EVERNOTE - Free notetaking app for your computer, your phone and your iPad.

Evernote allows you to easily capture information in any environment using whatever device or platform you find most convenient, and makes this information accessible and searchable at any time, from anywhere.

Website:   http://www.evernote.com             Cost:   Free
Evernote makes it easy to remember things big and small from your notable life using your computer, phone, and the web.

Getting Started Guide:http://www.evernote.com/about/getting_started/

Evernote is a free note taking app that works on any device; computer, phone, iPad, the web and syncs automatically. Because of the multiple ways you can capture information to make notes it is a must have classroom app.  If you have an iPad 2 with a Smart Cover, Evernote Peek is a free app designed to help you study, learn and strengthen your memory.  Learn how to get started using Evernote and Evernote Peek and discover powerful classroom application for teaching and learning with these free apps!

●

Drag and drop images into notes using the Evernote desktop client

●

Do a screen capture of content from your computer or the web using the Evernote desktop client

●

Create an audio note with your computer or mobile device

●

Snap a picture to create a note with your mobile device or computer webcam● Email notes to your Evernote account

Other ways to create notes:

GeoCube - World of Geography

Geo-cube

Geocube…… re-inventing the way to explore Geography and our Earth...

The world of Geography at your fingertips and just a mouse click away!

Geocube is an attractive online resource about Geography. Geocube is based on the principle of the Rubik Cube with six faces and 54 topics. It is a virtual and easily accessible website which is available online for free. Move the Geocube around with your mouse and explore the faces and topics.  Geocube provides an accessible way to read, see and watch what Geography is and geographers do. This is a European initiative developed by HERODOT, the European Network for Geography in Higher Education and is available to anyone who is interested in Geography.

Learning about Geography has rarely been more fun.



Great for Geography and/or
Earth Science classes



Be sure and click on "How to Use."  This is a very short video on how to move the cube around for information.  The six side general topics are listed below:

Under DOWNLOADS:  Click on the links for downloadable pdfs of all the Geocube content:
Geocube - All Content (54 topics)
Geocube - Living Together (9 topics)
Geocube - Earth from all Angles (9 topics)
Geocube - Shrinking Planet (9 topics)
Geocube - Fascinating Earth (9 topics)
Geocube - Exploring our World (9 topics)
Geocube - Useful Geographies (9 topics)

ClassTools.net

Create free educational games, quizzes, activities and diagrams in seconds!

Host them on your own blog, website or intranet!

No signup, no passwords, no charge!

Templates:

• Fakebook  Use "Fakebook" (looks like Facebook) to chart the plot of a book, the development of a character, a series of historical events, the debates and relationships between people, and so on!
• QR Game Generator [new!]  Get students using their mobile devices to move and to learn
• Arcade Game Generator  The Arcade Game / Quiz / Flashcard generator
• Random Name Picker  (Fruit Machine)
• Countdown Timer
• Twister - Create Fake Tweets (like Twitter)
• Keyword Checker
• Plagiarizr
• Dustbin Game
• Telescopic Topic
• Post It
• Diamond 9
• Fishbone (Ishikawa)
• Venn Diagram
• Animated Book
• Timeline
• Lights Out
• Target
• Hamburger
• Living Graph
• Learning Cycle
• Jigsaw Diagram
• Priority Chart
• Source Analyser

Diigo - Social Bookmarking and More!

Diigo - Social Bookmarking

Awesome cloud-based information management tool that enables users to collect, highlight, access and share a variety of information, on a variety of devices.





 

Website:    www.diigo.com

Cost: Free

Availability: Online

Use Diigo to:

• Save important websites and access them on any computer.
• Categorize websites by titles, notes, keyword tags, lists and groups.
• Search through bookmarks to quickly find desired information.
• Save a screenshot of a website and see how it has changed over time.
• Annotate websites with highlighting or virtual "sticky notes."
• View any annotations made by others on any website visited.
• Share websites with groups or the entire Diigo social network.
• Comment on the bookmarks of others or solicit comments to your shared bookmarks.

To learn more about how Diigo can be used as as information management tool, visit these pages:

• Diigo 101  - Student Learning with Diigo
• Social Bookmarking and Diigo

PicLits - Poetry

PicLits

PicLits.com is a creative writing site that matches beautiful images with carefully selected keywords in order to inspire you. The object is to put the right words in the right place and the right order to capture the essence, story, and meaning of the picture.

Images

Choose any image to create your PicLit—a photo plus words—by clicking on it from the carousel at the top of the home page or using the image featured on the home page. You can speed up the carousel by holding your mouse over the arrows at either end. If you would like to see all the carousel images at once, you can click on the "SEE MORE" link on the right side of the carousel.

Drag-n-Drop

If you need some extra inspiration for creating your PicLit, you can use the Drag-n-Drop customized keywords underneath the photo, kind of like refrigerator magnets.

