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* This brief article provides an overview of Creative Commons relevant to educators. While copyright laws provide some provision for educational uses, materials (e.g., texts, videos, audio, images, etc.) released under one of the Creative Commons licenses are actually much easier to incorporate into course content. Rather than just linking to a source, you may have the licensed right to incorporate and edit the material directly

host Talking Photos and Talking Slide Shows right on their Facebook Fan page. Easy to install and customize, the Talking Facebook Fan Page app lets fans create, share, "Like," and comment on voice-enhanced photos. 

Homeless children and youth are arguably the most forgotten population when it comes to education. Since 1989, the National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth (NAEHCY) has been an advocate for equitable services from public schools for homeless youth. Additionally, their website states that it has encouraged "strategies for effective instruction, pupil services, and research." Visitors unfamiliar with the main piece of legislation in place for educating homeless children and youth can read the full-text of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act under the "Legislation and Policy" tab. Users may also find the "Higher Education" link, also under the Legislation and Policy tab, to be informative about how the Higher Education Act has "the potential to assist these youth to graduate from high school, apply for and access postsecondary education, and complete their degrees." A link to the related resource "NAEHCY PowerPoint Library - Unaccompanied Youth" can be found in the right corner of the page. Valuable information about how unaccompanied homeless youth can successfully fill out the Free Student Application for Financial Aid (FAFSA) is also available in the "Higher Education" area

 I asked students to write in Google Docs and then share their papers with me so I would also be able to view them online. Instead of scribbling marks in the margins of printed papers, I opened each student's paper in Google Docs, highlighted text and inserted comments to clarify my thoughts, and then turned on the screen recorder (Jing) to record my voice as I scrolled through the paper and pointed to items with my mouse. Right after recording, I uploaded the finished recording to Jing's companion hosting site, and then I simply copied and pasted the link to the recording directly into the Google Doc. It was slick like butter.

Todd describes how he solved the problem of having to give a presentation in a room that doesn't have a projector. He uploaded his presentation to SlideShare, then created a QR code that points to the presentation. He then printed an image of the QR code and will make that available to the audience. Those attendees who have smartphones can point to the QR code and go right to the presentation on SlideShare. For step by step instructions, see Todd's article on Social Times.

Since the economic downturn began I've noticed much more interest in open source Learning Management Systems (LMS), and it's no surprise that when people ask what the options are, the answer is usually Moodle. Now, there's nothing wrong with Moodle, but it certainly isn't the only open source LMS out there. Because there is no licensing cost involved with open source solutions, its easy for organisations to just jump in and set up the first solution that comes along. There is however a cost to installation and support, either financial or time related. Anyone setting up an LMS has a responsibility to research and choose the solution that is right for the learners and the organisation.

Welcome to the Desmos Calculator! Use this calculator for graphing, for calculating, for sharing, for creating. Look on the right for help or inspiration. 

Jaron Lanier's article in the NY times. --- Adding to an already rich life, my father decided in middle age to become an elementary-school teacher in a working-class neighborhood in New Mexico. To this day, people who run grocery stores and work on construction sites, and who are now in late middle age themselves, come out when I'm visiting to tell me how Mr. Lanier changed their lives. Go up to any adult with a good life, no matter what his or her station, and ask if a teacher made a difference, and you'll always see a face light up. The human element, a magical connection, is at the heart of successful education, and you can't bottle it.

The classroom of the future features face-to-face, online, and hybrid learning. And the future is here.

Nice quick and fun reference

"Just this week I was getting the lowdown on Smart Lenses, something a lot of people were buzzing about at CES earlier this year. And now…voila. They're here, courtesy of our friends at Photojojo. And yes I am getting one. Because, wow."