Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Get Your Own Dropbox

Dropbox is software that syncs your files online and across your computers. Put your files into your Dropbox on one computer, and they'll be instantly available on any of your other computers that you've installed Dropbox on (Windows, Mac, and Linux too!) Because a copy of your files are stored on Dropbox's secure servers, you can also access them from any computer or mobile device using the Dropbox website. Let's say you're editing a document at home. As soon as you click 'Save', Dropbox will sync this same file to all your other computers (and now your iPhone!) instantly and automatically. It's as if you saved the document to all of your computers. This gives you the freedom to work on any of your computers and always have the files you need.

 

You can easily share entire folders or photo albums with Dropbox. Simply put the folders you want to share in your Dropbox, and invite people to them. You can also send people links to specific files within your Dropbox. This makes Dropbox perfect for team projects. Every time you put a file in your Dropbox folder it is automatically backed up to our secure servers. If your computer has a melt-down your files are safe on Dropbox and can be restored at any time. Our free 2GB account is perfect for backing up your documents. We offer larger accounts (up to 100GB) for backing up your music and video collections.

 

http://www.getdropbox.com/referrals/NTUwODQ3Mjk

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

New Resource for Technology Safety

 

GuardingKids.com
A Practical Guide to Keeping Kids Out of High-Tech Trouble

From podcasts to porn, cyberbullying to cell phones,  Dr. Russell Sabella helps readers understand the risks that emerge when high-tech tools, uninformed parents, and exuberant youth collide. Because kids are growing up with modern technologies, many are more expert than their parents. As a result, a parent's ability to make effective decisions for how technology is used may be compromised.

GuardingKids.com empowers parents, educators, and other care takers to better understand the electronic terrain. Readers will be better able to help children safely and securely navigate a minefield of inappropriate and risky situations.

Visit http://www.GuardingKids.com today for resources, links, and more.

Russell A. Sabella, Ph.D.
Sabella@guardingkids.com
239-471-4212 


Friday, October 9, 2009

SchoolCounselor.com Issue #112

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The College Search ...

It's a challenge to get teens excited about college search. Many resources are dry and the information is overwhelming. Sign up now for Campus Compare’s FREE webinar: “How to Engage Teens in the College Search” and learn about the different ways that you can use the web, including online tools, web-apps, and social media, to get your kids involved in their college search.

SchoolCounselor.com eNewsletter #112

October 10, 2009

Welcome to SchoolCounselor.com, an electronic newsletter designed to advance counselors' level of technological literacy, application, and integration. You will find practical solutions and answers to technology related problems, especially as they apply to your job as counselor. If you would like to share a tip or trick, or if you would like to ask a question, e-mail Russ Sabella at
newsletter@schoolcounselor.com.

Congratulations to Jessica Hubbard, Elementary Counselor from Starkville Academy, MS. She has one a copy of a textbook from Educational Media Corporation entitled Managing Your School Counseling Program (3rd edition) by Joe Wittmer, Ph.D. and Mary Ann Clark, Ph.D. (see http://tinyurl.com/3e2thw; $49.95).

And congratulations to Joanne Shorter from MA who won a
Data Boot Camp CD for School Counselors and Administrators - CD.

You can win too just by making sure you are subscribed to this newsletter using the new FeedBurner system. Go to
http://www.schoolcounselor.com/NEWSLETTER/ to make sure you are.

Data BootCamp CD for School Counselors and Administrators Giveaway
Twitter Account required.
http://twtaway.com/n9tyi0

Posters
Beautiful ... Inspiring .. Motivational ... Touching
Counseling Posters for your Office and Home
http://www.schoolcounselor.com/posters


Latest Poll
Would you support a ban on cell phones for students in K-12 schools?
http://bit.ly/3oJzvI
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Get Back Issues of SchoolCounselor.com
http://www.schoolcounselor.com/store/newsletters.htm


TIPS AND TRICKS

Google is on a roll, again! Check out these recent updates ...

Google Forms (Data Collection): Add page break and go to page in forms
Have you ever wanted to create a form that changes which questions to show next based on an answer received earlier in the form? The two features we launched today make that easy. First, we've added one of the most requested features for forms: page breaks. Now it is easy to create a form with multiple pages by going to "Add item" and selecting "Page break." We've also added another highly requested feature, logic branching. Once you've created a form with multiple pages, you can select "Go to page based on answer" to control the flow of your form based on the user's answers. For example, you can create a form asking the person to select their language and then direct them to a form in the correct language. If you want to see both of these new features in action,
let us know what your favorite holiday is.

