PO-Motion

Looking for something new to do with your students to get them excited about moving and stretching?

PO-motion might be the answer. PO-MOtion is a software program that allows you to easily create engaging interactive displays projected on to any surface. 

These displays allow the user to interact with the screen via a web-cam. Any movements by the user translate to changes in the image on the screen.


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Using any Keyboard with the iPad

Often the students that we work with need adapted equipment to effectively access the technology we give them. This is fine, however often the equipment they need to use isn't always compatible with the technology we would like them to access, especially if this technology happens to be an iPad.

For some students, typing on the iPad is a huge challenge. While they can access most of the icons with ease, typing is more complicated due to the size and location of the keys. Regular computer keyboards come in a variety of different styles, and can be much easier to use, the challenge is how to connect these to an iPad.

This is where Apple's camera connector kit comes in.While originally designed to help you to transfer photos directly from your camera to your phone, the connector also has the additional ability of allowing you to connect many different computer keyboards to your iPad.

When you purchace the kit, you will notice it comes with two parts, one with a USB end, and the other with a slot for an SD card. To connect a keyboard you will need the USB adaptor.

Plug the adaptor into your iPad and then plug the keyboard into the USB slot. You will recieve an error message on the device saying  “The connected USB device is not supported” this is just apple telling you that you are not using their device as originally intended. Click ok, and the keyboard should work perfectly. 

If however you receive a message saying "this accessory uses too much power", you will need to try another keyboard. 

Some keyboards, especially those with USB slots in the back to plug in other devices require more power than the apple connector can provide. I suggest playing around until you find one that works.

Hopefully this has given you another way to make iPads more accesible to your students.

Creative Commons

Often when creating works with (and for) our students we may decide to publish them on sites such as tar heel reader or as an ebook on the iPad. When selecting images for any books we create it is important to select images that are licenced under creative commons to make sure that we are not breaking copyright. But what exactly is creative commons? how do you find photos that are licensed in this way? and what are the differences between each of the licences?



What is a creative commons licence?

Creative Commons licences are simple copyright licences that allow creators of content to decide which rights they reserve and which rights they waive for the benefit of other users. Creative Commons licences don't replace copyright, but they do mean that you may have more flexibility when working with and republishing specific pieces of content.



How do I find works licenced under creative commons?

If you go to 'advanced search' within flickr you are able to specify that you only want to search for images that are licensed under creative commons. Many other photo sharing websites also do the same thing, you just need to look around. Unfortunately  google images doesn't specify the licensing of the images they find.



What do the different creative commons licences mean?

 You can do anything with the photos, but you must credit the original author.

  You can copy, edit and distribute the photos as long as you do not make money from them in any way. 

  You can copy the photos to use in your own works, but you cannot edit them in any way.

  You may copy and edit the photos however you like, as long as your new images are then  also liscenced under the same type of creative commons liscence. 

   You can copy the photos to put in your own work, but you must not edit them or make any money from them.

RAM-Mount Review

RAM mount is an american company that specialises in making tough mounting systems for a wide variety of electronic devices. Their stands are designed to withstand tough environments, and are used for a wide variety of applications such as rugged vehicle, industrial, military and defence material handling as well as any application requiring a robust mounting solution. And this is where special ed fits into the equation.

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