Text 2 Mindmap

If this isn't the answer to creating a word web for use in any subject area - nothing is! You have got to check this out. http://www.text2mindmap.com/

Free Tech 4 Teachers

This may be the finest blog of resources available anywhere. http://freetech4teachers.blogspot.com/

Penzu

According to the site -

Penzu is the easiest way to keep a journal on the web. It even dates each entry automatically. It should be a great note taking resource. Completely Free

http://www.penzu.com/pad

Search Engines

Are all search engines alike? Isn't Google the best since it is the biggest? The University of Berkeley has compiled a very complete list of the strengths and weaknesses of various search engines.
http://www.lib.berkeley.edu/TeachingLib/Guides/Internet/SearchEngines.html

With thanks to S. Thivierge

Classroom Games

Classroom Game Templates and MORE has more than 20 popular game templates for your use. There are many sound clips which can be used in your personalized games. Don't miss this site if you are interested in creating some learning games for your classroom.

http://www.murray.k12.ga.us/teacher/kara%20leonard/Mini%20T's/March%20Mini%20T-Games/Games.htm

Many of you have used cassette tapes to record audio of a lesson, or audio of an oral report or presentation. In today world, cassette players are being replaced by MP3 players. Audacity allows you to create MP3 files for download to either a computer, MP3 player, or the web for access from anywhere with an Internet connection. Audacity is pre-loaded on CFF laptops and is also available as a free download from http://audacity.sourceforge.net/

Audacity provides the user with tools which were never available using cassettes tapes. You can record multiple tracks, fade-in, fade-out, add white noise, cut out unwanted pauses or background noise, and amplify if your recording is too soft. The list goes on and on.

Interested in using Audacity in your classroom? Contact your CFF coach for more details.

Photo Story

Photo Story claims to make show-n-tell cool again. It allows you to create a movie of your slide show with audio and music. It comes preloaded on CFF laptops. It is also available as a free download. Photo Story can be used as a way for your students to describe a science experiment, give a presentation on a topic in history, explain how to solve a math problem, or give their impression on a novel. Give it a try. For the free download point your browser at: http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/digitalphotography/photostory/default.mspx

If you don't have a Discovery Streaming account contact your coach or a member of the IT department. Discovery Streaming is more than a vast storehouse for video clips. With your account you will have access to lesson plans, clip art, teaching tips, and much, much more.

Windows to the Universe

One of the most complete sites on Earth and Space Science out there. It is too vast to begin to summarize. A must see for science teachers.
http://www.windows.ucar.edu/

Pediaphon

How would you like Wikipedia articles in audio format? Now you can have them - free. Pediaphon will create MP3 files for any Wikipedia article. You can listen to them on your computer or on a portable MP3 player. You can even listen to them in French or German. Check out Pediaphon.

http://pediaphon.fernuni-hagen.de/~bischoff/radiopedia/index_en.html

Promethean Resources

Many of you are now using the Promethean Boards. Below are some links to great resources for your boards.

• NetTrekker allows you to search for Premade Flip Charts. Contact the IT department for a user name and password. http://school.nettrekker.com/subject/


• Promethean Planet is one of several Promethean sites. Sign up for an account. http://www.prometheanplanet.com/us/


• Promethean Learning offers a free skills course in developing your Flip Chart Skills. http://prometheanlearning.com/us/

Did you ever dream of your own free class webpage?

Webnode offers the following comment on their site.

Webnode brings you a brand new innovative way of creating and editing advanced websites by just using a web browser. The system is very easy to use and is fully interactive. Real-time fast editing as you see it in the browser. By using Drag-and-Drop from the toolbar you can add new content such as polls, forums, articles, catalogues, widgets such as PayPal and much more. Webnode contains more than 40 beautiful templates or you can make your own.Webnode is completely free. There is no catch.


Point your browser at http://www.webnode.com/en/

Wikispaces

Are you looking for content specific resources for your class? Classrooms for the Future Coaches across the state have been developing Wikispaces loaded with resources in each of the core areas. It is a great place to find as well as share resources. Check it out.

http://cffmath.wikispaces.com/
http://cffenglish.wikispaces.com/
http://cffscience.wikispaces.com/
http://cffsocialstudies.wikispaces.com/

http://historytours.wikispaces.com/ - New Addition - Google History Tours

For those of you in the core areas of CFF, both you and your students Lenovo laptop computers will come pre-loaded with Skype. If you are not in the core areas you can also use Skype. You don't need to wait to get started. Point your browser at the Skype logo above and download Skype. (may require set up by IT personnel.) A great way for your students to share information with other students throughout the world.

A little bit about Skype ~ ~ ~

Make calls from your computer — free to other people on Skype and cheap to landlines and cell phones around the world. If you want to try Skype let me know and you can Skype me for practice. You will need speakers and a microphone or a head-set combination to fully enjoy Skype. Most laptops today have built-in speakers and microphone and some even have build-in webcams.

Interactive Activities

Are you looking for interactive activities for your math, English, art, social studies, or science students? Why not take a look at: http://www.learner.org/interactives/