http://tipline.blogspot.com/2007/01/check-out-my-slide-show.html

http://tipline.blogspot.com/2007/02/tips-low-impact-woodland-home.h

http://tipline.blogspot.com/2007/02/tips-picnik-time.html

http://tipline.blogspot.com/2007/02/tips-100-proficiency-on-old-ski

http://tipline.blogspot.com/2007/02/tips-andreamosaic-home-page.htm

http://tipline.blogspot.com/2007/02/tips-infinite-thinking-machine.

http://tipline.blogspot.com/2007/02/your-removal-from-tips-list.htm

Sun, 4 Feb 2007 00:00:01

You have been automatically removed from the TIPS list (Jim Gates' Tips)
as a result of repeated delivery error reports from your mail system.
This decision was based on the automatic error monitoring policy in
effect for the list, and has not been reviewed or otherwise confirmed by
a human being. If you receive this message, it means that something is
wrong: while you are obviously able to receive mail, your mail system has
been regularly reporting that your account did not exist, or that you
were otherwise permanently unable to receive mail. Here is some
information which may assist you or your local help desk in determining
the cause of the problem:

- The failing address is jgates513.mytips@BLOGGER.COM.

- The first error was reported on 2007-01-30.

- Since then, a total of 10 delivery errors have been received.

- The last reported error was: 5.1.0 Probe failed

PLEASE DO NOT IGNORE THIS MESSAGE. While you can of course re-subscribe
to the list, it is important for you to report this problem to your mail
administrator so that it can be solved. This problem is not specific to
the TIPS list, and also affects your private mail. This means that YOU
HAVE PROBABLY LOST SOME PRIVATE MAIL AS WELL. Anyone trying to write to
you during the same time frame will probably have received the same
errors for the same reason. The TIPS list is but one of the many people
who may have tried to write to you while your mail system was
malfunctioning.

DO NOT LET TECHNICAL PEOPLE CONVINCE YOU THAT THIS IS NORMAL. It is never
normal for a mail system to claim that a valid, working account does not
exist, just as it would not be normal for the post office to return some
of your mail with "addressee unknown" when the address was written
correctly. It is true that some mail systems are less reliable than
others, and your technical people may be doing the best they can with the
tools they have. But, ultimately, the level of service that you are
receiving is the result of a business decision, and not something due to
a universal technical limitation that one can only accept. Reliable mail
systems do exist, and it is ultimately up to you to decide whether this
level of service is acceptable or not.

http://tipline.blogspot.com/2007/02/tips-wow-check-out-zohos-notebo

http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/01/30/sneak-peek-zoho-notebook/
Want to see some exciting developments in the area of online productivity (aka "office") software? Check this out. Zoho is doing some amazing things. Make sure you watch the video. VERY cool stuff.
 
P.S.
This isn't new, but it is a different way of thinking about it. "The half life for technology today is just two years." We saw that before in Karl Fisch's "Did you Know (http://thefischbowl.blogspot.com/2006/08/did-you-know.html )" slideshow, right? But it warrants the repeat. That makes technology a touch sell for some people, doesn't it? Why should they invest all this time to learn something that may be obsolete in two years anyway?
 
"What's the alternative?", I wo uld argue. Hang your upper limit of your tech skills on ..  Hyperstudio? (Don't be silly, you say. That's been out of date for years.) No? Powerpoint, then? (Well, at least that won't go away for a while, you say. "You're right. It's like a bad penny - you can't get rid of it.") Frontpage?... no... Dreamweaver!! YES!!! Do you mean to say that you're going to make your teachers learn Dreamweaver to make their webpages instead of showing them a wiki?
 
The point is, as you learn about new tools in technology, don't think it's the last one you'll need to know. In two years (or less) a new tool will come out that will be even better. And THOSE are the tools that your students are growing up with. You keep up because that's what makes you most effective and relevant. Right?
 
Good.

http://tipline.blogspot.com/2007/02/opera-fans-should-love-this.htm

http://tipline.blogspot.com/2007/02/tips-when-technology-isnt-answe

http://tipline.blogspot.com/2007/02/tips-computer-teach-thyself-vid

http://mscronk.edublogs.org/2007/02/04/web-20-in-under-5-minutes/ (http://mscronk.edublogs.org/ )
Check out this VERY cool video that does an excellent job in walking you through the importance of the Read/Write web. VERY well done.
 
Some of the students in my grad classes have said that they don't read blogs. They don't feel that they are anything more than just one person's opinion on something, and therefore not worth the trouble.
 
