Technology | The Angel Forever

Category Archives Technology

The BlackBerry Z10

Posted on April 25, 2013 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

Disclosure: As a member of the Verizon Lifestyle Bloggers, I recently received a BlackBerry Z10 and accessories to test out and share ways that I use my cell phone to make life easier. There was no other compensation. I am a long time Verizon customer, and all opinions are my own.

In March, I was invited to NYC for a Verizon Wireless Life Style Blogger event. Unfortunately, I was not able to attend because it was during Passover. While I was home, I watched the #VZWBuzz Tweets of my fellow life style bloggers as they learned about new items available through Verizon Wireless. The hottest item was the sneak peek at the new BlackBerry Z10 phone.

A short time after this, I received a giant package from Verizon and BlackBerry. It was an amazing array of items to use with my brand new Z10 phone.

This was my first experience with a BlackBerry phone. As someone that is used to setting up other smartphone varieties, there was a bit of a learning curve here. Thankfully, there is a wealth of information on the Z10’s page over at Verizon. In addition to this, they have more videos about phones and services on their YouTube channel. Here is one in case you are not familiar with the features on the new Z10.

The initial set up of the Z10 was not difficult. Once I had my BlackBerry account set up, I was able to view the main screen. From here, I immediately went to BlackBerry World to look for some apps. The first one that I installed was Kindle. You never know when I may want to read on the go, especially while waiting for the kids outside of school.

The Z10 also reminded me about another service that Verizon Wireless offers. If you are not aware, Verizon offers Wireless Workshops. These may be completed online or in stores to help you learn to use your phone features. While I have never done any of these personally, I love that the option is there.

More of my thoughts on the Z10 coming soon, along with some features and apps that I enjoyed using. I would love to hear your experience with BlackBerry, their apps, and whether or not you have used a Verizon Wireless Workshop.

Categories:
Phone Apps Technology

iPad in Education For Dummies

Posted on April 11, 2013 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

Disclosure: I wrote this post as an Ambassador for Dummies books through a Global Influence campaign. I received a copy of this book for review purposes, but as a fan of Dummies books, the opinions expressed are 100% my own and no other compensation was received.

As an educator and parent, I am a firm believer in using technology to assist children with their learning. These days, this can mean a lot of different things. In the past, it may have meant taking children to a computer lab to play educational games. Now, it can be using Skype to connect to a museum for a live lesson, watching videos of experiments on YouTube, and teaching children how to research items online. Of course, the invasion of iPads in schools and homes has changed a lot.

Admission time: We have an iPad and the boys adore using it. We have educational apps on it, but I know it could be a much more powerful tool. I signed up to read iPad in Education For Dummies (Affiliate link to Amazon) because I know I am not embracing the potential power of our iPad. While few local schools are using them in the classroom, I want to do something with ours at home. I have a feeling that our iPad may be the resource/tool that helps our Aspie son combat his anxious feeling about writing. Now, thanks to author Sam Gliksman, I have many more ideas and can not wait to try more of them with my children.

As with all For Dummies books, iPad in Education For Dummies is broken down into seven sections and 24 chapters that are filled with information for educators, homeschoolers, and parents looking for way to integrate iPads for additional learning. The best part of the book is you can read it in any order, or just focus on the items that pertain to your needs. Here is a breakdown of the book:

Part 1: Meeting the Educational iPad – Welcome to the 21st-century of education. We are given ways that the educational world is changing and how iPad use can assist this thanks to it being a multimedia tool. Chapter 2 includes a great way to get familiar with the iPad, making it ready to use, and what items are found within it. For schools looking for how to manage classrooms with iPads, Chapter 3 dives into this topic.

Part 2: Finding and Using Apps – First, Gliksman explains how to maximize the use of the apps that come on the iPad. This includes e-mail, surfing the web, using the camera and video capability, reading eBooks, and more. Chapter 5 talks about where to find educational apps and whether you should select free or fee-based versions.

Part 3: Finding and Organizing Educational Content – Rather than rely on clippings of items you find on the internet, this section helps to use the power of the iPad to tag, highlight, and sort information. I am now intrigued with using Instapaper and Diigo. In addition to this, sharing items on other platforms is also discussed.

