Let's Google!! CARE-Computers Are Really Easy!!

DocsPal - Free Document Converter - Does PDF also!

2010-03-13T17:38:00.000-08:00

Zamzar is a great tool, but you may find DocPals is another solution. It is quick! Zamzar has always been too slow for me!

Something for Nerdy Teachers and Geographic Data and Maps

2010-03-12T20:17:00.000-08:00

I found this on my Google Reader and could not resist sharing it!! Great resource for all techie/nerdy teachers and for Social Studies and History. It is a different look at maps and could be a great interactive white board tool.

GREAT MAPS

Techie Teachers

Google Wave - A Guide Worth Reading

2010-03-12T18:53:00.000-08:00

Have you been looking for a great way to find out about Google Wave?

This "Complete Guide to Google Wave" by Gina Trapani can be read on line or purchased for $6.00!

Gina also provides many other useful tips on Google on her blog and articles she writes.

Google APPS is about being FAST!! This presentation by Dana from Google proves it!

2010-03-11T13:48:00.000-08:00

While at the San Antonio, Texas Google Teacher Academy this presentation was shared with our group.

It may seem unbelievable , but this presentation shows the improvements made so far in 2010 and an opportunity to follow along with Google on future changes!

Over 100 improvements in the last twelve months.

Follow future updates in real-time.

http://tinyurl.com/apps-updates-email

http://tinyurl.com/apps-updates-rss

Open for Business: Google Market Place

2010-03-11T05:07:00.000-08:00

Google Market Place was announced on the Official Google Blog.

This is a very exciting announcement for the Google Resellers and most important for the Google Businesses, whether they are a small business or a Fortune 500 business.

Going Google is now even a smarter and more seamless move! The Google Market Place Site is open for
business. Take a look!

Preceden - A Timeline Tool for School, Business or Home

2010-03-11T05:00:00.000-08:00

What a great Web 2.0 tool!! Preceden is a free and very effective timeline for use in school, business or for a home project. Organization and productivity are important in all of these areas! Give it a try!

Google buys DocVerse - Something for Microsoft Office Users

2010-03-09T09:12:00.000-08:00

Google purchased DocVerse a Web 2.0 Application to allow Microsoft Office Users to use their suite and have collaboration features. The video provided on the home page is very informative. I do not encourage anyone to use Microsoft Office, but if it is your preference, you may find this to be a very valuable productivity tool.

Awesome Presentation with Graphs - GTA Recommendation

2010-03-06T13:15:00.001-08:00

This is from TED and is the BEST presentation I have ever seen with graphs! Hans Rosling shows us how it should be done!!

Thanks Ron!!

http://www.ted.com/talks/hans_rosling_shows_the_best_stats_you_ve_ever_seen.html

Great Leadership Quotes from Frank Buck

2010-03-06T13:08:00.000-08:00

I am not familiar with Frank Buck, but this is a great video.

The company promotes organization, time management and leadership. Something we can all use!

http://frankbuck.blogspot.com/2010/03/quotes-on-leadership.html

He notes : I found this presentation on the All Things Leadership blog authored by Kerry Palmer

Free Technology - Checks out Jeopordy Lab

2010-03-06T13:04:00.000-08:00

I have watched the game show "Jeopardy" all my life (or at least since I was 12) and can not resist new ways to create "Jeopardy" games!! The blog "Free Technology" never disappoints me!! If you don't follow this blog....you should !!

This article previews "Jeopardy Labs" a free Web 2.0 Application for teachers to use to create Jeopardy Games for their classrooms.

It is NOT Powerpoint! For all of us using Open Office and Google that is GREAT!!

http://www.freetech4teachers.com/2010/03/jeopardy-labs-make-your-own-online.html

50 Sites for Teachers - The Learning Lab

2010-03-06T12:42:00.000-08:00

This is a great list with many different options for finding a blog with information you find valuable.

http://bestonlinemastersdegrees.com/2010/top-50-education-technology-blogs/

If you are looking for resource this is a great starting point.

March 5, 2010 - San Antonio , Texas Google Certified Teacher

2010-03-06T07:25:00.000-08:00

A dream come true for me! Today I became a Google Certified Teacher and Administrator! What an awesome group of people gathered in one location! Over 700,000 students are touched by the people attending this Google Academy!

The networking possibilities are endless and awesome!!

West Ed, CUE and Google.....a winning trio! Google is all about sharing .....these guys are the BEST!!

Thank everyone that encouraged me and have been part of my Google journey!! It has only just begun!!

