Happy Thanksgiving!

I've been home nursing a vicious cold for the last several days, so forgive me for not being there.

I had some time to think as I wandered the medicine aisles of Walmart and sat in the doctor's office I remembered that we had a day of thanks rapidly approaching, and I was so busy (and/or sick) that I hadn't thought about it.

I am thankful I have a place to live and sleep.
I am thankful for email.
I am thankful for a wonderful job teaching.
I am thankful for my beautiful, loving wife and my two amazing children.
I am thankful for those little plastic things on the ends of shoelaces.
I am thankful for this sore throat, because it helps me know that something's wrong with my body and needs to be fixed.
I am thankful for scraped knees, broken hearts, and tough situations that made me who I am today.

What are you thankful for?

Podcasting Resources 101

First, download Audacity and the Lame encoder. Yeah, it's totally lame, but totally worth it.
(The Lame encoder enables Audacity to export sound files as Mp3s).

Here's some advice on using Audacity to master your podcast levels.
Newsforge Article.

I'll post more as I learn more.

I'm home sick today, so I'm going to make at least one short podcast to show I can do it.

Here's a visual tutorial in the pdf format that can be used to get started in recording.
A Brief Tutuorial of Audacity.

At the bottom of this website are a few cool Quicktime Movies for some basic functions in Audacity. Check 'em out.
That Website.



Here's a GREAT podcast on the process from someone who didn't have any experience in the process. Also on this site is a link to the actual podcast.
The Website.
The Podcast.



These Podcasts had video (in the form of animated Powerpoints I believe) and gave the whole process, from recording the podcast to getting it published in iTunes. A must listen for any new podcaster hoping to get their show heard:

Pod-O-Matic


To record direct from an XLR type mic (the ones people use to sing or talk to an audience) you can now use THIS amazing device! A USB to XLR converter. I love technology! Love it.
Soundtech Lightsnake

The Lightsnake at Musician's Friend: 10 ft. for $39.
Another thing that does that as well: M-Audio's Fasttrack. $99 at Musician's Friend

Yes, I AM Obsessed With Small Hairy-Toed Hobbits!

Really, when I first heard that they were making Lord of the Rings into a movie series I jumped up and cheered.

I had a similar reaction when I heard that The Hobbit was being made into a movie as well.

Here's the latest scoop.

A Move Is Comin'

So, it looks like we will begin relocation of our classrooms in December. Get ready, people. Boxes everywhere. Hard hats. Construction.

In the meantime, login to Webgrader and make sure all of your grades are what you think they are. Grades close out tomorrow.

Don't be caught unaware!

Thanks for a great 1st quarter.

The Hobbit!? With Peter Jackson Directing?!!

My hope and dream is that Peter Jackson will direct The Hobbit.
Here's the latest scoop.

After School Scene & Kidz Online Dot Org

Would someone tell me if you find anything cool here? I thought it looked interesting and stumbled upon it in class next week.

I think we may be checking this site out next week.

http://www.afterschoolscene.com/

Here's the other site that also looked like it had potential:

http://www.kidzonline.org

Darfur: A Modern Genocide

Have you ever heard the term genocide? A simple definition would be the attempt to wipe out an entire group of people. We have a modern genocide going on right now in Darfur.

Here's an article of someone who saw this genocide first-hand.

There are many organizations doing something about this. What can YOU do? Check out savedarfur.org to find out.

Even Myspace (love 'em or hate 'em) is joining the fray with a concert to raise awareness on October 21st. Here's the link: http://www.myspace.com/rockfordarfur

Be Wary, Be Wise: Things To Think About

I'm posting this as a permanent reminder on this site. It's more a way for my students to learn the importance of being aware and safe. One of my goals as the DigiCom teacher is to make my students aware of the ethical and moral issues inherent in all technology. I want them to be responsible Netizens.

I found this on this website:

How can your kids reduce the risk of being victimized?

There are a number of precautions to take, including:

* never downloading images from an unknown source - they could be sexually explicit
* telling an adult immediately if anything happens online that makes them feel uncomfortable or frightened
* choosing a gender-neutral screen name that doesn't contain sexually suggestive words or reveal personal information
* never revealing personal information (including age and gender) to anyone online and not filling out online personal profiles

I have (and will continue) to post many links on the left-hand column of this blog. I have visited all of the sites, and can say that each contains many useful and amazing tools, some of which I hope will be around for a long time. Powerful tools come with a price and CAN be abused. I teach my students to use the utmost precaution when online. They should never be on a site that they wouldn't want ME seeing. I also tell them they shouldn't be on any site that they wouldn't want their parents, religious leaders, or other important adults seeing. I prefer to err on the side of caution, but I also realize that we are in a technological age where the internet is playing a huge role.

The nature of the internet, though, is change. As things change (as many things seem to do) so do the sites posted. Be forewarned that websites and the information contained on them can change often. Be a careful web traveler and always be aware of your surroundings. Take it all with "a grain of salt" and be wary and wise.

Sincerely,

Mr. Guiles

Did I Mention That I Love Music?

And here's one place to enjoy music for free AND discover new music, legally.
I've had this discussion with my classes. Using programs like Limewire, Kazaa, etc. to download music for free is USUALLY illegal and should be avoided (not because you could get caught necessarily, but because it's wrong).

THIS website plays you tracks of music from similar artists (that you mention) and then it links you to OTHER music that you would like based on your choices. It's really pretty amazing. For instance, if I put "U2" as a band I like it would first play me a U2 song. Then it would play something that another person who liked U2 liked. If I like the song I click on the little "thumbs up" and it keeps playing. If I don't like it I click on the "thumbs down" and it starts a new songs that's in a slightly different style.

Who thinks these things up.

The website is called Pandora, after Pandora's Box. Only, this is a GOOD box to open. :)

Enjoy.

Links For All The Folks

Resources for helping your kids navigate the web safely? Links for parents here.

Ever wonder how other teachers do it? Find some great online resources here. Teacher links.


Students, I won't leave you out. Here's some for you.