85+ Cool Sites I Found In October Via Twitter Blogging & Technology by Joel Wagner - November 8, 2009June 30, 20102 I have been getting more and more into sharing information via Twitter recently. With 1,300 RSS subscribers, and only 850 Twitter followers, I know that not all of my readers are getting all of the links that I share. I thought it might be fun to share with you some of the links that I came across last month and shared on Twitter. If you aren't following me on Twitter yet, you should start: @sywtt Also, if you're on Google Wave and would like to add me, feel free! My address is soyouwanttoteach.com@googlewave.com 5 great resources to find out about Google Wave 5 Reasons Google Wave Is Not Ready 5 Step Change Strategy Five Technology Lessons Every Teacher Can
Google Wave Will Revolutionize Online Classroom Instruction Blogging & Technology by Joel Wagner - September 30, 2009June 30, 20105 Today is the day. Thousands of new users will be presented with the opportunity to get their hands on Google Wave. What is Google Wave? Google Wave is a brand new technology that positions itself as the way Email would have been made if it were invented today. (Watch the 1:20:12 long video clip) Imagine a combination between Email, IM, Twitter, Facebook, and Skype all bundled into one. Now imagine it being drag-and-drop easy, live-updated, and being constantly improved. Then throw on top of that an eager community of developers seeking ways to make it even easier to use and more powerful. Cool, but what does it look like? I haven't gotten my invitation yet, but am eagerly awaiting
9 Free Tools For Better Blogging Blogging & Technology by Karen Schweitzer - September 14, 2009July 5, 20163 In this article, Karen Schweitzer digs into some tools that blogging educators can use. She initially listed 15 in 2009, but 6 of those tools are no longer around. So now, enjoy 9 Free Tools For Better Blogging. Teachers and other education professionals who are interested in starting their own blog or integrating blogging into a classroom can find many online resources to improve their blogging experience. Many of these resources are free and easy to implement on a variety of platforms. Here are 15 no-cost tools to explore today: Edmodo - This free microblogging platform was created for students and teachers who want to be able to blog and share files through a private connection. Edmodo works a lot like Twitter--it allows threaded
Social Media Update: Become A Facebook Fan Blogging & Technology by Joel Wagner - September 5, 2009June 30, 20101 I don't use a whole lot of social media outlets, but I know a lot of my readers do. Over the last few months, I have added a few things to make sharing SYWTT articles easier. I've also added some rating type things where you can tell me how bad (or good) an article is. I find that Facebook and Twitter are by far the websites I spend most of my time on when I'm online. In fact, I mostly use Facebook at home and Twitter on my iPhone while I'm out. Up to this point, I have used them mostly for personal things. I have also noticed, however, that my use of Google Reader and other RSS type things
Building A Legacy Personal by Joel Wagner - August 11, 2009June 30, 20101 Legacy Main Entry: 1leg·a·cy Pronunciation: \?le-g?-s?\ Function: noun Inflected Form(s): plural leg·a·cies Etymology: Middle English legacie office of a legate, bequest, from Anglo-French or Medieval Latin; Anglo-French, office of a legate, from Medieval Latin legatia, from Latin legatus Date: 15th century 1 : a gift by will especially of money or other personal property : bequest 2 : something transmitted by or received from an ancestor or predecessor or from the past <the legacy of the ancient philosophers> My friend Junior writes: I’m proposing, my fellow Christian brother and sister bloggers, that we do a week of “Legacy Posts”. That is, a week of posts on topics important to us, that we wish everyone knew. Have you ever thought or said,
25 Free Apps And Websites For Tech-Loving Teachers Blogging & Technology by Karen Schweitzer - July 8, 2009July 10, 20164 This article was originally written in 2009. Some of the sites are no longer active, and there are undoubtedly newer and better sites and apps for tech-loving teachers now. Feel free to add them in the comments section. Whether you're looking for ways to incorporate technology into the classroom or into your daily life, the Internet has the tools you need. There are lots of free web apps and websites designed specifically for tech-loving teachers on a tight budget: VerbaLearn - VerbaLearn is a comprehensive vocabulary building site that uses audio, video, flashcards, and games. It is a great place for teachers to help students improve English vocabulary at home or school. Writewith - This free web app makes writing online
How To Use Twitter In The Classroom [VIDEO] Blogging & Technology by Joel Wagner - June 18, 2009June 30, 20100 I recently came across a video on TwiTip about Monica Rankin, a professor at the University of Texas at Dallas, who was using Twitter in one of her classes this semester. The video is below. I emailed Dr. Rankin to see if I could get some thoughts on the experiment following the completion of the semester. She told me that she is in the middle of several research projects presently, but she did send me to a page on her website that summarizes the experiment. The site also includes some other links of interest at the bottom. If you're interested in learning more, check out Some general comments on the "Twitter Experiment."
MusicEdMajor.Net Music Education by Joel Wagner - June 15, 2009June 30, 20100 Andy Zweibel (whom I've been following on Twitter for a while now -- @Zweibz7) just started up a blog specifically focusing on topics concerning Music Education students. The blog is MusicEdMajor.net. Andy is currently seeking contributors for the site, and I think this is definitely a worthwhile endeavor. Hopefully we can get in touch with some music education professors and those who have influence in the music education world to try to get more people on board. I know a handful of musicians and music teachers are subscribed to my blog and I hope they will give Andy some encouragement, links, and just send people his way. I also would like to add that he has chosen a very nice,
30 Twitter Tips for Teachers Blogging & Technology by Karen Schweitzer - May 26, 2009August 4, 20163 There's no question that Twitter is a wonderful resource for building your personal learning network. If you've never used Twitter before, have no fear. Karen Schweitzer is here to get you up and running in no time with 30 Twitter Tips for Teachers 30 Twitter Tips for Teachers Twitter can be a great resource–if you know how to use it. Here are 30 tips for teachers who want to learn how to use Twitter to network, teach, and share information: Determine your purpose Before spending any amount of time on Twitter, you should decide what you want to get out of it. Do you want to meet people who share your interests? Do you want to promote something? Do you want to update
27 Classroom Management Secret Weapons Classroom Management by Joel Wagner - May 20, 2009May 29, 20160 The results to my most recent Twitter poll (what is your classroom management secret weapon?) can be seen over at Miss Cal.Q.L8's blog. Be sure to go check out 27 Classroom Management Secret Weapons. While you're at it, subscribe to her blog and leave some comments.
Why I Teach: Twitter Poll Inspiration by Joel Wagner - April 30, 2009June 30, 20108 This morning, I asked my Twitter and blogging friends the simple question: Why do you teach? While most of the responses came in via Twitter (limited to 140 characters), some also came in through the comments. What I found in my nonscientific cross sampling of technolgically literate teachers was interesting. If you missed out on your chance this morning, feel free to add your own comments below! Without any further formalities, here were the responses: @flourishingkids I teach because I love cultivating the joy and efficacy of learning @kaferico I teach because is my vocation and passion. There is never a dull day. My goal is to make every day an A-HA! moment for my students. @flotoonie To use tech
Twitter And 35 Other Ways To Kill Productivity Personal by Joel Wagner - April 28, 2009June 30, 201010 Here are some quick things that you can do with now that will help you fall further behind in your workload. MySpace Facebook Check your email Edit your blog design Check your blog stats Catch up on RSS Watch TV Watch a movie Take a nap Drive around aimlessly Daydream Window shop Listen to music Take a walk Go to the park Go out to eat with friends Spend your lunch break talking Call a friend Call your mom Read a fiction book Read a magazine Fly a kite Sort your clothes Watch a baseball game Play a video game Surf the internet Read blogs Write in your blog Write an email Text Chat Comment Blog Sign up
Twitter Guide for Teachers Blogging & Technology by Joel Wagner - April 12, 2009June 30, 201014 Also be sure to check out the guest post 30 Twitter Tips for Teachers When I first read Mashable's article 10 Ways Twitter Will Change Blog Design in 2009, I was a bit reluctant to buy in. I mean, I had heard of Twitter before. I even got a Twitter account way back over a year ago. But I didn't really explore it much, and I didn't see the point. But as I read the post on Mashable and its comments, I began to see that Twitter was something I should begin to explore much more in-depth. I have come across a few resources about Twitter for teachers lately that I thought you might enjoy. Nine great reasons why
Recession 2009 And Its Impact On Teaching Why Teachers Quit by Joel Wagner - March 23, 2009June 30, 201027 When I entered the field of education, I was well aware that I wasn't going into teaching because of the prolific amount of cash I could accumulate from the career. I entered education basically because it's a good thing to do and it's something that I absolutely love doing. Last week, I posted a question about when the right time to relocate to a different teaching job might be. I received some great responses (in the comments, through Twitter, and in email). However, some of the comments sort of caught me off guard. A few of the comments referenced the Recession of 2009 as being a reason I might want to stay in my current teaching situation (despite the social
Information Overloaded? 10 Quick Tips To Tame The Tide Stress Reduction by Joel Wagner - March 16, 2009June 30, 20102 Think back 5 years. March 2004. It feels like an eternity ago! For me, that was when I really hit the wall. That was when my head director told me that my contract would not be renewed. I resigned in lieu of nonrenewal. I spent the remainder of the semester learning like crazy. In fact, that is the experience that eventually formed the inspiration to begin this blog (read more here). But that's really not the point of this email, the thought just struck me and I realized how quickly time passes and how much I've grown since then. 5 years ago, there was no MySpace (until August 2003), no Twitter, no Facebook. Nada. Blogs were beginning to take off