ToneMatrix is a browser based sinewave synthesizer. I've seen some of these as DIY projects that you can build. This is the first I've seen I can play from my computer. Essentially you click on one of the little squares and it will play a tone. Click on a column and it will play a chord. It sequences from right to left.
Here is a helpful Google map [Update: 5/3/09: This map has been moved here]you can use if your class is following the spread of the swine flu. It differentiates between suspected and confirmed cases. It also shows casualties.
The folks in my department where I teach talk a lot about soft skills. We keep asking, how do we give kids some of those abilities needed to be successful beyond their academics? Things like how to interview for a job, workplace behavior and interacting successfully with your employer. This article by Chris Lehmann called Networking and Teaching brought up some of the same points we throw around in our department meetings.
"Aneesh Chopra, who is currently the Secretary of Technology for Governor Kaine of Virginia, has agreed to serve as America’s Chief Technology Officer. In this role, Aneesh will promote technological innovation to help achieve our most urgent priorities – from creating jobs and reducing health care costs to keeping our nation secure."Good overview of who Chopra is and why he is a good choice at this article by Tim O'Reilly.
The Seed is a nifty animation using a combination of of 2D and papercut stop motion by Johnny Kelly of Nexus Productions.
Read this article in Education Week this morning discussing ways that teachers can find educational materials on the web. My success in this activity is relational to how much time I have to look. If I suddenly need to find a lesson for a class because my dog ate my briefcase and I have an hour or less to find what I need, I am doomed to failure. Give me a little more time and I usually find something that I can adapt. Rarely do I find something that can be taken straight from the web into my classroom. To be fair, I had very few resources like that before the web (yes I'm that old). We teachers are always tweaking lessons to meet a classroom's specific need and match our own presentation style.
Colorado got hit by a spring snow storm on March 26th and during that time I was desperate to get out of the house. I pulled on my boots and grabbed my camera and walked up to the store. On the way there I felt like I was in a Jack London short story and by the time I got home, I had a London style story rolling around in my head. I jotted it down and figured that would be the end of it.
I love all the ideas concepts I've seen popping up designed to help people stay active and mobile. The GlideCycle is an invention along these lines. By supporting your body weight, it allows you use your legs to push yourself along either like a scooter or with a running motion depending on your abilities.
John Calkin used to build guitars and in recent years started playing around with banjo construction. He is experimenting with wood varieties and different designs to create a clawhammer banjo with the tonal qualities he wants. His website has lots of pictures and explanation. Successes. Failures. I was hooked as soon as I clicked it open, but I admit, I have a fondness for banjos, construction, and design.Peace of mind attained only through the self satisfaction in knowing you made the effort to do the best of which you are capable.
While watching the YouTube video of "Stand by Me" from Playing for Change, I noticed the instrument that Washboard Chaz was playing. The picture is a screen capture from the video so the clarity isn't great. Looks like he has two cans wired into the sides and a wooden sound block at the bottom. You can also see a desk clerk's bell over on the far right of the setup. If you head over to his website, you can hear some more examples. Listen close and you can hear that bell ring out occasionally.
