Teaching
About
(and with) TechnologyTeaching
About
(and with) Technology
For Computer Teachers & the Planning Side of IT
Technology
& Computers Search Portal
and open source project
If you are an IT person, you need to bookmark
Keeping Up,
K-12IT.org,
and The SnorkelGo To: Resources Specifically For Teaching With Technology
(for the generalist and subject area teacher)
Scope and Sequence/Curriculum - Trends, Overviews, Evaluation Tools, Interdisciplinary Topics
Volunteer Here:
SeniorNetTerms & Definitions | What's Inside | Robotics | Virtual Trips
Lessons & Quizzes
Creating Your Own Instructional Materials
History | Current News, Trends, Updates and HELP
Game Design - Simulation Engines | Monitor Monitoring Apps | IRC, Firewalls and other Network Communication Stuff
VideoConferencingKeyboarding
Internet Law, Ethics and Safety | For ParentsHands-on Technology | Programming Languages | Gender Gap | Digital Divide
Media Literacy | Information Literacy
Technology Planning & TCO | Information Delivery & Management** GEEK HUMOR ** | Technoexplorers
Terms - The following point to computer dictionaries and other enlightenment. Least Tern reminds you that an encyclopedic knowledge of terms is not as powerful a tool for the teacher as is understanding what you are looking at when you launch an application and what you are look for when you plan a technology activity or project. See Quizzes below.
WhatIsMyIp.com - browse to this at any time to confirm your active IP address - necessary for using iStorm, Subethaedit, etc.
redefined terms... more Geek Humor
- 3D Dictionary of computer terms - written for students and beginning computer users
- Almost Every File Format in the World, in an alphabetical listing
- Carter & Burgess' Glossary of Telecommunications - very straighforward definitions of telecom and networking terms
- Digital Immigrant Remedial Vocabulary - a vocabulary of "newtech" terms - from Marc Prensky, who also brings us the concept of the Digital Immigrant (this contains links to two of his defining articles)
- eCause Information Resources Library - provides discussion, not definition
- FOLDOC - Computing Dictionary - a Free On-Line Dictionary of Computing
- Farmington Municipal School's Mrs.Milliken shares her Tech terms, encyclopedia, and an online quiz of the same - these are used in the training of student Computer Assistants
- FILExt - The File Extension Source - alphabetical and searchable listing of file extensions, related applications, other information
- Glossary of "common and less-common computer terms" - built for educators and graduate students
- Glossary of Internet and Web Terms - from Scholastic
- Kids-Online.net Dictionary - Click the Dictionary link in the left menu - suitable through middle school
- Summercore Primer, Chapter 1 : computer hardware and vocabulary
- TechWeb - searchable encyclopedia of terms designed for business but useful for all
- Webopedia - dictionary searching of computer terms
- Whatis - technology and IT definitions, quicklists, etc.
- What's all this about DPI and Inches and Resolution? - finally, a clear explanation for the novice
Emoticons & Acronyms - all teachers should bookmark these sites
- Acronyms, Emoticons and Smileys Page - categorized, no less - :@) [happy pig]
- Emoticons - a dictionary - :-D
- How to Chat Like a Pro - IM and chat lingo -HTH
- Internet Acronyms - IBC
"How on earth do you answer the questions?" Alice asked, still running.
"Well," Miss Computermite began, also still running, "it's all based on the beanery system."
"Whatever's that?"
"Well, a bean is either here, or it's not here. Don't you agree?"
"I agree entirely," replied the running Alice.
"So then. logically, if a bean is here it counts as one bean, and if it isn't here, it counts as not bean. And from this knowledge, when the beans are arranged in patterns, it is possible to spell out many the question and many the answer. Why, with only a mere octet of beans (or not beans) one can spell out all the numbers and all of the letters of the alphabet. And quite a few punctuation marks as well! So then, imagine a trillion beans! What problems you could work out with a trillion beans!..."