Part 4: Exploring Applications for Digital Reading and Writing – Using e-books is a hot topic right now. While some people believe that children should use real paper books, the e-books are lighter, easier to store, and you can get so many of them via apps and lending libraries. Chapter 8 is all about reading with your iPad with younger children, documents, e-books, and where to find additional resources like e-textbooks.

Chapter 9 focuses on how to work on document writing on your iPad and Chapter 10 on becoming a digital author. I plan on spending a lot more time with these two chapters. I think this summer we may try to utilize some strategies here with my oldest son. He is a reluctant writer and as a child with Asperger’s he adores using technology. This seems like a win-win and we can get very creative. In addition to this, my kiddo adores math and science. Perhaps we can use Chapter 11 to incorporate this on our quest with tools for inquiry based learning. I have a feeling we may be trying SkyWalk, Monster Physics, and other items mentioned.

Part 5: Expressing Yourself with Media – Creative learning and teaching helps to engage children. This section guides teachers and parents through ways to attempt digital storytelling with different types of media on the iPad. The author also shares how to produce podcasts and screencasts. This section is heavy on technical information, but it is presented in a way that is easy to understand with your iPad in front of you. Some items in this section may also be helpful for my upcoming summer project.

Part 6: The iPad Classroom – This section helps teachers that plan on using iPads within the classroom. There is a focus on printing, scanning, presenting, and digitizing the whiteboard.

Part 7: The Part of Tens – Helpful lists in this section including

Ten Essential Apps for the Educator’s Toolkit – apps for productivity, reference, utility, professional development, and news.
Ten Keys to Successful iPad Implementation

After reading sections of this book, I now have even more respect for the educational power of the iPad. Author Sam Gliksman really guides educators and others through using them and rationale on why it is a good idea. As I mentioned above, I am now even more excited to really get my hands on my iPad to figure out how to use it for a fun Storytelling adventure for my boys this summer.

If you are interested in seeing some of the cheat sheets from the book, you can view them on the iPad in Education For Dummies page.

Are you an educator that has used iPads in the classroom? I would love to hear from you. If your children have utilized them at home or school please share any information you have as well.

Additional Disclosure: An Amazon Affiliate link is included in this post for the Dummies book mentioned. I will receive a percentage of money for the sale should you opt to purchase it through that link.

Categories:
books Educational Technology

Ditch that Paper List for an App

Posted on April 8, 2013 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

Disclosure: As a member of the Verizon Lifestyle Bloggers, I recently received a RAZR HD phone to test out and share ways that I use my cell phone to make life easier. There was no other compensation. I am a paid Verizon customer, and all opinions are my own.

Here is my time for a confession. I am a list maker. I thrive by making lists. They help me to recall things, stay more organized, and keep on task. It could be the teacher in me, but I really have a hard time when there is no list to keep me going. Of course, there is a problem with my paper list method.

As you can see above, there are three lists and most likely more of them floating around my work area, calendar, and beyond. In addition to this, I am notorious for forgetting my list when heading to the store. There is nothing more dangerous than shopping for groceries without a list.

Just before Passover, TechyDad and I were out to lunch without the boys. As we were planning out Passover Seders and meals, I wanted to make a list. We were researching sponge cake recipes and needed to get some items. Problem, I had changed my purse and did not have paper or a pen. Solution – I quickly added a new app to my RAZR HD.

With Out of Milk on my phone, I was ready to go. I can use the shopping list to keep track of items that I need to pick up at the store. Plus, the To-Do List option allows me to keep tabs on items that I need to get done during the day or week ahead. There is more to explore, but that will come with time and I am also curious about the paid version of the app as well.

The best part of this free version of the app is that I no longer forget my shopping lists on the dining room table. Let’s be honest here, I have done that so many times I can’t even keep track. Now, when I am at the store and I think of something I need to do, I can open up the app and add it to my list. Simple, easy, and very effective.

Do you have apps that you use to help with organization and/or daily tasks? I would love to know as I continue to explore more items on my smartphone.

Disclosure: As a member of the Verizon Lifestyle Blogger program, I am testing out different devices and sharing how I utilize them in my life. No other compensation was received and all opinions are my own. We have been long time Verizon Wireless customers.

