Thursday 28 June 2012

An easy free way to use any printer connected to Windows PC to AirPrint from iPad or iPhone,

After much search and trying to install AirPrint as a service and not wanting to pay for FingerPrint, Netgear has recently released Netgear Genie. It is very easy to setup and allows you to AirPrint to any printer connected to a windows PC (it doesn't even need to be shared). The software is also designed to let you update settings on a small range of Netgear routers (mine is not supported).

 

Highly recommended.

 

Saturday 23 June 2012

Introducing the Windows Surface - a solution for schools?

To watch the full video, go here: http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/news/presskits/windows/videogallery2b.aspx

A full windows PC, running a full operating system that can deal with processor intensive applications such as photoshop.

Built in stand and absolutely awesome keyboard cover (like the iPad one, just better because it has a keyboard)


 

Thursday 14 June 2012

The new Stage 6 Australian Curriculum - response from the Sydney Morning Herald

The Sydney Morning Herald published this article commenting on the proposed curriculum.

With four courses proposed - 2 non-calculus courses then mathematical methods and specialist mathematics. These last two are loosely equivalent to harder versions of the 2 unit Mathematics course and the Extension 2 mathematics course. Where does that leave Extension 1? Out in the cold!

I am very concerned by this move! Only a small percentage of students go on to study Extension 2 maths, but a middle subject between these two courses makes perfect sense.

What are your thoughts?

 

Sunday 10 June 2012

AirPlay Mirror iPhone 4S / iPad to a Windows PC! It is now possible - no apple tv required!!

For a long time (about 9 months since I got my iPad 2) I have wanted to AirPlay straight to my laptop which is connected to the projector in the classroom. After considerable searching I found a few semi-reliable apps that would AirPlay sound or video, but they would not allow mirroring.

In May Airserver released a PC version of their software which allows wireless mirroring straight to my PC laptop. It is currently in beta, but available for purchase and free updates are promised (not that I have needed any). There is no sound at this stage, but on its way.

I purchased a teacher educational license for USD$5.99 through PayPal (you need to change your primary PayPal email address to be one that contains .edu) and now I have a license for 3 computers. I've already installed on my work laptop and my media center and it is working fantastically!!

The app on the PC opens when mirroring starts and closes when you turn mirroring off.

Applications:

I love to photograph students work - their way of solving problems or group work that they produce and project it straight on the board for others to see. Using my iPhone 4S / iPad makes this easy now and I no longer require an apple tv to get the job done.