Category Archives: Technology

Privacy Tip: How to Delete All Your Facebook Messages at Once

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fb

Over the past month two of my Facebook friends have had their accounts hacked (that I know of). In both of these cases the hacker chose to go through the person’s Facebook emails to read all of their messages and then use that information to message their friends – posing as them. I was one of those people that each hacker messaged. It was a sobering experience to realize that someone could potentially have access to all of your personal discussions that you’ve had with family and friends, going back for years!

After this experience I decided that I wanted to delete all of my past Facebook messages so that if I was ever hacked, at least I could limit what they would have access to. But I discovered that this wasn’t as easy as you would think as there is no global “Delete All” option for Facebook messages and conversations. Instead, you must click into each conversation, click on the “Actions” button, and choose “Delete Conversation”. To do this for the hundreds of conversations that I’ve had on Facebook over the past several years would have been far too time-consuming. However, I did find an amazing plug-in for the Chrome browser called Facebook – Delete All Messages that did the trick.

The process is simple. Open up your Chrome browser and navigate to the plugin. Click “Add to Chrome” in order to download/install the plugin. It currently has over 82,000 users and I found it to be virus/bug-free as of two weeks ago, so I can highly recommend it.
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Once it’s installed, simply sign into Facebook. Open up the full messages window and click on the plugin icon that sits on the far right of the address bar.

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Then click “Launch”. It will delete all the messages on that entire page. If you have a lot of old messages you may need to scroll down and click Launch a few times until they’re all gone.

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But within a few minutes you should be rid of all your old conversations, and they will not reappear when the person messages you again. You’ll have a clean slate!

The post Privacy Tip: How to Delete All Your Facebook Messages at Once appeared first on OEDB.org.

The Latest in EdTech Trends: 70 Resources Roundup

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edtech

Trying to keep up with the latest in EdTech trends? Discover all the latest news happening in EdTech with this roundup post. And if you’re still getting up to speed in this area, also check out the post: 7 Ed Tech Trends to Watch in 2014.

    MOOCs

  1. Universities Rethinking Their Use of Massive Online Courses
  2. The Real Revolution in Online Education Isn’t MOOCs
  3. Moocs ‘will not transform education’, says FutureLearn chief
  4. Disrupting and Transforming the University
  5. Weekly Trend: The MOOC Revolution Changes Shape
  6. MOOC U: The Revolution Isn’t Over
  7. edX turns attention to high school MOOCs
  8. Why Free Online Classes Are Still the Future of Education
  9. Online Learning is Just as Effective as Traditional Education, According to a New MIT Study
  10. Invasion of the MOOCs: The Promise and Perils of Massive Open Online Courses (eBook)



    11. Big Data

  11. Big Data MOOC Research Breakthrough: Learning Activities Lead to Achievement
  12. Big data and education: the power of transformation
  13. Can Universities Use Data to Fix What Ails the Lecture?
  14. Big Data: An Evolution in Higher Education’s Technology Landscape
  15. Can Data Analytics Make Teachers Better Educators?
  16. Education is the Next Great Opportunity for Big Data
  17. The Modern Classroom: Students, Teachers and Data-Driven Education
  18. The Mathematics of Effectiveness
  19. Empower Teachers with Data and They Can Spark Change
  20. The Coming Big Data Education Revolution



    21. Gamification

  21. Gamification: Why It’s Good
  22. Using Gaming Principles to Engage Students
  23. The 15 Best Gamification Resources for Trainers and Educators
  24. Gamification and Game-Based Learning: What’s the Difference?
  25. A Guide to Game-Based Learning
  26. Gamification of Education Infographic
  27. Game On: Why Gamification Works
  28. Digital Badges for the That-Was-Due-Last-Week-Student
  29. Are Serious Video Games Ready For School Time?
  30. Gamification 101: Introducing Gamification in Education



    31. The Flipped Classroom

  31. Flipped classrooms test new ways of learning
  32. Starting a Project-Based School
  33. Flipping Your Classroom? 5 Technology Details You’ll Need to Succeed
  34. Flipped Classrooms Can’t Be Passive Environments
  35. Transforming the Lecture Space
  36. 27 Ideas for Flipping The Classroom: Infographic
  37. The Top 5 Blended And Flipped Classroom Tools
  38. Summer Reading List: What You Need to Know To Flip Your Classroom Next Year
  39. Flipped Learning – turning traditional teaching on its head!
  40. Flipping the classroom – from the student’s perspective



    41. 3D Printing

  41. World’s first live concert with ’3D-printed band’
  42. Colleges Offer Hands-On Tech Engagement
  43. 7 Hands-On Projects That Use 3D Printers
  44. Making Sense of Makerspaces: Do-it-yourself ed tech opportunities abound for some schools.
  45. New Future Takes Shape for 3D Printers in Schools
  46. NASA Educator Sees Bright STEM Future in 3D Printing
  47. 3D Printing Made Cool: MIT Students Print Ice Cream
  48. 3D Printing – Coming to a Classroom Near you (Sooner Than you Think)!
  49. How (And Why) To Get Started With 3D Printing In The Classroom
  50. High school students in Texas create prosthetic hand for young boy



