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Pics4Learning

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Pics4Learning

What's Better Than Good Stuff Free?

What's better than good stuff free?

This is an extensive list of The Web's best free stuff compiled by Preston Gralla and Erik Larkin of PC World and IDG News Service

Simple Steps for Introducing Podcasting into Your K-8 Class

This second segment of a two-part series explains how to edit and publish the podcasts your class produces. The author also offers suggestions for managing the podcasting class.

Read the article ...
Podcasting Basics: Simple Steps for Introducing Podcasting into Your K-8 Class, Part 2 : March 2008 : THE Journal

Read the first segment of the series.

Altoona High School CFF

This article from Altoona Mirror tells about the implementation of CFF technology in Altoona High School.

State Secretary of Education Gerald Zahorchak visited Altoona to observe the technology equipment available to students through a Classrooms for the Future grant.

The program aims to prepare Pennsylvania’s high school students for global competition by exposing them to technologies they can use in college and beyond.

Zahorchak said students who are not prepared will make less money and could end up in jail, where they will become a financial burden to others.

Read the article ... High-tech classrooms | Altoona Mirror

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New Grants & Contests

K-12 math and science grant and a wireless lab contest

Techlearning >> Grants & Contests > March 15, 2008

Chalk

Chalk is an independent 2006 mockumentary that centers on four young teachers in a Texas high school.

The movie follows Mr Stroope and Mr Lowery, history teachers; Coach Webb, a PE teacher; and Mrs Reddell, an assistant principle through the course of a year at Harrison High.

I was impressed by the authenticity. You will relate every character, both teachers and students, to someone you know. Sometimes hilariously funny and at others poignantly touching, this movie will "leave a mark."

Image from IMDb

9 Simple Strategies to Getting Things Done At Work

This article by Jacob Gube of Six Revisions details nine things you can do to be positive and productive at work …

• 1.) Start with the hard stuff first.
  
• 2.) Write down just five tasks to do today.
  
• 3.) Take a breather regularly.
  
• 4.) Cut down on non-work activities.
  
• 5.) Keep a work journal.
  
• 6.) Work fewer hours.
  
• 7.) Disconnect yourself momentarily.
  
• 8.) Mix it up.
  
• 9.) Keep motivating thoughts in mind.
  

Read the details at …

9 Simple Strategies to Getting Things Done At Work <> Lyved

The Awesome Highlighter

The Awesome Highlighter will let you highlight text on a Web page that you want to use in class or send to someone else.

You copy the URL of the page you want to mark-up, go to The Awesome Highlighter, select the text you want highlighted, save the page.

Then you will need the URL that is generated to access the marked-up page.

View Any Picture on the Web Fullscreen

PicLens is an add-on that allows you to instantly create a slideshow of all the images on a Web site and view any image full screen. This can be a terrific classroom tool.

This is a capture of the PicLens full-screen option applied to a Google Image Search page

Learning Essentials 2.0 for Microsoft Office

With Learning Essentials 2.0 for Microsoft Office, educators and students can get started, stay organized, and successfully complete high-quality work using the templates and tutorials provided. Educators can also create effective instructional resources, complete administrative tasks, and implement new teaching strategies

Download

Webwise from BBC

Webwise is the BBC's guide to using the internet. Modules include an internet beginner's course; Computer Tutor, a guide to using a computer; Ask Bruce, instant answers to your internet questions; and Net Comment ... , the voice of the internet novice.

The Science Channel :: Download: The True Story of the Internet

The Science Channel's series Download: The True Story of the Internet offers an in-depth look at the phenomena which has touched all our lives. Episodes include Browser Wars - Microsoft versus the "geeks", Search - the origins of Google, Bubble - the founders of Amazon and Ebay, and others.

Free Office Suite

Microsoft Office is the preeminent suite of office applications with word-processing, spreadsheet, and presentation tools as well as email. But, it's fairly expensive. The Home & Student Edition of Office 2007 will set you back about $100.

There is a totally FREE alternative. OpenOffice is a multiplatform and an open-source project. Compatible with all other major office suites including the new MSO 2007 docx formats, the product is free to download and use.

If you have been using MS Office and you're not comfortable with the new interface, the OpenOffice interface will be familiar to you. After a few minutes, you should feel right at home.The OpenOffice suite includes tools for word-processing, spreadsheets, presentations, databases, drawing, and more.

There's even a version that installs to a USB flash drive and runs from there with no need to install it on your computer.

Twitter???

You've probably heard of Twitter. It's one of the most popular web sites currently. Most of your students will know of it, many will be using it.

This piece from the TECHlearning IT guy will give you an idea of what it is and how you might use it ... Techlearning >> Twitter >March 4, 2008

(Double-secret info: It's not blocked!)

Web 2.0 Tools Motivate Student Creativity

Cory Plough writes in TechLEARNING how the use of Web 2.0 applications has enhanced the creativity of his students work in project-based assignments.

Implementing Web 2.0 tools in my courses has given me an opportunity to open the doorways of creativity and have students walk through it rather than supplying the gentle motivational nudge to which I'm accustomed.

Read the article ...
Techlearning >> Web 2.0 Tools Motivate Student Creativity > March 1, 2008

Free speech, sophomoric pranks, or criminal offense?

The following article is related to a story from the Christian Science Monitor which I cited in an earlier post.

Free speech, sophomoric pranks, or criminal offense? | Education IT | ZDNet.com

Fifty Years On ...

Read this doc on Scribd: School 1958vs2008

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