I'm Waking Up I Feel it in My Bones!

Pentatonix always has something cool in the making!  Lindsey Stirling joins Pentatonix for this take on Radioactive.  Check out Lindsey's YouTube page too!

TOTALLY AMAZING!

This dance couple, Duo Flame, from the Ukraine, wowed judges on Ukraine's Got Talent.  They are totally amazing artists!   Khadzh Khamed Aiusha and Vladyslav  Ivashkin were both born in Kiev, Ukraine.  Both were school in gymnastics beginning at an early age.  As you will see, it is their passion.  Their love for each other is expressed in their dance as well I think!

Spirit of God

Blow where you will...

They are on WHAT????

QR codes are found on shirts, McDonalds wrappers, DQ cups, Ketchup bottles,  bank windows, and magazine ads and some even have them tattooed on their body!  An article from the NY Times in September of 2011 contained some interesting QR photos, some of which were from the "Talk to Me" exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art.  Take a look! My favorite is the building in Tokyo!  For more information on each of the photos, refer to the NY Times article.

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A smartphone user can scan the QR code on a Skanz bracelet and see select personal information.

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Alexander Reeder

A still photo from a video of a code on a Tokyo building, part of the “Talk to Me” exhibition at MoMA (scanning the code at the building provided information and allowed interaction with occupants).

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Miquel Benitez/WireImage

A Frans Baviera dress with a code on the bodice.

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A code used to facilitate donations to the Red Cross in Japan.

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A cookie with a QR code in frosting was given out during a Fashion's Night Out event at the Tiffany & Company store.

QR Codes, Barcodes, and RFID. OH MY!!!!

The students and I have explored QR codes quite a bit this year.  They have used the QR scanner on their iPads to scan everything from a website, to a listening selection for a composer, to a quiz.  We have discovered that QR codes are EVERYWHERE!

QR codes, bar codes, and radio frequency identification (RFID) codes are all unique and all serve different purposes. All convey large amounts of information in a small physical space.   They might link to a website, a text document, a photo, someone's business card, or even your voice!!  Basically it connects the online world to the physical world.

QR codes were created in Japan in the 1990s, although they didn't get much attention until very recently.  A QR code always has a filled-in box in every corner.  QR codes can easily be read by any free QR scanner on a smart phone, notebook or iPad. There are also a variety of free QR code generators if you want to create your own QR code.  The QR code below will take you to this blog!

Barcodes have been around for decades.  We are used to seeing them on packaging for things that we purchase.  They are not only handy for the point of sale (linking to the cost), but also for managing inventory.  Here's an example of a bar code, also easy to scan from any free scanner app.

RFID has similar uses to that of the barcode, but are especially useful in situations where vast quantities of goods are moved or tracked.  Large chains such as Wal-Mart and the Department of Defense us this to track the vast quantities of items required for their situations.  RFID tags are applied to items or boxes or pallets.  They vary in size, shape and capability.  The tag has a small antenna that emits a radio frequency signal, picked up by a special wireless RFID reader.  Here is an example of one.

Coming tomorrow.....some VERY unique uses of the QR code!!!!!

PS 22, Delta Rae and "Bottom of the River"

Another PS22 Chorus collaboration that rocks!   Delta Rae performs their breakout hit, "Bottom Of The River" with the PS22 Chorus!

For more on Delta Rae check out:

http://www.twitter.com/deltarae
http://www.facebook.com/deltarae

Earth Chorus

"The Earth has music for those who listen" 

--George Santayana

I read about this on Mashable yesterday.  In October, 2012, radio waves emanating from Earth were recorded by satellites investigating the Van Allen belts.  There are intense radiation zones that surround our planet. This recording was given the name "Chorus".   Here is the original recording:



What does it remind you of?

 Now, here is a remix of that "earthly" sounds, using interpretive dance.  The music was composed by Kerry Muzzey.  His song Looking Back was featured in Glee.  He has written other TV and movie themes as well. The dance is performed by DS2DIO (D-studio).  Check out their YouTube Channel.

Ed who??

During the TIE Conference, we have been using Edmodo to connect with each other, as well as a place for presenters to store their presentation material and other information to share.  I had heard of Edmodo before, but never really explored it very much.  I'm learning how to use it this week, as well as contemplating ways that I might use it in my classroom.

