Resource #1 – PrimoPDF

The first resource we will look at is PrimoPDF. This program will convert your documents into a pdf file (portable document format). You might find yourself using PrimoPDF when emailing or electronically sharing documents. Converting the file to a pdf is a good idea if the recipient of your document doesn't have the program the document was developed in or if you don't want the recipient to make any changes to the document .
 
To install this program on your computer:
1. go to http://tinyurl.com/37pr5w
2. Click the Download Now button
3. Click Run. It will take a few minutes to complete the download.
4. When the program has downloaded, click Run one more time. This time agree to everything - click next, agree to the terms, next and next again to complete the install.
 
When you are ready to make a pdf file:
1. open your document. This could be a Microsoft document, Notebook or about any other document.
2. Go to File, Print and select PrimoPDF from the drop down option of printers and click OK. (You won't actually print this page, but capture it and ultimately save it.)
3. The window that opens, click the small box with the ellipsis to navigate to the location to save the document. Name it something relavent. Finally click Save. The document will open as a preview in the pdf file.

Resource #2 – TinyURL

Do you have problems with students typing website addresses incorrectly? Is the address too long? While the best way to share a website address would be through your classroom website, TinyURL is a website that will convert a very long URL into a "tiny url"! (A URL is a website's address.) To use this feature, copy the web address you want to share, go to http://tinyurl.com, paste the address in the "Enter long URL to make tiny" field, and click Make TinyURL. This will generate a URL similar to http://.tinyurl.com/####. Now you're ready to share the address through a shared folder, Word document or even an email.

Resource #3– TeacherTube

TeacherTube is education's answer to YouTube. Similar to YouTube, TeacherTube has video submissions. However the video submissions are by the educator community with the intent of sharing instructional videos. Additionally, this site can provide professional development around educator-type topics; be a place where teachers can post videos designed for students to learn a new concept; or be a place to post student developed products for a demonstration of learned concepts. Check it out at http://www.teachertube.com/.

Resource #4 – MAP Resources

I've compiled a list of testing resources which include release items from Missouri as well as other states at http://www1.center.k12.mo.us/edtech/resources/MAP.htm. You can also get to this site by going to the EdTech home page at http://www1.center.k12.mo.us/edtech/ and clicking on the MAP Resources button. This has great resources for all grade levels, whether you test or not. Don't forget that those resources that are in a pdf format can be captured into Notebook so you can annotation with your practice and review. (Need a refresher on capturing? See http://www1.center.k12.mo.us/edtech/SB/archive.htm#12.)

Resource #5–  Lingro

Lingro (http://lingro.com) is an interactive site for discovering definitions to unknown words. It's a great site to differentiate for your kids who might need just a bit more help reading and understanding websites. To use this site, very simply copy the web address of the student research website into the Lingro website field. Click the translation arrow and your webpage will open in Lingro. Now all the words on the webpage become clickable. When students come across an unknown word, they just click it for a definition or translation. (Notice you can determine if you want the translation to be in English, Spanish or French.)

Resource #6 –  NaturalReader

NaturalReader software is a text to speech program that converts any text into spoken words. You need to download NaturalReader from http://www.naturalreaders.com. Click on the download icon to begin the download agreeing to everything. Once downloaded, double click the icon on the desktop. Once the program opens, click the Go to Miniboard for a floating toolbar. With the floating tool bar open, go to a website.
 
Now that it's downloaded, NaturalReader will read anything that you highlight on a website - single words, a paragraph or entire page.
 
This version of NaturalReader does have a "mechanical" voice, but is free and will assist students by reading parts or an entire website aloud.

Resource #7 –  Equation Editor, Symbol, Superscript and Subscript

The Equation Editor, symbol and subscript and superscripts are all features that can be enabled in Microsoft Word. With these options available, foreign language accents, scientific and mathematical notation insertion is very easy. At the elementary level, this could be mathematical signs including multiplication, division, less than, greater than or equal to, powers, etc. Here is the document that will help with installation.

Resource #8- Keyboard Accent Marks

In following up last week's Tech Tip of using the Equation Editor, inserting symbols and scripting options, this week's tech tip relates most directly to foreign language teachers. Here is a document that has the keyboard strokes for inserting letters with accent marks. The great thing about these commands is that they also work when typing in Notebook! Just be sure to use the number pad on the right side of your keyboard - these commands do not work with the row of numbers above the keyboard letters.

