Tech Tips for Teaching & Learning

Google Docs Intro

Last week's Tech Day was an introduction to Google Docs. We had a great time creating and sharing documents, and many of you have already come up with terrific ideas for using these tools in and out of the classroom. If you missed the session or want to review, here is an online presentation which outlines the basics. Other sources for help are the Google Docs Help page and Atomic Learning.

Note that we are now recommending Google Docs as the word processor of choice for students and teachers. Using this online tool means no problems with forgetting where it's saved, not having the disk, or having different (incompatible) versions at home vs. school. The spreadsheet program is also recommended, but at this point we do not recommend use of the presentation tool; it does not handle animations nor import well from PowerPoint.

Look for ongoing updates and tips on Google Docs in this space. I welcome your questions!

GMail Keyboard Shortcuts

I'm a big fan of keyboard shortcuts. They save time since you don't need to move your hand from the keyboard to the mouse to make something happen.

To use shortcuts in GMail, first click Settings (upper right), and then pick Keyboard shortcuts on. Go back to your email; you will now be able to use these shortcuts. Start by picking a couple of commands you use often (like c for Compose, or shift-c to compose in a new window), and add others over time.

Text Message Dictionary

BTW if UR a NUB NP. TTYL.

Puzzled by text message abreviations? Take a look at this list of the Top 50 Most Commonly Used Text Terms from NetLingo.

Becoming a Literate Educator

David Warlick offers practical, doable ideas in his 2 Cents Worth blog posting A Path to Becoming a Literate Educator. Even if you only try one of his suggestions, you'll make progress in developing the skills needed to be an effect 21st century teacher.

One suggestion is to read blogs. This is a practice I find invaluable and very interesting. These are a few  of the other educational blogs I read regularly (in no particular order):

• Nancy Willard's Weblog (Center for Safe and Responsible Internet Use)
• Dangerously Irrelevant (Scott McLeod's blog)
• learning.now (Andy Carvin, PBS Teachers)
• Educational Technology (Roy Schroeder, University of Illinois at Springfield)
• The Top 101 Websites for Teachers
• Ed Tech Journeys (Pete Reilly)

Give one a try! Have favorites of your own? Please comment!