Thursday, October 6, 2011

Thoughts on the passing of Steve Jobs

I was planning to blog about my reaction to yesterday's iPhone 4S announcement, but that will have to wait for another day.

Sigh.

Steve Jobs died today.

I can’t say it was unexpected, but I really felt he would stay around for a while longer…

Damn.

I guess things really went south for him health-wise of late. The world is all a twitter, with numerous tributes in the media and people converging on Apple stores to place flowers and offer condolences. Heck, news of his passing even made the sports pages of the Boston Globe, where one writer remarked on how Apple products have influenced the Red Sox and major league baseball. It feels like a historically significant person has passed away, someone that will be looked back upon as a true historical figure, up there with folks like Edison and Henry Ford.

I personally feel like an hole has appeared in my life. This is rather curious to me; Famous, important people die all the time, and I almost never feel like I do now. I never knew him, of course, and I’m sure he was no saint. He had his share of imperfections and dysfunction, as we all do. But he also came to symbolize for me someone who really exemplified what life could be like if you lived "at the intersection of technology and the liberal arts," to use his phrase. He was a blend of powerful mind and creative heart. He was very very smart but also very artistic. Of course his forceful personality made life hell for so many, but in the end, his strength and conviction were able to transform and influence the lives of millions, including mine. Apple is now at the top, and he leaves this earth with things as best as could be hoped for. Too bad he couldn’t have stayed around for another 10-20 years… things are really starting to take off future-wise. Just yesterday Apple began the Star Trek age, where we can talk and interact with computers at an entirely new level. Soon this sort of thing will be as common as using a toilet or toaster oven. It will become The Way We Do Things, and it all started largely with him. Not only him, of course, but without all the good work he did over the decades with regards to popularizing computers, we never would have gotten this far.


His life's work has touched me deeply. This is probably why I feel such a hole. Apple and their wonderful tools helped me cultivate and express my creativity. Because they were so easy and pleasurable to use, I could create really cool things around multi-media, things I could never have imagined myself doing. I became such a fan boy not only because the tools were way cool, but because of how they helped me grow, connect, and get things done in very satisfying ways. For example, back when I worked at the Toyama College of Foreign Languages, I was kind of in a holding pattern with regards to my career. Through my friendship with Lee, a coworker who is a real Mac fan, I grew to love Apple products not primarily because they were technically better than anything else available, but because of what those products enabled and empowered me to do. I learned how to edit and share photos and videos, and through those projects I could gain confidence in using technology. These skills have helped me a lot and are now key elements of my resume. I learned how fun it was to create cool stuff, and now I can share that joy with others. In addition, since I live on the other side of the planet from my family, these skills have enabled me to share my life here in Japan with those I love despite the vast physical distances separating us.

So that’s what Jobs’ spirit is all about for me, and it’s extremely comforting to know it will always be a part of my life. I’m very grateful for that. I'm feeling this gratitude shine bright as I type these words… It feels like beams of light glowing through the empty space his passing has created. Each time I use Apple products to make my life and the lives of those around me better, even in tiny ways, I’ll feel this gratitude, remember Steve Jobs and all he has done, and smile a deep knowing smile inside.

Steve Jobs: Rest in peace! Congratulations on a life well-lived.

Monday, September 5, 2011

Apps featured in new iPad for education commercial

Apple recently released a new iPad commercial entailed "Learn." It focuses on using the iPad for educational uses. Since that's also one of the key aims of this blog, I thought it would be fun and useful to take a detailed look at the apps featured in this 30 second TV spot. There are a surprising number of them. Not all are for teaching a foreign language, but since that's what I do, I'll look at all of them and ponder how they could be used in an EFL setting. First up, the ad:




Are you curious about new ideas, do you want to learn a new language, or just a new word? Maybe you want to know more about anatomy, or astronomy. You could master something new, or uncover a hidden talent. There’s never been a better time to learn.

Pretty standard fare, as recent iPad commercials go these days. Apple often shows the device in action and focuses on what you can do with it rather than on the power of its processor or other technical aspects. Good strategy, IMHO. As an educator, the apps in this particular spot caught my eye. I wondered what they were and if it could be possible to use them in my teaching practice somehow. Let's take a closer look at each featured application and imagine how they could be used to teach English in Japan:

Are you curious about new ideas?


TED Talks app
This is the TED Talks app. I know well because I have it! You can access the TED Talks very conveniently from this application, browsing the featured ones, by themes, tags, or ones you've saved. You can even click an "Inspire Me" button and have something random and cool come up based on what you're in the mood for and how much time you have to watch.

As for classroom applications in an EFL setting, obviously this one would be ideal for advanced English learners, perhaps in a content-based seminar course or as a source of info for a particular project. It could also prove useful in a public speaking class. The language may be too difficult for most students, but you could have them focus on other elements that make up good speeches, such as organization, slides, and body language.

Do you want to learn a new language?


Do you want to learn a new language
This featured app is called Chinagram-Chinese Writing. It "tells the story of Chinese writing, explaining its rationale and showing its beauty, sign after sign." More than just a simple program to teach you how to write some Chinese characters, this app seeks to use the writing practice as a way of introducing the learner to Chinese history and culture. Very interesting idea!

