Sample Embedded Post

Testing a Scan of A Business Card

Testing an Aviary Embed Code

test project.egg on Aviary.

Testing a FlockDraw

Test Post With Wylio

photo © 2007 ingserban | more info (via: Wylio)


This is a test post using the Wylio.com Creative Commons search feature. From what I understand this is a service that lets you search for images--- but it only returns images licensed in the Creative Commons, so it's all kosher to use on a blog. Apparently, it figures out how to do the citation on its own.

I'm going to attempt to insert a picture in this post here using Wylio. I think I'll search for "avocado" and then post a picture of an avocado. Then we'll just see how that worked. For the rest of this post, I'm just going to type nonsense so that it looks like an actual post.


For the rest of this post, I'm just going to type nonsense so that it looks like an actual post.For the rest of this post, I'm just going to type nonsense so that it looks like an actual post.For the rest of this post, I'm just going to type nonsense so that it looks like an actual post.For the rest of this post, I'm just going to type nonsense so that it looks like an actual post.For the rest of this post, I'm just going to type nonsense so that it looks like an actual post.

Example of a Vocaroo

This is a Vocaroo. It's nothing more than an embedding device for a streaming sound file. Your task is to make your own Vocaroo and embed it into a post.



I hope you have something more interesting to say than this.

Example of Assignment Five

Ok, here's the original Lincoln photo:

Notice this little caption. Can you do this?

And here's my beautifully altered photo done in Fotoflexer.

I'm addicted to captions. 

Second Test

In this one, I've tried to correct the size using the settings in Youtube's embedding controls. Yes, Mazen, I'm aware that you can do it in the html; that's not the point. Mazen!

Test Post For Embedding

Embedding Mazen's video here to see if it works.

Sharing Across Domains

Ok, so does this mean that if a student wants to share a Google Doc with a teacher, it has to be done with an invitation, rather than a link?

Actually, I may be confusing "individual domains within an organization" with "other domains." It's worth experimenting. Will any of you tech leaders set up a test?

What Could You Write About?

In a nutshell, if you're going to post regularly on the school site, you need to practice that type of thing here. What are some things you can write about?

•Application review: do an in-dept piece on a Web 2.0 service and give your opinion of it.

•Google Apps tips: discuss a new way to use any of the Google Apps. For example someone could write about a use for Google Groups. As Tech Leaders, we're already exploiting this great feature of Google Apps. As part of your blog post, you could also embed an instructional video.

•Netbook features: describe a netbook feature, shortcut, or add-on that you find particularly useful.

• Issues in technology. As you start to follow technology blogs and writers, you'll learn about information that you want to pass along.

•Demonstrations: you might want to demonstrate various 2.0 services by embedding them into a post, such as this one:


Just keep this in mind:

If you're going to write a blog post, you might want to collaborate with another Tech Leader first. Let that person review your accuracy and your language. You owe your readers accurate information, and you owe yourself the favor of learning how to write in standard English every time.


image credit

Google Group Vs. Blog: What's The Diff?

Ok, I've gotten hundreds of emails asking this question (and by hundreds, I mean none. I'm anticipating it, though.)

The Tech Leaders Google Group is our first line of communication for topic-based discussion. It's only for us, so our grammar and spelling doesn't have to be perfect, and our ideas don't have to be fully fleshed out. It's a place for us to brainstorm. Over time we'll all figure out exactly how the threads work.

I've not yet managed to get the NTHS219.org or the D219.org mail to go directly to my Blackberry; I've been using a filter that redirects your messages to my private Gmail account. It's not clear to me that all the messages I send from this account actually make it to the forum, so we'll see how that works out over time.

This blog is a different kind of space. Here's where we're going to practice a higher level of tech writing. We'll review 2.0 services and comment on tech-learning issues. In short, we're going to practice the skills that will let us determine how much of your writing is "ready for prime time," and publishable on the school's public site.

Initially, this blog will be password protected until I get a feel for the kinds of posts you're going to write. All I ask it this: pay attention to your writing, editing, and proofreading skills; stay focused on technology and learning; and apply a high level of ethical consideration before you post something.

I'm not going to tell you what to write about; I want you to think about the topics that interest you. Just remember that it's a little more in-depth and elevated than the Google Group. You're practicing being a different, public skill here.

image credit

Initial Concerns After Bootcamp

Tech Leader Bootcamp went pretty well, I thought, for the first time ever. We probably should have dedicated more time to the "out of the box" experience. Now that we've got netbooks deployed, we're starting to see the kinds of questions that are coming up.

So far it's about at-home connectivity. TL Cedrick is reporting connectivity-drops at home, so is TL Brandon. We'll just see about that; I hope this problem isn't widespread. Mr. S has talked to Dell about this issue already and we're developing some theories.

Let's use this space like real bloggers use their blogs. If you have a comment on this particular entry, use the Comment box. If you want to talk about something else, start a new post.

Don' forget to try some of the other features of blogging, like linking. For example, this is a cool site that translates binary code. It has nothing to do with anything; I was just practicing linking.

Mr. Watson...

...Come here, I need to see you.-- Tom Edison

This is the first post- may there be many more.