Encouraging Girls to Consider Careers in Math, Science, and Technology

Want to help your students, especially the girls in your classes, get interested in careers in math, science, and technology? Check out Cisco Systems' Packetville. You'll find free lessons and materials (interactive games, graphics, music, handouts, assessment suggestions, etc.) for you and interactive games and activities for your students. Packetville is divided into five sections, Packet Riders for students ages 8-11, Hacker Busters for students ages 12-14, and areas especially designed for Parents, Teachers and Club Advisors You'll find the Educator/Teacher section loaded with free resources including three video-type games that target learning about technology, careers in engineering and technology, and helping others using technology.

Invite An Author To School

Do your students have a favorite book or author? Want to add a new perspective to a book you’ve been teaching about for years? Check to see if your school or district already has a subscription to TeachingBooks.net and take advantage of the multimedia resources on there to add an author’s viewpoint to your classroom. (If your school doesn’t already have a subscription, try a trial subscription yourself and then pass the word along to your school librarian.) This fabulous site catalogs the vast array of multimedia resources available on children’s and adolescent literature authors and their books and its search engine can help a locate an author’s video interview or podcast as well as lesson plans and ideas for a particular book. Listening to the author of a favorite book and why they wrote it is a treat for any young reader. It’s also good for struggling young “authors” to hear how the process of writing is hard work (but rewarding), even for someone who makes their living at it as an author.

Should You Use Google's Free Desktop Search Tool in Your Classroom?

Technology & Learning magazine and its site TechLearn are filled with tons of great information for teachers. For example, with educators wondering if it's safe to use the new Google free Desktop Search Tool, Technology & Learning has an answer. In the section Leaders' Edge, you'll find that the tool is safe at this time for single computers, but those on networks may be concerned about privacy and security. This means it's best not to download yet to school computers. Technology & Learning's staff advises that you wait until Google adds multi-user security features. By the way, you no longer have to sign up for Technology & Learning. Just head there and make use of all the excellent resources on the site.

Don't Let Anyone Steal Your Students' Identities

Everyone's worried about Identity Theft these days, and in schools keeping staff and student data secure is a must. Check out SchoolCIO for "9 Ways to Prevent Identity Theft". Although the information is directed to school administrators, teachers should be aware of the dangers involved and should help their students understand how to protect their identities. For ideas to include in courses to help students avoid identity theft, take a look at How Identity Theft Occurs may also want to browse the Federal Trade Commission's National Resource on Identity Theft which features how to deter, detect, and defend against ID theft. And don't think young students are immune to this growing nationwide problem. With their usual spotless credit records, they are perfect targets if ID thieves can get hold of their information.

SafeKids, SafeTeens & RadioLarry

SafeKids founder Larry Magid offers teachers and parents a series of podcasts about child safety. Radio Larry features Larry's Daily KCBS Podcasts (2-3 minutes on weekdays), Larry's long-form Podcasts, FamilyTechTalk (weekly conversations), and Larry's CBS News Podcasts. Magrid's sites SafeKids and SafeTeens offer excellent tips for child safety and for smart use of technologies.