Categories:
me moments Phone Apps Technology

Verizon Lifestyle Blogger

Posted on March 29, 2013 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

It’s hard to believe that it has only been about a year since I entered the wonderful world of owning a smartphone. TechyDad and I held out for as long as we could. It really was a matter of trying to be frugal, but then we realized opportunities that we missed thanks to not having a more functional phone. I look back now and cannot imagine life without a smartphone. My phone allows me more freedom.

This is where I am honored to share that I am a Verizon Lifestyle Blogger. Yes, I was asked to participate in their program to try new phones within my life and share how I use them. As a long time Verizon Wireless customer, I can stand behind the customer service that we have had and continue to have with this company. Now, I am thrilled to be working with them as a blogger.

Part of MY World

Using apps are a daily part of my life. There are at least a dozen that I use each and every day without fail. This includes my e-mail apps, Facebook, TweetDeck, Pinterest, Chrome, Fitbit, Out of Milk, Add Watermark, Instagram, PicsArt, Kindle, and GoodReads. I also use the app for our local library to renew, request, and locate books. With a cup of coffee in one hand, I can sit down and get some work done right from my phone.

Never too Connected

Some people may think that being connected all the time is a bad thing, I do not. I am able to put my phone away and do things with my family. At the same time, thanks to my phone, I am able to respond to business on the go without worrying that I will not be at my laptop for hours. I do not think of it as making me too connected. My phone helps me as a wife, parent, writer, educator, and advocate. Teachers know that they can call or e-mail me at any time. If I am walking out of school, I can sit in my car and write a quick note to alert them. When in a meeting with someone, I can pull up a document, website, or other resource to share and make a point.

Mom is Almost Always Prepared

I am far from perfect, but my phone can help me in a pinch. Thanks to technology, the cameras within the phone allow me to snap photos on the go and not worry about getting my point and shoot camera if I am in a hurry. The video capability also is a wonderful perk that helps me to record milestones when I forget my regular video camera. I can set up my phone to be synched with a calendar to remind me of doctor visits, conferences, or other important event.

Of course, my phone has helped when I have gloomy kiddos waiting in a doctor office complaining about a wait, test, or other item. In a pinch, I can find something new on the go to keep them occupied, happy, and ease anxiety. Eeyore moments melt away for my Aspie son who has a routine when waiting. Yes, my smartphone could be considered therapy at times since it keeps him calm and happy in stressful situations.

So if you see me out and about, chances are my smartphone is very close to me. Like my original Droid Bionic, my new RAZR HD has become a part of who I am. It does not make or define me, but allows me to be a more organized version of myself.

Categories:
me moments Phone Apps Technology

My Own Little Roger Rabbit

Posted on March 22, 2013 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

TechyDad and I both love to share movies and parts of our childhood with the boys. One of our latest is Roger Rabbit. While NHL had seen it before, JSL had never really sat down to watch it. Of course, he had met a giant Roger while visiting Walt Disney World.

Granted, JSL did not remember seeing this monster version of Roger. Over the last week, he has decided that it is extremely funny to reply to everyone like Roger. As the days continued, he really got the voice down. A milestone was happening and, as we got out of the car from school the other day, I mentioned I wanted to capture this on video. Well, JSL took that to mean right then and there. The problem was that my hands were full with school gear since NHL was at Hebrew School, and well I didn’t have my video camera.

As my five year old continued to insist and find just the right spot, I agreed. I told him we would test out the new Droid RAZR HD phone that I received as part of the Verizon Lifestyle Blogger program. I have to admit that in the past I have not used my Droid Bionic for video much. It was not the easiest to use and, in a pinch, I always have my regular camera.

JSL was being quite the entertainer. He was super excited and talking fast. Still, you will see from this video that he has got the Roger voice down.

When we got back into the house, I took the video off my phone along with some photos I had taken of the snow earlier in the day. Then I processed the video (had to flip it – ooops) and used my phone to record some audio with an app for the introduction. When it was finished, I put it onto YouTube to share.

I would love to know what parenting moments you have captured on the go with your cell phone?