TCEA2009 Photo Gallery

Tim Holt has created a "place" for TCEA 2009 State Conference participants to contribute photos. While I applaud the idea, wouldn't it just have been easier to encourage folks to tag their photos with "TCEA2009" and aggregate the contributions across networks?

And, another concern...while Tim's a great guy, why should anyone contribute to a site that is just his? There's no mention of creative commons copyright on these photos...what happens if I contribute photos to his site and then he decides to take the site down?

Hi everyone!

I have created a photo gallery for anyone and everyone to share images from the upcoming TCEA 2009 in Austin. Currently there are no photos except a placeholder.

Here is the URL of the gallery: http://snipurl.com/b347u

Subscribe to the photo feed here:

http://photocast.me.com/timholt/100215/rss

You have the ability to upload images remotely from your mobile device or via email by sending your photo here:

timholt-p3n8@post.me.com

On the site, you can also upload photos or video content.

I hope as many people as possible can upload your pictures and video of TCEA so that everyone can see the excitement and you can share with the folks that could not make it.

I'd ask these questions regardless of who or what organization sought to host the pictures. I often upload photos with my camera phone straight to Flickr and Picasa...do i now have to incur a cost for sending photos to the email address Tim specifies?

I encourage folks to tag blog entries, photos taken with "TCEA2009". Let's see what comes up.

Ok, all that aside, great idea, Tim!

---

---

Subscribe to Around the Corner-MGuhlin.org

---

Be sure to visit the ShareMore! Wiki.

---

Everything posted on Miguel Guhlin's blogs/wikis are his personal opinion and do not necessarily represent the views of his employer(s) or its clients. Read Full Disclosure

TCEA 2009 State Conference Schedule

Below are my must-attend meetings at TCEA. Otherwise, I'll be attending sessions and podcasting/blogging to get as much info to share with my district folks, and, of course, with you at Around the Corner.

As I shared previously, I'm skipping ALL vendor-sponsored meals/receptions/drinks...so...that means there will be more food and drink for the rest of you!

Here are some of the workshops (first time in 9 years I'm attending a paid workshop. I hope whomever is teaching this is on the ball! I'll be blogging you!):

TCEA Conference Workshops
2/2/2009 12:00pm-3:00pm
90663 Adobe Captivate is Too Dang Slick!($95)

2/3/2009 8:00am-11:00am
90810 Rev Up Your Reading and Writing Classrooms with Techn($95)

Some free events I'll be attending and podcasting:

2/3/2009 8:00am-3:30pm
90804 Technology Applications K-12 Teacher Network Event($0)(n/c)

TexTan - 4:00-6:00PM - Ballroom A
(I'm the official podcaster for this session! How fun!)

And, some required meetings:

2/4/2009
9:00 AM-10:00 AM
Hilton Hotel Downtown Austin - Room 401 - 4th street (hotel across from convention center)

11:30am-1:30pm
90845 Technology Coordinators SIG (TEC SIG) Luncheon($10)

4:00-5:00 PM
Advocacy Training in Room 4-A. The trainer is Brock Gregg of ATPE. He has been doing this kind of work for many years and is very well respected. We can thank Scott Floyd for making this happen.

I'm jazzed about the luncheon (I always am when in the presence of so many awesome Texas ed-tech folk) even more than usual. I was informed last week that I'll be one of two folks receiving the MAKING IT HAPPEN Award, which is affectionately known as the "Pink Jacket" Award. Of course, pink is for the ladies...the guys get black jackets.

I'm thrilled to have been selected by fellow Texans and never imagined I'd be so fortunate.

I look forward to seeing you at the TCEA 2009 State Conference!

---

---

Subscribe to Around the Corner-MGuhlin.org

---

Be sure to visit the ShareMore! Wiki.

---

Everything posted on Miguel Guhlin's blogs/wikis are his personal opinion and do not necessarily represent the views of his employer(s) or its clients. Read Full Disclosure

UbuntuLinux Goes Home with Students

A colleague emailed me, "We're sending home 100 computers loaded with UbuntuLinux 8.04 for students. What other applications would you think would be good for HS students, MS and ES students?"

My first instinct was to suggest EDUbuntu Intrepid 8.10, but the machines ARE a little old (it's the Dell GX240...view this link to see specs). So, maybe Edubuntu 8.04 is the way to go because of the software pre-installed and that it's an older machine.

I'm not sure if that has a bearing on the matter...UbuntuLinux isn't like upgrading from Windows 98 to Vista. I need to check what runs best on a Dell GX240, which is about 6 years old. Ideas?

My colleague shared that they would be loading this software, if it wasn't already:

• AVG Free Anti-Virus
  
• Open Office
• Java
• VLC (which plays quicktime, flash, shockwave, etc)
• Adobe Reader
• Firefox

I recommended loading CMAP Tools, graphic organizer software. The Strategic Open Source SIG (TCEA) suggested these titles:

• Pidgin
• Xirc
• Kino
• SPE
• Avidemux
• Imagemagick
• FFmpeg

• Tuxtype Tuxpaint

• Gcompris,
  

• Tuxracer.
  

• Pingus (Lemmings clone)
  

• Berusky (great thinking game)

• Battle for Wesnoth (great network play)
  

• Frozen Bubble

• Childsplay

• SMC Secret Maryo Chronicles

I would also suggest they get the following free pocket book to send home with the students.

Many of my favorite applications are installed via Medibuntu. However, you can easily install other neat software programs. I've included the title of the software and, if a command to install it is necessary, the command to use from the command line/Terminal. Commands usually look like this:

sudo apt-get install nameofprogram

After installing Ubuntu 8.10, my first step after running all the updates is to setup Medibuntu (following this awesome tutorial).

