Techie+Teacher

Cool Tools for Techie Teachers

 * = Google Custom Search Engine ||= Google For Educators ||= Bookmarks

ReadBag ||= Back To School Templates ||= Fonts || Digital Imaging programs ||= Graphics ||
 * = Google Calculator or Dictionary ||= Printing webpages ||= DPI Web Resources ||= Photo Editing
 * = Convert Microsoft Office Documents to PDF ||= Maps & Map Tools ||= Screen Shots ||=  ||= Calendar Making Tool ||
 * = Create your own Wiki to use in your Classroom ||= [|Technology Integration Matrix] ||= Microsoft Word ||= Microsoft Excel ||= Microsoft PowerPoint ||
 * = Sound Effects ||= Alarm Clock ||= Webmaster Tools ||= Case Converter ||= Compressing graphics in Microsoft Office documents ||
 * Royalty Free Resources: Music and Images || Flashcards Makers ||  ||   ||   ||

= = =**[|Google Custom Search Engine]**= One of the 'coolest' features of Google is the ability to create your own custom search engine. When you want your students to do some research, you can specify which websites you want your students to be able to search from. After creating the search engine, give the URL that will be created to your students, or add it to your website. Using this tools allows students to make better use of their research time as they will only get appropriate 'hits' to their queries.
 * Note:** Your technology facilitator is always available to create customized search engines for you. Just ask. Search engines created in the past include:
 * [|Biographies]
 * [|Inventors and Inventions]
 * [|All About Soils]
 * [|Nifty Fifty United States]
 * [|NC Animals]
 * [|The Moon and Our Solar System]
 * [|Famous Black Americans]
 * [|Researching US Presidents]
 * [|North Carolina]
 * [|Simple Machines]
 * [|Authors and Illustrators]

= [|Google For Educators]= Another **Google** feature is Google For Educators. This guide gives basic information on how to use 12 of the Google products and examples of how educators are using them as well as lesson ideas.

=[|Google Search Features]= Look at all the things Google can do for you.

= =

=Backup your Bookmarks= =[|Delicious.com]= This social bookmarking website is easy to use and access. Upload your Favorites and then add future bookmarks one by one without having to reupload. You can tag your bookmarks to make them easier to find in the future. You can also choose to share some or all of your bookmarks with others. =[|iKeepBookmarks.com]= Upload your Favorites/Bookmarks to this website and then have access to them from any computer anywhere that connects to the Internet. You can also download your bookmarks to any computer you use in the future, such as having been assigned a new computer, or after a crash. You have to register, but it's free. Directions on the website are easy to follow, but need to be modified a bit for staff using NHCS networked computers.

= [|ReadBag]= = = Have you ever come across a website at school that you don't have time to read but would like to later? Readbag.com is the website for you! After signing in with your Google account (they're free!) you enter the URL of the website you'd like to read later, a name, and comment (if you want). Then when you have time, you log back in and click on the saved link. It's kind of like making a bookmark that you can access from anywhere.

= = = [|Back to School Templates]= from Microsoft Office - calendars, lesson planners, flash cards, power point templates.....

= Fonts = //Free font resources// - You will need your tech. facil's assistance in loading these on a school computer. Please keep documentation from which site you downloaded the free fonts.
 * ===[|1001 Free Fonts]=== || ===[|Blue Vinyl Fonts - freeware fonts]=== ||
 * ===[|Cool Text Fonts]=== || ===[|Font Face]=== ||
 * ===[|Divide by Zero Fonts]=== || ===[|Fonts 101]=== ||
 * ===[|Free Fonts - style: cursive]=== || ===[|Free Fonts - style: handwritten]=== ||
 * ===[|Handwriting (printing and cursive) Fonts]=== || ===[|High Fonts - Free Fonts]=== ||
 * ===[|Rebecca's Font Page]=== || ===[|ScrapVillage]=== ||
 * ===[|Web Page Fonts]=== ||  ||

= = =Graphics= //Free graphics resources for students and staff.// Pics4Learning is a copyright-friendly image library for teachers and students. The Pics4Learning categorized collection consists of thousands of images that have been donated by students, teachers, and amateur photographers. Images in this collection may be used by teachers and students in print, multimedia, and video productions. These could include, but are not limited to, school projects, contests, and web pages with the express purpose of improving student educational opportunities. Each photo (when you click on it) also has information that can be included in the student's bibliography. You //too// can contribute photos to Pics4Learning. If you have photos that students could use in projects, consider adding them to this wonderful resource. This website has over 17,000 free to download and use clipart images. You can search for clip art by keywords or browse through categories. AutoMotivator is for making posters. You choose the picture (can upload your own), colors, and text. You can print the poster or resize and use it on your website. Students could use this website to illustrate vocabulary words.
 * ===**Pics4Learning** - [|http://www.pics4learning.com]===
 * ===**Gif.com** - [|http://www.gif.com]===
 * ===AutoMotivator: []===

= = =Use Google as a Calculator or Dictionary= To calculate: Type in your equation in the Google search box and press Enter or the Google Search button. To get a definition: type "define: //word you are looking up//" and press Enter.

