I listened to the podcast of the "Tech Chick Tips" by Anna and Helen, two teachers from Texas.
This was their 80th episode. Their first topic was about websites that had great calendar resources. One website they mentioned is makeuseof.com, this link will take you to the website that they talk about in the podcast. They mention resources on the website such as bighugelabs that allows you to easily make calendars using pics from flickr or facebook. Other resources for calendars they mention are blogguidebook that has a really cool colorful option for a calendar. If you're looking for a small calendar check out grafish - they have an ultra small calendar.
The next thing they talked about was using Video through Google Docs, the girls mention that it lets you embed video like youtube, and if you make slideshows, the videos are easy to use with your presentation.
If you're technologically challenged, or just want some help with making videos, http://vimeo.com/videoschool. Anna and Helen talk about how you can use this to publish and embed videos as well, and they are also lesson on lighting and camera gear, how to shoot, how to edit, and DIY videos on how to set things up.
-They also mentioned how it would be a fun idea to let kids use the website to learn the basics of videography, it's becoming easier and easier to produce videos these days so it is becoming important that students know how to use technology.
Something interesting they mention is the Mac App Store , it works like the itunes store according to the girls and when you download things, they will tell you when there is an update - not unlike when a person downloads things from itunes.
A resource that i'm happy they talked about is Tagxedo since we just dealt with this for our assignment for this week. Let me just say, I LOVE Tagxedo, it is a great resource! I mentioned it a bit in my prior reflection, it is a site in which you can put in the URL for a website and make a word cloud out of the words on the site, or type in your own words. The cool thing is though, they have tons of shapes to choose to put your words into... Anything from stars and squirrels, to music notes, and trees. You can even choose words such as "Love" and make your tagxedo appear in the shape of the word Love. Another cool thing is when you hover your mouse over a word within the Tagxedo, the words get bigger and are emphasized.
One more resource that sounded really cool was knowword, a fun game for students that is "game of quick thinking, smart decisions, and smart words, there is a 1 min time limit, the definition of the word is listed and the first letter of the word. You have to guess the word and then type the word and submit it. The best part is you can play the game without ever signing up. Anna and Helen recommend it saying "it’s a great filler game".
Overall these "tech chicks" offered some great resources in a fun and spunky way. Though it's just a podcast, you definitely get vibes of their quirky personalities and tell that they love technology. Annnd they mentioned they especially like it when people like their facebook version of their site, if you have a facebook account just look up "Tech Chick Tips" and like them! :) I know I did!
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