I argue that it's from blogs that I am staying/becoming educated. It's from the links that others provide and from their ideas that keep me fresh. The above link is a perfect example. This was mentioned in a post
by Will Richardson here (http://weblogg-ed.com/2007/th e-machine-is-using-us/ ). That took me to the link at the top of this post. From her blogroll I found another blog with something of interest. And it goes on and on.
 
The right blogs bring you into the conversation. The conversation about your profession. It's your personal professional development.

http://tipline.blogspot.com/2007/02/tips-must-see-video-about-skype

Among my favorite blogs is this one, Couros Blog. I've even pointed to a post there before, remember? But this is one that you MUST see. It's about a 4th grade class using Skype to allow a young homebound girl with leukemia to attend school, too. Watch this video produced by the students. It'll warm the soft spots of your heart at the very least. http://educationaltechnology.ca/couros/602

Oh, and take note of the comments form the last little girl in the video.

http://tipline.blogspot.com/2007/02/how-fast-is-it.html

OK... I'll play along THIS time, but I just can't pass it forward. Sorry, Kurt.

Kurt read about this very cool tool that tests your Internet speed. He read about it in Chris Craft's bog here. I read that one, too, but I hadda read Kurt's first, y' know. NOW look what I got myself into.

But, it's interesting. I'm at home on a wireless cable connection. It's 4:00PM. Here is my result. Not bad. Er... can you see it? Sure.. just click on it for the enlarged version. Not bad speeds, at all.

http://tipline.blogspot.com/2007/02/tips-school-20-join-conversatio

http://tipline.blogspot.com/2007/02/tips-how-complex-is-your-passwo

http://tipline.blogspot.com/2007/02/tips-barbican-can-i-have-word.h

http://tipline.blogspot.com/2007/02/tips-whats-story.html

I neglected to mention that the guy who draws the daily monster always ends with, "What's the Story?" He's inviting people to write in with a story about the monster he just drew. How clever is that?

http://tipline.blogspot.com/2007/02/tips-stefan-g-buchers-daily-mon

http://tipline.blogspot.com/2007/02/tips-new-nets-standards.html

Again, THIS is why I read blogs. It's my personal professional
development. Anne Davis is one of the most respected bloggers out there,
and her blog, "EduBlog Insights" is on my blogroll. This post of hers
today points to two articles that talk about the NEW NETS standards for
Technology for new teachers. Her blog post is here:
http://anne.teachesme.com/2007/02/08/new-tech-guidelines-for-teachers/

Think about it, the first NETS standards came out in 1998. Not so long
ago in terms of years, but a light year away from current technology and
today's Flat World. Right? Do yourself a favor and read the two articles
she points to. Pass them along to every wanna-be teacher you know, too.

http://tipline.blogspot.com/2007/02/tips-sloodle-gets-deeper-hooks-

http://www.sloodle.com/

I know I've mentioned this before, but you should check out the video that's there on the front page, now. It describes how you can write a blog entry for your moodle/sloodle class right from within SecondLife. A few things to notice. 1) He says that this is just one of the many upcoming modules linking SL and moodle. 2) These links pass the user both ways, from SL to Moodle and from Moodle to SL – and to the exact location in SL where the user was when the blog was posted. 3) The guy is using Firefox- NOT IE. :-)

Oh to be young again and able to see some of this stuff reach its maturity – instead of watching ME reach my maturity. :-(

http://tipline.blogspot.com/2007/02/tips-check-out-this-new-nets-st

It's 2:25am and I can't sleep. The winter dryness has me scratching every inch of my body so to allow at least SOMEONE in this house to get some rest I'm up and sitting out here in the kitchen - working. Oh well...

I went back to check out those NETS standards again, and I was struck by THIS one (remember it's a work in progress,, and not finalized by any means)

"I. Creativity and Innovation (new)
Students think creatively, construct knowledge, and develop innovative products using technology. Students:
A. apply existing knowledge to generate new ideas and products.
B. use technology for creative self-expression.
C. use systems thinking to explore complex issues.
D. identify trends and forecast possibilities."

Read that again.

That's a TON right there, isn't it? Students will 'construct knowledge.' I wish now that I'd had more time to sit in on the Online Constructivism Conference that was held this week. I was able to listen in to the opening discussion, much of which centered around our networks and the meaning of knowledge, etc. Much of it was too heady for me, I'll admit, but I think had I read this prior to that discussion I would have had a bit more interest in their discussions. But.. holy cow!!

