Wednesday, June 30, 2010

iSchool

This site iSchool is from the University of Texas.
Here you will find useful tutorials, not just on Mac applications like iMovie, but also for PC Apps like Moviemaker. This is definately a place to bookmark and spend more time perusing!
http://www.ischool.utexas.edu/technology/tutorials/

Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Fall in Love with Teaching (all over again)

Check out SHMOOP!

This website caught my eye because of a Twitter post.
When I got there, I recognized one of my Google Certified Teacher friends, Esther!

If you want to get some knew ideas for the new school year, check out this online "teachers' break room"
I think it could be a place to learn, share and grow!

Sunday, June 27, 2010

Websites I found interesting (weekly)


Posted from Diigo. The rest of my favorite links are here.

Friday, June 25, 2010

Gone to ISTE in Denver

I am gone to ISTE in Denver for a couple of days.
If you cannot join us there then mosey on over to their page and see what is going on.
You can get the handouts there, even if you cannot hear the presentations.
I'll post from there, if I find the time.

Check out the program.
In Twitter the tag will be #ISTE10 or #ISTE
Check the website or conference Ning
Next year Philadelphia! ISTE 2011 in Philadelphia

Pearson to provide Ning Mini for free to educators

Posted by Garnor Morantes on June 24, 2010 – 9:01 am

When we recently announced our new pricing plans (which launch July 20th, 2010), we heard from many of you who were concerned about the future of education-focused Ning Networks. Ning Networks have become a valuable complement to many schools and other educational institutions by helping teachers, parents and students supplement class curriculums; allowing educators and administrators to share best practices; and by helping all these groups bring the vitality and vibrancy of their institutions online.
Today, we’re excited to let you know about the work we’ve been doing with Pearson, a global leader in online and offline education for pre-K through college, to develop a program that will help educators keep their Ning Networks running for free. We’re proud to announce that Pearson will sponsor Ning Mini plans for free for all K-12 and Higher Education networks in North America. We think Ning Mini is a great solution for education-based networks, with an ability to include up to 150 members and a whole set of online collaboration tools such as blogs, photos and forums.
The Pearson sponsorship is an “opt-in” program. Here’s how to join:
1. Visit the Pearson sign-up page and complete the registration form.
2. Ning and Pearson will review your Ning Network and confirm your participation in the program.
3. After Ning Mini launches on July 20, 2010, your network will automatically transition to a Pearson-sponsored Ning Mini plan.*
Educators can apply at their leisure, but there’s no reason to wait until Ning Mini launches on July 20th. If you’re already running a North American Ning Network for education purposes, or are in the process of creating a new Ning Network, submit your application now!
* Pearson-sponsored Ning Mini plans will include subtle Pearson branding on the network as part of participation. For more information visit the Pearson sign-up page.

Thursday, June 24, 2010

Next UP!


As a meeting facilitator, I LOVE Next Up! Next Up is a site that allows you to put your topics into an agenda with a time limit for each item. Then you click "start meeting" and the timer starts counting down. There is no alarm, and the time remaining for each element is visually displayed. When I facilitate tough meetings, I like to use this to keep everyone on schedule. It is unobtrusive, simple, and PERFECT. Enjoy! (Thanks to the Pursuit of Technology Integration Happiness for sharing this site!)

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Google Voice

from: Richard B's blog

Google Voice Opens to Everyone in the US

Today, Google announced that they are making their free Google Voice service available to everyone in the US. Google Voice provides you with a phone number that can ring all of your landline and mobile phones simultaneously. Google Voice also offers a slew of other features that you might find handy. I think the free conference call service could be very handy for conducting parent-teacher conferences over the phone.

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Google Books

from: Make Use Of website
10 Ways to Use Google Books for Lifelong Learning and Research

http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/10-ways-google-books-lifelong-learning-research/

Google Books is a Google service that makes discovering book
content easier for us on the web. Google Books may not allow you to download whole books unless it's in the Public Domain. if you can 'exploit' the information that's freely available, and have a zest for lifelong learning, here are ten ideas for using Google Books.

Monday, June 21, 2010

Enter a contest


With Carson-Dellosa Decoratives, inspiration and imagination come to life in colorful classroom decoratives and teaching tools. Use Scotch® Brand Products to display decoratives exactly where you want them and to preserve your classroom materials.

Enter the Carson-Dellosa contest for prizes and money to use at your local store!
 
http://www.carsondellosa.com/cd2/contest/cdscotchcontest.aspx

Sunday, June 20, 2010

Websites I found interesting (weekly)


Posted from Diigo. The rest of my favorite links are here.

