OS and Designing a textbook

Yosemite will have iCloud drive file storage. Google Drive offers 15 GB now so I am curious to know how iCloud will go above Google Drive. Although Yosemite will be free, I think for my Mac-mini, I will not upgrade to Yosemite. Since the install of Mavericks, I have noticed that my mini runs a tad slower and I can only imagine what upgrading to a new OS would do. I will update to Mavericks 10.9.5 when its released in September but stop there. Im just not impressed with Yosemite when I already have plenty of options with Google Apps.


On the other side of the coin, I am a big fan of iBooks Author!!! Its about a half GIG and took about 8 minutes to download. I am currently working on two iBooks. The first one is a film script which I originally created in Final Draft. The second is a Manual for a local radio station. It will be much more fun to watch rather than read a 200-page manual word for word.

I also have noticed that more teachers are using iBook Author to create their own textbook for the year (Look out Follett!). Once the teacher takes the summer to customize their book with text, pictures, videos, graphics, as well as green-screen video of the themselves, all one has to do is update sections when needed. Besides, its much more hip to have a textbook on a tablet then a traditional textbook. One of the fun features is being able to click on a sentence and have a picture or video pop up. This works great in math formulas and in literature. The student can click on the equation example in the book and a video pops up of the teacher explaining it.

Also, tutors use iBook Author to create basic lessons for struggling students in various subjects.

iPad 1 and designing Apps

I was a little surprised when shopping for a used iPad 1 and found that they sell for over $100. With iOS 8 not supporting iPad1, my hope is by Christmas they will be on the web for $50 or under. They are still good for personal minor projects but my guess is that two years from today, the iPad 1 will make a nice children's toy left at Grandma and Grandpas house.


Also, I think App developing is becoming easier. I use Xcode and SpriteBuilder (update released yesterday) to start developing mine.

Which brings me to this question.  Do you see teachers using iPads in a about 10 years to develop Apps to use in their classes in lieu of using textbooks?

Today, I know some teachers who have started incorporating their created Apps with their lesson plan. Their Apps also abide by the State Standards. Then I know some school districts where they just rolled out computers into their library and another where the District is debating on having their teachers learn Google Apps as a requirement for the school year.

In ten years however, I think that all students will have is an iPad 15.9 inch screen. The debate is whether they can stay at home or have to go into a building to get their diploma.

Thoughts?

For all teachers or for people who love getting certified

In addition to learning Apps as a teacher, a few years ago, Google developed a Google for Education Academy where you can go online and take free lessons on some often used Google Apps like Gmail,  Docs and Drive, and Search to name a few. The basic test is free and can be taken once you log into your Google account. You get a certificate emailed to you once you pass it.

Level 2 is a little more in-depth and the lessons are free but the exams are $15 a piece. You have to take a minimum of 5 exams so that totals $75. Once you pass the first test, you must complete the final test within 90 days. Pass all five and you have become a Certified Google Educator!!! Many schools will allow you to use your teacher development stipend for this certification.

Certification Details Here

And more free certification tests from Google Web Academy:

Google provides two other exams as far as online assessment goes. And for free? why not!

Here is the link:

http://exam.webacademy.com/en/

About this blog...

This Technology Education App blog will focus on reviews, ratings, 

release dates, and recommendations for teachers who use iPads or Tablets in the classroom.

Mainly I created this blog for two reasons. Some school districts invest thousands of dollars in technology for teachers but do not provide adequate training and once the busy school year starts, teachers rarely have time to do in-depth research on apps that not only cover state standards but work for their class as well.

Secondly, any user can type in a search engine "Top educational apps for 2014". My blog focuses on up and coming apps such as "Too Noisy Lite" and Apps that are recommended by educational organizations such as ncld.org which recommends soundhound for children who have disabilities. 

Please feel free to recommend any subjects that you may need an App for and I will gladly post some great app recommendations.

Thanks for reading.