Use Google Books to Search for Alternative Text for Your Students

Recently, I was preparing material for a professional development session for helping educators find alternative text for students. I came across Google Book Search.

Google is in the process of helping get the world's information online.
The search terms you enter are matched against the Google Print index and the matched results are found at the top of the results page.

Here is what some of the results look like:

Blogger by Word sans Graphics: NOT!

Hey! Now that is something when technology works just like it claims!(See previous blog entry) I successfully used the new Blogger Tool for Microsoft Word to publish a blog entry. Everything was smooth through the upload. However, when I viewed my blog entry the first time, even though I was told by the software that I uploaded my entry it did not show up on my blog site. I refreshed the screen, but still nothing. I looked back at another dialog box from Word that said I was a little too anxious. Well, maybe it didn’t say that, but here is what it read.



When I refreshed the page again, my entry was there.

So now I am trying to add graphics to an entry to see if that works. You can find out about the new Blogger for Word tool in my previous post. Download the Word add-on from Blogger.

Note: Tried it but no….if you want graphics in your post….the Blogger for Word add-in does not support graphics and tables at this time. Oh well….I still like the option. Thanks, Google!

Blogging by Word!

Hey! Today I am trying something different with my blog. I have just downloaded the new Blogger Tool for Microsoft Word. It is an add-on that puts four shortcuts for blogging on a toolbar in Word. Once I configure my Blogger Settings with username and password I am ready to publish. To see how slick this works I am writing this blog. I usually add graphics to many of my blog entries, but first I will try a graphic-less blog. You can get the Blogger for Word add-on from the Blogger website. For more information check out Blogger for Word FAQs. and begin blogging today!

A Quick Email Attachment Solution

As a mobile educator I am always sharing files with colleagues via email. As we collaborate to develop presentations using MS PowerPoint, sometimes our files become so large that they exceed the megabyte limit that our email service providers allow for file attachements. This has really caused me grief during some time sensitive moments. One thing that efriendlylearning educators want is to avoid a multiple-step process to perform a seemingly simple task. I have had to use some really creative and a depth of technology skills to sometimes get what I want done!!!

Well, here is one tool on the web that has helped me out more than once. You Send It has been recognized by PC Magazine as one of the top 100 sites in Spring 2005, and recently eSchool News featured an article by By Anne Davis mentioning this service (September 15, 2005). I have sent large PowerPoint files with mega picture files, audio files, and video files with this tool.

Hey, efriendlylearning educators...this one is for you!!

Techno Utopia...Getting Closer!

Hey, we are back up and running after a summer of technology changes! Back to posting, finally!!!

Welcome to efriendlylearning.com, a place for technology-using educators!

Our prayers to the technology gods are beginning to pay off!! We are getting closer to that one device that can help the busy and mobile educator!! Check out the latest in convergence of our favorite techno-gagets. I know we are not there yet, but utopia seems to be within reach!

iTunes and mobile phone
http://onlinestorez.cingular.com/cell-phone-service/itunes_ROKR.html

handheld and mobile phone
http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/store/controller?item=phoneFirst&action=viewPhoneDetail&selectedPhoneId=1581

Wireless anywhere for our mobile laptop computing
http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/mobileoptions/broadband/index.jsp

Sorry for the techno lusting......slurp!