Click O’ the Mouse

I’m willing to do a makeup session for those who missed the staff development today.  Anyone who feels like they need more practice is also welcome.  Leave a comment and let me know when you’d like to get together.  After school is best for me.

Something I forgot to mention in the staff development today: there is an easier way to subscribe to blogs and other feeds in Google Reader. Google Reader has a link you can put right on your toolbar as a bookmark. Here is what it looks like on my toolbar (Firefox, of course):

I renamed it (right click on the bookmark, select Properties if you want to do the same).

What does it do? When you come across a really good blog or other page you want to subscribe to, just click on the Google Reader Subscribe bookmark and Google Reader will open. Once it opens, click on the “Subscribe” button in the upper right corner and it will add the blog/page to your subscription list. (Click on the image below to see where to subscribe.)

How do you get the bookmark? Open Google Reader, click on “Settings” (upper right corner), click on “Goodies,” scroll down to the bottom of the page and you will see instructions on how to add the bookmark. I couldn’t get it to work in Internet Explorer 7 but it does work in Firefox. Happy subscribing!

I posted a Google Notebook page for your consideration.  Please take a look and let me know your thoughts.  Collaborators should have already received an email inviting you to add your thoughts on the page.

Google Home Page–Pros and Cons

I’m hearing the rumblings already.  There are some pretty bad widgets available through the Google personalized home page that could compromise security and/or expose students to inappropriate material.  So we shouldn’t encourage students (or possibly even teachers) to use it.  Ok.

Are there alternatives?  Is there something “safe” out there students could use to help them get organized, get connected to social media, etc. all in one place?  I’ve done a little searching but I can’t find anything.  Truth be told, I’m not even sure what to look for.  I’ve never seen anything like Google’s personalized home page for bringing Web 2.0 tools together in one spot.

I’ve never said that Google Home Page was the end-all, be-all.  It’s not the answer to all that’s wrong with the world.  I just know what it’s done for me.  It’s a useful tool that has helped me come back to blogging again.  I have become enthralled with web-based tools and resources.  I love the flexibility of having my calendar, news, subscriptions, to do list, etc. all in one place as long as I am connected to the Internet.  If we could just put those kinds of tools in the hands of students and teachers…

Anyone have any ideas?  Anyone?  Anyone?

Genius introduces the G-Note 7100 digital pad - Engadget

WHOA!  Another gadget!  This looks like a cheap solution to tablet PCs.  I wonder if this would work better than a wireless slate in the classroom?  Has anyone used one of these?