Prezi

Prezi is a free web-based of presentation tool.  Unlike PowerPoint, Prezi does not use slides.  There is one large canvas that the user has the freedom to organize in any way.  Users can include text, bullets, embed pictures, pdf files, and video.  Users can also create paths for viewers to follow or allow viewers to move around the canvas freely.  Prezi can be accessed online from any computer or users can download their presentation to show offline.  The presentation embedded below from the Prezi website shows some of the features that can be used when creating a prezi. 

Prezi Tips and Tricks on Prezi

Teachers can sign up for free accounts with 500 MB of storage or opt for a paid subscription if they need more storage space.  There are also several reusable prezis that can be used as templates.  For more information about how to get started with Prezi, check out this How to Use Prezi guide. 

Prezis can be used in several different ways in the classroom.  It is a good way to present or review information in any subject area and is much more interesting than a standard presentation.

New York Divided: Slavery and the Civil War

Slavery in New York and New York Divided are exhibits by the New York Historical Society about slavery and the impact it had on the city. 

Slavery ended in New York State in 1827, yet this victory did not sever the city's connections to enslaved labor. New York City capitalized on the expanding trade in southern cotton and sugar to become the leading American port, a global financial center, and a hotbed of pro-slavery politics. At the same time, it nurtured a determined anti-slavery movement. In less than half a century, abolitionists convinced many northerners that American slavery could not be reconciled with American freedom. Conflict between the two sides, one favorable to slavery and one opposed, was all but inevitable.

These virtual gallerys provide information from multiple perspectives, primary source documents, and information about the ties the city had to the south and the fight against slavery.  There are also additional resources for educators on the websites.

State of the Internet

The internet is changing at a rapid pace and it is an integral part of our lives.  The statistics and information in this video created by Jesse Thomas are staggering and eye-opening. 



JESS3 / The State of The Internet from JESS3 on Vimeo.

PicLits

Determining what to write about is often the most difficult part of the writing process.  PicLits is a creative writing site that allows users to choose an image, then select words that go along with the picture. Users can choose words from a word bank or they can choose the freestyle option and work on your own.  PicLits has a variety of pictures for users to select from.  Users can also browse the PicLits Gallery to view work that others have created.

Also, here are a few websites with writing prompt generators:

• The Writing for Children Resource Site - This page has three different prompt generators.
• Adjective, Noun, Verb/Phrase generator
• Three objects generator
• Random plot generator
• Prompt Generator
• WritingFix: Writing Prompts

Cyberbullying

With students spending an increasing amount of time online and communicating digitally, cyberbullying is becoming more and more of an issue. 

What is cyberbullying?

"Cyberbullying" is when a child, preteen or teen is tormented, threatened, harassed, humiliated, embarrassed or otherwise targeted by another child, preteen or teen using the Internet, interactive and digital technologies or mobile phones.   -- Stop Cyberbullying

Cyberbullying is even more damaging because it can happen at any time.  Many students today are creating new lives online through various social media sites such as Facebook, MySpace, and Twitter.  Children interact in many different ways throughout the day digitally including texting, messaging, and e-mail.  The internet gives children power through anonymity and gives them more independence than they may be ready for.  They do not always believe that what they type or post is just as damaging as what is spoken.

Frontline's Growing Up Online program addresses issues regarding how the internet is transforming children's lives.  The sixth section of the video is about a 13-year old boy who was a victim of cyberbullying who took his own life in 2003.  There is also an interview with his father in which he discusses the role of cyberbullying played in the death of his son.

What can be done to help stop cyberbullying?

It is important that teachers, administrators, and parents work together to help keep students safe online and prevent cyberbullying.  Students need to be taught how to safely use technology and how to deal with situations that are inappropriate.  A few tips for teachers and parents are below.

• Teach students how to use technology to block cyberbullies.
• Monitor student use of computers both at home and at school.
• Tell students to never forward harmful or cruel messages or images.
• Encourage students to report instances of cyberbullying to a parent, teacher, or trusted adult.
• Raise awareness in the schools and community about cyberbullying.

Other resources about cyberbullying:

Cyberbullying Information

NetSmartz: Real Life Stories
How to Prevent Cyberbullying

Eyes on Bullying

Dynamic Paper

The National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) Illuminations website has numerous lesson ideas and activities.  One of the tools on the Illuminations website is Dynamic Paper.  This tool can be used to create handouts for use in your classroom.  You can create customized handouts with number lines, nets of three-dimensional shapes, pattern blocks, spinners, graph paper, tessellations, number grids and more.  There are several different options for each.  After creating your handouts, they can be downloaded as JPEG or PDF files.

Google Labs

A few ideas from Google Labs...

Google News Timeline shows search results in a timeline format.  Users can browse results from sources including  magazines, and blogs.

Image Swirl allows users to browse through results that are visually similar.  Here are some of the results of a search for images about colonial America.

National Archives Experience Digital Vaults

The National Archives Experience: Digital Vaults has a nice online tool for students to search for  primary sources and artifacts.  Artifacts on the site include documents, maps, photographs, and drawings.  Users can create posters and videos using artifacts that they select or add to their collection.  There are also several resources for teachers including lesson ideas using primary sources.