Hector Ruiz: The power to connect the world (video):
Hector Ruiz talks about his commitment to expanding access to the Internet throughout the world. Ruiz is the CEO of AMD, and through AMD's 50x15 initiative, Ruiz and his company hope to connect 50 percent of the world to the Internet by 2015. Sharing his own extraordinary life story, Ruiz makes the case that access to education and new ideas is life-changing!
Friday, May 09, 2008
TED | Talks | Brian Cox: What really goes on at the Large Hadron Collider (video)
Brian Cox: What really goes on at the Large Hadron Collider (video)
Rock star physicist" Brian Cox talks about his work on the Large Hadron Collider at CERN. Discussing the biggest of big science in an engaging, accessible way, Cox brings us along on a tour of the massive complex and describes his part in it -- and the vital role it's going to play in understanding our universe.
Rock star physicist" Brian Cox talks about his work on the Large Hadron Collider at CERN. Discussing the biggest of big science in an engaging, accessible way, Cox brings us along on a tour of the massive complex and describes his part in it -- and the vital role it's going to play in understanding our universe.
Wednesday, May 07, 2008
American Association of School Administrators - Blocking the Future
The School Administrator - Blocking the Future
From another blog:
From another blog:
Once again, Dr Scott McLeod has a post that I think should be read by every School District administrator. At the very least it is EXCELLENT food for thought. Here it is: http://www.dangerouslyirrelevant.org/2008/05/blocking-the-fu.html. In it he points to this article: http://snipurl.com/blockingthefuture (Now I know that many of you won't be able to use that link as it's a snipurl link and someone has decided to block that, so you'll have to read this at home.)
Now, here's the thing. This is an excellent article, and it's especially important to those districts that block blogs because, "We don't allow blogs in our school." You need, then, to access this post from home. And when you're done reading the post, ask yourself where your district falls with this statement: "[S]chool district leaders have a critical choice to make: Will their schools pro-actively model and teach the safe and appropriate use of these digital tools or will they reactively block them out and leave students and families to fend for themselves?"
Google For Educators
Google for educators is a landing spot for classroom resources that incorporate Google products like Google Earth, SketchUp, Maps, and Sky. The site offers everything from simple links to the aforementioned products, to classroom activities for various K-12 grade levels.
There are downloadable PDF posters covering Google search tips for kids, Google Scholar, Book Search, and Google Earth, and there are activities that utilize various media like PDFs, wikis, podcasts, and websites. These activities are organized by grade level: K-5, 6-12, and "all levels."
The Google for educators site also links to their "teacher community" which is a Google group filled with threads about using the many Google offerings in a school classroom.
There are downloadable PDF posters covering Google search tips for kids, Google Scholar, Book Search, and Google Earth, and there are activities that utilize various media like PDFs, wikis, podcasts, and websites. These activities are organized by grade level: K-5, 6-12, and "all levels."
The Google for educators site also links to their "teacher community" which is a Google group filled with threads about using the many Google offerings in a school classroom.
35 Useful Source Code Editors
35 Useful Source Code Editors Reviewed | Developer's Toolbox | Smashing Magazine:
"To edit HTML- and CSS-code you only need a simple plaintext-editor — the rest depends on your skills and your creativity. However, to make your life a little bit easier, you can use some more comfortable source-code editors with advanced editing features. These features can effectively support you during coding, debugging and testing. Powerful modern editors provide developers with syntax highlighting, diff, macros, plugins, code-snippets, preview-option and an integrated FTP-management tool. Some editors go even further and offer a complete integrated development environment with numerous features and functions."
"To edit HTML- and CSS-code you only need a simple plaintext-editor — the rest depends on your skills and your creativity. However, to make your life a little bit easier, you can use some more comfortable source-code editors with advanced editing features. These features can effectively support you during coding, debugging and testing. Powerful modern editors provide developers with syntax highlighting, diff, macros, plugins, code-snippets, preview-option and an integrated FTP-management tool. Some editors go even further and offer a complete integrated development environment with numerous features and functions."
Tuesday, May 06, 2008
Tom Chapin - Not On The Test
Tom Chapin - Not On The Test:
Song and video to download from Tom Chapin:
"It’s no secret that American industry has outsourced most factory jobs to other countries to take advantage of cheaper labor costs. So why are we putting so much effort into a form of education in which there is no creativity? This is the time that our youth should be taught to think ”out of the box,” not be put into a tighter one! "
I saw Tom play with his brother, Harry Chapin, over in Milton at one of the wineries on a Labor Day weekend. I think it might have been 1976 or so. Fantastic show with proceeds of most of the sales going to Harry's Fight Against Hunger campaign. A few years later, in 1981, Harry was killed in a car accident on the Long Island Expressway but his work goes on. His work on hunger included being widely recognized as a key player in the creation of the Presidential Commission on World Hunger in 1977.
Check out Tom's web site: www.tomchapin.com/
Song and video to download from Tom Chapin:
"It’s no secret that American industry has outsourced most factory jobs to other countries to take advantage of cheaper labor costs. So why are we putting so much effort into a form of education in which there is no creativity? This is the time that our youth should be taught to think ”out of the box,” not be put into a tighter one! "
I saw Tom play with his brother, Harry Chapin, over in Milton at one of the wineries on a Labor Day weekend. I think it might have been 1976 or so. Fantastic show with proceeds of most of the sales going to Harry's Fight Against Hunger campaign. A few years later, in 1981, Harry was killed in a car accident on the Long Island Expressway but his work goes on. His work on hunger included being widely recognized as a key player in the creation of the Presidential Commission on World Hunger in 1977.
