Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Look, I'm Learning movie project in Michigan


Photo-full

Look, I'm Learning from Allyson Rockwell on Vimeo.


Introduction Look, I'm Learning is a feature-length documentary film about a new revolution led by kids. To examine the potential of technology in early education, noted documentary director and producer Allyson Rockwell is partnering with school teachers and education leaders in Michigan to produce a film that tells the inspirational story of a Ludington, Michigan technology pilot program and its impact on the teachers, students, and community. The intent is to reenergize the federal, state, and local dialogue over the power and potential of appropriately integrating technology designed for learning. By addressing this compelling national storyline within a small town context, the documentary will do what no newspaper expose, whitepaper, or webinar can do. It will give real educators, their students, and parents an opportunity to tell their stories about the benefits and challenges posed by the pervasive use of technology in the classroom and their hopes and concerns about adopting 21st Century teaching and learning strategies in early elementary education.
Current FundingWe have successfully raised $65,000 from the following partner organizations:
What will my Funding do?Thank you for asking. You are helping us do the following: 
  • Shoot the remaining interviews
  • Complete the off-line edit
  • Compose original music
  • Clear the rights
  • Help spread the word and get programs like this to all our schools
Can we exceed the goal?
YES! What an amazing problem to have. Kickstarter will allow as much money as is given before the deadline. Maybe that would mean a more widespread theater release, or help build a great interactive website where teachers can share and learn from each other and parents can get ideas on how to help their districts get technology to all their students.  The possibilities are endless.
  • Payments will be received by the Center for Innovation in Education , a 501(c)3 organization, which will allow us to provide a tax deduction for contributions of $100 or more.
The Team
Director/Producer Allyson Rockwell has worked and produced/directed numerous corporate, political, industrial, and educational videos.  She has produced documentary films from the Sub-Arctic of northern Quebec to Leon, Nicaragua, on topics ranging from a controversial hydro-power plant and its effect on the environment, to a holocaust survivor whose inspiration helps to change our world. Recently she won an Emmy award for “Detroit Remember When: The Jewish Community,” which documented the history of the Jewish community in the Detroit area. She was producer for “The Learning Classroom: Theory into Practice,” which is a 13-part video- and web-based course for teacher education and professional development. (Film credits )
Creative Director Peter Reynolds is an accomplished writer, storyteller and illustrator, and brings his enthusiasm and energy to every project he creates. His best-selling books about protecting and nurturing the creative spirit include The DotIsh, and So Few of Me (Candlewick Press). In 1996, Peter and his twin brother Paul founded FableVision, a "social change agency," that functions as a turn-key educational media developer and publisher committed to creating positive programming and products that help all learners navigate their full potential.
Film Distribution Consultant Peter Broderick is President of Paradigm Consulting, which helps filmmakers and media companies develop strategies to maximize distribution, audience, and revenues. In addition to advising on sales and marketing, Paradigm Consulting specializes in state-of-the-art distribution techniques—including innovative theatrical service deals, hybrid video strategies (mixing retail and direct sales online), and new approaches to global distribution.
Executive Producer Bruce Umpstead serves as the State Director of Educational Technology and Data Coordination at the Michigan Department of Education (MDE). His major points of professional emphasis include taking technology-based innovations to scale in education. He is working with the creative team in generating sponsorship, fundraising, and pre-production activities. He is also responsible for the distribution, outreach, and engagement strategies.   


Sunday, January 29, 2012

Free Educational sites that you can use in your classroom

Latest update 29th January 2012 - These are some of the best free internet resources for education.

If you have more that you think should be added send them to me at sharpstf@gmail.com
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o 5min Life Videopedia is a place to find short video solutions for every practical questions.

A

o Acapela.tv is a fun site to create text-to-speech animations.

o Alice is a 3D programming environment that makes it easy to create an animation for telling a story, playing an interactive game, or a video to share on the web. Alice is a teaching tool for introductory computing. It uses 3D graphics and a drag-and-drop interface to facilitate a more engaging, less frustrating first programming experience.

o Animoto.com is a web application that produces professional quality videos from your pictures and music.

o Audacity is a programme that allows you to record sounds straight to your computer (you do need a microphone) and edit them afterwards. Very popular with languages teachers and podcasters.

o Audioboo is an audio-blogging site, you can send in updates through the web, phone or its own iPhone app. Perfect for blogging on the move, like on a school-trip, or sharing your class’s opinion about a topic.

o authorSTREAM allows you to publish and share your PowerPoint presentations. It also allows you to download published presentations as videos.

o Aviary is a suite of web applications which allow you to create, edit and manipulate images. They have also recently launched an audio editing tool called Myna (see below).

B

o BeFunky is a website that allows you to apply a variety of fun effects to your own photos or from photo sharing sites.

o Big Huge Labs is a collection of utilities and toys that allow you to edit and alter digital pictures. You can create puzzles, movie posters, magazine covers, mosaics, calendars, badges, billboards and many more besides.

o Bitstrips is a website that allows you to create comics and cartoons. There is a premium school version.

o Blabberize.com allows you to animate pictures to make the people, animals or objects in them appear as if they are talking. It only takes three simple steps.

o Block Posters is a web application that allows you to make full size posters from pictures in your computer. Perfect for classroom displays.

o Blogger is a free blogging platform by Google .

o Box.net is an online file storage and collaboration solution. Share content with your colleagues or students.

o Bubbl.us is a web application for creating mind-maps either on your own or collaborating with others.

o Build your Wild Self is a website by the New York Zoos that allows children to create human / animal hybrids. It can be used to practice personal descriptions.

o Bundlr is a free tool for online curation: it allows you to clip, aggregaten and share web content easily.


o Buzzword is an online word processor by Adobe , and is perfect for writing reports, proposals, and anything else you need to access online or work on with others. It looks and behaves like your normal desktop word processor, but it operates inside a web browser, so there’s no installation required.