Then look at this line, "apply existing knowledge to generate new ideas and products." Yikes! What will THAT look like with the NCLB, eh? :-)

I guess my point, at 2:39am, is that this is a HUGE difference over the first NETS standards. (I can't make hyperlinks over webaccess or I'd link to them. I may do that in my blog.) The old standards were much more concrete. Here is number 1 currently:

"Basic operations and concepts

* Students demonstrate a sound understanding of the nature and operation of technology systems.
* Students are proficient in the use of technology."

Now they'll be constructing knowledge and developing innovative products. Weeeeeeoooooooo! But, as the top of that document says, "What students should know and be able to do to learn effectively and live productively in an increasingly digital world …"

Wow

http://tipline.blogspot.com/2007/02/tips-you-heard-story-now-see-vi

I'm sure many teachers have read this inspirational story before. But,
as Vicki Davis points out in this blog post, this is one that every
teacher should see.
http://coolcatteacher.blogspot.com/2007/02/inspiring-teacher-movie-that-you-need.html

Geez... I wish had SO many things to do over again.

http://tipline.blogspot.com/2007/02/tips-new-nets-for-teachers.html

http://tipline.blogspot.com/2007/02/tips-nitschenotes-pete.html

http://tipline.blogspot.com/2007/02/tips-theconnectedclassroom-home

http://tipline.blogspot.com/2007/02/tips-greetings-from-pete.html

http://tipline.blogspot.com/2007/02/tips-google-mail-is-now-open.ht

Until today you used to need an invitation to open a Gmail account.
Well, in today's Komando news newsletter she reports that it's now open
for anyone to create an account.

So why would you want another email account? Well, for one thing you can
use it when you need to supply an email address to a website and you
don't want to give them your work address or your primary home address.
For another thing, you can access it from the web. FOr another thing if
you use it for everything you will never have to change it should you
ever change providers.

Get 'em while they're hot. http://www.gmail.com

James Gates
Instructional Technology Trainer
CAIU
55 Miller Street
Summerdale, PA 17093
717-732-8406

This message is intended only for the use of the addressee and may
contain information that is privileged and confidential. If you are not
the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination
of this communication is strictly prohibited. Please contact me
immediately if you have received this communication in error.

http://tipline.blogspot.com/2007/02/pete-resources-wiki.html

Bridget Belardi (2005 KEYSTONE) created a wiki for PETE & C --

Go to her wiki http://petec2007.wikispaces.com/

It's intended for presenters who didn't get to present on Tuesday to list their resources, or for those who saw a session to comment on it. A good idea, yes?

http://tipline.blogspot.com/2006/12/tips-set-of-podcasts-you-ought-

http://21stcenturylearning.typepad.com/blog/2006/11/k12_years_revea.html

Note: I put in the direct link to this particular podcast, as I have listened to it several times and I think it's one that every teachers should hear.

This woman is an active blogger for and about education. She's now a doctoral student and was one of the people behind the k12onlineconference.org project. When you get here, scroll down and listen to the podcasts she has posted there from her keynote speech at a recent convention about homelessness. It will make you rethink your opinions on the issue for sure.

http://tipline.blogspot.com/2007/02/tips-watch-this-great-little-vi

http://educationaltechnology.ca/couros/597

I've had this one ready to send out for a while, but just never did. This excellent video does a great job explaining how the web has changed. Also in why you need to know about it.

http://tipline.blogspot.com/2007/02/vyew-v2.html

Some time ago I sent out a tip about vyew.com. But that was the old version. At PETE&C, Kristin H showed Vyew to her audience and - wow! Has it ever changed!

What is it? A FREE, virtual meeting room, a collaborative meeting room, with some great whiteboard tools and no downloads required. But now, it has voice capabilites, too. Check out this demo video: http://vyew.com/content/VyewVideos or just go to http://vyew.com to register for a free account. Doing some graduate coursework with a group of students from around the area/ Use it to meet and discuss.

Very nice, indeed. There is a free version and paid versions with more options.

