Tools+for+Teachers

toc =1. Introduction to the Course=
 * [|Top 100 Tools for Learning]
 * [|Bloom's Revised Taxonomy]

=2. Firefox=
 * [|Firefox] is faster, safer, more efficient than Internet Explorer.
 * [|IE Tab add-on]: For websites that demand Internet Explorer or don't play well with Firefox
 * [|Common plug-ins]: Adobe Reader, Shockwave, Flash, Quicktime etc. You'll need to reinstall these even if you already have them for Internet Explorer or Safari.
 * [|Portable Firefox]: Run Firefox on your USB drive!

=3. Snapgrades=
 * [|SnapGrades] is the best online gradebook I have ever used. Powerful and simple. And it's free. (Email/web access for students and parents is $49.95.)
 * Here's a [|demo video] of SnapGrades in action.

=4. File Conversion=
 * [|DocMorph]: Upload up to 10 different documents to merge into a single PDF file. Mix and match file types, including .doc, .xls, .ppt, .jpeg, .gif, and .tiff. (Web-based application.)
 * [|doPDF]: Adds a PDF printer to your computer. If you can print it on your printer, you can make it a PDF file. Great for saving web pages and Test Wizard exams! (Free download and install on your home computer.)
 * [|Zamzar]: Convert files between a variety of formats. Both text documents (e.g., .pdf to .doc) and video files (e.g., .flv to .mov).

=5. Wikis=
 * A wiki is made for collaboration. Use it as a central hub for sharing resources among the teachers in your department by posting worksheets, presentations, labs, web links, media, etc.
 * [|VIDEO: Wikis in Plain English]
 * Pretty Good Physics: A wiki organized by AP Physics teachers to share labs and lessons. It now contains content for many levels of physics. A great example of the power of the wiki!
 * Pretty Good Science: A brand-new wiki by AP Chem teachers.
 * [|wikispaces for K12 educators]: Build your own wikis with 2 GB(!) of storage. Free, no ads, and private for the first 100,000 teachers.

=6. GoogleDocs=
 * GoogleDocs also allows collaboration. Design a Powerpoint for class without emailing it back and forth. Use the spreadsheet for budgeting. The word processor is great for working on quizzes, tests, worksheets, etc. If you wish to share these with your students, click "publish" and post the web address on eChalk. If you modify the document later, the published version will automatically reflect those changes.
 * Collect and collate data in GoogleDoc spreadsheet using online forms.
 * [|VIDEO: Google Docs in Plain English]

=7. Google Reader=
 * Get new information more efficiently. Create your own personal learning network. Many, many websites (news, sports, etc.) have RSS feeds. Just look for the logo [[image:http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/43/Feed-icon.svg/16px-Feed-icon.svg.png]]. Here are some great science/math resources to get you started.
 * [|VIDEO: RSS in Plain English]
 * [|sciencegeekgirl] Blog about science education (mostly physics)
 * [|Science Teaching Tips] podcast from the Exploratorium
 * [|Exploratorium Explainers] Blog from the Exploratorium
 * [|ScienceBlogs] A collection of blogs written by scientists. Find one that's right for you!
 * [|NSTA: Lab Out Loud] Podcast by two high school science teachers
 * [|dy/dan] Blog from a math teacher. Excellent for all teachers.
 * [|function-of-time] Another math teacher blog.
 * [|Continuities] One more math teacher blog.

=8. delicious= >
 * [|delicious] allows you to organize your favorite websites more effectively. Find new resources easily. Use the RSS feature to stay updated and add to your personal learning network. Make it effortless by adding [|delicious buttons]to your browser.
 * [|The Several Habits of Highly Successful delicious Users]: Great tips and tricks for using delicious!
 * [|VIDEO: Social Bookmarking in Plain English]