"What about jumping beans?" asked Alice.
from Automated Alice, by Jeff Noon. NY, Crown, 1996. Illustration by Elizabeth Sky-McIlvain, from Alice in Wonderland Study Guide
- Computer Assembly Guides - part of What Is New - updates and news from the computer industry
- Computational Science Learning Module - includes virtual tour of the mega computers at the Lab, a gallery of digital science imaging (with short explanations), more - Flash - grades 5-9
- ComUSolv.com - Free computer help, support, info - all kinds of literacy materials - generally PC but Mac support is coming
- The Journey Inside - from Intel - interactive explorations, lesson plans
- Computers and How They Work - from Roderick Hames at Alton C. Crews Middle School
- How to Build a Laptop - not quite step-by-step, but full of information and resources
- LearnOnline: Tour the REEL Power CPU MotherBoard - a not too difficult and well illustrated explanation of a motherboard that is powered by a solar or window-powered turbine. Backtrack to Home to read about how your students can participate in an online, hands-on learning experience and build this motherboard.
- Warriors of the Net - really cool 3D modeling of data packets traveling though a network - great way to make TCP/IP real in Middle School. Also great use of modeling and animation apps.
Robotics - this is now its own page - please follow the new link
- Invention at Play - a virtual tour of the Smithsonian Exhibit
- CyberCity - Interactive exhibit in the archive of the Miami Museum
- MuseumStuff.com - follow links to virtual Robotics and Technology exhibits - most are interactive
- San Diego Computer Center has a wonderful interactive virtual site - in the Gallery, locate a virtual inside of a super computer
Lessons and Quizzes - see also Internet Ethics and Safety (bibliography, copyright, plagiarism, safe surfing), Commercial Courses of Study, Software Tutorials, Web Design Resources
Networking, IT
- Megaconference Jr. - ongoing Internet 2 project in which teams of k-12 students and teachers video conference about critical issues and in doing so, construct and trouble shooting the networking, conferencing and applications used - technology leadership building project - access to an Internet 2 Abeline Network and IP based video conferencing is required
- Networking - links to materials that can be used in computer classes and with clubs
- Oracle Internet Academy - serious commitment partners Oracle trainers with students for a 2-year program; networking and Java
- Technology Clubs - Examples, How to Start
- KND: Kids Design Network at the Dupage Children's Museum - engineering design challenges and projects for upper elementary and middle school - multimedia and interactive - includes a student drawing board, synchronous and asynchronous messaging (with real engineers), open-ended problem-solving
- BrainPOP - select the Technology Movies links - these are suitable for short lessons on such topics as the Internet, mp3, DVD, and computers - use the popup menu - self-quizzes are also fun
- Technology for the Future - a WebQuest for Middle School, from Least Tern - includes links to technology in history, technology today, technology future
- Growing Your Macintosh Know-How is chock full of internet hunts and .pdf worksheets to teach specific skills (many for AW) and general computer knowledge.
General Topics (k-9), Applications - see also Software Tutorials for specific applications
- Connected Tech - online course of study (mainly software tools) for k-8 - integrates technology into curricular activities - ISTE aligned - from Classroom Connect
- Learning.com / EasyTech - the "Easy" word should make you cautious, but districts and large schools might want to look at this "package" solution to tech skills - the value for "integration" is still out in our opinion - $12/student/month with some large group (state?) licensing available - includes some control by local teachers of website content
Online Practice Modules - designed for teachers, these self-paced modules cover basic skills and the general educational toolkit - includes printable "logs" that can be used to self-assess learning
- Lesson Plans - these are lesson banks - a Google search for "technology tutorials" will yield a rich set of online resources
- AskERIC lesson plan archive - includes many lessons integrating software applications into curriculum - currently unavailable due to lack of funding - keep trying
- IMSA 21st Century Information Fluency Portal - short interactive lesson modules for students and teachers, largely dealing with Internet searching and literacy
- Learning.com's Easy Tech is a k-8 instructional system - $12/yr/student (site licensing available for huge purchasers) - aligns to ISTE standards and those of many states - has been adopted by several states - a digital literacy curriculum, complete with lesson plans, assessments, training, and administrative data mining, that claims to integrate with many disciplines
- Lesson Plan Library from McREL
- Blue Web'N search results: Technology Lessons
- Discovery School Lesson Plan Library for Technology - divided by grade - includes computers as well as other technologies
- Macintosh Know-how - many interesting lessons covering basic Mac tools
- Technology Lesson Plans - bank of links to both Technology Skills lesson, tools lessons, and technology enhanced lessons
- Exploravision Contest - sponsored by Toshiba, international contest focused upon learning about and then inventing new technologies
- Keyboarding - not much fun to teach, this in an invaluable skill in this computer age - see also Teaching With Technology - Keyboarding
- Tonya Skinner's Keyboarding Lessons and Ideas portal may be the best resource available
- Suggested standards k-5 from Plano, Texas
- Keyboarding readiness - it can not come too soon - read this from software maker UltraKey
- Quizzes - A Google search for "technology quizzes" will yield about 400,000 results. Below are some of the highlights. See also Creating Your Own Instructional Materials.