Resource #9 - Blogs

Do you know what a blog is? A blog (short for "web log") is a website where entries are commonly displayed in reverse chronological order. Often blogs are online journals of sorts where the author is responding, blogging, to just about anything under the sun. Ask your students, I'm sure they either have their own blog, or have responded to one in the past.
 
There are several classroom applications for blogging. Setting up your own blog gives your students a much more global audience and heightens their awareness in writing. Literature responses, summaries, or reflections in general. What about a book study where students, teachers, administrators, parents, authors, etc, are actively responding to scenarios, questions, or just posting thoughts in general about a book the community is reading?
 
I would recommend using Class Blogmeister. This particular site hosts your blogs and is geared toward educators. This site if very safe - safe in that you have the option of issuing a password to gain access to your blog. In this sense, not just anyone can get into your blog and read it. Safe also in that you read and approve or delete all student comments before they get posted to your blog.
 
Are you interested in setting a very safe blog for your classroom? Email me back and I'll come to your building and show anyone interested how to go about doing this. Or try it out on your own at http://www.classblogmeister.com/.

Resource #10 - Windows Keyboard Shortcuts

A few weeks ago I sent out a tip for inserting accent marks and scientific and mathematical notations. I just ran across this document that has Windows XP keyboard shortcuts at http://websupportblog.files.wordpress.com/2006/10/keyboard-shortcuts-trifold.pdf
 
A keyboard shortcut is when you use a series of keys to preform a certain computer function. For example, ctrl+c is the shortcut to copy text, ctrl+v is the shortcut to paste, etc. The great thing about shortcuts is they can preform a function far faster than finding the command in a menu. While you won't use all of these features, there might be a few in the list that are commands you find yourself doing often such as logging off, minimizing all windows, closing programs, and many others.
 
So in this time of the year where times seems to be of the essence, hopefully this tip will help you save some time as well.

Resource #11 - Wikis

Have you heard of wikis? Wikipedia defines a wiki as software that allows users to collaboratively create, edit, link, and organize the content of a website, usually for reference material. Wikis are often used to create collaborative and community driven websites. Wikipedia itself is one of the better known wikis.
 
The Internet is constantly changing and improving - the collaboration a wiki offers is one of the dramatic changes that lead people to refer to this "new" Internet as Web 2.0 or the Read/Write Web. The ability to collaborate actively rather than reading static webpages is the power behind Web 2.0 tools, and a wiki is one of those tools. Blogs are another communication tool that adds power to the Internet.
 
So what can you do with a wiki? There are several teacher activities I want to share with you.
The Holocaust Wiki Project
Pay it Forward Wiki
WikiHow
Elementary activities
And Center English compiled by Anna Heffernan
 
Free wiki accounts can be accessed at Wikispaces or PBWiki.
 
Once a wiki has been set up, users log into the wiki and are able to edit the content. Did you notice the Article (actual content), Discussion (where you log in to edit) and History (tracks changes by user log in) tabs? This is how the collaboration is completed. Think about this in terms of adding additional information, summaries, chapter reviews, scheduling and planning or even collaboratively developing content.
 
Interested in learning more? A Web 2.0 online class will be offered this summer. More info later this week . . . .

Resource #12 - Podcasts

What is a podcast? A podcast is a radio program produced with a computer, microphone, and recording software, then uploaded to a website a a program post for the world to access. Podcasts work on any devide that accepts mp3 files (any mp3 players, iPods, Nanos, etc.) and can connect to the Internet. Don't have an mp3 device? Not to worry! You can listen to most all of these without downloading the podcast.
 
What is the content found on a podcast? Essentially anything and everything, from educational topics, to study guides, even how to better use your SMART Board. Here are a few that might be of interest:
 
- Radio WillowWeb - classroom content from grades K - 5; select the link and you can even listen online!
- Education Podcast Network - content for all subjects at all levels
- Speaking of History - 8th Grade American History StudyCasts - great example of content review done by the teacher in preparation for tests.
- Grammar Girl - Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing - great at any level
- SMART Board Lesson Podcast - great tips and tricks for SMART Board use
- Finally, Center's Podcasts - our first attempt of podcasting with 5th grade students
 
I'm looking for any teacher interested in trying out podcasting! This could be a StudyCast as the example above or student content as in Radio WillowWeb or Center's Podcasts. Interested?
 
Interested in learning more? A Web 2.0 online class will be offered this summer. More info later this week . . . .