Besides being a useful app for teachers to brush up on their kanji, this app could act as an interesting conversation starter about writing, history, and culture. Japanese kanji are based on Chinese characters, so most of our students would know these. Depending on the level of your students, you could ask them all sorts of questions about the characters in the program and about learning to write kanji in general. In other words, you can get your students to practice English by helping them share a part of their own culture. And, if you happen to teach some Chinese students, all the better. The cultural info this app presents can help widen the scope of your conversations.

Or just a new word?

IBooks dictionary
This screenshot shows the dictionary function in iBooks, one of the many features in this app that make reading on an iPad a pleasure. It's quite a convenient way to look up new words while reading. Naturally, this could be a very helpful tool for English language learners. Via this app, you can access the Apple iBooks Store to purchase and download numerous books.

However, the Japan-based iBooks Store is limited to old, public domain classics like Moby Dick, Grimm's Fairy Tales, or Stories from Hans Andersen. Too difficult or stuffy, perhaps for most Japanese learners? The inability to buy large varieties of books at various levels limits the usefulness of iBooks to higher level students. However, with a US iTunes account, it would be possible to download books from the USA iBooks Store. There are other ways to acquire reading materials on an iPad, but as far as I know, the in-text dictionary function is only available in the iBooks app. Please correct me if I'm wrong!

Maybe you want to know more about anatomy?

Skeleton system pro app
This is Skeleton System Pro II (NOVA Series), an app that teaches the skeletal system via an interactive 3D model of the human skeleton. Applying this for EFL would be a stretch, but it could be very useful if you are teaching English to doctors or medical students. I have met teachers in Japan who do, so this could be an excellent source of English technical vocabulary in a TESP teaching context.

Or astronomy…

Solar Walk 3D app
There is a particular genre of iPad app that allows users to point their iPad to the night sky and gather info via an augmented reality layer of information. This app, Solar Walk, is not one of them. Instead, it allows you to "navigate 3D models of the solar system, observing all the planets up close, learn their trajectories, inner structure, history of their exploration, and points of interest." It includes reams of information, some of it conveyed via movie clips. Use with 3D glasses for a full immersive effect. Looks very cool!

As with some of the other apps in this commercial, the biggest potential of this app for EFL instruction lies in its "conversation starting" ability with students interested in astronomy. The "wow" factor of this app looks big, especially with the 3D effect. You can pretty much guarantee your students will be paying attention. If they are at lower levels, this could be a fun way of teaching the names of the planets. If they have more ability and interest, then this could be a terrific gateway to conversations about our solar system, space travel, and other related topics. The video clips could also work as listening practice.

You could master something new

Chess app
This one is t Chess Pro, and it's an app for learning and playing chess. There are numerous cool features, such as the ability to play 1 or 2-player games, a strong computer opponent, an integrated "Learn Chess" eBook, and an Opening Library option that enables you to study opening move theory as you play. Via Game Center, you can also play with friends on different machines in realtime. Games have always been and continue to be a classic means of helping students learn English. Especially in an informal English Lounge-type setting, games enable a relaxed atmosphere where you can kick back and simply use English without it being a big deal. At our English Lounge at Toyo Gakuen University, we have numerous games on hand- playing cards, Jenga, various board games, and the like. Chess via iPads could also work. Again, the idea would be to use the game to give you something to do while you make conversation with your students. For teachers and students interested in chess, this app could be a good thing.


Or uncover a hidden talent

Garageband app
This is the iPad version of GarageBand, the program that allows you to create music and edit audio clips. The iPad version is surprisingly robust, enabling the user to create some great sounding tunes without having to know much about playing an instrument. With a special attachment, musicians can also plug in their instruments or microphones and record directly into the program. The included "smart instruments" sound great.

Learning to do anything with this program beyond playing around with it for a few minutes will take some time, however. It could be the basis of a very interesting and fun music project with your students if you are committed to see it through. If you have some that are musically inclined, this app holds great potential. Otherwise, it could be used as a conversation starter about music in general. Students will get a kick out of playing around and making sounds, all of which can then set the stage for a chat about music.

There's never been a better time… to learn

Mathboard app
This is Mathboard, a very slick looking app for learning basic math functions, such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. It includes built-in quizzes and problem solving advice. Obviously geared for the US K-12 education market, using this app for EFL in Japan would be a stretch! It could work to help teach numbers to beginning students, I suppose.

So there you go- a run down on all the apps for education featured in the recent "Learn" iPad TV commercial. They all look great and showcase the power of the iPad as a powerful learning tool. For EFL purposes, some of these apps could be very useful in particular situations with particular students, mainly as interesting ways to engage them in conversation.

What do you think? Can you see yourself using any of these apps with your students? If so, please share your ideas below in the comments section.

Tuesday, August 2, 2011

iCloud webs apps preview

This article over at 9to5 Mac features some screen shots of what some of the web apps will look like when iCloud goes live this fall. While still in beta, it's clear that common apps such as Mail, iCal, Address Book, and the iWork suite of Page, Keynote, and Numbers will be looking very good, much like these apps do on an iPad. Naturally, iCloud will have numerous advantages for all users, not only teachers. I'm looking towards exploring the possibilities.

