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One of my main goals many months ago was to become an "expert" on Google Tools and maybe even apply to go to the Google Teacher Academy (GTA)......however, I have not been as good on that goal as I would like to have been. My realization was the workshop Rick Weinberg put on today for area educators on Google Tools.

Rick created a Google Sites page (Google's wiki service) with YouTube videos showcasing many of the Google Tools and then gave the participants time for questions and more discovery of these tools. Some of the things that I learned today:

 iGOOGLE!!! I'm hooked, might be my new homepage. I have Plurk Mobile, Twitter, CNN, Delicious and Ping.fm as a few on there now.

Has me wondering about using Blogger instead of Edublogs (I still seem to have problems in here with Edublogs).

Neat stuff in Google Labs with Trends.

Of course, Google Earth and Sky.

IE Tabs with Firefox to convert over the Internet Explorer if your having trouble opening something in Firefox like.....Oh I don't know GoogleReader, GoogleSites or Lotus Notes. Looks like it is only for Windows machines, however- I could really use that for my MacBookPro.

Thanks Rick for your insight.....and PATIENCE!  Anyone else have a favorite Google Tool? I do like building a custom search engine and also like to work more with Google Sketchup!

Last week I was thinking about, "What are the top 3 things I've learned or used this summer?"

I'm excited about the new school year and getting in to help teachers with technology, but I thought I'd try to rank the top three things that I could think of.

#1.  Phonevite     

I'm trying to talk my wife into using this service, you can call up to 25 people at one time, for free*!  She has a class of 13.  I believe it is a long distance call, however (818 number).  I have sent only 2 calls to small groups so far.  However, how cool for teachers to create their classes into groups, then send out info once a week about the upcoming week/projects/homework/tests.  Whatever you want.  I'm really liking this site.

#2.  Plurk       

I know, big surprise here.  I have used it a great deal (some would argue too much) this summer to build a network of people to give and share ideas with.  I miss it when I'm in districts and wonder how well I'll keep up with it now that my schedule is getting more packed and school is starting?!?!

#3.  NECC2008 San Antonio      

I could've picked a few things here, but went with my NECC trip.  First of all, we had a few of us go down and that made it very nice because there were people who I work with and could bounce ideas off of right away!  I burnt myself out a little the first day trying to hit all of the workshops, but it was great.  I do wish I would've gone into the Blogger's Cafe more and introduced myself to more people, but overall, incredible experience.

 Photos courtesy of JingProject.

Like I've said many times, I've been very blessed, and this job, working for CA BOCES is one of them.  This summer I've been able to just go "hog wild" exploring sites, trying different things and looking to find things to use in the classroom.  I've been to NECC,  Albany, NY for a DATAG workshop, High Schools New Face, Saratoga Springs for NYSMS, Franklinville Tech Camp and a week with Sheryl Nussbaum-Beach!

Now, back to school and I need to regain a little focus.  I will be working one day a week as a technology specialist at Hinsdale Central School helping teachers with technology in the classroom.  I will be looking to help with data a little more and then handling workshops for trainings on Web 2.0 tools and any other concerns or questions that pop up.  Maybe even a little Schools Attuned, who knows?  So, I don't have to stop 'exploring', but maybe re-focus and concentrate on the important issues facing schools in our districts.

What a great summer, I can't wait to start up school and to get rolling.

Blog post from my Edublog at:  http://mcarls.edublogs.org

My first summer tech camp and I couldn't have been happier with the teachers and admin help we received at Franklinville the past 3 days. Day 1 was showing projector integration resources and help. Our wiki was just something I threw together quick in the afternoon to give them links. One thing I would've liked to have shown them was the new stacking feature with Searchme, but I never got to it.

Day 2 was work with wikis, however, only one teacher showed up, so we looked at blogs and some settings on her SchoolWires blog. With wikis we looked at Wikipedia, I explained how it's like a whiteboard in the classroom that you can add or erase anything you'd like. Then, she got started on a Wikispaces one for her fellow teachers at her grade level to post and share resources.

Day 3 was a work day where we helped about 9 teachers with whatever they wanted. I 'tried' to help with the CPS unit, but mostly helped again with their SchoolWires accounts and School Island which I used quite a bit as a high school math teacher.

Great week, thanks to Franklinville and the admin for all of their help and support this week, I hope to do it again next year.

What the front page of our HSNF wiki for Steven Barholomew looks like!

High Schools New Face

Personalization with Steven Bartholomew!

Going to use this wiki to post information from our Personalization cohort at High Schools New Face.
Please feel free to click on the "Edit this Page" button above, enter/change anything you want, then press "Save" This is an everchanging "whiteboard" for information.

Links: Steven even linked his in order!

• [[file:A) Personalization Workshop Outline.doc]]
• [[file:B) Workshop and Met introduction.ppt]]
• [[file:C) The Animal School copy.doc]]
• [[file:D) Personalization and RWL presentation.ppt]]
• [[file:E) personality test.doc]]
• [[file:F) ER PMU on styrofoam cup.doc]]
• [[file:G) An interesting analogy copy.doc]]
• [[file:H) Francis' This I Believe copy.doc]]
• [[file:I) Current Events Advisory.doc]]
• [[file:J) I Spy QR activity.doc]]
• [[file:K) Basic Principles When Communicating about Numbers.doc]]
• [[file:L) Leading a Discussion About Data.doc]]
• [[file:Learning Goal Sheet copy.doc]]
• [[file:Extended Peer Editing Checklist with Boxes copy.doc]]
• [[file:Senior Thesis Proposal Format copy.doc]]
• [[file:Skills needed in the World HSNF 2008.doc]]
• [[file:Steven's This I Believe copy]]
• [[file:This I Believe Instructions copy]]
• [[file:Who Am I.doc]]
• [[file:Who Am I EXAMPLE-1.doc]]

• Steven's MET School website in Rhode Island.
• What is a Ning? Here is an example of an on-line collaboration about Global Connection.

Link to go to the Picture page!


Thank you Steven for an incredible 2 days!