links

=Links::=


 * ======[|ED in '08]:: America's students are falling behind, and ED in '08 is trying to bring about education discussion among political leaders and presidential candidates. Their website has startling facts and statistics. **Teaching idea:** Students could use ED in '08's information to create a call-to-action PSA about the status of education and how future political leaders can help.======
 * [|TeacherTube]:: Straight from their website: "Our goal is to provide an online community for sharing instructional videos. We seek to fill a need for a more educationally focused, safe venue for teachers, schools, and home learners. It is a site to provide anytime, anywhere professional development with teachers teaching teachers. As well, it is a site where teachers can post videos designed for students to view in order to learn a concept or skill."
 * [|TEACH J]:: This article discusses reasons why teachers //should// use a blog...but at the same time, it explains how we can be socially responsible teachers when we do blog.
 * [|del.icio.us]:: del.icio.us (yes, that's delicious) is a social bookmarking website where you can house an online version of your browser's bookmarks. Since many districts frequently "image" or reformat computers, we are in constant limbo regarding the safety of our bookmarks on school computers. del.icio.us remedies that by allowing users to create a //free// account to house their bookmarks. Teachers can also search other bookmarks that may relate to their particular teaching field, in addition to "sharing" their bookmarks with other teachers in their field. Oh - did I mention that it allows teachers to add to their bookmarks from any computer, anywhere? A must-have for educators.
 * [|SchoolTube]:: From the About section of their website: "SchoolTube provides students and educators a safe, world class, and FREE media sharing website that is nationally endorsed by premier education associations. SchoolTube is the recognized leader for moderated, internet media sharing for teachers and students. All student created materials on SchoolTube must be approved by registered teachers, follow local school guidelines, and adhere to our high standards." They even host contests for students to enter.
 * Wikispaces:: Let's admit that in the educational world, "wiki" websites (such as Wikipedia) have received a bad rap. But they actually have quite the benefit to our students learning experiences. Wikispaces is giving away free wikis to educators, so get yours now. Lee LeFever has a fun [|video] tutorial on YouTube.com on the benefits of wikis. For an example, see how a creative writing class used it to write the next great novel.
 * [|Digital Citizenship]:: The website explains it best: "Digital Citizenship is a concept which helps teachers and technology leaders understand what students should know to use technology appropriately. But Digital Citizenship is more that just a teaching tool, it is a way to prepare students for a society full of technology. Too often we are seeing students as well as adults misusing and abusing technology. The issue is more than what the users do not know but instead what is considered appropriate technology usage. [...] Now is the time for educators as well as other adults to begin to evaluate how they are using technology. Within this website are many examples of how educators can begin the process of teaching their students how to use technology more appropriately."
 * [|MIT]:: They have courses online...for //free//? And it's for some of those hard-to-find classes, like Biological Engineering, Music and Theatre Arts, Architecture, and many more. //Many// more, to the tune of 1800 classes.
 * A Web of Connections:: Will Richardson lists three goals: to start conversations, to ask questions, and to challenge educators' thinking and learning. His main premise is that the world is changing, and technology is playing a large role in that change. Much of his wiki discusses the various changes. And be sure to click on the link to Kyle MacDonald's [|blog] about how he traded a red paperclip for a house. Really.