Promethean has released a new browser toolbar.  It allows you (with the creation of a free membership at www.prometheanplanet.com) to easily access resources that you can use with your Promethean Interactive Whiteboard.

Here’s the link:  http://www.prometheanplanet.com/server.php?show=ConWebDoc.4830

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/

 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.  

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.