Step 1- Enable Medibuntu Repository

sudo wget http://www.medibuntu.org/sources.list.d/intrepid.list -O /etc/apt/sources.list.d/medibuntu.list

then

sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get install medibuntu-keyring && sudo apt-get update

You're now ready to install a ton of software...here's the quick way to do it. Copy-n-paste this to the command line (Applications: Accessories: Terminal).

sudo apt-get install grip amarok flashplugin-nonfree audacity dvdrip filezilla msttcorefonts gtkpod-aac sun-java6-bin sun-java6-javadb sun-java6-jdk sun-java6-jre sun-java6-plugin k3b kino mplayer mozilla-mplayer sound-juicer helix-player mozilla-helix-player mozilla-acroread non-free-codecs ubuntu-restricted-extras libdvdcss2 opera xine-ui xine-plugin xmms2 xmms2tray xmms2-plugin-airplay xmms2-plugin-alsa xmms2-plugin-ao xmms2-plugin-asf xmms2-plugin-asx xmms2-plugin-avcodec xmms2-plugin-cdda xmms2-plugin-cue xmms2-plugin-curl xmms2-plugin-daap xmms2-plugin-faad xmms2-plugin-flac xmms2-plugin-gme xmms2-plugin-gvfs xmms2-plugin-ices xmms2-plugin-icymetaint xmms2-plugin-id3v2 xmms2-plugin-jack xmms2-plugin-karaoke xmms2-plugin-lastfm xmms2-plugin-m3u xmms2-plugin-mad xmms2-plugin-mms xmms2-plugin-modplug xmms2-plugin-mp4 xmms2-plugin-musepack xmms2-plugin-normalize xmms2-plugin-ofa xmms2-plugin-oss xmms2-plugin-pls xmms2-plugin-pulse xmms2-plugin-rss xmms2-plugin-sid xmms2-plugin-smb xmms2-plugin-speex xmms2-plugin-vocoder xmms2-plugin-vorbis xmms2-plugin-wma xmms2-plugin-xml xmms2-plugin-xspf vlc vlc-data vlc-dbg vlc-nox vlc-plugin-arts vlc-plugin-esd vlc-plugin-ggi vlc-plugin-jack vlc-plugin-pulse vlc-plugin-sdl vlc-plugin-svgalib thunderbird skype ksnapshot soundconverter p7zip

The beauty of all this is that it will easily fit within the 20 gig hard drive of the machine!

---

---

Subscribe to Around the Corner-MGuhlin.org

---

Be sure to visit the ShareMore! Wiki.

---

Everything posted on Miguel Guhlin's blogs/wikis are his personal opinion and do not necessarily represent the views of his employer(s) or its clients. Read Full Disclosure

Survey for CTOs/Technology Directors

Please fill in the following...summary results are now shared below the survey. You can see the raw results here (HTML | OpenOffice | Excel).

30 responses

Summary See complete responses

Name

CCM, Darin King, Duane Shaw, Cuero ISD, Don HIndsley, Abilene ISD, Kari Rhame, Anna White, M G Durrant, Steve Van Dyk, John Kain, Scott S. Floyd, Chris Champion, Paula, Karen Brooks, Rob Miller, Con...

How many schools are in your district?

1, 23, 18, 5, 5, 3, 23, 15, 3, 3, 3, 12, 4, 1, 11, 6, 34, 15, 6, 98, 45, 7, 13, 10, 7, 27, 6, 6, 3, 11

What is your approximate Average Daily Attendance?

1294, 21000, 7000, 3750, 1850, 320, 16,000, 12400, 1324, 170, 975, 9000, 1350, 850, 5000, 3600, 97%, 11,200, 3850, 58987, 27000, 5,050, 9.300, 3700, 5500, 20000, 4900, 3200, 98%, 7000

How many instructional technology staff do you have serving those schools?

0, 11, 20 FTE's, 1 plus helpers, 1.5, 1, 5, 17, 1, 1, 0, 3, 1, 1, 1, 1, 6, 3, 21/3, 6, 18, 7 (elemetary positions also teach tech apps as part of specials rotation), 5, 1, 1.5, 3, 2, 2, 2, 12, inclu...

What is the annual, average salary of Instructional Technology Staff?

0, 48000, $50,000, $0, $48,000, 67400, $45,000, $55,000, 44,000, 76000, 0, 45,000, state teacher scale plus $2000 and extra days, $35,000, 66,000, 60,000.00, 70,000, 55,000, $40000, 68900, 50000, 48...

What are the funding sources for the position?
	State Technology Allotment 8 27% NCLB Title 2, Part D 8 27% Local District Funds 25 83% Grants 3 10% Other 4 13% People may select more than one checkbox, so percentages may add up to more than 100%.

Is your Instructional Technology Office part of the Technology Dept or Curriculum and Instruction?
	Technology Department 13 43% Curriculum & Instruction 10 33% Other 7 23% People may select more than one checkbox, so percentages may add up to more than 100%.

How many technicians are assigned for trouble-shooting at each school?

2, 0.5, 8 staff cover 18 buildings, 2 for the district, 1 (for ALL schools), whoever is available of the three, not assigned by campus, 1/2 - 1, 1, 0, One, 4, 2 techs cover all four campuses, 1, 2 f...

Do you out-source for hardware repairs?
	Yes 9 30% No 21 70% People may select more than one checkbox, so percentages may add up to more than 100%.

What is the average salary of your technicians?

$34,000, 25000, $40,000, $28,000, $15000, 14/hr, $35,000, 35000, 15,000, 0, $47,000, don't know6, 27500, $35,000, 35,000, 40,000.00, 40,000, 35,000, $32000, 12.00, 33000, 40,000, 36000, 43000, 35000...

How many technicians do you have on staff?

2, 10, 9, 2, 1, 2, 8, 10, 2, 0, 1, 6, 2, 1, 2, 3, Approximately 30, 14, 2, 22, 11, 2, 6, 3, 4, 17, 3, 4, 3, 3

How many GNU/Linux computer workstations do you have deployed in schools?

0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 2, 0, 30, 0, 4, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 1, 10, 0, 0, 0, 1, N/A

How many Windows XP computer workstations do you have deployed in schools?

