The Chemistry Collective is a collection of virtual labs, scenario-based learning activities and concepts tests, which can be incorporated into a variety of teaching approaches as pre-labs, homework, and in-class activities for individuals or teams.

Site is great for audio applications and distributing audio via cloud "SoundCloud is a platform that puts your sound at the heart of communities, websites and even apps. Watch conversations, connections and social experiences happen, with your sound as the spark."

Designed to assist teachers to help their students, Microsoft offers this a free 37 page ebook entitled Developing Critical Thinking Through Web Research Skills. The ebook presents strategies for teaching Internet search skills and strategies for evaluating information. The ebook also links to many additional resources for teaching web search strategies. There are strategies and resources appropriate for students from in early elementary grades through high school included in the ebook. AOf course it has many references to Bing and other Microsoft products, but overall it is a good resource.

This is a 120 page guide to using digital storytelling tools in your classroom. The guide offers clear directions for using tools like Audacity, Google Maps, Photo Story, VoiceThread, and other digital media creation tools. Silvia's directions are aided by clearly annotated screenshots of each digital storytelling tool. It also provides a good explanation of digital storytelling in general and the benefits of using digital storytelling in your classroom. You can download the ebook for free on Lulu. You can also purchase a paperback copy of the book for $8.50.

Quick classroom podcasting direct from your students with an ipad or mobile device- post from Nik Peachey

Live webcam of the penguin enclosure at Edinburgh zoo. Great at the moment while it's covered in snow.

Assessment, Teaching and Learning

Assessment doesn't have to be a big deal that causes anxiety on the part of both students and teachers, as often happens in the end of unit or end of year exams. In fact it can be carried out as part of the normal classroom routines, so that a teacher can be constantly checking to see that students are understanding the concepts.

A blog post where the author invited Gautam John, who works with Pratham Books, to write a guest post about their social publishing strategy where he briefly touched upon their use of Creative Commons licenses. In this post, shares more about how his organization uses Creative Commons licenses and why he thinks it is important for your organization to consider it

A good resource, showing creative commons media sources for audio, images and video

A good resource, showing creative commons media sources for audio, images and video

In Autumn 2009, the George Washington University's Center for Innovative Teaching and Learning studied a world history class of 262 students to find the answer. The answer isn't simply "yes or no" - it depends on the student's learning style, gender and motivation.

An interesting post on the blog: Spotlight on Digital Media and Learning

Free quiz maker for educational use

Quizmaker that is frese for education use

In this issue we present articles that push the boundaries of research on digital cultures, teaching, and technologies in fruitful and generative directions.  Researchers and practitioners in this issue present case studies and analysis of practical classroom use of copyright literacies, learning management systems, mobile/cell phones, social video, Twitter, and Google Reader.  The articles demonstrate how the affordances of digital culture have shifted our understandings of how pupils learn as content can be accessed, designed, and shared.  Despite the affordances of digital culture, teaching and learning-with and through digital technologies-requires effective pedagogy.  Digital technologies are not 'teacher-proof' tools; they require thoughtful and thorough integration into pedagogy, in a manner that reflects carefully articulated instructional and learning goals

The Digital Literacy in Canada discussion paper is a response to the Government of Canada's Digital Economy Consultation, launched in May 2010. The paper calls for federal leadership in the creation of a national digital literacy strategy to ensure all Canadians have the necessary skills to use digital technologies to their fullest potential. 

Post from Wes Fryer. An overview of StoryKit, StoryRobe (both free), and SonicPics (small cost) on iOS devices (iPhones, iPod Touches, and iPads)- Some great apps for creating digital stories