Check out Tom's web site: www.tomchapin.com/
Monday, May 05, 2008
Technology Center: Bernie Poole: Essential Microsoft Office 2007
Education World ® Technology Center: Bernie Poole: Essential Microsoft Office 2007: "The tutorials, with skill consolidation exercises, are designed to teach Word (including mail merge), Excel (including graphing and charting and Lookup Tables), Access (including searching, sorting, and reporting), and PowerPoint in the context of the K-12 classroom. They also include a lesson on the Office 2007 drawing and
diagramming tools."
diagramming tools."
Rachel Boyd
Rachel Boyd's Blog
Why teachers should blog, why her students blog, and links to her award-winning class blogs.
Why teachers should blog, why her students blog, and links to her award-winning class blogs.
Biology Corner -- Teaching Resources
Biology Corner -- Teaching Resources
This particular virtual biology "corner" is maintained and updated by science educator Shannan Muskopf. On the site, visitors will find labs, worksheets, and various classroom activities. The "webquests" feature on the site is particularly interesting; this type of exercise requires students to peruse several websites that address a certain theme or topic.
This particular virtual biology "corner" is maintained and updated by science educator Shannan Muskopf. On the site, visitors will find labs, worksheets, and various classroom activities. The "webquests" feature on the site is particularly interesting; this type of exercise requires students to peruse several websites that address a certain theme or topic.
What I Want to Talk About - Practical Theory
What I Want to Talk About - Practical Theory: "I'm giving a keynote in Oregon tomorrow... and I know my role... talk happy about SLA, about pedagogy, be positive..."
Read it.
Read it.
26 Learning Games to Change the World
26 Learning Games to Change the World | Mission to Learn:
Take some time and go through this page. It includes links to 26 online learning games such as:
- Ayiti: The Cost of Life
“What is it like to live in poverty, struggling every day to stay healthy, keep out of debt, and get educated? Find out now in this challenging role playing game created by the High School students in Global Kids with the game developers at Gamelab, in which you take responsibility for a family of five in rural Haiti.” From UNICEF with Microsoft support.
- Free Rice
An addictive vocabulary game that promises “For each word you get right, we donate 20 grains of rice to the United Nations World Food Program.” More than 29 billion grains donated as of this posting.
- Darfur is Dying
Darfur is Dying is a viral video game for change that provides a window into the experience of the 2.5 million refugees in the Darfur region of Sudan. Players must keep their refugee camp functioning in the face of possible attack by Janjaweed militias. Players can also learn more about the genocide in Darfur that has taken the lives of 400,000 people, and find ways to get involved to help stop this human rights and humanitarian crisis.” From mtvU in partnership with the Reebok Human Rights Foundation.
- World Without Oil
“WORLD WITHOUT OIL is an alternate reality event, a serious game for the public good. It invites everyone to help simulate a global oil shock.
- The Incredible Adventures of the Amazing Food Detectives
“There has been a mysterious outbreak of unhealthy habits hitting too many boys and girls. If we don’t solve these cases, and fast, kids might not make the right food and exercise choices as they grow, and that could be trouble!
Take some time and go through this page. It includes links to 26 online learning games such as:
- Ayiti: The Cost of Life
“What is it like to live in poverty, struggling every day to stay healthy, keep out of debt, and get educated? Find out now in this challenging role playing game created by the High School students in Global Kids with the game developers at Gamelab, in which you take responsibility for a family of five in rural Haiti.” From UNICEF with Microsoft support.
- Free Rice
An addictive vocabulary game that promises “For each word you get right, we donate 20 grains of rice to the United Nations World Food Program.” More than 29 billion grains donated as of this posting.
- Darfur is Dying
Darfur is Dying is a viral video game for change that provides a window into the experience of the 2.5 million refugees in the Darfur region of Sudan. Players must keep their refugee camp functioning in the face of possible attack by Janjaweed militias. Players can also learn more about the genocide in Darfur that has taken the lives of 400,000 people, and find ways to get involved to help stop this human rights and humanitarian crisis.” From mtvU in partnership with the Reebok Human Rights Foundation.
- World Without Oil
“WORLD WITHOUT OIL is an alternate reality event, a serious game for the public good. It invites everyone to help simulate a global oil shock.
- The Incredible Adventures of the Amazing Food Detectives
“There has been a mysterious outbreak of unhealthy habits hitting too many boys and girls. If we don’t solve these cases, and fast, kids might not make the right food and exercise choices as they grow, and that could be trouble!
Marc Prensky.com
Marc Prensky.com
If you don't know Marc Prensky, you need to read his articles and blogs.
From his site:
Marc Prensky is an internationally acclaimed speaker, writer, consultant, and designer in the critical areas of education and learning. He is the author of Digital Game-Based Learning (McGraw-Hill, 2001), the founder and CEO of Games2train (whose clients include IBM, Nokia, Pfizer, the US Department of Defense and the LA and Florida Virtual Schools) and creator of the sites www.dodgamecommunity.com and www.socialimpactgames.com .
If you don't know Marc Prensky, you need to read his articles and blogs.
From his site:
Marc Prensky is an internationally acclaimed speaker, writer, consultant, and designer in the critical areas of education and learning. He is the author of Digital Game-Based Learning (McGraw-Hill, 2001), the founder and CEO of Games2train (whose clients include IBM, Nokia, Pfizer, the US Department of Defense and the LA and Florida Virtual Schools) and creator of the sites www.dodgamecommunity.com and www.socialimpactgames.com .
