Best Careers 2011: Computer Software Engineer - US News and World Report

Best Careers 2011: Computer Software Engineer - US News and World Report

Downloading information or data off the Internet is like opening the door to your house, when you are home alone.

My students believe "Downloading information or data off the Internet is..."

"like putting a virus on your computer"
"like taking candy from a stranger"
"like eating toxic stuff"
"like telling a child predator where you live"
"like buying something from someone you don't know"
"like saying my wallet is in my back pocket and I never look back there"
"like giving out your personal ID"
"like catching a cold... you catch a virus"
"like giving your credit card to a stranger"
"like talking to strangers"
"like talking to a stranger" OR "Jumping into a murky lake, you don't know what's at the bottom"

snopes.com: Top Scams

Should we ban DHMO?
Do baby carrots cause cancer?
Does putting on deodorant after shaving cause cancer?
Does changing my FB profile picture to a cartoon character actually help prevent child abuse?

All of these are urban legends passed on through e-mail and/or facebook. How do you know if they are true or not? One way is to check it out on Snopes.com. Snopes has helped put many "fears" to rest! :)
Remember... don't believe everything you read on the Internet? Check it out for yourself? Fact or Fiction? Reliable or Not?

snopes.com: Top Scams

Target is committed to helping kids learn to read

Visit the link above to learn more!! Lets make reading a part of every child's life!

Ten Years of Tech

The other day my son had a homework assignment for his kindergarten class. He was to ask his parents (my husband and I) and his grandparents, how things are different from when we were young. He (being just 5) was really amazed at the fact that we did not have computers, hand held video games, digital cameras, cell phones, etc... and then to talk to my mom and dad! Whew! They didn't even have freezers when they were 5! They were still using ice boxes! Times have changed... and continue to do so. Its a fascinating time we live in.

There is a video called Ten Years of Tech. Created by 10 year old students, it follows the same concept as my son's assignment. Take a look at it...

I found the video at: http://blog.innovativeeducator.us/

On the right side of the screen, there is a section called “Shared Resources”---it is listed alphabetically as Ten Years of Tech

Animation Chefs

Two people told me about this site today, which I took as a sign that I should definitely check it out! I am glad that I did. A great way to introduce animation to anyone who is interested!
http://www.animationchefs.com/ or here's the video...

FREE Online Tutorials

I love it when I find stuff for free! I just found this website that offers free tutorials on so many topics, its great! http://www.gcflearnfree.org/ . Check it out! You can take a tutorial on most of the MS Office products, as well as so much more! Let me know what you think!

Life Online

Facebook, Texting, Twitter, and more....
How do you stay safe online and yet, still stay connected??
Following is a great website created by the Girl Scouts of America that is meant to help you..... The site is written in a very fun, easy to use way - yet a ton of great information!
http://lmk.girlscouts.org/Online-Safety-Topics.aspx

Did You Know 4.0...

Chris Anderson: How web video powers global innovation | Video on TED.com

Chris Anderson: How web video powers global innovation | Video on TED.com

Shift Happens in Education

Texting While Driving....

The following link has an good video about a 'texting while driving' simulator teens in Houston tried. Watch it to find out the results!
http://www.khou.com/news/local/Russian-Roulette-on-the-road-Teens-take-on-texting-while-driving-simulator-103890674.html

If you still think you could do better, try the following game to see how you would do.
http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2009/07/19/technology/20090719-driving-game.html

Interesting, isn't it??

Need More Keyboarding Practice?

Here's a few sites to check out:

http://www.wordplays.com/fcgi-bin/wc.pl?op=new (a game similar to boggle - The objective is to form words by concatenating adjacent letters. Letters that are to the left, right, on top, bottom, or on a diagonal to each other are all acceptable. A timer will count down and when time expires your score will be computed and compared to the computer's score.) You need to type the word then click the rectangle under it - to submit your word.

http://www.wordplays.com/p/wiw - Words in a word - they will give you a word - you then need to type as many words using only those letters - (you need to type the word then click on the rectangle - then click submit answers to see how many points you earned)

There are other typing games you could use on these sites as well -

Remember... learning to key well doesn't have to be boring... but it does take practice... AND you need to be consistent with your hand positioning. Bad habits are hard to break. :)

Enjoy!!

Keep Yourself and Your Stuff Safe Online!

Microsoft has published a free ebook about online safety. This book was written for teens and parents of teens. You can download the whole book, or just chapters.

Its an easy and interesting read... worth your time... Parents AND teens!!!

"Own Your Space--Keep Yourself and Your Stuff Safe Online" Digital Book for Teens

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/en/details.aspx?FamilyID=87583728-ef14-4703-a649-0fd34bd19d13&displayLang=en

Wow!! How exciting! I especially loved her comment that in the future, it won't cost any more than today's cell phones cost!! I hope so!
Can you imagine getting the scoop on everyone you walk up to? What would the world know about you as soon as they shook your hand? What would your tags be? Is your online presence presentable?

Google Instant search is impressive tech, odd branding quest :: CHICAGO SUN-TIMES :: Andy Ihnatko

I guess I didn't realize how much TIME I was spending on a search!! :)
Whew... Google keeps us moving! Check it out!

Google Instant search is impressive tech, odd branding quest :: CHICAGO SUN-TIMES :: Andy Ihnatko

Free Technology for Teachers: 7 Places & Ways to Find Copyright-friendly Images

Free Technology for Teachers: 7 Places & Ways to Find Copyright-friendly Images

We are always on the look out for copyright free images and this Surf Report provides us with a list of many sources.

http://www.ecb.org/surf/images.htm

Here are some more:
www.pics4learning.com
www.photos8.com
http://pdphoto.org/index.php

And for clip art, I use:

www.school-clip-art.com/
www.phillipmartin.info/clipart/homepage.htm

***ALWAYS double check the copyright on any image you want to use, even if someone else tells you it is okay to use. YOU are the one responsible if you use an image that is not meant for your use***

Free Rice and MLTI

Jeff Mao [jeff.mao@maine.gov] is the State Tech Director from Maine - he has asked his SETDA friends to spread the work on this event:
-------
This Thursday, 1000 middle and high school students and teachers in Maine will gather at the University of Maine for the 7th Annual MLTI Student Conference.

As part of the day, we will try and help feed the hungry and increase awareness of global hunger in coordination with the World Food Programme and the FreeRice.com web site.

We would love to have students join us from around the globe!

10 Simple Google Tips

Check out the following link for "10 Simple Google Tips"! http://www.nytimes.com/external/gigaom/2010/04/02/02gigaom-10-simple-google-search-tricks-58674.html

Soundzabound!

Finding music we can use in our videos/presentations, etc. had become a difficult, time consuming task. Until now!!

JRG and all Wisconsin schools may now use Soundzabound, a collection of royalty free music and sound effects designed specifically for K-12 school use. ECB is providing access to the complete Soundzabound collection through BadgerLink, Wisconsin’s connection to the world of information.

To use Soundzabound, go to:
http://www.badgerlink.net/ and click on “Soundzabound” under “ECB VideoLink” OR
http://www.ecb.org/ and click on “ECB VideoLink”

**At JRG we have a direct link to BadgerLink using the Library Web Access icon in the Novell delivered applications, choose your school and it is on the first window that opens listed under Electronic Resources**

For tutorials on how to use Soundzabound audio, click on “Community” – “Licensed Users – “Tutuorials” when you are on the Soundzabound site.

Web 3.0

Check out the slide show at the following link: http://www.slideshare.net/jawadshuaib/web-30-what-you-may-not-know-about-the-new-web

Just when we think we have gotten a handle on all of the web 2.0 tools!