Create Wall Posters from your School Printer

Take any photo or image from the web and create large wall posters from it. Upload to BlockPosters then download the resulting PDF that will print out in pieces on your school printer. Get poster-size graphics without having to use a plotter-style printer.

http://www.blockposters.com

Learn It In 5

Nice collection of videos aimed at teachers; learn about new technology for use in the classroom in bit-sized 5 minute pieces.  Whether introducing a new concept or expanding on what you already know, these step-by-step how-to videos are worth looking at.

http://www.learnitin5.com/

Wolfram Alpha

Wolfram Alpha is a computational knowledge engine which means that when you search a topic, you get exact answers instead of millions of websites to sift through.  You can search for specific terms or you can put in an equation to solve for example. 

Examples:
Click here to find the results of searching for a 30 sided polyhedron.

Click here to find the results of C major 7th chord.

Click here to find the results of searching for an exact longitude and latitude.

Digital Media and Literacy

Canada's Centre for Digital Media and Literacy is a very useful site for teachers and students.  Lots of resources for staff, and some good online student quizzes/games to introduce different topics of digital literacy.
http://mediasmarts.ca/digital-media-literacy/educational-games

Texting with your Class

Remind101 seems like a really nice option for communicating with your class and parents via SMS (text messaging). No need to share your cell # with students. Very simple web interface. Works in Canada.

www.remind101.com

YouTube without the Clutter

Great way to show YouTube videos in your classroom without all the distractions that surround the video (comments, suggestions, etc).

Copy/Paste the URL of the video you want to play (web address such as http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ulvv3YdtNs&feature=plcp)

Go to http://viewpure.com/ and paste the address...click 'Create'

You'll have your video play in a clutter-free new window!

If that link is not working, another site to use is SafeShare.  It works in the same way as ViewPure.

Update: Desktop/Laptop Refresh

After a lengthy RFP process, LPSD has selected HP to provide the technology for our upcoming desktop and laptop refresh.  Here's the details:

-          Teachers will have 15.6in HP 4530s 6GB RAM + 2 Power Adapters

o   http://goo.gl/8hePE

-          Desktops will be HP 6300 6GB RAM with 21.5in LED Display

o   http://goo.gl/iL8u1

-          Middle School/LCHS will have new 28 bay carts

o   http://goo.gl/9a0D0

-          ES Laird is pilot and will be installed October (awaiting delivery timeframe from vendor)

-          More detailed information on process for converting your school will be determined as part of the ES Laird pilot, but overall process will be similar to following:

o   Pre-Hardware Order Walk Through with School Admin + IT Dept to determine current computer quantity and assess required quantity

o   Order Hardware

o   Pre-Delivery Software Review of all custom software at each school to determine Windows7 compatibility and recourse if necessary

o   Review of Onsite Rollover Process whereby we’ll flip your school ‘live’ with low/none downtime for secretary staff

-          Information on refresh such as Image Software List and Project Updates will be made available right here on the LPSD Technology Blog once we get underway at ES Laird

Scale of the Universe

Scale of the Universe is an interactive animation that easily allows the user move a slider to zoom in and out of objects to see their relative size.

Easel.ly: Share Visual Ideas Online

Easel.ly:  Drag and drop a vheme (Visual Theme) onto the working area, easily add graphics and text, change backgrounds to create visually appealing graphs, charts and displays.  This site is very user friendly.  Work can be saved using the free sign up feature.

Soundcli.ps

Soundcli.ps is a free sound library which allows you to save files for future use.  If you set up a free account you can store your clips in your account and use them for different types of presentations.  If you don't set up an account, you still have the ability to download these short sound clips.  There are over 10,000 sounds to choose from.