wellwhatdyaknow

Low-Threshhold Resources for Educators

2008-08-31T11:17:00.000-07:00

You all probably know by now, I have two criteria for spreading the word - the software is free and easy. Low-threshold technologies - programs or technologies that are easy to learn, reliable, and low-cost (again, free is my favorite price) are highly effective in the educational arena. This is especially true for for teachers who are novices or relative novices in using technology for learning and/or districts that are struggling with funding for technology.

Kristene from PBwiki provided an oustanding list of resources for summer campers working to get their PB wiki certification. Most, if not all, of the resources she provides links to are free.

Kristene's resource list

Kristene provides links for video editing, audio editing, brainstorming software, photo hosting and editing, polling and quiz software and hosting, chat, images, music, citation tools and miscellaneous links. This resource list is definitely worth checking out.

Slideshow Software Adds Pizazz to Presentations

2008-08-31T10:43:00.000-07:00

I ran across this interesting and free (always my favorite price) tool that sets up slide shows with a bit of pizazz added. They also create skins for YouTube videos - if you want the frame to add a bit of visual interest.

Go to http://slide.com/ and sign up for free.

See the theater skin on the Web 2.0 video below:

This would be something that students would certainly enjoy adding to their blogs, wikis, FaceBook, etc. While nothing too educationally revolutionary, this would provide one additional tool for adding visual interest and creativity to student presentations while engaging them in the content longer.

Hippocampus - Free Online Course Modules

2008-08-25T09:08:00.000-07:00

Online learning is truly the wave of the future. This website is a project of NROC. NROC Network comprises educators, administrators, technologists, and designers who are collaborating to create quality online content using multimedia tools. Content is created by educational institutions and contributed to Hippocampus for distribution.

Although not perfect, this site offers a wide variety of topics and the possibility of assisting students as they are working through different topics. Click on the hippo for more information.

Research suggests Social Networking effective for learning 21st Century Skills

2008-06-25T09:19:00.000-07:00

Well, I have really put off getting my blog up and running for long enough. So I am seizing this day to begin posting links to sites that I have found to be helpful to technology educators in a variety of ways.

Sometimes, I will find an Oh, Wow application that I see has potential in the classroom. Most typically these days, that revolves around all this Web 2.0 craze. If I can provide links from folks who are actually in the trenches using this stuff, well, that will be even better. In the spirit of open source and sharing, I will certainly continue to focus on products out there that are free and easy to use - the low-threshold technologies.

Other times, like in this premier (as in first - not leading, although being a leading blog would certainly be nice someday) blog, I will share sites that contain research about technology. Thus, today, please go visit Science Daily and check out the research on technology. Other interesting science topics are covered. Did you know that "US researchers have created 'living computers' by genetically altering bacteria?" (BioMed Central/Journal of Biological Engineering, ¶ 1)

The article that I have linked below provided support for using social networking tools. So, for all the technology naysayers out there, research suggests that these social networking tools may be educationally beneficial for students.

In the study, when students were asked what they learned when using the sites, "listed technology skills as the top lesson, followed by creativity, being open to new or diverse views and communication skills" (University of Minnesota, 2008, ¶ 2). Not bad skills for students who are just "playing."

Read the entire article about social networking by clicking here.

BioMed Central/Journal of Biological Engineering (2008, May 21). New Meaning For The Term 'Computer Bug': Genetically Altered Bacteria For Data Storage. ScienceDaily. Retrieved June 25, 2008, from http://www.sciencedaily.com /releases/2008/05/080520090551.htm

University of Minnesota (2008, June 21). Educational Benefits Of Social Networking Sites Uncovered. ScienceDaily. Retrieved June 25, 2008, from http://www.sciencedaily.com /releases/2008/06/080620133907.htm

Photo by Rodolof Clix. Retrieved from http://www.sxc.hu/