Tech Notes

It might be time for you to consider adding a few new technology tools to your burgeoning toolkit. Many of these recommendations are FREE.

Take a look at the following categories and sample tools:

Interactivity: Sliderocket Create a stunning-looking PowerPoint-style multimedia presentation which can then be viewed and shared online. It can be a great way to introduce topics in the classroom.

Engagement: MakeBeliefsComix A place for you to come to and have fun by creating your own world of comic strips that encourages storytelling, writing and reading.

Motivational: TokBox One can use this tool for creating individual introductions at the beginning of the semester and sharing them via emails.

Empowerment: Twitter Teachers are trying this tool more and more with their students to post instantly and receive short messages.

Differentiation: These tools allow students to use different learning styles. Google Earth Students can view various locations in the world from a different point of view. WizIQ This tool can be used in a virtual classroom setting that is fully equipped with 2-way audio, text chat, whiteboard, PowerPoint and PDF document sharing capabilities.

The full list of recommendations are located at:

100 Essential Tools

http://www.onlinedegree.net/100-essential-2-0-tools-for-teachers/

. . .

There is no longer any excuse for NOT backing up your files online. You can access your files from any Internet-connected computer at any time. And, it’s FREE. So begin the back-up process immediately. Here are a few sites where you explore to see which one fits your needs.

• Mozy: Up to 2GB free storage. Requires a free download of the Mozy software; this helps you figure out which files to back up.
• Omemo: Still in beta at the time of this writing. Works as a peer to peer network to create an immense virtual hard drive.
• Box: Up to 1 GB free storage; pricing plans available.
• DropBoks: Incredibly easy and simple to use – can upload up to 1 GB of your files here.
• MediaFire: Probably one of the best free online storage sites out there. Not only can you upload files here, but they give you lots of extra options (MySpace help, folders, galleries, etc.).
• in.solit.us: Requires free registration; lots of online storage plus neat features such as public file sharing.
• divShare: Upload all kinds of files here, including multimedia. Includes integration with Facebook and WordPress.
• Omnidrive: Up to 1 GB free online storage; integrates with Zoho and Snipshot.
• Yuntaa: Free up to 1 GB; also offers blogging.
• YouSendIt: Need to send a really big file? Use YouSendIt to send files up to 2 GB.
• MediaMax: Up to 25 GBs completely free; this includes video hosting as well.
• Senduit: Need to share a large file with someone? Try Senduit – just upload your file, share a secure URL, and you’re all set.
• Megashares: Up to 10GB available for upload storage; you get a URL where your files can either be privately or publicly accessed.
• Badongo: Free file hosting that allows you unlimited files, photos, etc. to share.

Drop me a note and let me know which one you selected. Make a recommendation, if you wish, for which site appears to be the easiest to use. Click on the word “Comments” to leave a few words.

Reference

Ask.Com Retrieved 19 Sep 09 [http://websearch.about.com/od/web20/a/online-storage.htm]

View these slides for additional ideas about what you can add to your ‘tool chest’.

This online slide presentation at the AuthorStream website contains instructions for using technology tools at the medium technology level of proficiency.

Instructions include:

(1) using MS Office for text to speech — the first 8 slides,

(2) using Mac OS preferences to create keyboard shortcuts for reading text aloud,

(3) zooming in/out for easier reading, and

(4) additional online resources.

Medium Tech Tools

Here are some general helpful tips for using the current version of Firefox.

http://sites.google.com/site/soetechteacher/firefox-tips

Jane Hart has created a slide presentation of 25 technology tools that might be important to your pedagogy. Take a look.

A Special Lecture Series focused on helping people with communication challenges.

Lectures were held from 11:30a to 1:00p in the Jesus & Eugenia Leon Guerrero Building, Lecture Hall

Room131. The guest lecturer was Visiting Professor Diane Nelson Bryen, Ph.D., Professor Emerita of Temple University in Philadelphia, PA.

17 October 2008

“The right to Communicate” – Augmentative & Alternative Approach

Communications is the essence of life. However, for many individual with disabilities spoken language is not an effective means of communication. As a consequence, many people believe that if you cannot communicate, you have little to say.

The presentation introduced the communication ‘Bill of Rights’ and the technologies that can provide an effective communication augment to spoken language. Download the PDF file for her slides on the CEDDERS website.

24 October 2008
“Ending the Silence” – Abuse & Neglect (Protection and Advocacy)
People with disabilities are 4 to 10 times more likely to be victims of crime. This presentation will discuss the scope of the problem and what is needed to “end the silence” of victims with disabilities.

31 October 2008
“Emergency Preparedness for People with Disabilities”
People with disabilities have not been part of the planning process needed to prepare for and respond to man-made or natural disasters. This presentation focuses on what is needed to ensure the safety of ALL, including those with disabilities, in times of emergency.

7 November 2008
“Assistive Technology and Transition From School to Adult Life
Transition from school to adult life is important to students with disabilities. It is even more critical for students with disabilities who rely on a variety of assistive technologies. This presentation addresses what factors need to be built into an effective transition plan so that a smooth transition from school to adult life is more likely to occur.

If you get really curious about search engines and their differences, access one of the following sites.

1) Rollyo

“Rollyo is the fast, easy way to create personal search engines using only the sources you trust… You can explore and save searchrolls created by the community of Rollyo users and share your knowledge on a particular set of topics.”
http://www.rollyo.com/



2) Cha Cha



“ChaCha works with virtually every provider and allows people with any mobile phone device – from basic flip phones to advanced smart phones – to ask any question in conversational English and receive an accurate answer as a text message in just a few minutes.”
http://www.chacha.com/

3) Fact Bites



“Factbites – a new way to search the web.
Other search engines spew out meaningless site-names and mangled phrases.
Factbites offers you real, meaningful sentences that are right on topic.”
http://www.factbites.com/

4) Mamma



The mother of all search engines
http://mamma.com/

New and upgraded computers were installed/moved into the Mac computer lab, rooms 108-A and 108-B, at the end of the Fall ’07 semester. The 10 new iMacs and the 10 new monitors for the Dells replaced the original 18 aging iMacs. During much of this summer, computer technician, Rudy Magallanes, and I have been reconfiguring both of the computer labs for the new ceiling-mounted projectors, and completing all of the paperwork involved in disposing of non-functioning hardware and software and donating the remaining viable iMacs to various educational entities.

The first donation of 4 iMacs was to the Reading Lab, on the first floor, under the supervision of Dr. Catherine Stoicovy. The hard drives have been cleared; now they await new Ethernet cords for Internet connections in their new home.

Our next donation should be to 2 or 3 elementary and middle schools which have no computers at all. We will keep you posted.