Google Maps Measuring Tools - Great for Math (..and History and English Language Arts)

Today through Richard Byrne I discovered some new cool features with Google Maps.  Now, I'm sure most of you are utilizing your Google Earth application all the time when referring to a geographical location ;0).  However, Google Maps is also a great tool for maps.  Since you already are using your laptop top device as your main teacher tool, you can have Google Maps bookmarked and ready to go when your ready to display a map or two that refers to you current content or topic (in what ever subject you are in).

Here's what's new with Google Maps:

Google maps has measuring tools (great for Math, History, English Language Arts).  You have to activate this feature in Google Maps.  Locate Maps Labs at the bottom of the Google Maps site, as indicated in the image below.  From there you can activate or deactivate some extra features that Maps has to offer.  One of them is the Measuring Tool.

Once you click on the "ruler" icon (image below), you will have a drop-down menu of measurements to choose from.

The Google Maps Measuring Tools now offers over 50 unique measuring units from American Football Field to Egyptian Royal Cubit.  This is a great way to use measuring in a unique and fun way; and depending on the subject can put a better understanding on distance throughout history or historical literature.  For more info from Richard Byrne go to Free Technology for Teachers: Getting Geeky With Google Maps Measurements:

'via Blog this'

How to Do 11 Techy Things in the New School Year - Richard Byrne

Richard Byrne (as previously mention, several times) is always pulling out very practical material that helps teachers use technology in their classroom.  Below I have embedded his ebook that I think you will find very useful.  Not all of these suggestions may be available to our district, however take advantage of the ones that are.  If you have any questions about any of these tech suggestions, please do not hesitate to contact me.

How to Do 11 Techy Things In Your Classroom

More SMART Notebook Video Tutorials

Taking advantage of YouTube's curating options and ability, I've organized and put together playlists of video tutorials for different topics.  One of them is for SMART Notebook.  After doing much search for helpful, practical and informative tutorials, I felt these were of great quality.  This playlist will be an ongoing build; like a video blog.  So keep checking for updates and newly added video.  As I find more practical content I will add them to my playlists.  Feel free to subscribe to my channel, so you can get notifications of when I do add something new.  Visit my SMART Notebook YouTube playlist

You will, also, notice, perhaps, a familiar voice in some of the videos.  I have been posting my own tutorials; short easy-to-swallow snippets about SMART Notebook.  Be sure to check those ones out as well.

Please feel free to give me your feedback on these playlists in the comment sections of either this blog post or the playlists.

SMART Notebook - Pen Tool

Latest video upload.  What your SMART Notebook Pen Tool can do.

MLTI Minute - Adjusting Display Preferences

Did you ever wonder why your computer screen and the projector display sometimes do not match when you plug in to the projector, or why they change in size or resolution?

Last year I featured MLTI's MLTI Minute and their video tutorials how to make the most of your Stickies application on your MacBook device.  MLTI Minute now has over 200 mini-tutorials posted on their site.

Today I would like to feature another one that came out last April.  This one talks about your display settings on your computer when you plug into a projector and how you can adjust them to suit your needs.  Tim Hart, Apple Rep and MLTI Integration Mentor, does a great job and making this process simple and easy to understand.

I would like to point out, also, that all of their video is downloadable.  You could store it in your iTunes app if you like.

If you have any questions concerning the use of your displays when projecting, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Apps Gone Free - Today's Feature

Apps Gone Free is a FREE iPhone app (compatible with your iPad as well) that features on a daily basis apps that have gone FREE.

Today there is a good one for those iPad begginers or those who would like to know more about your iOS device.  The app is called SCOtutor for iPad.  It was at the price of $3.99, but now it is FREE.  The app is basically an organized and categorized set of video tutorials explaining pretty much every little feature of your iPad device.  It is designed to cover the iPad2 and iOS5, however is great for anyone who has the original first iPad.  The app is amazingly easy to navigated through and to where you want to view.  I believe you will find this extremely helpful.  Below is a video demo of the app.

Get the Apps Gone Free app for more info, or just go to your iTunes store for SCOtutor for iPad.

(disclaimer - this is not my preferred demo, but it does cover it all; he's not Mr. Personality)

SMART Notebook - Infinite Cloner