I participated in a video conference this morning using Skype (Version 4.1.0.166 for PCs) and learned a little trick that I thought I should pass on. If you are having a conversation with someone, and want to add more text or edit your previously sent message, press the Shift key and the up arrow key at the same time. This two-key combination brings your last message back into the composition area so you can rework [...]

While teaching a graduate class on integrating technology into classroom instruction last week, one of the participants asked me how they could take a screen shot of a web site for a project. I know that both Mac OS and Windows XP have screen shot commands, but my answer was FireShot. FireShot is a Firefox extension that creates screen shots of web pages. You can choose if you want the whole page or just part [...]

I spoke to a colleague this morning about setting up a WordPress blog. During the conversation, he mentioned the he is currently using Twitter to keep parents/guardians updated about what is happening in his classroom. That prompted me to look for a WordPress plugin that would send a tweet each time there was a new blog post, thus saving the teacher having to create two entries – one for his blog and one for Twitter. [...]

PBS Teachers® and Classroom 2.0, with support from Elluminate,are partnering on a series of free monthly webinars designed to help preK-12 educators learn new ways to integrate online instructional resources in the classroom and engage students in curriculum lessons. Some past events are archived and available for download. Check it out! View all PBS events.

I just downloaded Edutopia’s Ten Top Tips for Teaching with New Media, and thought you might find this resource useful, too. Edutopia provides educators with the information and inspiration needed to create schools for the 21st century, and this resource provides succinct tips on how you can use the latest technologies to prepare your students for success — from tips that will “Break the Digital Ice” to how to start “Working Better, Together.” Download your [...]

I use Google for most of my quick searches. I am guessing that students do as well. If you are looking for classroom lessons and resources about improving student search skills, then this is the web page for you – Google For Educators – Web Search The main topics are… Understanding Search Engines Web Search Techniques and Strategies Google Web Search Features All lessons and resources were created by Google Certified Teachers, so you know [...]

My introduction to Ning was over a year ago when I was asked to build a social networking site for an upcoming technology conference. Since then, in addition to the conference site, I have created a Ning site for graduate students to explore in a class I teach. There are a lot of things I like about Ning. For example, I can… adjust the appearance of my network and customize it to my liking control [...]

Google is getting ready to release it’s next big thing – Google Wave! That’s great, but what is it? Well, Google Wave is a real-time communication platform. According to Mashable.com, “It combines aspects of email, instant messaging, wikis, web chat, social networking, and project management to build one elegant, in-browser communication client.” Read Mashable’s Complete Guide to Google Wave to learn more!

Are you looking for another way to connect with community of teachers to share ideas, collaborate, and support the effective use of technology to enhance learning? Of course you are! And here is a link to the PBS Teachers Connect web site. On this site you can… personalize your home page utilize bookmarking tools access and participate in discussions and find more than 3,000 resources (e.g. classroom activities, lesson plans, interactive resources) Check it out!

Originally published in the August 2008 issue of eSchoolNews, here is a partial list of virtual field trip resources. With anticipated budget cuts for schools year because of the current economic situation, it might be worth the time to consider using some of these resources, or others like them, in the future. Center for Interactive Learning and Collaboration Tramline California’s Parks Online Resources for Teachers and Students National Park Service Distance Learning Opportunities The National [...]