How valuable is the data on your computer? You know those documents, presentation, photos, music and videos. Just how easy would it be for you to recover this information if your hard drive crashed or computer was stolen? If you are the type of person who on a regular basis, backs up this information to another source it probably would not be a serious of a problem, But if you are someone who does not back up their data. That is why I am going to share through this vidcast, a low cost solution for backing up your data and that is building your own portable external hard drive. Using the Trittan Warp 2.5" Hard Drive Enclosure, along with a old laptop hard drive; I was able to build an external hard drive for around $25.00. Of course, if you don't have a old laptop hard drive handy, they can be purchased for around $50 to $60 through any online electronics store. I found that TigerDirect had the best pricing for the Tritton Hard Drive enclosure and they also carry the 2.5 inch hard drives. See their link on the right side of this page.

I would like to make all of you aware of an awesome conference called MACE -Mid-America Association for Computers in Education. The 2007 MACE annual education technology conference will be held in Manhattan, Kansas on March 1 & 2, 2007 at the University of Kansas Alumni Center.

This conference will be offering a wonderful line-up of presentations and guest speakers. In fact, the key note this year will be Marco Antonio Torres who is 10-year high school teacher, media coach, and education technology director for San Fernando High School. MACE has also invited Wesley Fryer, a fellow podcaster, educator, author, digital storyteller and change agent, to share his ideas at this event.

Remember that this conference is not only terrific learning opportunity for educators, but it also helps with those ever important conversations with other educators.

If you can't make it to this exciting event, don't worry because I plan on podcasting form this event and also blogging events. Also, I will be presenting a session at this event, so please stop by and see me!

For more information or to register, please go to: http://www.mace-ks.org/

As educators, we understand that in order to raise student achievement, we need to provide our students with a solid foundation of basic skills, and we must motivate them to learn. Now, if you are listening to this podcast, I would assume that you are an educator who believes that not only does technology help by engaging students and igniting their imaginations, but it also stimulates their minds. Technology also gives them the skills for the 21^st Century so they succeed in college and in the workforce at large.

Today I am going to share with you some technology tools that can engage the digital native in your classroom. One of these tools I have mentioned in a previous podcast, the interactive whiteboards. Now these devices have grown in use over the last 5 years, but so have their counterparts, the interactive whiteboard pads. The companies who have brought us items like the SMARTBoard, InterWrite Board, have also come out with smaller devices that can work with the boards or by themselves.

So first of all, let me describe these items in more detail. Interactive pads are wireless interactive tablets for the PC or Mac about the size of a clipboard. These lightweight devices can be used to control or annotate projected software applications or they can be used with their own software that is included. These tablets can weigh anywhere from 1 to 2 pounds and are usually very durable. Again, these wireless device are small enough that they give the teacher the ability to teach from anywhere in the classroom and also allow students at any grade level to use them.

Benefits of the Interactive Pads

1. They are much cheaper than the larger interactive whiteboards- prices can range from 300 to 500 dollars
2. They works with any LCD projector , a normal projection screen (or wall)
3. The pads can accommodate different learning styles
4. No more turning your back to students. The teacher can be in the best position to communicate with students while still maintaining control over the lesson, presentation and classroom 
5.  Electronic pens provide full mouse capability
6. Students and teachers can interact with the applications or images from any location in the classroom
7. Most pads have robust software that allows students and teachers to annotate, edit, highlight and even interact with computer applications including Word, PowerPoint, and Excel
8. Increased audience participation and attention
9. They either use Bluetooth wireless connectivity or another form of (RF) radio frequency
10. Some version allow up to 7 wireless pads to be connected to one computer so multiple device can be used  in one classroom
11. These device allow you to display dynamic lessons and presentations that will enhance students focus, attention, retention, and participation
12. Many come with long life rechargeable batteries
13. Some may even allow for multiple interaction with the larger boards
14. Many of the companies have great resources like lesson plans and template available online for free.

Ways to Use the Devices in Your Classroom

• Save lessons to present to students who were absent
• Create video files to teach a software application, a lesson, or as a review to be posted to the server or web. Example- How to create a graph in Excel or hoe to burn a projects to cds
• Use the built in maps to teach continents, oceans, countries, or states and capitals.
• Present presentations created by student or teacher
• Have students create e-folios including samples of their work and narration
• Digital storytelling
• Teach whole group computer or keyboarding skills
• Brainstorming
• Take notes directly into PowerPoint presentations
• Reinforce skills by using on-line interactive web sites
• Creating a project calendar
• Teach editing skills using editing marks
• Use in the 6 trait writing process
• Use highlighter tool to highlight nouns, verbs, adjectives, etc.
• Use it with Kidspiration or Inspiration
• Teaching students how to navigate the Internet
• Illustrate and write a book as a class. Use the record feature to narrate the text.
• Use the Interwrite software to create lessons in advance at home or at school. Then save them for future use or to be shared with other teachers
• Diagramming activities
• Teaching steps to a math problem.
• have students share projects during Parent/Teacher/Student conferences
• Graphics and charts with ESL learners and special ed students.
• Teaching vocabulary
• Electronic Word Wall
• End each day by having students write one thing that they learned

Comparison chart

	Interwrite SchoolPad	SMART Airliner	CPS Chalk Board
Estim. Cost	$489	$489	$350
Warranty	1 Year	2 Years	1 Year
Weight	1.75 lbs	2lbs	1lb
Battery Life	40 hours	25 hours	4 AA rechargeable 2 for pad and 2 for recharger
Recharge Time	6 hours	Unknown	Unknown
Communication Interface	Bluetooth- Connect up to 7 pads	Bluetooth- Connect up to 7 pads	2.5 GHz RF- Connect only 1 pad
Range	300 feet	164 feet	30 feet
Size	11.5 by 10.5 inches	11 by 10 inches	9.75 by 8.5 inches
Active Area	8 by 6 inches	7 by 6 inches	5 by 3.5
Resolution	4000 lpi	2032 lpi	1024 lpi
Software	Interwrite Software Easiteach Software	SMART Board Notebook SMART Tools	Mimio Studio but will be using EasiTeach with new version

For additional information about these items, please visit:
SMART Airliner
Interwrite SchoolPad
CPS Chalkboard

SMART Board/ Airliner Lesson Plans