Web 2.0 in Education

This article is not new, but I came across it in my PLP readings and thought it was worth sharing. It explains why this shift is taking place and gives helpful information for teachers to get on board.

Web 2.0 is the Future of Education - Steve Hargadon

Some Cool Things You Can Do

Sometimes we forget some of the easy, basic things that are right under our noses, but which might make a great lesson, or otherwise make life easier. So here's a brief reminder of some of the things you can do with the tools you already have.

In RenWeb:
WebTests - You can create assignments or graded, monitored quizzes and tests right in RenWeb. Your students take them online through RenWeb and the grades import right into your gradebook. Definitely worth a look! Here's a Flash video showing how it works.

Homework Drop Box - Convenient for you and your students. Keep student work from clogging up your email inbox by having them drop their assignments in the online drop box. Here's how.

In your Teacher Apps folder:
PhotoScape - This is easy-to-use photo editing software that you can use at school or download for free at home. You can make quick collages, special effects, and maybe most usefully, resize dozens of photos with one click! Here's a Flash video showing how to resize multiple photos.

PhotoStory - Super easy-to-use! Have your students create "movies" from still photos, complete with music, narration and special effects. A great project idea.

MovieMaker - Much like PhotoStory, but with video too!
See our Tech Handouts page for instructions and videos on using PhotoStory and MovieMaker.

Google Chief: My Fears for the Facebook Generation

I know a lot of us are concerned about the digital footprint our kids are leaving behind them, and have spoken with them about it. But to hear this out of the mouth of the chief executive of Google (who owns ALL our data, let's face it) is - to me - very telling.

Eric Schmidt, the chief executive of Google, has issued a stark warning over the amount of personal data people leave on the internet and suggested that many of them will be forced one day to change their names in order to escape their cyber past.

Yikes! Read the rest of the article here.

The Web is Dead

Surprised? I was. But think about it. So much of what we do online anymore is through specific apps on our smartphones or even on our computers which use the Internet but not a browser.

From a recent article in Wired Magazine:

"Over the past few years, one of the most important shifts in the digital world has been the move from the wide-open Web to semiclosed platforms that use the Internet for transport but not the browser for display. It’s driven primarily by the rise of the iPhone model of mobile computing, and it’s a world Google can’t crawl, one where HTML doesn’t rule. And it’s the world that consumers are increasingly choosing, not because they’re rejecting the idea of the Web but because these dedicated platforms often just work better or fit better into their lives (the screen comes to them, they don’t have to go to the screen)."

Read the full article and view usage chart

Global Graveyard for Dead Computers

Interesting photo story about scavenging computers for metals in Africa.

Global Graveyard for Dead Computers in Ghana

Welcome New Faculty and Staff!

Hey, what a great group of new faculty and staff we have! I just had the pleasure of working with many of them, and they're a sharp bunch! :-) We are so fortunate to have you new guys with us.

Welcome to TVS!

Social Networking Quiz

How savvy are you about social networking sites? Want to know? Take this quiz from the NY Times.
Social Networking Quiz

I have to admit - I only got 8 out of 14. :-) Hopefully you'll beat me. :-)

Social Bookmarking

What is social bookmarking? Essentially, it's "tagging" your favorite sites rather than saving them in your browser. That way, not only can you reach them from any computer, but you can easily share them with others - and see other people's favorites too.

This article sums it up quite nicely, I think.
Social Bookmarking 101

What I like about this article is that it shows how Social Bookmarking sites are really intelligent search engines. You've already narrowed your search to interesting sites before you've even started.

There are lots of social bookmarking sites but the two most popular currently are
Delicious
Diigo

Twitter for Teachers

So here's the thing about Twitter - Is there a lot of junk out there? Yes, of course. Nobody really cares if Joe is eating pickles or Jane just cleaned out the garage. But there are lots of jewels too. It's all about following the right people. Follow people from whom you want to learn. Follow the leading educators in your field. You will find links to articles, blogs, resources, and web sites that you might never find otherwise.

It's definitely worth it. Here are a few resources to get your started.
Twitter Resources and Ideas for Educators
Advice for Teachers New to Twitter
100 of the Best Authors on Twitter
More Links to Twitter Resources for Teachers

Great network for independent school educators

OK, this is my new favorite web site.
ISENET Ning
The whole Ning is great, but I would start with the groups. Find the group(s) that interest you and start there. There is definitely something for everyone here!