Virtual Note Board

How many of you use a note board at home to organize your life, leave messages for your family, remind yourself of appointments, etc? I really need something like that for my house. I currently just use a calendar tacked up in our laundry room. There are several appointment cards paper clipped to it. Not very effective, as sometimes the cards fall down and slip under the washing machine.
I wish I could be better organized. It always amazes me when somebody says that I am. Just like it amazes me when somebody says I can draw well, or that I have a good voice. Oh, they just don't know! I have been working on organization for a couple years now, and have been successful in some areas (my closet) and not so much in others (my desk). Today's site would be very useful for organization, and much more!

Wallwisher

Wallwisher is a virtual note board that you can attach stickies to for many purposes. It is a simple app to use and doesn't even require registration, unless you want to save a "wall". If you do want to register so that you can create and save several walls, it is so easy because you can make a wallwisher account, or use your Google or OpenID information. Walls can be kept private or shared, can be edited by only you or others. The only thing I have found a bit annoying is that you have to create a name, subtitle and choose a picture for each wall you build. This could cause a loss of momentum if you were building a wall as part of a brainstorming session.

I have created a wall to list a few ways to use this app in your classroom. Check it out and add ideas of your own! http://www.wallwisher.com/wall/classroomuses

Microsoft: My "No Surprises" Friend

What was the very first Microsoft product you used? Paint? Excel? Works? Chances are if you first used a computer in the 80's like I did, it was MS-DOS. Surprised? Microsoft first made it's operating system, MS-DOS, available in 1982. If you are a bit younger, your first OS was most likely Windows, introduced in 1985.

I can't really recall using computers at all in my school days. I graduated from high school in 1983. I remember taking a class called office machines, but all I really remember about the class was learning how to use a 10-key by touch. The school library had a card catalog that was a series of drawers holding index cards. In typing class, we typed on typewriters.

In college, I took a class called "Introduction to Computers". While I don't really remember too much about the course, I do remember using a computer and thinking that it wasn't that hard.

What sticks out most in my mind is my first teaching job. I was hired in November, well after the school year had begun. I was hired as a math improvement teacher in a Title 1 school (at the time called Chapter 1). I will never forget the very first group of children that came into my math lab on my very first day. They were a group of energetic sixth graders. They entered my classroom much less nervous than I had on that day. One boy asked if they could "get on the computers". My heart sank! I couldn't believe they were asking the one thing I had prayed they wouldn't. What was the reason for my despair? I didn't know how to turn the computers on!!

Luckily, I got caught up in their energy. After questioning them about how often they were allowed to use the computers, I let them sit down and I began to watch their every move!

I have come a long way since that first day in November of 1988. All the way from learning how to use a computer from 12 year olds to teaching community classes on Windows and MS Word. All the way from a math lab to technology integrator.

I have learned much along the way, but I always go back to my humble beginnings standing in that math lab peeking over the shoulders of those sixth graders. I now have a great deal of knowledge, but I can always learn more. Each bit of knowledge is returned back to my students, be they children or adults. If I think about all that I have learned and then returned (through teaching) with technology, Microsoft products would top the list.

Besides Windows OS, Microsoft's Office products such as Word, Excel and PowerPoint have been invaluable in teaching and learning. I love using these with students and helping them create digital representations of their new knowledge. The geek in me loves the idea that none of these products were created with students in mind. Between my thirst for learning, and ideas shared at http://www.microsoft.com/, I have been able to stretch the limits of my mind and others when thinking of uses for these programs.

In addition to Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, I can not leave out the tried-and-true Paint. I can't really remember the first time I used it, but the last time was just yesterday to "erase" part of an image. A few weeks ago, I spent a day in an 8th grade Science room introducing MovieMaker. Students took a 42 minute overview and turned it into several wonderful videos that showed their understanding of the science concepts they learned.

And then there is IE, for those of you who have been living under a rock for the past decade and a half, I am referring to Internet Explorer. This browser has been my loyal companion as my world has expanded through the vast network. I can't IMAGINE teaching and learning without it. It is my dictionary, thesaurus, advice columnist, telephone book, encyclopedia, stationery, cookbook and more.

As I have been typing this blog, I have been considering why I have such a fondness for all things Microsoft. The answer was easy. Microsoft IS easy! If you learn one program, you have essentially learned them all. For example, I can depend on using ctrl + c to copy no matter what product I am using. The continuity from OS to program to browser makes my job as teacher and learner a piece of cake.

Thank you, Microsoft, for being my "no surprises" friend.

A Few Things Google

If I were to rank Google in a list of things I need to use each day, it would be higher than a telephone, blow dryer, and washing machine. It would be right up there with toilet paper, toothpaste and soap. A curling iron, vacuum, and microwave don't even come close!

Yes, I admit I need Google. I need it like I need my grandma when I have a cooking question. I need it like I need fingernail polish when I have a run in my panty hose. I need it like I need a lasso when I ....oh, you get the point.

The great thing about my need for Google is that it keeps growing as Google grows its resources. Today, I will be highlighting some of the cool Google features I love. Some are new, some aren't - but may be new to you. What are your favorite Google features and tools?

iGoogle

iGoogle is a personalized homepage for lovers of Google, or anyone! Here's what I love most about it:

*I can have my favorite resources, such as Twitter, come to me rather than having to go to them.

