Really Simple Syndication (RSS) is a great way to gather the updates from all of your favorite Web sites in one place. First you download a free RSS Reader such as Google Reader. An RSS Reader is software that allows you to create a Web page that features all of the articles and posts from the blogs and news sites you have subscribed to, saving you hours of browsing time. Once you’ve downloaded your software, go to your favorite blogs and news sites, click the RSS icon and subscribe.   (more…)

… uncovering the meanings of Internet terminology

It seems like new Internet terms are being coined everyday: Wiki, Plurk, Moodle, Today’s Meet, Twitter, Jog the Web, Web 2.0. Some of these terms are the titles of specific Web sites, others are tasks you complete at a Web site, and others describe a type of Web site. If you’ve ever heard one of these terms in a conversation and thought to yourself, “What’s a plurk?” You are not alone. This month I decided to explore the meanings of some of these popular Internet terms so that we can all get up to speed. (more…)

Finding time to learn to use new technologies can be a challenge, here are three simple things you can do this month to learn new technologies quickly. (more…)

… discover the possibilities

Skype is free video conferencing software that can be downloaded to any computer and used with a Web cam that can be purchased for as little as $20 at any store that sells computer accessories. Although it has been around for years, the recent widespread use of Skype on the Oprah show has allowed teachers to see its ease of use demonstrated and find creative ways to use it in the classroom. Schools who thought that incorporating video conferencing into their classrooms would mean incurring expensive equipment and training costs are now finding that Skype software can easily be implemented by teachers or students in a matter of minutes.

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