Team Viewer - Another App to Share a Computer Desktop

Team Viewer is an app  that works just like Join.me.  It allows desktop sharing between a laptop/desktop and an iPad.  The non-commercial version of the app is free.  The shared desktop must be the laptop or desktop with Team Viewer software installed.  After opening the app, the user of the desktop/laptop is provided a login and password.  That information is shared with the remote user. Just like Join.me, the remote user can control the computer of the person who initiated the session. 

eBooks & eBook Readers

I attended a wonderful presentation about eBooks by a GC student, Emily Chamison, on Friday.  As a result, I plan to write several blogs about eBooks.

Emily shared an eBook that she had written with us.  You can download her eBook, Making eBooks,  from the Georgia College podcasting server at http://podcasting.usg.edu/4dcgi/podcasting/gcsu/episodes/95/15538.epub

This will serve to update earlier blogs on eBooks.  Below is a listing of common questions you may have about eBooks.

What eBook readers are available for laptop and desktop computers?

• Adobe - Digital Editions (http://www.adobe.com/products/digitaleditions/)
• Calibre (http://calibre-ebook.com/)
• Kobo (http://www.kobobooks.com/desktop )
• FB Reader (http://www.fbreader.org/downloads.php)
• IBIS Reader (http://ibisreader.com/  )
• Google Books (http://books.google.com/ebooks)
• Monocle Books (http://monocle.inventivelabs.com.au/)
• EpubReader (https://addons.mozilla.org/en-us/firefox/addon/epubreader/ ) Note: EPUBReader is an add-on for the Firefox web browser.

What eBook readers are available for mobile devices like the iPad, iPhone, and Android phones?

• iBooks (Apple mobile devices)
• Kobo
• Kindle (access to Amazon books)
• Nook (access to Barnes & Noble books)
• Google Books

I like the feel, touch, and smell of paper books.  What would I want an eBook?

• eBooks are often less expensive that paper books.
• Mobile devices make reading so easy!  Turn the pages by swiping the screen.  
• Depending upon the eBook reader, you can change the font type and size, write notes, and bookmark pages.  When you open an eBook that you are reading, you are automatically returned to where you left off.  
• You do not have to be "online" to read an eBook.  You only have to be online to download an eBook.
• Many rare and  historical books are not available at most libraries; however, they can be downloaded as eBooks.  Examples include books written by Florence Nightingale and Isabel Hampton Robb.
• The really great eBooks do not mimic printed books, instead they incorporate multimedia. Examples include video, images, and audio.

How Much is in a Byte?

The size of files and storage devicesis sometimes confusing.  How much is in a byte, megabyte, other? The website, How Much Data is That, at http://www.focus.com/images/view/52784/ may be hlepful by providing a visual comparison.

Catheter Related Bloodstream Infection Prevention Update

The CDC issued updated guidelines for prevention catheter related bloodstream infections at http://www.cdc.gov/hicpac/pdf/guidelines/bsi-guidelines-2011.pdf 

This is an important document for all healthcare providers who work with patients who have indwelling bloodstream catheters.

Map Projector with Google Maps

Map Projector with Google Maps is a $1.99 app for the iPad that allows you to create live maps and satellite imagery on the iPad.  You have the option of dropping colors "pins" on the map and adding descriptions.  The finished maps can be projected to a television or displayed to a screen with a projector. Wow!  I can see so many potential uses for the app.  It could be used in an online class to display where students and faculty are located.  It could also be used to depict disease outbreaks in an epidemiology class.  The maps can also be saved as a graphic and used on the design on course lesson. Just let you imagination go on with other ideas...

An example of a map created with the app is below.

Learning Using Comic Strip Methods

Last weekend I heard a wonderful presentation that discussed the use of Comic Strip CS (http://yourcomicstrip.com/), an app for the iPad and iPhone.  The app has won several awards. It costs $0.99.

This app allows the user to create their own "comic strip" using images in their photo library.  It includes templates, bubbles, etc.  In the teaching learning context, it could be used by students to depict course learning information.  It stimulates creativity and has the potential to make learning fun and interesting.

To read some reviews, go to http://appshopper.com/photography/comicstrip-cs

The example show above came from  http://www.appsmenow.com/app_page/10035-ComicStrip_-_CS

Facebook Privacy Guide

PC World published a wonderful article about Facebook and privacy settings in the February 2011 issue. The title of the article is "The Paranoid's Guide to Facebook" and it is available online at http://www.pcworld.com/article/210859/the_paranoids_guide_to_facebook.html

As noted in the article, over 1/2 BILLION people worldwide are using Facebook. In my interviews with faculty worldwide about global e-learning and the Internet - Facebook is commonly mentioned.

Read the article if you want simple, but helpful information on the following:

1. Disabling Facebook places
2. Controlling items posted to your profile
3. Hiding your app activity
4. Disabling Facebook apps
5. Controlling what your friends reveal
6. Deleting your Facebook account