Top 10 Technology Tips for New Teachers - TheApple.com

2010-02-21T07:27:00.000-08:00

Whenever I see articles on Technology for New Teachers I always read them. Teachers must reNEW themselves constantly on many topics, but especially on technology. Utilizing technology for productivity and learning is not an option , it is a requirement for todays classrooms and businesses. Take a few minutes to review the suggestions provided via this link

Top 10 Technology Tips for New Teachers - TheApple.com

21 Things for the 21st Century Educator

2010-02-21T07:22:00.000-08:00

21...the magic number has became 21st Century for some of us.

Being 21 is something my grandson is looking forward to in just a few months in the 21st Century!

21st Century Learning.... 21st Century Students......21st Century Skill Sets....

and the 21st Century Educator.

This site is an excellent summary of topics for 21st Century Learning, Teachers and Parents.

21 Things for the 21st Century Educator - Home

21 Things for the 21st Century Educator - Home

Get Organized!: Organzing Your Students - A Continuous Challenge

2010-02-21T07:07:00.000-08:00

Get Organized!: Organzing Your Students: "Organization Made Easy!"

Did you know that "being more organized" is one of the Top 10 New Year's Resolutions? By February, most of the time they are long forgotten words, but the need is still there.

Teachers have a bigger challenge! Not only must they be organized, but they must inspire and teach their students how to be organized. Teaching organization is not a single lesson, it is a continuous demonstration.

"Get Organized!: Organizing Your Students" offers some suggestions for new and more experienced teachers. It may be a great addition to your school libraries Teacher Resource Section.

Tagul - A Word Cloud with Links and Flair

2010-02-21T06:56:00.000-08:00

Word Clouds are fun and attractive. They can also be a great tool for innovative teaching and learning. This is a new Word Cloud Web 2.0 application, Tagul, that allows you to make different shapes and link automatically to a website.
Ways to use Tagul:

Find an online story with vocabulary words for the students. Create the Tagul and link them to the story. The Tagul word cloud could be printed and placed in the classroom and on your blog!
Link the list of and vocabulary words to an on line dictionary. The beauty of this, is you can update the words on the Tagul and it will automatically update the blog or site with the new words by selecting the option to update the Tagul! You could build on the list each week and at the end of the marking period have a Tagul with ALL the words for the entire marking period.

I created this Tagul from the Even More options for Google.

Currently Tagul is in Beta and free, but later according to the site information there may be a fee. Try it now to determine the value for your classes or business.

Prezi Presentations on Google Apps and Google Education

2010-02-13T11:24:00.000-08:00

I shared Prezi a few weeks ago. Revisiting Prezi I found Shawn Kleebaum had created several related to Google Applications that are fun and interesting!

Take a look! Using Prezi for the first time will take you a few minutes longer to create a presentation. The results are eye catching and attention getting. If you are looking for something to add some variation to your presentations, try Prezi.

Thank you Shawn Kleebaum for making these pubic and to use in education!

Google Apps Education on Prezi

Google For Educators on Prezi

Structuring a Research Project Webinar Lead by MLTI - Jim Wells and Mr. Byrne

2010-02-11T19:08:00.000-08:00

The demonstration presented by Mr. Byrne , author of the GREAT blog, "Free Technology for Teachers" was very valuable. It was sponsored by MLTI (Maine Learning Technology Initiative).

Yes, I have been holding sessions on Power Search 101 with students and teachers, but this is the finishing touch.

I plan to add this and some other tips to the presentation.

Great group of people in the webinar and a great learning experience. I hope to attend more sessions!

This is the Power Search 101 Session used for teachers and students.

Playing With Time

2010-02-11T18:43:00.000-08:00

Playing With Time

This site has shots buildings, nature and other subjects time lapsed.

It is great to look at, even if you decide not to create one yourself!

I heard of it tonight for the first time on a webinar with teachers from Maine.

Have an Author Visit Your Classroom

2010-02-10T18:35:00.000-08:00

Recently in an 8th Grade English class in our school district, a teacher arranged for an author to speak to her students. They were writing suspense stories and one of the stories she had written was one of their favorites.

Authors can be contacted to have a Skype meeting with your class FREE. This site provides a list of authors who will "visit" your classroom.

What a wonderful experience for young writers!

Is this how our country may stop the "innovation deficit"? You won't find this type of experience on a test.

Wondershare - 12 Free Online Quiz Makers

2010-02-10T18:28:00.000-08:00

12 Free Online Quiz Makers

The Buzz - Well done by Freetech4teachers

2010-02-10T18:11:00.000-08:00

http://www.freetech4teachers.com/2010/02/will-google-make-classrooms-buzz.html

I really like the Buzz! I like the easy access and the easy use! Take a minute and watch the video in the link.