C


o Camstudio is a free desktop application that allows you to record your computer screen.


o Capzles is a free web application that allows you to combine your photos, videos, blog posts and mp3s into rich multimedia storylines.


o Cartoonster is a website aimed at children with tutorials on how to create animations. Perfect to introduce the concept and possibilities of animation to youngsters.


o Cellsea is ideal to quickly add effects to your pictures.


o Classtools.net allows you to create free educational games, activities and diagrams in a Flash! The games can then be hosted on your own blog, website or intranet.


o Comicbrush allows you to create and share a comic using any combination of your own drawings, photos and ready-to-use artwork.


o Commoncraft is a useful website which explains web products and services in plain English using short, unique and understandable videos in a format they call Paperworks.


o ContentGenerator.net provides free flash game makers. Premium content also available.


o Create a Graph allows pupils to do just that.


o Creative Commons Search allows you to sieve through massive repositories of media and resources which you are legally free to use and share.


o Custom Sign Generator is an image creator that allows you to create free logos, avatars, comics and many other bits and bobs that you might need for your blog or presentations.


D


o Dabbleboard is an online whiteboard that will help you visualize, explore and communicate ideas


o Delicious is a social book-marking site which allows you to access your book-marks from any computer. It also allows your colleagues and students to share your bookmarks.


o Diigo also allows you to access and share your bookmarks from anywhere. With Diigo you can also annotate and highlight websites, which is perfect if you want to share resources with your students after having added your own notes to it.


o Diipo connects teachers with students by making it easy to communicate with your class. Diipo also connects you with other educators and your class with other classes. Similar to Facebook and Twitter, Diipo is social networking for the classroom. See also Edmodo , below.


o Dipity is a web application that allows you to create embedable media-rich timelines. Great for research and history projects.


o DivShare is a service that allows you to upload, store, manage and then embed any file -including video files- into websites. Perfect for the teacher-blogger or a classroom blog.


o Doink.com is a website that allows you to create and share animations.


o Domo is a school friendly version of Go!Animate (below) in which all inappropriate content is filtered out. Domo allows you and your students to create animations that can be embedded onto blogs, wikis, etc.


o DotSUb is a website that allows you to upload videos and put subtitles on them. Perfect to share foreign language resources or to set translation projects to your students.


o Dropbox is software that enables file storage, back up, sharing and synchronisation online and across different computers. Premium service with a basic free account.


o Dropmocks allows you to create photo galleries really easily by dragging photos form your desktop or any folder in your computer and drop them into your browser to create and share photo galleries.


E


o Edmodo is a micro-blogging service (like Twitter) for teachers and students. Use it with your students to share information, set and collect assignments and much more.


o Edublogs.org based on WordPress.com , Edublogs is a hosted blogging platform designed for education.


o Embedit.in is a service that allows you to upload and embed documents into blogs or other websites quickly and easily. Perfect for a classroom blog or a teacher-blogger.


o eThink.org.uk is an online community supporting education by supplying free blog space.


o Evernote is a cross-platform note taking tool that allows you and/or your students to take notes. Text, pictures, voice memos and more are automatically synced across all your devices: save once, save everywhere.

F

o Facebook can be used to set up pages and provide your students with updates about your subject or department. Students don’t have to be your friends to enjoy the benefits of this facility. Your students are all on Facebook anyway, might as well make the most of it!

o Filezilla is a very useful desktop application that allows you upload content to your web pages or blogs using FTP (File Transfer protocol).

o Flickr is a web service for storing and sharing your digital photographs. It also contains a massive collection of Creative Commons photographs and pictures which can be used to illustrate presentations or for other creative tasks.

o Fotobabble enables you to create talking photos in a few clicks by adding a voice to customisable slide-shows.


o Freemind is a desktop application for creating mind-maps. Available for Linux, OSX and Windows.

G

o Gimp is an Open Source image manipulation program. A bit like Photoshop, only free! It tackles tasks such as photo retouching, image composition and image authoring.

o GlassGiant is a website that allows you to make fun, custom pictures.

o Gliffy is an online application with which you can easily create professional-looking flowcharts, diagrams, floor plans and technical drawings.

o Glogster is a web application tha allows you to create online posters or glogs. Not strictly blogging, glogging is making media rich online posters that can be shared online or embeded onto wikis.

o Go!Animate is a web application with which you can create animated comic strips and cartoons.

o Google , as well as the search engine, provides a comprehensive suite of web-based and desktop applications like Gogle Docs, Google Earth, Blogger, Google Mail and much, much more…

o Greenfoot allows you to make graphical representation of objects and simulations.

H

o Hot Potatoes is an application that allows you to create interactive exercises, such as quizzes, multiple choice questions and crosswords, which can be added to websites. Free for schools.

I

o ImageChef is a website that allows you to create custom images by combining text, symbols and photos. Great for classroom displays, starter activities or homework.

o Instapaper allows you to easily save web pages for reading later, when you have time, so you don’t just forget about them or skim through them. Very good research tool.

o iPadio allows you to broadcast from any phone to the Internet live, creating phlogs – live voice-blogs

o iSendr is an on demand file sharing and transfer system, facilitating the sending of large files between people.

o Isle of Tune allows users to create musical journeys using street layouts. Streetlights become instruments and passing cars play them! Great fun for budding composers of all ages.

o iTALC is a free and powerful didactical tool for teachers. It lets you view and control other computers in your network in several ways: overview, remote control, lock down stations, send messages to students etc (available only for Linux and Windows 2000/XP operating systems).

o iTunes whether you run a Mac or a PC, whether you have an iPod or not. This programme from Apple allows you to manage your music collection and converts CDs and other sound recordings to mp3.

J

o Jamendo A European podsafe music site. Download royalty-free, Creative Commons music in all major european languages.

o Jamglue is a web based application for recording and mixing tracks. Like Audacity or Garageband but online.

o JClic is a desktop application that creates interactive exercises and multimedia educational activities (using Java) fro your website or VLE.

o Jigsaw Planet is a site that allows users to create their own jigsaw puzzles.

o Jing is a free desktop application that allows you to capture your desktop as you work. Excellent for creating video tutorials.

