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Blog that encourages the use of multimedia to engage students. I like the "Free Resources" section on "Student News" and "Digital Storytelling". Some good ideas for students to do news shows. 

"Robotics CEO: 12-Year-Old Whiz As Smart As Ph.Ds" - curiousity fuels this students creativity and passion. Check it out.

New templates for several new game formats. Definitely want to use some of these.

The most recent issue of the 21cif Information Fluency newsletter. Feel free to join! Low volume news letter dedicated to searching, evaluating and ethical use of digital information. Includes an invitation for free access to our new 3 hour self paced training course and online assessment: Information Fluency Investigator 3.1.

Ready for the next generation of textbook creation that utilizes good pedagogy? Imagine a living, breathing, dynamic textbook that offers different assignments for each individual based on their learning styles, allows for student-created work to be posted and featured based on accuracy/creativity votes and having students all around the world discuss content and share resources in real time through an integration with Google's new social networking service Google +.  Imagine all of this in a new dynamically changing interactive living 21st Century textbook ecosystem. Brain Mannix  would like to use the Blackboard/Collaborate platform as an engine to bring students and teachers around the world together to make this happen. Check it out!

Video explaining the concept of augmented-reality - that is, how with mobile technology, we have a new lens to see places and products in a new way.

"Both of these apps can be used by students without creating any kind of new online accounts. Neither one is entirely perfect, but they're both quite good." - Opinion is an iPad app & recordings can be saved to Soundcloud & Evernote. StoryCorps is available for iPhone and Android devices, and is good for interviews.

Now you can send files up to 10GB from Google Drive in the new compose mode in Google Mail (Gmail). This is a huge plus for sharing large files with others without having to use Dropbox, Box.net, etc. that have file size limitations (Free versions). 

Great informational text for students - discussion and literacy across the curriculum.

A new style of interview that could become more the norm. Check it out!

Nice explanation of MOOCs. This is a new wave in online learning and professional development. It emphasizes the power of networked learning, as well.

Resume style blog for educators - new teacher

The fear of failure keeps us from moving forward in an age of rapid change. This quote below summarizes some of the feelings teachers have as they face this change: "As I read this morning's daily post from Seth Godin's blog,  the concerns of people who are anxious about the transition we will be undertaking as we move to becoming a 1:1 school are forefront in my mind.  One of the biggest fears I hear from some people is that they are concerned about losing control control due to the fact that they will not know how to best utilize all of the tools that they will have at their disposal.  They are afraid that their students may know more than they do in regards to using the new tools that they will be trying to implement." 

"You can get 80 percent of higher education online for free, so why would you spend $300,000?" http://t.co/vBLNg80GFF #edchat - MOOCS - open education is making a move into the educational markets

"Can computers really grade essay tests? The National Council of Teachers of English say "no," even if there is new software that says "yes."" Read the pros and cons in this article and judge for yourself. Can software do an ADEQUATE job of grading essays?

"Whether you're a new or seasoned Twitter user, you likely come across confusing hashtags that probably look like a bunch of nonsense." This post has hashtags grouped very well for educators and how to use hashtags properly. 

Fascinating book on a new pedagogy for the 21st century teacher and learner. Will we continue to ask students to work in an environment of scarcity, both in resources, but also in the learning process, which is locked up by testing and standards? Check it out!

Although the first paragraph can be a little grating for ITs/Tech. Coordinators to read, I think it is a perception we must address. Here is my response to one IT whose view of teachers was low. Joe, I can hear the frustration in your reply. I can appreciate some of it. However, I think that the first paragraph,  I think, reflects a perception that we as IT's/Tech. Directors/Coordinators need to address honestly, but respectfully. So when I read the first paragraphs, I asked myself, "How is this true for me?" I think we need to honestly assess that in our practice.  Next, the points that follow were written to be more general in scope to give each reader a chance to explore how they might fit for them in their unique situations. Patronizing? I think they are points of practice we can all reflect on. That's the purpose I see in the blog post. In regards to filtering, we all live with it. It's coming to terms with how much filtering is necessary and how to manage the filter. I get frustrated not having the ability to filter content the way I would like. I didn't hear the author say things like "Get over it," but instead "Consider....". I think a helpful approach for IT's, teachers, and admin. is to form a partnership/relationship that allows each to better understand the needs/challenges each faces to provide the best for students. That's the goal. As a tech. coordinator, I proactively work at that. I taught for eight years, but also was instrumental in helping press into tech. integration and perhaps that has helped me to be more balanced than some in my approach to IT and embrace change. I think also we have to expect failures along the way as we feel our way through new approaches, methods, and devices. Right now, I think most IT's are a bit intimated by the level of change and diversity of needs we have to address. I know I am! Let's become more a part of the dialogue and abstain from labeling and finger-pointing. We're in this together. 

iCivics has just released its seventeenth educational game for students. The new game is called We The Jury. We The Jury puts students in the role of a juror for two trials. Looks like a great activity for students. I would also use it and have discussion groups. Those using an LMS with online discussions or Collaborize Classroom, this would be a great online activity for interactive discussions.

Wonder what the Gettysburg Address might look like on Twitter? Check this out! Fun thing for U.S. History teachers and others just as a way of discussing the impact of social media.