Google Keep: Can it Replace Evernote?

In an effort to compete with the popular Evernote, Google recently unveiled Google Keep, an Android app which allows you to bookmark sites, make notes, record memos, add graphics and color-code notes for sorting. The Android app syncs with your Google Drive account. The first thing I thought of when I read about this was, could this really be used instead of Evernote? After all, my iPhone has always had notes. I could make a list of things there. My calendar alerts me to events. Without an Apple app, Google Keep can be used only by Android users. Strike one. But rather than make the decision for you, I will present information about both Google Keep and Evernote, with a few reviews I found online. One thing I will say is that I LOVE Evernote, so if Google wants to compete, they will have to up their game. What do you think?




6 Reasons Google Keep Can't Replace Evernote- GIZMODO

Google Keep Challenges Evernote for Top Android Note Taking App- GottaBeMobile

Google Keep: Worth Trying With Caution- TIME article

Google Keep, an Overdue Answer to Evernote, Arrives- Wired

Hands on with Google Keep: Can it Slay Evernote?- PC World

20 Magazines & Journals for Teacher-Librarians

I still enjoy the feel of pages in books and magazines. Reading on my tablet is easier than the computer screen, but that physical copy of a magazine or journal is my personal preference. How many of the following do you have subscriptions with? Many also have digital versions online which won't cost you a dime. NOTE: You can also find this list under the Teacher-Librarians tab at the top.

American Libraries- ALA publication; read online for free

Booklist Magazine- $147.50 (22 issues in a year); website is here.

Bookwire- "search and discover over 20 million book titles, including print, e-books, audio books and more."

College and Research Libraries News - print subscriptions and digital online archives

Computers in Libraries-  $99.95 (10 issues per year); also digital online archives

D-Lib Magazine- digital library research published 6 times per year

EDTECH: Focus on K-12- online digital version or print copy

eSchool News- free print subscription for educators

 

The Horn Book Magazine- $49.00 (6 issues)

Internet @Schools- $49.95 (5 issues per year)

The Journal of Research on Libraries and Young Adults

Kirkus Book Reviews- tough book critics 

Library Journal- $101.95 (20 issues per year) 

Library Media Connection Magazine- $49.00 (special deal for 6 issues)

Library Sparks- $59.95 (9 issues)

School Library Journal- $88.99 (12 issues plus access to Book Verdict School Library Journal)

School Library Monthly- $55.00 (8 issues)

Teacher-Librarian- $56.00 (published 5 times per year)

Tech and Learning- free subscriptions for educators

VOYA (Voice of Youth Advocates) -online digital version

Mouse Party Looks Inside the Brains of Mice

If you teach Psychology or Science, this site will amaze your students. Produced by the University of Utah's Genetic Science Learning Center, Mouse Party is an interactive lesson which shows the effects of drugs on mice. Here's how it works: students choose one of seven mice to be analyzed and then zoom in on the brain to see how it is affected by the particular drug the mouse is on. The visual presentation is simple and easy to understand. There is also a link on this page for Meth Mouse, a 3D presentation requiring download and installation of Unity Web Player. Here's an overview of Mouse Party:

Make Your Own Shelf Markers!

If you have ever purchased shelf markers from one of the popular library vendors, you will agree that they are expensive and easily breakable. Did you ever think that making them yourself  (or letting the kids make them) would save lots of money? Take a look below and see if your library could use its own set of shelf markers. I have also included a video and PPT you can show young students.

Handy Library Sticks


Shelf Markers and Duct Tape- looks like a chocolate bar!

Shelf Markers From Paint Stirrers- love this idea!

Using Shelf Markers- PowerPoint for elementary school students

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Teaching Tolerance to Our Students

I first heard about The Southern Poverty Law Center from my aunt. She told me all the things they were doing to rid the world of hate and injustice. Civil rights lawyers Morris Dees and Joseph Levin Jr. founded SPLC in 1971 and the organization is known globally for "tracking and exposing the activities of hate groups."  SPLC's project, Teaching Tolerance, offers free magazine subscriptions to teachers, as well as free film kits, which include DVDs (and accompanying teacher's guide) about bullying, the Holocaust, the March in Birmingham and Cesar Chavez. Under their section on classroom resources, Teaching Tolerance has a nice listing of lesson plans for all ages.With free publications to download, Teaching Tolerance is a website that is a wonderful resource for the classroom.

Feedly Can Easily Replace Google Reader

When I learned yesterday about Google Reader closing in July, I looked into alternatives. As a visual learner, I have to say I love Feedly.. Switching was a snap, as I imported all my RSS feeds into Feedly with a few clicks. There is a mobile app for Android and iPhone and Kindle, and they have a blog, which currently has instructions for your migration. Here is a sample screenshot of what you will see when you log into your new account:

LEGOs in the Classroom? You Bet!

There was a time when LEGOs were only used for playtime. But there are so many things beyond play, including lessons for math, science, engineering and technology. (STEM) Here are 16 websites with great information on using LEGOs in the classroom.


20 Ways Teachers are Using Legos in the Classroom- a nice post from Edudemic

Carnegie Mellon Robotics Academy- guide to assist teachers in starting a robotics program

How Do You Store Your LEGOs?- see how other teachers keep their LEGOs in the classroom

How to Use LEGOs to Teach Pre-K To Third Grade- from eHow

LEGO Block Center- lesson plan about homes and community helpers

LEGO City Comic Builder- students can create comics using Lego elements

LEGO Education- lesson ideas form PreK through College; homeschooling included

LEGO and Education: Make a Lapbook- page also has other projects

LEGO Engineering- supporting STEM

LEGO Lesson Plans for Math and Science

LEGO Space- activities

Mathematics and LEGOs: Math Teaching Activities- PDF covers grades 1-10

Pre-LEGO Activities-presentations for middle school from Texas Tech University


STEMRobotics 101- class from Portland State has lessons which can be used in middle and high school

Using LEGO to Build Math Concepts- from Scholastic