Jazzed about Jooce

Holy All-In-One Tools, Batman!

If you have not had the opportunity to explore this AWESOME website, you are in for a real treat. Jooce is a one-stop everything website. With a free account you can email, chat, save files, share pictures...instantly share all your videos, pictures, and songs with friends as well.
The really cool thing is Jooce actually turns your browser into what looks like a computer desktop. You have a control panel to make the environment personalized, you can even set the wallpaper!
I think the thing I like best about it is the interaction it has with the user...it is just fun to play with even if you don't use it as your sole technology tool.

This is currently in my top 5 technology tools now...

Blogged with the Flock Browser

Preparing for the Showcase

Everyone:
I will be in the Board Room all afternoon to set up the tables and such. You are welcome to come at anytime. The event will start promptly at 5:00.

5:00-5:45
Dinner: Taco bar provided by The Soup Place (Thank you Nancy Smith)
Awards: This year there are some special awards
Prizes: You will receive a ticket when you walk in the door and we will draw for prizes.
Video: Just something in the background for you to watch.
Note: You will be given a packet of items. There will be a colored card in your packet. Please sit at the table that has the same color table-tent as your card.

5:45-6:00
Setup your section of the showcase - look for your nameplate and place your items there.

6:00
Start Your Presentations! I just mean be ready to explain your showcase and explore other TILT member's work. Please make a concerted effort to visit all the other TILT teacher exhibits.

1st Year Teachers:
Because you are the student, please focus on the technology that you have explored and found valuable. You will write up a 1 page paper describing the technology and how you have used it. If you used it with your students (or your students used it), even better.
Showcase at least one project that you have created using the technology mentioned in the paper. Your showcase can be in any form you choose. Some examples are: multimedia presentation, video, binder of paper, plackard (three-fold style), brochure, pictures....there is no limit. Remember to make a copy of your 1 page paper for Desiree.

2nd Year Teachers:
Because you wore your teacher hat more this year, please focus on your curriculum and how you introduced technology into an activity to enhance your students' learning. In your 1 page paper, explain the classroom activity, the technology used and whether your integration was teacher-directed or student-centered. Your showcase can be in any form you choose. Some examples are: multimedia presentation, video, binder of paper, plackard (three-fold style), brochure, pictures....there is no limit. Remember to make a copy of your 1 page paper for Desiree.

Note: There are always exceptions to any directives, right! If you have actually started entering the "phase 3" and want to showcase a "Mentor" project...you are welcome to do that.

7:00
We are done! If anyone wants to stick around and help clean up, that would be greatly appreciated. :O)

Thanks for another successful year.

My Favorite Technology Tools

Recently, I was sitting in the back of a room during a technology workshop. The speaker was asking, “How many of you use ____?” Each time I raised my hand. Finally, the lady next to me shoved a notebook and pen at me and said, “What are your 10 favorite tools?” It made me think…this is what we should be sharing in MCCE (along with the support and purchasing questions). So here are my favorite tech tools (available for both mac and pc) in no particular order:

Flock: new social browser - I think I like it better than Firefox!

VoiceThread: web 2.0 story-telling tool (kind of)

Inspiration: concept mapping software

Google….Everything!! …Docs, News Reader, iGoogle, Earth, Timeline, Gmail and more

Blogger: blogging software (Word Press is new to me)

Del.icio.us: social bookmarking - this is flocking amazing! Sorry, inside joke. My username is caskeyd…add me to your network!

iTunes If you think this program is just to play music...think again. You can get audio books, rent movies, watch TV shows....and that is just the entertainment part. Podcasts are free, contain all kinds of educational information, and...you can create your own! That is so cool.

TeacherTube, SchoolTube & YouTube: these video sharing sites will let you expand your bag of tricks and resources. You can find information on pretty much any subject and it is a social site, so you can upload your own videos and share them!

Other Tools (Fun & Function):

MooURL: Have a long URL, use this tool to shorten it when you are sharing with friends.

VLC: media player…opens multiple types of video including flash (.flv) and exports to multiple file types. Very handy!

UnPlug: an extension for Firefox that lets you extract media from websites.

VoiceThread: an online story creation tool that is super easy to use

Jooce: a cool website that turns your browser into a desktop environment - use this to share media files.

Skype: Chat software with video capabilities

SlideShare: a website where you can post and share your powerpoint shows.

Blog Sighting!!

Check out this neat blog. It adds a nice dimension to using technology in the classroom. you can even sign up and send your kids to the moon. :)

Growing Up Online

This is a very interesting look into the digital world put on by PBS and Frontline. It is definitely worth watching.

Visual Statistics: Using GapMinder.com

If you have not heard of GapMinder, you need to check it out!! And then, you need to share this site with your co-workers. This site has some great visuals that can be used in math, social studies, science, health, business...almost any classroom.

Learn about trends in the world (climate, population, technology, health and more). To get started, go to this site and click on the GapMinder World Link. You will be impressed with all off the information you can uncover.