The format of Edmodo is very similar to that of Facebook.  This alone makes it appealing to students!  It's like Facebook for education in a way.  Besides communication between students and educators, Edmodo can be used for assessments, assignments, alerts, and polls to name a few.  Edmodo also has apps.  Some of these are free, others are purchased.  There are LOTS of apps.  These are great ways to engage your students with games and interactives, content creation tools as well as classroom management tools.  They are easy to install.  One thing I noticed yesterday, was that some of them seemed to not work on the iPad.  That is something I'll have to check out further.

I will be spending some time this summer exploring how to use Edmodo.  I think it is worth a try!  Here are a few sites to look at to get an idea of what Edmodo can do for your classroom:

http://help.edmodo.com/teachers/teacher-rollout-resources/twenty-ways-to-use-edmodo/
http://blog.edmodo.com/2010/11/23/we-asked-you-answered-15-more-brilliant-ways-to-use-edmodo/
http://blog.edmodo.com/2010/11/17/7-brilliant-ways-to-use-edmodo-that-will-blow-your-mind/
http://www.slideshare.net/seyfert6/20-ways-to-use-edmodo

Got Coffee??

Today I'm attending the TIE Conference in Rapid City.  It's always fun for me to attend conferences, see people who I don't get to see in person except for these conferences, and to make new connections! Networking is amazing!  Sometimes I am overwhelmed at the amount of information...how do I try all of these new things???  

When I feel overwhelmed with new information, a strategy that I've used is to pick one or two goals say for the next school year.  I will incorporate them into my classroom, personal life, wherever it applies.  I focus on these goals daily, striving to learn, explore, share.  If I try to do too many "new" things, especially in my classroom, I find that I don't have time to do any of them very well.  When I focus on one or two "new" things for a period of time, I tend to do a better job of going "deeper".  I find this is true in my personal life as well.  Focusing on creating one or two new habits, or creating one or two new things, will probably result in feelings of accomplishment - not feelings of failure! 

In technology this year, I focused on blogging with several classes (new), and it has been a WONDERFUL experience!  We have also focused on creating with the iPad.  These are in addition to other items already in place in our curriculum.  I hope to get some ideas (already have some!) of what I'll be trying out next year!  I have also maintained my goal this school year of blogging each and every day!

Yesterday I presented an in-depth session entitled, "Pinterest IS for Educators!".  I had a great time exploring and gathering information for the session.  Pinterest isn't JUST for recipes and clothes! Educators can use Pinterest to collaborate with each other, create student projects, even to publish their online curriculum vitae, commonly referred to as CV.  It is a longer (two or more pages), more detailed synopsis than a resume. While you can use the social networking site to showcase your work, why not take it one step further and get into details about your skills, your education, where you went to university, what special skills you possess, what languages you speak, where your online profiles are, and more. You can create a visually interesting professional profile that, if you’re applying for a creative job, will definitely help you stand out in the crowd.

If you are not an educator, use your imagination with Pinterest.  Think outside the box.  Incorporate Pinterest in the decision-making, creative, or assessment areas of business or other professions.

The nuts and bolts of my presentation can be found here if you are interested!  (the cup represents my coffee cup, which is usually beside me as I pin away!)

Jesus My Shepherd

John
Chapter 10

27

My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me.

28

I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish. No one can take them out of my hand.

29

My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, ¹ and no one can take them out of the Father's hand.

30

 The Father and I are one."

 We are reminded in this weekend's liturgy that Jesus is our Shepherd.  How do we know Him?  We know His voice!  "Just the pleasure of knowing YOU, fills all of my desires!"  I love you Jesus, thank you for loving me first!

Robin Mark sings this song of praise.  Enjoy!

Dave Brubeck's Take Five - Pakistan style!

The Sachal Studios Orchestra, based in Lahore, Pakistan, playing an innovative cover of “Take Five,” the jazz standard written by Paul Desmond and performed by The Dave Brubeck Quartet in 1959. Before he died last year, Brubeck called it the “most interesting” version he had ever heard. Once you watch the performance above, you’ll know why.