*I can add widgets and organize them on the page any way I want

*I can see my emails and calendar on my home page

*I can create multiple iGoogle pages and easily switch between them

*I can add cool themes to fit my interests or mood

Get an overview of iGoogle here, and also check out how to create your own iGoogle page.

My iGoogle page

Google Image Search and Similar Search

Google's image search isn't anything new, but there are new features. Once you type in a search, you can filter the results based on image size, type of image such as clipart, faces, line drawings, and photo content, or color. I have found this feature to be invaluable and know students and teachers alike will too.

Another tool, which is all "a Twitter" today is Google Labs' Similar Images, which allows you to refine your search with similar images. Just type in your keywords and then click the similar images link under a picture to see similar images.

Google Labs News Timeline

A new way to search the news is to use Google Labs News Timeline. Go to the timeline, choose your content such as news, newspapers, videos, sports scores, etc., and type in your query. The results will show in a timeline with a few features that you can modify to your liking. Result sources can be modified as well. This one is worth checking out.

Earth Day 2009

"Every day is Earth Day" is a phrase we have come to associate with a Wednesday each April when we suddenly are conscious of the eco-footprint we leave on our planet. Imagine if we only concerned ourselves with protecting our planet and its resources one day a year? Luckily, many of us adopt habits that help us continuously give back to our world by doing things such as recycling, planting food gardens, buying in bulk, and carpooling. There are many, many ways to preserve our resources, first and foremost being education. Let's make sure our children don't suffer from "little ol' me" syndrome by educating them that every person needs to do their part, without fail, because "every day is Earth Day". What will YOU do?

Earth Day Network Footprint Calculator
Work through this simulation to find out what footprint you are leaving on our planet. Then find out ways to reduce your footprint and learn more about our planet's resources.

Eco Bunnies 2: Earth Day Escapade
Cute animated video that introduces the idea of "carbon footprint". At the end of the video, viewers are directed to a carbon footprint calculator. This calculator needs annual usage figures, so might be best as a project for students to do with parents.

EcoKids Games
EcoKids Earth Day Canada site provides several games to help student learn how to be eco-citizens. Games include The Great Garbage Caper, Yard Sale and Errand Run, a game about alternative transportation.

The Greenerator
Check out Scholastic's Act Green site to learn how to be green by playing games, joining the Green Team, printing reminder tags and door hangers, and much more!

Writer's Block

I haven't written a new post in a week. I am blaming it on being busy at work and home and writer's block. Sometimes, I have trouble finding a resource to write about. Sometimes, I have a resource I want to share, but the words to introduce and describe it just won't come. I have empathy for students who suffer either of these forms of writer's block when they have been assigned a piece of writing. Hopefully, today's sites will help!

911 Writers Block
911 Writers Block is emergency help for those who suffer from writer's block. Writers punch a telephone key to get ideas for everything from setting, characters, and ending, to how to kill a character, and calisthenics.

Plot Scenario Generator
Archetype Writing's Plot Scenario Generator provides students with the plot to get a story going and the conflict to keep the story rolling!

Imagination Prompt Generator
Imagination Prompt Generator, from Creativity Portal, is just what it claims to be, a writing prompt generator that generates short prompts to inspire the imagination. If you don't like the first prompt you see, simply click the button for a new prompt.

Abby Who?

I love that scene in Young Frankenstein when Igor is sent to get a brain. He is supposed to get the brain of a scientist/saint. However, he drops that brain and picks up another brain.

Later, Dr. Frankenstein questions him, and he tells him it is the brain of Abby Normal.



Those, and many other scenes in that movie always crack me up!

Today's site is a fun little beta site that will have your students making their own memorable movies.


Xtranormal
Xtranormal is a site where students type in text that is converted to an animated movie scene. Students pick the characters, scenery, actions and extras, then type in the dialogue. The scene is converted to a movie in seconds. A movie can be made and viewed, but not saved, without creating an account. Accounts appear to be free, at least while in beta.
This could be used in every subject area, for character ed, bullying prevention, careers...the possibilities are endless!

Next Stop: Scripps

I was in a classroom spelling bee in second grade. I was one of the final two. We had to spell several words because we both kept spelling the words correctly. Finally, I got the word that means "purposeful forward movement by moving arms and legs in a body of water". And I spelled, "S-W-I-M-I-N-G". OK, the double consonant got me. Maybe I should have asked for the teacher to use the word in a sentence; or perhaps, the origin of the word. Still, not bad for an 8 year old.




Interactive Spelling Bee

Spelling Bee, from Anneberg Media's Learner.org, helps students practice their spelling, just like an old fashioned spelling bee. Students choose their grade level and listen to the short passage. The passage is like a cloze passage, with words missing. Students click in a blank to hear the word repeated, then type correct spelling of the word in the blank. Once all the blanks are filled, the student checks their answers, then has the option of reviewing the words or moving on to the next level. Tips and suggestions for becoming a "Top Notch Speller" are also included.