An Introduction to Online Word Processing

(Repost from 12/04/2009)

This video provides a great overview of the concept of online productivity tools (word processor, presentations, spreadsheets) in under 3 minutes.

Click to take a look at Google Docs and Zoho Writer.

See this tutorial on collaborating with others with web applications like Google Docs.

Consider how these kinds of technologies could be integrated with teaching and learning and leave your ideas in the comments section below.

Office Productivity Tools

Google Search Tricks

Google SearchThis Prezi by Tony Vincent (@tonyvincent) contains many tips for using the Google search box to access the information you need — including answers to math problems, information about the current weather, and much more.

You can also learn more by visiting Inside Search for more tips and tricks by Google.

Image Source: http://easilymused.com

I’m Digging the Google Docs Redesign

I’ve been working a lot with Google’s many, many services the past several weeks in conjunction with various professional development workshops that I have/will be facilitating. In doing so, I’ve become a big fan of their products. I’ve especially been struck by their tools’ ease of use, deep integration among tools and services, and Google’s commitment to openness. I’m going to be saving a lot of money on software in the future as I migrate away from some of the expensive software giants that I’ve used for a long time and in lieu of Google’s free and similar/superior offerings.

In the past few days I’ve noticed that the new Google toolbar (the dark box across the top) has pretty much gone live across all the Google services I use. Google has never been known for their graphic design prowess, but I’d say the update is an improvement. I especially dig the redesign of the Google Docs interface.

Fun Invitation to the 2011 Martin Institute Summer Conference #micon11

Bill Nye the Science Guy is among the many outstanding speakers and workshop facilitators that will be at our innaurural Summer Conference. Make your plans to join us in Memphis, TN, on June 15-16, 2011.

Image Source: BillNye.com

Prezi for the iPad

Why use Prezi on the iPad? (Source)

* Show your prezis on a portable, lightweight device
* Put ideas at your fingertips by leveraging the iPad’s touchscreen experience
* Keep the focus on your prezi by avoiding the distractions of a browser environment

Sign up for an account at Prezi.com and download the app from iTunes.

Integrating Higher-Order Thinking into Mathematics

This is my presentation from my keynotes at the North Carolina Council of Teacher of Mathematics Conference in Greensboro, NC, USA. I’m excited to be facilitating this conversation twice this morning.

View more of my presentations.

Additional Notes and Resources

Additional notes and resources for this workshop are available on my wiki.

Multiple Representations of Understanding through Digital Media (TAISTI)

I’m back in Nashville today for the TAIS Technology Institute. I’m excited about having opportunities to work with and learn from classroom teachers, media specialists, administrators, and more. I’ll be sharing a workshop on Multiple Representations of Understanding through Digital Media. The PowerPoint presentation is below and the full workshop notes are available on my wiki. Note that the links and logos in the PowerPoint presentation are clickable.

Multiple Representations of Understanding through Digital Media (NCTIES)

I’m enjoying the North Carolina Technology in Education Society’s 2010 Conference in Raleigh, NC. I’m excited about being one of the featured speakers and having opportunities to work with and learn from classroom teachers, media specialists, administrators, and more.

Today I’ll be sharing a pre-conference workshop on Multiple Representations of Understanding through Digital Media. This energetic session will demonstrate that with freely available digital technologies students can demonstrate their understanding of course content in multiple ways (images, audio, video, presentations, artwork, and more). Each student’s end product (learning artifact) allows them to personally self-express their understanding/mastery of the content/skills. Although teachers may not be comfortable using all of today’s technology it is important to consider allowing students to use it to communicate their understanding as they are often more naturally able to more fully express themselves with digital media. The PowerPoint presentation is below and the full workshop notes are available on my wiki. Note that the links and logos in the PowerPoint presentation are clickable.

NCTIES Conference

I’m looking forward to being part of the North Carolina Technology in Education Society’s 2010 Conference in Raleigh, NC on March 3-5, 2010. I’m excited about being one of the featured speakers and having opportunities to work with and learn from classroom teachers, media specialists, administrators, and more. On Wednesday (03/03/2010) I’ll be sharing a pre-conference workshop on Multiple Representations of Understanding through Digital Media. Thursday and Friday mornings I’ll be leading interactive demonstrations and discussions about Web 2.0 tools and personal learning networks (PLNs) in the classroom.

I’m looking forward to meeting many of my friends from my blog, Twitter, Plurk, etc. in Raleigh!

Connecting the Classroom and Outside World (Feedback Requested)

Educators, what are some strategies for connecting the classroom with the outside world?

NOTE: I’d like to share responses in an upcoming workshop/presentation and on my blog and wiki. You can submit your ideas using the form below, share your text/audio/video reply in the Comments section of this post or respond via Twitter, Plurk or on your blog using the tag #thruwalls. You can also view the compiled database of suggested strategies on my wiki, Learning Telecollaboratively.

Share this post using http://tr.im/104.

Conversation tag: #thruwalls