Marc has created over 50 software games for learning, including the world's first fast-action videogame-based training tools and world-wide, multi-player, multi-team on-line competitions. He has also taught at all levels. Marc has been featured in articles in The NY Times and The Wall Street Journal, has appeared on CNN, MSNBC, PBS, and the BBC, and was named as one of training's top 10 "visionaries" by Training magazine. He holds graduate degrees from Yale (Teaching) and Harvard (MBA).
READ ONLINE BY MARC PRENSKY: (To encourage spread of the ideas, you are also free to download, print, distribute and link to the articles at no cost. However if you do this, I would appreciate your letting me know at marc@games2train.com . Many thanks. )
Postcrossing - Postcards Traveling The World
Postcrossing - Postcards Traveling The World:
Join...send a postcard or a few..Get some back from around the world:
49,242 members
180 countries
56 postcards/hour
556 members online
1,042,711 postcards received
41,201 postcards traveling
5,699,147,216 kms traveled
142,212 laps around the world
Join...send a postcard or a few..Get some back from around the world:
49,242 members
180 countries
56 postcards/hour
556 members online
1,042,711 postcards received
41,201 postcards traveling
5,699,147,216 kms traveled
142,212 laps around the world
Desktop Wallpaper Calendar: May 2008 | Graphics | Smashing Magazine
Desktop Wallpaper Calendar: May 2008
Want some different desktop backgrounds? You should be able to find something here to fit the bill!
Want some different desktop backgrounds? You should be able to find something here to fit the bill!
20+ Free Web Design Ebooks And Guides
20+ Free Web Design Ebooks And Guides
The following list of free web design ebooks and guides will get you started building accessible, usable, and useful web sites in no time.
The following list of free web design ebooks and guides will get you started building accessible, usable, and useful web sites in no time.
Professional Web Design Forums
Professional Web Design Forums | How-To | Smashing Magazine
Web design-related forums are a place where you interact with other designers, exchange ideas or discuss your first drafts. When you have a problem, you can post the issue, and then receive feedback on possible design or coding solutions from community members. This interaction is a great way to establish contacts and build relationships. Forums are used for networking and marketing purposes. They are practical places to solve problems and can serve as a form of social diversion.
Web design-related forums are a place where you interact with other designers, exchange ideas or discuss your first drafts. When you have a problem, you can post the issue, and then receive feedback on possible design or coding solutions from community members. This interaction is a great way to establish contacts and build relationships. Forums are used for networking and marketing purposes. They are practical places to solve problems and can serve as a form of social diversion.
Monday, April 28, 2008
Microsoft Live Mesh
Microsoft Live Mesh Tech Preview launches
Microsoft has launched a technical preview of its new Live Mesh service, which is basically combines remote desktop, online storage, and file synchronization services. Right now the service is available for Windows XP and Vista, but eventually support will be added for OS X, mobile phones, and other devices. And when we say "available," we mean Microsoft allowed 10,000 people to sign up for the first round of testing. All of those slots are full, but you can sign up for the waiting list.
So I signed up for the waiting list....
Microsoft has launched a technical preview of its new Live Mesh service, which is basically combines remote desktop, online storage, and file synchronization services. Right now the service is available for Windows XP and Vista, but eventually support will be added for OS X, mobile phones, and other devices. And when we say "available," we mean Microsoft allowed 10,000 people to sign up for the first round of testing. All of those slots are full, but you can sign up for the waiting list.
So I signed up for the waiting list....
Debut
Debut could be one of the easiest to use video capture tools we've come across. You can use it to record videos or take screenshots from your webcam. You can use it to record screencasts. And you can save your files in a variety of formats including AVI, WMV, MP4, MPG, 3GP, and MOV. And best of all, Debut is free.
Here are just a few of Debut's features:
Debut Video Capture Recording Software - Record Video Files for Free
Here are just a few of Debut's features:
- Record audio and video
- Adjust resolution, framerate, and colors of the output video
- Setup timed recordings by hour, minute, and second
- Mirror recordings to a network or local hard drive
- Automatically send videos via email once a recording is finished, or upload to an FTP site.
- FREE! FREE! FREE!
Debut Video Capture Recording Software - Record Video Files for Free
Patent office deals a blow to Blackboard
In yet another twist to the often arcane but potentially far-reaching patent dispute between eLearning systems providers Blackboard Inc. and Desire2Learn Inc. (D2L), the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) in late March took “non-final” action that deemed all of Blackboard’s 44 patents invalid.
Patent office deals a blow to Blackboard
Patent office deals a blow to Blackboard
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Artichoke: Things you seldom hear discussed at an (e) learning conference.
Artichoke: Things you seldom hear discussed at an (e) learning conference
And comments about Clifford Stoll's presentation at Ted that I referenced below!
And comments about Clifford Stoll's presentation at Ted that I referenced below!
Monday, April 21, 2008
OER Commons
OER Commons
OER Commons is the first comprehensive open learning network where teachers and professors (from pre-K to graduate school) can access their colleagues’ course materials, share their own, and collaborate on affecting today’s classrooms. It uses Web 2.0 features (tags, ratings, comments, reviews, and social networking) to create an online experience that engages educators in sharing their best teaching and learning practices.
