Edcamp Online returns

Edcamp Online returns again and I'm so excited!  For those of you who aren't familiar with Edcamp, it's a model of conference where no formal schedule is set up until the day of the event.  Being that this is an online event, there is going to be just one time slot for an online workshop.  It is a great chance for you to experiment with presenting if you are interested.  You can also just attend and listen to all of the great things others will be sharing.

If you are interested in learning more, visit their website.

What types of conference do you like to attend?

Join SimpleK12 for an Afternoon of Free Google Apps Webinars

SimpleK12 is hosting 4 free webinars on Google Apps.  The webinars are for people who are new to Google, but I'm sure everyone will be able to learn something! Click here to register.

The schedule of webinars are below. I hope to see you there!

• Going Google: The Quick Start Guide to Getting Started with Google Tools
-Tuesday, October 7th, 2014 @ 1:00 PM EDT

• Save Time and Make Your Job Easier with Google Spreadsheets and Forms
-Tuesday, October 7th, 2014 @ 2:00 PM EDT

• 10 Tips & Ideas for Using Google Plus with Learners
-Tuesday, October 7th, 2014 @ 3:00 PM EDT

• Google Search Strategies You Probably Don't Know, But Wish You Did!
-Tuesday, October 7th, 2014 @ 4:00 PM EDT

Making an Image Map with Google Images

I recently learned how to make image maps while watching my new obsession, The Google Educast.  Bascially making an image map allows you to take a picture and turn it into a bunch of clickable links depending on where you click.  For example, the picture in the video below has created links such that each person is a link to their Google+ page.

This video shows you step by step how to do this.

How do you think you can use this in your classroom?  Clickable parts of the microscope perhaps?

Attend a free virtual technology conference

You may not be familiar with FETC, but it's an annual technology conference held in Florida in January.  If you are in the area (or can convince your administration to let you go) it's a great conference to go to.  Most of us, me included, can not get to Florida for this conference, but we are in luck this year.  FETC is having a free virtual conference this October.  I'm particulary excited because two of favorite edubloggers, Brad Waid and Drew Minock from Two Guys and Some iPads, will be speaking there.

What professional development conferences do you like to go to?

Top 10 Post of August and What I've been up to

How was everyone's August?  It's September and by now I'm sure we are all back to school.  I purposely didn't say back to work, because I know that many of us work through the summer (I like to say that I just work from home).  I did have some fun though as I was able to visit some friends on Cape Cod and took my annual trip to Wildwood with a fantastic group of family and friends.  I hope that you had a chance to recharge and that you are ready to go with your new group of kids!

Top 10 Posts of August

1. PowToon - Animated Videos (free upgrade to premium for free)
2. Free Online Graph Paper
3. PowToon Slides - Animated Slide Shows
4. ExitTicket.org How-To
5. Fabulous Freebies!
6. virtual exit tickets and in class assessments
7. Using geographical maps in the classroom
8. Top 10 Posts of July and what I've been up to
9. SMIR.CH - how to use any phone (including "dumb" phones) to do research)
10. Creative Commons and Sharing your work