Cute PDF Writer - Solves Printing Problems for Students with No Printer

For educators looking for interactive activities online for their simplicity in its use, and where students do not have to create an account, Read Write Think is the answer.  Read Write Think has many interactive activities students can use from writing to website evaluation.  Two of the best features in my opinion is its simplistic step-by-step directions, and students, plus teachers, do not have to create accounts.

One such tool is its comic creator.  The comic creator has simple instructions, a drop and drag interface, and just enough choices for students.  Yesterday, a group of 10th graders chose this comic creator against other options proving it is acceptable for all grade levels.

There is one major draw back to Read Write Think and other interactive activities where you do not need to create an account.  The draw back is you can't save your work and must print it to have it.  So what do you do when you have a high school where the students are not assigned a printer to the school's laptops and must save their work to a jump drive to print later?  Cute PDF Writer saves the day.

Cute PDF Writer allows you to save any document, web page, etc as a pdf.  Students can now save their work using Cute PDF Writer, create a pdf of their work, and print it later when convenient.  Wait a minute...Didn't I just say Read Write Think and other interactive activities make it impossible to save??  Let me Explain.

To use Cute PDF Writer, use the link and install BOTH the free download and converter.  Saving a pdf version of a document or website is quite easy using Cute PDF Writer.  Click "Print" for the document or web page you want to save.  Cute PDF Writer will now be one of your printer options.  Choose it and save the pdf where you will access it later.

Hopefully you will find your use of interactive sites like Read Write Think as excellent as I have.  For those schools that have limited printing options, tools such as Cute PDF Writer will not create a barrier from using the interactive activities.

Keeping Up Appearances

Imagine that someone called you at home to say that they were in town, and wanted to stop by to visit.  They tell you that they will arrive at your house in about 30 minutes.  Not bad, you think to yourself…I have time to straighten up the place.  Now imagine that someone calls to say that they are in the neighborhood and wanted to drop by and say hello, and that they will arrive in about 10 minutes.  Well, not a lot of time…but I can throw laundry in the back room, fluff the pillows and at least put dishes in the sink before the guest gets to the house.  But what happens when the person is a “Pop-In” visitor?  Sometimes they just stop by, unannounced, and come in to see what’s happening, and either finds that not much is going on, or that the place is unorganized and not ready for company.

 Most of us have experienced one or more of these scenarios.  It’s just about the same when you have visitors to your Web Site…except…ALL of the visitors are “Pop-Ins.”  Make sure your site is in order, up-to-date, and frequently checked.  Be ready to welcome your visitors.

Keith

Terms of Use: Do We Follow Them??

My colleague Marc Frechette has begun a collaborative project to review websites and determine a website's Terms of Use. Being role models of digital citizenship, I think it is important that we model using digital tools and websites by their terms of use. I understand that in this century the lines of fair use, copyright, etc. have been blurred.

For example, I went to a conference a couple of years ago and was introduced to ToonDoo, a comic creator to use in the classroom. Subsequently, I shared it with many teachers in my district, and it got widespread use. However, come to find out, I was breaking ToonDoo's terms of service, "ToonDoo will only provide the Service to persons and entities who can form legally binding and enforceable contracts under applicable law.6. Assignment." I am not a lawyer, but I believe that unless a student is 18, we can't encourage them or force them to use the site.

As a high school instructional technology coach, terms of use are important, but since students are over the age of 13, we still have a lot of choices. Marc, however, works at the elementary level and many digital tools are not be used, not due to CIPA or COPPA but due the website's terms of use. Most websites and digital tools expressly state to be used by those over 13.

So who has the time to review all of the websites we use. Here are two steps to assist you. 1) Go to the website you are using and find terms of use at the bottom. Once you are on the terms of use page search for words such as 13, 18, age, binding, or contact. An easy way to search if using IE is to press F3 and a search will appear to search the page for specific terms. 2) Review and add to Marc's digital project to see if your website and/or digital tool appears, GCSD Web2.0 Tool Permissions. 

Tom

Jump Into the Unknown

The seeds of my professional/personal development come from literature.  Most of the time, the literature comes from my two year old son’s bookshelf. 

You can purchase Scaredy Squirrel here. 

Recently I shared one of my all-time favorites, Scaredy Squirrel by Melanie Watts, with several of the schools that I have been working with.  In case you are unfamiliar with the story I will attempt to provide a brief summary. The story is about a squirrel that loves routine and feels safe never leaving his controlled environment.  After accidently falling out of his tree, he finds the outside isn’t so dangerous.  This experience influences him to make sure he is “jumping into the unknown” daily.

I asked teachers to share their connections to Scaredy Squirrel on a Google document.  In doing so I have learned that some people had a fear of clowns and pantomimes.  However, most people have a fear of “jumping into the unknown.” 

What does this mean for classrooms? 

It’s good that we acknowledge our fear of the “unknown”.  As educators we often ask our students, especially in the beginning of the year, to take that leap of faith.  This usually turns out to be beneficial for them.  We are in the wonderful profession of helping people grow by trying new things. 

This is my first time posting on a blog.  Inspired by Scaredy Squirrel, I am jumping into the unknown as an attempt to celebrate our journey as learners within our school district.  I am just glad I have incredible company.   

~MF

Interested or Committed?



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Technology tools can be wonderful enhancements of the instructional planning process.  In fact that is as it should be…an enhancement of already carefully planned lessons.   Teachers that make up their mind to catch the fast train will prosper from the ride.  Those slow to get on board will not only arrive late, but may end up arriving without their luggage.  In other words, don’t wait…jump into the learning curve now.

Technology is not that scary, and can certainly make your life easier.  In the classroom, it takes a lot of planning to put together a great lesson, and then to integrate technology in the way of a Smart Board, or Promethean Board, Blogs, presentation tools, interactive websites, streaming video and the like…means that the work time before a lesson is even more involved.  However, the results possible for students, having learning opportunities using a variety of instructional strategies, and modalities will over time, make students more successful.

Here is when you ask yourself the question…Am I interested in technology or am I committed to using the tools that can propel me forward?  Just so you know…When you're interested in something, you do it as circumstances permit. When you're committed, you accept no excuses, and seek results.

Keith


 



Selling Myself

Here is my first attempt at trying to sell myself to teachers and administrators through a 5 minute commercial.