= Printing Some, Not All, of a Web Page= There are two ways to print only some of what is on an Internet page instead of the whole web page which may be many pages long when printed. =Turning ON/OFF Background Printing of a Web Page= By default, when you print a web page in Internet Explorer, background printing is off. On occasion, you may want the background to print. One such example is a report in mClass.
 * 1) Select just the text you want to print. From the print window, select 'Selection'.
 * 2) Select and copy the text you want to print. Open a word processing document and paste. Then print when done. This is a great way to take notes!

To enable the printing of background color and images go to **Tools>Internet Options...**
 * [[image:InternetOptionsWBkgrnd.jpg]]

In the **Internet Options** window that opens, scroll down to Printing and click to add a check mark to the box next to **Print background colors and images**. Click OK. || ||
 * To turn off the printing of background colors and images, return to Internet Options and take off the check mark from //Print background color and images//. ||

=Convert Microsoft Office documents to a PDF=

//At school, use the **PrimoPDF printer**.//
//Away from school, try these online tools.// [|Express PDF] - upload your Word document. You will be emailed your document converted to PDF. https://www.pdfonline.com/convert_pdf.asp - converts Word, Excel or Publisher documents. You will be emailed the pdf file which you can then upload to your website.

=Picture Manager=

**Picture Manager and Teacher Web: How to Get from Point C (camera) to Point W (website)**
 * Print out the directions for using [|Picture Manager]
 * Directions for editing photos for your website and then how to upload and add them to a web page on Teacher Web

= = =[|Gimp]= Download this free software for photo editing.

=[|End of the Year Slideshows - Kick 'em Up a Notch]= This blog, written by a classroom teacher, has great tips for making the end of the year slideshow.

=FotoFlexer =

[]

After uploading your photo, you can perform the following functions: Click **SAVE** when done and save the image to your computer. //This is a good source for blurring the face of a student whose photo cannot be published.//
 * Basic:** Auto Fix, Fix Red Eye, Crop, Resize, Rotate, Flip, Adjust, Contrast
 * Effects:** Blur Edges, Blueprint, Neon, Grayscale, Invert, Painting, Cartoon, Pop Art, Bronze, Sepia, Old Photo
 * Decorate:** Stickers, Text, Glitter Text, Draw, Erase, Fill, Grab Color, Insert a Face, Fun Cards, Borders, Poster
 * Animations:** Stars, Lovies, Stickers
 * Beautify:** Smooth, Sharpen, Fix Blemishes, Smooth Wrinkles
 * Distort:** Twirl, Bulge, Pinch, Stretch, Squish
 * Layers:** Add Images, Duplicate
 * Geek:** Smart Resize, Smart Recolor, Smart Cutout, Smart Scissors, Curves, Morph, Webcam

=pikifx.com =

[|http://www.pikifx.com]

Resize and Crop, Add creative effects, Add borders, and Add creative text to photos. You can download the photo to your computer or email it to someone.
 * Note:** The Resize option does not compress, so the photos may still have a large file size for web use. However, you can easily bring it into another program and compress. Teachers can use Picture Manager for this if they don't have Photoshop Elements.

Teachers may like using this because there are creativity options they don't have with Picture Manager.

=How to take a Screen Shot=

What is a Screen Shot? It is a way of taking a picture of some or all of your computer screen. Sometimes you may need to "take a picture" of some or all of your screen to include in a document - maybe to help demonstrate what a user will see on his/her computer. This is easily done on both a Macintosh and Windows computer.

Hold down the Print Scrn button (after the F12 key at the top of your keyboard). You won't see anything happen, but a picture has been taken of your whole screen and is now being help on your invisible clipboard. All you have to do is paste it where you want it. Use tools such as those in Word to crop/resize your screen shot graphic. To take a screen shot of just the open window (the one on top if you have multiple windows open), hold down Alt while you press the Print Screen key.


 * //Go here for directions for Windows, Macintosh OS X and OS 9//**

 [| www.eprintablecalendars.com]
Create and print in different sizes calendars for individual months or for the whole year.

= Sound Effects =

Songle
[|http://soungle.com] All kinds of sound FX and musical instruments samples. Add to slide shows. All sound effects and samples are royalty free for downloading.

= Maps and Map Tools =

Google: My Maps
Integration ideas include mapping sites mentioned in a book (i.e. Make Way For Ducklings), marking stops on the 3rd grade "Tarheels Go Walking" tour, and pinpointing locations of community helpers in your community. Besides marking spots on a map, you can add text and even photos! You will need to create a Google account to use this feature.
 * My Maps - Google Maps User Guide** - http://local.google.com/support/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=68480

Gmaps Pedometer
[|http://www.gmap-pedometer.com] Use this online tool to measure distance on a map. Would be great for seeing where and how far your class will walk while on a flied trip like "Tarheels Go Walking".

quikmaps
[|http://www.quikmaps.com] Draw lines and label locations on a Google map using mouse cursor. Then share map by forwarding the map URL or embed it in a blog or webpage.

