Buy or Make Touchscreen Styluses for Cheap
Touchscreen devices aren't supposed to require a stylus. But there are times when you might want to use one. You probably draw better with a stylus. Your handwriting is more legible with a stylus. You don't leave fingerprints with a stylus. Using a stylus doesn't block your view of the screen.
Because modern touchscreens are capacitive sensing, they take the conductivity of the human body as input. It doesn't matter how much pressure you apply. It's the electricity flowing through your fingers that cause a change in the screen's electrical field. That change is interpreted by the device as input.
The Single Most Important Factor for iPad Success in Schools
When you think of iPads in schools, you probably think of a cart that's wheeled into a classroom. Youngsters cheer at the arrival of the cart. Devices are passed out, used for a lesson, and then returned to the cart. The cart is then whisked away to another classroom where the same thing happens.
What I Bought in 2012
Now You Can Upload Photos and Videos to Websites from Your iPad
iOS 6 adds a much-needed feature—the ability to use Upload, Select File, or Choose File buttons and links found on websites for submitting files. Previously, when browsing websites that have a button for uploading files, nothing would happen when you tapped it on iPad, iPhone, or iPod touch. Now with iOS 6, tapping that button on webpages brings up your Media Library where you can select an image or video to upload.
Limit an iOS Device to Running a Single App
Apple has introduced Guided Access in iOS 6. It keeps your device in a single app and allows you to control which features are available.
Locking a mobile device into a single app has been a request of parents and educators for some time. Using Guided Access to limit an iPad, iPhone, or iPod touch to one app can be handy when you want a child to remain on task and focused. It is also nice for youngsters who might accidentally click the Home button.
![How to Become a Mobile App Developer [Infographic]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/50eca855e4b0939ae8bb12d9/1357847466376-4BPXWZEHKGWH3AWKHK1T/Screen+Shot+2013-01-10+at+12.50.50+PM.png)
How to Become a Mobile App Developer [Infographic]
It's still no easy task to develop your own apps. Yes, some talented teachers have programmed their own. I know many adults and youth are interested in developing apps. I was pleased to see Schools.com produce this infographic about how to become a mobile app developer.
Build Positive Behavior with ClassDojo Website or App
I've been a fan of ClassDojo since I learned about it in the spring. Class Dojo is a free website and a way to track student behavior digitally.
Bring Your Own
In the spirit of bringing more opportunities into learning environments, more and more schools are inviting students to bring their own technology. Shortened as BYOT or BYOD for Bring Your Own Device, the concept is catching on.
Project-Based Learning Teaser
Click or Scan for a Random Educational iOS App
In the spirit of serendipity, I've developed a way to discover educational apps. Simple click the button, scan the QR code, or go to learninginhand.com/random to be taken to an app's details page in the App Store.
7th Graders Publish Their Own Textbook
Creatures, Plants and More is an interactive field guide of Northwest Florida. The stories and photos are a collection of what students from Woodlawn Beach Middle School have compiled for everyone to enjoy.
iPad Document Camera Stand
Justin Franks contacted me this week with a link to a YouTube video where he proudly shows off his new creation. It's a stand designed to turn your iPad into a document camera. Justin's iPad stand goes by the name Justand.
8 Useful and/or Fun Twitter Tools
I've been on Twitter since February 19, 2007 and to celebrate my 10,000th follower, I'd like to share some interesting Twitter tools.
Let's Use the Hashtag #iosedapp for Tweets with Educational iPad/iPhone/iPod Apps
I propose using the hashtag #iosedapp when mentioning apps or lists of apps for iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch. This is the keyword I will include somewhere in my tweets when I share a newly discovered educational app or when an interesting educational app goes on sale. I hope you'll do the same.
![Make Sticky Media [Infographic]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/50eca855e4b0939ae8bb12d9/1445114950851-UJ6SWWWIMPBVMLG5QJ5Z/Screen+Shot+2013-10-16+at+8.10.05+AM.png)
Make Sticky Media [Infographic]
There are six principles of sticky ideas according to Dan and Chip Heath, authors of Made to Stick. Sticky ideas are ones that we can plainly understand, clearly remember, and easily retell. When teachers and students select or create educational media, they it them to be sticky.
Be an iPad Superstar: 8 Collections of iOS 5 Tips
Just when I think I know a lot of about Apple's iOS, someone shows me a clever feature, setting, or shortcut I've never seen before. Since Apple doesn't include a printed manual, it's up to us as iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch users to find our own ways of learning these tips. I'd like to share eight links with tips to help us get the most of our iOS devices.
Wireless Mirroring from iPad to PC Now a Reality with AirServer
Windows users now have a way to wirelessly mirror iPad and iPhone to their computers with AirSever. Similar to Reflection (now called Reflector) for Mac, AirServer is software installed on a desktop or laptop that turns that the computer into an AirPlay receiver with no Apple TV required. There's absolutely no software to install on iPad or iPhone because AirPlay mirroring is built into iOS (but currently only on iPad 2, iPad 3rd generation, and iPhone 4S).
iPad Backpack is Also Handsfree Frontpack
iBackFlip Studios sent me their Somersault iPad backpack. Its hallmark feature is its iPad mount. You can flip the backpack around to your front side, unzip the mount's compartment, and you instantly have iPad floating in front of you. Your hands are free to do whatever you need them to do.
Introduction to QR Codes
Learning in Hand Podcast Episode #25: QR Codes is all about those two-dimensional bar codes that are popping up everywhere. QR codes have lots of uses for education, especially in classrooms where students are equipped with mobile devices.
Ways to Evaluate Educational Apps
Download rubrics and checklists to help you evaluate the educational value of mobile apps.