Start with questions (Tuesday 7-15-08)

[Aileen Malave]

I thought it would make sense to start with several questions that's important to me have answered before our workshop is over.
1. My school uses Safari and Firefox on mac computers. Will these websites (hypertextopia, Voicethread) be able to be used on these types of computers and web browsers?

2. Our school has our own website, I've started a ning for my family group and would like to have it linked to our school website. How can that be done?

3. Is voicethread free? Would I have teachers sign up for voicethread using ttt.ed.voicethread.com or just voicethread.com?

I'm sure I will have more questions but these are the ones that stick out the most so far. I'd also like to mention that I'm glad that I wasn't out there on my own in feeling so confused and frustrated. Of course I don't wish for anyone to feel that way, but I just feel more comfortable knowing that I wasn't on my own and that it was normal to feel that way.

[Felicia]

Aileen, (answers to some of your questions)
1. You can use hypertextopia and Firefox on macs with a Safari or Firefox Internet program. Teachers from the NYCWP have been meeting two Thursdays a month at Satellite to explore and share their uses of technology. We meet in Ken Stein's classroom and use his macs to work with these very programs.
3. There is a free version of VoiceThread (same url without the ttt.ed) but it doesn't have the security of the ttt.ed version designed for use by teachers in school settings. The NYCWP has an account that you can probably use but if you want your whole school to become involved in may make sense for your school to purchase it's own account. Then it's Satellite's and you can set your own policies and restrictions.
2. I don't know how it's done but I'm sure that the ning can be linked to your school website (unless there is some school policy that prohibits that from happening).
I bet Ken Stein would be a good resource for you and would be willing to help you with this tech stuff.