Join technology-minded teachers from NWRESD area schools for 4 days of intense training. Read more and register... (click on sign up at bottom of post)

Cost: FREE!
Where: NWRESD (June 4 session in Astoria)

Substitute reimbursement provided for 3 days of training. NOTE: We have enough funds to reimburse ONLY one teacher from each district for each of the three full workshop events.

Feb 19
Open House - Information and agenda
What's it all about?

April 2
Google Docs and more

May 7
Creativity, music, video

June 4 - Digital Photo Safari - Astoria
Digital photography, software and publishing

Did you get a new computer for Christmas? Are you tired of tracking down all the software you'll need to install? It CAN take a long time. I didn't get a new computer but I did find two sites that will help you. The first is an article called 13 Things You Must Do First with Your New PC. This is a great place to start with lots of tips that will save you time and money.

One of my favorite new links from the article is a site that will let you download all the extra software you'll need via one web page. Visit Ninite.com.

See also: 

• Skype - http://skype.com Basic voice over Ineternet application. Everyone should have Skype. The lastest version also lets you share your desktop.
• Oregon.webex.com - ORVSD hosted WebEx
• http://docs.google.com/a/oregonk12.org - Google Docs is an easy way to share files.
• Yuuguu - http://www.yuuguu.com/home
  Free - Very easy to use, shares screen with multiple users. Screen share only, Skype or phone needed for voice.
• Lotus Sametime Unyte Share - https://www.webdialogs.com/services/share.asp
  Free - Easy to use but you can only share your desktop with ONE other person. Upgrade to commercial version for about $30/month.
• CroosLoop - http://www.crossloop.com
  Free - Screen and file sharing - both sides of share must have installed software

More

You can mass import users into Drupal, so that you don't have to create dozens of accounts by hand.  Here is how:

1. Create a spreadsheet with column headers of username, email, and password.

2. In each column put the appropriate username, email and password for the user.  Normally we use a generic password that the user then changes upon logging in (this is part of new user training normally).

3. Save your spreadsheet as a csv

4. On your Drupal site, log in as the site admin.  Go to Administer > User Management > User Imports

5. Click Import.

6. Start by uploading your file.

7. AFTER uploading your file you will be prompted to match fields in your csv file with Drupal fields.  For username you should select the --------- and "1" in the username drop-down.  Make sure none of the other fields have a username drop-down option selected.  See below:

8. Under Options, pick the options you want to set.  Make sure to click Activate Accounts, otherwise the users will show up as Blocked and will have to be manually unblocked by the site editor.

9. Check off any Roles you want the users to have.

10. Optionally, you can set up a welcome email that will be sent to the user, and can also assign them to a group if using Organic Groups.

11. At the bottom of the page click Test to test the import and look for errors. Or, just click Import.  (Once you've tested the import process you'll be able to click Import.)

Oregon's new technology standards adopted in December of 2008. You'll also want to see these:

NETS-S, NETS-T, NETS-A and the 21st Century Standards.

Oregon Educational Technology Standards (PDF version)
Adopted December 2008

1. Creativity and Innovation
Students demonstrate creative thinking and problem solving skills to develop innovative products and
processes using (digital) technology. Students:

A. Apply existing knowledge to forecast possibilities and generate new ideas, products or processes.
B. Create original works as a means of personal or group expression.
C. Develop or apply models and simulations to explore complex systems, issues and trends.

2. Communication and Collaboration
Students use digital media and environments to communicate and work collaboratively, across the global
community, to support individual learning and contribute to the learning of others. Students:

Here are some FREE technology courses you can take this summer. Courses are open to teachers from all NWRESD area districts. Most are M-TH from 8:30 - 11:30am.

Tech Camp - Electrifying the K-2 Curriculum

Tech Camp - Everything Google

Tech Camp - Garage Band-Become a Composer!

Tech Camp - GoogleEarth For all Content

Tech Camp - iMovie

Tech Camp - Mediacasting-Using Blogs, etc.

Tech Camp-Podcasting, Audio and Video

Tech Camp -Presentations for the Primary Classroom

Tech Camp - Ten Plus Cool Tools for Teachers

Tech Camp - Using Digital Images in Instruction

For those of you uploading video to your blogs on Drupal, you'll want to convert your videos to *.swf format before uploading. I found a FREE little utility that seems to do a great job of this. See the end of this post for a download link.

There are many other utilities you can get from this same company. I'd be interested in your reviews. Use the comment feature to let us know what you think.

When you install this software, be sure to uncheck all the options for the ASK toolbar if you don't want that installed. ASK.com is a good search site but I tend to avoid too many toolbars.

Jing is an easy-to-use screen capture utility. It produces *.png still captures and allows for easy *.swf flash file creation of narrated screen annimated movies. Jing is free but you can upgrade to Jing Pro for $15 a year.  http://techsmith.com/jing/