A Quick Look at Yahoo's Sketch-a-Search App

Yahoo has announced that its "Sketch-a-Search" app, as well as a more generic Yahoo Search app, are now available for download in the Apple iTunes App Store.

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The WorldWide Telescope

The WorldWide Telescope has so many rich features that it is difficult for me to explain. You can download this program to your computer - and, yes, it is free. As the download site states:

"The WorldWide Telescope (WWT) is a Web 2.0 visualization software environment that enables your computer to function as a virtual telescope—bringing together imagery from the best ground and space-based telescopes in the world for a seamless exploration of the universe.

Choose from a growing number of guided tours of the sky by astronomers and educators from some of the most famous observatories and planetariums in the country."

Watch this TED talk that introduces the World Wide Telescope to get a better idea of what it is. Then, download the program and have some fun. It really puts a perspective on our place in the universe.

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Update on William Skaggs Scooter Drive

In an earlier post, we wrote about the drive to buy a scooter for handicapped Dillon's employee William Skaggs. One of our own online instructors, Chad McCluskey, is spearheading this fund raiser.

KEYN is working to raise the final $2000 needed for the scooter. They announced this morning that they are 1/2 way there! The goal is to raise the money this week.

Mail donations to:

William Skaggs Fund
Don Hall
c/o KEYN radio station
2120 N. Woodlawn, Suite #352
Wichita, KS 67208

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Web 2.0 Projects Book

You can download a free PDF of this book by clicking on the title below or the graphic at right.

"At last! The Amazing Web 2.0 Projects Book!

• 87 projects.


• 10 further resources.


• 52 applications.


• 94 contributors.


• The benefits of using Web 2.0 applications.


• The challenges of using Web 2.0 applications.


• How the folk who ran these projects handled the issues...


• ... And what they recommend you do if you run them.


• What were the learning outcomes?"

There are a lot of great ideas in this book. The higher ed and adult listings begin on page 75, but some of the other information is applicable in all of education.

And did I mention that this is free?!

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Tech Tools for Interactivity

I attended this webinar, Tech Tools for Interactivity, and came away with a number of great links to investigate. You can view the entire presentation in the Classroom 2.0 archives. The audio is not good but the content is excellent.

Additionally, I was surprised by the presenter. Andora Svitak is a 12 year old who is the youngest person to be featured in a Ted Talk (later this year). You might want to attend the webinar just to get the viewpoint of this young presenter.

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Let's Help Butler Online Instructor with this Drive!

William Skaggs, a handicapped employee at the Augusta Dillon’s store, needs a new scooter! William has, for years, driven a golf cart to his job at Dillons. Because of new legal requirements of the State, William can no longer drive his golf cart on city streets to and from work.
Chad McCluskey, a Butler online instructor, is spearheading a drive to help William purchase an electric scooter. A fund has been established at Emprise Bank in Augusta. You can mail donations, payable to William Skaggs Fund, to:

William Skaggs Fund
Don Hall
c/o KEYN radio station
2120 N. Woodlawn, Suite #352
Wichita, KS 67208

Thanks, Chad, for supporting such a worthwhile cause. Click here to read more about this story
Pictured above from left are Safety Officer Chad McCluskey, William Skaggs, Dillons Manager Cameron Colvard, and William's mother Martha.

Here is a picture of the scooter he hopes to buy.

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Eight Great Software Freebies

Here is a good article on Eight Great Software Freebies. I am already using Chrome as a browser and like it...and am definitely going to try PrimoPDF.

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The future is here!

Take a look at the new eTourage eDGe! This computer opens and reads like a book. It has a Kindle-like reader on the left side of the screen and a web browser on the right side. It will be marketed with the college student in mind. It has already contracted with two major textbook publishing companies to support their ebooks. Now students can read the text while having ANGEL up and running at the same time. Take a look at the review...it isn't perfect yet...but it isn't far away!

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Google Tools

This article shares some cool tools in Google. I am still in awe of the Wonder Wheel...but these are some good ones too. The Fast Flip, LIFE Photo Archive Google Books are my favorite. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.

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Pinnacle Studio Ultimate Version 12 Software with Complete Training DVD

Thanks to Eddie Andreo for letting us know that the Woot Deal of the Day is a great price on Pinnacle Ultimate v.12 for $39.95 plus $5.00 shipping. This is the old version of the software but it is powerful and this is a super price. And, the fact that this deal includes the training video makes it an added value.

This Pinnacle software will allow you to readily convert all of those old family videos into movies. "Simply drag and drop your video clips and still images to preview your movie - and watch your content come alive, complete with Hollywood style multi-layered effects, animated graphics, titles and Hi-Fi audio."
"When you are finished, archive your video memories, publish them on YouTube, or enjoy them on DVDs and portable devices."

If you miss out on the Woot Deal of the Day, check out Pinnacle Ultimate v.12 on Amazon. It is selling for as low as $42.95 with $3.95 shipping. This does not include the training video, though, which sells for $49.95, making the Woot deal awesome!

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Free Dunkin' Donuts Coffee

"Okay, so this post has nothing to do with technology or instruction, but it does contain something free that I think a lot of teachers will enjoy. Dunkin' Donuts is offering free samples of their ground coffee for home brewing.

All you have to do to get your sample is register here. If you're a coffee drinker and you've never had Dunkin' Donuts coffee you're in for a treat. Act fast before the freebies are gone.

Thanks to Fred Delventhal for the heads-up about the free coffee."

From the Free Technology for Teachers blog.

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Cisco to Make Significant Internet Networking Announcement Tomorrow

According to the Cisco site today: "Cisco's next innovation will help service providers prepare for the future by delivering anywhere to anywhere experiences."

Media wire states, "Cisco will host a live media, blogger and industry analyst webcast Tuesday, March 9, at 8:00 a.m. (PST) to make a significant announcement that will forever change the Internet and its impact on consumers, businesses and governments.

Media, industry analysts and bloggers can register to attend at
http://event.ciscowebseminars.com/clients/cisco/nextgenerationinternet.
The same link will provide a replay of the webcast approximately four hours following
the live event.

Interested parties can also attend one of three public webcasts on Tuesday, March 9, by registering here: www.cisco.com/web/go/possible ."

Nothing in this post should be considered personalized investment advice!?!

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These Blocks are so Cool!!

I am sure all of you played with blocks as children. In this intriguing TED talk, blocks take on a whole new meaning. "MIT grad student David Merrill demos Siftables -- cookie-sized, computerized tiles you can stack and shuffle in your hands. These future-toys can do math, play music, and talk to their friends, too. Is this the next thing in hands-on learning?"

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The Rise of the Tablet

You may have already heard of the Apple iPad coming out later this year...but this link will show you 9 other companies who are about to launch a similar product.

I have been reading a lot about the new mobile devices and the future of publishing companies offering college textbooks through them. Another shift in how students learn is about to become reality...

We're not that far from the Jetsons... :-)

Here is the article:

http://mashable.com/2010/02/06/tablets-rise/

Here are the nine new products:

http://mashable.com/2010/01/27/9-upcoming-tablet-alternatives-to-the-apple-ipad/

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