HTML 5 + JavaScript = Web 2.1

HTML 5, CSS3  and Javascript are the backbone of the new Web 2.0 (call it web 2.1?) era. Animation, multimedia presentation, web-based fonts, autocomplete and so much more are implemented using mostly client-side (web browser) technology with a sprinkle of server-side magic.

This new era in web design and functional websites are moving from a text based, semi-dynamic framework to a web application framework. While hand-coding this functionality is beyond the scope of most there exists a slew of tools that make taking advantage of advanced web functionality a breeze.

JQuery and JQuery UI

JQuery is not new, but certainly worth mentioning. JQuery is a javascript library which makes adding elements like calendars, autocomplete, advanced buttons and form elements relatively simple and straightforward. JQuery Mobile is a library for creating HTML 5 optimized for mobile devices. JQuery UI provides the Web 2.0 look and feel with rounded corners, subtle gradients and integrated icons.

Brackets

Brackets is an open-source editor for web design and development. The project was created and is maintained by Adobe, and is released under an MIT License. Brackets focuses on providing  in-line views that provide context-sensitive access to your content, without taking you away from your code.

CreateJS

CreateJS is a suite of modular libraries and tools which work together to enable rich interactive content on open web technologies via HTML5. These libraries are designed to work completely independently, or mixed and matched to suit your needs. The CreateJS Suite is comprised of: EaselJS, TweenJS, SoundJS, PreloadJS, and Zoë.


A myriad of examples, code snippets and tutorials abound to get started with these tools. Below are some helpful links to get you started.

• HTML, CSS and WebFonts
• JQuery: The Basics
• JQuery UI
• Brackets
• CreateJS

Six Ways to Use Social Media in Education

Repost of a blog post from Lynne O Brien, Ph.D., Director of Academic Technology and Instructional Services for Perkins Library at Duke University.

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Faculty and students routinely use Facebook, Twitter and other social media in their personal lives, so how might those same tools be put to academic use? Here are some uses of social media for teaching and learning that I’ve been following.

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Amy Cuddy: Your body language shapes who you are

iPad apps: For viewing/displaying video clips

I work with a lot of video (film, tv, commercials, remixes, etc.), and one of the biggest frustrations for me when I started using the iPad was that my large collection of video clips were not compatible with the included iPad video app. The native bundled video app simply doesn't play well with many standard codecs such as xvid or divx. Even formats that work fine on my iPod Touch do not play--even some of my .mov files!

I use video in teaching, research, and presenting on a variety of topics, such as fan studies, queer studies, video editing, "deep reading" video, video games, and many more topics. I was so disappointed because one of the big reasons for an iPad for me was to be able to play these files on the fly. I didn't want to have to spend a lot of time transcoding my files into a format that would play natively. I also wanted to be able to organize my video files for quick reference.

I downloaded and tried out a few video apps, and I have two major ones that I now use: AVPlayer HD and AcePlayer.

New Document Camera Overview

This summer, many of our multimedia classrooms were outfitted with a new document camera, the AVerMedia Avervision document camera. We've prepared a brief video to provide an overview of the camera's operation and companion software.

Update: A new video has been uploaded with additional details on 9.28.12

Automatic building mapping at MIT

Reserchers at MIT's "Computer Science & Artificial Intelligence Lab" are using Microsoft's Kinect depth sensor as a part of a camera system designed to create real time building maps as users walk around.

Curricular Technology Assistance Comes to You

The Academic Technology team within ITS supports technology use in the curriculum.  Four Instructional Technologists serve the various academic departments to assist with a broad range of technologies.

The Instructional Technologists come to your academic building every week to connect, partner, and collaborate.

Ahmad Khazaee	Dan Wheeler
Social Sciences	Natural Sciences & Math
& Univ. Studies
Mark Hine	Zlatko Grozl
Natural Sciences & Math	Art & Humanities

Alumni Hall - Mondays from 8:30-10:30 with Ahmad Khazaee

Hascall Hall - Mondays from 11:30-1:10 with Zlatko Grozl

Ho -  Social Sciences - Thursdays from 10-12 with Ahmad Khazaee

Ho - NASC - Thursdays from 12:30-2 with Mark Hine

Lawrence Hall - Tuesdays from 11:30-1:10  and Wednesdays from 2-3:30 with Zlatko Grozl

Little Hall - Thursday from 3-4:30 with Zlatko Grozl

McGregory Hall - Thursdays from 1:30-3 with Dan Wheeler

Olin Hall - Wednesdays from 1-2:30 with Mark Hine

Persson Hall - Tuesdays from 1:30-3:30 with Ahmad Khazaee