Hardware and...Macs...again

If I admit it, the hardware is my least favourite part of classroom technology, at least it was until I got my....yep, I'm predictable...my Macbook! And really, the reason I actually now enjoy this particular piece of hardware is because it does everything. Combined with super-cool software and fun applications, a Mac makes hardware a breeze. Sidenote: I've just realised that Bob's last post was Mac-related. Sorry guys, we're a bit like a broken records aren't we? Anyway, as many of you will already have experienced putting together your youTube videos, doing your podcasts, etc is a bit of a hassle with your regular ole' Windows-based PC. You've got to plug in the mic, fix up the camera, make sure you've got the software installed to capture your video and audio and then perhaps you have to compress it and reformat it, just so you can share it online or hand it into your instructor for grading :). Not so with my Mac. A tap on the mouse pad to launch Garage Band from my dock and I'm recording a podcast, a little bit of a play and I'm uploading a file into iMovie and creating a slick little vignette. It's so easy and none of the hassle other than a learning curve, which quite frankly, ain't much of a curve at all. More like a straight line really. However I am fully aware that none of you (well, maybe the very lucky few) are going to walk into a school environment and see a Macbook sitting on every desk. So because of that Bob and I are going to introduce you to some old school technology, you know, like over-head projectors and ELMOs and mics that you actually have to plug in and video cameras that you have to hold. So make sure you sign-up for one of the hands-on tech hardware sessions this Thursday, Friday morning or Monday. Session times are listed on Blackboard, under Learning Block 4: Hardware.

Also, I came across this article and thought you guys might find it useful for ideas, seeing that your next LB project (due end of week 13, don't worry, you've got ages!) will be a camera-based scenario. It's actually a great site for lesson plan ideas although many of you seem to have done a great job of sourcing your own.