5 STEPS TO CREATING A PODCAST FOR YOUR STUDENTS

Podcasting is an effective tool in teaching , particularly languages. Some adult learners like to use their time while commuting to listen to podcasts of their chosen subject.But not all teachers are comfortable with the idea of creating a podcast. The most common reason being that it involves a lot of technicalities which might be difficult to handle. Well, for all such teachers, who wish to use podcasts as an additional teaching aid to connect with learners around the world, here are 5 simple steps to get you familiar with the basics of podcasting.
Recommended Reading: How To Create A Podcast  
100 WAYS To Use Your Ipod And Study Better

FREE ONLINE WORKSHOP FOR TEACHERS ON MOODLE

Moodle is being used extensively around the world effectively by some teachers in teaching online courses. This virtual learning environment is a free web application for use of educators. Those who wish to know more about Moodle and how one can create and manage courses online can register for a free workshop @ http://www.integrating-technology.com/pd and then contact teachers@integrating-technology.com to get the key. This M4T-3 online workshop will be spread over 4 Sundays.

GOOGLE'S NEW TRANSLATION TOOL -A GREAT WAY TO LEARN LANGUAGES

The new Google translator is a boon to those who want a fast translation of any web page or anyone wanting a translation of their written word. Most languages of the world are incorporated for use in this useful tool.If English is the language selected for a passage to be translated, a speech icon appears next to the translation for you to choose listening to it for the correct pronunciation. You can even mouse over it to read the passage it was translate from. A great boon for language teachers and learners, particularly online. Hindi is also a language listed for translations and it is easy for anyone wanting to do a project in Hindi and translate into English or vice versa.The script of translation is fun to watch as it appears simultaneous to your typing,whether it is Chinese , Japanese or Hindi or any of the listed languages.You can even upload any document for speedy translations.

http://translate.google.com/

Submitting projects in Hindi will now be a breeze for Indian students.

TEXT-TO -SPEECH FOR MS WORD DOCUMENTS

Wordtalk is a free text to speech utility for use with all Microsoft Word documents. A spell checker reads aloud for the student to listen to different suggestions. MS Word 97 and above are compatible for wordtalk. 

Students or adults with reading and writing difficulties will find this tool particularly useful as reading out aloud to them helps them pick up better. This tool highlights the text as it reads that text aloud. You can change the speed and voice of the text to be read according to the listener's abilities.Another important feature is that a text can be converted to speech and saved as an .mp3 or .wav file to play back on an ipod or mp3 player.

 A similar text -to-speech utility, called PowerTalk is available for PowerPoint documents to be read aloud. Students in a classroom can enjoy stories read out to them as  they view the slideshow.
Visually impaired or partially impaired students will find this tool useful. A presenter can just choose a PPT and let it run and it will be be read out simultaneously.

EXCITING PUZZLES FOR USE IN EDUCATION

Brain functions are known to improve considerably whatever your age. Building up one's memory is essential for students and brain games and puzzles offer to do just that. Analytical and lateral thinking skills are also enhanced. Puzzles offer a great fun way for children to pick up English vocabulary or any mathematical skills required for better grades at school. Puzzles .com even has a section on Puzzles in Education with categories according to the grades of school students.

According to Puzzles.COM website,  " the world's best resource for puzzling on the Internet - is about Puzzles, Illusions, Tricks, Toys, and everything around all these Great, Funny, Entertaining, Intellectual and Educational Things."

Recommended Reading: Improve Your Brain 

Top 10 Brain Foods For Better Academic Performance

GET FREE ONLINE DEGREES AND CERTIFICATIONS FROM THE BEST UNIVERSITIES

Adult students and working professionals find the need to constantly update their learning and want to add on some new degrees or certifications. Most do not want to give up a good job , but would like to pursue their line of interest for better prospects. Online Universities that offer degrees online are a boon to such people. But finding the right online degree from the right University can be a bother. Guide To Online Schools is a website that offers the solution. It is an online education directory that specializes in online degrees, online schools and distance learning.
Popular Universities are also listed with reviews from former students which proves to be a good help when one is looking to find he perfect college to study your choice of subject. There is also a good selection of online courses under each category that are available for FREE from elite colleges like Yale, Stanford, and MIT. Selecting your subject entitles you to watch lectures from professors of top Universities. All you need is spare time and a broadband connection!

