Dec 22, 2015

Faster Than The World - Issue #26

Revue

Education Hunt

December 22 · Issue #26 · View online

Hi, I'm Sam. I love technology, especially the kind I can use in class. In fact, I love technology even if it isn't for class. I keep a list of resources. They're hand-picked by me, Sam.

Sometimes I struggle to slow down. Obsessing over the next curve or task is part of who I am. Occasionally I receive subtle reminders to slow down. I often drown out the advice. Then, every once and a rare while I’m thrown a spike strip in the middle of my lane. Forcing me to change a tire or two, stopping me in my tracks.

This week I lost a friend. Probably one of the first who made me work harder, and study longer than I ever did before we met. Academic jousting. 10th Grade honors Biology in Mr. Moses’s class. It was more than 20 years ago, but it could have been this past Monday as clear as my memories are. This issue is dedicated to Todd “The Bod” Daniels. Thanks for making me work harder than I wanted. I never said thanks. I’ll miss you buddy. Rest in Power.

Genius Web Annotator | Genius

genius.com – Share

Official bummer. I’ve scoured the internet for 3 weeks. There isn’t a comprehensive alternative to PushBullet. There is a ledger cramped full of suitors providing a superior experience for specific tasks. Do one thing great, or do everything ok? In fairness, PushBullet does many things well.

When Push Bullet switched to a for pay pro model I couldn’t deal. I was hot under the collar, steam flowing from my izod size 15 ½. My feelings are best summed up by Mikey from the major motion film The Goonies.

“Because it’s their time. Their time! Up there! Down here, it’s our time. It’s our time down here. That’s all over the second we ride up Troy’s bucket.”

The second I fork over the 5 bucks to Push Bullet for their host of services it’s done. I’ll be riding up a bucket. The journey finished. Genius Web Annotator is a gem I stumbled upon. It’s our time, sort of. Either way, Genius Web Annotator is worth a peek.

As a teacher you have content to share. Wouldn’t it be nice to have students talk about something other than Star Wars? Genius Web Annotator is your light saber, sparking discussion for any class.

Genius lets you add line by line annotations. Highlight text, then add feedback. Share your web pages with annotations as a unique url, there is no need for your students to create an account. Just like the quote above, I used Genius Web Annotator. Click it for a demo. Social media is locked and loaded, sharing with others on Twitter or on Facebook is simple. Your quotes can recieve upvotes. Direct students to respond to posts before class.

Genius has a user friendly dashboard too. Profiles show user activity and list previous annotations. From the dashboard you can find others to follow, creating an opportunity for a digital conversation. Connect with others expanding the net you cast when searching for resources.

The next time you share an article give Genius Web Annotator a go. Your class discussion will thank you.

Seek and Destroy

refind.com – Share

I’ll go on the record. Pushing content is changing our interactions on the web. Having access to information doesn’t satisfy your appetite. The amount of content floating around is maddening. Finding quality content is a task to master (one Education Hunt enjoys, but a task to be mastered nevertheless). Refind shows promise. Discovering the web is possible. Refind is your content compass. It works in 3 steps.

Download the chrome extension. As your stumble through a sea of resources. Use Refind as a digital life preserver. Save the things you like.
Visit Refind. Poke around and see what others saved. When you save the good stuff, tag it with a label. Users can search for content viewing what others posted. Another option, search using keywords.
Try researching a topic usng old faithful, Google. Your search results will include links posted to Refind, with user profile information visible in the search.

The third feature is my favorite. It’s a fresh presentation on an emerging topic. Content curation. Refind can help you cut the clutter. Think of it as peeping into the reading log of those who influence industry.

The android application is slick. Search for content and share new finds with a single click. Save articles or start sharing. Share out with Twitter or send a personal message with email. Refind makes seeking and sharing crazy simple.

typedrummer

typedrummer.com – Share

Todd Rundgren is a genious. Sometimes I don’t want to work. I wanna bang on this drum.

Typedrummer connects you with your inner Rundgren.

Stressed out? Visit type drummer. Type letters, make beats. Make sounds, maybe ones no one has ever heard. Your keyboard is your drum. Take 5 and visit typedrummer. Bang on your keyboard and drown out the noise. Tell us what you think on Twitter.

30 Second Lesson Plan Ideas

Did you enjoy this issue?

If you don't want these updates anymore, please unsubscribe here.

If you were forwarded this newsletter and you like it, you can subscribe here.