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We used and are still using GroupMe to much success to collaborate information both inside and outside class. It has allowed us to share due dates and other important information with each other that has making us more successful and avoiding any confusion.

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I remember a survey in which we were to assess the effectiveness of the role system. I personally thought it was helpful as it provided a degree of organization to the project and better outlined what we needed to do to make the project successful.

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I remember a couple of days in which we were given a pop quiz over the STEAM process in place of logic. Seeing the poster folded was usually a good indication as to if we were going to have said quiz. Now as has become a sort of inside joke wondering if the next logic will be another pop quiz instead.

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Tennis Ball and Straw Tower (Retrospect)

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Tennis Ball and Straw Tower (Retrospect)

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A few months back, we had an activity where in pairs we worked to build a tower of straws that was stable enough to support a tennis ball. After some clarification on the directions foiled our ingenious victory, we created a steadfast monolith paling in comparison to the other teams. I believe that the purpose of this activity as twofold: Firstly, we applied the STEAM creative process into building the tower. Second, we had to work collaboratively in order to be successful.

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In continuing to work on my PILOT, I have begun to experiment with the many features of Android Studio to see what will best embody my vision for the app. My next step will be learning to create a database that can be referenced by the app.

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My research into the PILOT is going well thus far. Work will increase exponentially due to the fact I now have my laptop capable of downloading the software I need to work on the project. My goal is to have at least the framework down by December 9th and definitely a concise plan of action for finishing the rest of the project.

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I would say that the most important thing I have learned in SHSolutions is to never assume. As seen in logic, making an assumption can often lead us to incorrect answers. This is also true with problem-solving as making an assumption can lead us to down an incorrect path when solving a problem. An example of which is making an assumption that the school has the labor and resources on hand to accommodate the digital signage project.

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After our initial presentation last week, we were given some advice as to what we were missing. This week, I attempted to reach out to Samsung twice and was unsuccessful. I was also able to roughly calculate the cost for all of the 17 signs we want. Also, I am unsure as to whether we should install the wall mounts in-house or if we should outsource it. Reaching a decision on this will likely come after an assessment of the resources available to the school, both human and technological. We also continued to look into the software included with the display learning more about its functionality and capabilities.

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In reflecting on my work; an I Can statement that applies is that I can build knowledge by pursuing answers and solutions. I believe this is true to my work because the PILOTS I am currently working on have both required a fair degree of research. Starting with Digital Signage, my group, the "Volvo group" was tasked with creating a solution within a realistic price range meaning our resources were not indefinite. This then led to research into the best software to use for digital signage, while in the process learning about the different software choices, some examples being Visix and Chrome Sign Builder. The most I knew about digital signage before starting this project was that you could use a powerpoint with it. This new knowledge is leading me to broaden my horizons in researching the various ways our school can display content. Now, in regards to Atria, pursuing this project has led me to acquire new knowledge about Chrome App development a field I have not explored previously.

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The Spoils of our Success after Learn 21

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The Spoils of our Success after Learn 21

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After attending the Learn 21 conference yesterday, I believe that ultimately it went well for us and we got our name out there. I would like to comment on the fact that we did very well for our first time at a conference. During the “read-through” a few days ago, it seemed that none of us were extremely confident about our presentation. Also, I can probably speak for most of us in saying that this was our first time speaking at a conference. By that regard, something was bound to go wrong. However, this was not the case at all. I really think all the preparation was integral to our success. Speaking for myself, I knew exactly what I wanted to say when I got up there. While I forgot a few minor details and experienced technological errors, I kept my presentation going unusually well. To conclude I want to just take a minute to talk about the Mason Schools App they demoed. I can really see that app being utilized to its full extent at Sycamore. The features are unlike anything I have ever seen before, and it has a decent price tag. In conclusion, Learn 21 was a great experience to tell other people about our class and learn about other developments in educational technology.

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1. It looks like people are for the most part like the idea of tutorial videos. Hopefully, we can get more of those rolling out as time goes on

2. People also wanted "solutions to common tech problems". What defines common?

3. It also looks as though we need to some how expand our broadcast, so to speak

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Last week, Google held a press conference in which they unveiled the Google Pixel and Google Pixel XL, two smartphones that were made to rival the newly released iPhone 7. In the article from Forbes published on October 8th entitled: “Google’s Android Gamble with The Premium Pixel”, written by Ewan Spence. I believe that the Google Pixel will have a profound impact on the Android market. In the article, it is explained that Google Pixel is meant to be a high-end phone meaning that it is meant to show off the newest advancements in technology rather than to be affordable for the average consumer. The article then goes on to talk about how the market for mid-range phones is small due to the fact manufacturers will only focus on the high or low end of the market. The article concludes by explaining how Pixel’s success could weaken the Android market. What I noticed about the article was that it focused more on the economic side of the matter as opposed to the technological side. The article often referenced the competition that the Pixel would face with Android and iPhone which already dominate the market. I believe this is a good move for Google, moving away from Android and trying something new. The phone boasts an excellent camera of 12 mega pixels, and can generate 7 hours of usage in just 15 minutes of charging, which is just insane. Ultimately, I am excited to see where Google goes with this and if it will eventually become the future of Android phones.

