Doodle 4 Google... a great way to combine tech with the arts

Google, who continues to provide incredible programs to help with Technology in Education, just announced its second annual Doodle for Google contest.

Over the years, Google has attracted much attention by changing its logo to match certain occassions... they call these Google Doodles and now your school can participate in the fun.

From their site:

Today, we're announcing our second annual Doodle 4 Google contest in the U.S. Google doodles are the special "dressed-up" logos we run on our homepage for holidays and other events, and Doodle 4 Google is an opportunity for one child to have his/her artwork displayed on our homepage as a doodle for hundreds of millions of people to see. This year's theme is "What I Wish for the World," as we really want to tap into not only children's creativity but also what they want their future to look like.

We're very excited this year to be partnering with the Smithsonian's, Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum. Since Cooper-Hewitt is focused on design and education and fostering the brightest design minds of tomorrow, they were a natural partner for Doodle 4 Google. Their partnership also means that this year's prizes not only include having your artwork on the Google homepage for a day, a college scholarship, and a technology grant for your school, but also having your work (and that of all 40 finalists) exhibited at a Smithsonian museum!

For more information about the contest, visit the Google blog by Clicking Here. 

iPhone... not at TechEd, but prominent in education

It was a definite frustation working with Apple at TechEd, because their participation was limited, if any. Annually we would have the Apple sponsored labs, but their presence on the exhibit floor was nil.

The truth was that while we, as event organizers, would have liked them there, not only for the benefit of the attendees, but for the promotional benefits it would bring to the overall event, Apple didn't need us.

At TechEd 2008, Apple didn't participate at all. Disappointing for many, but there was nothing we could do to convince Apple to support the event.

Now, after Apple has pledged to pull out of event MacWorld, an event dedicated to the Apple experience, I don't feel so bad. It is simply not in their business model.

And, quite frankly, they don't need it as is shown by this new post on Cio.com:

iPhone University: At ACU, Students Navigate College Life via Apple iPhone

Every one of Abilene Christian University's (ACU) 950 incoming freshman this year got a free tool to manage college life: an Apple iPhone or iPod touch. Here's a look inside how the university is using the devices to enhance classroom learning and ease the transition into college life.

Read the rest of the story by clicking here.

Apple is successfully integrating itself into its various markets including education by creating a great product and using modern marketing methods to gain users (followers?).

So, kudos to Apple for creating tools we can use, but it would still be nice to see them supporting events like TechEd who are bringing together educators from around the world to share ideas, innovations and needs. 

It has been said that TechEd changes the face of education every year... Apple could be a part of that... or not.

The first post of many... I hope.

Friends,

This is the first post of many of what I hope will become an infomative resource and an effective forum for debate and discovery on the issues facing us in the world of Technology in Education and how it is reflected at one of the most effective conferences on the subject, TechEd produced by The Community College Foundation.

As a point of full disclosure, I was the director of marketing and sales at TechEd for three years helping to guide TechEd 2006, 2007 and 2008 to become some of the most effective and innovative ever.

I will post new stories here as well as information on TechEd 2009 coming at the End of March, which I plan to attend and microblog from.

You can also follow this spot on Twitter at @TechInEducation.

In these hard economic times, innovation becomes the key to creating new experiences out of old technologies. 

Together we can share these new ideas, discover innovative uses, and find a way to impact the public we care about most... the students.

To your future!