Deb Norton Tech

Here are a few blog posts and articles that have come my way recently telling us about things that are up and coming or have just arrived. #1 Smartamp - SMART (the company that makes SMART boards) has unveiled a new way for students to collaborate and connect.  It is calles Smartamp.  I watched the live webinar last week to see the introduction to Smartamp, and I am impressed and excited for this new software. Click here for the Smartamp site.  Click here for a blog post by Vicki Davis. #2 Adobe launched a new iPad app called Voice, a storytelling tool.   Click here for a blog post.   Click here to download the free app. #3 New mobile apps for Google Docs, Sheets and Slides.  The apps have been updated to make things quicker and easier to find, create and edit.   Click here for a blogpost. #4 Google Maps also has some great updates!! #5 Plickers is a new solution to polling a class without the need for clickers. ...

Thank you Microsoft!  Can you believe that 10,000 educators received a free Surface RT tablet at the ISTE conference?  And I'm one of the lucky "few".  This tablet has a $495.00 value.  Check it out on Amazon . When I first opened my Surface, I felt a bit out of my comfort zone.  I did not have much experience with Windows 8.  It didn't take me long to get used to navigating Windows 8.  I like this video on Windows 8 for anyone feeling overwhelmed or confused.  Humorous but thorough.   Here are the features I liked that make the Surface RT better than an iPad.  I know you're thinking, did Deb really say, "Better than an iPad?"  Yes, I sure did.   The External Keyboard! - We were given a keyboard that snaps magnetically to the tablet.  And it is one sweet keyboard!  It is flat with slightly raised keys and a very nice mouse pad (works similar to my MacBook Air).  One really useful feature is that ...