Virtual Trips Save Gas

Think about it. With gas prices heading up and up, try saving some money by taking your students on a "virtual field trip." Read more about this idea HERE

Bye Bye Microsoft Office, Hello Google Docs

Well "the avalanche has started and it's too late for the pebbles to vote." Google Docs has been chosen over Microsoft Office by one of the largest school districts in Australia. Considering the strides Google has taken with its own software and the fact that it's FREE, it's no wonder this is happening. Now users can utilize Google's mail, write documents, make presentations and spreadsheets and more without having to pay a dime. Imagine ridding our budgets of Microsoft Office and the savings that would imply... Hats off to Google. Guess it really is a good time for Bill Gates to retire... Smart man... Here is a link to the article.

And here is a very important link to Google Teacher Academy Resources. Check out the agenda, materials, and additional links.

Connect With Schools Around The World!

I have been looking for websites that allow teachers and students from all over the country and world to collaborate on projects. With all the people, schools and resources out there it would be a shame to limit ourselves to our tiny corner of the world. With these links you will find the world to not only be a valuable resource, but also not that big after all...

Global School Network

ePals Global Community

Have you Googled Your School Recently?

You might be surprised what comes up. The following video gives some pretty candid examples of the power of YouTube and the way it impacts your school's presence on the Web. It isn't always in ways you would expect...

Radio Open Source

The best in user/expert generated podcasts can be found at Radio Open Source. They sum it up well when they state "Conversations are happening everywhere on the web, and they’re not just about computers or Star Trek. They’re about God and the world, people taking pictures and and comparing notes of what they see around them." If you want access to thousands of podcasts covering a million topics then check out Radio Open Source.

For you coach!

Technology helping football players!

"Sensor-embedded glove technology can help identify whether a ball is being handled, caught, and thrown properly."

Check it out!

Learn a Language Online

I came across some wonderful resources for learning languages online. Many of the features are free, but premium paid membership opens up doors to exercises, written dialogue and much more. Check out some of these online lessons:

SpanishPod

ChinesePod

ItalianPod

Minnesota Virtual High School Graduates First Online Class

It was bound to happen. "Minnesota Virtual High School (MVHS) graduated its first class of 43 students last Friday. The school, a partnership between Minnesota Transitions Charter School of Minneapolis and Advanced Academics, was launched in 2007 and serves more than 1,000 students from all over the state." Her is a link to the ARTICLE in The Journal, as well as a link to MVHS HERE.

Not enough

I keep reading about schools that "buy laptops, printers, scanners, Web cams, electronic whiteboards, digital cameras, and video cameras." But so what?! What else is out there? What are they doing with all that equipment? I will continue my quest to find out, to push the envelope and to bring the latest and best technology developments to the classroom. But what is a classroom anyway these days? Do we still think of them the same way? The best classrooms break down their walls with technology. Just thoughts...

Skype is what and all you need

Skype is THE TOOL for online chat collaboration. It works on any platform and allows users to chat, video chat, share files and even collaborate in groups. The possibilities for online collaboration between students and students and students and teachers is unlimited. And best of all it's all free. You just download the software, install, go through a simple sign up, choose username process and voila, you are ready to go. Just share your username with other Skype users of your choosing and you are ready to start collaborating. So get rid of Yahoo and MSN Instant messengers and climb aboard the premier instant chat tool: SKYPE

Here is a link to the "tres hip" elasticillusion guys who give you a very quick introduction to Skype. Enjoy...

CLICK HERE

I'm back, somewhat...

Well it's been a long ten days. I've learned about the marvels of medical technology and have been humbled by the expertise of the stroke trauma unit here at HCMC. They went out of their way and tried every new trick in the book and here I am, back to blogging. I just wanted to say I've missed everyone and have appreciated all the well wishes. I thought I'd share an excellent blog with you that has a lot of cutting edge information for educators. The blog is called the "cool cat teacher blog" and has videos from the latest Horizon Project that you should enjoy. Anyway, it's good to be back. It may be awhile before you see me on campus, but out here you'll find me on the web ever trying to find the latest information for you teachers to use in and out of the classroom.

Peace,

Keith

Well I'm posting this in the Emergency Room just to show you can take it with you and keep working. Notified my wife, my boss and my family with my cellphone. Logged onto the hospital's WIFI and caught up with some work. Sent video email to my parents. Watched CNN News. And now I'm blogging. They registered me here with a portable computer. And all from the comfort of my hospital bed. I'll probably listen to some Spanish language podcasts if they keep me here much longer. 

Oh? What happened? I started feeling dizzy and the right side of my body started to go numb. They're doing a bunch of tests to see what's wrong with me. Hopefully they have the latest in technology! I feel better now. 

When it comes to your health I guess you want the best in technology!

Say hi to the other Blake if you see him...

Update to follow...

Touch Screen Turntable

A university student has invented a touch screen turntable that "allows technologically-inclined DJs to spin, scratch, and mix digital music, all while mimicking the physicality of DJing on vinyl."

Check out his invention here:


Final Product // ATTIGO TT from Scott Hobbs on Vimeo.