. As Lorraine mentioned and you did as well I enjoy the talkatone telephone feature. I also use Pages allot as well as bringing in documents from dropbox and cloudon. Working on projects, books, journal papers and a grant opportunity so this helps. I was at a (NG) Next Generation Manufacturing Conference and a Professor from Towson was using her IPAD to present with. She used it so professionally and efficiently,I was eager to start using and practicing that for my classes and presentations. She presented on the incredible lab she created for 3D Printing, where they have over 13 3d printers some dedicated to military applications, aerospace and so on...phenomenal presentation on that technology. I think she was using Keynote which is an great tool for that. I have been playing around with it. I have an issue since I wanted to use this IPAD in my MIS class with a virtual tool I have been using called mymislab but Pearson is not ready with the IPAD version yet, perhaps next semester according to my Pearson rep. I believe other professors use that tool in Math and Spanish I think?? I went to NorthEastern University today with my son...to look for places where I can spend my money...anyway upon arrival and registration for our tour the area for this activity was populated with more that 50 IPADS or so it seemed for all of the students and parents to use, my son was able to scan his entry card and have immediate access to all site info...I liked it...thought most students liked it..the counselors where free to help the many others while the rest of us played..and searched. I have recently installed siriusxm thinking music could help..I have not done diligence with Skype like I should but there's plenty more time too. I plan on using this in my ERP class since I individually go up to each student in the lab and going back n forth to the console which waists time, we'll see how that works out..will keep you all posted. I have remote access to the server but will have to play around. I need to get my textbooks on here ASAP. I have been enjoying this IPAD, thanks.