Integrated learning begins with technology partnerships

Integrated learning, the learning theory that has gain popularity in classrooms across the country, centers on this idea of “identifying opportunities to link related content and/or skills in two or more subjects and to give students practice in meeting expectations from two or more subjects within a single unit, lesson or activity (Ministry of…

A+ for Prezi

Prezi is a presentation software which is based on the cloud yet also has an app to download for one to work on, and view Prezi's when not online. Prezi is popular due to the user interface zoom function.  Founded in 2009, Prezi has over 160 million presentations and 60+ millions users across the globe. Originally created to…

A mask, a retailer, and the joy of marketing

Late last week, shopper Candace Payne posted a Facebook video of herself wearing the new Star Wars Chewbacca mask she'd bought at Kohl's.   The video, shows Payne laughing wildly as she wears the mask.  It's been viewed hundreds of millions of times, breaking a Facebook Live record and earning Payne the nickname "Happy Chewbacca Mom…

GOOGLE: INSTANT APPS

Google continued to impress at this year's 2016 I/O mega event. They announced upcoming latest features, devices and latest apps with the highest expectations, and did they ever deliver. The hot topic and highlight of the day was Google’s teaser of Instant Apps.     BASIC BREAKDOWN     With countless apps for all…

Managing the Madness Recap

Our final Social Media Madness Series was all about Managing the Madness and putting the knowledge, information and lessons learned from the previous sessions into action.   Participants discovered industry software platforms and technology tools that make the management of social media easier and more time efficient.   Social Media…

Smart Cities and the Funding Applications that Sustain Them

A Smart City is a city that utilizes technology, integrating it in all public spaces. This can be everything from a mobile application that tells you, in real-time, when your bus will reach your stop to having free wi-fi in all public spaces, open data on city demographics to interactive zoning maps. With so many fantastic apps available, it is no…

We The Marketers

Let's begin by giving Lowry uber kudos for scoring just less than half of the teams points during game four of the NBA Conference Finals. The Toronto Raptor's played hard the entire game, representing the North, resulting in a well deserved win for Toronto.  #wetheNorth  "Basically, we were a team that…

Hurray for Apple Pay

What is Apple Pay? Apple Pay has arrived in Canada! Apple Inc. is now offering Apple Pay is a payment system that operates with mobile payment as a digital wallet service, enabling users to use their iPhone 6 (or any version after that), as well as devices that Apple Watch is compatible with (ie: iPad mini).   Canadian’s…

Common census: how to utilize census data

Like many other Canadians, I received my census document in the mail and filled it out early last week. Alas, I only received the short-form version much to my data-loving, statistics-adoring heart. Puns, dad jokes, and Shakespearean guffaws aside, the census is often an overlooked, underutilized tool for marketers and techies alike.   The…

Science Influencers and Inspiration

Social and mobile technology has changed the world we live, play and work in. Communication and collaboration are constantly occurring with social engagement driving awareness and contributing to innovation.  Aside from constantly emerging - technology spreads awareness, encourages conversation, and…

Choose Your Own Reality: VR in the Classroom

As a kid, I would pull quarters out of couches, complete chore lists, and hide my allowance to avoid using it just so that I could go to 3D movies. There was something about feeling like I was in the film that just changed the experience completely. In those brief hours, I too was exploring Pandora with the Na’vis as an Avatar (Avatar) or…

Kitchener is Becoming a Smart(er) City

Kitchener Council recently approved a city-wide municipal ‘narrow band network' which will be installed into new, energy efficient LED streetlights with sensor transmitters inside each of 18 000+ street lights in Kitchener. The project is expected to cost over nine million dollars and implemented before 2018 begins.…

A is for App: Customized Applications for the Classroom

I come from a long line of teachers. Currently, my immediate family have nine individuals who have either taught or currently teach in elementary, secondary, or post-secondary institutions everything from ecology to psychiatric nursing, kindergarten to International Baccalaureate mathematics. From this broad spectrum of educational professionals,…

MET Gala meets futuristic fashion

As a fashion lover and technology enthusiast, I have to admit I was really curious about this years MET Gala, and it’s “Manus x Machina: Fashion in an Age of Technology” theme. With wearable technology becoming more mainstream with the inventions of smart watches such as the Pebble and Apple Watch, I was interested to see how designers…

Google Analytics Permissions Guide

Google Analytics lets you track web traffic of your online presence. As the most widely used web analytics tool available, it is a crucial tool for assessing the effectiveness of your websites and social media outlets. Using Google Analytics in a team environment may involve setting up unique permissions for multiple users. You may need…

Content Creation, Curation & Consistency - Mad Recap

Content Creation, Curation and Consistency was the ninth part of our Social Media Madness Series. We explored the 4C's in depth including how to incorporate them into your brand's strategy.    The creation, curation and consistency of the content your company produces makes your brand online.   …

Content marketing, a royal affair

Content marketers have a tough job cutting through the noise and communicating directly and instantly with consumers on social media. Marketers know that aligning a brand with a newsworthy event or trending conversation about niche topics like fashion or sports can result in an increase in engagement and interaction, but when hijacking hot topics…

Understanding YouTube Mad Recap

Snapchat Stories, Vine Videos and YouTube was the eighth part of our Social Media Madness Series. We explored each platform in depth - from an initial overview of the platform to the different ways brands have approached it to advertise. One may find content ranging from music videos, TV clips, blogs, vlogs and educational videos.…

Vine Videos Mad Recap

Snapchat Stories, Vine Videos and YouTube was the eighth part of our Social Media Madness Series. We explored each platform in depth - from an initial overview of the platform to the different ways brands have approached it to advertise. Launched in 2013, Vine is a downloadable app that allows users to create six second videos that loop…

Snapchat Stories Mad Recap

Snapchat Stories, Vine Videos and YouTube was the eighth part of our Social Media Madness Series. We explored each platform in depth - from an initial overview of the platform to the different ways brands have approached it to advertise.   Snapchat allows users to video & voice call and to send 'still' or (up to) ten second…