212, 6400, 1200, 1600, 900, 430, 4500, 6000, 800, 60, 200, 3800, 500, 250, 1500, 1799, 1500, 4,700, 1000, 78, 3000, 1,650, 5,300, 1600+, 1700, 3000, 2500, 2200, 415, 3,000

How many Mac OS X.4 or greater computers do you have deployed in your schools?

2, 17, 1500, 1, 600, 0, 0, 0, 839, 61, 2, 0, 100, 35, 200, 0, 60, 8, 1100, 99, 12000, 0, 0, 45, 1400, 1500, 2, 10, 650, 2 labs (50 computers)

How many Windows Vista computer workstations do you have deployed in schools?

0, 0, 0, 210, 1, 1, 10, 0, 0, 0, 1, 0, 10, 50, 0, 0, 30, 0, 0, 1, 0, 0, 1, 1, 0, 0, 6, 0, 415, Teachers laptops (100 units)

How many of the following systems are in your District?

OdysseyWare 4 14% Plato 12 41% Successmaker 6 21% Surescore 1 3% Learning for Sports 1 3% Neufeld Math 1 3% Pearson NNAT2 1 3% Penn-Foster 0 0% mClass Reading 2 7% mClass Dibels 4 14% mClass IDEL 1 3% mClass TPRI 2 7% mClass RTI 2 7% mClass Math 1 3% mClass CIRCLE 0 0% mClass Tejas Lee 2 7% SubFinder 6 21% Voyager 4 14% FastForWord 7 24% FitnessGram 17 59% Digital Video (e.g. United Streaming/PowerMediaPlus) 22 76% Renzulli Learning 4 14% Other 16 55% People may select more than one checkbox, so percentages may add up to more than 100%.

Which Online Professional Learning providers do you use?
	Atomic Learning 12 52% PBS TeacherLine 3 13% PD 360 2 9% InfoSource Learning 2 9% Other 10 43% People may select more than one checkbox, so percentages may add up to more than 100%.

Which of the following solutions are you using in your District?
	Joomla 6 22% Drupal 5 19% WordPress 8 30% GoogleApps for Schools 13 48% MediaWiki 2 7% PmWiki 1 4% b2Evolution 1 4% Moodle 18 67% Other 7 26% People may select more than one checkbox, so percentages may add up to more than 100%.

---

---

Subscribe to Around the Corner-MGuhlin.org

---

Be sure to visit the ShareMore! Wiki.

---

Everything posted on Miguel Guhlin's blogs/wikis are his personal opinion and do not necessarily represent the views of his employer(s) or its clients. Read Full Disclosure

TASA 2009 - REL Southwest

Note: Podcast being processed. Podcasting permission granted by presenter.

Kristin Michell (the presenter), Director of Technical Assistance, was kind enough to send me a note yesterday. Her presentation style was quite vivacious and engaging.

Here's the note and my session notes follow afterwards:

Thanks for attending and blogging about my session yesterday, it was nice to meet you.

I wanted to send two resources per our discussion of online professional development and online learning yesterday. First, I wanted to share the ED-Funded evaluation that was conducted by Mathematica which looked at Ed Tech across over 15 instructional technology interventions for students – it is the large scale study I mentioned yesterday.

NATIONAL STUDY OF THE EFFECTIVENESS OF EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY INTERVENTIONS

http://edtech.mathematica-mpr.com/

Also, I mentioned that I had worked on a publication about Evaluating Online Learning for the US Department of Education’s Office of Innovation and Improvement. Here is a link:

http://www.ed.gov/admins/lead/academic/evalonline/index.html

In this document we featured the Maryland Public Television program and the specific unpublished research by Helene Jennings and Michael Long at ORC Macro is attached. Their paper was presented at the 2004 American Evaluation Association conference. The evaluation about the Louisiana Online Algebra I program is also included in the publication.

Hope these research resources are helpful. Please let me know if you have any additional questions or need any other information!

Session Notes

• There are 10 regional labs
• Lots of opportunities to serve constituents
• History of Labs
  • Authorized in 1965 under the ESEA
  • 2005 “ A corner turned with NCLB and Education Sciences Reform Act (ESRA)
• Institute for Education Sciences (IES)
  • offers funding and is an independent research entity that provides best available research.
• Mission of REL
  • Emissary of science
    • Provide policy makers and practitioners high quality, scientifically valid education research
    • Assist in the evaluation of education policies and programs
    • Focus on improved student achievement
    • Reading content has lots of research, while Math may not be researched. We can research to existing or current research studies and how you can use that evidence. Where there is not a research, we can work with you as a District to design an evaluation to the body of evidence that exists.
• Key Characteristics of the Labs
  • Independent research entities
  • Defined by IES Contract
  • Report objective, scientifically valid results
  • Free of political influence
  • Governing Board
• Governing Board Membership
  • 21 members
  • Each State Chief
  • Texas Members - 6 members

What Labs Don’t Do

• Program or product development
• Professional development
• General technical assistance
• Program advocacy

What Labs Do

• Evidence
• Rigorous peer review process of all research
• Lab network strengthened
• Common branding

What Constitutes Good Education Research

• Answers specific research question
• Methodology appropriately matches question
• Findings are consistent with evidence
• Rigorous Review
• readily understood by constitutents
• Practical appications resulting in improved student outcomes

3 Kinds of Research

• Needs Sensing/Market Research
• Technical Assistance and Fast Response Studies
• Randomized controlled trials (RCT)

Needs Sensing and Market Research

• Solicitation of input from key region constituents
  • State interactions
    • Legislator

Priority Needs to Date

• Educator staffing and quality
• Data-driven decision making
• Response to intervention
• College Readiness, High School Redesign and dropout prevention
• English Language Learning
• Mathematics
• Early Childhood Education
• Rural Education

(Aside: No Ed-tech mention)

Rural Education

• Spend 25% of dollars working on rural issues.
• First report ever done was about rural.
• 6 commonly used definitions of rurality and they greatly affect funding.
• Research Ready Source - our reference desk service. Greatest level of interaction. Email or call us with a request and we have operators standing by.

