pvlearners: Enabled Sites

Google has just released a new product called Google Sites, and we've enabled it for you to use.

What is Google Sites?
It's an online application that makes creating a team web site as easy as editing a document. You can quickly gather a variety of information in one place -- including videos, calendars, presentations, and attachments -- and easily share it for viewing or editing with a small group, our entire organization, or the world.

• Anyone can do it -- Building a site is as simple as editing a document, and you don't need anyone's help to get started.
• Share from one place -- Create a single place to bring together all the information your team needs to share, including docs, videos, photos, calendars and attachments.
• Work together -- Invite co-workers, classmates, or your entire organization to edit your site with you to keep it fresh and up-to-date. And let as many or few people view your site as you want.

Take a look at some example sites to see how you might use Google Sites:
• Team project -- http://sites.google.com/a/altostrat.com/project-eggplant/Home
• Employee profile -- http://sites.google.com/a/altostrat.com/jkraus/Home
• Classroom -- http://sites.google.com/a/googleclassrooms.org/mrs-richau/Home
• Student club -- http://sites.google.com/a/googleuniversity.org/ski-club/Home

I've enabled Google Sites, so you can start creating your own Google Sites now (might take 24 hours from this email to actually activate).

To start using Google Sites, go to http://sites.google.com/a/pvlearners.net

If you have questions, visit the Google Sites Help Center at http://www.google.com/support/sites.


Jeff.....

Disabled Start Page

We've had some "issues" with inappropriate gadgets showing up in "New Stuff". As I believe the power of pvlearners is more in shared sheets, docs, presentations, etc.., I have disabled the Start Page. Consequently, to access mail, sheets, docs, etc., you will need to access pvlearners (without gadgets), at;

http://mail.pvlearners.net

Start page is no longer functional. Let's see if this works better......Let me know...

Jeff......

virtual space and NASA's future

The US space agency is exploring the possibility of developing a massively multiplayer online (MMO) game.

you can read more here
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/7195718.stm

PVUSD IS! preparing students for future ......

Shea Chat and Chew Club -example of pvlearners blog

You might want to check out what students are reading and writing about at Shea. Note that teacher allows students to use an "alias" to personalize it a bit. But the alias is tied to pvlearners account, so monitoring can still be had.

http://sheareads.blogspot.com/

Nice work - kids reading and writing through this media - life is good....;-)

Easy Creation of Class Distribution List

Creating a "Contacts Group" works by putting email addresses in spreadsheet column, then copy and paste column into a "Group" of pvlearners. Column of email addresses can be obtained by period sorting a downloaded spreadsheet from pDAT (My Roster). Don't copy and paste names, just email addresses. Sweet.....;-)

Simple and Simple to Create Web Pages

Short Version: create a "doc", edit how you want, then "publish" the doc (to invites only, pvlearners only, or to anyone on the web).

Have fun with collaboration by "sharing" the "doc", then "publishing" to the web.

You can view the training vodcast on the above by going to ptunes.pvschools.net and searching the "pvlearners" series under "Departments", or by the below link which takes you directly to the training vodcast.

Simple Web Pages

To use blogs, google video, etc. with pvlearners accounts

Very important - if/when you want to start using the other tools in Google (blogs, google video, etc.), there is a little catch you have to do.  For example, you want to create a Google Group (web pages, bulletin boards, etc.) and you go to groups.google.com.  The FIRST time you log in to use the "other" tools you have to in effect "authenicate" your pvlearners account for these other tools.  So, when you say Create a Group (first time), you are prompted with the username/password screen.  You won't be able to use your pvlearners account this first time, until you authenticate your account.  Click on the "Create an account now" and NOW enter your pvlearners info (username@pvlearners.net/password), then fill out the usual stuff, and presto, your pvlearners account is now fully authenticated with the other Google tools.  You can now use groups, blogs, google video, etc. with your pvlearners credentials.

Little interesting side journey, but a small price to pay......

Google Integration Ideas

I recevied the Google Teacher Newsletter today and I wanted to share two sites with you. Google for Educators has teamed up with Weekly Reader and developed activities for Revision Writing with a Buddy, using Google docs. Go to http://www.google.com/educators/weeklyreader.html for more information.

Also, check out Project Spectrum, http://www.google.com/educators/spectrum.html This project foucses on autistic students who use Google SketchUp to tap into their visual and spatial abilities.

pvlearners tutorials on pTUNES

Just to keep all in the loop. While pTUNES is just now getting started with pilot teachers (contact Kathryn Scott if interested), there are tutorials on pvlearners in pTUNES. I just posted one on how pvlearners accounts can be used to create groups and within groups, you can make web pages. Think students making portfolio work, or making web sites that teachers can link to (GenYes model). Anyhoooo....to find out more, go to:

http://ptunes.pvschools.net

pvlearners podcast

I am posting this as Karl may be too modest.... ?

Podcast about pvlearners....


https://deimos.apple.com/WebObjects/Core.woa/BrowsePrivately/asu.edu.1295435447.01373746607.1385496818?i=1897894278