Edvibes Blog

If you have converted to gmail this will convince you.

Problem:
You use Microsoft Office and download email off the web and onto your computer and it is stored and archived in Outlook. How do you back the emails up or transfer them to your next computer?

Solution:
An excellent article with very easy to follow directions called Export and Backup Emails from Outlook to Gmail Online

I spent many hours trying to use that gmail loader software, failing every time feeling frustrated and defeated that Microsoft controlled my emails not me. I was finally able to do back up over a thousand emails from the last 6 years from 3 different email accounts that I had stuck on my old laptop in Outlook. Now my email is safely backed up and accessible from any computer.

Tips:
*In the first place don’t delete emails from web-based email if and when you download to Outlook. Leave a copy online
*Before backing up and transferring email to gmail, clean up and organize. Of course delete all email you don’t need to transfer.
*Then organize email into folders so you can export it smaller batches and when you do transfer them it will make it easier to label and archive once it is in gmail.
*Also get your gmail inbox to zero before you start it will make it much easier to label and archive incoming email from outlook.
*Add an “imported” or a “backup” label when you archive in gmail.

See Also:

Backup Your Email with MailStore Home A freeware application alternative, I haven’t tried it yet but it sounds good.

Today, December 17, 2007, blogging turns 10yrs old. Check out this voice thread that Steve Haragdon started. Hit the play button to listen and watch others reflections on blogging.

The International Technology Society for Education has recently released the the National Education Technology Standards (NETS):

“The technology foundation standards for students are divided into six broad categories. Standards within each category are to be introduced, reinforced, and mastered by students. These categories provide a framework for linking performance indicators within the Profiles for Technology Literate Students to the standards. Teachers can use these standards and profiles as guidelines for planning technology-based activities in which students achieve success in learning, communication, and life skills.”

Technology Foundation Standards for Students

1. Basic operations and concepts
   • Students demonstrate a sound understanding of the nature and operation of technology systems.
   • Students are proficient in the use of technology.
2. Social, ethical, and human issues
   • Students understand the ethical, cultural, and societal issues related to technology.
   • Students practice responsible use of technology systems, information, and software.
   • Students develop positive attitudes toward technology uses that support lifelong learning, collaboration, personal pursuits, and productivity.
3. Technology productivity tools
   • Students use technology tools to enhance learning, increase productivity, and promote creativity.
   • Students use productivity tools to collaborate in constructing technology-enhanced models, prepare publications, and produce other creative works.
4. Technology communications tools
   • Students use telecommunications to collaborate, publish, and interact with peers, experts, and other audiences.
   • Students use a variety of media and formats to communicate information and ideas effectively to multiple audiences.
5. Technology research tools
   • Students use technology to locate, evaluate, and collect information from a variety of sources.
   • Students use technology tools to process data and report results.
   • Students evaluate and select new information resources and technological innovations based on the appropriateness for specific tasks.
6. Technology problem-solving and decision-making tools
   • Students use technology resources for solving problems and making informed decisions.
   • Students employ technology in the development of strategies for solvings problems in the real world.

I have found these standards helpful when planning technology integration in my class. They help me stay focused on what is the goal and purpose of the technology.

ITSE is the biggest education and technology association.  I wish I had found this earlier.

“Providing leadership and service to improve teaching and learning by advancing the effective use of technology in education.”

“The International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) is the trusted source for professional development, knowledge generation, advocacy, and leadership for innovation. A nonprofit membership organization, ISTE provides leadership and service to improve teaching, learning, and school leadership by advancing the effective use of technology in PK–12 and teacher education. Home of the National Educational Technology Standards (NETS), the Center for Applied Research in Educational Technology (CARET), and the National Educational Computing Conference (NECC), ISTE represents more than 85,000 professionals worldwide. We support our members with information, networking opportunities, and guidance as they face the challenge of transforming education.

ISTE® is the registered trademark of International Society for Technology in Education.”

From their site  http://www.iste.org

Walmart and Google found a way to get the price of a desktop PC down to $200 by using open source software and webware that runs in your web browser. Very interesting with their timing so close to the One Laptop Per Child XO laptop. This has exciting implications for our schools and crossing the digital divide.

See Also:

*For the Walmart link click here
*The offical gOS site
*Interview with gOS Founder: “Linux For Human Beings (Who Shop At WAL*MART)”

Watch the screencast

Here is a short video presentation on internet safety

http://k12online.wm.edu/safetywebtitle.mov 

I have noticed when introducing blogs to my education colleagues one of the first good questions they ask is how can I find some good examples of edublogs to read. So here are a few tips.

1) Know the terminology: an edublog is an educationally related blogs and edublogosphere is the community of edubloggers. (see also Definition of a Blog)

2) Read efficiently. Learn what RSS is, get an aggregator (I love Google Reader), and start subscribing to and tracking a few blogs (see Part 2: What is RSS - How and Why to Subscribe)

3) Look for awards. Check out the annual Edublogs Awards to see who the readers decide are the best. (However the award is still new and gain credibility but it is a start) Every November nominations go up and voting starts and the winners are usually announced in mid December. Click here to see the current 2007 nominations and vote if you haven’t yet. See also Top 100 Education Blogs

4) Check the directories and search.  The Support Blogging Wiki has a good directory list of edublogs. Here is a current ranking of the top 100 blogs on the web from technorati - one of the biggest blog directory and search engine.

5) Look for blogrolls in the sidebar margins of blogs you like to read (I have shared my blogroll form google reader in the right margin under My Shared Stuff “My Personal Learning Network Blog Roll”. A blogroll is simply a list of blogs that one reads and follows. It is common practice of bloggers to share what they read so others can read and to create that edublogosphere community.

My final advice is don’t spend all your time just reading blogs or waiting to long to join in on the blogging.  When I first started, I spent way too long on the sidelines just observing were I should have been participating.  So start commenting on other people’s blog posts and start writing your own right away.