OER Commons is the first comprehensive open learning network where teachers and professors (from pre-K to graduate school) can access their colleagues’ course materials, share their own, and collaborate on affecting today’s classrooms. It uses Web 2.0 features (tags, ratings, comments, reviews, and social networking) to create an online experience that engages educators in sharing their best teaching and learning practices.
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Clifford Stoll: 18 minutes with an agile mind (video)
Clifford Stoll: 18 minutes with an agile mind (video): "Clifford Stoll could talk about the atmosphere of Jupiter. Or hunting KGB hackers. Or Klein bottles, computers in classrooms, the future. But he's not going to. Which is fine, because it would be criminal to confine a man with interests as multifarious as Stoll's to give a talk on any one topic. Instead, he simply captivates his audience with a wildly energetic sprinkling of anecdotes, observations, asides -- and even a science experiment. After all, by his own definition, he's a scientist: 'Once I do something, I want to do something else.'"
Do schools kill creativity? (video)
TED | Talks | Sir Ken Robinson: Do schools kill creativity? (video)
(20 minutes)
Sir Ken Robinson makes an entertaining (and profoundly moving) case for creating an education system that nurtures creativity, rather than undermining it. With ample anecdotes and witty asides, Robinson points out the many ways our schools fail to recognize -- much less cultivate -- the talents of many brilliant people. "We are educating people out of their creativity," Robinson says. The universality of his message is evidenced by its rampant popularity online.
A typical review: "If you have not yet seen Sir Ken Robinson's TED talk, please stop whatever you're doing and watch it now."
(20 minutes)
Sir Ken Robinson makes an entertaining (and profoundly moving) case for creating an education system that nurtures creativity, rather than undermining it. With ample anecdotes and witty asides, Robinson points out the many ways our schools fail to recognize -- much less cultivate -- the talents of many brilliant people. "We are educating people out of their creativity," Robinson says. The universality of his message is evidenced by its rampant popularity online.
A typical review: "If you have not yet seen Sir Ken Robinson's TED talk, please stop whatever you're doing and watch it now."
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Student Blogs
movingforward » Blogs:
Links to information about K-12 blogs, including some great sample student blogs.
Links to information about K-12 blogs, including some great sample student blogs.
Customize Blogger!
8 steps to a more professional Blogspot blog - Download Squad: "8 steps to a more professional Blogspot blog"
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Saturday, April 12, 2008
InstantShot! « DigitalWaters.net Projects
InstantShot! « DigitalWaters.net Projects (Mac only)
InstantShot! offers classical screenshot functionality for capturing the whole screen, a portion of it or a window and also the option to make timed screenshots or to make delayed captures over time. It offers a wide range of preferences and options to fit everyone's needs.
InstantShot! offers classical screenshot functionality for capturing the whole screen, a portion of it or a window and also the option to make timed screenshots or to make delayed captures over time. It offers a wide range of preferences and options to fit everyone's needs.
Tuesday, April 08, 2008
I Will (as a teacher)
I Will (as a teacher): "I will communicate with educational leaders and experts using email – you will try to remember the advice of the instructor in your college methods class from 1980."
Another great posting from Doug Johnson!
Another great posting from Doug Johnson!
Changing how we teach copyright Pt 1
Changing how we teach copyright Pt 1: "a rational, ethical and legally-defensible way' of how educators should change their approach to both using and teaching about intellectual property, especially copyrighted work."
There is a link to part 2 as well.
By the way, this is a great site and Doug has some very good information posted. Wander around his site!
There is a link to part 2 as well.
By the way, this is a great site and Doug has some very good information posted. Wander around his site!
Monday, April 07, 2008
Using Blogs to Promote Authentic Learning in the Classroom
Transitioning to Web 2.0: Using Blogs to Promote Authentic Learning in the Classroom
JBlack posts some wonderful esources for those educators wishing to learn more about blogging for themselves and/or their students.
JBlack posts some wonderful esources for those educators wishing to learn more about blogging for themselves and/or their students.
Web 2.0 is the Future of Education
Web 2.0 is the Future of Education from Steve Hargadon at EduTechie.com: "Yesterday Steve Hargadon published an article entitled “Web 2.0 is the Future of Education” that every educator should read. Here are a couple of excerpts”
4 Things Good Teachers do to Get Students REALLY Involved in Projects
4 Things Good Teachers do to Get Students REALLY Involved in Projects at EduTechie.com:
"Almost all of the students in classrooms K-12, and a large percentage of students in colleges are ‘digital natives,’ or students who grew up with ubiquitous access to digital media Writers-Strike-Hurts-LA-Economy . These are those who can’t remember a time without e-mail and the internet. Because these students are intimately familiar with computers, the web, and the latest and greatest technology we can benefit by teaching them differently than students in the past… they are a new generation of learners."
"Almost all of the students in classrooms K-12, and a large percentage of students in colleges are ‘digital natives,’ or students who grew up with ubiquitous access to digital media Writers-Strike-Hurts-LA-Economy . These are those who can’t remember a time without e-mail and the internet. Because these students are intimately familiar with computers, the web, and the latest and greatest technology we can benefit by teaching them differently than students in the past… they are a new generation of learners."
Congress Goes Virtual in Online World Hearing
Congress Goes Virtual in Online World Hearing - Post I.T. - A Technology Blog From The Washington Post - (washingtonpost.com):
A meeting of Congress (subcommitte) in Second Life!
A meeting of Congress (subcommitte) in Second Life!
