IST Today

Master Google: OK, we all use it, but make sure you know how to search like a pro. Here are a few ideas that will really help: 1. Make a custom RSS feed. First, search a topic, click "news" then "sort by date" then click "RSS" on the bottom left. Copy and paste the new url in your RSS aggregator (like Google Reader). 2. Limit searches by domain or geographical origin. After your search terms, type "site:" search followed by either domains ("org" or "edu") to search for only those sites OR use a country's two-letter code to return news items only from that country. 3. Use the "options" feature after a search. This will give you access to valuable applications such as the "Wonder wheel" or "Timeline." Try it! These are just a couple of the many hidden search features that Google offers.

This is a collaborative VT from three different classes across the United States (2nd graders from Utah, 9th grade English students from Colorado, and 5th-6th grade music composition students from Texas). This VT is an example of the power of collaboration using technology. This encompasses art through words, visuals, and music.

The following websites are loaded with helpful information that new teachers will appreciate. Valuable for experienced teachers as well.

The goal of the online community, said IB Director General Jeffrey Beard, is to "create the ideal community and technology platform for ensuring that students and educators at IB World Schools can safely communicate, collaborate and learn with their peers regardless of geographic, cultural or language differences.

There are dramatic changes taking place that seem likely to change our experiences with books and reading. They include: pre-publication "wikified" collaboration, electronic delivery, open licensing, increased author-reader and reader-reader conversation, shared annotations, and more. Join this amazing panel as we peer into the near and long-term future of the reading experience.

Welcome 5th Graders! Let's Chat! has discussions, VoiceThreads, podcasts, pics, and more

Organisation for the 21st Century Learning @ Hong Kong Conference is progressing well behind the scenes. Some of the original invited speakers have been reconfirmed whilst others have now been replaced.

Somebody should attend this conference.

Integrating Promethean's ActivClassroom--a suite of educational technologies that includes an interactive whiteboard, teaching software, and student response systems--into instruction can raise student achievement by an average of 17 percentile points,

Important summary of how social media works for youth and adults, and how five properties and three dynamics have a systematic affect that we all must deal with.

Great collection of images with messages.

Discussion and exploration of A New Day for Learning, which showcases model programs that engage students in the array of learning opportunities inside, and outside of, the classroom. You'll walk away from the webinar with lesson plans, best practices, and tips you can implement in your school, your school district, or your community. Read more at the post-discussion page.

archived webinar

archived webinar

We do have to prepare them for research in media that is current for our times and one they most likely will use as as their primary source for gathering information as they grow. Are books still your PRIMARY source when YOU gather information? In our elementary school we are using the following search tools :

This year, I'm focusing on some ideas and technologies that I believe will impact everyone. These things will surely influence library users and nonusers alike. My biggest concern is how can libraries respond in turbulent economic times. So, here goes. In 2009, librarians, information professionals and libraries will be touched by:

Teachers can make better use of data when they work together than when they go it alone. But creating the conditions for such collaboration is a tall order.

As we increasingly move toward an environment of instant and infinite information, it becomes less important for students to know, memorize, or recall information, and more important for them to be able to find, sort, analyze, share, discuss, critique, and create information. They need to move from being simply knowledgeable to being knowledge-able.

Complete anonymity and data security through SSL-VPN technology. Can be used ANYWHERE over any wireless or wired network.

In the new global economy, with many jobs being either automated or "off-shored," what skills will students need to build successful careers? What skills will they need to be good citizens? Are these two education goals in conflict?

Breaking news happens daily in my classroom, where I've taught my students how to be in the know. The students gain this ability when they construct their personal learning network (PLN) at the start of each project.