ICloud beta 2

Saturday, July 23, 2011

Ideas for using an iPad for teaching

Came across this Google Doc a while ago and would like to share it here on this blog. Entitled "62 Interesting Ways to Use an iPad in the Classroom", it's quite a through overview of many ideas for how to use this tool for enhancing learning. While not particularly targeted towards TESOL, almost all of these ideas can be adapted for language learning with a bit of creativity and preparation. At the very least, by creatively engaging students you'll be able to use English in a very content-based way- in other words, the focus of your conversation won't be on English itself but rather on the activity at hand. One of the best parts of this presentation are clues to a lot of apps you may not have heard about. What's also cool is that you can contact the creator (Tom Barrett) and ask for permission to add your own ideas to this on-going collection of ideas. Very neat.

Which activities could you see yourself doing with your students?

To view this Google Doc, click the screen shot:

62 Interesting Ways to use an iPad in the Classroom

Thursday, March 3, 2011

The iPad 2: 1st impressions from a teacher's perspective

The new iPad was announced today, and although I've been aware of this for weeks, as usual after a "Steve-note" presentation, I'm experiencing an acute case of the "iWant" syndrome. Why am I surprised? This always happens...

(breathing deeply)

Okay, I've calmed down a bit and would like to share a few first impressions and look at some exciting features I think will really enhance this device's use for educational purposes.

So what's the deal with the iPad 2? Instead of going over all the new features, I'll let Mr. Jobs do that. Here is a short five minute excerpt produced by CNET News of the new specs:

So there you go: thinner, lighter, faster. Two cameras, bigger speaker. All at the same prices as before. Cool, very cool, and it will be available in Japan on March 25th.

With regards to EFL, here are the features that excite me most:

Cameras: With the ability to do video chatting via Facetime or Skype, these cameras will open up opportunities for students to use English for real communication. Given the popularity of this device, I'm sure other educators will have the same idea. There will be opportunities for teachers to set up exchanges and for students to converse with people from around the world, and for students to make their own connections. Pretty exciting stuff. The fact that the rear facing camera is HD quality was a nice surprise. This will make for some better looking video that enhances and facilitates communication.

The cameras will also enable people to use the iPad as an HD camcorder, albeit a bit awkwardly. While not ideal and certainly not as good as a dedicated video camera, this feature will come in handy in numerous as-yet-to-be-imagined scenarios. For example, I can see teachers using it in class to record lectures or conversations, or for students to produce video projects. With a bit of thought, there will be a lot of creativity unleashed via this feature.

iMovie: This came as a total surprise, although in retrospect I don't know why. iMovie has been a part of the iPhone 4 since last summer, and it's only natural that it came to the iPad. The ability to edit and share video on this device will further increase creativity in the classroom. Can't wait to try this out. Just take a look at this iMovie demo video and imagine your students doing & sharing projects:

GarageBand: This was another total surprise. While not directly related to EFL per se, I can totally see how this app would generate interest among many students. Lots of students are interested in music, and at the very least, playing around with all the instruments in this would be a fun way to interact with a student in English. Check out the demo, and again, imagine your working situation as you watch. Any ideas come up?

The cameras, iMovie, and GarageBand give the new iPad more creative potential. This is what excites me- all the cool stuff I and my students will now be able to do. More than before, this tool will open up opportunities for teachers and students to produce engaging content which can then be used as a way of enhancing communication in fun and creative ways.

Video mirroring: This will really be huge for education- the ability to hook up an iPad to a TV in a classroom or to a projector at a presentation and have the screen mirror what's on the iPad. You couldn't do this before, or at least only to a very limited degree. Now teachers will be able to show and demonstrate stuff much more easily, allowing the iPad to make even more of an impact in the classroom. I can see using this with Safari to surf the web, Google Translate to look up words, Google Earth to visit locations around the world, and all sorts of other things. I'll also be much more motivated to use the iPad for making presentations at conferences. Totally exciting feature, and it's all made possible by this dock connector gizmo:

Ipad video mirroring gizmo 2

So all of these features have me really excited about the new iPad 2. Of course there is a lot more to it, and I'm still getting my head wrapped around the possibilities. If you'd like to know more, the video is now up for Jobs' entire presentation.

How about you? What are your reactions? Is this the greatest thing since sliced bread? Totally "meh"? Or somewhere in-between? If you and your students had iPad 2s, what are some of the ways you would use it?

Monday, February 28, 2011

Pearson Kihara Conference 2011






Welcome to all those who attended my presentation for the Pearson Kihara 2011 Conference at Tōyō Gakuen University's Hongō Campus yesterday (Using Phones and Computers to Encourage Lifelong Learning). I will be sharing links and notes from my presentation on my other blog, TESOL 2.0 (http://tesol20.blogspot.com). This blog is more specific for iOS devices (iPhones, iPads, iPod touch) and features posts by my colleague, Jerry, and I. Of course, you may find this blog useful as well, so please visit both. However, most of the topics we covered in the presentation will be found at the TESOL 2.0 blog.