Creating PDFs in Word 2007

PC users . . . Did you know that you can easily save Word 2007 documents in .pdf format? This is especially helpful if you want to post documents created in Word 2007 on the Internet. If you post in .docx format, generally only those with Word 2007 or 2010 installed on their computers will be able to open the document. However, .pdfs are opened in Adobe Reader, which is a free download and which is usually installed on both Macs and PCs. I strongly recommend converting Word documents to .pdf before posting on the Web. (Of course, documents that the recipient needs to edit should be posted in Word format.)

It is also a good idea to convert Word documents to .pdf format if you are sharing them via email or other means. Again, as long as the document doesn't need to be edited by the recipient, .pdf files can be opened on most computers, Mac or PC.

Here's how to save a Word 2007 document as a .pdf file:

1. Type your document and save a copy as usual. This will ensure that you have a copy in Word format for future editing.
2. Then click File > Save As PDF or XPS. (See picture below.) If you don't have the Save as PDF or XPS option on your computer, download the add-in here.

Tech Talk Tips 12-16-11

It looks like my automatic feeds from Delicious quit working again, so I'll send out my links via the blog!

How do I upload a document to google docs using pages from my ipad?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Sa2yUfnhbo&feature=youtu.be

Learn how to upload pages from iPad (or any iOS) to google docs.

December 13, 2011

Embracing Continuous Improvement with EdTech | Edutopia

http://www.edutopia.org/blog/embracing-continuous-improvement-mary-beth-hertz

Successful, effective and meaningful tech integration is basically a bumpy road, like anything new we try in our practice. Don't get down on yourself . . . read this article for some good advice!

Favorite Freebies

http://www.ascd.org/publications/educational-leadership/dec11/vol69/num04/Favorite-Freebies.aspx

Educational Leadership asked, What's your favorite source for no-cost professional development and instructional resources? Enterprising educators share their answers.

Digital Lesson Plans For The Substitute Teacher

http://ipaddiction.blogspot.com/2011/12/digital-lesson-plans-for-substitute.html

Use digital tools to leave lesson plans for a sub. There are ways to do this without an iPad . . . your Smartphone for example. Anyone want to explore this with me?

Cell Phones in the Classroom

http://timac.wikispaces.com/Cell+Phones+in+the+Classroom

Resources for educational uses of cellphones in the classroom.

December 6, 2011

Educational-Blogging

http://educational-blogging.wikispaces.com/

A resource for teachers who are interested in starting a blog.

What are Those Funny Looking Squares?

Have you noticed the unusual squares that are popping up in magazines, on store windows, and almost anywhere else you look? These are "QR" (quick response) codes that can be read with the camera of a smartphone or iPod Touch to provide information on products and services. You'll need to install a QR reader on your phone or iPod, and my quick search of the Apple Apps Store found many free or inexpensive QR readers.

With free software such as Kaywa or Qurify, you can even make your own QR codes to use in your classroom! Teachers are using QR codes to:

• Provide web site links. Students can scan the codes with their phones instead of typing in the URL.
• Post codes for homework, etc. on the board.
• Link to videos or other interactive content by placing codes on a handout.
• Post a code on the door with an embedded text file containing homework assignments, vocabulary lists, or study guides. Students can scan it on the way out the door.
• Have students create QR codes linked to content that enriches their own presentations.

Read more about using QR codes in your classroom in this blog entry by David Andrade. And if you'd like to experiment with these codes in your classroom, I'd love to help!

Tech Talk Tips 11-16-11

A couple of teachers indicated on the tech training survey that they would like to learn more about Excel 2007. Check out this free introductory course from HP.

http://bit.ly/vndWkh

I've been on a Twitter kick lately while I prepared for an introductory workshop for KHS teachers. I learn so much from articles posted on Twitter, and that's where I get lots of the resources that I forward. Other teachers apparently share that sentiment. Read 10 Ways Twitter Has Made Better Teachers, and then check the Twitter resources on my wiki. KES teachers . . . are you up for a Twitter workshop, too?

I like this quote that was tweeted and  retweeted many times tonight:
"Work with students shoulder to shoulder, rather than toe to toe." ~David Heard

Tech Talk Tips 11-13-11

I find many of the links that I share on Twitter or from blogs via RSS feeds in my Google Reader. Richard Byrne from the Free Technology for Teachers blog provides many excellent recommendations for free Web resources. A few of his recent standouts include:

The Wild Classroom
http://www.thewildclassroom.com/
Check out the Biome Map as well as the videos and podcasts on biology and ecology subjects. According to the web site, "Our goal is to open the eyes of the public to science by producing action-filled nature documentaries, creating exciting lesson plans for schools and educators, and by holding seminars, presentations and photographic exhibitions."

Simple Science's Videos
http://vimeo.com/user697789/videos
Includes 91 videos that aim to give elementary and middle school students clear explanations of science topics.

Math Chimp
http://www.mathchimp.com/index2.php

Several KES teachers asked for resources for teaching and reinforcing math facts. Check out Math Chimp, with games for Grades 1-5! The web site says: "Welcome to Math Chimp! We collect free online math games and organize them by the common core standards. We're glad you've come to play cool math games here... they're free and always will be!"

Take a look at other math resources I've bookmarked at  http://delicious.com/barbwit56/math.

Tech Talk Tips 11-10-11

Museum Box (Nicole Gorog shared this site. Thanks, Nicole!)
 http://museumbox.e2bn.org/
This site provides the tools for you to build up an argument or description of an event, person or historical period by placing items in a virtual box. What items, for example, would you put in a box to describe your life; the life of a Victorian Servant or Roman soldier; or to show that slavery was wrong and unnecessary? You can display anything from a text file to a movie.


Steve Condon's New Class Web Site (Still a work in progress!)

http://kescondon.weebly.com/index.html
Steve used a FREE Weebly web site. Weebly has lots of nice options; just drag and drop!
http://education.weebly.com/

Tech Talk Tips 11-6-11

Recommended by the Ed Tech Digest blog:
CommonCore360.com
http://www.commoncore360.com/
The free website,  www.CommonCore360.com, is devoted to providing a host of resources to educators in need of Common Core Standards training. Read more.

From the Edmodo blog:
7 Brilliant Ways to Use Edmodo that will Blow.Your.Mind
http://blog.edmodo.com/2010/11/17/7-brilliant-ways-to-use-edmodo-that-will-blow-your-mind/


From the Free Technology for Teachers blog:
Punctuation is Important (30-second YouTube video.)
English teachers . . . Wouldn't having your students create short videos like this be a fun way to help them remember punctuation rules?