Monday, March 31, 2008
Firmware Restoration CD 1.5
Apple - Support - Downloads - Firmware Restoration CD 1.5
Apple released an updated Firmware Restoration CD (version 1.5) for all Intel Mac models. The Firmware Restoration CD is used to restore the firmware on an Intel-based Macintosh in case of an emergency (such as an interrupted firmware install).
You can download the Firmware Restoration CD from the Apple Support downloads website for your specific Mac. These CDs are great to keep around in case of firmware install issues (especially if you only have one Mac).
Apple makes a note that you cannot use this CD to restore the firmware that has already been successfully applied to your system; this is used only for systems that did not successfully get a firmware update applied.
Apple released an updated Firmware Restoration CD (version 1.5) for all Intel Mac models. The Firmware Restoration CD is used to restore the firmware on an Intel-based Macintosh in case of an emergency (such as an interrupted firmware install).
You can download the Firmware Restoration CD from the Apple Support downloads website for your specific Mac. These CDs are great to keep around in case of firmware install issues (especially if you only have one Mac).
Apple makes a note that you cannot use this CD to restore the firmware that has already been successfully applied to your system; this is used only for systems that did not successfully get a firmware update applied.
Adobe Photoshop Express - Made You Look.
Adobe Photoshop Express
This web-based Photoshop just entered public beta today. I'm sure there are some quirks but try it out anyway. It offers free 2gb storage that might be accessible to the public.
This web-based Photoshop just entered public beta today. I'm sure there are some quirks but try it out anyway. It offers free 2gb storage that might be accessible to the public.
Skitch - Snap, Draw, Share
plasq.com - Skitch - Snap, Draw, Share
Free screen capture for the Mac. I use Grabber which is a freebie that comes with your Mac and works great but this is another choice for you!
Free screen capture for the Mac. I use Grabber which is a freebie that comes with your Mac and works great but this is another choice for you!
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Clipart ETC Homepage
Clipart ETC Homepage: Free clipart for students & teachers from Florida's Educational Technology Clearinghouse. A good resource to check out!
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
MacUpdate: Weekly Popular
MacUpdate: Weekly Popular
Pretty cool site. You can uncheck items such as commercial, shareware, etc. and filter for only the software you want. Sorry, Windows users...this site is for Mac only and has some great software! One you really should have is called AppDelete. Just drag the Application into the basket and it will package all files up neatly into a folder and put it into the Trash for you.
You don't need a PrintScreen-type application on the Mac since you already have one! Do a Spotlight Search for Grabber. It works really well for all different types of screenshots you might want to take of your desktop or programs.
Pretty cool site. You can uncheck items such as commercial, shareware, etc. and filter for only the software you want. Sorry, Windows users...this site is for Mac only and has some great software! One you really should have is called AppDelete. Just drag the Application into the basket and it will package all files up neatly into a folder and put it into the Trash for you.
You don't need a PrintScreen-type application on the Mac since you already have one! Do a Spotlight Search for Grabber. It works really well for all different types of screenshots you might want to take of your desktop or programs.
Why Switch to a Mac
50 Reasons to Switch from Microsoft Windows to Apple’s Mac OS X
Chris Pirillo, a recent switcher to Mac OS X after having spent a decade using Windows, is now deliriously happy with the switch (aren't they all?). So happy, in fact, that he has penned fifty reasons explaining why Mac OS X is the greatest operating system on Earth and Windows is like the lame donkey in a horse race.
He's missed a lot of points (not the least of which is how you can use Spaces to organize your work among several desktops and then zip around like you're in Star Trek), included a few relatively minor ones (better compatibility with the iPhone - duh), and about half of the fifty points are dedicated to VMware Fusion. Yes, you can run Windows as an application on Mac OS X, Chris. Get over it.
(From macuser.com)
Chris Pirillo, a recent switcher to Mac OS X after having spent a decade using Windows, is now deliriously happy with the switch (aren't they all?). So happy, in fact, that he has penned fifty reasons explaining why Mac OS X is the greatest operating system on Earth and Windows is like the lame donkey in a horse race.
He's missed a lot of points (not the least of which is how you can use Spaces to organize your work among several desktops and then zip around like you're in Star Trek), included a few relatively minor ones (better compatibility with the iPhone - duh), and about half of the fifty points are dedicated to VMware Fusion. Yes, you can run Windows as an application on Mac OS X, Chris. Get over it.
(From macuser.com)
Watch What You Post and Where...
Young warned over social websites
Millions of young people could damage their future careers with the details about themselves they post on social networking websites, a watchdog warns. Always good advice!
Millions of young people could damage their future careers with the details about themselves they post on social networking websites, a watchdog warns. Always good advice!
Monday, March 17, 2008
Name Mangler- Mac only
If you need to rename several files at once every now and then, this is the application you have always been looking for. Name Mangler is a batch file renamer that supports all common renaming tasks: Find and Replace (including support for regular expressions); Number Sequentially; Change Case; Set Extension; Add Prefix/Suffix; Remove/Insert Characters. is an awesome utility that allows you to quickly and easily change batches of file names quickly. Thia is for OS 10.5. Anything earlier, look for File List on their site.
This is one I am going to get. When working on photo galleries for web sites, I wind up manually changing all the file names from DSC-9435 to 001.jog, 002.jpg, etc. This looks like it might be a real timesaver for me!
This is one I am going to get. When working on photo galleries for web sites, I wind up manually changing all the file names from DSC-9435 to 001.jog, 002.jpg, etc. This looks like it might be a real timesaver for me!
