Over the last few weeks, several people have asked me for lists of free software that I use. There are plenty of sources online for this kind of thing, and there are some great sites that give you lists of free applications to perform certain tasks, alternatives to commerical software applications, and reviews of the best freeware applications. So the last thing you need is … Continue reading 20 Useful Free Windows Apps I Actually Use

Most school districts in the United States employ some sort of web filtering technology. To be eligible for the e-rate program, schools must comply with the Children’s Internet Protection Act of 2000, including the use of “technology protection measures.” According to the Universal Service Administrative Company, which oversees the e-rate program, “A technology protection measure is a specific technology that blocks or filters Internet access. … Continue reading Time to Loosen the Reins?

I had the opportunity to meet the incomparable Jennifer Maddrell today. For real. In the flesh. She, her husband Tom, and I had lunch together. See, Jen and I do a webcast together on Sunday nights called EdTechWeekly. For the last two years or so, I’ve talked to her nearly every week on Skype. We’ve done video conferencing. We do a lot of text chatting. … Continue reading Just Jen

I’ve been working on a little script to help manage the Delicious inbox. When you save a link in Delicious, you can add an additional tag of for:username to send the link to another Delicious user. So if I see something that I think my darling bride might be interested in, I can just tag it with “for:dschinker” and it’ll go in her inbox on … Continue reading SaveLinks

This week, I’m finishing up the first online class I’ve taken in a couple years. In the two years since my last online classes, I have become heavily involved in the concept of a professional learning network. For me, learning has become much less focused on specific curriculum and objectives, and more centered on my interests, needs, and goals. I find I’m using blogs, Skype, … Continue reading Thoughts on Online Learning

There’s so much to see and do in Ohio, even a lifetime resident like me discovers new things all the time. This year, in celebration of Ohio Day, I have a list of 10 things to do in Ohio that I haven’t done yet. Most of these are off the beaten path. Some are WAY off the beaten path. All are inexpensive (if not free), … Continue reading Ohio Adventures

I have three interesting requests from teachers for projects they want to do. These are innovative and appropriate uses of technology. Here’s what they want (note that these are separate requests): One teacher wants to create student portfolios online. Ideally, student writing samples and other examples of exemplary work would be showcased, and teachers would be able to comment (publicly or privately) on them. Peer … Continue reading Puzzle Pieces

When coming back from a conference, everyone wants to know how it was. “It was okay. You didn’t miss much,” is my usual response. I never know what to say. Sometimes the teachers that go get really excited about things, and I don’t understand what all the fuss is about. This week’s eTech Ohio Educational Technology Conference was no different. There were lots of SMART … Continue reading Conference Highlights

Here is the presentation I presented today at the eTech Ohio State Technology Conference in Columbus, Ohio. These are the Delicious links, which include all of the products mentioned below. Edit: and here is the video: In case you missed it, I discussed the following: Teachers’ attitudes toward technology have improved over the last few years. They now increasingly embrace technology as a way to … Continue reading New Tricks for Old Dogs