Here is my VR Italy room, a work in progress, which I created using the Unity VR Template.
CSGC 2023
On April 14, 2023, I delivered the following recorded presentation virtually at Computer Science Gaming Conference 2023. The title of my presentation was: My Unity Pathways Journey: Mastery Through Microlessons.
GatherVerse 2023
On April 14, 2023, I had the honor of delivering this recorded presentation at CSGC 2023 which I really enjoyed. The title of my presentation was: Emerging Technologies Through a Pragmatic Lens. Enjoy!
GatherVerse 2022
In 2022, I had the honor of delivering a recorded presentation at GatherVerse 2022 which I thoroughly enjoyed. The title of my presentation was: VR Through An ID Lens. Enjoy!
Adobe Creative Educator Level 1
The Level 1 assignment involved creating a creativity collage. I created the following creativity collage graphic (pictured to the right) using Adobe Spark as well as images drawn from Adobe Stock. This graphic represents ways of supporting students' creativity by allowing them to use different modalities (i.e. video, 3D modeling, VR, writing, painting, audio, podcast, drawing) in meeting course learning objectives.
Adobe Creative Educator Level 2
The Level 2 assignment involved creating a mini portfolio of Creative Educator work.
I am highly creative and passionate about online course design, instructional design, emerging technology tools, writing, and editing. I possess extensive higher education instructional design experience coaching and collaborating with instructors and industry experts in the design of high-quality online credit degree programs and non-credit certificate programs. My approach focuses on online learning best practices, empathy, student engagement, inclusion, and humor. I hold an MA.Ed in Educational Technology from San Diego State University, a BA Cum Laude from University of Pennsylvania, and a TESOL certificate from UCSD Extension.
Welcome to John's List! John's List is a curated list of recommendations for music, tech, food, games, movies, drink, fashion, travel, good living, as well as the MetaVerse. Get ready to explore!
iMazing
How many times have you wanted to transfer media onto your Apple devices using your PC or Mac but realized you were way behind with iTunes backups and thus stymied? I have as well and recommend iMazing!. iMazing allows you to easily backup your devices and wirelessly transfer files and media from the iMazing interface to your iPhone, iPad, or iPod. This product is on John's List because I have personally used it for several years and enjoy its smooth operation, free regular updates, and affordable price.
Vuori
On March 16, 2020, the day I began working from home at the beginning of the pandemic, I realized that sitting in my home office chair wearing regular pants for hours on end wasn't comfortable. I was looking for pants I could wear during WFH and ones that could function like sweatpants. Fortunately, I discovered Vuori. Vuori's Ponto Pants fit the bill on both fronts as they are extremely thin and soft, but also durable, as they survived countless washings with no sign of wear. I am also a big fan of their shorts, as they offer a great range of motion and are very comfortable. This product is on John's List because the quality is premium and the color palette is muted, which offers a nice departure from the loud colors typical of men's workout apparel. It is pricey, although they frequently have great sales on their website.
Boomkat
I love music and have found Boomkat to be an excellent source of some of the best underground, eclectic music from around the world in vinyl, cassette, cd, and download formats. One benefit of buying downloaded music from Boomkat is that your downloaded files remain in your account on their site forever. This means that it is possible to easily locate and re-download files you may have purchased months or even years ago.This service is on John's List because I have ordered music from Boomkat since 2008 and am still a regular customer.
NTS
Another essential music platform is NTS. NTS offers a wide variety of some of the best eclectic underground music programmed by resident DJs from around the world. The service broadcasts live 24/7/365 and archives all content for easy playback. What makes NTS special is that a majority of music on this platform is not available on other music platforms such as Spotify or Apple. Another benefit of NTS is that the service is free. This service is on John's List because I have been a listener for the past several years and have found it to be a treasure trove of terrific music.
