Pearson's Free OpenClass LMS for Google Apps

I have just started toying with OpenClass, a free LMS (learning management system) from Pearson, which is a Google Apps for Education tool. It's quite capable, yet basic at the same time. It reflects a certain structured class setup, without much obvious room for flexibility. There seems to be some social features like the class wall, but it's difficult to assess how collaborative students will be able to be. It seems like Google Docs are well integrated, which could help, but what about discussion boards, wikis, etc?

I think this is a useful free tool to start with, but is likely yet to compete with Moodle, Blackboad, HaikuLMS, and the like.

Goodnight iPad - a lovely video parody of Goodnight Moon

via youtube.com

inspired by Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown comes Goodnight iPad, a video by Ann Droyd (note the joke author). Almost hard to watch, but apropos to modern life!

via @fredbartels

Apple (and I/you) remembers Steve Jobs

Apple's front page today is dedicated to Steve Jobs. They also have a site where you can read their statement as well as send your thoughts in.

Mr. Jobs left a legacy on the world that is difficult for me to even wrap my head around. My first computer (my dad's first computer) was a Mac 512k, and without it I don't think I would set off down a path that let me to educational technology which led me into my latest work, helping build a high school and evolving the curriculum of a JK-12 school.

Steve, thank you.

Google serves inappropriate ads for education

We are using Google Apps for Education at my school. Here's the ad I was just confronted with when I logged in to my e-mail. This after we have opted out of ads. You are unable (to my knowledge) to opt out of web clips.

It is frustrating that we don't have better control of this.

update: it seems that each user can turn off web clip under mail settings - web clips. I don't imagine that most would ever make it that far.

Teagueduino: Learn to Make Robots, Simply

via kickstarter.com

Coming out of a Kickstarter campaign, Teaguduino looks like a great way to get kids (or adults) started with real programming and robot building. It seems a lot easier to get started that Arduino, but easier isn't always better. Just different. I'm pretty compelled by their work, though. Will you or your school be an early investor? They have a great price points for a 5 piece set - $650.