ACTE

ACTE Web Site Tutorial—Learn how to navigate ACTE's Web site to get the most of our resources for your professional development.

Blog Tutorial—Find out how to subscribe by e-mail or RSS to ACTE's Convention Blog and CTE Policy Watch Blog with this PowerPoint tutorial.

RSS Tutorial—Learn how to subscribe to content on ACTEonline.org via RSS with this PowerPoint tutorial. RSS is a great tool that allows you to keep track of updates to your favorite Web pages and more!

Facebook Tutorial—This very brief PowerPoint tutorial covers how to sign up for a free Facebook account and how to join ACTE's group on Facebook so that you can receive updates with ACTE and CTE news.

Twitter Tutorial—This PowerPoint tutorial shows you how, in a few brief steps, to sign up for a free Twitter account and how to follow ACTE on Twitter to get the latest on ACTE events and breaking news in CTE.

LinkedIn Tutorial—Learn how to sign up for a LinkedIn account and join the ACTE group on LinkedIn, the social network for professionals.

Other Web 2.0 Resources for CTE Professionals

Professional development and networking—Start with this list of education social networks to see what peaks your interest. I'd recommend Classroom 2.0, Career Tech 2.0 and the resources through the International Society of Technology in Education. Common Craft produces a fun selection of how-to videos for various Web tools.

Wikis—You might want to kick off with this Techniques article, "Wikis and Blogs: Your Keys to Student Collaboration & Engagement" for in-classroom tips. Wikis can also be used between educators for professional development: learn more in the article "What You Need to Know About Web 2.0." If you're ready to start a wiki, consider Wikispaces, which has a deal for K-12 teachers, or PBWorks or Wetpaint.

Blogs—Again, start with the article "Wikis and Blogs: Your Keys to Student Collaboration & Engagement" for tips on blogs in the classroom. Blogs can also be a great tool for your professional development: learn more in "What You Need to Know About Web 2.0." Education-specific blog hosts, with security elements that teachers may need in the classroom, include 21 Classes and Gaggle. If your blog is for fellow teachers or for adult students, you could host it through WordPress or Blogger.

Twitter—Check out ACTE's Twitter for education and workforce professionals you might want to follow, or explore this list of educators on Twitter. The TechLearning article "Nine Reasons to Twitter in Schools" explains what you might get out of tweeting. If you want to use Twitter in the classroom, "6 Examples of Using Twitter in the Classroom" from EmergingEdTech.com offers good examples and links to several other examples.

Handheld learning—K12 Handhelds is a major resource on mobile technology in the classroom.

Podcasting—The Teachers' Podcast focuses on education technology, not just podcasting, but take a listen and think about all that's involved in creating a podcast. Then learn more about podcasting for education in the Teaching Today article "Podcasting Basics." My recipe for podcasting includes the free Audacity software for recording and editing, and the Podbean podcast hosting service.

Video—This page from the Monroe County Intermediate School District features a large collection of resources for digital video in the classroom. Make Internet TV provides six "how-to" chapters on creating online video, from start to finish. For hosting your videos, take a look at SchoolTube and TeacherTube. Apple Education also has great resources and opportunities for integrating video into the classroom.

Model programs using technology in the classroom—Here are just a few schools that are using technology creatively and effectively: Denver School of Science and Technology; Paradise Valley High School, Peoria, Arizona; and Anson High School, Anson County, North Carolina.