Netbook

Internet Access at IU 1 [|The Acer Aspire 1410 Product Website] toc

To support the Year 2 goals around "collaboration and documentation" you are being provided with a netbook computer to support your work. Below are a wide variety of training and resource materials to support your utilization of this new tool. The links to "software add-ons" are specific resources which have been added to each of your netbooks to give each of your CIGs a common starting ground.

=Acer Training=

- Out of the Bag
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//* What is a Netbook Computer?//
"Let’s start at the beginning. Based on current technology a Netbook computer is an ultraportable computer: Netbook computers are designed for less computing intensive tasks such as receiving and sending email and accessing the Internet. Netbooks are basic computing devices that are suited for basic computing tasks. Leading manufacturers include Acer, Asus, Dell, HP, Lenovo, MSI and Toshiba. The Net book computer has captured many people’s interest for two main reasons – **size and price.** Based on size and weight a Netbook fits somewhere in between the smartphone and the laptop computer." Source: Netbook Computer Primer: http://www.htstechtips.com/2009/05/21/netbook-computer-primer/ - Wikipedia article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Netbook - CNet article: http://news.cnet.com/what-is-a-netbook-computer/
 * typically weighing 2.5 pounds
 * having a screen size between 7” and 10”
 * including a wireless networking adapter (g/n)
 * having no internal optical (CD or DVD) drive
 * typically running Windows XP Home
 * utilizing a lower powered CPU such as the Intel Atom CPU.

//* Why a netbook in Year 2 of AE2.0?//
The idea of giving you a netbook was not necessarily to give you a wireless tool, instead it was to give all of the teachers what is essentially a laptop with a camera and microphone built in so that everyone has the same tools and could participate easily in Elluminate sessions, etc. When you receive yours it will be fully loaded with great free programs we recommend for all teachers to use- that we in our group will depend on to meet, document and store materials.

Netbooks work like small sized laptops- especially this one. Facilitators have been using them for some weeks now and it can do nearly everything a PC can do. If you are a Mac user there are some small things to get used to- but Jamie Kasper is a MAC user and she was at a conference in Boston and used her netbook to stream video, record the conference and run a chat room all while typing on it to project meeting notes! Impressive! By providing all of you netbooks to use as laptops, we are sure that all teachers in the AE2.0 project have the same technology available to them that can work with the programs and 2.0 tools we are suggesting- which was not the case before this. We can look at this as a pilot of this new technology with teachers in IU1 as well!

The other advantage but not the main purpose is of course is that netbooks can do wireless quite easily - so once you get it, take it with you to any Panara bread, Starbucks (there you need to have a Starbucks gift card), Borders Bookstores, and some MacDonalds - and sometimes malls even have free wifi. Mara Linaberger will be contacting your district technology directors to alert them to your new netbooks and how best to support your use of them in the schools.

- Netbooks in the classroom (HP Downloadable Guidebook):

- Netbook Scavanger Hunt
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- Beyond Today
With your CIG, brainstorm ways to use the netbook beyond today!

=Software Add-ons= The following items have been added to your netbook. Below, you'll find training and documentation to support your use of the netbook add-ons.

- OpenOffice
Your netbook does not come with word processing, presentation, or spreadsheet software installed on it. One option is to use online tools such as GoogleDocs or Zoho. For those who prefer to create and open documents on their computer, we've installed OpenOffice.

//* What is OpenOffice?//
From the OpenOffice website: "OpenOffice.org 3 is the leading **open-source** **office software suite** for **word processing**, **spreadsheets**, **presentations**, **graphics**, **databases** and more. It is available in **many languages** and works on all **common computers**. It stores all your data in an **international open standard format** and can also read and write files from other common office software packages. It can be downloaded and used completely **free of charge** for **any purpose**." Source: http://why.openoffice.org/

* //OpenOffice Tutorials//
- OpenOffice's online community: http://wiki.services.openoffice.org/wiki/Documentation/Tutorials - YouTube OpenOffice tutorials (video): http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=open+office+tutorial

* //What is Firefox?//
Source: Wikipedia - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mozilla_Firefox
 * "Mozilla Firefox** is a free and [|open source] [|web browser] descended from the [|Mozilla Application Suite] and managed by [|Mozilla Corporation]. Firefox has 23.75% of the recorded [|usage share of web browsers] as of September 2009[|[update]], making it the second most popular browser in terms of current use worldwide after Microsoft's [|Internet Explorer].[|[5]]"

Firefox website: http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/personal.html

//* What is Skype?//
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skype
 * Skype** (pronounced [|/ˈskaɪp/] ) is a [|software application] that allows users to make [|voice calls over the Internet]. Calls to other users of the service and, in some countries, to free-of-charge numbers, are free, while calls to other [|landlines] and [|mobile phones] can be made for a fee. Additional features include [|instant messaging], [|file transfer] and [|video conferencing].