Let's Google and Buzz!

Diagrammr - Type a Sentence and Create a Diagram

2010-02-10T06:15:00.000-08:00

This is a very neat tool for using in the classroom to show process flows for projects, experiments and more. It allows you to use your Google Account to sign in and share the diagram with others. A list of all your diagrams is maintained and can be selected from the main screen. .

Diagrammr could also a great introduction to Computational Thinking Skills.

This is an example. Simple and easy introduction to flow charts and diagrams.

Google Teacher Academy

2010-02-09T12:00:00.000-08:00

MECKLENBURG COUNTY — The Google Teacher Academy for Administrators has selected Sheila Beck of Boydton to attend the next professional development program. The program is used to assist poor rural committees and school systems to use free tools offered by Google and only an elite few are accepted.
“I am very excited about receiving an invitation to the Google Teacher Academy for Administrators,” Beck, known to many teachers and students as Ms. Googlz, said. “It is a great opportunity for me, our schools and community.”
To be accepted into the program Beck was required to complete an application, which included a video of how she hoped to use the program to help Mecklenburg County, and her community; to view her video visit www.youtube.com/watch?v=BzX3Lb9s7NM. The Academy will take place in San Antonio, Texas in March.
“In my application, I shared with the panel that I was not a teacher by trade,” Beck said. “As a retired Global Project Manager for Tyco Electronic, for 35 years, I have begun a second career. After an 18-month retirement I was hired by Mecklenburg County Public Schools as a Google Implementation Specialist. The position was funded by a Productivity Improvement Fund Grant, which was submitted by (former school system Manager of Technology) Chad Wollenberg and school system Director of Technology Ernie Conner.
“She’s in an elite group,” Professional Development Coordinator Dr. Mark Wagner, for Computer Using Educators (CUE), the non-profit contracted by Google to produce the Google Teacher Academy in partnership with Google Apps: Education Edition Team, said. “Sheila is among a very select group of educators to become a Google Certified Teacher.” He said since the program for K-12 educators began in 2006 there are now approximately 550 Google Certified Teachers across the nation. “She is however, one of only four administrators selected for this new cohort, which is all administrators (or educational leaders).” Wagner noted WestEd, a national nonprofit research and service agency working with education and human development communities to promote excellence, is also a partner in the program.
“She’ll be able to use this program to assist the poor rural community (and the school system,” Wagner said. “Google’s tools are world class productivity and collaboration tools-offered to schools for free. Everything she learns at the Google Teacher Academy she’ll be able to return and implement with staff, students, and community completely free. What’s more, any other schools in the region, or anywhere else in the world, can benefit from her model and implement the same improvements, also for free.” He noted that the Academy focuses on innovation in education, so in addition to the tools themselves, Beck will return to Mecklenburg County having been exposed to a wide variety of innovative instructional and administrative methods and strategies and “more importantly, she’ll be connected to a powerful community of innovative educators who can support her efforts in the coming years. Who knows, she might even put the community school system ‘on the map’ as a model for innovative practices.”
As the Google Implementation Specialist Beck worked with Park View High School teacher Chrystal Harris for first pilot with Google Collaboration using it with a Oregon High School As the year progressed, Harris initiated “Create Your Small Business” and it was all done in Google Documents.
Bluestone Middle School teacher Allison Van Dykes class took virtual field trips in Google Earth, published their 4-Way Test essay’s using Google Docs and Sites, built a classroom website with Google Sites and more. Many other projects were performed using Google throughout the county.
Nurse Data Collection for information for permanent records had been captured manually. The School System Nursing Supervisor Ann Switzer had a vision for a better solution to allow more visibility to the students needs. Working with Google Docs, Spreadsheets, Forms and Sites, every school nurse captures each student visit. Beck said the data is automatically graphed for each school and collected monthly at a division level. The software to produce similar results was $18,000.
The Google improvements featured in publications and blogs http://tinyurl.com/schoogle and http://tinyurl.com/MCPSNURSE. There are many more applications. For more details go thehttp://tinyurl.com/googlz.
Beck said a total savings for the school division using Google approached $30,000.00. A large portion of the savings can be captured yearly with the continuation of the process improvement.
As Sheila transitioned to her current position as Park View Middle School’s Guidance Counselor Secretary job, she continued to provide information on Web 2.0 technology and Google. Her blog can be found at CARE (Computers Are Really Easy).

Story Board Writing with Storybird

2010-02-09T08:56:00.000-08:00

An illustrated estory created in a few minutes?? Yes it is possible!

Storybird is a FREE story board tool using a combination of art and writing.

This is a Storybird I created. It is easy and fun!