Mr. Riley's Blog: December 2011

Thursday, December 22, 2011

Duolingo

I just signed up for  duolingo a betasite that will help teach me a new language while I surf the web.  You will need to sign up as it is in private beta right now but it just looks too cool to pass up.  I can't wait to pass this on to the ESL teacher here at school.

Networked Society

As winter break approaches and we enter a shortened day schedule I wanted to show a movie to my students. Something that would get them thinking about what we discuss in class.  Something that was school appropriate and related to the subject.  Sure I could show them how netflix streams a movie but what would they really learn.   I found this video about a networked society.  Awesome!  Networked Society shows how we as a society are connected and how we can use these broadband internet connections to better our lives. I am anticipating some strong class discussion afterwards and hopefully see and hear some really great ideas how we can make some of this stuff work.  I am also hoping one of my students will go to botanicalls and try this really cool system out.

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

15 Second Film Time


I have written about the 15 second film festival before, this is part of a club I help run after school where students write and direct their own films.  This year, like in years past, I am creating my own film.  However I try to show students the behind the scenes footage of how my film was created.  The other advisers do the same.  We do this to help new students to the club understand what goes into making a film and how proper planing can really help production.  Here are some tips;




Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Pearl Harbor Resources

Today is Pearl Harbor Day and to keep "The Day That Will Live In Infamy" alive and remembered I posted this link on my website and gave students 5 minutes at the beginning of class to read and explore.
If you are looking for images check this link out.
Update: 12/8/11
I have received numerous emails and comments about this post.  Many of you have suggested this link to the Pearl Harbor Interactive Map.  This was an awesome find!
Thank you

Tuesday, December 6, 2011


Yesterday I ordered myself a RoadID Wrist ID.  These ID tags are great and are offered in 2 different variations, the static tag like the one above or an interactive tag that allows first responders to access your insurance information.  Anyway because I ordered from them they extended a coupon offer to me; 
Coupon Number: ThanksMichael9720390
Good for a $1 off every order.  So I thought i would pass it on to you.
enjoy

Thursday, December 1, 2011

Combine 2 2010 PowerPoint Presentations

homeshortly made a comment on one of my  How to combine 2 or more Powerpoint Presentations: I thought it was important enough to share;

2010 is cryptic on merging two seperate 2010 presentations: 
There maybe another way, but this works pretty quick:

1) Open Presentation 1, click on last slide
2) HOME tab, NEW SLIDE drop down, chose SLIDES FROM OUTLINES. 
3) Drop Down file type, choose ALL FILES, then locate your other presentation
4) Press the INSERT button. 
Should place the 2nd presentation below the first.

Thanks