Tuscarora

toc =Monday, August 8, 2011=

Edmodo

 * Edmodo is a social network designed specifically for education. It is free to sign up, and a teacher can create groups for students to join (classes, group projects, etc.). This is a great place for allowing communication outside what is "normal" for students, and provides opportunities for discussion that may not necessarily occur within the classroom. There are also parent accounts so communication home can be streamlined with a tool that is used with your students.
 * Getting Started
 * Code to join group: a2zmqv
 * Edmodo is mobile, too!
 * iPhone/iPod Touch/iPad app
 * Use @http://m.edmodo.com/ for non-iOS devices
 * Can also link accounts to mobile devices for notifications in account settings
 * You can also use Edmodo to connect with other educators. Connect with me!
 * Join the Edmodo Math Group
 * Reading on using Edmodo in the classroom
 * From the edmodo blog:
 * How are you using Edmodo?
 * We asked, you answered
 * From elsewhere
 * Using Edmodo -- Amazing!
 * Edmodo: The Total Classroom Solution

Getting to Know Mac (Better)
Did you know? Apple loves the golden ratio!

There are many tools and features on your Mac that you may not know about yet. These are tools that can help you (and your students) be more productive! This will give an icon in the upper right of your menu bar. You can then explore the characters available for use. You can even save them as favorites for quicker access by selecting the gear at the bottom of the window and choosing "Add to Favorites.
 * Enable your character palette: Open System Preferences (in the  menu), go to Keyboard, and check "Show Keyboard and Character Viewer."
 * To type the  symbol, use Alt-Shift-K
 * Keyboard Shortcuts(⌘ = Command)
 * Some of my favorites:
 * ⌘ Tab: Toggle between open apps (no need to minimize windows)
 * ⌘ ` (key above tab): Toggle between open windows within an application
 * ⌘ P: Print
 * ⌘ X: Cut
 * ⌘ C: Copy
 * ⌘ V: Paste
 * ⌘ Space: Open Spotlight
 * ⌘ T: New browser tab
 * ⌘ W: Close window/tab
 * ⌘ Q: Quit application
 * ⌘ I: Get info (helpful in Finder)
 * While in finder, press Space when you have a file highlighted to enable Quick Look
 * Spotlight [[image:Screen_shot_2011-08-06_at_3.06.31_PM.png]]
 * Dictionary: Click on the Spotlight icon and type a word. Then, hover your cursor over the Dictionary icon to get a definition. Click to open Dictionary.
 * Calculator: Enter a calculation in Spotlight to get a quick answer. Click to open Calculator. Calculator is also good for completing conversions.
 * Get .png files of icons of your apps. Learn how here.

iWork and iLife
The iWork suite on the Mac contains Pages, Numbers, and Keynote. Always remember, the Inspector is your friend!

Numbers

 * Functions for formulas
 * Import .xls files or save to share for Excel users
 * Create tables and charts

Overview from Apple Apple Tutorial

**Pages**

 * Import .doc files or save to share for Word users
 * Create tables and charts
 * Integrates MathType equations and other mathematical expressions
 * Easily use multimedia from your iTunes and iPhoto libraries

Overview from Apple Apple Tutorial

Keynote

 * Import .ppt files of save to share for PowerPoint users
 * Create tables and charts
 * Integrates MathType equations and other mathematical expressions
 * Easily use multimedia from your iTunes and iPhoto libraries
 * Create a quick podcast

Overview from Apple Apple Tutorial

Garageband

 * Designed for creating music
 * Great for making more refined podcasts by utilizing editing features

Overview from Apple Apple Tutorial

Quicktime

 * Create a screencast

=Tuesday, August 9, 2011=

**A Sample Project**
Patterns Webquest

Dropbox

 * Dropbox is a place where you can sign up for 2 MB of free online storage that is accessible from any computer and many mobile devices
 * Refer to new users to earn extra space: My referral link

Diigo

 * Save your bookmarks online through this social bookmarking site
 * Check out my bookmarks
 * Search for "math" on Diigo
 * Mathematics in movies
 * There are even groups on Diigo

Geogebra

 * Work online in a browser-based Java applet or offline through a download
 * Geogebra wiki: Helping you use the tool in your content areas
 * Work with quadratics in Geogebra

An Online Calculator

 * Desmos

Twitter

 * Here is a list of people to follow on twitter thanks to @cybraryman1
 * Great resources about why twitter can be highly beneficial to educators from @cybraryman1
 * His math page
 * Just check out Larry's whole page!
 * Another list of edutweeps
 * And another

Interactive Whiteboard Resources

 * National Library of Virtual Manipulatives (NLVM)
 * eNLVM - Resources connected to the NLVM
 * Polyvision's list of math resources
 * Shodor Interactivate
 * Cut the Knot
 * Interactive Library
 * Math Forum

Other Resources

 * Slideshare - Post your slideshows online and embed them in webpages
 * Wordle - Create a word cloud
 * Poll Everywhere - Create quick polls for use on computers and mobile devices
 * Jeopardy Labs - Create browser based Jeopardy games
 * Curriki - Collaboration and sharing of open source lessons and activities
 * Thinkfinity - Verizon provides tons of lessons and resources

Gamifying Education