K

o Kerpoof allows children to draw, tell stories and create cartoons and animations. Very popular website, now part of the Disney family of companies.

o Khan Academy has a library of almost 3000 education videos from a wide variety of subjects.

o KickYoutube is a web application that converts YouTube videos to any format. Simply type in the word kick after the www. in the YouTube url.

o Kompozer is an Open Source desktop HTML editor and web authoring application.

L

o Languages Online Australia free flash game makers from Department of Education of the State of Victoria, Australia. This website also contains a wealth of ready-made interactive language exercises.

o Lingro allows you to view any foreign language website through its own online browser, allowing you then to click on any word on the screen to find out its meaning in English or your chosen language. Not only that, it remembers which words you clicked and then tests you… a fantastic resource for language learners.

o Lingus.tv Beginner, intermediate and advanced level videos for the learner of Spanish. Comes with transcript, translations and grammar points.

o Lingt is a web application that allows you to create and edit language assignments incorporating voice, video, images, and text.

o Lino allows you you create online noticeboards and, by creating a group, it becomes a really useful tool for students to collaborate. See also Wallwisher, below.

M

o Mahara is open source software that allows you to create electronic portfolios, weblogs, and social networking systems, among other things. It provides you with the tools to set up an online personal learning environment.

o Make Beliefs Comix allows you to create comic strips online.

o Masher is an online video editor that allows user to create videos using their own uploaded material or its own library of resources, including photos, videos and music.

o MediaWiki is a free piece of software that allows you to install and maintain an infinite number of wikis. Because it requires server-side installation, you may find it less complicated to get your school to install it for you.

o MentorMob allows you to create learning playlists, that is to say you can add specific web pages in the sequence you want your students to read them.

o Mindomo is a web application for creating and sharing mind-maps.

o Mindmeister is another web application that allows you to create collaborative mind-maps.

o Minus allows you to create photo galleries really easily by dragging photos form your desktop or any folder in your computer and drop them into your browser to create and share photo galleries.

o Mouse Mischief is free educational software from Microsoft that allows your whole class to connect to your computer/interactive whiteboard using individual mice. It integrates into Microsoft PowerPoint 2010 and Microsoft Office PowerPoint 2007, letting you insert questions, polls, and drawing activity slides into your lessons. Students can actively participate in these lessons by using their own mice to click, circle, cross out, or draw answers on the screen.

o Museum Box provides the tools for you to build up an argument or description of an event, person or historical period by placing items in a virtual box.

o My Award Maker is a web service for creating your own awards to hand out to your students. Awards are printable, in .pdf format.

o Myna is an online audio recording and editing tool which is really impressive and intuitive. See also Aviary, above.

o Myplick is a free service that lets you share and embed presentations online. Formats supported are powerpoint, pdf, and openoffice odp. You can also add narration or sound effects to your presentation by uploading an audio file. You can then share your presentation with everyone or only share it within a small private group.

N

o Ning allows you to create your own public or, importantly for education, private social networks. Use it to communicate and share resources with your colleagues and students. Unfortunately, no longer free but still worth considering.

O

o OneTrueMedia.com produces slide shows from templates with your own photos and music which you can then post online.

o Online Photo Tool is a website that allows you to edit and save your images, screenshots and photos online.

o Open Office is an Open Source office suite complete with draw, database, spreadsheet, presentation and word-precessing tools, fully compatible with Microsoft. Perfect if you or your students need to install an office suite but can’t afford (or won’t pay) the licence fee.

P

o Paint.NET is a very good Open Source image and photo editing desktop application for computers that run Windows. It features an intuitive and innovative user interface with support for layers, unlimited undo, special effects, and a wide variety of useful and powerful tools.

o PBWorks (previously known as PBWiki) allows you to create wikis for your classes. Its education edition focuses on safety and collaboration.

o PDFCreator is a desktop application that turns anything in your computer (Windows only, I think) into a PDF file, be it word documents, PowerPoint presentations, web pages… anything. Very good if you want to create hand-outs or lesson notes quickly and easily.

o Pen.io describes itself as simple online publishing. This website allows users to quickly create, publish and share text based web pages. Here are a few ideas about this tool could be used.

o Phixr is an online photo editor.

o PhotoPeach is a slide show maker simple enough for young children to use independently. It easily allows you to add text to slides for added impact.

o Photo Story 3 is a Windows desktop application that makes film clips of your photo slide shows to which you can add commentary, soundtrack and transition effects.

o PhotoSynth is a free Microsoft web application that allows you to take a bunch of photos of the same scene or object and automatically stitch them all together into one big interactive 3D viewing experience that you can share with anyone on the web (currently Windows only).

o Photovisi is a web application that turns your pictures into a collage which you can then download free (high quality paid versions are also available). Great to illustrate story telling or just for decoration!

o PicLits is a creative writing site that matches images with carefully selected keywords, creating a final product that captures the essence, story, and meaning of the picture.

o Picnik.com is a powerful and easy to use photo editing web application. Think Photoshop on-line and without the hefty price tag.

o Picture2Life is a web service that allows you to edit, collage and animate pictures online.

o Pimpampum is a collection of web applications that allow you to work with Flickr photographs and turn them into books, comics and more…

o Piratepad allows you to collaborate online. See also Titanpad, below.

o Pixer is another online photo editor.

o Pixorial allows you to upload, edit and organise video files.

o Pixton is an online comic creator with an education section, allowing the creation of safe sharing environments.

o plannerLIVE is a tool that allows teachers to set homework and and students to submit it, all online (UK only).

o Podomatic is a podcast publishing service. Upload your audio or video files and they do the rest! Free for the first 500MB

o Poisson Rouge hosts a wealth of flash-based activities to help you revise, teach and learn about all sorts of subjects, from Music and Biology to Mandarin Chinese!

o Polldaddy is a web service that enables you to create online surveys and polls.

o Popplet is an innovative take on mind mapping. Easily add pictures, text and videos to help you explore ideas in a visual way.

o Posterous is perhaps the simplest easiest and most intuitive of all blogging platforms. I use Posterous to keep live blogs of school trips and residential visits because I can simply email updates and Posterous does all the rest!

o Prealoader is a web based photo editor that claims to be the best way to upload and optimize photos to Flickr .

o Prezi is a web application that allows you to create stunning visual presentations. Think PowerPoint meets mind map.

