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Concise definition of self-directed learning, six bullet points, and a nice infographic of self-directed learning. An important point mentioned: "One of the misconception about self-directed learning is that learners learn in complete isolation from others while in fact the core idea behind SDL is that learning is driven by intrinsic motivational factors  stemming from the learners own desire to learn and drive his/her learning experience beginning with recognizing a need to learn."

Glogster is a great tool for having students create collages of information they've found and or created. Students can combine videos, images, text, and audio into one online display that can stand alone or be embedded into a blog, website, or wiki. For example, Civics students can create Glogster "glogs" about the candidates running for political office this fall.

Excellent direction & examples of how to build an award-winning sub plan. May be too much for some, but you can pick & choose the elements you would want to use.

Shelley Terrell pulls together some great Skype resources. The embedded video is amazing on the how to of using Skype.

A guide from Microsoft on developing information literacy skills. I'm going to use some of these ideas in an upcoming training & with students in the classroom.

"The Commons is a great place to find images that are free of copyright restrictions. But, if The Commons doesn't have what you or your students need for a multimedia project, here are seven other places you can try your search."

"Own Your Space is a free, sixteen chapter ebook designed to educate tweens and teens about protecting themselves and their stuff online. This ebook isn't a fluffy, general overview book. Each chapter goes into great detail explaining the technical threats that students' computers face online as well as the personal threats to data that students can face online."

"Collaboration is the real step to education transformation. When we gather to produce, our ideas, talents, and skills embody our final outcome. Each person who participates has the ability to add full attention to the designated task versus one person spread thin over several tasks. Collaboration is also important for students who will have to work with others in some capacity to be able to problem solve or brainstorm."

A blogpost by Will RIchardson speaking to how  the last 10 years have brought to life a way of thinking about education that is decidedly different from the lens we originally carried into the classroom. For many, this has been a real transformation, not simply a shift in methods or pedagogy. For others, they're still waiting, but for what?

Step by step instructions on how to back up your blog & files, and why to do so.

A ten-year teaching veteran and a California regional Teacher of the Year, Heather Wolpert-Gawron's musings on educational policy, curriculum design, and daily school life can also be read at www.tweenteacher.com. I wanted to post a list that talked about how to "use" technology in the classroom, but I found myself revising that word "use" to the more general word, "model."

From my Google Voice inbox I can reply to text messages and the other person never sees my real cell phone number. Furthermore, it's free for my to send text messages back to anyone who texts via my Google Voice number. Watch the short video below to learn how this works. This YouTube playlist walks you through many of the other Google Voice features. On a related note, Wes Fryer recently wrote a post with detailed directions on how to send text messages from a Google Docs Spreadsheet.

This Google Chrome extension helps you better manage the amount of time you spend on FB and other social sites. It will actually lock you out of visiting the sites again until the next day (or a time you select). Sounds like a good way to build self-discipline.

Students can create their own sounds & music and avoid copyright issues.

3000 BBC clips divided into secondary, primary and by subject:

These are some of the very best resources not just on Thanksgiving, but the settling of the American Colonies. The first three links provide text, activities, videos, etc. that will provide ample material for K-8, especially. The Crash Course video is more for older students.

Well thought out, step by step instructions on how to share folders in Google Drive. Thanks to Alice Keeler, Google Guru...great for using with both Ss & Ts.

Vicki Davis models student transparency to improve her teaching, using a discussion format and parent surveys.

Nice, short video tutorial on how to search for publicly shared Google Docs, Slides, Presentations, & lesson plans.

"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.