Tennis League VR
As a former tennis player, I was very excited to read about a free tennis app for the Meta Quest 2 called Tennis League VR. I was admittedly initially skeptical once I realized the game was not yet a finished game, but rather a demo. When I played Tennis League VR; however, my fears were quickly allayed as I found this game to be highly engaging and fun to play. Further, with the extreme heat in many parts of the US, this game represents a great way to play tennis indoors in the cool! This product is on John's List because it is a terrific demo and I can't wait for the full version!
Blade 1936
Being from the East Coast and, given my wife is from Italy, I've developed a strong affinity for pizza over the years. Whenever people ask me where to find good pizza in San Diego, Blade 1936 is always my response without hesitation. Their pizza is cooked with a woodfired oven, simple, and delicious.This resaurant is on John's List because their food and service is consistently outstanding.
Udemy
During the pandemic, I decided I wanted to increase my technical skills and signed up for several online courses at Udemy.com. I completed the first one, Complete Python Developer in 2022: Zero to Mastery, in May 2022. Overall, I was impressed as the course taught me a lot about Python, contained numerous projects, and only cost $13 for lifetime access to all videos and course content. I also signed up for Full Stack Developer as well as Blender and Unity and look forward to completing them as well. This service is on John's List because it offers lifetime access to quality online courses in a variety of technical areas at an affordable price.
Around
Around.co is a terrific free videoconferencing tool that transforms video calls into enjoyable experiences leveraging games, themes, as well as music. This service is on John's List because it is free and offers a highly enjoyable and engaging video call experience.
Marisi
Marisi is an incredible Italian restaurant which opened recently in La Jolla. My wife and I recently dined there in celebration of our 22nd Wedding Anniversary, and thoroughly enjoyed the unique and delicious food as well as sophisticated ambiance. This restaurant is on John's list because it truly sets the bar for quality Italian food.
Emerging Tech Educator YouTube
Emerging Tech Educator YouTube
Visit the Emerging Tech Educator YouTube Channel! This channel focuses on empowering educators to learn emerging technologies related to XR, AI, and everything in between!
Podcast
Summer Podcast 1
Fatshaudi When I Dream
Dean Blunt 100
Mr. Beatnick Savior Faire
Bananarama Cruel Summer
RP Boo Battle In The Jungle
Ragga Twins Ragga Trip
Sun Araw, M. Geddes Gengras & The Congos Happy Song
Late Summer Podcast
L-Vis 1990 - Run
L-Vis 1990 - Hide
Bok Bok Ripe Banana
Simo Cell (unknown) Chrome Mixtape
Tropic of Cancer More Alone
Lana Del Ray Summertime Sadness
Bali Lahari Dance Music
Zomby Poison
Basic Rhythm E18
Jay-u Experience Get You
Harmonious Thelonious Tom Tom
Altered Natives The Calling
Dusk & Blackdown Lara VIP
Yellow Swans Foiled
Disrupt Kozure Okami
Fall Podcast
Bjork - The Dull Flame Of Desire-Modeselektor Remix For Girls
Hype Williams-The Throning
Shackleton-Faraway Flowers
Shackleton-Wrecking Ball
Aphex Twin-T69 Collapse
Aby Ngana Diop-Dieuleul-Dieuleul
Alan Walker-I Don't Want To Go
Sophie-Nothing More To Say (Dub)
113023 Podcast
Skream-Midnight Request Line
Derrick May-Phantom
Distance-Feel Me
Pogues-If I Should Fall From Grace With God
GoGos - Our Lips Are Sealed
Jam City - The Courts
La Vampires With Maria Minerva-Alien In My Heart
Taylor Swift - Shake It Off
First podcast of 2024
Blessed Madonna - Jealous Heart Never Rests
Beyonce - Baby Boy featuring Sean Paul
Madonna - Hung Up
Schoolboy Q - That Part
Erup - Click Mi Finger
Illegal Gunshot - Ragga Twins
Toby Tobias - Its Burning
Spring 2024 podcast
Burial - Boy Sent From Above
Tiesto - Adagio for Strings
DJ Metatron - Untitled
Gigi von D'Agostino- I'll Fly With You Original Lyrics Version
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