Q

o Quizlet allows you to create and share flaschcards. Great to help your students revise material or for you to create resources for the Interactive Whiteboard.

R

o Random Activity Generator allows you to generate a creative classroom activity, homework or task instantly.

o RealPlayer 11 is a desktop media player that also allows you to download .flv video content. In practical terms this means that you can download video fromYouTube

, TeacherTube or any other such video sharing site at the click of a button for later viewing off-line. Perfect if your school network blocks or filters video sharing sites.

S

o Save Skelly is a flash game generator that allows you to create interactive assessments which can be uploaded to a website or stored in your computer as a .swf file. Great for Interactive Whiteboards.

o Seeqpod allows you search music and other media and then produce customised, embeddable music players from your selections.

o Seesmic is a video blogging service which allows its users to post and share video updates. Similar to 12 Seconds (above).

o Sclipo If you have something to teach the rest of us, you post it here. Alternatively, go and learn something new.

o Scratch is a programming language that makes it easy to create your own interactive stories, animations, games, music, and art — and share your creations on the web.

o Screenr is a screencast tool for Twitter that allows you to easily record your screen and share it with your followers.

o Screentoaster is an online screen recorder that allows you to capture and share what goes on in your computer screen. Perfect to record how to videos or record presentations as they unfold.

o Scribd is a document sharing service that allows you to store and share almost any document format for easy viewing online. It also offers the possibility of embedding a document viewer into your website, blog or wiki. Very handy to share resources with staff and students.

o Scribus is an Open Source desktop publishing application that allows you to create professional documents and page lay-outs and then exports them into PDF format. Perfect for newsletters and worksheets.

o ShareTabs is a simple and efficient way to share links with pupils/students or colleagues. Send one single personalised url containing all your links conveniently displayed in tabs.

o SimplyBox allows you to capture and share the web with groups of students. Students can also use simply box to reasearch and store the information they find on a given topic.

o SketchUp is a desktop application from Google that allows teachers or students to create and share stunning 3D models easily and intuitively.

o Slatebox allows you to create collaborative mind-map style idea visualisations. Perfect for embedding into a website or view on the interactive whiteboard.

o Slideshare allows you to upload and share your PowerPoint presentations. Presentations can then be embedded into blogs or wikis.

o SmashMash.tv is a web application that animates pictures and photographs, but it does require you to download and install a plug-in and is more complicated to work than Blabberize, for example.

o Smilebox is a website where you can create e-cards, scrapbooks, slideshows and photo albums from digital photographs.

o Snipshot is a web based picture editing application.

o Songbird is a free and open-source customizable music player. Think of it as an open source iTunes .

o Spicynodes allows you and your students to create visualisations, mindmaps or organizational chart which can then be embedded into websites, blogs and wikis.

o SplashCast is a web based service that allows you to create and edit video channels.

o Stixy allows you to share and collaborate on flexible, web-based bulletin boards. Users can create tasks, appointments, files, photos, notes, and bookmarks which can then be then be shared with friends, students and colleagues.

o Storybird helps you or your pupils to create short, visual, digital stories which can then be shared and embedded into blogs and wikis.

o Stripgenerator is a simple, yet effective and intuitive cartoon strip generator.

o Stupeflix.com is a web service that allows you to create videos by combining image and audio. A very easy way to get into video podcasting.

o Sumo Paint is a professional image editing and painting software in your browser.

o Survey Monkey is a web service that enables you to create online surveys and polls.

o Switchzoo allows users to create new animals by switching their parts. The site features animal games, music performed using animal voices, a reference section about all of the animals in Switch Zoo, lesson plans, and poetry, stories and artwork created by students and visitors.

o Sync.in is a web based word processor for people to collaborate in real-time

T

o TagGalaxy is a web application that allows you to search Flickr tags and displays the results in a stunning visual way. Perfect to introduce topics on the IWB or to get discussions going.

o Tagul is similar to Wordle. Both create customisable word or tag clouds, the difference is that Tagul’s clouds are embeddable into other websites such as blogs or wikis.

o Tagxedo is another app following Wordle’s footsteps. Tagxedo, however, allows for greater customisation of the final images, including a large variety of colour schemes and the ability to change the shape of the could. Word clouds can then be saved as .jpeg or .png image files.

o TeacherTube . Name says it all: like YouTube but for educational purposes.

o Textorizer allows you to turn a logo (web app) or a picture (free desktop app) into text by substituting colours with the text you supply.

o Timeglider is an web application that allows you to create visual time lines of events. Perfect for History, but useful for any subject exploring a sequence of events.

o Timetoast also allows you to create interactive time lines, which can be shared anywhere on the web.

o Tinychat allows you to create private video conferences. You can have up to twelve people in a room with HQ video, protected by passwords and moderators, share your desktop with them, and your conferences can be recorded and embedded on your website.

o Titanpad is based on Etherpad and does exactly the same thing. It allows multiple users to collaborate on a document simultaneously.

o TED is a collection of inspired talks from the world’s greates thinkers and doers.

o Toondoo is a web application that allows you to create your own comic characters and comic strips.

o Tubechop allows you to cut and edit YouTube videos so that you can concentrate on the interesting bits or remove offending scenes.

o Tumblr is a simplified blogging platform that allows you to post text, photos, quotes, links, music, and videos, from your browser, phone, desktop or email. See Posterous, above.

o Tutpup has lots of fun games to reinforce numeracy and literacy (spelling only currently)

o Twiducate is a Twitter-like (see below) micro-blogging service for schools.

o Twitter is a micro-blogging service. Sign up and join the ever growing network of teachers and educators sharing their experiences and practice (I’m@josepicardo
on Twitter, follow me to get started and then see whom I follow and who follows me).

o TypeIt.org is a website that allows you type in text requiring foreign accented characters in a variety of languages, even if you don’t have a specialist keyboard. You can edit your text in the box and then copy it to your document, e-mail message, etc.

o TypeWith.me is another Etherpad clone. It allows users to collaborate on a single document simultaneously. See Titanpad above.

