0 Want to Simplify Your Life? SignUp Genius

An Online Sign - Up List

 I came across this from another blog and wanted to "reblog" it. (Like retweet - ok, so it is a made-up word but hey, it kinda works).

Ever have a classroom party and ended up with 10 of one thing and 2 of another? Need to sign up to bring a dish to a staff luncheon? How about getting chaperones for a field trip? Need folks to RSVP for that Holiday party? Well this online sign-up list is the way to go!

SignUp Genius is free with customized themes/templates and an easy wizard which guides you through. You may choose from different options on how folks sign up. I personally like the Private Password feature. This allows you to make it public but only folks who have the password may utilize the form. It also offers options on email preferences from notification emails to reminders.

Once completed, you share the url and folks start signing up! Below is an example for a luncheon. Now how cool is that?

0 Need a Break? Got 5 Minutes?

Please view the GoAnimate info-commercial for our Fall 2010 Technology Staff Developments.

GoAnimate.com: Fall 2010 Technology Professional Development by Dovewhisper

Like it? Create your own at GoAnimate.com. It's free and fun!

0 Study Jams by Scholastic - CHECK IT OUT!!!

"Study Jams is an online learning tool by Scholastic. It was created with the intention of teaching math and science to grades 3-6. Its use of real-world examples allows for the application into everyday life and the assistance to classes and school to become easier." 

I was amazed at the quality of the information and how easy it was to navigate through the program. Your kids are going to love this plus what a wonderful tool to use as a whole group activity!! I plan on adding these to the Dovewhisper Computer Centers. So keep an eye out for them.

The Math section has the following topics with numerous skills associated with it.

And the Science section has the following topics with numerous skills associated with it.

For teachers, it offers four topics which provide lesson plans and teacher guides on the following topics:

• Water Cycle
• Solids, Liquids and Gases
• Fractions
• Determining the Missing Operations

You gotta check it out!

0 KidsTube: An Alternative to YouTube

KidsTube 

"Kids Tube is a video sharing hosting and sharing site designed for hosting content produced by kids and content about kids. Kids Tube monitors all submissions and monitors comments left on videos. To encourage students to develop their videography skills, Kids Tube holds weekly videos submission contests. The contests are arranged around a theme and one winner is selected by the Kids Tube team." http://www.freetech4teachers.com/2010/08/kids-tube-monitored-video-sharing-for.html

They have over 500 Educational videos from School Rock - The Preamble to Great Composers.

Check it Out!

0 Still Trying to Figure Out Who to Follow on Twitter?

Trying to figure out who to follow on Twitter can be a task all in itself. Honestly, If you are like me, I could not care less when someone is getting their haircut or what they are eating at that moment. I want to follow folks who are relevant to my interest (which of course is.... educational technology related tweets). Here are a few suggestions on trying to figure out who to follow on Twitter.

Consider signing up with Mr. Tweet. - "Your Personal Networking Assistant!" This site recommends "twitter-ers" relevant to your topic of interest.

Another one is: WhoShouldiFollow which was designed to suggest people who are similar to those you already follow.

If you are interested in keeping up with Technology News - Consider visiting, "Top 50 Twitter Feeds to Follow Tech News”  a blog posted by Carolyn Friedman. This blog post outlines different folks to follow according to the following categories: Check it out - this is a great place to start if you are interested in Tech News!!!

• Top Twitter Feeds to Follow Tech News
• Top Media Twitter Feeds to Follow Tech News 
• Top Individual Twitter Feeds to Follow Tech News
• Top Industry Twitter Feeds to Follow Tech News
• Top Geek Twitter Feeds to Follow Tech News
• Top Twitter Feeds to Follow Tech Shopping 

Last but not least, once I find someone to follow, I check out to see who they are following and visit that person's tweet to see if they are a person of interest for me!

Happy Tweeting,
ke

2 Booking Around with Web 2.0 Tools

01May10, I presented a session on facilitating an online book study utilizing Web 2.0 tools. The session was designed to share how to develop/conduct (as well as lessons learned) an online staff development. It was great practice as I hope to present at TCEA 2011 in Austin. Below was an Animoto that I created for it.

Thank you to Ann Marie, Brooklyn, and Kristy for your assistance. I could not have created it without you!!!