=KuKu Klok: Online Alarm Clock Program= Use your computer as alarm clock. Set the alarm time and choose one of the available alarm sounds and click “Set alarm”. Once the alarm is set make sure that your internet browser remains open. [|http://kukuklok.com]

= Webmaster Tools =

Upload images (.gif, .jpg, or .pgn) and turn them into animated gifs. Make a mini 'slide show' of several photographs and add it to your website. Make animated text to add to your website or a PowerPoint Presentation.
 * ===[|gifmake]===
 * ===[|TextAnim 2.0]===

Upload photos to this website and it will optimize (compress) them for your webpage or email. This free tool is a great option if you don't have photo editing software. (At Parsley, Picture Manager can do this.)
 * ===[|Web Photo Resizer]===



http://caseconverter.com/
Paste in text (like something typed in ALL CAPS) and the free online converter will convert it to either lower, upper, proper or sentence case.



Compressing Graphics/Images in Word and Power Point - Reducing File Size
When adding graphics and images to Word and PowerPoint, they can lead to a large file size. To reduce the size/compress your graphics, follow these simple steps. **1.** Select one of the graphics in your document.

Pictures tool button.
 * 2.** The Picture toolbar will open. Click the Compress


 * 3.** In the Compress Pictures options window, select the All pictures in document radio button. Click OK.


 * 4.** A message will come up telling you "...may reduce quality... Do you want to apply...". This is ok. Click the Apply button.

These directions are also explained on this Compressing Graphics page.

 =Royalty Free = = = When using music in school projects, copyright guidelines state: "Up to 10% of a copyrighted musical composition but no more than 30 seconds" may be used. However, the 10%/30 second rule only applies to classroom instruction and student projects. It does NOT apply to slideshows you create and burn to CDs to give to students and parents. Look for and use royalty free music for these projects. View this [|web resource for a list of royalty free music] and images..

Learn more about Copyright Law by visiting Parsley's [|Copyright and CopyWrong].

 =Flashcard Makers = [|Quizlet] This is a great resource for helping students learn vocabulary, math facts, or study for things like Battle of the Books. After registering (for free), add the information for each flash card. Each user will also need to register to see the flashcards you've made. To share your flashcards with others, change your set’s availability by clicking “Edit” on the set page. You can choose to make your set available to “Everyone,” “Just Me,” or “Only Certain People.” Create a group for your students. Flash cards can be used in different modes: familiarize, learn, test. There are also 'games' you can play to help you study. Users can keep track of their study progress. You can also generate photocopy-ready flashcards for in-class distribution.

[|Flashcard Maker] - from Scholastic Choose the math or Words category and begin making flashcards. Practice online or print them out. I don't believe you can save and return to flashcards you've created.

[|Flash Card Machine] Requires (free) registration. Students will also need to register to use. Students can create their own flash cards to help them study. Teachers can create flash cards for their students and build customized pages for each of their classes to better organize their cards. This resource also has audio flashcards.

[|Flashcard Exchange] Free registration allows you to create and share flashcards. Flash cards can also be images. To share your flashcards, email or post the URL of your public home page (created when you register). Upgrading to a full membership allows you access to other features like downloading flashcards to your iPhone.

[|Cramberry] Register (free). create cards online, and study them. Cramberry tracks your progress, and help syou focus on the cars you're having trouble on.

[|Muchobeets] After (free) registration, create an unlimited number of flash cards and then share and study flash cards with your friends. Add and edit as you study.

[|Study Stack] Teachers and students enter either text or numerical data and then create flashcards, crossword puzzles, matching games, word searches, and other study games for any subject area. All of these games can be shared via email or embedded into your blog or website. They can also be downloaded to Palms, iPhones, etc. You can even Tweet your Study Stack.

[|Knowtes] Joining the Knowtes community requires an invitation. If someone has invited you or shared a Knowtes deck with you, all you have to do is visit the link in the email you received to accept your invitation. After creating a deck of flashcards, you can embed your decks on your own web page. When using the flashcards, the Knowtes Adaptive Learning Engine adjusts based on how frequently you have to study cards and on how well you do on them. Cards you already know by heart are shown less frequently. You can also Add decks to your Library.

[|FunnelBrain] This flashcard resource is different than most online flashcard makers. Flashcards can include a "third side" to a flashcard that contains the explanation for the answer to a question. You can also include videos, audio, and pictures. Flashcards can be shared with other users. NOTE: FunnelBrain.com only supports FireFox 3.0+ and Internet Explorer 7.0.