It’s summer time here in the US of A!  And a favorite American past time is a good, old-fashioned family picnic.
But… for those of you not outside… why don’t you join us for another kind of Picnik?
Picnik is my second favorite free webtool.  It’s an online photo editing tool that is completely free… and loaded with lots of bells and whistles you usually find with expensive software. 
I think it’s a great free tool to use in class with your students to complete awesome projects.  
(Curious what my FIRST favorite free webtool …

Last week we offered you the keys to Interactive Whiteboard success… and boy, did you guys LOVE it!
So why stop there?
We want ALL of our blog readers and Twitter friends to master their Interactive Whiteboard Skills… so we’re offering it once again! 
SimpleK12′s Interactive Whiteboard Toolkit includes:

3 Courses containing 18 Lessons: 3 hours of online professional development that will have you up to speed quickly and easily.
Webinar: Integrating Interactive Whiteboard with Free Webtools
3 Workbooks: Each workbook accompanies each course …

Participate if you dare…clear your mind and write down the first TWO words that come to mind when you think about…
ISTE 2011
(Please be honest and appropriate, but mostly, be yourself!)
PS – check out what people said when we did this last year!

It’s tough out there… make sure you’re putting your best foot forwrad!  We’re not experts on teacher job hunting… but we know someone who can help!  Here’s a great post by Todd Denning:
Whether you are new to teaching, are coming back to teaching after time off, or are leaving your corporate job for a teaching position, you will need to make sure that your resume and cover letter address the following four questions future employers may have. If you are able to clearly and confidently communicate your passion, commitment and patience …

Here are some of the more interesting education and news pieces that have come across my desk recently.

Computers do not replace teachers in this virtual academy
Technology not always the best teaching tool
Using digital tools to customize education
Making virtual time capsules
Engaging students with digital cameras

Happy reading!

1.)  Your students turn in their homework on printed paper…instead of digitally. 
2.)  For poster assignments, your students need glue, construction paper, and scissors… instead of using an online tool like Glogster.
3.)  You still have chalk.  Or a Dry Eraser.
4.)  You try to pull up a web resource on your computer to show the class and you receive a “This website has been blocked” message.
5.)  You cross your fingers every time you try to connect to the network to access the internet.
6.)  You don’t get interrupted by a cell phone ring, …

The moment we’ve been waiting for is almost here… ISTE 2011!  The bunnies have packed their bags and are ready to go to Philadelphia – are you?

If you’re attending ISTE, visit the Exhibit Hall and hop on over to Booth #2927 to see us!  We’ve got all sorts of fun activities our favorite educators can participate in, including our “Be a Bunny” face cutout!  This is your chance to join the SimpleK12 team and be one of our famous little blue bunnies – who can resist that?!
We’ve also rounded up …