Gmail is furthering its offline strategy today with the announcement of the ability to include attachments in composed emails when offline. Google says this was one of the most requested features for Offline Gmail and starting today, you be able to attach files in offline mode the way you would in online Gmail.

You’ll be able to attach all types of files except inline images, which are images in the body of the email. When you have Offline Gmail enabled, Google says that mail now goes through the outbox when you’re online or offline, allowing Gmail to capture all attachments regardless of internet connections.

Earlier this year, Google rolled out a Google Gears version of Gmail, which detects when you are offline. It caches your e-mail so that you can read it, respond to it, search it, star it, or label it. When you are connected to the Internet again, it sends all the messages. Google also introduced an offline version of Calendar.

Offline access is a big part of Google’s strategy to chip away at Microsoft’s Outlook’s hold on business email. For promotional purposes, Google now wants Gmail users who are using Offline features to take pictures of themselves while accessing their email from an unusual place, such as a submarine, without internet access. Google will post the most interesting photos on the Gmail Blog. I guess a picture is worth a thousand words.

The mission statement of Holland’s ‘Library Concept Center’ says they want “to become and remain the most advanced library in the world. Using creativity, technical innovation, and advancing scientific understanding, DOK endeavors to be an indispensable source of inspiration for its members, visitors, and partners in the city of Delft, in the Netherlands, and in the world.”

So what does all these words mean and look like? How about a library filled with music, film, literature, art, publication and games in the library. Bookcases in the youth department mounted on casters so they can be portable. What a great way to make use of limited space. Roll ‘em where you need ‘em. Don’t forget to include a ‘Coffee Corner’ where one can buy a good lunch and coffee and tea?

What kind of programs are offered? “There are lectures, readings, and musical performances almost every week, and people like to spend a few hours in the library. Wi-Fi also makes DOK appealing to students to come and study. The art department holds regular exhibitions.”

The librarians of today are the media guides of tomorrow writes Erik Boekesteijn. His view … They will help people navigate through the

abundance of information and tell them about the new technology that is coming on the market and how to use it. It is obvious that the job of the librarian is one that involves lifelong learning. To keep a clear view, DOK deploys a number of account managers … project managers, content managers, and in-store marketing managers. iPod chairs, with speakers all around and a seat that moves on its base, provide an entirely new music experience while it is also possible to watch a movie on the big screens. Staff members can update the Macs whenever they want, so there are always new music and films to discover.

As I was reading the blog, I began to wonder what our school libraries would look like if they were to become more interactive.

• Would we see kids with mp3 players (mobile phones?) downloading stories from a central or multiple location(s)?
• Would the local library become a publisher for their constituency?
• Are story-tellers in the mix for the local community and world community?
• How will the interaction of the internet change libraries? Do we allow gaming?
• Will the library be a center for exchanging ideas or a quiet place to read and reflect? Or could it be both?
• How will the future physical design change?
• How will the library connect to the local community? What will they do to involve the community and will they (should they) heighten the awareness of the community to the world?

In the words of Erik Boekesteijn,

“When the people, the most important collection of the library, are happy, the library has a future.”

In moving to the digital format, we have created some controversy among the students. In the past the cover was a piece of work completed by a student. It was always a surprise and celebrated event when the colorful hard copy was rolled out. There was great excitement and anticipation of whose a work would be chosen for the cover. A second part of the anticipation was wondering whose piece would be published. It was always a surprise.

With the new eZine, every student in Upper Primary was to select piece of writing and artwork showcased for the worldwide audience to enjoy. The element of surprise was absent, the joy of knowing one’s work would be published was exciting for each student.

I like the new look, it was created by high school students. There was a limited choice for art work this year since the roll out was only a few weeks ago. However, next year should be even greater and better.

So what’s better … celebrate everyone’s best [which might not be as good] or celebrate the best of the best?

Last year I had the privilege to be part of an international team of educators to visit the Kennedy Space Center. I was selected to be members of the NASA/UCF Aeronautics Space Institute. Being given VIP passes,

we were able to visit the launch and landing sites as well as visit numerous buildings where few are allowed to visit. It was during this time tha

t I was awe stuck by Orbiter Discovery. Today STS-124 took off to the International Space Station. On board was the Japanese payload named Kibo. I was able to have lunch one day with the Japanese scientists who worked with Kibo.

During our two week stay I kept a blog of our daily itinerary. So

me of our studies included

• The Space Shuttle Program
• The International Space Station Program
• Strategies/plans for lunar and Mars exploration
• Aeronautics principles
• Orbital mechanics principlesRocketrySpace Environments
• Space Materials, including their selection and testing
• Living and working in space, including the effects of microgravity on the human physiology, design of crew modules for space living, space food, space suits and space tools.
• Astronaut training techniques
• Life support systems, including the growth of plants in space for long-duration flights
• Solar energy principals

This was by far the best professional development I have ever had. Perhaps one day you will be able to go yourself.

As an educator, we must ask ourselves what we want students to learn before assigning a podcast. Here are some typical questions one should ask before assigning and design a podcast.

1. What are your aims for the podcast?
2. Clearly state the intended learning outcomes of the podcast … what do you really want the student to learn?
3. Describe or scaffold any sub-activities that may be needed (topic, writing, technical, etc.).
4. How will the students be motivated and not frustrated with the technology?
5. What is the timeline for the podcast … remember, technology takes time. Allow 30 minutes for every one minute of podcast.
7. Identify the parts of the podcast with a suggested time frame (writing, recording, editing, etc.).
6. How will students be directed through the activity?
8. What resources will you need (human and physical)?
9. How will you know the activity has been successful, how will you ? assess it?

EMAIL
http://www.uwstout.edu/soe/profdev/techtips.shtml#email
How do I remove the “greater than” symbols from forwarded email messages?

ADOBE ACROBAT READER
http://www.uwstout.edu/soe/profdev/techtips.shtml#adobe
How do I edit and copy PDF text?
How do I change text and background colors?

MICROSOFT WORD (Most tips are for Word 2003)
http://www.uwstout.edu/soe/profdev/techtips.shtml#word
How do I quickly change the line spacing in MS Word?
How do I check readability levels in MS Word?
How do I quickly change text from all caps to title case or lower case?
How do I auto-summarize text?
How do I draw quick lines?

MICROSOFT POWERPOINT
http://www.uwstout.edu/soe/profdev/techtips.shtml#powerpoint
What are some keyboard shortcuts to use in PowerPoint presentations?
How do I export PowerPoint files as image files to use in other applications?

MAC OS X
http://www.uwstout.edu/soe/profdev/techtips.shtml#mac
How do I print to PDF format?
How do I quickly switch applications in OS X?
How do I switch mouse button functions for left-handed users?

WEB BROWSERS
http://www.uwstout.edu/soe/profdev/techtips.shtml#browsers
Is there a way to alphabetize the Favorites list in Internet Explorer?
How do I move a frequently-used site to the top of the Favorites menu in Internet Explorer?

Parents and Teachers Working Together
http://www.nea.org/teachexperience/ifc051011.html
Linda Starr shares strategies for using technology to increase parent involvement; including Web sites, email, and voice mail.

Parents Expect E-Mail Accessibility
http://tinyurl.com/c6qkj
Nora Carr takes the parent perspective in advocating for the necessity of regular email communication between teachers and parents, and also provides recommendations on effective school email policies.

Email Guidelines for Parent and Teacher Communication (PDF)
http://www.pearlandisd.org/ngc/email.pdf
The Pearland (TX) Independent School District provides an excellent model of email communication guidelines for district staff and parents.