    51. Mobile learning

  51. Six Tips to Implement a Mobile Learning Initiative
  52. 50 Resources For Teaching With iPads
  53. Mobile Learning: Resource Roundup
  54. 9 Ways Mobile Learning is Moving into Academia
  55. 50 questions to start your mobile learning strategy
  56. 10 Mobile Learning Stats You Need to See and Why
  57. Trends | K-12 Students See A Brighter Future Learning with Tablets
  58. The merging of Informal and Mobile Learning
  59. 3 Ways Mobile Learning Stands Out From Other Learning Technologies
  60. The Ultimate Guide to Mobile eLearning



    61. Digital Textbooks

  61. There’s Something Missing From This College Bookstore: Books
  62. Digital textbooks for increasing educational outcomes
  63. Students Fail to Embrace Digital Textbooks
  64. Changing how people learn with digital textbooks
  65. Speak Up: The current state of digital learning
  66. This University Has a Revolutionary Idea to Make Students’ Textbooks Free
  67. Experts share tips on digital textbook transition
  68. Realizing the Promise of Digital Textbooks
  69. El Paso uses digital textbooks for high school science
  70. 10 Reasons Why Students Aren’t Using eTextbooks

The post The Latest in EdTech Trends: 70 Resources Roundup appeared first on OEDB.org.

The 4 Flavors of Makerspaces

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Did you know that there are many different types of makerspaces, each with their own set of unique characteristics? This was news to me until recently so I thought I’d pass along my research on what I found were the important distinctions as well as important links.

FabLabs

fablab

Amsterdam Fab Lab at The Waag Society

A FabLab is a type of makerspace that was created by the Center for Bits and Atoms headed by Prof. Dr. Neil Gershenfeld at MIT. It began as an outreach project to provide access to modern means for invention such as electronics equipment, laser cutters, routers and milling machines in order to enable makers to create nearly anything. There are currently over 200 FabLabs in over 30 countries around the world.

Learn More:

 

Hackerspaces

hackerspace

NYC Resistor Hackerspace

Also called a hacklab or hackspace, hackerspaces are places where computer programmers, makers, DIY’ers and artists converge to collaborate and socialize. Hackerspaces have been around since 1995 with the founding of c-base in Berlin which according to Wikipedia is one of the first independent, stand-alone hackerspaces in the world, not affiliated with a school, university, or company. Hackerspaces were originally started by computer hackers however they have since expanded to encompass many other activities such as creating physical objects, conducting instructional workshops, etc. There are currently over 1,800 hackerspaces in over 20 countries around the world.

Learn More:

 

TechShops

techshop

TechShop

TechShops are a chain of for-profit spaces which offer public access to industrial tools and equipment such as welding equipment, sewing machines, woodworking equipment, 3D printers, and more to build their own projects. They charge a membership fee beginning a $125/month. They currently have 8 shops in the US with their flagship shop in San Francisco and future locations in Dublin and Munich.

Learn More:

 

Makerspaces

makerspace

Milwaukee Makerspace

Makerspaces are creative, DIY spaces where people can gather to create, invent, and learn. The usually have 3D printers as well as electronic equipment available, some also have metalworking, woodworking, and traditional arts and crafts equipment available. They are used by schools and libraries to provide valuable skills in math and engineering to children and patrons of all ages.

Learn More:

 

 

And even more resources are available here:

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Stay Focused! 5 Tools to Avoid Distractions

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It’s that time of year again when we all need to get back on track and start to get focused.  But with all of the many distractions online that can prove difficult.  Here are five applications that can help.

FocusTime

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Cost: $4.99
Device Compatibility: Phone, iPad and Mac
The Pomodoro Technique is a productivity method in which you break down tasks into 25 minute sessions or pomodori during which you work solely on that task and then take a 3-5 minute break once the time period is complete. Following 4 pomodori a longer break of 15-30 minutes is taken. The FocusTime app supports those using the Pomodoro Technique through timers and graphs of progress and completed work.

 

Read the full post Stay Focused! 5 Tools to Avoid Distractions on OEDB.org.

10 Best Wearable Tech Devices for Back to School

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Wearable technology is the next big thing, and tech-savvy college students will want to be in-the-know about these new and just launching consumer devices.  From sleep monitors to fitness trackers to GPS-enabled shoes, there are some truly incredible wearables now available for consumers to purchase.  Here are my top ten picks for back to school:

1) Vigo Energy Gauge

vigo
This Bluetooth headset is the perfect companion for all-night study sessions.  Vigo uses an infrared sensor and accelerometer to track patterns in your blinks and movements to learn when you’re the most alert and when you need a break.  The device can even give you gentle nudges to keep you alert when you need to be in the form of a soft pulsing vibration, a discrete LED light, or even your favorite pump-up song!  The Vigo app will also log and track your alertness data and provide you with visualizations and reports.  It’s $79 and ships out this October.

