Category: Uncategorized

OSU String Teacher Workshop 2010

I am happy to have been invited to present four sessions at the OSU String Teachers Workshop. Over the next few days I will present tech sessions to string teachers across the country. I look forward to working with these teachers and getting them excited about string ed tech. Here...

iPhone 4: a winner

I received my iPhone 4 on June 23, the day before the official launch. On the first day of pre-orders, June 15, I did have a significant issue in ordering online from Apple, but was able to place my order with AT&T. I’m not exactly sure why I was eligible...

Reliable Dropbox

I’ve been using DropBox for about a year now, and it’s a great piece of software.  I have had no problems syncing my two Macs, and most recently my iPhone. DropBox has allowed me to have an offsite backup of my files, with the ability to work on them on...

My first Kindle for iPhone experience

So I decided to take the plunge into the world of eBooks and purchased my first books on my iPhone via the free Kindle app. Thanks to my new friend Scott Laird, I was intrigued to read some books based upon his recommendations.  He recommended the following: Grown Up Digital by...

The iPhone as a commerce device

It will be interesting to see how the iPhone (or iPod touch) will fare in the world of retail. All Apple Retail Stores have converted their antiquated and toublesome “Easy Pay” machines (Palm OS-based) to the iPod touch with special software. Having used the old devices while working at the...

iPad: So what’s the big deal?

Apple announced the iPad on January 27, 2010.  They claim that it will be a game changer.  Steve Jobs complained about how terrible netbooks were and that there has to be a better way. I don’t think the iPad is a huge deal – FOR NOW.  The iPhone revolutionized the...

Quote

“Do not confine your children to your own learning, for they were born in another time.” – Hebrew Proverb This says a lot, especially with the teaching of our young students today.  Our students have been raised in a world of digital technology and have a different outlook on life...

OMEA/TI:ME Regional Conference

I had a great time presenting at the 2010 OMEA/TI:ME conference in Cincinnati this past weekend.  Even though it was the end of the day on Saturday, there was a great turnout for my session entitled “Get off the podium!  Using technology as a rehearsal, home practice, and assessment tool.”...

Cleartune – chromatic tuner

I’ve tried several tuners for my iPhone, but my favorite is Cleartune, hands down. It is simple and easy to use, yet very accurate. Another tuner I would recommed is the Peterson iStrobosoft tuner, an old-fashioned strobe style tuner. It is responsive and accurate but doesn’t generate a pitch. More...

Digital Photo Frame Christmas Surprise

This Christmas I decided to surprise my grandparents with a digital photo frame. Because my grandparents do not have a computer and are not into technology, I decided to pre-load the frame with photos of the grandchildren and great-grandchildren. The first frame I purchased was PanDigital brand. Upon opening it...