Tuesday, February 9, 2010

You Convert It! Free Online Media File Conversion Website

Has Zamzar let you down?  Don't worry about it.  You Convert It! is a website that will quickly take your files and convert them into any format you can imagine. 

Here's how I used it recently: A colleague is trying to convert all of her flip mp4 files into a video format she can use to edit with Windows MovieMaker. We uploaded the files and converted into them into .wmv files with ease. Immediately these converted files were available on my email account for immediate download. You can use this site to convert files on youtube for class use.

Go to http://www.youconvertit.com/ to convert your media files as needed.  It even makes flash video files!

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Scholastic Activities for SmartBoards

Go to this website to get wonderful interactive activity downloads created for your smartboard use by Scholastic.




Monday, February 1, 2010

Black History Month Projects and Resources

Thinkfinity is featuring some pretty awesome lesson plans, activities and resources for Black History Month.

"Searching for Black History Month lesson plans, activities and resources? Listen to black scientists. Use social and behavioral science to study the work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Trace the blues. Ride The Underground Railroad. And through it all, discover the contributions of African Americans to our nation's history."  - Thinkfinity.org

Go to this link to view and use worthwhile resources from National Geographic, ArtsEdge, Science Net Links, and many more valued contributors:


Monday, January 25, 2010

Read Write Think Gets a Facelift!

http://www.readwritethink.org/

The International Reading Association has given the Read Write Think website a new look.  Since 2002, this site continues to be the premier website for Language Arts Literacy educators. Hundreds of lesson plans, interactive activities, printouts and calendar activities are available on this site.  This is a classic site that is definitely worth its weight in gold- and this site is resource heavy! 

Thursday, January 14, 2010

Send an email to your future self!

Future Me is a web tool that will allow you to email yourself reminders or other items at a later date.  You can make this message public or private.  I personally would advise keeping emails private. As a registered member of future me, you can even email others into the future.Thanks Lorenzo Cruz for sharing this resource with us!


Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Vocabahead- Enhance your Vocabulary Through Animated Video

http://www.vocabahead.com/

"[WordAhead] makes learning hard words both fun and interactive for everyone. Especially useful for those preparing for SAT/ACT verbal tests."

This website is an awesome virtual warehouse of animated, engaging videos students can use to learn vocabulary. Students can create their own videos and share them on this website also. Thanks Janet Clark and Alex Gruskin for sharing this resource with us!

Monday, January 11, 2010

Women in Media Video Contest for Newark Students

http://www.wim-n.com/video-contest/

The purpose of this contest is to encourage youth to think deeply about the significance of Women’s History Month, and the status of women both locally and globally; as well as to challenge youth (particularly young women), who are interested in careers in the film industry to perfect their skill set. To enter, students must create a three minute video which illustrates how the theme of this year’s festival “Breakthroughs in Courage” is exemplified in the lives of women. First, second and third place winners, as well as a People’s Choice winner will be selected. First place winner will receive one hundred dollars ($100). Second place winner will receive fifty dollars ($50), and third place winner will receive twenty five ($25). In the event more than one person creates the video, the cash amount will be divided between all participants. The First Place winning film will be screened at the Women’s History Month Film Festival on March 13, 2010. The four winning videos will be placed on www.wim-n.com.

A panel of judges will select the winning videos.Youtube viewers comments will be used to select the People’s Choice winner. Video will be ineligible if it contains any derogatory depiction of individuals or groups based on age, race, sex, sexual orientation, ethnicity, mental/physical handicap or religious belief, or other discriminatory images, as well as if it contains language or other content deemed inappropriate by the judges. The video may not contain material that is inappropriate, indecent, obscene, hateful, defamatory, slanderous, or libelous.