Fast Response Projects

• Focus on student outcomes
• Project completed within 12 months
• Existing data used to conduct research
• 25% focus on rural education

Published Research Reports from REL Southwest

• Alternative Assessments for Special Ed students
• How the Government Defines Rural has Implications for Educ. Policies and Procedures
• La Frontera: Student Acheivement in Texas Border and Nonborder Districts
• Reviewing the Evidence on How Teacher Professional development affects student achievement
  • This report looked at over 1300 studies and winnowed it all down
  • 9 studies were found to meet the levels of evidence of rigor
• A review of avoidable losses: High Stakes accountability and the dropout crisis

Expert Events

• Response to Intervention: Tiers 1 & 2 in Practice
• Deferred Teacher Compensation
• English Language Learners
• Research Literacy
• Improving Adolescent Literacy
• Turning Around Low-Performing Schools

Randomized Control Trials

• Causal
• Longitudinal Studies
• Conducted over 3–5 year period

Program effectiveness

Collaborative Strategic Reading

• 5th grade ELL Social Studies
• RCT - Classroom Level Random Assignment
• 37 treatment/37 control classrooms
• Teachers receive training and coaching on how to implement CSR program

Math Response to Intervention

• Small group tutoring for At-risk 1st graders in Math
• RCT - School Level Random Assignment
• 40 treatment/40 control schools
• 4 districts/ 4 states

Collaborative Strategic Reading (CSR)

• Corpus Christi, Tx - completed
• Oklahoma City, OK
• Houston Area

Math RTI

• Houston (HISD), Tx
• (More listed in other states but omitted in these notes)

Product Dissemination

• District Administrator News: Measuring the Investment in PD
• Policymaker News: Evidence of the Effect of PD on Student Achievement
• PolicyMaker News: Aligning Science Assessment Standards
• Educator News: La Frontera, Border and nonborder schools

IES Web site

• http://ies.ed.gov/ncee/edlabs/askarel

What Works Clearinghouse

• New Guide for Practitioners
• URL: http://ies.ed.gov/ncee/wwc/
• Quick Reviews: Every week there is a study…REL/WWC work together to review research studies that appear in the media.

Practice Guides

• Reducing behavior problems in the elementary school classroom
• Improving adolescent literacy
• encouraging girls in math and science
• URL: http://ies.ed.gov/ncee/wwc/publications/practiceguides/

Doing What Works

• Review Research
• Learn about effective practices-video and steps
• Access planning templates
• URL: http://dww.ed.gov/

Content Assistance Centers

• Content centers disseminate knowledge on scientifically based research on effective practice and research-based products in their area of specialty.
  • Center on Accountability and Assessment
  • Center on Teacher Quality
  • Center on Intruction
  • Center on Innvation and Improvement
  • National High School Center
• URL: http://www.ed.gov/programs/newccp/awards.html

Contact Info

• NLN Web site - http://edlabs.ed.gov
• REL Southwest at Edvance Research - http://edlabs.ed.gov/RELSouthwest
• Technical Assistance - 1–877–338–2623
• RELinfo@edvanceresearch.com

---

---

Subscribe to Around the Corner-MGuhlin.org

---

Be sure to visit the ShareMore! Wiki.

---

Everything posted on Miguel Guhlin's blogs/wikis are his personal opinion and do not necessarily represent the views of his employer(s) or its clients. Read Full Disclosure

Podcast: What Administrators Need to Know about 1 to 1

Podcast of presentation "What Administrators Need to Know about Implementing a 1 to 1 Computing Program." Please be sure to click on READ MY NOTES below to see more information, including authors, etc.


Listen to Podcast (listen online at the Internet Archive) and/or read my notes (which include the Powerpoint slide information)

---

---

Subscribe to Around the Corner-MGuhlin.org

---

Be sure to visit the ShareMore! Wiki.

---

Everything posted on Miguel Guhlin's blogs/wikis are his personal opinion and do not necessarily represent the views of his employer(s) or its clients. Read Full Disclosure

Podcast: Make New Media Work

Just finished posting the podcast from the TASA 2009 session:

Listen to "Online On-Time: Making the New Media Work for You.

(or listen online at the Internet Archive)

Read notes online.

---

---

Subscribe to Around the Corner-MGuhlin.org

---

Be sure to visit the ShareMore! Wiki.

---

Everything posted on Miguel Guhlin's blogs/wikis are his personal opinion and do not necessarily represent the views of his employer(s) or its clients. Read Full Disclosure

Copyright Question and DMCA

The following copyright scenario was shared...

We have a faculty member that has several older VHS tapes of stuff she has bought in ht epast, not recorded off the TV etc. and want to put them on DVD. She clams that they are either no longer available or not available on DVD. What is the legality of doing such. Violate copyrights yes or no?

The person who asked the question, after receiving various responses, finally posted the following in response to his own question:

Well folks after lots of research, advice and expert opinions (including Dr. Carol Simpson) here is the answer, kind of.

If the VHS video is available on DVD then it is probably a violation, If the VHS video is NOT available on DVD AND the equipment is cannot be purchased on the commercial marketplace then under DMCA the transfer can be made to another format. VHS players are available at Walmart and other places and pretty cheap.

Below is an excerpt of Dr. Simpson's reply concering other issues of the process:

"If the video is not available in the format you wish, and the copy you have is deteriorating, the library can make an archival backup in the format you wish, but the copy may not leave the library.

Just because something is out of print does not give automatic permission to copy. In fact, the purchase was probably under "life of tape" rights, which means you get that one shot at it. If it broke, too bad -- buy another. If you take good care of it and it lasts 20 years, you can use it for 20 years as long as you have the technology to play it. But since video is usually very topical, a producer may not wish to have the program live beyond its usefulness and accuracy. It is the producer's (or copyright owner's) right to take the program off the market and let it die as the copies die.

And on another note, I'm currently updating my video rights page, and virtually every producer rejects transfer rights. They do not want to see their videos digitized, either to DVD or streaming server. They sell those rights and those copies, with the addition of digital rights management technology that helps to prevent additional duplication beyond the license with the program."

