Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Need Math Help?

While checking my Google Reader subscriptions, I came across an excellent math resource on Kevin Cummins' excellent blog Edgalaxy. He featured the site Algebrahelp.com. This site includes lessons, worksheets, and exercises for students, teachers, and maybe even parents who need to brush up on some their math skills so they can help out with their kid's after-dinner homework. After about 5 minutes of browsing around Algebrahelp.com, I was able to figure out how to determine GCF (greatest common factor). This was something I distinctly remember struggling with as a math student back in my own grade school days.

Maybe Algebrahelp.com can help you out? Check out the site here.

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Save Yourself a Few Seconds With Quicker Printing!

I just picked up this tip from a conversation I had with Janice Ventresco. She told me how to store my print username and password, which allows me to skip the step of typing it in when I need to print. Follow these easy steps to save yourself a few extra seconds everyday:

Step #1 : Go the print screen just as you would to print any document, PDF, or spreadsheet. Select "Properties" option


Step #2: Select the "Details" option


Step #3: Story your username and password!


A simple solution to a simple problem. Thanks Janice!

Monday, September 20, 2010

Daily Student News Broadcast by CNN!

My most recent post highlighted a great resource in C-SPAN Classroom. A related website that would benefit students from a variety of content areas is CNN Student News. This is a great resource for current events that I have come across recently. This website features a new 10 minute news broadcast everyday targeted for middle school and high school viewers.

Check out "What is CNN Student News?" for more information, or go directly to the website to watch the latest broadcast. Discussion questions and other teacher materials are also provided by CNN Student News. Follow any of these links to take a closer look.

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

C-SPAN Classroom for Social Studies Teachers

C-SPAN Classroom is a free membership service for social studies, history, or government teachers who are looking to pull relevant C-SPAN programming into their curriculum. C-SPAN Classroom also offers instant access to over 100,000 videos featuring the latest political speeches, congressional proceedings, and news conferences. Take a moment to browse through this one-of-a-kind website! Video clips, current events, debate topics, discussion questions, lesson plans, and much more can be found at C-SPAN Classroom.






Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Stay Informed With Google Reader

In today's age of technology,
news and information can be found everywhere. Aside from newspapers, magazines, and television, people access the Internet from their computers and mobile devices to stay up to date on the latest news and information from a variety of sources. Instead of visiting each of these sources and checking to see if anything new has been added, why not have the news delivered to you? Google Reader gives you the ability to read and follow multiple blogs and websites from one location. Any page that has an RSS (Really Simply Syndication) feed can be added to your Google Reader listing.

Take a look at My Blog List for a few really good education/technology blogs you can follow. All you need is a Google Account to get started. For more information go to Google Reader or check out the video below.


Sunday, August 29, 2010

Never Leave Your Files Behind With Dropbox!


For the past 3-4 weeks, I have been able to access files on my school computer from my home computer by using Dropbox. By downloading this simple to use software, you can save all your documents, pictures, and files to one location and access them from multiple locations.

Here's how it works. Simply install Dropbox to the computers from which you wish to access your files. A "My Dropbox" folder will be created. Save any files to that folder and the other computers are automatically synced with your saved files. You get 2 GB of storage space for free, but you can upgrade at any time. This great resource eliminates the need for flash/USB drives and emailing files back and forth.

If you'd like more information about how to use this tool, please email me! Here is a video that explains what Dropbox is and how it works: