http://lab.drwicked.com/writeordie.html
OK. It's 10:00 the night before your paper is due. You started to write, really, you did, but were distracted by sooooo many other things. Unlike other, more friendly forms of positive reinforcement, this site offers only negative reinforcement. If you stop...well, this is what the site promises will happen:
"Write or Die is a web application that encourages writing by punishing the tendency to avoid writing. Start typing in the box. As long as you keep typing, you're fine, but once you stop typing, you have a grace period of a certain number of seconds and then there are consequences.
Negative Reinforcement "strengthens a behavior because a negative condition is stopped or avoided as a consequence of the behavior."
Consequences:
Gentle Mode: A certain amount of time after you stop writing, a box will pop up, gently reminding you to continue writing.
Normal Mode: If you persistently avoid writing, you will be played a most unpleasant sound. The sound will stop if and only if you continue to write.
Kamikaze Mode: Keep Writing or Your Work Will Unwrite Itself
These consequences will persist until your preset conditions have been met (that is, your time is up or you've written you wordcount goal or both)
This text box is not a word processor, it is not for editing, the way to save is to select all of the text, copy and paste into your own text editor. The idea is to separate the writing process and the editing process as much as possible.
This is aimed at anyone who wants to get writing done. It requires only that you recognize your own tendency towards self-sabotage and be willing to do something about it. If you're sick of saccharine writing advice that no one could honestly follow and you want a real method to getting work done."
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Skrbl: Online Interactive Whiteboard
Here's a great Web 2.0 tool:
http://www.skrbl.com/
Simple and easy online multi user whiteboard, start skrbl, give out your URL & start working together. Sketch, text, share files, upload pictures all in one common shared space. There are no new tools to learn, nothing to download, nothing to install. Brainstorm on our simple whiteboard to start thinking together, everyone sees the same screen, everybody gets on the same page.
http://www.skrbl.com/
Simple and easy online multi user whiteboard, start skrbl, give out your URL & start working together. Sketch, text, share files, upload pictures all in one common shared space. There are no new tools to learn, nothing to download, nothing to install. Brainstorm on our simple whiteboard to start thinking together, everyone sees the same screen, everybody gets on the same page.
Babbel: Learn a New Language
Learn Spanish, Italian, German or French easily online. Learn vocabulary, situational language , grammar, tutorials and more. http://www.babbel.com/ Requires a short, free signup.
"Learn languages in a playful and intuitive way. Unlike traditional learning methods, our concept is about fun, individual interest and the joy of learning. Join the Babbel community. Babbel's at its best when you're having fun and working together with others. Apply and improve your language knowledge in active conversations with other Babbel users. Learn at your own pace
With Babbel you learn what you want, when you want. No matter what your level is, the system adapts to your learning speed so you can learn on your own, or it gives you guidance to follow.
"Learn languages in a playful and intuitive way. Unlike traditional learning methods, our concept is about fun, individual interest and the joy of learning. Join the Babbel community. Babbel's at its best when you're having fun and working together with others. Apply and improve your language knowledge in active conversations with other Babbel users. Learn at your own pace
With Babbel you learn what you want, when you want. No matter what your level is, the system adapts to your learning speed so you can learn on your own, or it gives you guidance to follow.
Quintura: Visual Cloud Search Engine
http://www.quintura.com/
Quintura takes searching to a new level...up in the clouds. It employs the new cloud technology to provide a more visual search, and also lets you see not just the usual search results, but also any images or videos that are in the selected websites. The images are useful if you need some quick visuals for PowerPoint presentations etc.
It also has an Amazon tab which shows you books available on the subject.
Visual Find Engine
"Visualization becomes the center of user experience replacing antiquated listings and Boolean strings.
While viewing the Quintura Cloud, you can visually navigate and easily refine in order to find relevant information faster and more efficiently!"
Quintura takes searching to a new level...up in the clouds. It employs the new cloud technology to provide a more visual search, and also lets you see not just the usual search results, but also any images or videos that are in the selected websites. The images are useful if you need some quick visuals for PowerPoint presentations etc.
It also has an Amazon tab which shows you books available on the subject.
Visual Find Engine
"Visualization becomes the center of user experience replacing antiquated listings and Boolean strings.
While viewing the Quintura Cloud, you can visually navigate and easily refine in order to find relevant information faster and more efficiently!"
Monday, August 25, 2008
Free Computer Skills Training Website
http://www.gcflearnfree.org/computer/
This is an excellent Website for developing basic computer skills, with a self-paced learning program. All you need is an Internet connection. There are also excellent sections on Career Development and Workplace Development (things such as preparing for a job, resumes and cover letters etc.).
http://peds2.med.miami.edu/mailman/basic.htm This site also has some good basic PC use information, including terminology.
From the Aurora CO Library Website: (Click on the highlighted words to get links) : http://www.auroralibrary.org/screens/research/topic_guides/computer.html
Great Websites - Computer Basics
Computer Basics - Information
Free Basic Windows Tutorials
NetLingo - Defines terms, explains phrases.
Yahoo! Free Email Account
Great Websites - Keyboarding/Typing Practice
All Touch Typing Tutors - Links to sites (some require registration).
Free Online Typing Course - Requires registration.
Free Touch Typing - No registration.
Learn Keyboarding/Typing
Mr Kent's Typing Tutor
Nimble Fingers
Type Online
Great Websites - Keyboarding/Typing Games
Qwerty Warriors
Great Websites - Using a Mouse
Mouserobics
New User Tutorial - Explains computer basics.
Great Websites - About the Web
Learn to Use Internet Explorer
Good Sites for Surfing the Web
This is an excellent Website for developing basic computer skills, with a self-paced learning program. All you need is an Internet connection. There are also excellent sections on Career Development and Workplace Development (things such as preparing for a job, resumes and cover letters etc.).
http://peds2.med.miami.edu/mailman/basic.htm This site also has some good basic PC use information, including terminology.
From the Aurora CO Library Website: (Click on the highlighted words to get links) : http://www.auroralibrary.org/screens/research/topic_guides/computer.html
Great Websites - Computer Basics
Computer Basics - Information
Free Basic Windows Tutorials
NetLingo - Defines terms, explains phrases.
Yahoo! Free Email Account
Great Websites - Keyboarding/Typing Practice
All Touch Typing Tutors - Links to sites (some require registration).
Free Online Typing Course - Requires registration.
Free Touch Typing - No registration.
Learn Keyboarding/Typing
Mr Kent's Typing Tutor
Nimble Fingers
Type Online
Great Websites - Keyboarding/Typing Games
Qwerty Warriors
Great Websites - Using a Mouse
Mouserobics
New User Tutorial - Explains computer basics.
Great Websites - About the Web
Learn to Use Internet Explorer
Good Sites for Surfing the Web
Thursday, July 31, 2008
JOTT: Time Management and Calendar
Time management is an essential skill for students, even after they leave school. Here is a free program that acts as a personal secretary. Finding new 2.0 apps is pretty common, but finding ones I like ( and that fit my 'keep it simple' philosophy) is not as common. This one fills all my criteria.
Jott (http://www.jott.com/) is a utility tool that you might find worthwhile. You can use your cell phone to send emails, create lists, and even add to your Blogs. It will convert your voice to text.If you want to send an email from your cell phone, just call the Jott number and tell it who you want to contact.You need to have recipient names and email addresses or cell numbers (for text messages) already programmed from your computer, but once in, you can use them at any time, anywhere you can use your cell phone.After initial programming, it's easy to use your phone to send a message. I have an iPhone which does everything but cook my dinner (next upgrade?) but I still find this tool useful. I've tried it several times and it sends the info quite clearly. It also adds a link so the person can hear your voice message, in case the text translation is not clear.
It will do the same for leaving posts on a Blog. Say you are no where near a computer and need post a message on your Blog. Call Jott on your cell to the pre-programmed address of your Blog of choice and it will post directly to that Blog, and give the option of listening to your voice as well.Hint: if you post to more than one Blog, make sure you give them unique names.It's also good for reminders (eg: 'dentist appt. at 4 on 6/27/08') and lists (I use it for a shopping list). Do you want to keep track of the latest news or sports scores? Add RSS feed info into your Jott account and it will send that info to your cell phone. It's quick and easy, and fun to do. Try it out!
Jott (http://www.jott.com/) is a utility tool that you might find worthwhile. You can use your cell phone to send emails, create lists, and even add to your Blogs. It will convert your voice to text.If you want to send an email from your cell phone, just call the Jott number and tell it who you want to contact.You need to have recipient names and email addresses or cell numbers (for text messages) already programmed from your computer, but once in, you can use them at any time, anywhere you can use your cell phone.After initial programming, it's easy to use your phone to send a message. I have an iPhone which does everything but cook my dinner (next upgrade?) but I still find this tool useful. I've tried it several times and it sends the info quite clearly. It also adds a link so the person can hear your voice message, in case the text translation is not clear.
It will do the same for leaving posts on a Blog. Say you are no where near a computer and need post a message on your Blog. Call Jott on your cell to the pre-programmed address of your Blog of choice and it will post directly to that Blog, and give the option of listening to your voice as well.Hint: if you post to more than one Blog, make sure you give them unique names.It's also good for reminders (eg: 'dentist appt. at 4 on 6/27/08') and lists (I use it for a shopping list). Do you want to keep track of the latest news or sports scores? Add RSS feed info into your Jott account and it will send that info to your cell phone. It's quick and easy, and fun to do. Try it out!
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Studyrails: Keeping Students on Track
Below is an article copied verbatim from Webware.com for a new tool to keep your studies on track. It isn't free, but $10. a month is relatively little to pay if it keeps you from losing all your tuition because you forgot to do the assignments. Time management is an essential life skill and learning it now will serve you well into your future career. This is a beta version which means it is still not a finalized product, but there is enough information here to determine whether or not it will work for you. There is a demo and a free 14 day trial.
http://www.studyrails.com/view/render_page
"Studyrails is a relatively new tool for students who want to get their class schedule and study time synced up. It's mainly a calendaring tool, but thrown in is a mobile reminder service, and a forceful lock-out system that will keep you from slacking off on your computer when you're supposed to be studying.
The core calendar product is one of the more interesting efforts I've seen. After you've plugged in your class schedule, you have the option to schedule in study time. You guesstimate how much time you'll need for each discipline or project and then block out those hours on your calendar. It's a simple drag and drop affair. What's neat here is that it'll automatically divide up your time into little chunks based on how much time you've acknowledged you need to spend per task and when it's due. It's not an exact science, but it's a good start for people who don't know where to begin when they've got a lot of projects stacked up at once.
When it actually comes time to study, you can link up the application to send you reminders on your phone or e-mail in-box. It'll also give you a physical lock-out from using certain applications or Web sites during those times. This list is made by you (or your parent), so unless YouTube is a part of the study plan you'll get a little block on the page that chides you to get back to work.
The service runs $10 a month and has a two week free trial. On a side note, founder of Studyrails, Joshua Loewenstein, and I have no relation.
See also: Motivation management with GradeFix
Related: Quizlet: Flash cards made easy
Studyrails is mostly a calendaring tool, but added is project management and time management tools for slackers. " credit: Webware.com, 7/3/08
http://www.studyrails.com/view/render_page
"Studyrails is a relatively new tool for students who want to get their class schedule and study time synced up. It's mainly a calendaring tool, but thrown in is a mobile reminder service, and a forceful lock-out system that will keep you from slacking off on your computer when you're supposed to be studying.
The core calendar product is one of the more interesting efforts I've seen. After you've plugged in your class schedule, you have the option to schedule in study time. You guesstimate how much time you'll need for each discipline or project and then block out those hours on your calendar. It's a simple drag and drop affair. What's neat here is that it'll automatically divide up your time into little chunks based on how much time you've acknowledged you need to spend per task and when it's due. It's not an exact science, but it's a good start for people who don't know where to begin when they've got a lot of projects stacked up at once.
When it actually comes time to study, you can link up the application to send you reminders on your phone or e-mail in-box. It'll also give you a physical lock-out from using certain applications or Web sites during those times. This list is made by you (or your parent), so unless YouTube is a part of the study plan you'll get a little block on the page that chides you to get back to work.
The service runs $10 a month and has a two week free trial. On a side note, founder of Studyrails, Joshua Loewenstein, and I have no relation.
See also: Motivation management with GradeFix
Related: Quizlet: Flash cards made easy
Studyrails is mostly a calendaring tool, but added is project management and time management tools for slackers. " credit: Webware.com, 7/3/08
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Interesting Blogs on Linguistics and Grammar
GRAMMAR BLOG
http://spandg.blogspot.com/
Grammar Blog approaches language oddities and mishaps with a lighthearted, irreverent tone. Gez Daring, Daniel Gray, and Tom Knowles started this blog as a continuation of the linguistic gibes they shared during their time at the Univ. of Newcastle upon Tyne, in England. Many posts include photographs of errors spotted in everything from literature to signage, to which the bloggers respond with often snarky corrections. Readers contribute their own photos of spelling errors and mistakes in grammar. While this is primary British English, there are useful and clever references to American English as well. You should enjoy and understand this despite the "other English."
MOTIVATED GRAMMAR
http://motivatedgrammar.wordpress.com/
Motivated Grammar abandons the traditional idea of grammar as a strict set of rules. Gabriel Doyle, graduate student in linguistics at UC, San Diego, rails against linguistic prescription, or the notion that arbitrary but established grammar standards should be closely followed. Each of Mr. Doyle's posts reads like a self-contained grammar lesson, posting a question, discussing the issue, and arriving at a conclusion. You'll enjoy this one!
LANGUAGE LOG
http://languagelog.ldc.upenn.edu/nll
Professors in linguistics, Mark Liberman of the Univ. of Pennsylvania and Geoffrey Pullum of the Univ. of Edinburgh started this blog in 2003. They and other contributors often touch on popular culture and current events in their discussion of language. With multiple posts each day, this blog covers a broad swath of linguistic issues. Translation and the comparison of language are popular topics on this blog, with one series of recent posts debating why English texts are much longer than their Chinese counterparts. Do some scrolling on this one, and you will be sure to find one of great interest which will give you something to really think about and come back for more. All three of these blogs were listed in the BLOG WATCH Section by Lydia Serota in the Wall Street Journal, Monday, June 9, 2008 in Section R16.
Posted by Robin Bosworth
http://spandg.blogspot.com/
Grammar Blog approaches language oddities and mishaps with a lighthearted, irreverent tone. Gez Daring, Daniel Gray, and Tom Knowles started this blog as a continuation of the linguistic gibes they shared during their time at the Univ. of Newcastle upon Tyne, in England. Many posts include photographs of errors spotted in everything from literature to signage, to which the bloggers respond with often snarky corrections. Readers contribute their own photos of spelling errors and mistakes in grammar. While this is primary British English, there are useful and clever references to American English as well. You should enjoy and understand this despite the "other English."
MOTIVATED GRAMMAR
http://motivatedgrammar.wordpress.com/
Motivated Grammar abandons the traditional idea of grammar as a strict set of rules. Gabriel Doyle, graduate student in linguistics at UC, San Diego, rails against linguistic prescription, or the notion that arbitrary but established grammar standards should be closely followed. Each of Mr. Doyle's posts reads like a self-contained grammar lesson, posting a question, discussing the issue, and arriving at a conclusion. You'll enjoy this one!
LANGUAGE LOG
http://languagelog.ldc.upenn.edu/nll
Professors in linguistics, Mark Liberman of the Univ. of Pennsylvania and Geoffrey Pullum of the Univ. of Edinburgh started this blog in 2003. They and other contributors often touch on popular culture and current events in their discussion of language. With multiple posts each day, this blog covers a broad swath of linguistic issues. Translation and the comparison of language are popular topics on this blog, with one series of recent posts debating why English texts are much longer than their Chinese counterparts. Do some scrolling on this one, and you will be sure to find one of great interest which will give you something to really think about and come back for more. All three of these blogs were listed in the BLOG WATCH Section by Lydia Serota in the Wall Street Journal, Monday, June 9, 2008 in Section R16.
Posted by Robin Bosworth
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Seven Secrets to Success in English 101
Seven Secrets to Success in English 101
By Richard Nordquist, About.com
http://grammar.about.com/od/yourwriting/a/freshcomptips.htm
Excellent tips on surviving English 101. There are tabs for Grammar & Composition Words & Sentences and Paragraphs & Essays. Good, solid advice.
By Richard Nordquist, About.com
http://grammar.about.com/od/yourwriting/a/freshcomptips.htm
Excellent tips on surviving English 101. There are tabs for Grammar & Composition Words & Sentences and Paragraphs & Essays. Good, solid advice.
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