OK, this may not be the definitive index to Microsoft resources for teachers but it’s close. Something for everyone from elementary school English teachers to high school science teachers (check out the world wide telescope) to high school computer science teachers. Lots to choose from.
Web 2.0 and Other Educational Resources from Microsoft
1. PhotoSynth - http://livelabs.com/photosynth/
You can share or relive a vacation destination or explore a distant museum or landmark. With nothing more than a digital camera and some inspiration, you can use Photosynth to transform regular digital photos into a three-dimensional, 360-degree experience. Anybody who sees your synth is put right in your shoes, sharing in your experience, with detail, clarity and scope impossible to achieve in conventional photos or videos.
2. Worldwide Telescope - http://www.worldwidetelescope.org/Home.aspx
WorldWide Telescope (WWT) enables your computer to function as a virtual telescope, bringing together imagery from the best ground and space-based telescopes in the world. Experience narrated guided tours from astronomers and educators featuring interesting places in the sky.
3. Office Labs – Concepts http://www.officelabs.com/Pages/ConceptTests.aspx
If there’s a new trick or skill you want to learn in Microsoft Office, but you don’t have the time to take a course, check out Community Clips. It offers a portal through which you can easily browse, view, share, and discuss informal "how-to-use” Office videos from around the world. It also gives you the ability to record your own screens and voice, so you can create your own training videos to share.
b. SharedView
Connect with up to 15 people in different locations and get your point across by showing them what's on your screen. Share, review, and update documents with multiple people in real time. A Windows Live ID (Passport, Hotmail, or MSN) is required to start sessions, but not to join sessions. New in version 1.0: we have added a web based join experience to make SharedView even easier.
4. Live@edu - http://www.microsoft.com/liveatedu
If the H1N1 flu virus keeps your students away from the classroom, continue the learning online by using Office Live Workspace to:
· share assignments
· distribute handouts
· post presentations
· enable group collaboration
Use this free online service to publish and share Microsoft Office Word documents, Office Excel spreadsheets, and PowerPoint presentations. Students can get class information from anywhere they have Internet access.
b. Skydrive
With SkyDrive, you can embed public or shared folders on Windows Live Spaces. Everyone can see what’s public, but only people you’ve granted permission can see your shared folders.
Computer Science and Computer Technology Resources
1. Pre-Collegiate Faculty Connection - http://www.microsoft.com/education/facultyconnection/bz/default.aspx
Microsoft’s site for K-12 educators where you can access resources developed for middle school and high school technology, computer science and math teachers. Just released: A tutorial and Curriculum unit for teaching and learning Expression Web – the latest Web development software.
2. MSDN Academic Alliance - http://msdnaa.net
The MSDN Academic Alliance is the easiest and most inexpensive way for academic departments to make the latest Microsoft software available in labs, classrooms, and on student PCs. The program, which is available in more than 45 countries worldwide, has two primary goals:
1. To make it easier and less expensive for academic institutions to obtain Microsoft developer tools, platforms, and servers for instructional and research purposes.
2. To build a community of instructors who can share curriculum and other learning resources to support the use of these technologies.
3. DreamSpark - https://www.dreamspark.com/default.aspx
DreamSpark High School provides professional level development and design tools to students enrolled in an accredited, secondary educational institutions at no charge. Register now and give your students access to all the great software and training DreamSpark offers.
4. Expression for Educators - http://expression.microsoft.com/education
These educational materials provide a variety of resources for learning Web design with the tools provided in Microsoft Expression Studio software. Students, educators and hobbyists of all ages will find quick tutorials, short learning units and extensive course content to fit their individual teaching and learning styles. The range of difficulty goes from easy - with the quick start tutorials that require no previous Web design experience- to a more advanced level for people who are already skillful at using Web technologies and employing design strategies. The one semester web design course is appropriate for high school and introductory post-secondary technology courses.
5. IT Academy - http://www.microsoft.com/education/msitacademy/default.mspx
The Microsoft IT Academy program is designed for accredited academic institutions worldwide. Today there are thousands of Microsoft IT Academies in more than 100 countries and regions.
The program provides educators with the tools they need to effectively train students on Microsoft technologies, prepare students for the global economy, and create a skilled community. This subscription-based membership program offers curricula, courseware, and online learning for students focused on a profitable career path, life-long learning, and Microsoft certification.
6. Alfred Thompson’s High School Computer Science blog - http://blogs.msdn.com/alfredth
Alfred Thompson's blog about teaching computer science at the K-12 level. Alfred was a high school computer science teacher for 8 years. He has also taught grades K-8 as a computer specialist. He has written several textbooks and project books for teaching Visual Basic in high school and middle school. Alfred is the K-12 Computer Science Academic Relations Manager for Microsoft.
Other Education Resources for Education
1. Innovative Teachers Network - http://www.innovativeteachers.com/Pages/Welcome.aspx
The Innovative Teachers Network makes it easy to find the resources you need, contribute your favorite curriculum resources, and connect with educators to transform your classroom into a technology-rich environment for classroom learning!
2. Microsoft Partners in Learning - http://www.microsoft.com/education/pil/partnersInLearning.aspx
Partners in Learning is a global initiative designed to actively increase access to technology and improve its use in learning. Our goal is to help schools gain better access to technology, foster innovative approaches to pedagogy and teacher professional development and provide education leaders with the tools to envision, implement and manage change.
Participate in a unique professional development experience that will provide you and your organization with tools and resources to create and support innovative environments and organizations. Based on key learnings of Microsoft initiatives and our Partners in Learning program, (which has already reached nearly 3.5 million educators in more than 100 countries), this program will give you new ideas to implement in your organizations, district, classroom, or workplace. One coming October 27 - 29, Cambridge, Massachusetts.
4. Microsoft Education Teachers Site - http://www.microsoft.com/education/teachers/default.aspx
The home page for Microsoft resources for teachers of all levels.
5. Digital citizenship curriculum - http://www.digitalcitizenshiped.com/
The Digital Citizenship and Creative Content program is a free, turnkey instructional program. The goal is to create an awareness of the rights connected with creative content. Because only through education can students gain an understanding of the relevance of and a personal respect for creative rights and grow to become good digital citizens.
