Cute Memory is all about investigating how we can make the most of using new technology to excite and enahance lasting learning combined with enjoyment for young people.
Cute Memory - "Learning Through Design"
All of our CUTE MEMORY team have children who like to regularly get together, play outdoor things, do fantastic picnics etc. Therefore, it was a real find when one of my colleagues brought along what is known as CGEAR MULTIMAT to have our picnic on. Indeed, the mat itself became the focus of our kids attention for the whole afternoon.
Why was this so?? - So, there is nothing worse, in my experience, to get dirt and sand kicked onto your freshly laid towel or blanket when you are just getting settled on the beach or campsite/picnic area.
However, this newly acquired MULTIMAT had us all truly amazed when the grains of sand on it just simply disappeared like magic. So ..... where did they go?? According to the manufacturers from Australia, the mat is made of a special type of mesh which lets sands particles etc slip through it, but then importantly doesn't let them resurface.
Originally designed for the US Military in providing safe combat helicopter landing zones in sandy deserts etc., these mats have now been adapted for beach towels, campsite use, and outdoor picnic rugs - so - no more sand to kicked onto your rug to spoil your lovely sandwiches.
Check out these couple of videos to see these brilliant CGEAR MULTIMATS in action, as well as the science behind them
I take the same 26 mile car journey to our offices everyday, come rain or shine - more snow and rain just recently. So...... how could I capture those images which visually explains to the world this daily mundane, but ultimately unique journey??? - the same roads but always different messages
Therefore, I have found the LIFE LOGGING FREE APP DEEPVUEcreated by a guy called ALEX VALLI which lets the images I take from my car journey to tell a visual story. I already have a Flickr account, (which is great), but what DEEPVUE does is to provide GPS tracking reference to WHEN and WHERE the image was taken - In other words it provides a VISUAL INSIGHT into that 40 minute segment of my day when I am travelling/returning from work. And, the fascinating thing about using this APP - is that NO TWO WORK JOURNEY'S are ever the same!! Check it out at www.deepvue.com - it will quickly become your invisible companion for any visual journey.
At last we probably have 3D printer which is affordable for us to stretch our budgets in our Schools. At this weeks world famous Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, (the mecca for ALL the worlds newest gadgetry), all eyes were drawn to the beautifully basic "THING-O-MATIC" which, believe it or not, will retail for an incredible $1,225 or only £789 - give or take a pound or two!! The makers of this revolutionary product state that it is all based upon democratising the manufacturing process
Presently, most of the other 3D printers on the market are huge industrial sized machines, that cost from around $10,000 to $1 million!!!!!
So..... have a little look at the instructional/promo video below - and we would love to hear if any schools here in the UK have already got hold one of these quirkiest yet most revolutionary products around - AND HOW THEY ARE USING IT
Have just arrived back after a fantastic tour of our favourite US universities.These annual visits are about re-kindling our old college days. Therefore, special mention must be made to the totally cool apartments west campus at the University of Texas, Austin. All our specific and quirky needs were more than satisfied through a local property management service that had the handle on the range of properties within apartments west campus. So, if you are looking to rent even buy within the campus and central area then check these apartments out.
Cinemin Slice is a portable pico projector that lovingly cradles and connects to your favorite multimedia devices, splashing your movies, videos, photos, games, and slides on to walls and ceilings, and caressing these enlarged images with rich stereo sound.
Look out for this fantastic Projector for your APPLE DEVICE - Great use for the classroom!! in creating effective small group learning situation. An ideal way to spread new techno;ogy across your school curriculum.
The CINEMIN SLICE is expected to sell in the UK for around £300.
The SLICE will specifically dock into your iPad, iPhone and iPod, and has AV, VGA, and HDMI ports to connect to nearly any device with video-out functionality. Viewers can enjoy their videos, photos, slides, games, and apps at an image size of up to 60″ in a dimly-lit room.
