Wednesday, August 27, 2014

Data Boot Camp for School Counselors, Administrators, and Other Educators

  

With this new and updated online tutorial, you will find both written and detailed video instruction demonstrating data skills in a user-friendly manner. What you see is what you learn. Throughout the program, you'll also see many bonus articles, links, and tips.  And, best of all, in addition to the many descriptive pages, you’ll have access to 39 videos covering 206 minutes (almost 3.5 hours) of tutorial footage.  Learn more >>>

Friday, August 8, 2014

SchoolCounselor.com eNewsletter #147

SchoolCounselor.com eNewsletter #147
Date of Publication: August 8, 2014

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
news@schoolcounselor.com ____________________________________________
Please take a moment to visit our Sponsors:

Positive Relations @ School (& Elsewhere) is Nancy Willard's new book that provides guidance to schools on how to reduce bullying and harassment and limit its harmful effects in a manner that will both effectively address the well-being of students and assist schools from avoiding litigation and civil rights enforcement actions.
http://www.embracecivility.org/


Amazon.com Student Membership

Amazon Student is a free membership program created especially for college students. Read more here and sign up here.



 

Customized Webinars for School Counselors by Dr. Russ Sabella. Each webinar is customized for either 60 or 90 minutes. Other options available upon request.
http://www.schoolcounselor.com/webinars/


BASED ON A TRUE STORY of OLD-FASHIONED LOVE ... Sina is a devoted daughter, an average student, and just happens to be at the center of the greatest tomato-flying mishap in Sicily's history.  This heartwarming story of food, family, and a deep and lasting love is destined to become a classic in children's literature.
PASTA is LOVE may make you laugh, and it may make you cry, but one thing is for certain, it will make you hungry!  It may also answer the age-old question, it there really a 'happily ever after?'   Ages 6-9
Available now at: http://www.pastaislove.com/

The Time Elapsed Analysis & Reporting System (T.E.A.R.S.) is a Microsoft Excel add-in that automatically calculates the total amount of time that you have spent in different aspects of your work. After exporting your calendar data from Microsoft Outlook to Excel, this add-in extracts elapsed time, sums up the number of hours in each category, and then produces both a table and a chart. If you ever wondered where your time goes, you will want to use T.E.A.R.S. to learn more.

http://www.schoolcounselor.com/tears/


Must See Videos
New videos have been added since the last issue:
∙         Chocolate Dishes from Balloons
•         "Weird Al" Yankovic - Word Crimes
•         Fireworks filmed with a drone
•         Always #LikeAGirl
∙         Proper Way to Eat Pringles Chips
∙         Lift Labs Launch Video
∙         Made with Code - Film
∙         Fatherhood
∙         Google Flight Search
∙         Volkswagen - Eyes on the road

Postings from Russ Sabella ...
– Keeping Kids Out of High Tech Trouble. This blog supports Dr. Russell Sabella's work on educating children, parents, educators and other stake holders about the responsible use of technology. Included in these pages you will find helpful resources, lesson plans, links, and more. Russ's most recent book and workshops are primary resources for meeting this mission.
http://guardingkids.blogspot.com/

– SchoolCounselor.com eNewsletter. The SchoolCounselor.com e-Newsletter is an electronic publication 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.
http://counselingtechnology.blogspot.com/

– Must See Videos. When I see a video that would be useful, inspiring, enlightening among counselors, I post it here.
http://counselingvideos.blogspot.com/

– Twitter. Postings about all thinks counseling, life, humor, and more.
http://twitter.com/rsabella

– Pinterest. Lots of resources for counselors, parents, and others.
http://pinterest.com/rsabella/