Page breaks and go to page open up a whole new realm of possibilities. For example, you can create a product survey that asks a different set of questions based on whether someone has used the product before or a conference feedback form that branches off based on the session someone attended. You can even create your own interactive murder mystery or adventure using a Google form, share it with your friends and publish it in the public templates gallery. We hope you enjoy these new additions to forms!

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Google Docs: Translation functions in spreadsheets
Earlier this week, Google added two functions to Google spreadsheets that add translation and language detection capabilities.

* =GoogleTranslate("Hola, ¿cómo estás?","es","en") gives "Hi, how are you"
* =DetectLanguage("Hola, ¿cómo estás?") gives "es"

Read more:
http://googledocs.blogspot.com/2009/10/translation-functions-in-spreadsheets.html

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Introducing Google Sidewiki
We're excited about the release last week of Google Sidewiki, a new way for you and others to contribute helpful information alongside any page on the web. Google Sidewiki is a sidebar in Google Toolbar where you can add text entries, links, and embedded videos. To make sure you see the most relevant entries on top, we use an algorithm to rank entries by quality. It takes into account your feedback as well as many other signals. We also have the first version of our API available to let anyone work freely with the content that's created in Google Sidewiki. Google Sidewiki is a feature of Google Toolbar for Firefox and Internet Explorer — support for Chrome is coming.
http://www.google.com/sidewiki

Google Fast Flip
Google Fast Flip, recently launched in Google Labs, is a way to read news that combines the best elements of print and online articles. Like a print magazine, Fast Flip lets you browse through recent news, headlines and popular topics, as well as feeds from individual top publishers. At the same time, we offer search over many top newspapers and magazines, and the ability to share content with your friends. Fast Flip also personalizes your experience by taking cues from selections you make to show you more content from sources, topics and journalists that you like.
http://fastflip.googlelabs.com

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Google Cybersecurity YouTube Playlist
http://www.youtube.com/user/GoogleCyberSecurity#play/playlists

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Google’s Document Viewer
Sometimes the simplest things are the most useful, you know? Google has announced a handy dandy Docs viewer, available at. This viewer allows you to generate links to view PDFs, Powerpoints, and TIFF documents from the comfort of your own browser. If you don’t want to fuss with using the form every single time, Google also includes instructions for building your own URLs to use with Document Viewer.
http://docs.google.com/viewer

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Google Docs: New flowchart shapes and multi-line text in drawings
We (Google) just released two new improvements to the drawings in Google Docs. First, we made it easier for you to build flowcharts in drawings by adding 20 new shapes for standard flowchart components. Second, we made it possible for you to have more control over drawing text layout by supporting explicit line breaks in text boxes and text within shapes
http://googledocs.blogspot.com/2009/09/new-flowchart-shapes-and-multi-line.html

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Google Gives You More Control over Search Results
This past week, Google rolled out new options for searching. The Search Options feature was first introduced in May. Now, Google has added more options to help you refine your search results even further. You can narrow your search results by date. For example, filter search results by hour and date. You can also opt to display more or fewer shopping sites. To access Google's Search Options feature, search Google as you normally would. Then, click “Show options” on the blue bar at the top of the results page. Your options will pop up in the left side of the window.

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Google Sketchup Updated
Google may be best known for its online services but it is now a huge company with interests in all sorts of markets and technologies. Even so, 3D modeling software isn't exactly the first thing you think about when you say Google, but the company does this as well with SketchUp, which just made it to version 7.1. The new version comes with some new features as well as improved performance, being more than just a minor release.
http://sketchup.google.com/

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... and now other great Tips and Tricks

Calculate Elapsed Time in Excel
Calculating elapsed time is very common whether you are managing a project or raising a baby. Elapsed time is nothing but interval between a starting point and the current point in time. We can use excel formulas to calculate elapsed time very easily.
http://chandoo.org/wp/2009/09/22/elapsed-time-excel/

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Emailing Teachers: 5 Tips to Successfully Email Teachers
School has gone virtual, classes have gone digital and homework is online. Now teachers and students are emailing more than ever. It is important for students and parents to be aware of some of the pitfalls of turning in homework via email, emailing teachers and developing a relationship online outside of class.

