Cool Tools from the ITSC Conference
brought to you by Sam and Ramona on Friday, March 7, 2008
Sam's Offerings
1. Tech4Learning: http://myt4l.com/index.php?v=pl&page_ac=view&type=tools
Rubric Maker, Graphic Organizer Maker (Venn Diagrams, etc.), Citation
Maker
A link to this resource is on the "Staff Resources" page, a link on the Cal Young Homepage.
2. Google Experimental Labs: http://www.google.com/experimental/index.html
Search results are displayed through a timeline,
a map, with images, and more.
Click "Join this experiment" and
do a Google search.
A link to this resource is on the "Google and more..." page,
a link on the Cal Young Library Homepage.
4. Keeping Connected Kidz Safer
CyberTipline - cybertipline.com
TechSmartz: Keeping Connected Kidz Safer: http://www.linnonline.org/ITSC/
5. A Google Quintet: Integrated Tools for productivity and communication.
You can access them from any computer with multiple authors.
These tools require that you have gmail account, an e-mail account through Google.
It's a quick and easy process to set one up: http://mail.google.com/mail/
a. igoogle: http://www.google.com/ig Set up a homepage with the Google Tools that you want to use.
b. Google notebook: http://www.google.com/notebook A great way to take notes while doing online research!
View an example of a published notebook at
http://www.google.com/notebook/public/13209317110287599459/BDR4BIwoQ7r6C04Mj
c. Google docs (word processor): http://www.google.com/docs
Work on a document with multiple authors in different places.
Solid possibilities for developing school goals or any collaborative writing.
Collaborators are invited. It's easy to publish to the Web.
This document is an example.
Here's an "Egypt Project Debriefing" example:
http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dckdss4z_10f87fqvgj
A great feature: revisions allows you to see each revision of the document.
d. Google docs (spreadsheet with forms)
Create a spreadsheet, share its development with others, and publish it online.
Create a form (request for information), e-mail people to respond,
and the spreadsheet is automatically updated.
View a lame example of this process:
http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=piFW5BACfWzEJGBEpYotOTw
e. Google docs (slideshow presentation)
If you're familiar with PowerPoint, Google Doc Slideshow is a breeze.
Benefit: Share the creation of the slideshow and easily publish it to the Web.
Great instructional applications; your students can view your presentation from any computer.
Quick made-in-5-minutes example:
http://docs.google.com/Presentation?id=dckdss4z_6jq9chjf8
There's also a "mini-presentation" option for pasting into a website or blog as a mini window.
ee. Google Bookmarks are also very convenient: www.google.com/bookmarks They are available from any computer by logging into your gmail account.
I've tried using other web-based bookmarking tools but have not had time to maintain them.
With two+ weeks and counting, I'm finding that Google Bookmarks are useful and fast to use.
6. Good ones from Kathy Shrock if you want to do some more exploring:
A "lean and mean" list of Web 2.0 tools is at http://kathyschrock.net/itsc/
7. Good ones from Lynn Lary if you want to do some exploring with Google Earth:
handheldcomputers.blogspot.com (Yes, it's about Google, not handhelds...)
Ramona's Offerings
1. Quick and Easy Computer Activities by Tammy Worcester Tammy's Website
Math transformations: Help students remember the difference between translation,
rotation and reflection.
50 Quick & Easy Math Computer Activities, Pg 39
Reading Predictions: Get students thinking about what a book might be about before they read.
50 Quick & Easy Reading & Writing Computer Activities, Pg 29
Homeroom Activity: Help students reinforce a positive self image.