Here's what the site says about itself:
"Vyew provides a virtual space to share information and work together. Get your point across visually. Host live conferences and interact in real-time. Post documents and presentations for review and commenting anytime."

http://tipline.blogspot.com/2007/02/tips-census-data-mashup.html

http://tipline.blogspot.com/2007/02/tips-nsta-learning-center.html

Welcome to The NSTA Learning Center Beta Release

You want to grow your understanding of the content and pedagogy of the subjects you teach. NSTA is proud to make available the Beta release of this electronic professional development (PD) website. Within this site you'll be able to gain access to over 1,200 different types of PD resources and opportunities, such as:

• Over 980 NSTA Journal Articles (with over 270 articles FREE of charge), many containing high quality lesson plans
• Over 30 FREE Science Objects (1-2 hour interactive simulation-based learning experiences)
• Over 100 e-chapters from selected books and series (over 45 chapters FREE of charge)
• FREE weekly live Web Seminars where you can interact with experts from NASA, NOAA, FDA and the NSDL Community.

" NSTA Web Seminars are 90-minute, live professional development experiences that use online learning technologies to allow participants to interact with nationally acclaimed experts, NSTA Press authors, and scientists, engineers, and education specialists from NSTA government partners such as NASA, NOAA, FDA, and the NSDL."

" Educators use online tools that allow them to mark-up and annotate presenter's slides or share desktop applications in addition to engaging in chat with others online and answering quizzes and poll questions. Seminars may be archived and available for viewing after the live event has occurred."

http://tipline.blogspot.com/2007/02/tips-yugma-free-webconferencing

"A free and easy to use web conferencing service:

• Share your information, present your ideas
• Invite up to 10 people (or more if you need)
• Collaborate with your community
• Works with both Windows and Mac
• Highly secure and reliable
• No Spyware, Adware, Malware "

http://tipline.blogspot.com/2007/02/tips-fun-video.html

I don't know why I can no longer send these posts via my listserv, but it's very frustrating. I'm having to post these things twice. Anyway, here's the one that didn't make it to the blog.
-------------------

http://tipline.blogspot.com/2007/02/high-profile-report-calls-for-n

http://www.eschoolnews.com/news/showStory.cfm?ArticleID=6871
Holy mackerel! Check this out. A proposed change to the NCLB law would make this change from just, "Highly qualified" teachers, to "highly qualified and effective" teachers! And, I just read recently where Governor Rendell would like to put the jobs of Superintendents and Principals at risk if their schools don't meet the NCLB standards. The reporter asked the question, "Who is going to want to take on the tough jobs as education leaders in our poorest districts?" Indeed! Now add to that, "What TEACHER would want to take on the challenging job of teaching in our poorest districts?"

Yikes!!

The NEA is opposing this change, and it has come under a lot of bipartisan heat. So, it's not a done deal. Still...

Thanks to John B for sharing this article via another listserv.

http://tipline.blogspot.com/2007/02/virtual-photographer.html

Another site from Kim Komando's mailing list. This one is another good one!

http://www.optikvervelabs.com/

Here's what it says about itself:
" Download the free Photoshop plug-in that's getting rave reviews from digital photographers. virtualPhotographer lets you instantly apply high quality, professional photographic styles to your digital images, with just one click.virtualPhotographer includes over 50 presets that automatically apply combinations of film grain, color modification, B/W, soft focus, high contrast and many artistic effects to achieve the same professional-looking images that used to take hours of photo editing. Get results in seconds!

Compatible with Photoshop®, Photoshop® Elements, Paint Shop™ Pro®, Photo-Paint and other popular imaging applications."

Note: I'll bet it'll work with Gimp, too, don't you think?

http://tipline.blogspot.com/2007/02/now-this-is-cool.html

http://tipline.blogspot.com/2007/02/tips-photo-mashups.html

http://www.programmableweb.com/api/Flickr/mashups
I love mashups - especially those that mash with Flickr. This page mentions two, a Sudoku puzzle with numbers coming from flickr, and "Spell with Flickr", a mashup I've used a couple of times already. But the article also points to this list: http://www.programmableweb.com/tag/photo of 200 photo mashups, some of which I've already mentioned in other tips, and othes (most) that are new.

What's cool about this stuff? Well, check THIS one out: http://splashr.com/ Use the tag: cabin and user jgates513, if you don't know of others to try. Once you choose the type of presentation you can send someone the url, or even get the html code to use that project on your own site. What fun this Internet has become, eh? Wanna see it in action? Come to my blog page and click the link in the top left corner called My Flickr Pics. Cool stuff for your website.

http://tipline.blogspot.com/2007/02/law-firm-sued-for-wikipedia-art

http://tipline.blogspot.com/2007/02/tips-fighting-front.html

SecondLife is an amazing place. Now with almost 4 MILLION residents and over $1 MILLION of real US currency spent per DAY it's a force to be reckoned with. But, when you get 4 million people together in one place there will be folks there whom you wish were NOT there. Such is the case with Front National - a far right political party from France. What a shame that they would take their marches to Secondlife. But what a greater shame that it would cause all the violence in there that it did.