U

o Ubuntu is an Open Source, Linux-based operating system. It contains all the applications you need – a web browser, presentation, document and spreadsheet software, instant messaging and much more.

o Udemy allows you to create online courses. You can upload presentations, videos, host live classroom sessions and write blog posts. And it’s free./li>

V

o VectorMagic converts images to vector images, this basically means that it allows you to scale an image without making blurry or pixelated, retaining its crispness.

o Vimeo is a simple and elegant video sharing service, perhaps my favourite.

o Vocaroo is a web service for sending voice messages across the internet.

o Voicethread is a web application that allows you to collaborate online by sharing media and comments. The perfect tool for whole class projects.

o Voki.com is a web application that produces animated characters to which you can add your voice (or anybody else’s).

o Voxopop is essentially a message board/forum system that uses voice recordings instead of text. You can set up a private talkgroup that will be hidden from the public – ideal for classrooms!

o Vuvox enables you to create personal, collaborative slideshows or presentations using your own digital media – including video, photos, music and text.

W

o Wallwisher is an online notice board maker where either just you or a group of people can post messages. Ideal for a personal to-do list or group discussion and collaboration on a given topic.

o Wetpaint allows you can create websites that mix all the best features of wikis, blogs, forums and social networks into a rich, user-generated space.

o Wikispaces provide wikis free of charge to educators. Its simplicity and the ability to easily set up multiple accounts are its greatest strengths.

o WiZiQ is a free web-based platform for anyone and everyone who wants to teach and learn live, online. Teachers and students can use WiZiQ’s virtual classroom, create and share online educational content and tests, and connect with people who have similar subject interests.

o Wordle allows users to create customisable word clouds from any given texts or web address and it’s an excellent tool for text analysis. See also Tagul, above.

o WordPress.com is a hosted blogging platform and content management system. As it hosted, you don’t need to find your own web space, WordPress supplies it for you.

o WordPress.org is a self-hosted version of the above. It’s highly customisable but you need your own web space and basic knowledge of html coding.

X

o Xmind is an Open Source mind mapping desktop application.

o Xtranormal is a web application that allows you to produce short films with virtual characters and a text to speech facility.

Y

o Yacapaca allows you to create quizzes, test, surveys and e-portfolios. It’s an online Virtual learning Environment.

o Yammer allows you to create your own, private social network.

o Youconvertit.com allows you to covert file formats to any other file format, download videos from sites such as YouTube and make unit conversions as well!

o YouTube EDU is a huge collection of educational videos supplied by college and universities.

o YouTube for Schools allows access to videos in a controlled environment.

Z

o Zamzar Convert file format to any other file format and download YouTube videos.

o Zimmer Twins is a fun website that allows children to create animated cartoons. The resulting movie can be saved on the site, although, sadly, it cannot be embedded elsewhere.

o Zoho is a comprehensive suite of web based applications that allow you to create, share and store your files online. It has a word processor, a spreadsheet maker, a presentation tool, a wiki editor, an e-mail client and much more…

o Zoho Challenge , part of Zoho, above, allows you to create online tests and quizzes in minutes

o ZooBurst is a digital storytelling tool that is designed to let anyone easily create their own customized 3D pop-up books.

Thursday, January 26, 2012

Celebrate Digital Learning Day

Help celebrate Digital Learning Day and receive a chance to win a $50 gift certificate! Submit a lesson plan that you have successfully used in your classroom that uses at least one digital resource from the Michigan Online Resources for Educators portal or any other free web-based resource. The first 20 lesson plans accepted will receive a $50 gift certificate. Winners may be asked to provide a photo and a quote on the usefulness of M.O.R.E. to their teaching practice. Lesson plans may be added to the M.O.R.E. portal. Lesson plans must use the template provided. Lesson plans should be submitted to contactmore@gmail.com. You will receive a confirmation email within 72 hours of submission. If you do not receive a confirmation, please resubmit and note that it is a resubmission in the subject line of the email. The Michigan Online Resources for Educators (M.O.R.E.) is part of the Michigan eLibrary (http://mel.org) Deadline: All entries must be received before 8:00 AM, March 1, 2012. Please share with teachers you know and with whom you work!

Building Michigan Education Fiber Network

REACH-3MC Update http://www.merit.edu/connections/Jan2012/reachupdate.php
As a new year begins, Merit's REACH-3MC Team can reflect on a busy and accomplished 2011. Having begun construction on the Round 2 portion of the project, deployed optical equipment at key network nodes and made significant progress securing necessary permits, we are ready to hit the ground running in 2012. In December, Merit broke ground on Round 2 with a segment of underground construction from Bruce Crossing south to Watersmeet. This is a very exciting milestone for Merit and REACH-3MC because it also marks the beginning of construction in the Upper Peninsula. Read the entire REACH-3MC Update.

Apple Education Event (IBook) Keynote Video, January 2012 Official Video

Apple NEW Event in 2012! Official Presentation. Full Video Subscribe and like please please please my channel
Apple just had their education event where they announced publisher partnerships, $15 textbooks for iPads, new iBooks 2, and other stuff.
Apple in education.
iBooks Textbooks for iPad.
Te next chapter in learning.

Copyright To apple.I do not own the video.Full credit goes to beloved Apple.Love Apple.have whole range of products.


Apple iBooks Author Tour

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Rethinking the Technology Paradigm

Rethinking the Technology Paradigm

Article for Comp II
by
Fred Sharpsteen
A month ago I went to the Technology Conference. At one of the seminar, "Education on the Internet". I was having one of those moments of thought on this day. Are we doing the right things in our society and schools with Technology as it changes so rapidly. The presenter stimulated me to think with these items that are listed. Think about these Items and how they relate to thing that you have heard people say about computers and modern technology.

· Teacher's Conference 1703: Students today can't prepare bark to calculate their problems. They depend on their slates, which are more expensive. What will they do when the slate is dropped and it breaks?

· Principal's Association 1806: Students today depend on paper too much. They don't know how to write on slate without getting chalk dust all over themselves. What will they do when they run out of paper?

