iPad - Verizon Data Plan Update

I received email from a Verizon representative today.  Her email is noted below.  Note the correct URL for the iPad data plan.

My name is Chloe Zabicki and I work with Verizon Wireless. I'm writing with an update for your post titled "New iPad 4G Data Plans Comparison." For your reference, the URL of the story is:

http://jeanne-sewell.blogspot.com/2012/03/new-ipad-4g-data-plans-comparison.html

You were kind enough to include a link to Verizon's website at the end of your article (on the words "[http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/splash/ipad.jsp]"). However, in its current form, the URL as provided will not work for some users (presenting them with a blank page), or will present other users with a "zip code wall" (asking for their location). Recently, the iPad has received a permalink URL on the verizonwireless.com site, so I thought I'd write and let you know so you could include it in your piece for your readers' information.

The proper URL for the iPad would be as follows:

http://www.verizonwireless.com/ipad.shtml

This URL will take visitors directly to the product page where they can find details, without requesting a zip code. 

Augmented Reality

I am fascinated by the potential of augmented reality (AR).  A couple of weeks ago I attended a presentation where the presenter started showing an iPad/iPhone app using augmented reality. It is more entertaining than pedagogical, but that is okay!  I showed it to some students today and they were amazed! It will be fun to use the app in class as an icebreaker or wake-up strategy.  a video of on the AR figures is shown below.

The app is free - search for String AR and then go to http://www.poweredbystring.com/showcase http://www.poweredbystring.com/showcase for the print targets.  You will need at least a 4generation iPhone or iPad2.  Open the app and then point the camera on the device at one of the four target pictures (either printed out or on the website.  You don't have to be very close to the picture.  The AR figure in the video below is my favorite, followed by the dragon.  You can change the color of the shoe, but only spin it around.  Take a mental break and try out the FUN AR app!

ISMP - Med Error Newsletter (NurseAdviseERR)

The latest edition of the ISMP-Med Error Newsletter is available at http://www.ismp.org/newsletters/nursing/issues/NurseAdviseERR201204.pdf  It reveals some chilling errors regarding IV insulin administration, IV Propafol, and more. The newsletter is always informative and heightens my awareness of ways to avoid medication errors. The information is especially pertinent to learning content in the legal and ethical classes I teach.  

Learning Access 2010

I worked with a student yesterday on a synthesis project.  She asked me to consider writing a textbook on Access.  I wish I had the time.  It is so difficult to use textbooks that do not have healthcare examples.  It is so difficult for clinicians to see the relevance to their practice without concrete examples.  This morning I researched for resources that I could use in conjunction with data sets such as those from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).  I found a great resource in GCF Learning!!   It includes concise lessons on Access 2010.  Each of the four categories shown below have instructional videos.  The tutorial also includes a sample Access file that users can download.  The tutorial can be accessed from http://www.gcflearnfree.org/access2010

Access Basics

• 1: Introduction to Databases
• 2: Introduction to Objects
• 3: Getting Started in Access
• 4: Managing Databases and Objects

Working With Data

• 5: Working with Tables
• 6: Working with Forms
• 7: Sorting and Filtering Records

Running Queries and Reports

• 8: Designing a Query
• 9: More Query Design Options
• 10: Creating Reports
• 11: Advanced Report Options

Database Design Tips

• 12: Modifying Tables
• 13: Creating Forms
• 14: Formatting Forms
• 15: Designing Your Own Database

iPad Mirroring Using the Reflection App

I decided to purchase Reflection for AirPlay mirroring of the iPad on the Mac desktop since it worked really well on the brief trial yesterday.  Am enclosing a screenshot of the feature that is used to turn it on.  Now I can use video capture to demonstrate iPad features.  What is especially nice is that it does not require me to have an app of the iPad. It will be great to use with face-to-face faculty development workshop meetings.

Reflection does require using the iPad 2 or the New iPad (since they allow mirroring and the iPad1 does not.  It will allow mirroring of the iPhone 4S, but not the older model that I have.

Mirroring the iPad

With our faculty development ePublishing workshop there is so much to learn!  I saw a video in MacWorld today that demonstrated mirroring the iPad on the Mac. That was a process that I wanted to master.  It would be a very nice feature to include pertinent videos about the iPad in this blog, in a course, or in a workshop.  It turns out that there are several apps that allow that to happen without using Apple TV! 

I decided to try the Reflection app.  It was amazingly easy.  All I did was to download the app (trial) to the Mac.  I double-clicked the Home button on the iPad and did a right fingersweep.  A button appeared that allowed me to select to mirror to the Mac and to turn on mirroring using AirPlay.  That was it!  The image of the iPad appeared on the Mac.  I then started Screenflow video capturing software and did a sample recording.  I am still a novice user of Screenflow but plan to work with it more.  I could do some great recordings for the iBook and also for my online course content.

Apparently, Reflection and AirServer are very similar apps.  The cost is identical - $14.99. 

3-D Modeling and SketchUp

While exploring some of the websites for the iBooks Author widgets - I rediscovered Google SketchUp software.  The free download allows users to create 3-D objects.  There are several tutorials to guide those of us who are new users.  3-D objects are one of the seven standard widgets in iBooks Author.

To view some of the amazing 3-D objects that others have created, go to 3-D Gallery at http://sketchup.google.com/community/gallery.html

The drawings are so amazing and would be applicable to my son's discipline of structural engineering.  Most of the drawings relate to buildings and structures. Right now, I cannot see any application to nursing or the health sciences. 

Informatics and Nursing Textbook Website Updates

Linda updated our website for the Informatics and Nursing textbook this week.  Click on the links below to view the updates.

Chapter 10  - The Internet:  A Road to Evidence-Based Practice

Free (open access) Online Scholarly Information

Chapter 5 -  Professional Networking

Chapter 12 - Mobile Computing: Finding Knowledge in the Palm of your Hand

Chapter 17 -  Nursing Informatics Programs: What to Look For

OnLive Cloud App

Our university Apple rep gave a couple of presentations yesterday.  In the first one - iPad Tips and Tricks he mentioned an app, OnLive Desktop.  At first I thought that it was similar to CloudOn, but it is very different.  You have to register to get a login and password. 

When you launch the app, the iPad (or other mobile device) looks like a Windows PC running Windows 7  - yes - identical!  The free version of CloudOn provides you with 2 GB free storage space and access to Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Adobe Reader.  Any files that you create are synced with the Online Cloud server. The free version of the app does not allow you to access Dropbox.

CloudOn was a little finicky and gave me a couple of error messages indicating that I did not have a good Internet connection - even when I was standing in front of the WiFi modem.