TurnItIn - plagiarism software

Following up on the Tech Session regarding TurnItIn. Check out the video below for a quick tour.

eLearning Summit

Wow. Where to start?

Dr. Michael Wesch was the keynote speaker on Thursday and shared some things that really make you think about where teaching and learning are going. Check out this video that he made in his classroom. Gets you thinking...


I am going to start using this blog as a notebook of things that I want to share with our staff over the next year. We are gearing up for our tech institute in July and with the amount of information out there to share, I want/need to be as organized as possible.

Google Calendar

Okay...full disclosure here...this calendar is public. Don't tell anyone. I guess that kind of defeats the purpose, but until I get you all dialed in on Google, you can view, but not edit.

So let's start there. Google...you've all heard of it. Now you NEED to get signed up and registered so as to use their wealth of open source (free) software and resources. By next year, if you haven't signed up, I am going to sign you up.

Here is my little video tutorial on the calendar. Until you sign up for a Google account, all you can do is view the calendar. And for the benefit of us all, you want to edit it with your pertinent stuff. That way we'll know when we get to have another 10 minute extension on lunch!!

So again...sign up...it doesn't hurt. And besides, Google is basically taking over the world. If you can't beat em, join em.

(You're probably wondering what all those links in this post are. If you haven't clicked on any of them, they're all taking you to the same place...Google Account Sign Up!)

Scanning

I have always had folks ask about scanning documents, photos, articles, etc. Our scanner isn't hooked up in the graphics lab, so I always fumbled around on words and...well...ummm...

But little did I (or many of you) know, but our copy machines in the office do a wonderful job of scanning and sending the files directly to your email. Marliss, Holly and Linda have always probably done these things for us, but I wanted to show you how EASY it is.

Check out this video:

Voicethread

This whole year I have been dabbling around on a website called Voicethreadwhich is an interactive powerpoint of sorts. You can upload photos, videos, word/excel documents, etc into "slides" and then make audio/written/video comments on each slide. The cool thing about it is in the spirit of Web2.0, others can also watch and make comments. It becomes another great space to collaborate on ideas and share information. I put together a quick tour voicethread with a photo, word doc and short video for you to check out. Hopefully the first slide will explain how to navigate around.


Here is a little sample Voicethread for you to check out that I am helping Diane Flom and Tony Donkers out with for their book reports. It's just a start, but going to be a cool project. Be sure to click on the BIG RIGHT ARROW in the lower right corner after my introductory page so you can hear Gretchen's book report.


Stay tuned and I will have a tutorial on how to put one of these little guys together.

Ning

I have mentioned to many of you the use of Ning as a website. I have a little video tutorial for you to check out if you like. It is a little tour of our site that we're using in the HS. It has been a wonderful resource that my students have really gotten into.

I had read that over 90% of teenagers are doing some sort of social networking (myspace, facebook, etc) and knew that there would be a way I could meet them somewhere halfway. Our Ning site has been a virtual classroom where kids and teachers share ideas, projects and information. I have used it extensively as this year has gone on and now have my students even blogging on their own pages from the site. At the same time that it's a great educational tool, kids enjoy hanging out there and visiting, posting photos, uploading music, etc.

Here's a little video for you. Take a peek if you're curious...

RSS Feeds and Bloglines

Some of you I have visited and shared this info with. The rest of you...prepare to be incredibly overwhelmed all while in a state of organized nirvana.

There are these little icons out there on that world wide web thing
that represent something called FEEDS. They are tied to something called RSS (really simply synidcation) which is basically your opportunity to subscribe to websites that have changing content such as blogs, news pages, etc.

Now I have set up an account for you at a website called Bloglines which is going to manage these sites that you have "subscribed" to. I have actually subscribed you to some sites within your content area that I think you might find interesting.

One of the blogs that I think you should add as a feed is this one. I am going to keep updating and adding things here that I know you would like.

Here is a little video I put together on RSS and Bloglines and getting yourself set up. Please let me know where I can help.

If you click on MENU in the lower right corner,
you'll be able to view this video tutorial
in full-screen mode which will be easier to see.

Tech Sessions: ON DEMAND!

I know that most of you don't have the extra time to meet, come in early, stay late or put other things aside to learn technology. I am really the same way. It makes it a little easier when you get a little extra ca$h for coming in early on Thursday AM, but let's be honest...with all that we are doing in our classrooms THERE JUST ISN'T ENOUGH TIME TO MESS AROUND!

I am going to set up a place that you can take some of these ideas and innovative technologies and check them out when YOU WANT TO. "Prep time...that's a great idea...right after I get my grades done and help that one student" I will have the info here and you can do it when it works for you.

I think if you are going to embrace and experiment with some of these new ideas and technologies, you must experience them from a "learner's perspective".

So whether you're with me or not, I am going to use you as my little virtual class of learners.

Attendance will NOT be taken.