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With the overwhelming success of Pokemon Go, people have begun to see the true capabilities of augmented reality. An article written by Meghan Bogardus Cortez of EdTech on September 14, 2016 entitled: “Studying the Classics with a Little Help from Technology”, it regards using modern technology to emulate the world within a book. I personally believe that this idea has a lot of potential as it can help readers better understand and interact with the work which they are reading. The author uses examples of different people and institutions who use technology to teach English. The first of which is the Digital Writing and Research Lab UT, who experiment with VR to see how it might help them in their studies. Another is Joanna Swafford, a professor teaching a course entitled “Digital Tools for the 21st Century: Sherlock Holmes’s London”, in which visualization tools were used to follow the plot of the book. The last of which is Karl Mohn, a former technology professor at the Rochester Institute of Technology, he is developing a mobile app combining gps location services with poetry. More specifically, various landmarks on the map would correspond with different works of poetry. Citing various examples did not help to augment the authors claim. In fact, the article stood out to me as more of a simple report with little detail describing the various works. The article would have been generally more effective if the author choose to zero-in on one of the methods mentioned in the article. There is also no mention on the impact the technology has on the students, neither negative or positive. However from my speculation I believe technology such as this will provide users with a recreation similar to what they visualize mentally. The article alludes to reports of how, “educators can have students build video games as ‘an expression of classical rhetorical practices’”. Educational games are a tool in which a student can learn whilst engaging in competition, either against yourself or others. It is a new and interactive way to approach learning not involving heavy lectures. The future of educational technology lies in the use of games in applications in which can recreate the world according to the author of choice. I believe that this will be very effective in learning seeing as how it might allow for more personal connections with the text.

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A copyright is a legal right that protects ones work from being taken for another's use without permission. It requires people to ask permission for the use of said material as well as crediting the original owner of the work. This can be free or it can sometimes involve a payment on the behalf of the recipient.

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Project Atrium is an Electronic Hall Pass application that will allow teachers to write students passes via smart phone. The teacher can then send a notification to the student's next teacher. There will also be a time-limit on the pass ensuring students arrive to their class in a timely manner. The driving question for this project is: How do I develop an efficient and expedient application that creates hall passes using the ubiquitous modern technology in our school?

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After presenting my PILOT idea yesterday I am approved to start work on Project Atrium, more details to come.

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I have decided through much consultation and deliberation that my PILOT will be Project Atrium. Basically it is an Electronic Hall Pass, I will present my idea and class today and hopefully gain a vote of approval to begin working.

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In regards to my PILOT, I am still unsure as to what form my project will take. The most I can say at the moment is that it will be something along the lines of a mobile application. By the end of the week the hope is to have a clear idea.

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"Sheer persistence is the difference between success and failure" -Donald Trump

Humans are flawed, we will inevitably fail at one time or another. However, we must acknowledge our failures and learn from them to be successful in future endeavors. Ergo, I have drafted a "resume", so to speak, of my failures:

1. Gave up on an opportunity to study abroad in China.
2. Scored a 2 on the APCS Exam.
3. Failed to live up to my potential in my Freshman, Sophomore and Junior year of High School.
4. Lost most to all of my friends in 8th grade due to political arguments concerning the 2012 election.
5. Indirectly and inadvertently pushing people away socially for the past three years and perhaps more.
6. Lost a quaestor position in Latin Club to a Freshman
7. Went 0-5 in asking people to Homecoming
8. Accidentally cracked a locker in the band hallway

9. Did not win either Treasurer or Editor positions in the OJCL
10. Failed 2 of my 5 semester exams

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When tasked with creating my portfolio, I was given three definite possibilities: Padlet, Seesaw and Weebly. As given by the title I decided to use Padlet. My justification for such is as follows:

1. Padlet offered support for Android via an app in the Google Play Store. I consider my phone to be a fairly powerful computer and it is more liquid paying no regards to economics.

2. I found the user interface of Padlet to be simple whilst also extensive. There is premium content, however it is not essential to a well-designed portfolio.

3. I had initially attempted to use Seesaw, but the sign-up was blocked by a class code. I had used Weebly in the past, so I wanted to try a new option. Hence, I decided to use Padlet.