Lock Desktop For Mac
Lock Desktop - This application locks your desktop by running a simple script. This will keep all applications running, eliminating the hassles of logging out. Microsoft Windows has a feature to press WINDOWS+L. This application adds this "Lock Desktop" functionality to your mac. Want to leave your Mac Desktop but don't want someone accessing your computer when you're away.
Photography and the Law
Photojojo » Photography and The Law: Know Your Rights:
"Be respectful and polite. Use good judgement and don’t escalate the situation."
"Be respectful and polite. Use good judgement and don’t escalate the situation."
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Ning
Ning - Popular Networks: "Ning is the only online service where you can create, customize, and share your own Social Network for free in seconds."
This link will take you to the educational networks. There are some pretty interesting ones here!
This link will take you to the educational networks. There are some pretty interesting ones here!
They Criticized Vista
They Criticized Vista. And They Should Know. - New York Times
A lawsuit filed against Microsoft in March 2007 in United States District Court in Seattle has pried loose a packet of internal company documents.
A lawsuit filed against Microsoft in March 2007 in United States District Court in Seattle has pried loose a packet of internal company documents.
Last month, Judge Marsha A. Pechman granted class-action status to the suit, which is scheduled to go to trial in October. (Microsoft last week appealed the certification decision.)
Anyone who bought a PC that Microsoft labeled “Windows Vista Capable” without also declaring “Premium Capable” is now a party in the suit.SuperDocker
SuperDocker
SuperDocker is a free program designed for Mac OS X Leopard that gives you the ability to customize your Leopard dock and more, all in a very easy to use package.
It seems like everything you'd want to change about the dock can be done in SuperDocker: you can change the dock from 3-D to 2-D, add icon transparency, and add customized separators in the dock.
Also, when you edit the dock background, separator, and active application indicator (the blue glowing thing at the bottom of running applications), the SuperDocker interface gives you a real-time preview, so you can perfect the dock inside SuperDocker before you apply the changes to your system.
SuperDocker also has a few preferences for items outside of the dock. You can modify the menu bar, the default screen capture format, the boot screen, and more. And thankfully, all of these customizations can be undone with a single click.
If you try this one, let me know how it works out for you!
SuperDocker is a free program designed for Mac OS X Leopard that gives you the ability to customize your Leopard dock and more, all in a very easy to use package.
It seems like everything you'd want to change about the dock can be done in SuperDocker: you can change the dock from 3-D to 2-D, add icon transparency, and add customized separators in the dock.
Also, when you edit the dock background, separator, and active application indicator (the blue glowing thing at the bottom of running applications), the SuperDocker interface gives you a real-time preview, so you can perfect the dock inside SuperDocker before you apply the changes to your system.
SuperDocker also has a few preferences for items outside of the dock. You can modify the menu bar, the default screen capture format, the boot screen, and more. And thankfully, all of these customizations can be undone with a single click.
If you try this one, let me know how it works out for you!
Belkin travel powerstrip
Belkin travel powerstrip combines surge protection, USB charging
Power three devices--plus two USB products--with this portable surge protector: all for under $25...Great travel product!
Power three devices--plus two USB products--with this portable surge protector: all for under $25...Great travel product!
Time Machine Editor
TimeMachineEditor
TimeMachineEditor is a software for Leopard that lets you change the default one-hour backup interval of Time Machine. You can change the interval or decide to make a backup once a day, once a week or once a month.
Create Booklet PDF
Create Booklets in PDF
Create Booklet PDF Service adds an export command that converts documents into PDF format for printing as a booklet with staples down the middle. This means the pages have to be resorted before printing and two pages have to be shrunk onto one. Create Booklet does that for you and as it is a PDF Service you can do it directly from the print panel. Additionally you get the Automator Action that is used in that PDF Service.
For Mac only..Yes, another freebie...
Monday, March 03, 2008
Weekend Webware: The periodic table of the elements 2.0 | Webware : Cool Web apps for everyone
The periodic table of the elements 2.0
The chart, found at Ptable.com, is completely dynamic, letting you adjust nearly every aspect of the data to see what each element does at various temperatures, and even turn back the hands of time to see which parts of the chart were missing before being discovered by scientists.
The chart, found at Ptable.com, is completely dynamic, letting you adjust nearly every aspect of the data to see what each element does at various temperatures, and even turn back the hands of time to see which parts of the chart were missing before being discovered by scientists.
Not So Distant Future
Not So Distant Future
Carolyn is a high school librarian in Austin Texas. She uses her blog to discuss web 2.0 tools, teaching strategies, and library research tools for educators.
Carolyn is a high school librarian in Austin Texas. She uses her blog to discuss web 2.0 tools, teaching strategies, and library research tools for educators.
On an e-journey with generation Y
On an e-journey with generation Y
Ann writes about her experiences integrating Web 2.0 technology into her classes. She is doing some incredible things.
Ann writes about her experiences integrating Web 2.0 technology into her classes. She is doing some incredible things.
Drape's Takes: why blog
Drape's Takes: why blog
Great postings from Darren Draper, Technology Specialist for Jordan School District in Utah.
He posts many reasons why teachers should blog!
Great postings from Darren Draper, Technology Specialist for Jordan School District in Utah.
He posts many reasons why teachers should blog!
Postcrossing
Postcrossing - Postcards Traveling The World
Pretend you’re eight years old for a second. Now pretend you just got a photo in the mail from your new buddy in Finland.
Fantastic, right? Best mail ever!