– YouTube. Counseling related playlists and more.
http://www.youtube.com/user/cyberprof
TIPS AND TRICKS
Top Handouts
Many of my handouts that I use for workshops, keynotes, and teaching are available online. Below are the top five most highly downloaded. Combined, they have been downloaded over 26,000 times! In order of popularity:
1. Training Catalog: http://bit.ly/sabella-training
2. SFBC Chart Template: http://bit.ly/sfbc-chart
3. Available Upon Request Article: http://bit.ly/on-call-counselor
4. Solution Focused Brief Counseling & Consultation Training Packet: http://bit.ly/sfbc-handout
5. SchoolCounselor.com Newsletter Issues #96-114: http://bit.ly/8YXNRm
6. Creating Charts: http://bit.ly/chart-handout
7. School Counseling Tracking Software (article): http://bit.ly/tracking-software
8. My Top Ten Training: http://bit.ly/sabella-topten
9. Helpful Technology: http://bit.ly/tech-handouts
10. Google Cheat Sheet: http://bit.ly/google-cheat-sheet
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Percent Change Calculator
http://www.percent-change.com
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How to make Google Now reminders from your desktop browse
http://googlesystem.blogspot.co.uk/2014/07/create-reminders-in-google-search.html
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Convert Google Link to Direct Link for Easier Copying and Pasting
Sometimes, links in Google results points to horrifically long URL’s that look kind of cryptic. Use this online tool to make a quick and easy conversion.
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Remind
Remind is a free, safe, and easy way for educators to connect instantly with students and parents.
http://rmd.me/9XI6
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WorkFlowy is an organizational tool that makes life easier. It's a surprisingly powerful way to take notes, make lists, collaborate, brainstorm, and plan.
https://workflowy.com/invite/23fad4b8.emlx
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CloseAll
CloseAll lets you close all running applications with just a single click. It doesn’t use any system resources at all and unloads right after completing its task. CloseAll simply flashes a ‘close’ signal to all open applications on the desktop and then ceases.
http://www.ntwind.com/software/utilities/close-all.html
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Problem Steps Recorder in Windows 7
The Problem Steps Recorder in the Windows 7 operating system is a feature that enables users to record their interactions with an application and provide a detailed screen-by-screen view with accompanying information. Learn how the recording can be used to quickly identify problems and help reduce time spent with the help desk.
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/problem-steps-recorder-overview.aspx
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Windows: Shake and shrink
Here's a fun yet handy trick: Click and hold the title bar of the program you're working in, then shake it back and forth rapidly. All other open windows will minimize to the task bar, leaving your desktop nice and clutter-free. Sure, you can do the same by pressing Windows key + Home, but where's the fun in that?
Source: Click
here.
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Google Search: 5 of the Most Useful Instant Answers          
There are dozens of different instant answers you can get from Google, but here are the five that I find the most useful on a day-to-day basis.
http://www.pcworld.com/article/2461402/google-search-5-of-the-most-useful-instant-answers.html
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Add Hours, Minutes and Seconds
This page adds up any amount of hours, minutes and seconds. It can convert seconds to minutes, seconds to hours, hours to minutes, or virtually anything else. You can put any numbers in the boxes, even decimals and negative numbers.
http://www.dollartimes.com/calculators/hours-minutes-calculator.htm
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The Time Elapsed Analysis & Reporting System (T.E.A.R.S.) is a Microsoft Excel add-in that automatically calculates the total amount of time that you have spent in different aspects of your work. After exporting your calendar data from Microsoft Outlook to Excel, this add-in extracts elapsed time, sums up the number of hours in each category, and then produces both a table and a chart. If you ever wondered where your time goes, you will want to use T.E.A.R.S. to learn more.
http://www.schoolcounselor.com/tears/
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70 of the Most Useful Websites on the Internet - StumbleUpon
Click here.
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Educational Technology and Mobile Learning
Motherload of tech tips and informative articles.
http://www.educatorstechnology.com/p/site-map.html
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WORTHY WEBSITES AND SOFTWARE
Quixey
There are millions of apps and the ecosystem shows no signs of slowing down. Quixey helps people search through the clutter and find the right apps and functionality for any need, at any time. You can filter by your device type (e.g., Android, iPhone, iPad, Windows Phone, Blackberry).
http://www.quixey.com/
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Duolingo
Learn Spanish, French, German, Portuguese, Italian and English for free.
https://www.duolingo.com/
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Anki
Friendly, intelligent flash cards. Remembering things just became much easier.
http://ankisrs.net/
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Crowd Mics turns iOS and Android devices into wireless microphones! Text commenting and polling too. Thank you to Sara Williams MA, LPSC for pointing this one out.
http://crowdmics.com/
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Powerpoint Templates, Backgrounds and Powerpoint 2013 Templates
http://www.freeppt.net/
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iPads in the Classroom - Kathy Schrock's iPads4teaching

