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The challenge : Finding an easy way for students to use the Chromebooks to annotate PDF files. The solution: Crocodoc Recently, I attended a conference presentation on Subtext, which looked awesome on the iPad, but sadly, the web version is still in its infancy.  I just gave it another go, and couldn't find an easy way to upload and start inking on a PDF.  I had demo'ed PDFescape during a recent presentation on Chromebooks and Accessibility, and the web application gets the job done, but it does so with an abundance of ads, as well as some clunky behaviors. So, in preparation for a meeting with a teacher who is interested in having her students annotate on the Chromebooks, I stumbled upon Crocodoc and I must say that I am impressed. Right from the initial first use, the interface for Crocodoc is very clean, minimalist, and easy on the eyes. The feature set is extensive for a web app. You can write comments on the margins, add pointers, box or highlight text. Free h...

Despite the NFL being by far the most popular sport in United States, the league is feeling a bit of pressure when it comes to technology and their fans. Just about everyone is connected to the internet or television throughout the weekend, which means that the NFL has to come up with new ways to get people off the couch and into the stadium. With new information regarding Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, will the 49ers usher in a new era? A person can be a rabid fan of the NFL who enjoys watching as many games as possible every Sunday. With that being said, in order to watch a lot of games and stay connected, a person needs to be at home or at a bar with a lot of televisions. Levi’s Stadium looks to change that thought process by allowing fans to actually stay connected while watching live football. The plan is to have wireless internet across the stadium, free of charge. Many seats will also have upgrades such as tablet orders on seats, television options and in-house video that pr...

Hard to believe that it's been a few months since the last post. During a recent offline plane ride, I took the opportunity to jot down a quick catch-up on my edtech life. Year of the Chromebook What started as an initial idea and prototype piece of hardware has now developed into one of the fastest growing contributors to the edtech world. Just as quickly as the iPad was annointed as a potential game-changer, the Chromebook has swooped in with its no frills, browser-based, low maintenance and easily managed iterations (the most popular being the budget friendly Samsung Series 3). It is hard to argue with the Chromebook as it manages to accomplish much of what is requested both from the IT department and classroom teachers. The devices are easy to deploy and manage, and they reduce the time needed to get students up and running. Could this be the machine that pushes more schools into the 1:1 playground and gets computers into the hands of all of our students? For our sc...

Prezi just keeps getting better and better.  I remember first using the web based presentation tool in its early stages .  Sure, there were some ups and downs, (or zoom ins and outs if you will), but overall, the tool has proven its worth and enabled students to engage in collaboration (live editing works really well) and build more engaging presentations (always a plus). Yesterday, the company added a feature that was so often requested: sound . Check out the Intro Prezi after the jump, and get ready to spice up those presentations. This takes Prezi one step closer to a true digital storytelling tool, as it resembles more a moviemaker (web based as opposed to a favorite in client based Windows Photo Story 3) and with sound, the app offers a more continuous flow as opposed a silent, static presentation.

When I taught in the classroom, I would use an old fashioned egg timer, or keep an eye on my stopwatch.  Nowadays, teachers can post an electronic timer on their projector screen, set multiple timers, and even make class a bit more interactive through a fun and engaging countdown.  Here are seven options - feel free to leave a comment if you have more suggestions. Classic :  http://www.online-stopwatch.com/countdown-timer/  - does have ads, but they become minimal when in full screen mode. Egg Timer:     http://e.ggtimer.com/  - simple, clean, text based, and some cute extras if you're interested. Really, an egg timer: http://timerrr.com/  - nice look/feel, reminds me of the old egg timer... Online Timer:     http://www.timeanddate.com/timer/  - different look/feel, plus a nice interface if you want multiple timers. ClassTools :   http://www.classtools.net/education-games-php/timer  - silly/fun music to accomp...

The planning began one year ago, but the pacing has picked up during the last week. I've been co-chairing the 2013 NICE Mini Conference (now called "MiniCon") for the past year, and it's been a fun and exciting experience. Getting to work with an outstanding team in the NICE Board, sifting through an amazing system of notes, project plans, and details from our predecessors, and receiving creative freedom to modify, tweak, and add to 18 years of Mini-Conferences will culminate in tomorrow's big event.  If you haven't registered for the "Best $5 Conference in the World", fear not.  We'll be taking walk-ins, and you can join the 300+ other educators interested in sharing, learning, and networking on technology in the classroom.  See you at the MiniCon (www.niceminicon.org). For more thoughts on Teaching and Learning Technology,  please consider subscribing to the RSS feed or through email . Facebook fans - get the latest posts, thoughts, musin...

Article first published as iPad Accessory Review: The Indy Bag on Blogcritics. When you think of Indiana Jones , a few iconic images immediately come to mind. The rolling stone ball from Raiders’; the cheesy map transitions when traveling, and of course the accessories. Indy’s hat, whip, and satchel were all prominently featured throughout the movie series, and all were vital in ensuring that evil doers were thwarted while precious historical artifacts were returned to where they naturally belonged (in a museum, of course). With another round of iPads recently announced, and another surely on the way, it’s time to pause and reflect on accessories and some of the best ways to tote your prized portable tablet in style. In this review, we take a look at the Indy Bag by WaterField Designs.