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Use a No-Cost Directory-Assistance Service
Does your mobile phone carrier gouge you for directory-assistance calls? Instead of dialing 411, try Google 411. Dial 800-466-4411 (800-GOOG-411). The voice-recognition tool looks up numbers, addresses, nearby businesses and more for free.

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Exporting Contacts from Outlook (Youtube)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=duqtD_cJO-8&NR=1

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Using PowerPoint and PhotoStory3 to create a Narrated Presentation
Bring your accountability reports (and other presentations) to life with a free program called Microsoft Photo Story 3. This method is very similar to doing narrated PowerPoints although probably a bit easier and with a higher "cool" effect. In this method, you will export your PPT slides as graphics and then use those graphics to narrate within Photo Story 3. Your product is a video. Realize, though, that when you use this technique, the animation within PowerPoint does not transfer. Instead, you will get a panning effect which is also very nice. This video is one of the many you will find on the Data Boot Camp for School Counselors and Administrators - CD available from www.schoolcounselor.com.
http://www.schoolcounselor.com/videos/2009/06/using-powerpoint-and-photostory3-to.html

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WORTHY WEBSITES AND SOFTWARE

Qipit
Copy documents, whiteboards and handwritten notes with your camera phone or digital camera to store, fax, email or publish!
http://www.qipit.com/

Also see faxZero: Send a fax for free to anywhere in the U.S. and Canada
http://faxzero.com/

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Possible Interview Questions for School Counselors
A list of questions designed to help you think about and prepare for your school counselor position interview. These are actual questions sent in by school counselors after an interview. If you would like to add to this list for future updates, please complete the form at the bottom of this web page.
http://www.schoolcounselor.com/resources/interview.htm

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Bullying Resources
http://bit.ly/uuGhA

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Microsoft Security Essentials
Microsoft Security Essentials provides real-time protection for your home PC that guards against viruses, spyware, and other malicious software. Microsoft Security Essentials is a free download from Microsoft that is simple to install, easy to use, and always kept up to date so you can be assured your PC is protected by the latest technology. It’s easy to tell if your PC is secure — when you’re green, you’re good. It’s that simple.
http://www.microsoft.com/security_Essentials/

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iClippy
Clippy provides an internet clipboard accessible from the desktop or from the web. Copying anything into webmail or online documents has never been easier. iClippy can also be used to store documents, business cards, and receipts, as well as for visual bookmarking.
http://iclippy.com/

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Pdfsam
Split and Merge is a very simple, easy to use, free, open source utility to split and merge PDF files. It’s released in two versions: basic and enhanced. The basic version is probably best.
http://www.pdfsam.org/

also check out

meregepdf.net
This service enables you to combine PDF documents into a single one, free of charge.
http://www.mergepdf.net/

Convert PDF to Word for Free
http://www.pdfonline.com/pdf2word/index.asp

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Data Boot Camp for School Counselors
and Administrators - CD

Russell A. Sabella, Ph.D.

My newest CD is designed to help you become more proficient in using Microsoft Excel™ to make data an important part of your comprehensive school counseling program. From data-driven decision making, to monitoring progress, to reporting the positive impact you're having on kids -- this CD will demystify how it's done.

With the Data Boot Camp for School Counselors and Administrators, what you see and hear on the videos is what you do. At your fingertips, you'll have access to 30 videos and lots of graphics, tips, tricks, and resourceful links. This straightforward step-by-step approach makes learning how to use Microsoft Excel™ (and a bit of PowerPoint™) as easy and convenient as watching television. Data Boot Camp will help school counseling students, practitioners, administrators, and counselor educators to more easily unlock the power of data so you can more effectively support student achievement.

The content on the CD is equivalent to a full-day workshop in the computer lab!

Visit and learn more about the contents of the CD and view a couple of sample videos (Remember, these samples may take a few moments to load because you are online. However, on the CD, this is not an issue because the videos are all located on the CD itself!).
http://www.schoolcounselor.com/store/data-bootcamp.htm

$18.95 (FREE shipping)
Please allow 5-7 working days to arrive


____________________________________________

JUST FOR FUN


Superfiller
Amazon.com offers you free shipping orders that are $25.00 or more ... if you are just under that amount, this site can help. Just enter the amount you need to spend to make your order an even $25. SuperFiller will return a list of items that fit the bill. Add one to your order to get free shipping! SuperFiller has a few other nifty tricks. For example, you'll want to check out the discount table.
http://www.superfiller.com/

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Similar to the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator
http://similarminds.com/software.html

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12 Coolest Tables
http://www.oddee.com/item_96824.aspx

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7 Most Amazing One-Take Video Clips
http://www.neatorama.com/2009/09/28/7-most-amazing-one-take-video-clips/

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Is it Cheese or is it a Font?
http://cheeseorfont.mogrify.org/

____________________________________________

SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION

SchoolCounselor.com does not knowingly send unsolicited e-mail. This Newsletter is for subscribers only. If you received it and did not subscribe, please let us know using the link on our home page. We will remove your name immediately.