Amazingly long list of iPad apps for education.
http://www.ipads4teaching.net/ipads-in-the-classroom.html
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IFTTT stands for “If this then that”
IFTTT has long been one of my favorite apps. This free tool, which works on the web and on Android and iOS devices, lets you create recipes that result in automatic actions online.
https://ifttt.com/
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Pushbullet connects your devices, making it easy and automatic to share almost anything between them.
http://www.pushbullet.com/
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Free Malware Removal Tool | Anti-Malware Scan Software from Microsoft
The Microsoft Malicious Software Removal Tool is an anti-malware utility that checks computers running Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP*, Windows 2000, Windows Server 2012, Windows Server 2008, and Windows Server 2003 for infections by specific, prevalent malicious software—including Blaster, Sasser, and Mydoom—and helps remove malware and any other infections found.
http://www.microsoft.com/security/pc-security/malware-removal.aspx
To scan your computer for malicious and potentially unwanted software, see the Microsoft Safety Scanner.
http://www.microsoft.com/security/scanner/en-us/default.aspx
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Full lets you track & measure what’s important to you (iOs only)
http://thefullapp.com/
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JUST FOR FUN
NASA FREE e-Books
There are currently a dozen titles to choose from, but more are added periodically.
http://www.nasa.gov/connect/ebooks/#.U4h_ePldWSr
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nick reboot | feed your inner child
Continuously stream 90's cartoons for free.
http://nickreboot.com/
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1 HOUR of Concentration Music - Study and Work Music - YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ct6Df_6eHhw
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2048
I’m addicted to this game. Use your arrow keys to move the tiles. When two tiles with the same number touch, they merge into one!
http://gabrielecirulli.github.io/2048/
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TO UNSUBSCRIBE from this newsletter, simply visit the signup page at http://www.schoolcounselor.com/unsub.htm and click the unsubscribe button after entering your e-mail address. Important: You will then be asked to click on a link called “click here” to complete the process. Or, you depending on the database you signed up with originally, you may have an unsubscribe link at the bottom of this email...
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Posters
Beautiful ... Inspiring
 .. Motivational ... Touching
Counseling Posters for your Office
 and Home


Career Posters
Inspiration/Motivation
Change
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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.
Sabella & Associates, LLC, 4922 SW 26th PL, Cape Coral, FL 33914

Thursday, August 7, 2014

Sometimes you just want to say thank you #TDThanksYou


Top Ten Handout Downloads at SchoolCounselor.com

I have many of my handouts available online. Below are my top five which, combined, have been downloaded over 26,000 times! In order of popularity:

1. Training Catalog: http://bit.ly/sabella-training
2. SFBC Chart Template: http://bit.ly/sfbc-chart
3. Available Upon Request Article: http://bit.ly/on-call-counselor
4. Solution Focused Brief Counseling & Consultation Training Packet: http://bit.ly/sfbc-handout
5. SchoolCounselor.com Newsletter Issues #96-114: http://bit.ly/8YXNRm
6. Creating Charts: http://bit.ly/chart-handout
7. School Counseling Tracking Software (article): http://bit.ly/tracking-software
8. My Top Ten Training: http://bit.ly/sabella-topten
9. Helpful Technology: http://bit.ly/tech-handouts
10. Google Cheat Sheet: http://bit.ly/google-cheat-sheet

Blog Archive

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