Tech Tip - Nov. 25, 2013

I know I have been a bit behind getting this out. Sometimes, it is a challenge. While we take time out

to spend time with family, I thought maybe this would be something we could all learn a little from, kids and adults. This message is from Kid President, maybe you have seen it, maybe not. Take 3 minutes out of your day to watch.

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m5yCOSHeYn4&list=SPzvRx_johoA-YabI6FWcU-jL6nKA1Um-t&index=1

Also, in the spirit of Thanksgiving, there are hosts of sites available for you to check out. Here are a few.
CybraryMan - Thanksgiving links:
http://www.cybraryman.com/thanksgiving.html 

 Scholastic - First Thanksgiving - Virtual Field Trips and Slideshow:
http://www.scholastic.com/scholastic_thanksgiving/webcast.htm 

Log into Learn360 and Search "Thanksgiving" - there are 40 results that cover this topic.

There are 14 results for a "Thanksgiving" search on Thinkfinity.org
http://www.thinkfinity.org/api-search-standard-keyword.jspa?mode=keyword&keyword=thanksgiving&subject=All&search=Search 

"Happy Thanksgiving!" to all of you - Gregg

Weekly Tech Tip - Nov. 4, 2013

Where did the Google bar go in gmail?

So, the Google Bar is gone! What gives? It used to be when you logged into Gmail that you would have a bar across the top of your window where you could easily access your other apps (calendar, google drive, sites, etc.) That bar is no longer there. Instead, it has been replaced with a drop down that you can find in the upper right hand corner of your window (see screen shot). So, you just press that tiny icon and then you can easily switch between apps.

Happy Goog'ling,
Gregg

Weekly Tech Tip - Oct. 21, 2013

One of our schools asked me to create a video on how to delete cookies, cache, etc from web browsers. Although this is a picture of my mac, it will be the same for the WIndows versions of Firefox and Chrome.

To delete browser history, cache, and cookies on Internet Explorer (version 9), please follow this link:

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/how-to-delete-your-browsing-history-in-internet-explorer-9

It is important to do this at least once a month if you heavily use the Internet. I do this sometimes even once a day when sites do not respond as I think they should. It does help.

Here is the video...enjoy

http://www.esu4.org/movies/compcleaning.mp4

Gregg

Weekly Tech Tip - Oct. 11, 2013

One thing I found out last week at the NETA Fall EdTech conference (http://www.fall.netasite.org) was the google cultural institute.

The nice thing about this website is that you can go to places around the world through the google art project, the world wonders project, and archive exhibitions.

Each of these sites are unique. The google art project allows to you to zoom in and actually see some of the brush strokes.

The world wonders project uses the google street view option found in google earth to be able to view these objects in a three dimensional view. Go to Stone Henge, the areas of Pompeli, or the Great Barrier Reef.

http://www.google.com/culturalinstitute/home

Enjoy,

Until next week,

Gregg

Weekly Tech Tip - Sept. 25, 2013

As I was going through some items - I found some cool resources. We've all heard of the eagle cam that has been set up in Decorah, IA. You can see the eagle's hatch their eggs as they put a camera right near the nest. It is pretty neat. It is currently off air, but comes online in the winter/spring (http://www.ustream.tv/decoraheagles)

There are tons of other web cams to use with kids. Another one I came across is the Rowe Sanctuary in Kearney. You can see the sand hill cranes as they make their way through the area. (http://www.ustream.tv/channel/rowe-sanctuary-s-crane-cam) - here is the actual website for more information about the sanctuary (http://rowe.audubon.org)

The San Diego Zoo has several web cams to choose from - Panda Cam, Polar Cam, Elephant Cam, Ape Cam, Condor Cam, and Kaola Cam (http://www.sandiegozoo.org/videos/)

Want to see aquatic animals, then head on over to the Monterey Bay Aquarium cam (http://www.montereybayaquarium.org/efc/cam_menu.aspx)

So, as you study animals and habitats, see if you can find a live camera feed that would help with your curriculum.

Enjoy,
Gregg

Weekly Tech Tip - Sept. 16, 2013

If you follow technology news, you will know that Apple made a pretty big announcement a few weeks ago. Two new phones were introduced - the iPhone 5s and the iPhone 5c. With the introduction of these new phones, Apple also introduced iOS 7. For those of you with iPads in the classroom, then that means change for you. iOS 7 is set to launch this week (Sept. 18). There are some new features involved that you can learn about before downloading. On your device, it will come down as a software update. For more information about iOS 7, please refer to this website:

http://www.apple.com/ios/?cid=wwa-us-kwg-features-com

Secondly, I read an interesting article entitled "2 Basic Ways on How to Add Technology to Your Curriculum." The first involved taking a tried and true lesson plan and finding a way to integrate technology into it. And, the second, talks about getting into a little social media. Open twitter and find some folks to follow. A great resource on twitter would be #nebedchat (Nebraska Educators Chat). Here is the link to that article for more information:

http://www.edudemic.com/how-to-add-technology-to-your-curriculum-the-basics/

Until next week,
Gregg

Weekly Tech Tip - Sept. 5, 2013

Hello! I certainly hope that you find these "little" tips useful. It really helps me to kind of do a little research to find some resources that may work for you, whether you work with students or you work in the ESU/NCECBVI offices. I believe there are always resources that can help us learn.

So, with that, next week will mark the anniversary of 9/11. Do you remember where you were when the towers were struck? I certainly do and can remember watching that horrific event at a school where I was teaching. Nobody knew for sure the tragic events that would follow and the days and months of investigation that ensued after the attacks.

As I think about that day, there are tons of resources out there marking the anniversary of that event. Here are a few:

CybraryMan's Sept. 11 resource page:
http://www.cybraryman.com/september11.html

On Learn360, click the calendar and see what resources are offered for 9/11or enter that in the search field. There are approximately 100 resources on Learn360 for all age levels. Remember, every teacher in Nebraska can have an account to Learn 360. Speak with your Media specialist or contact me if you do not have an account.

Speaking of Learn360, I would also like to share some new content that was released.

The Magic School Bus Audio Books - Search for The Magic School Bus and you will get some results for audio books for kids to listen to.

The Fat Boy Chronicles - These videos follow a young boy as he struggles with a new school, his weight and bullying. Search for The Fat Boy Chronicles for more information.

SunBurst Visual Media - Sunburst Visual Media has partnered with Learn360 to bring over 3,000 titles to this platform. From "You Can Succeed in School" to "The ABC's of Hygeine", these videos can help teach a lot of different topics that students deal with on a daily basis.

Until next time,
Gregg