I THINK I FOUND IT!

If Dr. Sotillo's out there reading this, I think I may have found a way for a group of iPad users to collaborate for free; it's an app called MegaMeeting.

This app allows for users to interact through Word Documents, Video, voice, and Instant Messaging. I know that we are unfortunately must return our iPad's on Monday but maybe there will be time to test out this application and at least get one collaborative meeting down!

I was so excited that I had to post! Who doesn't love a free app that actually might work??

BrianPop

Alright, so lately the stress has been kicking in quite a bit during the finals season so I wanted to try to keep my brain "perky!" I found this great application called BrainPOP and I have truly been testing out my brain skills. I have been quizzing myself on science from back in the high school days, math that I haven't seen in years, social studies (that I probably should know the answers to...), and history. Not going to lie to you, I was embarrassed! I didn't remember about 50% of the answers. This is a great review on questions we probably should know the answers to but the little Robot doesn't make fun of you when you're wrong which is kind of reassuring. Also, I really appreciate that before or after the test you have the option to watch a little cartoon video that gives you a refresher that you are about to take a quiz on. This is a fantastic app to keep children actively learning but unfortunately it may be more helpful to the adults!

Also, for individuals learning English as a second language there is a BrainPOP that teaches ESL. It's really a fun way to keep up with vocabulary and structure of English. I'll include the link right HERE.

Here's a screenshot of the ESL version of the App:

iPads in the Classroom

I discovered this interesting article on the use of iPads in the classroom and I was intrigued. In an article written by Gonzalo Garcia, iPads in the Classroom, he stated "Instead of replacing desktop or laptop computers, the iPad2 is designed to complement existing technology." I found his thought very interesting because I believe that people have a tendency to become aggravated with devices such as the iPad because they don't realize that this mobile devices isn't supposed to act as a a laptop but simply a mobile component that is a laptop's "compliment."

I like this point because in an attempt to use the iPad app "Idea Flight," my class and I became instantly frustrated that it wouldn't allow us to work together. We kept became progressively frustrated truly because we knew that if we were on a laptop or computer it would be easier to work out the issues. Simply put, us computer savvy users feel much more comfortable with a laptop versus the new territory of the iPad. I guess we (I) could just use some more practice!

Also, I found another wonderful article that I plan to check out and blog about next time...

Getting Started with Apple iOS Devices

^^Click This Link!

M-Glo

 Happy Spring Week!

Okay, so this upcoming week is Spring Week for Montclair State University and I am SO pumped! SLAM (Student Life at Montclair), the Programming division of the SGA, has hired M-Glo to come to our campus. I have not been able to stop watching YouTube videos on my iPad- I'm hooked! M-Glo is a smaller version of what they call DayGlow! DayGlow is the worlds largest paint party. When attending this event, you must prepare to be covered from head to toe in paint and jam out to some fun DJ music. To give you a sneak peak, this is what DayGlow looks like... I hope that this Friday at M-Glo will be as intense!

My Online Personality

I was asked by my professor how I present myself on my blog...

What do I sound like? Am I the same personality online as I am in person? If my blog just an extension of myself? Maybe my blog is simply a "body without an organ"?

In my own opinion, I'd have to say that my online blog reflects my personality perfectly. Both online and in F2F. I am organized, have a small sense of humor, and also enjoy informing others of my new findings. With organization, I like having a specific place for everything. If my notes are not organized or my organization's notes are disorganized, my day is completely thrown off. I feel as if I'm lost in my own chaos. If you notice my blog page, everything has a special place to that it looks clean, simple, and easy to navigate. My sense of humor, well some find it funny... I think! I try to make F2F time fun because I know it brightens other people's days. It tends to also break the barrier between myself and the individuals I am speaking with. Online, I feel on this blog I am talking to the air but I try to draw people in with qwircky remarks and thoughts. Re-reading my blogs I believe that I am just extending my F2F personality onto the internet by "getting the job done but having fun on the way there." Finally, I truly enjoy letting others know what cool and interesting things have come my way. Such as the applications I found for my iPad, I told all of my friends in person and I am now extending this information to the public by posting it online.

Last year I did a small research project on the dangers of internet usage while online dating and I came across a plethora of information that lead me to an unsettling discovery. Many online users abuse their online privileges by acting as someone they are not. In online chats you can IM or e-mail the person and come to believe they have an AMAZING personality only to meet them in a F2F situation and discover that they are a quiet and awkward individual. It's horrible and terrifying. All I know is that I swear I am the same online as I am in F2F! Or am I....?

Crunch Time

Did you know... Laughing lowers stress hormones (like cortisol, epinephrine, and adrenaline) and strengthens the immune system by releasing health-enhancing hormones?

Therefore, laughter is good for you! Well, I don't know about all of you bloggers but these next 4 weeks are going to be SUPER stressful. Finals, projects, family, friends, professors... where has all the "Me Time" gone?

The iPad has brought me to discover to laugh a little a relieve some stress during these stressful times so I'd love to share my tricks with you as well.

First, I absolutely love that my music has gone mobile. I use the application called iTunes to download all of my new music. From there it transfers to the iTunes on my iPod and laptop. Music is now all around me to let me sign (horribly) the stress away whether I'm at the library, in my room, or in the shower!

 For Easter my mom got me the Adele CD called 21 and I am so in love! I added it to my iTunes so I can listen to it everywhere. My recommendation of songs: Someone Like You and Set Fire to the Rain!

 My good friend from my class let me borrow her Torches CD by Foster the People so that I could add it to my playlist. I have been jamming out and preparing for their concert in Jun thanks to her and my handy iPad!

Secondly, my FAVORITE iPad game in the entire world! You can play with multiple players at a time. You draw a picture of a word provided for you and send it to your opponent. From there you must wait for the opponent to guess the object/person in the hopes of winning coins. If the opponent guesses correctly, they will send you a drawing of an image back. Those coins allow you to win new paint pallets with more colors or buy bombs to help you guess your opponents words.

My third favorite app is all about music as well. This is a free radio for (virtually) commercial free music for hours upon hours. Type in the name of an artist and BAM.... an entire group of artists are pulled together that relate to your choice and start a radio that makes you feel warm and fuzzy inside. I love Pandora! I only get about one commercial every hour and they only last about 30 seconds. My favorite channel to study to is called "Solo Piano."

I'll leave you with a little joke to get yourself feeling a little stress free...

Why does a seagull fly over the sea?

.... Well if it flew over the bay it would be called a bagel!

HAPPY FINALS EVERYONE!

xox Dee