Quizlet

A great way to review. You can check it out by clicking below:

http://quizlet.com/14608356/world-history-academic-vocabulary-flash-cards/

Problem Attic - New York Regents Questions Online

I got a marketing email today that seemed too good to be true, from Problem Attic (www.problem-attic.com).  They advertised more than 45000 questions from the New York State Regents Exams from the last 30 years, in an online database that allows teachers to select, arrange, and print questions.  I created an account and played around for a little, and the site seems to be on the level and as advertised.  There are questions from Science, Mathematics, Social Science, and English Language Arts.  The selection interface is slick and easy; you can arrange the questions however you like on a page, either for tests, overheads, or flashcards; you can modify the look of the pages somewhat; and then you download a PDF.  I did not find a way to automatically make different versions of a test, but it is pretty easy to manually scramble the questions and print out a different test.

For years, I've used ExamGen, which is a test bank that is largely (if not completely) based on the Regents Exam questions for science.  The questions are quite good, but the test generator program is terrible.  I put up with it for the sake of the questions.  Problem Attic seems to have solved this, creating a ridiculously easy interface for the same good questions.  I cannot figure out why this site is free; it's worth paying for.  I guess once in a while, marketing emails are actually true.

Set up your account at www.problem-attic.com today.

Using Evernote in Your Classroom

I've written previously about how useful Evernote is for me in keeping organized.  (See The Joy of Evernote.)  Here is a great guide about using Evernote in the classroom.  Sections include "Why Evernote in Education?", "Top Reasons for Using Evernote", "Some Ways Students can use Evernote", video tutorials, and links for further resources.

Anymeeting

I've been using a pretty good videoconferencing and screen-sharing program recently, called Anymeeting (www.anymeeting.com).  You can sign up for free (with advertisements) or you can pay for a subscription to remove the ads.  Your session can have up to 200 participants, and there is no software to download.  Everything works through a web browser, though Java is required to share your screen.  As a presenter, you can broadcast audio or video or both.  You can also share your screen, or a YouTube video, or a Powerpoint.  In addition, the sessions can be recorded and archived for others to see later.

I used this software to record the MyAccess training that we did at the District Office this week.  I'm also going to use it to broadcast and record the Web 2.0 Workshops coming up over the next six weeks.

If you're interested in videoconferencing and working remotely with others, Anymeeting is a great resource.

Tech Support (from xkcd.com)

More New Diigo Lists

• English Language Arts: www.diigo.com/list/kfairchild/english-language-arts
• World Languages: www.diigo.com/list/kfairchild/world-languages

There aren't a lot of resources on these lists yet, but I'll keep adding them as I find them.

Brokers of Expertise

Brokers of Expertise is a CDE-sponsored resource and professional network for teachers and administrators throughout the state.  It's kind of like LinkedIn, but specifically for California educators.  When you sign up (at myboe.org), you will be automatically connected to groups for your school and your district.  There are also other groups that you could join, either for your content area, or for special education, or for educational technology, or any other specific interest.  When you join a group, you have access to all the resources (links, files, lesson plans) submitted to that group from teachers all around the state.  If you don't find a particular group, you can create your own group and invite others.

This kind of online community is a great way to build your professional learning network, especially if you are the only teacher for a class at your site (or in the district).  You can get help and suggestions and resources from teachers across the state.  Try it out, at myboe.org.