- EchoEcho.com - Web Quiz for basic HTML, JavaScript, CSS
- Interactive Information Technology Quizzes from the UK - these cover applications and application types; sorted by age level
- Profiler - this is a skills survey site developed by ISTE (International Society for Technology in Education). Click onto Sample Profiler to complete one of the posted skills checklists from other organizations.
- MacAbility Quizzes - knowledge quizzes from Boston University
- Mac Shortcut Keys - crossword puzzle
- Mrs. Wilbourne's Computer / Technology Testing - short interactive quizzes prepared for the Virginia SOL testing - multiple grade levels - Netscape recommended
- Quizzes from Least Tern - keyboard shortcuts, basic computer operation, Mac desktop
- Computer Terms Quiz - multiple choice, with evaluation
- Computer Terms Crossword Puzzle - this is just fun - for a Macintosh program - the interactive puzzle format is interesting by itself
- Orange Hunt Elementary School Technology Terms Quiz - targeting Grade 5
- Computer Basics - 4 quizzes from Bruce Ellis - for Upper Elementary
- Computer and Internet Technology - to play, you must type in responses - suitable for High School
- VisiLearn is testing a series of digital computer texts that cover systems, application skills and web development - aimed at LD/ESL students, they are suitable for all ages as introductory material
Creating Your Own Instructional Materials
Numerous inexpensive applications exist that enable a teacher to create his/her own instructional materials. Coupled with media presentation tools, a network, and the net, they help the Tech teacher to develop individual skills and meet standards. Here are some highlights:
Screen capture to video:
- Cam Studio (PC freeware) - .avi files
- Camtasia and Snagit - PC apps that work together to create tutorial movies
- HyperCam - inexpensive PC app to capture screen as video (avi) and add voice over
- HyperSnap-DX - PC - has the advantage of saving to multiple formats
- MasterPointer - for the PC, an inexpensive screen annotation application - put power into projected lessons - and save the work! Does the work of a Smartboard (for those who can not afford one)
- Microsoft FrontLook screen capture - free download for most OS
- SnagIt - PC - has the advantage of allowing capture of more that what appears on the screen - like SnapZ, it can record a video (AVI) of your onscreen motions
- SnapZ Pro - use this Mac only video screen capture tool with Quicktime Pro to create tutorial "movies" for software tools. See a sample movie teaching Inspiration rapid-fire (requires Quicktime Player). Now shipping in sample version with new OS X machines - purchase full version license.
Screen annotation and capture:
- iMarkup Client - lowcost PC only - allows user to annotate any web page using text boxes, comments, highlighting, or drawing pen - IE caches the annotated page and can retrieve it - annotated page can be emailed from within the software
- FrontLook Screen Capture from Microsoft - a free download which will work in most Windows OS
- JotSmart - also PC only (alas) - annotate with text, maker and audio - email directly from client - free 45 day trial download - lowcost - call for 50+ clients
- Altiris HiLighter (also called Highlighter) - annotates any screen - useful with LCD to add text, graphic or pen notes, arrows, etc. to projected presentation or web page - this is a 30-day trial that can become a full version upon registration.
- !Quick Screen Capture - lowcost PC screen capture and image editing software - capture image instantly for annotation - wonderful tool when used with an LCD (this will allow a classroom to annotate the same image/map/chart multiple times!)
Interactive Quizzes and Exercises
- Creative Technology provides the following low-cost software tools for creating web-based activities. They also provide a lowcost web hosting service for exercises made with these tools and with HotPotatoes.
- TexToys - creates two types of excercise : cloze reading (or Rhubarb exercises) and Sequitor (scrambled passage) exercises. V.2 includes free hosting. PC only, but creates web pages.
- Markin - annotation software - this software package annotates any .rtf or txt file and returns it to the student as e-mail, webpage, or text. Works only with PC and IE, but files reads any text file. Works with Virtual PC.
