TV in your pocket
Qik, a live streaming video application, now has an iPhone app to go along with BlackBerry and Nokia phones. Teachers could use this to live stream special events in their classes or school. However, students can live stream events in your class or what teachers are doing out and about. Tech Crunch
Safer Sexting?
Speaking of iPhone apps with cyberbullying potential, a new app called Safe Sexting promises to tone down those X and R rated pictures to very PG-13. Supposedly the app covers strategic areas but boxes cannot be moved around which makes this app worthwhile. Too bad there’s an app to give teens a false sense of security while they expose themselves online. Mashable
A new tablet that is not from Apple
Just when you thought OLPC receded from memory, they announce a new XO-3 which is a thin tablet design. The $75 device is supposed to come to market in 2012 which remains to be seen, both coming out and selling for $75. I still think this is the device which launched the inexpensive netbook craze that has helped the PC industry weather this recession. Mashable, Engadget
Get your students into books, really into books
Story Something is a web-based app that allows users to make children into the main character of a story. Teachers could use this to inspire children to read if the story is about them. This could also be used for special occasions such as birthdays or an illness. Tech Crunch
Is that what that means?
In the worthless survey deparment, a study shows that students who smoke pot like to listen to music about it’s use. You could ask a lot of teachers about that one. ARS Technica
And another winner is…
Mashable named YouTube the Top Social Media Innovation of the Decade. The reasons given for this honor is a combination of technology innovations, rise of social media, embeddable content, creation of the citizen journalist, instant fame possibilities made YouTube the domineering online media site. Start looking for mobile live streaming (see above) to maybe take it’s place unless YouTube joins in.
Free guide to online safety for teens
My Twitter friend,Sylvia Martinez of Generation Yes, shared a link to a free Federal Government guide to help teens stay safe online. Check this link out and share it to help promote safe Internet use.
Merry Christmas
I hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas! Don’t forget to check Santa’s progress on Norad Track Santa. Following Santa on this website has become a tradition for my son and myself and we are looking forward to all the social media and other innovations NORAD is doing this year.