RIF Reading Planet December 6, 2011
Posted by Katrina Gormley in : Web Resource , add a commentThe RIF (Reading is Fundamental) Reading Planet Book Zone webpage is not only a fun place for kids to visit, but also a great place for parents and teachers to find out more about books. Students can also become a member of the “Reading Planet Club”, for free. This membership allows students to:
- Vote on what goes into the Reading Planet website.
- Get a sneak peek at contest and new features on the Reading Planet!
- Track their reading!
- Get an eCard from RIF on their birthday.
- Answer monthly Sound Off questions and be entered into drawings to win prizes.
A great website to help encourage young readers. Check it out!!
SIRS Issues Researcher November 8, 2011
Posted by Katrina Gormley in : MeL Database Review Series, Useful Stuff, Web Resource , 1 comment so farSIRS Issues Researcher is a new database we now have access to. This database will be a great resource for students doing research on popular current social issues. (Click here for a listing: SIRS_Issues)
There is a link to this database on the Montabella Jr/Sr High Media Center webpage:
The main page offers users the opportunity to search by subject headings or by using a keyword/natural language search. Users can also choose to search all content, images, maps, news, or the Pro/Con section.
This database also features the “iThink Tutor” resource, which helps students with the process of picking, researching and writing on a topic. The “iThink Tutor” walks students through the following aspects of working on a research project:
- Picking a Topic, Analyzing their purpose and their audience
- Gaining Basic Knowledge
- Selecting a Focus
- Understanding Fact vs. Opinion
- Evaluating Sources/Identifying Bias
- Drawing Conclusions/Supporting Evidence
- Applying Knowledge/Audience Appeal
There are several advantages to having your students use a database such as this over simple internet searches. Most notably, this is a reliable, accurate resource … the materials found in this database have gone through an editorial process, have been checked for accuracy and are referenced. The second reason you should encourage your students to use these resources over simple Internet searches, is that they will be able to do their research on controversial issues without being denied access to information by the filter.
Some other features worth noting …
- All materials within this database include a MLA citation that students can copy and paste into their works cited page.
- Users can use advanced (Boolean) searching if they wish.
- The site will read to students if they need stuff read to them, it will even translate for our foreign friends.
- The site also includes a dictionary, thesaurus, world almanac and maps.
- There is a built in “Notes Organizer” found under the Educator’s Resources. This “Notes Organizer” is an interactive/printable way for students to organize the information they are finding. Students can save this and other aspects of their search session for up to 30 days.
I encourage you all to check this resource out. I think it will be an excellent resource for our students to use when doing research. As always if you have any further questions about this resource, or would like me to give your class a brief introduction to it, please let me know.
Happy Computing,
~Katrina
Going Back … October 18, 2011
Posted by Katrina Gormley in : How To , add a commentToday’s tip is a short one, but one I myself just recently learned!
You can use the Back Space key on your keyboard to go back one page when browsing the Internet, instead of using the back button. Try it … it really works!!
Happy Computing
~Katrina
Converting/Saving YouTube Videos to your Z Drive October 11, 2011
Posted by Katrina Gormley in : How To, Web Resource , add a commentClick on the link below for a step-by-step direction sheet which will walk you through the process of converting and saving a YouTube video to your Z drive, and then how to attach that video to a PowerPoint presentation.
Converting Saving Videos/Adding to PowerPoint
Happy Computing,
~Katrina
Readability Calculator October 4, 2011
Posted by Katrina Gormley in : Useful Stuff, Web Resource , add a commentHere’s an awesome tool passed on to me from Mr. Maltby … visit http://www.online-utility.org/english/readability_test_and_improve.jsp to find a readability calculator. (This resource is also linked on our “Lesson Plans and Curriculum Resources” page, a sub-page of our “Teacher Resources” page. http://www.montabella.com/departments/media/lessonplan_curriculumresources.php)
Copy and paste, or type in text; click the “process text” button, and the calculator will give you all kinds of information concerning the readability of your text, including: number of characters, number of words, number of sentences, average number of characters per word, average number of syllables per word, average number of words per sentence, and the grade level based on several different scales. A great tool to use when choosing reading assignments for your students. Check it out!
~Happy Computing,
Katrina
Explore the World of Insects — Bugscope September 27, 2011
Posted by Katrina Gormley in : Web Resource , add a commentIMDB (Internet Movie Database) September 20, 2011
Posted by Katrina Gormley in : Mobile App, Useful Stuff, Web Resource , add a commentAnother free app for anyone with an iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, Android, or Windows Phone 7. AND, for those who don’t have mobile devices, information available on the web at http://www.imdb.com/.
The IMDB (Internet Movie Database) contains a wealth of information on movies and television. You can look up any movie, new or old, for detailed information and use the categories: Coming Soon, Box Office Results, Top 250 Movies, Bottom 100 Movies, Best Picture Winners, etc. You can even search by keyword (on the web). This could be a great resource if you’re looking for something in particular to help reinforce a topic you are teaching.
Happy Computing,
~Katrina
Common Core Standards App …. for FREE!! September 13, 2011
Posted by Katrina Gormley in : Mobile App, Useful Stuff , add a commentWell, hopefully I was able to peak your interest when I mentioned in the title that the app was free. Free is almost always good.
MasteryConnect has created an app that is available on iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, and Android that allows users to look at the Common Core Standards by subject area, and then by grade level. The app is super easy to use and provides descriptions of each standard. If you have one of these mobile devices, check it out … search the App Store or the Android Market for “Common Core” and download it now!
~Happy Computing,
Katrina
Welcome Back September 6, 2011
Posted by Katrina Gormley in : Uncategorized , add a commentWelcome back to what is going to be an AWESOME year at Montabella!! Again, the Tech Tidbits blog will be bringing you little tidbits of information related to technology on a weekly basis — occasionally there may be more than one tidbit per week if I find something super exciting that I really want to get out to you quickly. Not every post will be something everyone can use, but I try my best to be sure there’s something for everyone at least some of the time.
If you haven’t done so already, sign up to receive our blog posts via your email — that way you won’t have to remember to visit the blog each week. The link to subscribe is on the right, under “Links”.
~Happy Computing,
Katrina
Keeping Your Data Private and Secure June 2, 2011
Posted by Katrina Gormley in : Uncategorized , add a commentThis week I’m simply passing along an article to you that I recently read in the Spring/Summer 2011 issue of the MACUL Journal, entitled “Do’s and Don’ts for Keeping Your Data Private and Secure”. This article covers some basic “common sense” things we all already know, but sometimes forget to do, and it also covers some other “not so common sense” things we should all take to heart. Click the link below to read the article.
~Happy Computing,
Katrina
Keeping_Data_Private_Secure