- ExamView - provides several products for the creation of LAN distributed and Internet hosted tests - includes immediate results - per instructor pricing scaled to number of tests and students
- Hot Potatoes - creates interactive web-based activities - free for education - matching, multiple choice, scrambles, fill-in, crossword - includes Spanish and French language support - PC users can upload to HotPotatoes server for student account management
- Netomat - for a subscription fee, you can create online, interactive environments that function as a mix of blog, hypermedia, WIKI, and presentation - there is nothing else like it
- Puzzlemaker - make your own to print or use online - include math puzzles, mazes, word searches
- Quiz Master - build your own interactive quizzes online - battleship, memory, sink the fleet, destroy the aliens... - best used on a PC with Netscape 7 or IE (read about saving games!)
- QuizStar - create online quizzes or use those created by others - set up a free account - quizzes can be stored - online grading and record keeping
- Quia - this site used to be free, and still maintains an archive of free interactive puzzles, games and learning activities - good for language learning, math and social studies - lowcost membership for individual teachers and for schools
Flash
- tutorials
- Powerbullet Presenter - drag and drop PC app for creating Flash content - freeware - support forum at site
PowerPoint to the web:
- Impatica - converts PowerPoint presentations to Flash files - maintains audio, animations, video, linking
- Tutorials
DVD/CD creation:
- BurnQuick Data/Audio CD Burner - inexpensive drag-and-drop burner for PC - can be used on older Windows machines
- Visual Vision has created several applications that make the creation of manuals, course books, eBooks quick and easy - press to CD or post to the web are automated - school site licensing - the nice thing about this software is it low profile - will run on Win 95 and up and requires no more than a Pentium 100 processor (PC only)
- iLife tools from Apple - integrated tools that make creation of teaching materials a snap
- CyberLink Power2Go - media creation utility for PC - burn DVD, CD, data, music and photos - create custom DVD menus - music ripping also - copy utility included - with PowerProducer Gold, it is a more powerful media capture and authoring product
- Toast and Easy CD/DVD creator
- Iomega Super DVD QuikTouch Video Burner 8x - combines video capture (from camcorder or VDR) and DVD +/- burner.
Video on Demand:
- Digital Video for the Web - an overview of network needs, protocols, tools
- Quicktime streaming
- Apple site - streaming server info
- Embedding Quicktime for Web Delivery - from Apple
- How to stream a Quicktime movie - useful contact for IT staff, from University of Manitoba
- VideoLan beginner tutorial for IT staff - and another VideoLan HowTo
- VideoLAN source site - this an open source streaming solution
Content management: bulletin boards, lists, blogging, WIKI - see A Pool of Tools - CDS for large-school tools like Blackboard
- Snitz Forums - open source list management
Monitor Monitoring Tools - for those who wish to control, share, freeze, monitor networked computers, internet control, broadcast video, more
- From Abacus to Computer: a middle school Internet "field trip" from Scholastic
- Past Notable Women of Computing and Mathematics
- Computer History Museum online
- Innovators in Computing Scavenger Hunt - activity sheet to print, then follow links using the web page
- Internet Society - history section of this site should answer student questions and support research projects
- Obsolete Computer Museum online
- Trivial Net - Trivia for Geeks! - online trivia game and link to "trivia question of the day via email"
- Virtual Museum of Computing - links to exhaustive world-wide articles, galleries, sites, articles about computing history
- WebQuest: The Early History of Computing - more like a hunt, but will cover the historical bases - middle school and up
- Historic Computer Images - from a personal collection - be sure to read about Use and Publication Rights
Current News, Trends, Updates & HELP - be sure to also keep up with some of the Resources for Technology Integration, with the home sites for your platform (Microsoft, Apple, etc.) and your most-used (or abused) applications (Adobe, Macromedia, Microsoft, Apple...), and with a local or national forum, user group or list
Hot Topics
PC World - RSS feed
New York Times -Technology - RSS
Wired News - RSS feed
Selected Best
- Nanotechnology - Unbounding the Future - what's it all about?