Basically to copy the tape is a violation of the copyright. Libraries can make copies but they cannot leave the library. Archival copies might be able to be made. So in my opinion, for what it is worth, if you want to open the district and possibly yourself to civil liabilities good ahead make the copy. I have decided I will have no part of it.

---

---

Subscribe to Around the Corner-MGuhlin.org

---

Be sure to visit the ShareMore! Wiki.

---

Everything posted on Miguel Guhlin's blogs/wikis are his personal opinion and do not necessarily represent the views of his employer(s) or its clients. Read Full Disclosure

TCEA 2009 State Conference-Helps You Have a Voice in the Legislative Process

Update: Date change noted below.

TCEA 2009 State Conference--Helps You Have a Voice in the Legislative Process

Have you ever wished you had a voice in the legislative process? Wished that you knew how to communicate with your elected officials?

Advocacy Training
TCEA is adding an advocacy training to the convention program. It will be:

Wednesday, February 4th (4:00 - 5:00) (Date Change)
Room 4-A

Brook Gregg, the ATPE Governmental Relations Director will share ways in which an educator can advocate for legislative positions both legally and effectively.

Come learn how to "Accelerate Technology" using the legislative process. This session is FREE and is open to all. I hope you can join us!

---

---

Subscribe to Around the Corner-MGuhlin.org

---

Be sure to visit the ShareMore! Wiki.

---

Everything posted on Miguel Guhlin's blogs/wikis are his personal opinion and do not necessarily represent the views of his employer(s) or its clients. Read Full Disclosure

Free Ubuntu PocketGuide

Take advantage of this free pocket guide!!

The PDF Edition (eBook) is entirely free of charge and is identical to the print edition. Over 100,000 people have already downloaded it! Grab the PDF or click here to tell a friend!

Written by award-winning author Keir Thomas, Ubuntu Pocket Guide and Reference is a totally unique and concise guide for everyday Ubuntu use. It is the world's most popular and widely-read Ubuntu book!

• Focuses on core competencies and background knowledge needed to be an expert Ubuntu user;
• Readable, accessible, and easy to understand—even if you've never used Linux before;
• 100% new and original! Written from the ground-up to cover Ubuntu 8.04 and 8.10.

Check it out!

via Scott Floyd

---

---

Subscribe to Around the Corner-MGuhlin.org

---

Be sure to visit the ShareMore! Wiki.

---

Everything posted on Miguel Guhlin's blogs/wikis are his personal opinion and do not necessarily represent the views of his employer(s) or its clients. Read Full Disclosure

House Stimulus Bill Information

From a colleague....

The National Clearinghouse for Educational Facilities has a very detailed summary on their web site of the proposed House Stimulus Bill. Details include what can be spent, and where it can be spent in regards to construction and technology. This bill still has to get approved and go to the Senate, but both bills are on a really fast track.

http://www.ncef.org/school-modernization/

Amounts....

Funding amounts are:

-- School modernization, renovation, and repair, $14 billion.

-- Higher education modernization, renovation, and repair, $6 billion.

-- Education technology, $1 billion.

The U.S. Department of Education would have 30 days to allocate funds to the states, and the states would have 30 days to allocate funds to local school districts.

---

---

Subscribe to Around the Corner-MGuhlin.org

---

Be sure to visit the ShareMore! Wiki.

---

Everything posted on Miguel Guhlin's blogs/wikis are his personal opinion and do not necessarily represent the views of his employer(s) or its clients. Read Full Disclosure

Your Blog or Your Job - 2006 Revisited

I left this comment on Steve Dembo's query, Your Blog or Your Job?, back in November, 2006. On re-reading it, I hold it to be even MORE true. How about for you?

If you’re a fly-by-night blog author, where the writing is really about letting your hair down and blasting everybody in sight, then sure…the blog has to go. But, if your blog is really about conversations with other folks, about exploring new ideas and learning, then it’s simple as well…the blog is chosen.

You see, in a Read/Write Web world, if you compromise your learning, your reflection on your work, and interactions with other professionals, and that compromise is valued by your employer, then you lose more than just a job. You lose the freedom to cogitate, communicate, and collaborate in a connected world. In a world where we each can stand up and speak without fear to oppression, to make our case known and not be dependent on an employer to unequivocally represent reality in a distorted, one-dimensional way…freedom of speech is more valuable than a job.

If your employer failed to value your learning and reflection, or you failed to let them know what you really thought, then there is a fundamental dishonesty and lack of trust in the relationship. When I get hired, I want people to know what they’re getting, my capacity to learn and express myself, my desire to explore ideas even if they may be controversial.

I haven’t gotten here overnight. Certainly blogging has accelerated the process for me…blogging as conversation, as living up to the 100% potential of a Web that is 50% Read/50% Write.

---

---

Subscribe to Around the Corner-MGuhlin.org

---

Be sure to visit the ShareMore! Wiki.

---

Everything posted on Miguel Guhlin's blogs/wikis are his personal opinion and do not necessarily represent the views of his employer(s) or its clients. Read Full Disclosure

Posting Podcasts on Archive.org

Looking for a free podcast host that never says "no?" Well, maybe never...but the Internet Archive is a terrific place to post content you don't mind just throwing out there into the Internet wilderness, with no hope of control!!

At the TASA 2009 Midwinters Conference, I found myself unable to quickly upload to Edublogs.tv (15 to 50 meg files) and found myself re-considering the Internet Archive. You can get an account for free at http://archive.org and post a variety of content.


It's as easy as clicking on "UPLOAD" to get going (once you get your account).

In the past you had to do FTP and it was a pain. It's a LOT easier now. For fun, here is a list of everything I have posted on Archive.org...I'm sure some readers have MORE content out there (like Wes Fryer). It sure is fun listening to some of my early podcasts...I can't tell you how self-conscious I am doing these. I always marvel at folks that are up into their 200th podcast. Wow!