According to The Guardian, The Sachal Studios Orchestra was created by Izzat Majeed, a philanthropist based in London. When Pakistan fell under the dictatorship of General Zia-ul-Haq during the 1980s, Pakistan’s classical music scene fell on hard times. Many musicians were forced into professions they had never imagined — selling clothes, electrical parts, vegetables, etc. Whatever was necessary to get by. Today, many of these musicians have come together in a 60-person orchestra that plays in a state-of-the-art studio, designed partly by Abbey Road sound engineers.

You can purchase their album, Sachal Jazz: Interpretations of Jazz Standards & Bossa Nova, on Amazon and iTunes. It includes versions of “Take Five” and “The Girl from Ipanema.”

Pakistani Musicians Play Amazing Version of Dave Brubeck’s Jazz Classic, “Take Five” is a post from: Open Culture. You can follow Open Culture on Facebook, Twitter, Google Plusand by Email.

The Evolution of Music

Pentatonix presents a medley of selected songs from the 11th Century to the present.  Some interesting choices!  Here's their repertoire: (video below)

11th century-
Salve Regina 

1600s-
Canon in D - Pachelbel

1800s-
Symphony No. 5 - Beethoven

1910s-
Danny Boy - Frederic Weatherly 

1920s-
Old Man River - Jerome Kern & Oscar Hammerstein II

1930s-
Minnie The Moocher - Cab Calloway

1940s-
Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy - The Andrew Sisters

1950s-
I Walk The Line - Johnny Cash
La Bamba - Ritchie Valens

1960s-
Stand By Me - Ben E King
Barbara Ann - Beach Boys 
I Want To Hold Your Hand - The Beatles
Respect - Aretha Franklin

1970s-
ABC - Jackson 5
Bohemian Rhapsody - Queen

1980s-
Celebration - Kool & The Gang
Don't Stop Believin' - Journey
Thriller - Michael Jackson

1990s-
Can't Touch This - MC Hammer
...Baby One More Time - Britney Spears
Say My Name - Destiny's Child
I Want It That Way - The Backstreet Boys 

2000s
Hey Ya! - Outkast 
Drop it Like Its Hot - Snoop Dogg
Crazy - Gnarls Barkley 
Hips Don't Lie - Shakira
Single Ladies - Beyoncé 
I Kissed A Girl - Katy Perry
Bad Romance - Lady Gaga
I Gotta Feelin - Black Eyed Peas

2010s-
Baby - Justin Bieber
We Found Love - Rihanna
Some Nights - Fun.
Somebody That I Used To Know - Gotye
Gangnam Style - Psy
Call Me Maybe - Carly Rae Jepsen 

The Impossible Duet: Handel-Halvorsen Passacaglia for Cello and Violin

Cellist Wells Cunningham couldn't find a violinist to play this duet with him, so he just played the part himself!   What a great piece of music!

1993 vs 2013

This says it all!!  From Make Use Of

Talk about big!!!

And we complain about our iPads being too big!! 

“Norwich City Council’s first computer, being delivered to the City Treasurer’s Department in Bethel Street, Norwich”
- Norfolk Record Office

via: retronaut

Oh my, what that piano can do!

ThePianoGuys have so many cool videos!   They definitely think "outside the box" - the piano box that is!  Here's their take on "What Makes You Beautiful" by One Direction.

The Voice of Truth

Voices all around me.  Truth?  Lies?  Evil?  Blessings?  How do I know what is true?  How do I know what is real?  How do I know which path to take?  Signs point me one way, then another?  

This is how I will know.  I choose to listen to the voice of TRUTH, Jesus Christ!  He has called me by  name.  I am His.  Forever.

Vintage Advertising

What would advertising for social media giants have looked like in the 1950s?

Sao Paulo ad agency Moma Propaganda made this series of vintage ads for YouTube, Facebook, Skypeand Twitter. The campaign titled “Everything Ages Fast” was used to promote the Maximidia Seminars.

The Technology of TOUCH!

HAPTOGRAPHY (Haptic Photography)

Haptography, like photography in the visual domain, enables an individual to quickly record the haptic feel of a real object and reproduce it later for others to interact with in a variety of contexts. (https://www.grasp.upenn.edu/research/haptography)

Imagine being able to feel the fiber of a fabric, the smoothness of the keys of a piano, the fragility of a blood vessel, the terrain of a video game - all imported directly into virtual objects, felt through your digital screen.  Think about how often you use your sense of touch as you go throughout your day.  The sensations, the reactions of our body to what we feel.  Katherine Kuchenbecker has been exploring this science, along with other researchers, for several years now.  In this TED-ed lesson, she shares about the field of haptics.  How would it change your world?  Would it change the way music lessons were given?  Would it change your shopping habits?  It's fascinating to think about!