Read the article below to learn about the violence that erupted in SecondLife over a demonstration there by Front National.
http://nwn.blogs.com/nwn/2007/01/stronger_than_h.html

Reminds me of the saying, "NO matter whose side you're on there will people on your side whom you wish weren't." :-)

But good things happen in there, as well. Take http://www.sloodle.com/, for example. Moodle with hooks into Second life.

http://tipline.blogspot.com/2007/02/tips-barefoot-college.html

http://www.rocketboom.com/vlog/archives/2007/02/rb_07_feb_22.html
I watch Rocketboom daily. Many times it's just interesting. Other times it's fun and creative. Other times, like today, it's informative. Today's report is about the Barefoot College in India where they teach middle aged women in six months, how to solar-electrify their homes. That may not sound like much, but when you see the short video and then visit their website (http://www.barefootcollege.org/enroll1.htm) you will understand how HUGE this really is. Villages that were once dark are now lit up after dark.

At first it may be just a luxury for them. But soon... can you imagine? They too can be watching reality shows and ... no, of course I'm not thinking that. I'm thinking that very soon they, too, will enter the race.

Show this video to your students and ask them to write in their journals or blogs about what this means. Will they see it impacting THEM at any time in their lives? SHOULD they?

http://tipline.blogspot.com/2007/02/tips-stock-xchng-photos.html

http://www.sxc.hu/index.phtml
Here's a great website for obtaining images for your powerpoints, wallpaper, etc. Images are uploaded my members of the site and most licenses are the Standard License which says:

You may use the Image
In digital format on websites, multimedia presentations, broadcast film and video, cell phones.
In printed promotional materials, magazines, newspapers, books, brochures, flyers, CD/DVD covers, etc.
Along with your corporate identity on business cards, letterhead, etc.
To decorate your home, your office or any public place.

Join for free. Upload your own images that you want to share with others.

http://tipline.blogspot.com/2007/02/tips-stockxchng-leading-free-st

• In digital format on websites, multimedia presentations, broadcast film and video, cell phones.
• In printed promotional materials, magazines, newspapers, books, brochures, flyers, CD/DVD covers, etc.
• Along with your corporate identity on business cards, letterhead, etc.
• To decorate your home, your office or any public place.

http://tipline.blogspot.com/2007/02/tips-citizendium-to-launch.html

Thanks to Michael P for alerting me to this one. Here's what it says about itself:

"The Citizendium (sit-ih-ZEN-dee-um), (http://www.citizendium.org) a "citizens' compendium of everything," is an experimental new wiki project. The project, started by a founder of Wikipedia, aims to improve on the Wikipedia model by adding "gentle expert oversight" and requiring contributors to use their real names. It has taken on a life of its own and will, perhaps, become the flagship of a new set of responsibly-managed free knowledge projects. We will avoid calling it an "encyclopedia" until the project's editors feel comfortable putting their reputations behind this description."

This should be interesting to watch as it evolves over the next year or two or three. This article in eschool News tells more about it and the plans in store for it.

http://www.eschoolnews.com/news/showStoryts.cfm?ArticleID=6877&page=2

powered by performancing firefox

http://tipline.blogspot.com/2007/02/good-news-about-wikipedia.html

http://tipline.blogspot.com/2007/02/jimmy-wales-discusses-wikipedia

http://tipline.blogspot.com/2007/02/anna-deavre-smith-at-ted.html

http://tipline.blogspot.com/2007/02/what-if-student-said-he-was-bor

http://tipline.blogspot.com/2007/02/wiki-about-student-blogging.htm

http://tipline.blogspot.com/2007/02/teacher-in-hospital-after-takin

http://tipline.blogspot.com/2007/02/amandas-story.html

Thanks to Chris C for sharing this.

Incredible story of Adaptive Tech for Autism
http://www.pbs.org/teachersource/learning.now/2007/02/amandas_story.htmlThis is .... to say powerful is to understate it, I think. A "low functioning" autistic woman is videoed interacting with her environment, and then she types her explanations (at 120 words per minute) and ... well... it will surely change the way you perceive Autism.

Read the story and watch this today.

http://tipline.blogspot.com/2007/02/what-matters.html

http://tipline.blogspot.com/2007/02/tips-amandas-story.html