• To create your PicLit, hold your cursor over any keyword or universal word.
• Click and hold to select the word.
• Drag the word to where you want it to be on the photo.
• Unclick to place the word.
• Once a word is placed on the photo, you may select capitalization and conjugation options from the drop-down arrow.
• If you change your mind about a word, you can just drag-n-drop it back into the keyword list.
• A keyword may only be used once in a PicLit. Universal words and punctuation may be used multiple times.
• If you want to erase all the words and start over, simply click on “New PicLit” on the right-hand side.
• When you are satisfied with your PicLit, click on the “Save” icon to save it to your account and have it appear in the Gallery. You can also email your PicLit to a friend or post it to your Facebook profile. In order to save or post a PicLit, it must have words on it.

Freestyle

If you would like more freedom with the creation of your PicLit, you can click on the Freestyle button to access the same picture with a text box where you can type anything you choose.

• Use your space bar and Enter key to position the words in the text box where you want them to appear on the photo.
• If you want to erase all the words and start over, click on “New PicLit” on the right-hand side.
• When you are satisfied with your PicLit, click on the “Save” icon to save it to your account and have it appear in the Gallery. You can also email your PicLit to a friend or post it to your Facebook profile. In order to save or post a PicLit, it must have words on it.

Blogs That Will Make You a Better Teacher

General Teaching Blogs to Follow...

Life-Long Learners!  We are!  Teachers are the prime example of this philosophy.  Every day there are new and exciting ways to integrate lesson plans and create inviting atomosphere in the classroom.  With the social media explosion, we can subscribe to Blogs and learn new useable ideas.  The following are some recommended Blogs for General Teaching. Subscribe to their blog by clicking on an RSS feed button and read at your leisure. Also, most Blogs now have Twitter buttons so that you can tweet the Blog.

Check out these teaching blogs that offer invaluable tips for everything in the classroom.

1. Teacher Magazine Blog : This is a great resource for teachers and provides links to webinars for creative teaching methods

3. World of Learning : If the relationship between education and politics interests you, you’ll be glued to your seat with this amazing blog that strives for innovative teaching methods.

4. New Tech Network Blog : New Tech Network works with districts across the country to bring forth a new wave of teaching in public schools. Read about their endeavors and philosophy at this blog.

5. Classroots : Written by a teacher at a charter school, this blog shows the new face (and possible future) of teaching.

6. Strive Together : This site stems from an organization making changes in Ohio public education, but their tactics and workshops provide something all educators can learn from.
7. Joanne Jacobs : This fantastic education blog touches on all aspects of the industry and will get you thinking.
8. Politics K-12 : If you’re a primary school teacher, bookmark this site for updates and news on policies that effect you.
9. Great Schools Blog : This non-profit organization aims to bring parents and teachers together for a better education experience for students.
10. Edwize : We love this blog because it incorporates some education policy alongside smart teaching techniqes.
11. Change.org – Education : From analyzing the purpose of certain college courses to teaching grade school teachers how to utilize technology, this blog touches on many aspects of teaching.
12. The Future of Education is Here : This site aims to prep teachers for the digital age of teaching.
13. Brainstorm – The Chronicle of Higher Education : This blog discusses higher education for the most part, but also touches on teaching techniques that work across the board, no matter what age you’re educating.
14. Edutopia : A busy discussion board and thought provoking articles will keep teachers new and old locked to this blog.
15. The Education Optimists : From Race to the Top news and predictions to improving classroom conditions in low income areas.
16. Set Our Teachers Free : Education reform and what changes should be made to the public school system is what you’ll find at this site.
17. A Teacher’s Education : The scoop on teaching straight from the source, with tips to improve your methods in the classroom.
18. Education Week – Teacher Beat : This site examines policies from around the nation and also touches on what districts are doing to improve student performance and test scores.
19. Moore On the Page : This teacher isn’t afraid to tackle tough topics and discusses classroom teaching experiences that can inspire and enhance your own techniques.
20. What It’s Like on the Inside : A fantastic blog for teachers who will can identify with the classroom chaos this blogger writes about and the great rewards it brings.
21. National School Board Association – Board Buzz : How to help students succeed and achieve their goals is what this blog is all about.
22. The New York Times – Lesson Plans : This blog no longer updates, but the archived stories of teachers chronicling their first experiences on the job still offer a fresh perspective that shows how education can improve.
23. Democrats for Education Reform : This site examines education policies, specifically the Race to the Top plan.
24. Eduwonk : Education reform and commentary from those in the system is what you’ll find at this blog.
25. The ASCD Community Blog : This blog provided information on pushing the boundaries of conventional teaching and hosts podcasts that will enlighten even the most seasoned teacher.
26. The Teacher’s Toolbox : Quick exercises to enhance student’s language and writing abilities can be found at this thoughtful blog.
27. Speed of Creativity : For the teacher that loves to be on the forefront of new techniques and technology, this blog’s for you.

28. Around the Corner : This blog focuses on the future of education through technology, but also discusses how to improve conventional teaching methods.
29. National Journal Online : Take a hard-hitting look at education reform and policies at this blog.
30. This Week In Education Penned by a former Senate education member, this site focuses on national education policy.