Productivity Tools
Web Tools to Improve Your Performance
There are a variety of web tools that will assist you in becoming more productive. One set of tools that many find very useful are sites that convert files to different formats. A key site is Zamzar, and is referred to below. Another resource available to teachers is the ability to have documents saved online through either Google Docs or Acrobat.com. Besides saving documents both of these sites offer the ability to convert documents into PDF files. Another productivity tool is the Google Calendar. This features the ability to share the calendar with others.
Pre-Assess your skills for this "Thing"
Aligned to the NETS-T: 1.b, 1.c, 2.a, 2.b, 2.c, 3.a, 3.c, 3.d, 4.b
Connections to Marzano Strategies: Summarizing and Note-taking; Homework and Practice; Cues, questions, and advance organizers
ZAMZAR
This free online file conversion tool will allow you to upload a file into the website, choose the format, enter your email address, and wait for the file to be sent to you. This is an easy way to convert file formats and it is completely FREE!
| 
| ||||
Google Calendar
Using Google Calendar, you can add events and invitations effortlessly, share with friends and family (or keep things to yourself), and search across the web for events you might enjoy. It's organizing made easy.
If you have already created a Google account, you may use that to create a Calendar. Otherwise, click on the link to set up a new account. For a quick-start guide to Google Calendar, click here.
21things Hands-On Activity and Assignment:
1. Before beginning this "Thing", complete the Pre-Assessment of your technology proficiency.
2. Take a Word document and convert to .pdf format or select another file format and convert. Capture a screen shot and record your reflections about how this will influence your classroom instruction.
3. Create and share a Google Calendar for your classroom. Capture a screen shot and reflect on how this could improve communication with students, colleagues, or parents.
4. After completing all of the activities for this "Thing", take the Post-Assessment of your technology proficiency for this "Thing".
Post-Assess your skills for this "Thing"
Additional Resources:
For additional productivity tools:
1. Format Factory requires a download, and is a FREE multifunctional media converter.
2. Open Office: Open Office is a complete office suite of tools including word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, graphics and database. The suite is free and needs to be downloaded onto your computer. For access to tutorials, check out LearnOpenOffice.org
3. Zoho: Another suite of office tools offers over 20 free applications.
4. MediaConverter.org: converts all video formats/video files
21 Things for 21st Century Educators by CCRESA, IISD, MISD, SRESD is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.
Based on a work at 21things.weebly.com.
Permissions beyond the scope of this license may be available at http://21things4teachers.net/. September 4, 2011