ALGEBRA HELP ONLINE

Math can be daunting for some students. Algebra is easy for most, but when faced with an algebra problem, a student needs proper guidance. Under the supervision of an expert algebra tutor, any student can become proficient in algebra and be a topper in his/her class. Tutorvista has some excellent certified math teachers who provide online math help for a school or college student one on one.
Math is made fun to learn by an experienced qualified teacher. Learning to solve Math word problems is necessary as a student is equipped for higher education if he has got his basics right. The importance of Algebra is particularly stressed as the applications are many and solving problems in subjects such as Physics, Statistics and Chemistry becomes increasingly easier once you know the fundamentals.
Students in school need to grasp the fundamentals of Algebra and what better way than having an expert to explain and help with not just your homework but also make the high school or college student understand better.
Tutor vista is an online tutoring company that specializes in online tutoring. All subjects including Algebra are taught by an online certified tutor. Students can connect with their tutor through the internet and be taught online in the comfort of one's home, eliminating the need to travel to a tutor. An opportunity to be taught by the best of online Algebra tutors 24x7. A free online demo for Algebra help can be availed to see how it works. All you need is your PC and a broadband connection. You can be located anywhere in the world and be a student of any curriculum, from any school or college. Algebra tutoring takes place on an interactive whiteboard,and a chat window is provided for your queries to your tutor while being taught. You will also have access to an extensive elibrary of Algebra simulations, animations,and Algebra question banks. Exam preparations are also taken care of. Mastering Algebra with online tutoring help, a student can get better grades.

SPACE EXPLORERS!

NASA and astraunauts! Watch below Flight Engineers Jeff Williams and Maxim Suraev along with spaceflight participant Guy Laliberté have arrived at the International Space Station. They docked their Soyuz TMA-16 to the aft end of the Zvezda service module at 4:35 a.m. EDT Friday Oct. 2, 2009.



The newest station crew members entered the station after opening the hatches between the two spacecraft at 6:57 a.m. Friday, Oct. 2, 2009.


Suggested Reading:When Does The International Space Station Fly Over My Home?

IMPROVE YOUR BRAIN!

The brain is one of the most important organs that must be utilized to the full. It is found that those who use their brains to perform activities that require thinking improves functions of the brain such as memory and attention spans with speed and accuracy. Elderly citizens also show marked improvement when they play games that require brain activity. Brain game activities that are available online can be utilized according to age and level . It is proved by researchers that people who engage in brain games do not suffer from diseases such as Alzheimer's, and sometimes there is a marked improvement in those who have it. Memory, speed , accuracy, lateral and analytical thinking all improve and one's mental skills show greater development. Aging brain cells are known to regenerate and multiply with increased brain activity. Students find such brain games extremely useful as they prepare for various exams. Entrance exams in order to qualify for admission to various higher education courses require one to be adept at mental skills which can be mastered by engaging in brain games every day.
Recommended Reading: Improve Your Brain Power!
Top 10 Brain Foods For Better Academic Performance

COOL GOOGLE GADGETS FOR THE CLASS BLOGS

As more students and teachers take to blogging in the classroom, the idea of adding gadgets on their homepage certainly appeals to them. As the blog becomes decorative, more students engage themselves with the fun activities embedded there and visitors and traffic increase and spend more time on their page and perhaps being encouraged to leave a comment making it worthwhile. Adam Bowman is a freelance programmer who has created several useful gadgets that can be edited to your specifications and then generating a code(html), which you can then embed on your desktop or webpage.
Below is one such gadget that tells you the time.
This Ball Clock gives you a fun and unique way to see what time it is. The balls on the top two ramps represent the minutes and the balls on the bottom ramp represent the hours.


Animals that move always interest students especially those you can feed and water Customizing a virtual pet such as a hamster and showing off on a webpage or your blog certainly makes your blog the envy of others.
The hamster below can be guided to eat or drink water or mount a wheel to keep running, all with the click of your mouse.



You can choose from several gadgets that can be fish,stingray,spider,clocks,games. These gadgets are now available as Google Gadgets as well and are compatible with wordpress or blogger blogs. You can also edit them to personalize and add on social networking sites such as hi5, facebook,myspace or they can be emailed.

TOEFL-TOOLS FOR SUCCESSFUL TEST PREPARATION

An overseas degree or higher education in an English speaking University is seen as going global. But, in order to qualify one must be proficient in the English language and be at ease with reading, writing ,speaking and listening to English. It is therefore mandatory for a student to apply for the TOEFL or the IELTS depending on the country and the University of choice. TOEFL stands for Test Of English As Foreign Language and these scores are taken along with GRE / GMAT for entrance to any American University. A student can prepare for TOEFL with the tools at their website TOEFLgoanywhere.org - sample test papers, practice section,downloadable guide,videos with tips for global students. There is also a search tool to find test centres and universities that accept TOEFL scores. A step-by-step guide on how to register is also available. This website provides preparation tips and guidance that serves to reduce stress and answers some important questions for the aspiring student. On the whole, an excellent online resource enabling students to perform their best.
Additionally, you may also want to check out the GRE website and online resources.

PALMTOPS FOR STUDENT PROJECTS

Classrooms are taking to going digital more than ever,with teachers finding newer ways to being innovative to keep the students engaged. Students respond as "duck taking to water" with anything digital and so use of FREEWRITE a basic word processor to be used with a palmtop and a keyboard makes any collaborative project interesting for students. Reading and writing skills improve as they write more and read more and correct spellings and grammatical errors.