Now here’s the secret: it’s still that much fun to get photos from around the world. And it’s super easy thanks to Postcrossing: send a postcard to somebody, and somebody sends you a postcard back. Collect photos from 175 countries without blowing all your airline miles! You can even request pictures of specific things.
Monday, February 25, 2008
Saturday, February 09, 2008
A One-Page Internet Textbook on Google Features for Busy Educators
buckleit - Google-lizing Your School: A One-Page Internet Textbook on Google Features for Busy Educators:
After the morning break, so a short lecture/demonstration on the story of Google, covering topics like search engine history, how Google makes money, and so on. Use the links below, and have each person follow along. You can set this up as a scavenger hunt if you like. "
After the morning break, so a short lecture/demonstration on the story of Google, covering topics like search engine history, how Google makes money, and so on. Use the links below, and have each person follow along. You can set this up as a scavenger hunt if you like. "
Tuesday, February 05, 2008
File List 1.2
Macworld | Mac Gems | File List 1.2
Macworld has declared File List — a great way to batch rename your files — to be one of its gems. It has a slew of features and it’s easy to use, which shouldn’t be surprising since it comes from the developer of other amazing programs such as Butler, Witch and Service Scrubber
Macworld has declared File List — a great way to batch rename your files — to be one of its gems. It has a slew of features and it’s easy to use, which shouldn’t be surprising since it comes from the developer of other amazing programs such as Butler, Witch and Service Scrubber
Monday, January 14, 2008
April 18 - WDUG Workshop
Keep April 18 marked on your calendar for a fantastic presentation from Apple and hosted by the MHRIC here in New Paltz at the Conference Center.
Apple Software Enginner Matt Rowe will present iLife '08 and iWork '08, 2 fabulous suites of programs from Apple.
Registration is a must as seating is limited. More information will follow. If your district participates in Office Automation or the Technology Support Service, you are eligible to attend. You can register through MicroNews, on our web site, or use My Learning Plan. Registration opens in mid-March.
If you have questions, please feel free to contact me!
Apple Software Enginner Matt Rowe will present iLife '08 and iWork '08, 2 fabulous suites of programs from Apple.
Registration is a must as seating is limited. More information will follow. If your district participates in Office Automation or the Technology Support Service, you are eligible to attend. You can register through MicroNews, on our web site, or use My Learning Plan. Registration opens in mid-March.
If you have questions, please feel free to contact me!
Best Mac freeware and free Mac games
Best Mac freeware and free Mac games: The Top 10 coolest Mac freeware programs you've never heard of: thriftmac: "The thriftmac collection has grown fairly large over the past few months, despite our efforts to list only the very best. Can we help it if there’s so much truly good stuff freely available for Mac people?"
Thursday, January 03, 2008
VoiceThread
A VoiceThread is an online media album that can hold essentially any type of media (images, documents and videos) and allows people to make comments in 5 different ways - using voice (with a microphone or telephone), text, audio file, or video (with a webcam) - and share them with anyone they wish.
A VoiceThread allows group conversations to be collected and shared in one place, from anywhere in the world.
A VoiceThread allows group conversations to be collected and shared in one place, from anywhere in the world.
An Introduction to Second Life | The Story of My “Second Life”
An Introduction to Second Life | The Story of My “Second Life”
An introduction to Second Life on YouTube.
An introduction to Second Life on YouTube.
Monday, December 24, 2007
The Complete Guide to Mac/Windows Interoperability
Geek To Live: The Complete Guide to Mac/Windows Interoperability
Also check out our video podcasts on this subject from a workshop Apple presented at the MHRIC in October of 2007. Select the Podcast link from our homepage at www.mhric.org
Also check out our video podcasts on this subject from a workshop Apple presented at the MHRIC in October of 2007. Select the Podcast link from our homepage at www.mhric.org
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Transfer Songs from Your iPod to Any Mac with Senuti
Transfer Songs from Your iPod to Any Mac with Senuti
Copy songs from any iPod to your iTunes library. There are other iPod-to-computer tools available for Mac and Windows, like iPod -> Folder, but Senuti stands out for this list for its ability to tell you want music on an iPod is already in your library and which songs are not, making it easy to slurp new songs from a friend's iPod without introducing duplicates into your library.
Copy songs from any iPod to your iTunes library. There are other iPod-to-computer tools available for Mac and Windows, like iPod -> Folder, but Senuti stands out for this list for its ability to tell you want music on an iPod is already in your library and which songs are not, making it easy to slurp new songs from a friend's iPod without introducing duplicates into your library.
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Free Professional Development Videos
Teaching Hacks.com » Blog Archive » Professional Development VOD:
"Every member of Ontario Teachers Federation is invited to access in-depth professional development workshops from leading educational producers. There are hundreds of hours of Professional Development streaming video content available here. The programs will be available from early November 2007 to November 30th, 2008. There is no registration to access the materials at this time, although the registration process will be simple enough for any educator to access the content."
"Every member of Ontario Teachers Federation is invited to access in-depth professional development workshops from leading educational producers. There are hundreds of hours of Professional Development streaming video content available here. The programs will be available from early November 2007 to November 30th, 2008. There is no registration to access the materials at this time, although the registration process will be simple enough for any educator to access the content."
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Monday, December 03, 2007
Smart Notebook Hacks
Smart Notebook Hacks: "Turn Any Document into a PDF
Many district networks are locked down from installing free software or don’t include software that will generate a PDF for you. Sure you can use online PDF generators but when you install Smart Board software you have a PDF generator built in."
Many district networks are locked down from installing free software or don’t include software that will generate a PDF for you. Sure you can use online PDF generators but when you install Smart Board software you have a PDF generator built in."