Saturday, June 19, 2010

Audience Response System

I got an email about a week ago that invited me to use www.liveclasstech.com when giving your presentation(s) at the Laptop Institute next month. Have any of you used it, if so, respond back to me. It sounds interesting.
LiveClassTech is an Audience Response System that functions entirely within Web browsers.  LiveClassTech enables you to quiz and poll your audience, and it allows your audience to type and submit questions to you, all in real time.  In short, it makes presentations fun and engaging.   

Best of all, because the system is browser-based, you have no software to install, and no hardware to keep up with. 

Friday, June 18, 2010

10 Tips For Getting The Most Out Of Your Summer

It’s time for you! Time for you to take some time to relax, reflect, and unwind. Whether your summer plans call for heading off on an adventure or reading a good book, you’ll find resource-packed ideas in Edutopia’s Summer Rejuvenation Guide: 10 Tips to Help You Relax, Reflect, and Recharge for the Coming School Year.
Take the time you deserve to learn about digital storytelling or join a site for bookworms and, most importantly, enjoy your summer!

http://www.edutopia.org/summer-rejuvenation-classroom-resource-guide

Thursday, June 17, 2010

Suitcase of Summer Student Tools

This is a link to a blog entry loaded with ideas to keep your students busy all summer. Feel free to add to it if you have something you would like to share. Send it home with your students and encourage them to use some time each week to learn something they can share on the return to school next fall.
http://tinyurl.com/suitcasetools
This idea comes from a friend - Dan Rezac. Feel free to add to it. Could be a great resource!

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Geoboards are Interactive

A great Math resource.
Use these interactive geoboards to learn about geometry, angles, or area and perimeter. 
Drag the virtual rubber bands around the pegs:






























Tuesday, June 15, 2010

iCivics.org

The federal education program appropriated funds “based on good test scores in math, science, and reading, Sandra Day O'Connor said, but it did not distribute money for history or civics. O¹Connor¹s new web site aims to right that wrong.

Launched on May 24, iCivics.org is a rebranded, expanded version of an earlier site called OurCourts.org. “Barely one-third of Americans can even name the three branches of government, much less say what they do,” O’Connor said. “… I’m worried.” Games on iCivics include “Do I Have A Right,” in which the player runs a virtual firm specializing in constitutional law; “Executive Command,” which offers a chance to play president; “Supreme Decision,” about the Supreme Court; “Branches of Power,” which gives the player control of all three branches of government; and “LawCraft,” in which the player is a member of Congress. The iCivics program is based at Georgetown University Law School. O’Connor is the project founder and leads the board of the nonprofit iCivics Inc., iCivics spokesman Jeffrey Curley said. The project began in 2007 and is in use at schools around the country.

Free Download: The Thinking Stick

It’s finally here!
Thank you for being a part of my network and community here at The Thinking Stick. To honor you I am releasing my first ever book for free in PDF format.
1. Go to the books website here.
2. Enter the download password: TTS_Reach_0615
3. Enjoy the book!
You can also purchase a copy of the book via Lulu.com. It will be coming to other platforms soon.
From http://www.thethinkingstick.com/free-book-download

Monday, June 14, 2010

Flag Day is today

A Flag Day website takes you to the Smithsonian
Interactive Star-Spangled Banner from Smithsonian's History Explorer!


Take a close look at the flag that inspired the national anthem. This interactive takes visitors through the making of the flag and its preservation, the writing of The Star Spangled Banner, the War of 1812 and the legacy of the flag. Also included is a teacher guide with technical tips & ideas for integrating this resource into a historical skills activity.

Sunday, June 13, 2010

Websites I found interesting (weekly)

  • The federal education program appropriated funds “based on good test scores in math, science, and reading,” she said, but it did not distribute money for history or civics. O¹Connor¹s new web site aims to right that wrong.

    Launched on May 24, iCivics.org is a rebranded, expanded version of an earlier site called OurCourts.org. “Barely one-third of Americans can even name the three branches of government, much less say what they do,” O’Connor said. “… I’m worried.” Games on iCivics include “Do I Have A Right,” in which the player runs a virtual firm specializing in constitutional law; “Executive Command,” which offers a chance to play president; “Supreme Decision,” about the Supreme Court; “Branches of Power,” which gives the player control of all three branches of government; and “LawCraft,” in which the player is a member of Congress. The iCivics program is based at Georgetown University Law School. O’Connor is the project founder and leads the board of the nonprofit iCivics Inc., iCivics spokesman Jeffrey Curley said. The project began in 2007 and is in use at schools around the country.

    tags: civics, socialstudies, government, icivics, interactive

  • allows teachers to perform routine tasks like recording attendance and grades. Schoology also provides a platform for giving tests and other assignments online. The social networking aspect of Schoology lies in the interface for posting messages to a large community (whole school), to a smaller community (an individual class), or to individual students. The Schoology interface will look very familiar to anyone that has used Facebook.

    tags: lms, CMS, web2.0, schoology, management


Posted from Diigo. The rest of my favorite links are here.

Flag Day is tomorrow

Remember to Fly your Flag to celebrate Flag Day.
To get you in the mood. Here are some great resources!

I loved this one myself.
http://www.famlit.org/activities/find-the-flag
Find the Flag from National Center for Family Literacy
Can you find all the flags in this city? Search for the 25 American flags. Along the way, learn interesting facts about flag history and how to display and care for the flag.

Friday, June 11, 2010

Tech for Tots

One of my GCT/Facebook friends....
Lisa Thurman has a wonderful site with great ideas.
This is just one of the links on her site.
Explore Tech for Tots.

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Apply NOW to Become a Google Certified Educator

Post from a blogger Doug Belshaw

Introduction


The first ever Google Teacher Academy UK is coming to London on Thursday 29th July 2010! The only reason I’m accepting for YOU not applying is if you’ve already booked your summer holiday for that date. And even then, it had better be somewhere nice… :-p
If you’re an educator (especially if you’re in the UK) this is a great opportunity to be part of something that we’ve called (and especially Tom Barrett) has called for over the last few years. In addition, you could get to become a Google Certified Teacher!

Application Process

There’s two parts to the application process: an online form and a 1-minute video.
You can apply for Google Teacher Academy UK here:
http://www.google.com/educators/gta.html
(closing date: 17 June 2010)

Advice

Here’s 10 bits of advice from me if you’re thinking of applying:
  1. Read what’s required of you. Seriously. For example, don’t submit a video that’s longer than 1 minute in length!
  2. It’s not how much you know about Google and use their tools already. You are allowed to show proficiency in other tools and processes.
  3. The video needs to address one (or both) of the these themes: a) Motivation and Learning, b) Classroom Innovation. You don’t have to feature physically in the video, but these themes do.
  4. Don’t whinge. Show yourself in a positive light.
  5. There’s no point in ticking every box for a question. It’s as if you didn’t tick any of them if you do that.
  6. In the ‘technology skills’ section, don’t do yourself down. If you’re not a newbie, there’s no reason to tick the newbie box!
  7. Read up on what Google Certified Teachers do and who they are. It will make your answers more informed.
  8. Post your video on YouTube. Not elsewhere. And make it publicly viewable (double-check!)
  9. Fill in your answers in a word processor (Google Docs!) and then copy-and-paste the answers in to the form. This will give you chance to reflect on them and run a word count.
  10. Some people have added the one-minute application video to their Google Certified Teacher page (e.g. Chris Craft). Check these out for inspiration – as well a YouTube search for ‘Google Teacher Academy’.

Conclusion

I’m firmly of the opinion that it’s worth giving up not only some of your summer holiday for Google Teacher Academy but also the time it takes to apply. You don’t need to be a current teacher to apply (I’m not!) but you do need to work with educators in some way. Cite your online as well as offline work.
This isn’t a time to be shy, it’s a time to step up and apply for something potentially life-changing.

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Virtual Volcano

Your students can create and erupt their own virtual volcano with Discovery Kids Volcano Explorer. Just change the viscosity and gas levels to create different types of volcanoes. Click set conditions and the virtual volcano will form. The most fun comes next as you click to make your volcano erupt. Use this interactive resource to also learn about the global location of volcanoes, various types of volcanoes, and what is inside a volcano.

iPads and iPods in the Classroom

Are you curious as to how these might be integrated into classes?
Cheryl Davis from Mt. View, CA has pulled it all together in a great presentation. Do your students already have them? Survey them and find out how many you have. It would be fun to know how many of our students have these tech devices. Do you think using these devices that they have will help engage our students?
http://tinyurl.com/dotson28

Monday, June 7, 2010

100 Free Mac Software

http://maketecheasier.com/100-free-software-for-mac-os-x/2010/02/04
Another great post!

Sunday, June 6, 2010

Setting up Parental Controls

The following site has directions for setting up parental controls on your Mac. Help your children be safe.

http://tinyurl.com/dotson30