Tuesday Tips: 12/16/14

Every Tuesday, a tech tip and a book recommendation from the library.

TECH TIP:  A look back at 2014

Check out this video from Google that highlights the top searches of the year (the Top Two most searched items were the World Cup and Ebola):  https://www.google.com/trends/2014/

The most watched video of the year on YouTube was Mutant Giant Spider Dog:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YoB8t0B4jx4

BOOK TIP:  Skyscrapers: A History of the World's Most Extraordinary Buildings by Judith Dupre

I just bought this book for the library and it is amazing.  So cool to look at it.  It is as large as the buildings it covers.  A great gift for an architect buff.  

Tuesday Tip 12/2/14

 TECH TIP:  Tackk https://tackk.com/education

If you are looking for a public way to post your assignments, Tackk might be the service for you.  It allows you to make quick and simple webpages.  Registering for a free account allows you to save your Tackk pages forever.  If you don’t register and make a page, it will expire after one week. 

Other features:

• ·      Templates for education.  Customize these for your specific needs:  https://tackk.com/@tackklessons
• ·      Add tools to the webpage like RSVP, video, audio
• ·      Set the page to private so only those in your class can view
• ·      Send out an invite to the page via email
• ·      Customize the URL to your name or class
• ·      While you can’t attach Word files, you can add in URL links to your Google Docs.

 A quick example I made:  https://tackk.com/zyz8h9

 Tackk in the Classroom Page (be sure to watch the Demo Video):  https://tackk.com/education

BOOK TIP:   All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr

Just selected by GoodReads as the best historical fiction novel of 2014, this novel centers around a young blind girl in occupied France during World War II.  Her story is intertwined with a German boy who is an expert at radios.  The brief chapters and beautiful prose will keep you turning the pages.  It is one of those books that you are sad when it is over. 

Tuesday Tech Tip

TECH TIP:  Down for Everyone or Just Me?  

When a website isn't working for you, enter the URL into this site and see if the site is down for everyone or just you.  It will save you a lot of time trying to figure out why your computer isn't working!

http://www.downforeveryoneorjustme.com/

BOOK RECOMMENDATION:  The Coldest Girl in Coldtown by Holly Black

A horror book in honor of Halloween this week.  Cities across the US have been walled in to contain those who have turned "cold".  In other words, they have become vampires.  Once you enter a Coldtown, you can never leave.  Will this group make it in - and out - of Coldtown to save themselves?  A chilling, fast-paced read.

Tuesday Tech Tips - Last 3 weeks

From October 21:

TUESDAY TIP:  Every Tuesday, a tech tip and a book recommendation from the Library @ MMRHS

TECH TIP:  Your Life on Earth  http://www.bbc.com/earth/story/20141016-your-life-on-earth

The BBC has put together a very cool interactive.  You enter your date of birth and a few other facts and an infographic is populated that shows all the things that have happened since you were born.  Good statistical information.  

BOOK RECOMMENDATION:  What Alice Forgot by Liane Moriarty

This was my favorite book of the summer.  Alice is a 40 year old woman who gets amnesia, forgetting the last 10 years of her life.  This includes forgetting having her children.  A look at what is important about life and the choices we make along the way.

From October 15:

TUESDAY TIPS (On Wednesday, due to Jury Duty yesterday):

TECH TIP:  Jeopardy Rocks  http://www.jeopardy.rocks

Jeopardy Rocks is a free online tool for making quick and easy Jeopardy-style review games.  Click on the Build Now box and them add in what you want for your custom URL.  You will need to add in an email and password to create your game.  Then click on each square to add in the question and answers.  You can have up to 6 teams on the board.  

BOOK RECOMMENDATION:  Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese

One of my favorite books of all time.  An epic story of twin brothers who come of age during the Ethiopian revolution.   A story of family, courage, and medical miracles.  Beautifully written. 

From October 7:

TUESDAY TIPS:  Every Tuesday, I’ll email out a tech tool tip and a tip on a good book to read. 

TECH TIP:  Random Name Picker  http://www.classtools.net/random-name-picker/

Looking for a fun, random way to get students to participate in class?  Enter your class list and then spin a virtual wheel to have a random name selected.  After a name has been selected, you can remove the name so it is not picked again.  It is free to use and will work on your laptop or iPad.

BOOK TIP:  The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

I’m recommending this first, as it was the most read book by students who participated in the Summer Reading program.  It is a book that has wide appeal to teens and adults alike.  Hazel and Augustus are two teens who meet at a Cancer Support Group.  But this is not just a story about cancer, it is a story about what it means to be alive and in love.  A heartbreaker. 

Thanks to Steve Estelle:  If you want a good laugh, though, check out this Saturday Night Live spoof on the book and film:http://youtu.be/DopEzgBk4dA