Anyways, here's a list of the podcasts at Internet Archive when you do a search on "mguhlin"

	Around the Corner - MGuhlin.net - Exploring the Nova 5000 - Miguel Guhlin Find out more about the Nova5000, a 1:1 computing solution being offered by Fourier Systems and Dell Computer. This remarkably compact device increases computing possibilities for students in grades 6-12, if not earlier grades. You can find the podcast notes online at http://www.mguhlin.net/blog in the AudioCasts section. Miguel Guhlin http://www.mguhlin.net/blog Keywords: mguhlin,1:1 computing,1:1,laptop,nova5000, nova 5000, windows CE, windowsCE Downloads: 242 Average rating: (0 review)
	Around the Corner-MGuhlin.net : TUANZ 2007 Keynote (Rotorua Version) - Miguel Guhlin - www.mguhlin.net Find out more at: http://www.mguhlin.net/wiki/index.php?n=Main.Tuanz Keywords: mguhlin,tuanz2007,new zealand,nz,keynote Downloads: 992 Average rating: (0 review)
	Podcast: Around the Corner - MGuhlin.net - Reflections: DIgital Storytelling Academy - Miguel Guhlin Reflections on a different approach to digital storytelling in K-12 schools. Show notes at http://www.mguhlin.net/blog Miguel Guhlin Around the Corner - MGuhlin.net/blog Keywords: mguhlin; mguhlin.net; podcast; around the corner; kaylor; mkaylor; ollerenshaw; kaylor.us; digital storytelling; storytelling; oral; native american; indian Downloads: 908 Average rating: (0 review)
	Around the Corner-MGuhlin.net - TUANZ 2007 Pre-Conference Chat with NZ Educators - Miguel Guhlin - www.mguhlin.net Find out more at http://www.mguhlin.net and http://tuanz2007.wikispaces.com Keywords: tuanz2007,mguhlin,sheryl,snbeach,miguel guhlin,nz,new zealand Downloads: 208 Average rating: (0 review)
	Around the Corner-MGuhlin.net - Storytelling Festival Interview with Courtney Crim - Miguel Guhlin - www.mguhlin.net A chat with Courtney Crim (UTSA) regarding storytelling and the ordinary nature of creativity. This interview was recorded at the 2007 Storytelling Festival taking place at the University of Texas at San Antonio, Tx, USA. You can find more information in the Digital Storytelling Category at the Around the Corner-MGuhlin.net blog at http://www.mguhlin.net Keywords: storytelling,mguhlin,crim Downloads: 121 Average rating: (0 review)
	Podcast: Around the Corner - MGuhlin.net - Making It Happen with Jim Hindes - Miguel Guhlin This an interview with Jim Hindes, recipient of the TCEA TEC-SIG 'Making It Happen" award. Recipients receive a pink/black jacket. You can find more information online at http://www.mguhlin.net/blog/archives/2006/05/entry_1488.htm Miguel Guhlin http://www.mguhlin.net/blog Keywords: mguhlin,mguhlin.net,jim hindes,pleasanton,making it happen,pink jacket,award, K-12,education Downloads: 947
	Around the Corner-MGuhlin.net - Storytelling Festival Tim Tingle's Keynote Address - Miguel Guhlin - www.mguhlin.net A recording of Storyteller Tim Tingle's keynote address at the March, 2007 Storytelling Festival held in San Antonio, Tx. More on the Storytelling Festival can be found online at http://www.mguhlin.net under the Digital Storytelling Category. Keywords: storytelling,mguhlin,tingle,tim tingle Downloads: 51 Average rating: (0 review)
	Podcast: Around the Corner - MGuhlin.net - Embracing Technology for Positive Change - Miguel Guhlin - MGuhlin.net/blog This is a recording of my keynote presentation entitled "Embracing Technology for Positive Change: Surviving Old Solutions to New Problems" More online at http://www.mguhlin.net/blog Keywords: embracing technology,positive,change,mguhlin,mguhlin.net,keynote,speech,presentation,lakoff,frame Downloads: 73
	Podcast - Around the Corner - MGuhlin.net - Interview with LOTI Creator Dr. Chris Moersch - Miguel Guhlin Dr. Chris Moersch, creator of the nationally known Levels of Technology Implementation, responds to a few questions in this short interview regarding K-12 educational technology issues. More online at http://www.mguhlin.net/blog Keywords: mguhlin,mguhlin.net,moersch,chris moersch,loti, levels of technology implementation, no child left behind,nclb,superintendents Downloads: 265
	Around the Corner - MGuhlin.net - Using Bulk Emailers in K-12 Settings - Miguel Guhlin - MGuhlin.net/blog Ever tire of sending out emails one at a time to a large group of people, even though your work is education related? I have. Just recently, I emailed an HTML newsletter on what we're doing in Instructional Technology to over 3000 staff in my school district. To accomplish that, I used what's known as a bulk emailer. No, bulk emailing isn't just for spammers anymore...it's also for legitimate uses! While blogs and the ability of that content to be subscribed to is important, email remains the lo... Keywords: mguhlin,mguhlin.net,bulk email, k-12 schools Downloads: 118
	Around the Corner - MGuhlin.net/blog - A Conversation with Harris Salat - Miguel Guhlin - http://www.mguhlin.net/blog Recently, I had the wonderful opportunity to chat with Harris Salat (pictured above), Executive Producer for Visual Thesaurus (which has a half a million users, including the American School for the Deaf, Irving ISD in Texas). What I like is that it was honest and up front...and I don't get to ask a professional journalist (you know what I mean, so don't get offended fellow citizen journalists!) questions every day... Keywords: mguhlin,harris,salat,conversation,podcast,audiocast Downloads: 539 Average rating: (0 review)
	Podcast: Around the Corner - MGuhlin.net - Digital Storytelling Composition: Oral vs Written Process - Miguel Guhlin Implementing digital storytelling has been primarily of emphasizing the primacy of the written script. As we look at the models of digital storytelling that are out there, it's mostly focused on the written word. But, perhaps, in our rush to seize the power of technology to enhance storytelling, have we forsaken a more primal connection to what it means to be human? Have we, in our rush to adopt the written word, pushed aside oral storytelling tradition that has a greater appeal to younger learn... Keywords: mguhlin,digital storytelling Downloads: 270 Average rating: (0 review)
