Is technology important for student-learning? Watch this video called "Pay Attention" and you can make up your own mind.

- - - - - FREE software - - - - -

Internet Explorer: Download the free update of Internet Explorer 7 at this website. It has a new option of "Tabs" that make working online much easier.

Java:  To get a free copy of the Java software to run a lot of my activities, click on this free download link.  You need this software to run a lot of games and activities on my website.

Shockwave: To get a free copy of Shockwave software, click on this free download link. A lot of games require this software.

Mozilla Firefox: Internet Explorer is the most often used browser by Internet users.  However, I've been using Mozilla Firefox and keep hearing wonderful things about it.  It can be downloaded for free and only takes a few minutes.  Try it out.  Click here to go to their free download site. 

pdf: You can copy a website page and save it as a pdf file by using the free software from cutepdf.com Click on this link and download the free software.

Anti-virus software: Protect your computer. Install an anti-virus software and set it to run every day. Download this free version of AVG (that I use). It is just over 31 megabytes and will take a few minutes (depending on the speed of your modem & internet connection).  You may be asked to uninstall any other anti-virus programs first (probably McAfree or Norton) before you install the AVG software.

Spyware or Adware: If you have warnings popping up on your computer claiming that you have spyware or porn, then your computer is sick and needs treatment. It has Adware or Spyware on it. How it got there isn't important. What is important is that it is removed. Dowload this free software and run it. It will find the nasty stuff and you can start the "healing" process.

What is malware? Visit this Microsoft website to read more about trojan horses, viruses, worms, adware, spyware, rootkits, and more. Read about how it gets there and what you should do about it. Or, visit wikipedia's entry on malware. Or, visit Tech-FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) to learn all about malware and the assorted attacks on your computer that you might face if going online.

How to protect your computer: Read what Microsoft or EFF have to say about keeping your computer safe. Here are some suggestions that I've gleaned from online sources and my own experiences:

1.          Use antivirus software and set it to run daily

2.          Run Windows updates and set it to update automatically

3.          Only install licensed software that you trust

4.          Do not open email if you don’t recognize the sender

5.          Avoid disreputable websites

6.          Never click on a pop-up ad or banner ad

7.          Be careful which sites you give your credit card number to

8.          Never tell anyone your passwords

 

For help in these and other areas, visit a .gov website with lots of links to online privacy help: Online Privacy

Dowload free templates from Microsoft: Certificates, Dear Santa letter, calendars,

FREE Music

1. Free Play Music has lots of free (uncopyrighted) music to download onto your computer.

- - - - - What does that mean? - - - - -

unknown words: If there's a word or acronym that you don't recognize, then here's the place to go.  Click on one of these glossaries to find the answer. Glossary #1, or Glossary #2, or Glossary #3, or Glossary #4, or Glossary #5  CNET

 

Runtime Error - An error that occurs during the execution of a program.
ActiveX Error - An error caused by certain browser settings and misconfigured system files.
DLL Error - Missing or corrupt .dll files often occur when removing or installing a program.
.exe Error - Often occur during system or program start up due to unneeded files in the Windows registry.
General Protection Fault - Occurs when a program that is running violates the hardware rules in some way.
Blue Screen of Death - Occurs when Windows cannot recover from a system error.  Usually requires a reboot.
Windows Explorer Error - A dirty registry may cause Windows Explorer to get stuck in a loop.
iExplore or iExplorer Error - An error related to  your Internet Explorer browser often causing it to shut down.
Access Violation - An error that occurs when an application tries to access storage not designated for it.
System32 Error - An error often caused by missing or corrupt system files.
Windows Installer Error - Caused by 3rd party "shell extensions" resulting in a white screen and/or crash.

For advice and help regarding these errors, go to this link by Registry Cleaner Review.com

- - - - - Tips - - - - -

Copy: Hold down CTRL and press C

Cut: Hold down CTRL and press X

Paste: Hold down CTRL and press V

Pop-up advertisements: You can block these. Click on Internet Explorer. Click on Tools. Click on Internet Options. Click on the Privacy tab. Click in the little box that says "Turn on Pop-up Blocker."

Enlarge the text: You can make the text on your computer appear larger by holding downt he CTRL key and scrolling the wheel on your mouse.

Find: You can find a word on any page. Hold down the CTRL and press the F key. Type in the word you're looking for and press Enter.

Http:// You don't need to type this part of a URL (Universal Resource Locater) into the website box.

Browser plug-ins: If you try to look at something online and it tells you that you need a specific software, then go to the main website for it. Here are some typical programs that you need and can get for free online: Real Player, Flash Player, Shockwave Player, Adobe Reader, Active X Control,

More is better: If you'd like to have Google list 30 sites (instead of 10) on each page, then go to Google. click on Preferences. Change the Number of Results section from 10 to 30. Click on Save Preferences.