· National Association of teachers 1907: Students today depend too much upon ink. They don't know how to use a penknife to sharpen a pencil. Pen and ink will never replace the pencil.

· PTA Gazette 1941: Students today depend on these expensive fountain pens. They can on longer write with a straight pen and nib.

· Federal Teachers 1950: Ballpoint pens will be the ruin of the education in our country. Students use these devices and then throw them away. The American values of thrift and frugality are being discarded.

· 1992: Students today depend too much on the hand held calculators.

By the way what ever happened to the Slide Rule that every engineer had until the middle of the 80's? After looking at these things that have been wrote in the past. There was that sudden moment of clarity for me, that we each experience now and then. Yes we are doing the right thing as a society with computers and modern technology. Other words I would be writing this article on bark.

Imagine a Technology Blackout Day

Imagine a Technology Blackout Day Examine the Effective Use of Technology in Your School and Community By Fred Sharpsteen Have you ever stopped for a moment on a busy day at your job and wondered what it would be like if we didn’t have computers and all the modern technology to make our daily lives more productive? Well, on April 20th you will have this opportunity if you choose to do so. The State Educational Technology Directors Association (SETDA) asked all schools across the country to do just that. Take a moment to reflect and think about how things would change without technology in the learning environment. What is technology? Is it the computer that sits on your desk? Is it the PDA or cell phone at your side? Actually, the Webster 7th New Collegiate Edition of the dictionary defines it as, “The totality of the means employed to provide objects necessary for human sustenance and comfort.” I like to define it as this--a tool that helps us complete a task faster or easier. One of the tasks that have seen the greatest changes in technology is farming. Farming is one of the oldest uses of technology to mankind. It has allowed our population to grow numerous times over by helping us provide greater quantities of food and other innovative farming techniques. In this age of modern innovations, we need to make sure that our boys and girls are challenged by not only a demanding curriculum but we also need to challenge them with higher level thinking skills. We need to give them modern technology in order to aid students and the community in productive learning and problem solving skills for life. So, as you go forward on the 20th of April, 2005, take the time to think about and imagine what your life would be like without modern technology. If we don’t offer these tools to them in the future, how will we teach our young people the skills they will need to be productive and successful citizens in the next century? To find out more about this event,

http://www.technologyblackoutday.com/

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Google data center security

GoObserve now avalible for the Android.



GoObserve now avalible for the Android. So now if the principal say they have to get an iPad for the GoObserve you can tell them that it is avalible for the Android also... :-)

GoObserve™ Classroom Observation and Walkthrough Tool


GoObserve greatly simplifies the process of conducting classroom observations and walkthroughs. GoObserve uses native calendar and contact imports to easily set up and schedule teacher observations, import or add additional profile information for teachers, quickly select from up to a dozen customizable preset criteria with associated timers and notes/phrases, and complete an observation.



Developed jointly by GoKnow Mobile Learning and The Michigan Association of Secondary School Principals (MASSP)

GoObserve™ Classroom Site
http://observe.goknow.com/

Andriod Market
https://market.android.com/details?id=com.goknow.goobserve

CoSN Strategic Plan: 2012-2015



CoSN Strategic Plan: 2012-2015
http://www.cosn.org/Default.aspx?TabId=11097


CoSN’s 2012-2015 strategic plan builds on our previous work and reflects our strong commitment for the continued progress, growth, and success of the association. The plan is not a static one. Periodically the Board of Directors will reexamine and update the goals and objectives in light of changing conditions and new opportunities and trends in the education environment. CoSN seeks to provide significant benefits and value to its members while it proactively addresses these changing trends.
They invite your ideas and suggestions as they undertake this exciting work (send to info@cosn.org).


What’s New? What Continues?

The release of CoSN’s strategic plan for 2012-2015 coincides with the 20th Anniversary of our founding. Over the past two decades, CoSN has grown and transformed itself into the premier professional association for school system technology leaders. Our history is a rich one, demonstrating how one group can have a profound influence by providing the resources essential for advancing 21st century learning.
Looking to the future, our vision and core values are unchanged. We will continue to position CoSN as the premier professional association for school system technology leaders. We will continue to strengthen our commitment to provide the leadership, community, and advocacy tools essential for the success of education technology leaders.

At the same time, CoSN will also forge ahead with new and revised goals reflective of the ever-changing education technology landscape and designed to make us an even stronger organization offering highly valued and relevant services to our members.


These goals include:

■Seeking to close the technology access gap for learning inside and outside of school.

■Launching the first-ever aspirational certification program for school system Chief Technology Officers (CTOs).

■Building district-wide capacity for team engagement.

■Advocating the importance of investing in education technology.

■Strengthening and expanding the capacity of CoSN state chapters.

CoSN’s mission statement has been updated to reach beyond our core audience of public school districts to encompass education technology system leaders at education service agencies, and independent, parochial, and charter schools.

Strategic Goals

The Board identified five external goals focusing on closing the technology access gap, increasing CTO skills, building system-wide support for technology, advocating for educational technology, and expanding state capacity.
■Close Access Gap: Increase awareness of requirements to close the technology access gap for learning inside and outside of school.

■CTO Skills: Enhance the skills and competencies of CTOs and raise expectations as defined in the Framework of Essential Skills of the K-12 CTO and measured by certification.

■Team Capacity: Build district -wide support for technology in education through strategic partnerships and professional learning opportunities.

■Voice: Advocate for investments in education technology as a means of enhancing learning opportunities and driving economic growth.

■State Capacity: Expand the capacity of CoSN chapters by enabling professional learning opportunities and developing ability to influence state policy.


In Conclusion

CoSN’s leadership believes that this strategic plan will enable us to continue our 20-year tradition as the premier professional association serving school system technology leaders. As we undertake the exciting work of implementing this plan, we invite you to join in our efforts to enhance learning through the effective use of technology. We welcome and invite feedback from you, our valued members.

Goal 1: Close Access Gap: Increase awareness of requirements to close the technology access gap for learning inside and outside of school.