Skype website: http://www.skype.com/

* //Skype Tutorials//
Here are some tutorials to help you learn more about using Skype: Skype Online Community: http://forum.skype.com/index.php?showtopic=41492 YouTube: http://video.google.com/videosearch?q=skype+tutorial&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&ei=P9TxSrW0CJLRlAfLxqm9Aw&sa=X&oi=video_result_group&ct=title&resnum=4&ved=0CCcQqwQwAw# Education World's printable Skype "Techtorial": http://www.education-world.com/a_tech/techtorial/techtorial107.pdf

//* Why use Skype?//
Skype is one tool your CIG can use to meet virtually between meetings at IU1. It also has many educational potentials for the classroom. Below are some resources to find out about what other educators are doing with Skype as a tool for learning:

Classroom 2.0 Ning: Skype in Education discussion thread: http://www.classroom20.com/forum/topics/skype-in-education Skype in the Classroom Blog: the EduSkyper's Phonebook: http://skypeintheclassroom.wordpress.com/2008/10/31/lets-build-a-community/#comments

//* What is iTunes?//
"**iTunes** is a [|proprietary] [|digital] [|media player] application, used for playing and organizing digital music and video files. The program is also an [|interface] to manage the contents on Apple's popular [|iPod] digital media players as well as the [|iPhone]. Additionally, iTunes can connect to the [|iTunes Store] via the Internet to purchase and download [|music], [|music videos], [|television shows], [|applications], [|iPod games], [|audiobooks], [|podcasts], [|feature length films] and [|movie rentals] (not available in all countries), and [|ringtones] (available only in the USA). It is also used to download applications for the [|iPhone] and [|iPod touch] running [|iPhone OS] 2.0 or later.[|[1]]" Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ITunes

The iTunes website: http://www.apple.com/itunes/

* //iTunes Tutorials//
Here are some sources to learn more about iTunes: Apple's iTunes tutorial site: http://www.apple.com/support/itunes/windows/tutorial/index.html YouTube video tutorials: http://video.google.com/videosearch?q=itunes+tutorial&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&ei=VN7xStj2AoTOlQfWkfC8Aw&sa=X&oi=video_result_group&ct=title&resnum=4&ved=0CB0QqwQwAw#

//* Why use iTunes?//
iTunes has lots more to offer beyond being a tool for loading music on to your iPod. Its a great way to create a digital library of all sorts of material. Its also a way to preview content prior to purchase as well as to download free learning (podcasts) from all sorts of educational entities. Below are some resources to help you learn more about iTunes in education: Apple Learning Interchange: http://edcommunity.apple.com/ali/collection.php?collection=714 iTunes University: http://www.apple.com/education/mobile-learning/ Educational Samples: http://213.232.94.135/dvined/itunesedexamples/itunesedexamples.htm

//* What is Jing?//
"**Jing** is a [|screencasting] [|software] launched in 2007 as Jing Project by the [|TechSmith Corporation].[|[1]] It is currently in version 2.0.8353 released January 6 2009 and is free to download and use. The software takes a picture or video of the user's [|computer screen] and uploads it to the Web, FTP, computer or clipboard.[|[2]] A [|URL] is automatically created and can be shared with others to view or access the uploaded file.[|[3]] Jing is compatible with [|Macintosh] and [|Windows].[|[4]]" Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jing_%28software%29

The Jing website: http://www.jingproject.com/

* //Jing Tutorials//
Learn more about how Jing works and how to incorporate it into your documentation, learning, and teaching! Jing's training videos: http://www.jingproject.com/ YouTube videos: http://video.google.com/videosearch?q=jing+tutorial&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&ei=MuDxSvXvFo7ilAfdjfC9Aw&sa=X&oi=video_result_group&ct=title&resnum=4&ved=0CBwQqwQwAw# Jing Video Tutorial: http://www.idratherbewriting.com/2008/02/12/my-jing-screencast-getting-up-and-running-with-jing/

//* Why use Jing?//
Learn more about how Jing is being used in education: The Jing Blog: http://blog.techsmith.com/mt-search.cgi?blog_id=6&tag=Wicked%20Cool%20Uses&limit=20

//* What is Picasa?//
"**Picasa** is a [|software application] for organizing and editing [|digital photos], originally created by [|Idealab] and owned by [|Google] since 2004.[|[2]] "Picasa" is a [|blend] of the name of Spanish painter [|Pablo Picasso], the phrase //mi casa// for "my house" and "pic" for pictures (personalized art).[|[2]][|[3]] In July 2004, Google acquired Picasa and began offering it as a [|free download].[|[2]][|[3]]" Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Picasa

The Picassa website: http://picasa.google.com/mac/

* //Picasa Tutorials//
Learn more about how to use Picasa photo editor: YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_YrxdC6fenQ Learning Electric: http://www.learningelectric.com/picasa2/ Geeks on Tour: http://www.geeksontour.com/picasa.cfm

//* Why use Picassa?//
Below are some resources for learning more about how educators are using Picasa in the classroom: The Picasa in Education wiki: http://picasained.wikispaces.com/ Picassa in Education (handout): http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&ct=res&cd=2&ved=0CA4QFjAB&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2Feducators%2Factivities%2Fpdfs_GTA%2FCribSheet.Picasa3.pdf&ei=luLxSoaoIM_UlAf0iOC9Aw&usg=AFQjCNGL_RRIXGSFhNaup6dm9IqAKcPbUA&sig2=CSm-1Rt1v5voXI2IeWXp8Q

* //Why use Online photo sharing?//
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- Netbook Jenga
IU1's information services department prepared your netbooks for distribution. Watch them as they have fun with the empty boxes! media type="custom" key="4794255"