http://www.codeorgan.com/Default.aspx

Be sure to click on the About button to learn how the website content is being translated into music!

A good read for everyone:

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/21/technology/21password.html?emc=eta1

The description: A "plain English" explanation (digital story) of digital storytelling. Worth a watch to start the ideas flowing for how you might be able to make use of digital storytelling in the classroom.

The website: http://dotsub.com/view/f779c51c-8732-4df8-9836-b5b2df3a4fe4

The description: A short (3 minute) video introduction to Internet searching. For grades 3 and up, this would be appropriate to show to your class before they begin online research. In fact, it's very similar to the search introduction that Beth and I give to the 5th and 6th graders during library/computer. I would definitely use this as a starting point... because the cartoon/animation is eye-catching but clear.

The website: http://www.dangerouslyirrelevant.org/2009/08/im-not-good-at-math-im-not-very-good-at-computers.html

What it says: The personal computer has been around for about 30 years. For most of us, the Internet has been around for about 10 years. And yet we still have a sizable percentage of teachers and administrators who can barely work their computers. What does this say about us as educators? As employees of supposed learning organizations who purportedly are all about 'life-long learning?'

Is saying "I'm not very good at computers" the modern counterpart to "I'm not good at math" (both typically accompanied by a chuckle and a c'est la vie hand wave as if it didn't matter)?

The website: http://www.edutopia.org/ten-top-tips

The description: I attached the pdf to this post, but you can also visit the website above to download a copy directly from Edutopia. Some of the tips should look familiar because they are resources we've used at BHCS. It's helpful to be reminded of what's available as you make technology plans for the school year. Even better if you see something new that you'd like to try!

The website: http://www.shmoop.com/

The description (from the Shmoop website):

Shmoop will make you a better lover (of literature, history, life). See many sides to the argument. Find your writing groove. Understand how lit and history are relevant today. We want to show your brain a good time.

Our mission: To make learning and writing more fun and relevant for students in the digital age.

More description (from Julie):
Topics: Literature, US History, Poetry, Bestsellers, Civics, Biography
Well organized and fun to read material
The site is written more for older students, but it would be appropriate for middle school students or for teachers of younger students.

The website: http://www.edutopia.org/youtube-educational-videos-classroom

The description:
An article about using online videos in the classroom. Includes a brief YouTube primer and suggestions for other websites where you can find appropriate videos online.

The website: http://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=ddnzwcn8_15g3jrbpdf

The description:
A chart outlining three different tools for classroom collaboration (blogs, wikis, and Google Docs). General descriptions, benefits, and drawbacks for each tool.

Found via:
http://twitter.com/web20classroom/

The website: http://etc.usf.edu/lit2go/index.htm

The description (from the Lit2Go website):

Lit2Go is a free online collection of stories and poems in Mp3 (audiobook) format. You can:

• Download the files to your Mp3 player and listen on the go,
• Listen to the Mp3 files on your computer,
• View the text on a webpage and read along as you listen,
• Print out the stories and poems to make your own book.