Also, check out the Project Homepage: http://haptics.grasp.upenn.edu/index.php/Research/Haptography

The Pony Dance

This is cute and fun AND you can create your own Pony Dance at the Pony Mixer!

Vintage Social Networking

Have you asked your child if they know what a LP record is?  Are you ready for the blank stare?  How about a cassette tape or a Rolodex?  Our ways of connecting to others have transformed our world.  I know that I will first text a person if I have a quick question instead of calling them on the phone. I've known of instances of couples breaking up via txt messages!  I don't know that I would go for that!   All of my contacts are found on my phone or computer, not in an address book or Rolodex. Heck my elementary kiddos are always surprised to learn that floppy disks used to be "big"!  A whopping 5 or 3 inches!  They are familiar with USB flash drives as as quick portable device for transporting files. Storage on the cloud is most common.

My phone is not JUST for calling people any more!  I can check my bank balance, play games, take photos, take videos, surf the net, text my friend, check in with Facebook or Foursquare, check the weather, record my WW points, listen to music, set my alarm, edit my photos, leave a tweet, check in and download my board pass for my flight at the airport, transfer money with Pay Pal, create an art project, read the newspaper, take notes at a meeting, talk face to face with  my grandkids, watch a Netflix movie, shop Ebay or Amazon, make a grocery list using my store's app with their specials, well, the list goes on and on.  In fact, I would say that the "phone calling" option of my phone is probably the "app" that I use the least!!

The world is a changing!  I wonder what our children are using now in their technological world will be obsolete when they are adults?!

John Atkinson in his blog Wrong Hands had a cute depiction of  comparing things that us "Old people" might remember as being part of our everyday life at one time.


And this one is cute (but so real!) also, from Shoebox Blog.

HOT HOT HOT!

The Red Hot Chilli Pipers are awesome!
This group, formed in 2002,  has taken their "bagrock" sound worldwide.  They have released 4 albums so far, going platinum in Scotland!

They will amaze you, entertain you, inspire you!

Drum Cam

This ia pretty cool.  Drumline from the perspective of the drums!  This video is a rehearsal of the  Boston Crusaders rehearsal before Drum Corps International in Houston last year.

According to their website, Drum Corps International (DCI) began more than 3 decades ago.  It has developed into a powerful, nonprofit, global youth activity with far-reaching artistic, educational and organizational influence.

Active participants in U.S.-based drum and bugle corps hail from more than 15 countries

The annual Drum Corps International Tour is made up of more than 100 events throughout North America

Each summer, some 400,000 fans attend live drum corps events

Explore more about this group at the DCI page!


You can see the entire playlist of these videos here:  DCI Drum Cam.

Love Has Come For Me

This piece by Colton Dixon reminds me that I am nothing without my Source, my Light, my LIFE, Jesus Christ!

HIGH NOTE!

A very creative, fun video from Warner Brothers...Looney Tunes of course!

Music's Effect on Learning

Did you know that one study revealed that students were more productive while listening to jazz?  Read this for more interesting tidbits on how music effects our brain!


Please include attribution to OnlineColleges.net with this graphic.

Forwards or Backwards??

By Messe Kopp

Thriller

YouTube user Inhyeok Yeo uploaded an a capella version of Michael Jackson's "Thriller." Every instrument and voice in the piece is layered to produce this final product.

The Chromatic Typewriter

This is the coolest typewriter I've ever seen!  Using an html color guide, Tyree Callahan rigged the machine so that each key corresponds to a different hue. He modified his 1937 Underwood Standard typewriter to transform simple keystrokes into beautiful works of art. Tyree Callahan grew up in Bisbee, Arizona before moving to Bellingham, Washington, in 1993.  He  is a member of the Waterfront Artist Studio Collective, located on Bellingham's waterfront. You can also find him on facebook on his page Painting and Poetry.

Christ Is Risen by Matt Maher

Christ is risen from the dead

Trampling over death by death

Come awake, come awake

come and rise up from the grave