2) Nike Lunar TR1+

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These amazing fitness trainers have pressure and motion sensors built in along with Bluetooth accelerometers.  The sensors work with the Nike+ Training app that offers Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced daily or weekly drills and workouts and the Nike+ Running app that tracks your jogging.  You can share your progress and get ranked on the Nike+ website.  What I love most about these trainers is that the sensors detect your weight distribution when you’re doing the exercises and will correct you if you’re doing a position or exercise the wrong way, so they are in essence just like having a robotic personal trainer!  They are $110 and are available in a variety of colors.

3) The Pebble Steel Smart Watch

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This great-looking, 5 ATM water resistant watch can hold up to 8 apps at a time, displays texts and notifications from your phone, and will even pay for your latte at Starbucks!  The new and improved version of the Pebble smartwatch can control the music on your phone, track your fitness workout, and display your grocery lists.  You can change the watchface by downloading other designs and choose from thousands of apps in the official Pebble app store.  The Steel watch is $249 and is shipping now.

4) Smarty Ring

smarty
This fashionable stainless steel smart ring sports an LED display on the front that delivers notifications from your phone.  Similar to a smart watch, this wearabe enables you to make phone calls, screen your calls, receive text notifications, and control the music and the camera on your phone like a remote.  It’s waterproof, has a 24 hour battery life and is currently available for $175.

5) Lechal GPS Shoes

lechal
The Ducere Tech startup has created GPS-enabled “smart shoes” that literally mean “take me there” in Hindi.  These amazing shoes work via Bluetooth that connects to your phone. You just tell the app (for Android or iOS devices) your detisnation and they will vibrate the directions for you.  The best part is that if you like your current sneakers/shoes, you can just buy the insoles!  They range from $100-$150 and are available in red and black.  Perfect for those students who have trouble finding their way back to their dorm!! They won’t ship until the spring semester, but still made this list due to their uniqueness and affordability.

Read the full post 10 Best Wearable Tech Devices for Back to School on OEDB.org.

13 Resources to Help You Make the Most of the Workday

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It’s that time of year when we all start to think about being more productive and organizing our work lives. I’ve identified 19 excellent resources which will help you do just that.
productivity

  1. 16 Things You Should Do At The Start Of Every Work Day – Excellent article from the Leadership section of Forbes.com
  2. Being Effective at Work: Essential Traits and Skills – The Mind Tools website has put together a guide chock full of great tips for better time management.
  3. 50 Ways To Increase Your Productivity – Lifehack not only has some great tips here, but also lists several websites to which you can outsource your more mundane tasks.
  4. How to Be More Efficient at Work – WikiHow has a tutorial for increasing productivity that’s been viewed nearly 60,000 times.

Read the full post 13 Resources to Help You Make the Most of the Workday on OEDB.org.

4 Great iPad Apps for Creating Educational Videos

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If you’re a teacher or a librarian who creates instructional materials regularly, you’ll want to have a look at these great apps for the iPad that let you easily create educational videos with your tablet.

1) Knowmia Teach iPad App

Knowmia
This is a free lesson planning and recording tool for teachers and their students. It helps you create short video lessons on any subject and publish them on Knowmia.com so students, other teachers and the public can find them. You can record everything that you do as well as your voice and video to create the lesson step-by-step and even capture your face in the video as you narrate the steps. You can import images, graphics or video clips from the iPad’s media library and built-in camera.

2) ShowMe

Show Me
This is an interactive whiteboard app that allows you to record voice-over whiteboard tutorials and share them online. You can drop in images onto the whiteboard and switch between drawing and erasing (as well as pausing and playing) to make your ShowMe flow from concept to concept.

Read the full post 4 Great iPad Apps for Creating Educational Videos on OEDB.org.

How to Create a Video Press Release for Your Library with Adobe Voice

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This morning I created this video press release for my library with Adobe’s new free app for the iPad called Adobe Voice. This easy-to-use app was just released last month and it allows you to create stories using a combination of still images, icons, voice narration, and background music. The end result is a cross between a video and a slideshow.

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The app is very simple to get started with. First you choose the type of story you’d like to tell such as “Teach a Lesson” or “Give a Tour” and Voice will launch a template for you to fill in with your content.

voice

By clicking into each slide you’re given the opportunity to choose the layout, record narration by holding the record button (you can re-do your narration endless times which really makes this stress-free!), and then choosing what you want to go on the slide. You can choose from the millions of images that Voice provides for you to search or upload your own, or you can pick out one of the 25,000 icons the app offers.

Read the full post How to Create a Video Press Release for Your Library with Adobe Voice on OEDB.org.