As documented in the U.S. Department of Education’s 2010 National Educational Technology Plan and the Federal Communications Commission’s 2010 National Broadband Plan, improved educational networks are critical to support the broad range of changes taking place in education technology. A dynamically demanding education technology environment is forcing school systems to deal with major infrastructure requirements presented by common core assessments, conversion from print to digital content, mobile learning, blended instruction, virtual schooling, and personalized learning.



In this new environment, school systems need high-speed broadband and high-density wireless connectivity to meet instructional opportunities and assessment requirements. To truly embrace learning anytime, anyplace, there must be broadband home access. The growing use of student-owned devices, the necessity of protecting intellectual property rights and sensitive data in a highly distributed cloud-based instructional environment, and the creation of online learning environments that cover an appropriate range of instructional approaches and personalized learning opportunities are all placing new infrastructure demands on school systems.

CoSN has a wide range of resources to help school systems intelligently navigate through the key challenges they face. We will expand these resources and focus on providing guidance to deploy broadband networks; to support the security, safety, and technical needs existing in the school environment; and to increase the awareness of closing the access gap for learning inside as well as outside of school. Our goal is to provide school system technology leaders with the knowledge to invest wisely in educational connectivity and communication services for today and tomorrow.



Goal 2: CTO Skills: Enhance the skills and competencies of CTOs and raise expectations as defined in the Framework of Essential Skills of the K-12 CTO and measured by certification



A major ongoing priority of CoSN is to develop the human capacity in school systems around leveraging technology for transformation. In 2012, CoSN is launching the first-ever aspirational certification program for U.S. K-12 education technology leaders who are using technology strategically for the improvement of the learning process. Those who pass this rigorous certification process will demonstrate that they are committed to bringing the most current technology tools and ideas to our nation's teachers and students.


When appropriately implemented with strong leadership and a clear vision as well as sufficient professional development, technology can be profoundly powerful and transformative. With this in mind, CoSN has identified the knowledge and skills needed by school system leaders to define and build 21st century learning environments. The Framework defines three overarching knowledge areas critical to today's education technology leaders.

■Leadership & Vision

■Understanding the Educational Environment

■Managing Technology & Support Resources

Under each of these overarching skill areas, there are specific responsibilities and the knowledge needed to be a successful and effective CTO in today's educational environment.

With support from the National Science Foundation (NSF), state departments of education, and key corporate partners, CoSN is working with a nationally renowned exam development vendor to create and administer the CTO certification exam for Chief Technology Officers (CTOs) based on the Framework. Beta testing took place during December 2011. The first Certified Education Technology Leader (CETL) certification exam is scheduled to be administered in March 2012 during the CoSN’s Annual Conference in Washington, D.C.

As part of our new strategic plan, all the professional development offered by CoSN will tie to the Framework as we prepare education technology leaders for the challenges of today and tomorrow.

Goal 3: Team Capacity: Build district wide support for technology in education through strategic partnerships and professional learning opportunities

CoSN believes that school technology directors acting alone cannot transform education. The CTO works most effectively when part of a team that recognizes and values the power of technology to transform learning, instruction, and administrative efficiencies throughout the organization. CoSN provides a rich set of resources, educational materials, and activities suitable for all school system/school district leaders. Hot technologies and trends must be put into the context of learning with real examples of what works, what doesn’t, and ideas of how to get there from where you are today. Successful teams include the superintendent and curriculum leaders as well as experienced CTOs.

CoSN recognizes and supports school system teams with the CoSN Team Award, the Empowering the 21st Century Superintendent Leadership Initiative, and through our work with the U.S. Department of Education to leverage online communities of practice for continuous improvement. We are proud to partner with leading foundations such as the John D. & Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation and Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation as well as our collaborations with American Association of School Administrators, the National Association of Elementary School Principals, the National Association of Secondary School Principals, Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, and the National School Boards Association.

Institutional membership in CoSN supports and assists school system leaders in building needed team capacity and provides essential membership benefits. The success of technology within a school system depends on system-wide support and leadership, and most important, a culture of innovation and continuous improvement.

Goal 4: Voice: Advocate for investments in education technology as a means of enhancing learning opportunities and driving economic growth.



Since our founding in 1992, CoSN has been committed to maintaining a strong and effective voice in policy formation and implementation at the federal level. We work to ensure that legislation supports and promotes the power of technology to transform learning. Our efforts include an annual policy summit and ongoing mechanisms to provide educators with the tools and training necessary to be powerful advocates for the value of education technology.

CoSN is a sponsor of the EdTech Action Network (ETAN), which provides a forum for educators and others to engage in the political process and project a unified voice in support of improving teaching and learning through the systemic use of technology. CoSN also publishes the Washington Update, which is a monthly members-only e-newsletter that reports on legislation affecting our school systems. CoSN will continue to expand its advocacy role and will build on its commitment to be a leading voice on Capitol Hill and with the Administration, for ed tech issues as well as a source of information in the policy process.


Goal 5: State Capacity: Expand the capacity of CoSN chapters by enabling professional learning opportunities and developing ability to influence state policy.

CoSN is committed to building a strong network of education technology leaders across North America. To accomplish this goal, we work closely with school Chief Technology Officers at the local level through a network of strong and active state chapters.

Since CoSN first changed its Bylaws in 2004 to allow the establishment of state chapters, thirteen state chapters have been launched. These chapters provide members with local access to valuable professional development opportunities such as CoSN’s CTO Clinics. Chapters also provide CoSN with the opportunity to influence state educational policy at a grassroots level and extend our national voice. Our new strategic plan includes building chapters in Canada at the provincial level.

In support of this strategic goal, CoSN created a new staff position with focused responsibility for chapter relations. This staff member will offer assistance to emerging and established state chapters as they work to become strong, vibrant chapters that provide support to their individual members. As a part of this work, in 2012 CoSN will increase the number of regional CTO Clinics from five to six per year and expand the CTO clinic reach to include members from the new region.