- PestPatrol Pest Research Center - encyclopedic resource and online scan
- Safeguarding Your PC - protecting networked drives - deleting files
- AnandTech - reviews and updates
- Apple - User Groups
- Computer User Groups on the Web - searchable portal
- Extreme Tech - attached to PC Magazine, this is "deep down" tech - not for the casual IT person
- Keeping Up - this site is dedicated to keeping academic educational technologists, including teachers, IT people, librarians, alert to current trends, news and opinions
- MacFixIt - troubleshooting, tips, utilities (some only available for a subscription)
- MajorGeeks.com - huge library of help files plus forums
- Protonic - free, open online community of volunteer technicians - ask a question and get an answer
- TechSoup - aimed at nonprofits (recycling help, for example) this site provides clear How-To's useful to the non-specialist
- Tech Support Guy - forums, lists and an opportunity to chip in and help others
- Web Tech Support - article that pulls together some of the best online services and sites
Print and e-Zine - most of these, if not all, contain forums and searchable archives
- ZDnet - Where Technology Means Business - current trends in systems, hardware, software, not just for business - downloads
- PC Magazine - online version of print mag - if you are a PC user, it is worth your time to join but watch for extra messages (PC User email address would be a help)
- PC World - online version of print mag - most current articles posted - searchable archive
- Macworld Magazine - online version - new product reviews are useful as are the columns for users of digital photo editing and video editing tools
- MyMac.com - an ezine devoted to things Mac - negative and positive reviews
- MacAddict - news about "our favorite fruit" - not the most up to date, but worth a check weekly
- ResearchBuzz - interesting weekly postings, many pointing to new databases and search engines
Game Design - Simulation Engines - designing educational software on simulation gaming models is a hot topic for non-profits (schools, museums, universities) - some resources for the classroom:
- Auran Jet - was 3D Game Engine - now a low-price download - manual/tutorial can be purchased separately - site includes forum and support
- Crystal Space 3D - open source game engine - the blog site contains some support - FREE
- Genesis 3D - open source 3D design engine - site provides a fair amount of support - FREE
- 3D Game Engine Design - a Practical Approach to Real-Time Computer Graphics - text/print - available from Amazon.com
- 3D Game Studio - this site includes FAQ, a gallery, support and a users forum
- Torque Game Engine - cross platform, including Linux
- Wild Tangent - Web Driver is part of what is offered here - site includes games that can be played online - Windows
Read:
How to Perform a Security Audit - Technology & Learning, Feb 2004
Maintaining E-mail Sanity with Rules and Filters
Three Laws - the three important laws for networks: Moore's, Metcalf's, Bandwidth
- IRC Help - focusing on Mozilla implementations, this is a reader-friendly short course in implementing and using advanced features of IRC - plentiful hyperlinks to other sites and good information
- NetSupport DNA - new product that provides central assest management for all school technology: software, hardware, use
- NYCIST - fabulous IT list, mostly NYC and CT private schools, but the knowledge base is huge - join the mailing list!
- Web Help Desk - IT management and troubleshooting tool - browser based
A local and highly recommended consultant is the best way to go when a school is initiating a Tech Plan that will involve significant change and financial investment. However, many resources are available for those schools confident that they can go it alone.
Drafting a Customized Tech Plan - Technology & Learning, Feb 2004 - a fabulous article with multiple links to plans and information sources
How to Perform a Security Audit - Technology & Learning, Feb 2004
- American Association of School Administrators - scroll down the page to the listing of Model Technology Plans
- Apple - Education - Technology Planning Guide - web-based guide that can be used by a school - clear, logical planning steps
- CoSN Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) tools can be found at their site - also find here research whitepapers
- Educational Technology Planning - web resource locator
- Educational Technology Planning Guide - made available from California schools
- EETNet website contains a section on Technology Plans as well as a template (and a great deal of other information)
- Guiding Questions for Technology Planning - from NCRTEC - a tool for district or school-wide planning organization
- National Center for Technology Planning - contains resources divided by scope of planning need: national to school
- NCTP - National Center for Technology Planning - large set of resources, tools, research
- NETC Technology Planning - in addition to guides and resources, this site provides full-text plans as models
- Net -Gold Message - this listserv response contains links to many current district and state level resources, as well as resources address the specific question of enhancing student motivation with technology - the content is also posted at the Temple Net-Gold Archive
- Orange County Technology Plan 2003-4 - .pdf file - model of a district plan - clear, insightful
- Technology Planning in Transition - a publication of Nancy Willard at the new Center for Safe and Responsible Internet Use - includes a .pdf Effective Technology Planning for the Technology Literacy Challenge
This page is licensed under a Creative Commons License.
E. Sky-McIlvain 10/31/04
