A quick link to my 3D printer research:

Open Source in 3D printing.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1oOSRelprBhD6Algk8XKzcGdpSxhTWwOx1BA4bWg-qPw/edit?usp=sharing

Making with Arduino

I'm developing a website for teaching kids to problem solve and make with the Arduino development system.

It's at https://sites.google.com/a/rswsu.org/making-with-arduino/

Finally we have a development system that is easy enough to use with students and affordable for classrooms.


Shhh - don't tell - It's Fun - like Lego for adults.

 

Turn  old netbook into Chromebook wannabe
Non - 1:1

model tested = Dell mini

install Elementary Linux

setup user:
user = student
password = password
autologin on - do not ask for password

remove:
empathy

add:
Google Chrome

Set Chrome to autostart

chrome - settings - privacy - content settings - keep local data until you quit your browser
     Does not save student login.

install printers

do not ask for password on startup, sleep, or hibernate

If the computer asks a student for the password other than Google, restart the computer.

Power button to Google login = 16 seconds!!

Clone for distribution with Clonezilla

After cloning:
connect to wifi 

Windows 10 preview

I had a chance to install Windows 10 preview and work with it today.  I was running it on an old laptop (core duo, 2 gibi ram) and it ran ok, a little slow but not bad, very usable.  Of course the preview version hasn't been cluttered up with junk and updates yet.  I like the way it works.  It's a good mix of the best parts of Windows 7 and 8. 

The big new thing is the way it tries to compete with Google apps.  They want you to login with a Microsoft online account, tied to the Microsoft store, and outlook, and calendar, and office 365, and etc, etc.  

The design is clean and usable and so far it runs better than Windows 7 or 8.

Of course the first thing I did was install Google Chrome, Google Drive, LibraOffice, and GIMP.  All running well.

Arranging the tiles to my liking took a few moments to figure out, but not bad.

I love the new task manager.  It gives much better info.  (maybe this was in Windows 8, I don't know. I use it so rarely)

It boots faster than I am used to for Windows.  I'm hoping it stays that way.

So far the wifi is being more reliable also.

Fun Fun

Ubermix Linux in the classroom

For the last couple of years I have been using Ubermix Linux for all students computers (120 computers grades 6-8).  I highly recommend it.

Features:

• It is designed for classroom use
• easy to install
• one master image for all computers*
• the student can mange his/her laptop
• if the student messes up the computer it can be reset easily and quickly
• good selection of up to date software
• runs well on older equipment

*  The only driver issue I had was with some older wifi cards.  I had to install the driver and add it to my master install key.

What it does well:

• Web browsing
• Google Docs
• libraoffice
• photo editing, audio editing, video editing

What it does not do:

• iTunes
• silverlight
• some websites that use older technology like Shockwave

What about Chromebooks?

Ubermix is great for giving new life to laptops but Chromebooks have two major advantages in the classroom.  The biggest game changer with Chromebooks is their speed.  When a device goes from power button to usable in 10-15 seconds, it changes the way teachers use them in the classroom.  They are no longer an addon, or activity but an ever-present tool that students use.  The other big advantage is the cost.  Schools can turn over their Chromebooks much more often without a higher budget.

Update on speech recognition with Google Docs

You can now have speech recognition in Google Docs directly by installing Read & Write Google.  The free version will read to you.  The paid version has speech recognition, word prediction, etc.

If this is not in your budget, try dictation.io.  This is an online voice dictation website.  You can dictate to the website and then copy/paste to a Google Doc, save to Google Drive, save to dropbox, or email the text.  I have had good luck with this one.  Remember, this website will not learn your speech patterns like Dragon Dictate so may not work for everyone.

Speech Recognition with Google Docs

This is an example of how to use Chrome's built in speech recognition with Google docs.

Google Docs does not have built in speech recognition but Chrome/Google.com does.

• Open up a Google docs document in Chromium.
• Hold down control and tap n for a new window.
• Navigate to Google.com.

  You should see a microphone icon on the right side of the search box.

Begin sequence
(dictate, copy/paste a sentence at a time.)

• Click the microphone and speak a sentence.
• Hold down control and tap a to highlight the entire sentence.
• Hold down control and tap c for copy.
• Hold down alt and tap tab navigate back to google docs.
• Hold down control and tap v for paste.
• Hold down alt and tap tab navigate back to Google.com

repeat the sequence

Hint:  Start with a period to get  Google to space and capitalize correctly.

Voice dictation is far from perfect.  But it is an effective tool especially for a dyslexic user.