How to create a "My Map" in Google Maps

I'm amazed, confused, and eventually annoyed when other educators tell me there is nothing educational to be gained from a site like YouTube. Give me a break! That kind of mindset enrages me more than you could comprehend.

Have Skills? Need Resources!

I just read a short Teach42 post titled Life on the cutting edge. I hadn't seen this blog before, and I think I've become an instant fan. I found the comments from other readers to be insightful, reflective, and more-than-occasionally inspiring. If you've even wondered where you might place yourself on the bell curve of technology integration, or plain technology understanding, you will find the post mentioned above very interesting. And yes, I will go back right now to nominate that blog for an eduBlog award using the link on the right side banner of the Teach42 site.

The Future of the Written Word?

Now that the Fall semester is over, I'm catching up on the multitude of blogs that I haven't had time to read in the past weeks.  Can you say Google Reader?

If you're not using the Google Reader, you really should.  It has a new look!  When it comes to quickly accessing (and sharing) your favorite Internet readings (blog posts, news articles, etc.), you can't do better than this tool.  Don't miss the Share feature to pass the best reading on to your extended Internet family.

Maybe you still enjoy sitting down with a good book.  If you're a bookworm who has actually stepped into a library in the last year, this next link will make you think you have entered the ancient Library of Alexandria.  Scroll down to Section II at this link to get a quick overview, then check out the Google Book Search.

Finish with the anticipated changes expected by the groundbreaking settlement between Google and publishers.

Happy Birthday!

What a pretty girl! I love you.

Ethical Hunting

Some of my colleagues just discovered that I love the outdoors and enjoy hunting when I get a chance.  Well most where impressed that I was into archery, a handful were probably disgusted by the idea of killing ( I mean, Harvesting ) an animal.  Those few also didn't partake of the Venison Chili that I shared at work a few days ago.  Did I mention that I do all the cooking in my house.  And, yes, my wife enjoys my venison recipes with or without Shiraz.

Just so you understand that I'm not one of those crazy "shoot anything that moves" hunters, I thought I would provide this short unedited clip, shot with my digital video camera three weeks ago.  I guess you could say this gives a visual record of my love for technology combines with my love for hunting.  Needless to say, I could have easily have arrowed this young two-point buck as it stood only 15 yards away.  It's amazing how he appears to be much further away.  I hope you get some ideas for becoming your own videographer from this clip.  I'm finding that it's easy to film yourself with an outstretched arm.  I've taken many great stills from various angles using this same technique with wonderful results.  Next time you don't have someone else around to assist, try the do-it-yourself approach.

Till next time, enjoy this experimental video.  Until the 0:50 mark, I'm zoomed into the young buck.  After that, I zoom out, switch hands, and extend my left arm back behind my shoulder to create an "over the shoulder" moment.  Sorry for the less-than-great quality.  It's the technique that I found interesting.