Haugen’s Tech Tips Blog

Okay, so now I’m blending Google Doc’s new online presentation software with Plasq’s cool and easy screenshot/annotating/uploading tool called Skitch. I think this has potential. The image is everything, because you write your step-by-step instructions right on it. Both students and teachers could use Skitch to create, snap or import images, then write and draw on them to give instructions, create maps or diagrams, indicate key features of a photo or painting, and so much more… In Google Docs, you can import images (created in Skitch or elsewhere) into your presentation. Then, collaborate on your documents online with anyone you choose to invite.

You can also invite people or groups to view your presentation and comment in a chat area. This changes the game of providing online presentations. Very cool.

I just stumbled across this web site and have GOT to make the time to figure it out.  Looks like a cool drag-and-drop animation/programming tool in web 2.0. As they say,

Snap together blocks… to create stories, games and animations… and share your creations on the web.

Very cool.
http://scratch.mit.edu/

Crazy beginnings can give birth to wonderful results. A humble door front at 826 Valencia Street in San Francisco takes you into a wild pirate-themed store. Step beyond the store and you find where the real magic begins in this free afterschool drop-in writing and tutoring center. 826 Valencia also offers workshops and field trips for students and educators.
This successful program has spawned other efforts in other cities, each with its own wacky themed store front:

• 826 Valencia, San Francisco – Pirates!
• 826 Seattle – Space Travel Supply Store
• 826NYC, in New York – Brooklyn Superhero Supplies
• 826Chicago – The Boring Store (for surveillance and more)
• 826 Michigan, in Ann Arbor – the Monsters Union
• 826LA, in Los Angeles – Time Travel

If you’re not lucky enough to live in one of these towns, be sure to visit. And there’s also 826 National, where you can learn more about the entire program.

I keep a pretty active list of tags on del.icio.us, and this gives an updated list of all my photography links. Most are education related.

My Photography Links

YouthLearn’s fabulous site offers several tutorials on exploring and using digital photography, graphics and other visual or multimedia arts with kids.  Beginning with this tutorial on teaching digital photography and moving onto other topics, you’ll benefit from their wisdom, whether you’re just getting started or have been using photography with students already.