Feeling Like Something Blue…

The recording of my Pre-cal Mathematics lessons are going great. I have installed a newer version of the Smartboard software and it works even better than the previous version. It does a better job of condensing the size of the saved file, which in turn allows me to upload it faster to google video. Many of the students in my class have been accessing the lessons. They are looking at the lessons for two reasons, one if they missed the lesson they can get the exact information that the rest of the class received so that they are not at a disadvantage for being sick or just not being there. Secondly a number of students are using the lessons to help review what they previously learned. The Pre-cal Mathematics course moves at a neck-breaking speed and some students need the review to get full understanding of the topics covered. I only have one real peeve about the recording of my lessons, that is, the microphone. I am attached by a cord to my computer. I normally like to move around a lot when I teach but the cord has been limiting my movement. So today while I was out buying winter tires for my car (yes the snow is coming) I decided to pop into Future Shop to look at wireless solutions to my problem. I am able to buy a USB Bluetooth (wireless) device ($33) that will allow me to use my existing Bluetooth earpiece (for my cellphone) with my Smartboard. I just have to configure it to pick up my signal and then I will be able to use it to record what I am teaching without being hampered by a cord. The device will allow me to add any Bluetooth device to my computer, a mouse, a keyboard, anything. Sometimes the technological solutions are out there to our problems, you just have to take the time to find them. I will let you know next week how it works.