Monday, January 23, 2012

Novell training courses, get a large educational discount

It is now possible for staff and students of academic institutions world-wide to get over $440 off list price for electronic self-study courseware before you even consider delivery costs . Please forward this message to anyone who you consider may be interested. You may now purchase all of the self-study courseware (in electronic form) from Novell, including SUSE® Linux courses, for a cost of $52 USD per kit. Standard courseware supplied in printed form with associated media is still available from your current sources. This offer is only available via the link below. Order your kits today https://fs12.formsite.com/mindworksuk/form42/secure_index.html?em=sharpstf%40fs1.usa.k12.mi.us

Sunday, January 22, 2012

Education Week: What Works in School Turnarounds?

Here are some practical thing a school can to that can improve education.

Education Week: What Works in School Turnarounds?:

'via Blog this'

Teacher Technology Survey

Please feel free to share this link with other teachers and lets see how many people we can get to take this. Thanks for your help. http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/WEB22EHLQEPYCT

Online Quiz Maker Packages and Pricing | Atrixware Online Quiz Maker

Online Quiz Maker Packages and Pricing | Atrixware Online Quiz Maker

ASPELL - Cisco CCNA resources

Need help working on your CCNA here is a site that has good information on programming your Cisco CLI equipment.

http://aspell.org/CCNA/CCNA.php

Premium Membership at Spelling City.com

VocabularySpellingCity Overview

Desmos Graphing Calculator 2.0

No-longer do students have to spend hundreds of dollars for a TI graphing calculator. It is now online and it is FREE! Go and check it out today.

Saturday, January 21, 2012

Lynda.com video training site

This site offers video training for your students or staff. I first viewed this at Ferris State University. It is a great way to help train your staff.


 Top 10 Benefits to Learning with lynda.com lynda.com produces thousands of tutorials, invaluable training, inspiration and more to help you get the most out of your software. Don’t just gain skills—gain confidence. Online Training Library®—Subscribe to a World of Knowledge Our Online Training Library® is a constantly growing and evolving body of training video tutorials designed to help you learn what you want, when you want it. All subscription levels provide access to 1234 courses and 71,285 tutorials organized by subject, software, and instructor. Experience our quality before you sign up: 10 percent of all content is free to try. more »


  •  Memberships to Fit Multiple Budgets and Needs We offer a variety of membership types to meet a diversity of needs. Monthly membership costs less than a dollar a day for access to all online courses, with no long-term commitment. Our annual plan saves $50 a year, and our Premium annual subscription includes access to instructors’ files to follow along from start to finish. 
  •  A Wide Selection of Topics and Software Categories We feature a growing library of software and technique training courses for a number of disciplines: 3D, video, business, photography, web design, graphic design, and more. We’re here to help you better understand and maximize your software, whether you want to build your business, improve your job skills, or simply want to learn more for personal enrichment. more » New Releases Every Week Our content grows every week, sometimes every day. From New Features and in-depth Essential Training titles on new software, to previews of beta software, to titles in our documentary and creative series, we strive to publish timely quality training at a steady pace to keep you productive and up to date.
  • Top Quality Training and Tutorials Our recording and training technology and techniques are constantly improving. Our professional editors and producers have extensive experience and a talent for showing our content in its best light for successful learning. From live-action video, state-of-the-art studios, and improved video players, lynda.com strives to stay ahead of the curve both in front of and behind the camera. The Highest Quality Instructors Our instructors are top professionals in their areas of expertise, with a passion to teach and share their knowledge and industry experience in a straightforward, candid way. Some come from academic or training backgrounds, others are industry experts and speakers, and some are all of the above. All meet our stringent requirements for quality, practical, impartial training. meet our instructors. 
  • Inspirational and Behind-the-Scenes Project Documentaries We’re more than just software training—we also feature insightful documentaries about innovative, creative people and what they make and do. Our Creative Inspirations and Start to Finish series go behind the scenes with creative professionals and industry veterans to witness how great products, ventures, and careers come together.
  • Searchable Closed Captions We originally added Closed Captioning to our training to assist people with hearing impairments to have access to our tutorials. We’ve found that it’s also an enhancement for anyone who wants to read along with the video training in order to better comprehend the lesson. In addition, we added the feature of making our Closed Captioned transcript text searchable to help anyone quickly find information in a course.
  • Certificates of Completion Show coworkers, friends, and potential employers just how valuable you are by earning Certificates of Completion for each course viewed in the lynda.com Online Training Library®. Whether you’re up for a promotion, seeking employment, or just wanting to show off to your friends, members are now able to share a Certificate of Completion for each lynda.com course viewed.
  • Economical Multi-User Training for Businesses and Schools Our multi-user solutions for companies or academic institutions are an economical, efficient way to increase training ROI. Companies and schools can save on subscription costs with a minimum of just five memberships. Check with our Enterprise and Academic sales team for customized options, from classroom access for students to site-wide corporate access.

Salman Khan on Big Think

Sal Khan thoughts on how the classroom of the future may change.

Future Learning: Sal Khan

Can geometry and physics be truly fascinating to students without gimmicks like rap songs? Sal Khan believes they can. Khan is the founder of Khan Academy, a nonprofit with a new model for helping kids learn. Focusing on his philosophy about on-demand, project-based learning, Khan shares his vision about what the future of education could look like, and how we can help students self-direct their pursuit of knowledge.

Chromebook: Set Up

Here is a short video on how to setup a chrome book.

Chromebook: Boot Up

How long does it take your computer with windows to boot? Check how fast a Chrome book boots.

Friday, January 20, 2012

Connected Educator Series - REMC Association

MI Educators, The REMC Association of Michigan is excited to share our new project with you called the Connected Educator Series. The purpose of this project is to bring some of the most innovative educational technology ideas and applications straight to your inbox. As part of this series we will bring you weekly videos of MI educators explaining how they use technology in their teaching and showing you how you can get started in your own classroom. Our first showcase focuses on Nick Provenzano (aka "The Nerdy Teacher"), who teaches English at Grosse Pointe South High School. See how he and his students are using blogs to make connections and build communities far beyond the walls of their classroom. Nick will show you how he set up his own blog, how his students blog during class for notes, how student use blogs for reflection, and how blogs can connect parents and other classrooms to student work.