Friday, November 30, 2007
Increase in Teacher Resignations - New York Times
Increase in Teacher Resignations - New York Times
More teachers resigned during the last school year than at any time in recent history, according to figures released yesterday by the United Federation of Teachers, the city’s teachers union. According to the figures, 4,606 certified teachers resigned last year, not including teachers who retired or had problems with certification. The numbers have been steadily increasing since 2001, when 2,544 resigned; last year 4,273 teachers did so. Of the 7,069 teachers who were hired in 2006, nearly 14 percent resigned by the end of the year, the union said, up from about 11 percent the year before.
More teachers resigned during the last school year than at any time in recent history, according to figures released yesterday by the United Federation of Teachers, the city’s teachers union. According to the figures, 4,606 certified teachers resigned last year, not including teachers who retired or had problems with certification. The numbers have been steadily increasing since 2001, when 2,544 resigned; last year 4,273 teachers did so. Of the 7,069 teachers who were hired in 2006, nearly 14 percent resigned by the end of the year, the union said, up from about 11 percent the year before.
School officials unite in banning Wikipedia | Seattle Times Newspaper
School officials unite in banning Wikipedia :
"The Great Meadows (N.J.) Middle School librarian hasn't been a fan of the online encyclopedia for years. This fall, she decided it was time to make others at her school aware of the Web site's pitfalls."
"The Great Meadows (N.J.) Middle School librarian hasn't been a fan of the online encyclopedia for years. This fall, she decided it was time to make others at her school aware of the Web site's pitfalls."
Saturday, November 03, 2007
Randy Pausch on Oprah
Watch a video of Randy Pausch when he appeared on the Oprah Show in September 2007
Randy Pausch is a married father of three, a very popular professor at Carnegie Mellon University—and he is dying. He is suffering from pancreatic cancer, which he says has returned after surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. Doctors say he has only a few months to live.
Randy Pausch is a married father of three, a very popular professor at Carnegie Mellon University—and he is dying. He is suffering from pancreatic cancer, which he says has returned after surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. Doctors say he has only a few months to live.
Thursday, November 01, 2007
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Friday, October 26, 2007
Getting Ready for Leopard
TUAW Guide: Getting Ready for Leopard - The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)
Upgrading your Mac to the new Leopard? Here are some tips to help make it a seamless install.
Upgrading your Mac to the new Leopard? Here are some tips to help make it a seamless install.
Sunday, October 21, 2007
The Last Lecture
This was passed on to me by a team member:
"Professor Randy Pausch from Carnegie-Mellon University, he's an amazing man who has been diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer. His "Last Lecture" which was given at CMU on September 18th has reportedly been downloaded by over one million people. He w
Friday, October 19, 2007
States Report Teacher Staph Infections
Web Watch: States Report Teacher Staph Infections
And a national report released this week indicates that staph infections killed more people in 2005 than HIV/AIDS, proving that it is more common than previously thought.
And a national report released this week indicates that staph infections killed more people in 2005 than HIV/AIDS, proving that it is more common than previously thought.
Kittens and Computers
Kittens and Computers: Emotions and the Tyranny of Learning Environments
An Apple computer is so simple, even a kitten can use it!
Monday, October 15, 2007
Blog Action Day
Blog Action Day
On October 15th, bloggers around the web will unite to put a single important issue on everyone’s mind - the environment. Every blogger will post about the environment in their own way and relating to their own topic. Our aim is to get everyone talking towards a better future.
On October 15th, bloggers around the web will unite to put a single important issue on everyone’s mind - the environment. Every blogger will post about the environment in their own way and relating to their own topic. Our aim is to get everyone talking towards a better future.
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Blogger Play
Blogger Play - View the most recently uploaded photos to blogger.com as a slide show movie.
Thursday, September 13, 2007
77 Resources
77 Resources to Simplify Your Life as a Web Designer
Some great stuff here and well worth looking at!
Some great stuff here and well worth looking at!
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Sagan
Evolution from Past to Future at Bionic Teaching
View a clip of the late Carl Sagan narrating an animation of evolution. Pretty interesting stuff!
View a clip of the late Carl Sagan narrating an animation of evolution. Pretty interesting stuff!
Saturday, September 01, 2007
Dressing Teachers
Dressing Teachers
Nashville’s 75,000 public school students must now adhere to a strict dress code. Collared shirts are mandatory; hoodies and jeans are no longer acceptable. But what about teachers? Nashville parent Rebecca Willocks thinks there’s a double standard. "I saw a teacher’s navel piercing last year and was surprised," she says. "Students can’t get away with that." Nashville’s school board doesn’t think teachers should either.
Nashville’s 75,000 public school students must now adhere to a strict dress code. Collared shirts are mandatory; hoodies and jeans are no longer acceptable. But what about teachers? Nashville parent Rebecca Willocks thinks there’s a double standard. "I saw a teacher’s navel piercing last year and was surprised," she says. "Students can’t get away with that." Nashville’s school board doesn’t think teachers should either.
Tech Ed Left Behind
Tech Ed Left Behind
Vocation programs in New York public high schools have sharply decreased over the past decade due to a lack of funding and an NCLB-driven curriculum. In 1992, 41 percent of the state’s public high school students completed at least one vocational course, compared with 25 percent last year. “We started raising standards and adding more requirements, and something had to fall off the plate,” Buffalo Schools Superintendent James A. Williams told the Buffalo News.
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