	Podcast: Around the Corner - MGuhlin.net - Anita Givens' Presentation at the Spring 2006 TEC-SIG Meeting - Miguel Guhlin With Anita Givens' permission, this podcast of her presentation at a meeting of technology education coordinators is shared. You can find more information online at http://www.mguhlin.net/blog Miguel Guhlin http://www.mguhlin.net/blog Keywords: anita,givens,tea,etac,k-12,schools,districts,mguhlin,mguhlin.net Downloads: 333
	Podcast: Around the Corner - MGuhlin.net - Anita Givens' Presentation Part 2 at the Spring 2006 TEC-SIG Meeting Part 2 of Anita Givens' Presentation to state technology leaders. More info at http://www.mguhlin.net/blog Keywords: anita,givens,tea,etac,k-12,schools,districts,mguhlin,mguhlin.net Downloads: 280
	Protecting Your Digital Privacy - MGuhlin.net A podcast exploring the different free, open source software available you can use to protect your confidential data. Downloads: 838 Average rating: (0 review)
	Podcast: Around the Corner - MGuhlin.net - Interview with Randal Douglas Recipient of the Making It Happen Award - Miguel Guhlin This an interview with Randal Douglas, recipient of the TCEA TEC-SIG 'Making It Happen" award. Recipients receive a pink/black jacket. You can find more information online at http://www.mguhlin.net/blog/archives/2006/05/entry_1488.htm Miguel Guhlin http://www.mguhlin.net/blog Keywords: podcast,mguhlin.net,mguhlin,randal,douglas,making it happen,tcea,tec-sig Downloads: 38
	Podcast: Around the Corner - MGuhlin.net - Sheryl Abshire on Disaster Recovery Planning in K-12 School Districts - Miguel Guhlin Sheryl Abshire, District Administrative Coordinator of Technology, from Calcasieu Parish Public Schools, Lake Charles, Louisiana, is speaking to the assembled membership of the TCEA TEC-Special Interest Group (SIG) on Thursday, May 11, 2006. She shares some excellent points based on her experience with 2005-2006 hurricanes Rita and Katrina. Find more content--including her slide show presentation and notes--online at http://www.mguhlin.net/blog Miguel Guhlin http://www.mguhlin.net/blog Keywords: mguhlin,mguhlin.net,abshire,disaster,recovery,disaster recovery,planning, K-12,education,schools,districts, school district Downloads: 196
	AudioCast/Podcast: Around the Corner - MGuhlin.net - Imprisoning Lightning: The Challenge of Social Networking in K-12 Education - Miguel Guhlin (Around the Corner - MGuhlin.net/blog) In this audiocast, I share an article I wrote--with a few connections to a NECC podcast I heard earlier today--last week entitled, Imprisoning Lightning. The points it raises really refer to the question of whether schools should place themselves between liberty and oppression? Obviously, some in business believe that use of "freedom tools" is wrong. As you listen to this, what side "of the line" do you come down on? More information at http://www.mguhlin.net/blog Keywords: mguhlin; mguhlin.net; k-12 education; schools; myspace; youtube; facebook Downloads: 45 Average rating: (0 review)
	Podcast: Around the Corner - MGuhlin.net/blog - Open Access Publications and Peer-Reviwed Journals/Publications - Miguel Guhlin "Open source teaching provides new strategies and opportunities for individuals to engage in the shared investigation of common challenges," shares a Wikipedia entry. For me, this is at the heart of "open source publication," or open access publications. I see blogs and podcasts--and using those to make the writing process more transparent, with writers no longer clutching their manuscripts to their chest for fear others might steal their ideas--as the quickest way to share information with the ... Keywords: mguhlin; mguhlin.net; podcast; around the corner; kaylor; mkaylor; ollerenshaw; kaylor.us; open access publications; peer-review Downloads: 1,954 Average rating: (0 review)
	Podcast: Around the Corner - MGuhlin.net - PC-PAL Solutions Interview with Harold Mena and Mike Griffin - Miguel Guhlin When I first became aware of PC-PAL Solutions (almost 2-3 years ago), I couldn't justify buying it in the face of other initiatives with higher priorities. However, as we've laid some of those initiatives to rest, the need became even more pressing for anytime, anywhere learning. As such, I found myself reviewing several different solutions and options. While I began with online, web-based tutorials--like Atomic Learning and Learning.com--I quickly realized that because of the urban, low socio-e... Keywords: mguhlin,mguhlin.net,assessment,k-12,schools,curriculum management system, cms, assessment management system,technology competencies, technology,competency,pc-pal,solutions,pc-pal solutions Downloads: 328
	Podcast: Around the Corner - MGuhlin.net - Dell Computer's Juan Shepperd and Mike Knab on Disaster Recovery Planning in K-12 School Districts - Miguel Guhlin Although I ended up missing the Dell Computer presentation on Disaster Recovery, I did manage to obtain a copy of their presentation and chat with Michael Knab and Juan Shepperd (pictured below from left to right) afterwards. You can listen to the podcast of that conversation, as well as view the presentation. More content online at http://www.mguhlin.net/blog Miguel Guhlin http://www.mguhlin.net/blog Keywords: mguhlin,mguhlin.net,dell computer,disaster,recovery,disaster recovery,planning, K-12,education,schools,districts, school district Downloads: 1,079 Average rating: (0 review)
	Around the Corner - MGuhlin.net - Podcast on Digital Storytelling A short reflection on conversations regarding digital storytelling implementation in a large urban school district. Keywords: Mguhlin.net; storytelling; digital storytelling; storyswap Downloads: 106
