The Innovator Academy - Thank You

One week ago, I saw something in my Twitter stream or Google+ stream of Knowledge Sharing Passionistas about the Innovator Academy. 


The page opened with, "Join the movement! Digital skills are the key to making a difference in education. Part contest/part learning experience, the Innovator Academy will introduce educators to digital tools, people, and places that will inspire curriculum innovation. Sign up to be a part of the Academy online at http://www.innovatoracademy.com and then you will receive a weekly email that gives the first clue to a learning web scavenger hunt.  The contest is free, no strings, no costs along the way - just a great way to learn and have fun at the same time.


I was catching up on email when the email from Innovator Academy came through. When I read it I figured I would respond but I certainly knew I wasn't first...but to my surprise a Google Alert  prompted me to see why my name was on the net and this is what displayed:

So if you want to participate in the web scavenger hunt check out the Innovator Academy. The Currix Innovator Academy Scavenger Hunt takes place worldwide from Friday January 20, 2012 (01/20/12) to Sunday June 17, 2012 (06/17/12).


So what did I win?
This week's prize is a choice, a spot on the real Innovator Academy during ISTE 12 or a Wacom Bamboo Capture Tablet. 

Thank you Currix and Ann-Caryn Cleveland !

Follow Currix on Twitter or the hashtag #innovatoracademy

Lowe's Senior CLASS Award Vote for Paul Goldsmith

What is CLASS?
An acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School, the Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award was launched in 2001 to honor the attributes of college basketball seniors who remained committed to their university and pursued the many rewards that a senior season could bring.


Fan balloting counts for 1/3 of the total with the remaining 2/3 determined by NCAA Division I coaches and national media members. Please see the Selection Process section of the Lowe's Senior CLASS Award website for more information. Voting ends February 8, 2012.


No registration required. Vote for Paul Goldsmith Lowe's Senior CLASS Award
Goldsmith will graduate in May 2012 with a degree in sports management, physical education and health. More information about Paul on his page

I have known PJ since he was in elementary school and his mom and I were stationed in Alaska. I am proud to call her my friend, mentor, and one of the blessed breast cancer survivors. I wanted to do what I could to show PJ that I am also proud of everything he has accomplished.  


Of course all of the students on the ballot deserve credit for their accomplishments and the positive impact in their digital portfolios. Congrats to all of the students for being nominated for Lowe's Senior CLASS Award!


Thanks in advance for your support!

What a difference a generation makes with gadgets

We acquired our first networked computer in the house when my daughter started Kindergarten. Now her daughter, at 20 months, in this multigenerational household is exposed to a wireless network, gadgets and terminology such as smartphones, tablets, mobile devices, and laptops.


GGMa Flo who used a beeper during her career days and experienced Atari as the family game console, who didn't grow up with the Internet is now an Internet addict. My daughter who grew up with the technology as we shared many lessons learned from online school to teens tinkering with social media, implements security and privacy measures while sharing select information with her designated Internet connections. And the G-daughter who is growing up with everything Google and is the next generation gadget girl is exposing us all to the wonders of tech through a toddler's eyes.


And me...well I get to be the Network Manager, technogeek, still attempting to educate the end users to be mindful of the information they release and how to hit the F1 key to help themselves, and to tinker.


We use ebooks, multimedia books, Sesame Street and Disney Junior channels on YouTube, a shared Picasa album, Android and iPad apps for children, shared Google calendar for appointments, medicine, milestones, and special events.


The Department of Defense attempts to educate family members on OPSEC as they realized education was better than banning, so the Social Media hub was developed for all services to share Internet based capabilities policies, training and education sources. How are you influencing the family social media policy? How do you educate family users on security topics such as computer security, information security, operation security, personal security?

Some sites that may be of interest:
Free OPSEC training material from the OPSEC Professional's Association
US Army Social Media 
US Army Online and Social Media Division Slideshare 

Tinkering with Screenshot UX and Google Mobile

On November 25, 2010 I blogged about tinkering with the ShootMe app and Google Mobile. At that time ShootMe did not require devices to be rooted. Since then the app changed back to requiring users to root their devices and now it seems it is no longer available on the Android Market. The apk file is available from the Android Forum discussion thread. Finding a screen capture (or screen shot, screenshot, screen grabber) app in the Android Market or Amazon Apps produces different results with varying requirements for users.

What do you look for when selecting an app? I probably over analyze but the app has to have ROI in my world, provide the option to connect with others who are using the app, review other individuals comments about the app, see how active the developer is in social networks, affordability of the app and the option to donate if the app is free...but most of all I have to want to use it and be able to share that usability with others.

Since then I upgraded my phone and I am trying out different apps. For a screen capture app that does not require a user to root their device, I am tinkering with Screenshot UX. The developer recommends using the Screenshot UX trial version first so users can see if this app works on their device. If the app functions the way the user wants, you can purchase the app for $3.99. If you use screen captures to help others or in your blogs this app works well.

Here is an image of Google Mobile using Screenshot UX:

What is your favorite screen capture or screen sharing app?

As always, comments, recommendations +1s, and reaction check boxes are always appreciated.

Favorite SMS Backup App? How do you backup your SMS, MMS, and phone log?

What is your favorite SMS/MMS/Phone log backup app?

Whether you want to backup your phone log, MMS, or SMS there are a variety of free and paid apps out there based on the market you choose. If you are getting ready to upgrade a phone or keeping messages for future reference there is an app for you and your device.

I opted for SMS Backup+ based on what I read, the ease of integration into my GMail, Google Calendar, and because it is a fork from Backup Android. It is also possible to restore SMS and call log entries back to the phone. 

SMS Backup+ in the Android App Market
SMS Backup+ in the Amazon Marketplace
SMS Backup+ on github

If you support those who develop apps, the PayPal donation option is available through the About option or from the site you can opt to Flattr.

If you are backing up a phone log I recommend creating an additional Google Calendar for your phone log backup.

SMS - Short Message Service
MMS - Multimedia Messaging Service

So what is your favorite SMS backup app?

As always comments, recommendations, +1s, and reaction box checks are appreciated.