Tweet Spot: Web 2.0 Educators Are Atwitter About Twitter

By Chris O’Neal

Twitter is a Web 2.0 utility that asks the question "What are you up to?" It's a microblogging platform that allows users to share small tidbits about their current activities, locations, plans, and more. I can send out a Twitter update using my cell phone or my blog or by logging into the Twitter Web site.

Keep the Lens Cap On: Internet Security and Privacy in a School Setting

By Chris O’Neal

I have been working with a few school districts on maximizing their technology's impact, and the issue of student security and privacy often comes up. This blog entry is meant as material for discussion, and my comments or thoughts are not intended to serve as legal advice in any way. This post is simply a way to start the discussion and is an opportunity for all of us to hear various perspectives.

Timelines 2.0: A Fun, Easy, and Free Classroom Tool

By Chris O’Neal

Timelines are one of the most useful and effective tools I've found that can fit in nicely with any classroom's content area and grade level. They are fantastic vehicles for doing research, being creative, and sharing and publishing information. In addition, they are easy to use for simple classroom projects such as tracking birthdays, major significant events, and holidays.

All About Reading: Web Sites for Book Lovers

By Chris O’Neal

My friend Karen Richardson and I want to share two fun Web 2.0 sites: LibraryThing and Goodreads. Both are fantastic book-oriented and library-oriented social-networking pages focused on something simple -- the books you love to read.

I recently discovered Goodreads, a social site where users can keep track of their books, write reviews, connect with friends, and see what those friends are reading. It's a place for people to spread the love of books, plain and simple.

Improving Teacher Quality: NCLB Raises the Bar

By Chris O’Neal

The requirements for highly qualified teachers that are part of the No Child Left Behind Act, as well as more stringent prerequisites surrounding teacher accreditation, have underscored discussions about teacher quality over the last several years. The Educational Testing Service has released a report about marked improvement in teacher quality over the past decade.

Digg for Good Stuff: Web Site Lets You Discover What Others Are Reading

By Chris O’Neal

Digg.com is a free, fun Web 2.0 site I visit frequently, just to find out what the technology community is reading and what the most hotly discussed topics are. Digg itself does not create content; it is simply a place where its users can submit Web sites, content, and news from other sites they feel is newsworthy or of special interest to the community.

Public (Domain) Library: Free Downloadable Audiobooks Online

By Chris O’Neal

I'd like to share a Web site called LibriVox, which provides free, downloadable audiobooks from the public domain: Users download the audiobooks in MP3 format and listen to them on their computer or copy them onto an MP3 player. According to the site, "LibriVox volunteers record chapters of books in the public domain and release the audio files back onto the Internet.

Get Graphic with Gliffy: Sharing Mind Maps Online

By Chris O’Neal

It's no news to anyone here that visual learning plays a critical role in instruction at all levels. Each of us works hard to ensure that we're reaching each learner and that we're employing various modes of presentation and interaction in order to teach in the most efficient and effective way.

Network News: The Implications of a New Report on Teens and Social Media

By Chris O’Neal

The Pew Internet and American Life Project always provides a wealth of resources for those of us interested in how technology affects our personal and family lives and our work. Every month or so, the project releases a research report focusing on one broad topic. These are interesting and valuable reports as we continue our quest toward harnessing the true power of technology in the classroom.

From MySpace to My Job: Online Interaction Prepares Students for Employment

By Chris O’Neal

Last year, I blogged a bit about social networking. I want to revisit the issue, since I continue to receive emails with questions about where to find safe alternatives to the mainstream sites, or teacher-oriented social networks, as well as invitations to come discuss the issue with school boards, and so on. I'll respond to some of that below.