	Around the Corner-MGuhlin.net : Dorothy Burt on Effective ICT Integration (New Zealand) - Miguel Guhlin - www.mguhlin.net Keywords: mguhlin,tuanz2007,new zealand,auckland Downloads: 453 Average rating: (0 review)
	Around the Corner-MGuhlin.net - Storytelling Festival Interview with Doc Moore - Miguel Guhlin - www.mguhlin.net Interview with renown storyteller, Doc Moore, held at the Storytelling Festival 2007 in San Antonio, Texas. Keywords: storytelling,mguhlin,doc moore, moore Downloads: 42 Average rating: (0 review)
	Around the Corner-MGuhlin.net : Digital Storytelling Interview with Joe Lambert - Miguel Guhlin - www.mguhlin.net Interview with Joe Lambert, Director of the Center for Digital Storytelling. Keywords: mguhlin,joe lambert,lambert,digital storytelling,storytelling,digital Downloads: 1,461 Average rating: (0 review)
	MGuhlin.net Podcast: Around the Corner - Part 1 of Protecting Your Digital Privacy - Miguel Guhlin Part 1 of Protecting your digital privacy using free, open source tools. First part of a multi-part series of weekly podcasts on how to use free encryption tools to safeguard your data on mobile devices. Keywords: mguhlin; podcast; around the corner; digital literacy; digital privacy Downloads: 1,269
	Creating Online Tutorials with Wink - Miguel Guhlin Download a la Mode - more online at http://www.mguhlin.net/dl and http://www.mguhlin.net/blog Keywords: techtips; online tutorials with wink; wink; mguhlin; mguhlin.net Downloads: 1,543
	Storing Files Online Download a la Mode tip - http://www.mguhlin.net/dl Keywords: techtips; storingfilesonline; mguhlin; mguhlin.net Downloads: 61
	Sharing Calendars Online Download a la Mode Podcasts at http://www.mguhlin.net/dl Keywords: techtips; calendars; mguhlin; mguhlin.net; podcast Downloads: 136
	Blogging in Hawaii - Mousing Around Podcast Blogging in Hawaii - Mousing Around Podcast more online at http://www.mguhlin.net/blog Keywords: techtips; hawaii; mguhlin; mguhlin.net Downloads: 47
	On the Front Porch #1 - Sharing Blogging Best Practices for K-12 Educators - Miguel Guhlin - MGuhlin.net/blog An introductory look at blogging in K-12 by pioneer educators in the field. More online at http://mguhlin.wikispaces.com/porch Keywords: blogging,education,k-12,mguhlin,on the front porch,best practices Downloads: 1,850 Average rating: (0 review)
	TASA2009 - Reinventing Learning - Miguel Guhlin-http://mguhlin.org An engaging presentation about reinventing learning by reconfiguring learning spaces in schools. Notes for this presentation can be found online at http://mguhlin.net/share/index.php?n=WorkshopNotes.WorkshopNotes Keywords: mguhlin; physical; spaces; learning; spaces; education; k-12
	Mousing Around Podcast: Critical Reading Strategies (CREST) This afternoon, I had the opportunity to speak with Lucretia Fraga from the Critical Reading Strategies (CREST) grant initiative at the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA). She shared the wonderful opportunity that grade 2-8 teachers in the San Antonio, Tx area have to participate in the use of webquests to enhance reading strategies. The initiative, less than a year old, is focused on using webquests (originally developed by Dr... Keywords: mguhlin; podcast; crest; utsa Downloads: 105
	Converting PPT to Web - Miguel Guhlin A few ways to convert PowerPoint files to Web-friendly format. Keywords: techtips; ppt; mguhlin; mguhlin.net Downloads: 198
	District CMS Podcast regarding use of Content Management Systems in K-12 School Districts, as well as implementation components. Keywords: mguhlin.net; mguhlin; podcast; cms; content management system; blog; schools Downloads: 676
	Sharing Images via the Web - Miguel Guhlin How to share images with others via the Web using Read/Write (Web 2.0) tools. Keywords: techtips; sharing images; mguhlin; mguhlin.net Downloads: 949
	A Free Primer on Acrobat PDF Files An audio file that provides a quick background on Acrobat Portable Document Format (PDF) files, and where you can find FREE ways of creating/converting your own PDF files. Keywords: techtips; pdf; mguhlin; mguhlin.net Downloads: 116
	Storing Bookmarks Online - Miguel Guhlin A podcast about free, Read/Write (Web 2.0) tools go much farther than traditional web-based bookmarking tools. Accompanying article is online at http://www.techlearning.com/showArticle.jhtml;jsessionid=4OILSYCRAF0DWQSNDBGCKHSCJUMEKJVN?articleID=180204035&_requestid=704397 Keywords: bookmarks,social bookmarking, podcast, mguhlin,mguhlin.net Downloads: 914
	TASA 2009 - Disaster Recovery and Planning - Miguel Guhlin-http://mguhlin.org Cypress-Fairbanks ISD details it's extensive efforts to prepare for Hurricane Ike, sharing disaster recovery and planning information. This is an information-rich presentation--from top school administrators--well worth listening to. Keywords: disaster; recovery; mguhlin; cyfairisd; disasterrecovery; planning; hurricane; ike
	Powerful Beyond Measure - Miguel Guhlin "Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure." In K-12 schools today, teachers are under siege. They are frozen, immobilized by fear to fight back against the legislation that promises to free children, but in turn, enslaves them with high stakes testing practices. This podcast shares a response based on Dietrich Bonhoeffer's approach. Keywords: education,k-12,schools,teaching,learning,bonhoeffer,germany,freedom,tyranny Downloads: 1,262
	Podcast: Mousing Around X-1: On Becoming In this podcast, I discuss three topics: experimenting with education, datacasting, and digital citizen privacy issues Keywords: mguhlin; mousing around; podcast; education Downloads: 55

---

---

Subscribe to Around the Corner-MGuhlin.org

---

Be sure to visit the ShareMore! Wiki.

---

Everything posted on Miguel Guhlin's blogs/wikis are his personal opinion and do not necessarily represent the views of his employer(s) or its clients. Read Full Disclosure