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Here are some great tools for students and teachers for taking/accessing notes - both on mobile devices and computers. I prefer using Evernote, but if I wasn't using a mobile device, I might consider using Google Docs as my 2nd choice.

Twitter lists according to subject area to subscribe to and follow as part of an effort to encourage the use of Twitter for Prof. Development and link to "10 Ways Teachers Can Use Twitter for PD"

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. 

When TED launched its educational website for younger students last week, I think teachers everywhere realised they had to up their game. The 3-10 minute videos are designed to encourage curiosity and show how the world works using compelling animation and the audible explanations of a gifted teacher.  Even if you're not in high school, the videos are sometimes fascinating, sometimes kinda strange, but generally very cool. Here are some of the best videos that are designed to amaze and challenge your brain.

Good look at the pros and cons of Cloud storage and 15 free tools to give any teacher more than enough storage. Many of these tools allow you to access files on computers and mobile devices that sync with each other, so you have the same version on every device. I have almost all of my files in cloud storage. My favs are Google Docs, Dropbox, Box, and Sugar Sync. I'm going to try another - Docuter (http://www.docuter.com/) that has 25GB of free storage.

 A safe way for teachers to text msg. students and stay in touch with parents - FREE. A quick tool for teachers to use. 

Socrative is a student response system that leverages the use of smartphones, laptops and tablets by having students respond to questions in various quiz and game formats. Almost instantaneously, student responses are populated and can be viewed by the entire class. No matter what format you use, Socrative is a fun and easy way for students to receive immediate feedback and for teachers to collect marks. Here is a nice tutorial:  http://youtu.be/EIn0FUzyDuE Here are some examples created by an English teacher you may want to import and try out:  SOC-256509 - Poetic Devices SOC-256496 - Types of Poems SOC-90777 - Short Story Terms #1 SOC-93415 - Short Story Terms #2 SOC-93503 - Short Story Terms #3

Jennifer Roberts, a veteran English teacher in San Diego, and a Google Certified teacher, shares how she approaches plagiarism with her students and uses the tools in Google Apps & Google Search to help curb intentional and unintentional plagiarism.

Catlin Tucker, Honors English teacher, shares: "The SAMR model (substitution, augmentation, modification and redefinition) explores the impact of integrating technology on both teaching and learning. It attempts to outline a progression that educators follow in their journey towards redefining teaching and learning with technology. I've used this model as a guide to identify where a particular lesson or activity falls on the spectrum of technology integration, but it does not  reflect the teacher's evolution." Read the rest of her post.

I like the reflective process this teacher is using to improve her teaching literacy to her students. The methods she is practicing and refining are in contrast to the "one and done" reading approach she mentions students practicing outside of class. A favorite quote in the reflection: "In my class we explore the why--the story behind history. Pace carefully and read closely, and students will discover the why--especially when they can discuss the questions they've had time to think about." Instead of the teacher "teaching" content, the students explore that content and find meaning for themselves that is relevant and connective to other learning experiences.

Will Richardson explores this idea: "By pairing personalized learning and technology, a teacher can help students learn what they need to learn through the topics that interest them most." How does "personal learning" fit into the structures we have in school learning environments? 

"Students and teachers are making trailers to do things like demonstrate their learning, explain vocabulary words, document experiments, preview novels or textbook chapters, summarize historical events and promote school activities. " Tony provides great tips on how to outline a trailer and student/teacher examples.

Kyle Pace, Google Certified Teacher and Instructional Tech. Specialist shares his insights into creating workflows in Google Drive with students. The most common methods used are #2 and #3 (Doctopus is another popular script that I like). However, another teacher shared another on you can view here ( http://goo.gl/Kuy3b9 ) that utilizes the idea of a digital portfolio. Using one of these methods is KEY to helping you and your students more effectively leverage Google Drive...and keep your Inbox a bit leaner from all of those file sharing notifications.

If you use primary source documents in your classroom, the Library of Congress Teacher's Page is a site you should check out. A part of the Teacher's Page is the primary source center. The primary source center walks teachers through the process of locating documents on the Library of Congress' site. The primary source center also provides guides for using various types of primary sources including political cartoons, photographs, and oral histories. Check it out!

66 percent of the students surveyed said they are bored on at least a daily basis in school, with 17 percent reporting that they are bored in every class.35% of bored students indicated that the source of their boredom was a lack of interaction with their teacher

Fantastic guide & tutorial on how to make videos on the web, provided by Richard Byrne, Free Technology for Teachers. "This guide was created for those teachers who would like to have their students make videos but don't have access to editing software and or video equipment. All of the resources in this guide are completely web-based."

Great reasons for blogging in the classroom. Vicki is an experienced Web 2.0 teacher and has many great ideas. Subscribe to her blog.

Interactive video tutorials in math & science - FREE accounts for teachers. Teachers can use them as part of a lesson to engage students. 

Looks promising as a no-cost, low-cost solution for teachers. The $10/year version allows for a student/teacher web portal. 

I would add, that these tips work for 1:1 coaching, as well.