Tabs: To save time, you can open multiple tabs from one Google search. Hold down the CTRL key and click on any links you'd like opened in other tabs. It'll open each, and you can look at them at your leisure.

- - - - - Google - - - - -

Play this game to see how well you know Google: 10 Questions.

You can be very specific in the kinds of websites that are listed in your search. Type what you see below and add your word or words:

inurl:spiders This will find any sites that have "spiders" in the URL

intitle:spiders This will find any sites that have "spiders" in the title of the page

intitle:spider intitle:webs This will find any sites that have "spider" and "webs" in the title of a page

spiders inurl:edu This will find any .edu sites that have "spiders" in the URL

spiders inurl:org This will find any .org sites that have "spiders in the URL

spiders inurl:gov This will find any .gov sites that have "spiders" in the URL

define:spider This will find any definitions of your word.

link:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spider This will find all sites that link to a specific site.

Typing...Keyboarding games

1. Do you want to practice your keyboarding. Then visit this site that has lots of links.

2. How to type tutorial

3. Type Masta

4. Meteor typing

5. Typing of the Ghosts

6. Pop the Bubbles Typing

7. Treasure dive typing

8. Spacebar Invaders typing

9. Alphattack typing

10. Type the hidden words

11. Type as a news reporter

Free Tutoring on the Internet

1. Lessons on navigating the Internet (by AARP)

2. Learn the net: mini-courses, games, and quizzes to help you learn about the Internet

3. Internet 101

4. Welcome to the Web (by teachingideas.com)

5. BBC's guide to learning to use the Internet

6. Take this quiz on computer terms.

Spanish language Internet sites

1. Google en espanol, Google in English

2. CNN en espanol

3. Internet Safety (en espanol)

4. Telemundo (Yahoo)

5. Amazon.com en espanol

6. 2008 Presidential election: John McCain en espanol & Barack Obama en espanol

7. Links to lots of websites en espanol (by Internet4classrooms.com). Here are some of this website's links:

1. The Internet - A Parent's Guide (El Internet Una Guía Para Padres de Familia) pdf document
2. Activities for Reading and Writing Fun (Cómo Divertirse Leyendo y Escribiendo)
3. Early Childhood Digest: Helping Parents Communicate Better with Schools (Ayudando a los padres a comunicarse mejor con las escuelas)
4. Early Childhood Language Growth Chart (Cuadro de desarrollo y crecimiento para la primera infancia y niñez)
5. A guide of practical advice on reading for parents (Una guía de consejos prácticos sobre la lectura para los padres)
6. Education Resources for Spanish Speakers from the U S Department of Education (Recursos en español)
7. White House pages
   1. Preschool - the different stages of cognitive development from birth to five years of age - (Preschool Esta sección ofrece orientación e información sobre las diferentes etapas del desarrollo cognitivo de su niño desde la primera infancia hasta los cinco años de edad.)
   2. Primary Grades - The key to educative success in the first years is in learning to read. (La clave del éxito educativo en los primeros años está en aprender a leer.)
8. Frequent questions and answers on education from the U S Department of Education (Preguntas y respuestas frecuentes sobre educación)
9. How to help your child to be a good reader - Here you will be able to find an ample variety of services, as much for parents as for educators.(Cómo ayudar a su hijo ser un buen lector)
10. Helping your child learn science (Cómo ayudar a sus hijos a aprender ciencia)
11. How to help your child have success in school (Cómo ayudar a su hijo a tener éxito en la escuela) - pdf document - MS Word document
12. How to help your child with homework (Cómo ayudar a su hijo con la tarea escolar) - pdf document
13. Helping your preschool child prepare for school (Cómo ayudar a su hijo durante la edad preescolar) - pdf document
14. Helping your child through early adolescence (Cómo ayudar a su hijo con la temprana adolescencia)
15. Internet Safety - Seguridad en la Internet - (En español)
16. Slide show for teachers helping them to offer advice to parents on homework (Guía del Maestro: Consejos para los padres sobre la tarea escolar)
17. Suggestions for Students (Sugerencias Para Estudiantes) from the Bernardsville Public Library
18. Tips for Reading Tutors (Consejos para los Tutores en Lectura) pdf document
19. Practical advice for parents on homework (Consejos prácticos para los padres sobre la tarea escolar)
20. Additional Educative Services: Fast reference for Parents (Servicios Educativos Suplementarios: Referencia Rápida para Padres) pdf document
21. Publications and materials of the Publication Center (U S Department of Education) (Publicaciones y materiales del Centro de Publicaciones)

News

Check out some new ideas about technology.