TO SUBSCRIBE to this newsletter, simply go to the signup page at
www.SchoolCounselor.com/newsletter and enter your e-mail address. You will receive an e-mail asking you to confirm your subscription. We will add your e-mail address to the list when you reply to the confirmation e-mail.

TO UNSUBSCRIBE from this newsletter, simply visit go to the signup page at
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TO CHANGE YOUR E-MAIL ADDRESS: If your old address will become inactive, PLEASE
UNSUBSCRIBE with your old address and SUBSCRIBE with your new one.

IF ALL ELSE FAILS send a note. Please allow a week or two for changes to take effect.

____________________________________________

PRIVACY POLICY

http://www.schoolcounselor.com/privacy.htm
____________________________________________

Want to advertise in this newsletter? Visit
http://www.schoolcounselor.com/advertising.htm
____________________________________________

The SchoolCounselor.com newsletter may contain links to sites on the Internet owned and operated by third parties. SchoolCounselor.com is not responsible for the availability of, or the content located on or through, any such third-party site. Information in this document is provided "as is," without warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, including but not limited to the implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose and freedom from infringement. The user assumes the entire risk as to the accuracy and the use of this document. SchoolCounselor.com will not be liable for any damages of any kind arising from the use of this information, including, but not limited to direct, indirect, incidental, punitive, and consequential damages.

You Could Win!

I am in the process of moving my subscription list over to a new service which will make getting this publication to the over 17,500 current subscribers more efficiently. A random drawing from active subscribers of the new list will take place twice a month for the next several months. You could win one of a whole bunch of prizes, here's what's in the give-away basket:

1 of 5 copies of Data Boot Camp CD for School Counselors and Administrators - CD by Russ Sabella, Ph.D. (see http://www.schoolcounselor.com/store/data-bootcamp.htm; $21.95 each)

1 of 5 copies of SCAATAP (School Counselor Accountability and Task Analysis Program; see http://www.scaatap.com/ $125 each)

1 of 10 copies of the new SchoolCounselor.com e-Newsletter Back Issues #71-95
(http://www.schoolcounselor.com/store/newsletters.htm $8)

Register now at
http://www.schoolcounselor.com/NEWSLETTER

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

FREE webinar: "How to Engage Teens in the College Search

It's a challenge to get teens excited about college search.  Many resources are dry and the information is overwhelming. Sign up now for Campus Compare’s FREE webinar: “How to Engage Teens in the College Search” and learn about the different ways that you can use the web, including online tools, web-apps, and social media, to get your kids involved in their college search.

 

Data BootCamp CD for School Counselors and Administrators Giveaway

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

FBI warning of malicious hoax emails

FORT MYERS: The FBI is warning the public to be aware of three new fraudulent emails that are currently in circulation.

According to a release from the FBI, one claims to contain "Intelligence Bulletin No. 267;" another states it is from the Department of Homeland Security and the FBI Counterterrorism Division and the third claims to contain an FBI intelligence bulletin from the Weapons of Mass Destruction Directorate.

Officials are asking computer users not to click on any links contained in those or similar emails. They say they are hoaxes and may contain viruses or malicious software.

http://www.nbc-2.com/global/story.asp?s=11262855

Thursday, October 1, 2009

National Cybersecurity Awareness Month

October marks the sixth annual National Cybersecurity Awareness Month sponsored by the Department of Homeland Security. The theme for National Cybersecurity Awareness Month 2009 is “Our Shared Responsibility” to reinforce the message that all computer users, not just industry and government, have a responsibility to practice good “cyber hygiene” and to protect themselves and their families at home, at work and at school.

 

Read more:

 

http://www.dhs.gov/files/programs/gc_1158611596104.shtm

Blog Archive

Produced by Sabella & Associates, LLC

Copyright, 2009. All Rights Reserved. Contact Dr. Russell Sabella at news@schoolcounselor.com.