Spotlight

Apple includes a small program with every new Mac called Automator. It is a scripting program that scares away most people, but with a little instruction can be very helpful. As one of my colleagues said "You need to spend some time learning, to save yourself time down the road". My suggestion would be to watch the video tutorial from Apple with Sal Soghoian. Open Automator on the side as you watch the video, follow along and do what Sal is doing. There are so many links to download already created Automator Workflows.
Here are a few:

• Automator Resources
• Automator World
• Automator Actions

One of the items I wanted to automate was to save my purchased iTunes downloads to my backup hard drive. I found a workflow for that and it streamlined the whole process. The next step for me is to create a workflow for each of my kids computers to back up their purchased downloads from iTunes. If you have a lot of songs or movies, it will still take a long time.

Another educational website you say! This one promises to deliver materials relevant to teachers. Currently there is a video contest based on Milton Friedman's book "The World Is Flat [Updated and Expanded]: A Brief History of the Twenty-first Century". Watch this location for future contests as well. In addition to the contest, izzit.org is giving away educational dvds. There are three to choose from at this point. They offer one per teacher per year. However, if you get a group of teachers to share, you can each sign up for a free movie and create a nice little collection.
If you use current events in your daily plan, explore the current events links they have included. They even include possible discussion questions.

Get your FREE new 20-minute DVD and supplemental materials from STOSSEL IN THE CLASSROOM! Just go to this site and sign up. The 20-20 correspondent has had many acclaimed programs which are totally applicable for schools. Visit the website to preview the DVDs and the teacher materials.

The $100 laptop being developed by MIT will use Linux operating system. At this point, negotiations have taken place with Argentina, Brazil, Libya, Nigeria, Pakistan, Rwanda, Thailand and Uruguay. The goverment of each country will attempt to put one in the hands of each primary age child within five years. This photo is from the website: http://www.laptop.org

The tophttp://www2.blogger.com/img/gl.link.gif 10 New Year's Resolutions are:
1. spend more time with family and friends
2. fit in fitness
3. tame the bulge
4. quit smoking
5. enjoy life more
6. quit drinking
7. get out of debt
8. learn something new
9. help others
10. get organized

This list from about.com.
Another website, firstgov.gov lists these as the top resolutions:
-Lose Weight
-Pay Off Debt
-Save Money
-Get a Better Job
-Get Fit
-Eat Right
-Get a Better Education
-Drink Less Alcohol
-Quit Smoking Now
-Reduce Stress Overall
-Reduce Stress at Work
-Take a Trip
-Volunteer to Help Others

The history of New Year's resolutions.
What are YOUR resolutions? Add them here, anonymously if you wish!!