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I want to point out one of the first blogs I ever read and one I've continued to read since I started building my PLN in 2005 -- Stephen Downes is one of the best resource sharers on the web. He's widely read and interjects his opinions and big picture issues into the conversation. I highly recommend that though leaders and researchers subscribe to his daily updates via RSS or email.

The US national association for journalism educators is the JEA. As you seek to improve and level up your journalism program at your school, this site has many resources for you to use. "The Journalism Education Association is the largest scholastic journalism organization for teachers and advisers. Put simply, we educate teachers on how to educate students."

If you've integrated sliderocket (now becoming ClearSlide) into Google apps for edu, you'll no longer have Google integration or free accounts past the end of the year. Sliderocket was acquired by clear slide. "Thank you to everyone who has inquired about SlideRocket's free educational initiative through Google Apps. As the integration of SlideRocket into ClearSlide has progressed, it has become apparent that a shift in our approach toward educational accounts is necessary and appropriate. Specifically, due to both technical and practical reasons, we will no longer be integrating with Google Apps or offering free educational accounts beyond the end of the year."

Prezi is a fun online presentation program used by many teachers and students. Here's a link to a great tutorial to get you started along with tutorials and other information about how to use this in the classroom.

Google presentations is another alternative for presentations online. This can be collaborative (unlike some other options) and track changes, however, is a less beautiful version of Keynote/ Powerpoint. Google presentations has made dramatic improvements recently as evidenced by these templates that you can use and modify. If you're going to use Google presentations, I'd recommend starting with a template so the attractive features are already set for you.

This is an interesting article from the Guardian's teacher network about running an independent newspaper using a Grammar school as a case study. I thought this quote is telling: "The key to the success of the newspaper is to establish a trust relationship with the students involved so that they know the boundaries of their independence and know where their responsibilities lie. The editorial team is appointed and led by the editor in chief, a student selected by an interview with me and the outgoing editor."

As you review the best of the best, peruse the best college newspapers of 2013 as ranked by the Princeton review. Have students and prospective journalists review these sites and look at the articles that are the most engaging and active. Online media is often about the reshare - what type of stories are people willing to share and discuss. Online papers are sort of a focus group for what interests people. Hope this list gives you some discussion points for your newspaper organization.

Booktrack gives you a way to read a book while listening to a soundtrack. I mentioned the research study in a previous bookmark / link. This is something librarians and literacy leaders should test and try out for themselves as it is a fascinating tool and potential. There are a thousand questions I have about this but plan to try it for myself.

Yes, this study was funded by Booktrack (a 2011 study), however, I find that the information is fascinating. By setting sound tracks of different mood music, this study showed: *Virtually all subjects performed moderately to significantly better on information retention tests. * Subjects reported a strong correlation with interacting with the enhanced platform and an ability to focus. There are other results on this, but I find this fascinating and find this a very interesting point to consider as ebooks evolve. Will ebook authors attach music to different pages? Will reading become more cinematic and theatrical? All kinds of interesting thoughts here.

The Twitter chats in education are compiled on this document including chats for each day of the week. Find a chat and join in - anyone is welcome (except trolls who want to take it off topic.)

This interactive infographic would be a powerful tool to use as you discuss where wind energy can best be harnessed in the US. It is an interactive wind map of the US. Great tool.

There are now books with the most compelling infographics. INfographics are being recognized as compelling, moving media and catalysts for change. Organizations that need support and use social media should develop their ability to use infographics with finesse and students should know not only how to create them but how to interpret them.

ONe of my student's favorite programs is Comic Life. If you want to do great comics without a drain on the bandwidth at your school, this is the software you should consider.

Another cartoon maker. It looks a tad more complex but is an option for making comics. I like that it introduces the term "scene" narration" and the thought of having 2 people with dialog, so if dialog is important to you, this would be a good free comic maker.

There are some GREAT books on Emotional intelligence, but Debra Sanborn, Program Director at Iowa State University, is using an emotional intelligence assessment as part of the "toolbox of assessments that she relies upon for identifying issues challening students in the first weeks of college." She says that EQ has an 85% predictor rate of success in college. The EQ-i assesses 5 aras: interpersonal, intrapersonal, stress management, adaptability and general mood." Who is using this in high school? I read a book on this to help my two kids with learning disabilities but if there is a test or profile that would help us with these kids - to develop emotional intelligence, then we should do it. Life success is SO MUCH MORE than test scores! Hate that we have to have a "test" to measure this one - although the result is more an indicator of a person's behavior, albeit self-reported.

Great resources with all types of activities and resources for your classroom.