Sleek and Strong
Otters love the water, so it seemed natural to test our OtterBox iPad covers on the water. While sailing to the San Juan Islands in Washington, we tested the OtterBox Defender Series Case, and the Commuter Series Case. Continue reading…

Subject Material: Playing online math game
Grades: For students grades 3-12; content in all missions is
correlated to NCTM and all 50 U.S. state standards, including Washington D.C.

Challenging Math Game
If educators are looking for different math games, consider the DimensionU Games. DimensionM math games can be played in the classrooms, improving student math skills and emphasizing team game play. Continue reading…

Trouble in Paradise
There are some positive features, and limitations to the Apple iPad. Like all technological gadgets, bugs have to be worked out. I purchased the 3G iPad with 64 GB ($829 US).

Continue reading…

Subject Matter: Dashboard for your iPad; operating multiple apps on an Apple iPad
Grades: All ages

Handy Apps in One Widget
I’m getting to know my iPad better. And one issue is only one application can be run at a time. This feature may not seem limiting, but it can be a bit redundant having to pop back and forth into the Home page to run a calculator, check a calendar, the weather, write yourself a note (you know, some quick, handy apps). Continue reading…

Subject: How to Take Better Notes; Recording Lectures, Meetings
Grades: Middle School to College, Businesses, Marketing, Tech Institutes

Latest Smartpen
Last year I reviewed the 1 GB Smartpen. It worked great recording lectures in the pen, and notes written on Livescribe’s special memory paper. My daughter dashed off with it to college. And I bought one for my son to use in high school. He has problems with listening and taking notes. Now he can go back, review lectures and write in key points in his notes. Works great for test reviews, and for taking business meeting notes. Continue reading…

Subject Matter: Negatives and Slide Scanners
Grades: Middle school and above, Tech schools, Media, Marketing

Hardware & Software
Most students and teachers are using digital cameras, however, there’s probably several negatives and slides of old photos just waiting to be uploaded for posterity. At least before the images start to yellow and fade. Scanner prices seem to range signicantly, from $400 and jump to over $1,000. It’s good to shop around, and compare quality.

Image quality starts with the scanner hardware. The scanner software determines the user’s experience and the final output quality. Thus, the image quality is dependent on the quality of the hardware and software, and how well the hardware and software work together. Continue reading…