Ever wonder how Google search works?

I thought you might enjoy this 3 minute video that explains (in simple terms) how the Google search engine works.  Watching this may help you refine your searches in Google.  Happy Searching!

And the winners are ..

Linda Bennett - High School
Laura Bradley - Blake
Steve Schultheis - High School

The winners were chosen at random using a random number generator from Random.org.  All winners need to email me to coordinate the delivery of your Amazon Gift Certificates.

Thanks to all that participated in the survey.  We had 90 total responses (36 from Blake, 45 from the HS and 9 from teachers in both schools).  This chart shows the results:

Powersearching with Google Class

Just a reminder that Google's free Power Searching class begins today, September 24th.  If you have not registered, you can do so here.  I am not sure how much longer you can sign up, so if interested I would do it ASAP.

In case you do not have the time to take the course, Google has posted some excellent tips and tricks when it comes to searching.

A few things you may not have known when searching using Google:

1. You can drag an image into the Google search bar to help identify what is in a picture (so if you took a picture of a strange insect in your garden and then dragged the image into google you could identify the insect)
2. You can search within any specific website (from Google, for example I can search the contents of the entire CNN website)
3. You can get the definition of any word
4. You can calculate anything
5. You can locate earthquake activity

There is lots to learn for all of us, so please join me in this class.

500 Free Online Courses

Are you a life-long learner?  Can you afford classes that cost $0?  Are you interested in topics such as Architecture, Art History, Film, Geography, Computer Science, Engineering and many more?

 If so, check out this list of over 500 free online courses from top universities.  Courses are offered via YouTube, iTunes or the web.  Read more about these courses at this blog posting from OpenCulture.com.

Getting Techy with it

Welcome to the inaugural entry of the Medfield Technology Blog.  I am hoping that this will be a valuable resource to keep you updated on what is going on with all things technology related at Blake and at the High School.  Without further ado ..

Medfield Specific News

Voicethread and Glogster

Many of you have expressed interest in using these products this year.  We are in the process of getting school licenses for these products and I hope to have them up and running by next week.  Look for an update in next week's blog or via email.  If you have not done so already, please fill out this short web tools survey and earn a chance at winning an Amazon Gift Certificate.

Web 2.0 Tool of the Week

Each week I will share with you a Web 2.0 tool that is free, easy to learn and can easily be adapted into your classroom.  This week we will look at a newspaper clipping generator.  All you need to do is enter text and click on 'generate' to create your clipping.  Here is an example of what it looks like:

How can you use this in the classroom?

• You can create a newspaper clipping identifying students who did a great job on a quiz, or the class as a whole that did well.  Simply post it on your Epson when they come to class.
• Have students write a newspaper article based on historical events and then send them to this site to publish 

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General Technology News

• Did you ever want to be an expert on Google search?  Or at least improve your search skills?  Well you are in luck.  Google is offering a free online class in 'Powersearching'.  Here is the 411 from the Google Site: 

  I have already registered.  Who's with me?  You must register by September 24th.

• Are you a YouTube Guru?  Do you create awesome YouTube videos for your class?  If so, YouTube has launched a 'Star Search' for teachers with expertise in this area.  Find out more information by reading this blog post. 

How do you like the new blog?  What else do you want to see here?  This is a work in progress so all suggestions would be appreciated.  Simply add them in the comments section or email me.