Online Video Converters

Checked out the 2007 article Top Ten Online Converters - Freakitude, and four of them still work:

"1. ZamZar: Free Online file conversion service. It can convert your online videos to a number of video formats. The converted files are sent via email.
2. Tubefish : Tubefish video converter can convert your videos instantly to MPEG, AVI, MOV, 3GP and Divx.
3. Movavi : Movavi is another online video converter. It notifies via email when converted files are ready to download."

Here are three more,  from 13 Useful Free Online Video Converters | Flash, Design, Vector, Photoshop, Adobe Tutorials | GraphicMania.net:

1. FLVto.com: Converts or downloads Youtube videos to MP3, MP4, AVI or MPEG.
2. You Convert It "Convert any Youtube and other Online Video to popular formats or download the video without buying or installing anything on your PC"
3. