Can you Google?

I was looking through my RSS feed, and came across this today, and thought it was fantastic, so I had to share!

Much of this, I learned while I was in college, from a science professor who actually drove me up a wall. Honestly, the only useful thing he taught me was how to properly search the web. This nice (big) poster puts a lot of the tips I've learned with some that I haven't even heard of. This would be a great tool for Highschool and College students.


**Note....from what I can tell from my experience, the "command key" is the CTRL key. I just wanted to make sure that was understood. I realized this when it mentioned the "Command + F" function. It is the same thing as "CTRL F" which helps you search a document or site for a specific word or phrase.

Comics can aide Literacy Development!

I am forever looking for things that will help my students connect with the story they are reading or the story they are writing. ReadWriteThink is a great source for educators to find useful online strategies to aide students in their development of various literacy components.

Specifically, I want them to be able to find the setting, main idea, and main characters. Comic Creator, an online interactive site, allows students to create their own comic. I use it to meet the aforementioned literacy goals. Students love it, and I know that they "get it" once they have a completed product. There is even a planning sheet!

What are you thankful for?

In honor of Thanksgiving, here are some great sites to use in the classroom or at home. I realize I'm a week late on getting this on here for many of the teachers to use with their students, but it is still fabulous for kids to look through during off time. I've gone through all of them, and I think I spent the most time on the virtual trips. For some reason, I am absolutely fascinated with them.

The First Thanksgiving

What it is: An interactive website

Description: The site contains info about Pilgrims’ voyage and life in the New World. It includes text and audio. You can even tour the ship!

Skills Addressed: historical events, vocabulary, comparing and contrasting

Virtual Field Trip:

What it is: An interactive website, includes Teacher’s Guide and zip file of printouts for students
Description: This is a program for older students. It includes a walking tour of Plymouth Plantation.

You’re the Historian

What it is: Interactive site where the student investigates history

Description: (from the site) In this fun, award-winning activity, kids take on the role of “history detectives” to investigate what really happened at the famous 1621 celebration. (Hint: It was a lot more than just a feast!) Along the way, they’ll read a letter written by an eyewitness to the event, learn about Wampanoag traditions of giving thanks, and visit Pilgrim Mary Allerton’s home. As a final activity, kids can design and print their own Thanksgiving exhibit panel.

The True Story of the First Thanksgiving

What it is: article

Description: This is a great article that details the First Thanksgiving.

Mayflower: A Hands-On History Look at the Pilgrims’ Journey to the New World

What it is: 33-page pdf file

Description: Teachers can copy the file and use it in the classroom.
Skills Addressed: vocabulary, life on the Mayflower, characterization of the Pilgrims and the Wampanoags

Story of Squanto

What it is: Weekly Reader story

Description: Text and audio, quiz, and interactive activity

Linoit

So, Yesterday I posted about Wallwisher. Today, I'm bringing you "Linoit ."

Linoit is actually a lot like Wallwisher. It is a collaborative space that you can use to post "stickies" on a topic. It's even better though, because you can add photos and videos as well.

Here is a quick tutorial about how to utilize/ set it up for classroom use:

Linoit also has its own How To Tutorial. It is actually set up on Linoit, so you get a true feel for how it works as you go through all of it. Each sticky that they have is a different How To topic. There are videos and recordings to help you out as well. Overall, I find it very user friendly.

Guess what! You can also use it on the iPhone and iPad! Here is the Linoit tutorial for that little treasure.

I have not yet used it in my classroom, but I definitely think this will be an awesome addition to my classroom technology tool kit! I used to use Glogster with my kids, but it is no longer free (only the super basic version is...and you can't even publish your stuff to the web...so it really isn't worth it anymore....), so I've ditched it like a bad habit. Linoit actually reminds me a lot of Glogster, though because of the ability to change backgrounds and use graphics.

Post it Notes....On the Web!

We all know I'm an absolute fanatic when it comes to post-its (and PENS). There is one site that has taken my obsession to the next level and made it possible to share it with my students in a technologically savvy manner....and it's SO EASY!

The site is called Wall Wisher.

Here is the homepage:



You do have to register to create a "board." It is quick and painless though, promise. Your students however, do not have to login or register to leave a comment (post-it note). This makes it versy efficient for classroom use, especially for younger students who do not have an email address.

Here is a quick video the demonstrates how to use this wonderful tool.

Here's another video that is geared more towards classroom use. It is very direct and makes it easy to implement this wonderful tool after viewing the video.

Can you Convert?

I often get frustrated when files won't transfer appropriately or I can't save somehting with the desired file format. About a year or two ago, I discovered a site that I hold near and dear to my heart! It's called Zamzar. It actually lets you convert your files for free. I use it mostly with audio and video files, as I don't currently have a LAME MP3 encoder on my laptop, and don't really feel like downloading it at the moment. It's actually easier for me to just type ZAMZAR into my address bar and just convert it. It send it straight to my email when it is finished too, so I don't even have to wait and stare at the screen for it to finish.

The web adress where you can access this Tech Treasure is www.zamzar.com .

Be aware though, it only keeps you file for one day. If you want to have it for up to 7 days, you can upload the file to somehting called FilePigeon. I don't use it that option though. Typically if I am converting a file, I need it right away, and just save it to my computer or flashdrive upon completion of conversion.

There is an option to upgrade to a paid account. With it, you will get it:

• Faster conversions (usually delivered in less than 5 minutes)


• Larger conversions - up to 1GB in size


• Personal inbox to manage and store up to 100GB of your filesNo intrusive advertsAnd much more ...


• Sign up at: http://www.zamzar.com/signup/
  

Beam Me Up, Scotty!

Have you ever gotten an error popup on your email server telling you that your file is too large to send? I have gotten this countless times, especially whenI'm trying to send unit flipcharts, etc to my colleagues. Well, there's something out there that can help us out.

Just Beam It, is a cloud based server that allows you to easily transfer files and share them with your peers or teachers. All you have to do is drag it over to the Just Beam it Window with in the highlighted box. Then you will be provided with a link to send. The only draw back I see is that it is not supported by internet explorer, which is, of course, what my county utilizes. Just Beam It reccomends using Firefox 7 or Google Chrome.

Watch the video below for more information.

JustBeamIt from JustBeamIt on Vimeo.