Google Docs - What's new?

Google Docs - What's new?

Every time I turn around, Google Docs has made some more improvements. Most people still use commercial products (can't name names) they've downloaded to a computer because it's comfortable. STOP! Use your Google Docs instead! For a free product, it's pretty impressive. AND, as long as you can get to the Internet, you can get to your documents. No viruses, no incompatible formatting. The wave of the future!

YAllapolooza! Phoenix Public Library

YAllapolooza! January 28th, 2012 - meet some of your favorite YA Authors at Burton Barr Central Library. Yippee!!

Young Adult literature. Only louder.

Hang with your favorite YA authors, enjoy pizza, and get books autographed. Participating authors include: CJ Hill, James A. Owen, Tom Leveen, Adam Rex, Janette Rallison, Robin Brande, Amy Fellner Dominy, Aprilynne Pike, Bree Despain, Cecil Castelucci, Kiersten White, Anna Carey.

Books from partcipating authors will be available for purchase from Changing Hands Bookstore at Burton Barr Central Library on the day of the event.

YAllapolooza is presented by Changing Hands Bookstore and Phoenix Public Library.

I have such hope for our future

Two recent articles reflect the statistics of what I see in working with awesome teenagers every day.  

First, a research study that proves that IQ is not fixed in the teenage brain.  The common belief was that your IQ, which is your ability to learn, not what you already know, was set at birth and therefore your destiny.  With the technology we have today that allows us to peer inside the brain, this study found the remarkable plasticity of the teenage brain.  In other words, you CAN change your IQ with persistence and hard work.  Thomas Edison said, "Genius is 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration".  He was right.

Secondly, the statistics that show the world is becoming more peaceful.  Because of the instant access to what is going on in the world, it would be easy to believe that the world is a violent place.  However, statistically speaking, it is much less violent.  For example, in the Middle Ages, 500 out of every 100,000 people were killed in battle.  Now, it is three-tenths of a person per 100,000.  There were 20 democracies in 1946.  Today, there are almost 100.  The researcher says that this is a result of people becoming smarter.  A more intelligent and educated population tries to reduce wars and violence.  And, teenagers are smarter with each generation.  "This year's average kid would have been a near-genius a century ago."

Every day, I interact with hundreds of teenagers from a huge variety of backgrounds and with a huge variety of abilities.  Yes, teenagers continue to be hormonal and impulsive, and yet they amaze me constantly.  So many are thoughtful and aware, while juggling many more balls than I could have imagined when I was their age.  It really does give me hope for our future.

Hidden formatting in Word Docs - from Data Doctors

Headwhack of the Week: Hidden Formatting in Word Docs
If you use Microsoft Word, you've run into a problem with a paragraph or column that won't go where you want it to, an extra page that always prints or a myriad of other nagging issues that you can't seem to figure out.

Well, often times, extra formatting has occurred that you aren't aware of and if you could see these invisible changes, you could fix them!

Well there is a button that looks like this: ¶ that could be the answer to your problems!

This button toggles the option to show or hide paragraph marks and other hidden formatting like hard returns that can help you track down the problem.

I'm a librarian... and it's complicated

There never has been a more exciting time to be a librarian. It's well worth your time to watch the entire video.

Video Post: Dr. Joyce Valenza – “See Sally Research” | TEDxPhiladelphiaED

Ready for class at 7:30 am on August 11th?

Excellent tips for getting enough sleep, so that you're ready to learn.

Lack of sleep is hurting your kids' health | USA WEEKEND | usaweekend.com

McCartney stashes his extraordinary library in the cloud

McCartney stashes his extraordinary library in the cloud

Ah hah! Boys and girls - if a 69 year old can do this, so can you! Use your pvLearners to create and save all your work.

Goodreads Makes Great Readers

What a great idea!  Free Technology for Teachers has turned into my favorite blog.  This is just one of so many fantastic posts, I can't keep up with them all.

Free Technology for Teachers: Goodreads Makes Great Readers

QR codes for book trailers - oh, this is fun!

Install a QR code (barcode scanner) on your camera phone and take a picture of these:

Lord of the Flies Book Trailer

If I Die in Juarez Book Trailer

Women Who Live in Coffee Shops Book Trailer

Kite Runner Book Trailer

Cloud computing, web 2.0, and you

Recently, I've come across so many cool links, I just had to share them.  The evolving concept of "cloud computing" is changing the way we teach and learn.  Does that create a "digital divide"?  Well, yes.  But, at NCHS, we do our best to provide access to computers and the Internet as much as possible.  PVLearners is yours to use.  Use it.  If you want help with any of it, we'll help.  Some of the links below will open as a Google doc.  If you sign in to pvLearners before you open the links, you will be able to save the doc in your own Google docs for easy access later.  See if you like any of these ideas: 

Digital Media Literacy 101 by Sandra Carswell 
20 Things I Learned about Browers and the Web 
Creating an Interactive Portfolio with Google Sites
65 Interesting Ways* to Use Google Forms in the Classroom by Tom Barrett 
Tips and Tricks: Making the Most of Google Docs 
32 Interesting Ways* to use Google Docs in the Classroom 
Google for Educators - Classroom activities: 6th - 12th grade 
Google Art Project: Super High-Resolution Images, Virtual Tours, and More 
Create a fake Facebook wall for a fictitious or historical character 
New Google Docs Tools to Try 
Web 2.0 tools presentation by Joy Millam 
and my personal favorite: 
Book Trailers for All

Like father, like son

YouTube - Like father, like son

LOVE this! Hope all my kiddos are the same.