Google Sketchup has been around for a while, but there are some very good uses for this in the classroom.  This tool allows users to create 3 dimension items with relative ease.   Uses can be found in almost all subject areas.   Click HERE for a PDF of uses in the classroom.   Sketchup may be downloaded at: http://sketchup.google.com/

As I was preparing for a summer workshop today I realized that many people probably don’t know how to save videos from sites like Youtube and Teachertube.   Those two websites stream video in .flv (I believe it a flash player) format.  This format is not compatible with Windows media player.

Zamzar.com

• This site has you enter the Youtube URL into their webpage, and then e-mails you a link to the converted file FREE.  I usually use the .avi or.mpg formats.  Unfortunately it won’t convert (yet) to .wmv.

There are other free sites and downloads available to do this conversion, but so far zamzar is my favorite.

 I was introduced to a new site called Readthewords.com.   It allows you to upload a word or pdf file and then converts the text into audio.  It can be downloaded in MP3 format for podcasting or just listening on a computer.  Probably some practical uses can be found for ESL and lower performing reading students.    It does require the creation of a FREE account.  

You have probably heard of Google Earth/Sky and maybe Microsoft Virtual Earth.  Well, our friends at Microsoft have released a beta version of a new software piece called WorldWide Telescope.   It uses images from sources such as the Hubble to fly you around the cosmos.   Looks impresssive.  Possibly useful for an earth and space science class.   Here are the links for all the sites listed above.

http://earth.google.com

http://www.microsoft.com/virtualearth/

http://worldwidetelescope.org

I came across an interesting site which teaches vocabulary and helps feed the starving.   The site is called freerice.com.  For every word you define correctly you gain 10 grains of rice which will be donated to the UN World Food program.   The words vary in difficulty.  I tried it out myself, and actually got stumped on a few.   Great little exercise for Language Arts class.

As many of you know there are many tools now available for students and teachers to assist them in citing sources and creating bibliography pages.  You may not know that Office 2007 has a tab on the top toolbar called “references” which assists you in creating citations.   Formats include APA, Chicago, and MLA.   I’ve used a few times myself, and I have to admit it beats using the writers reference book.

There are also some web-based tools available as well.   Many of you may be familiar with The Citation Machine but I recently was introduced to bibme.   Similar to citation machine but more user friendly, in my opinion.

Feel free to check them out and post your comments.  Also, feel free to post other useful sites as well.

Enjoy

A friend of mine from the  Wilson School District told me about a site called Diigo.   It is a social bookmarking site like delicious (if you know what that is) but it allows many other features such as highlighting webpages, and adding sticky notes that are saved on pages that you visit.   This has some real possibilities for student and teacher research.   Haven’t played with it too much yet, but plan on it in the future.   Try it out and leave a comment on the blog.  Here’s the link:  www.diigo.com.

NBC News launched an interesting site on Monday called ICUE.   The site uses NBC News archives to allow students and teachers to research current events topics.  The current focus on ICUE is the 2008 elections.    Check it out at www.icue.com.

NBC News has another site for the education community called Hotchalk.  This site also uses video archives to allow students and teachers to research information.  Topics include science, the election, and women’s studies.   Check it out at www.hotchalk.com.

Hello,

The CFF post survey window opened on May 5, 2008.   There are two different surveys.   One survey is for teachers only, and  the other is for one of your classes to take (if possible the same class that took the pre-survey).

The teacher survey can be found at http://cff.psu.edu/teacher

The student survey can be found at http://cff.psu.edu/survey

Your teacher CFF ID will be needed for both surveys.   Let Mr. Schmaldienst know if you need your CFF ID.

Welcome!

This blog will be an information center for Classrooms for the Future information.  I also hope this blog serves as a collaboration tool between teachers.   Feel free to post comments and questions.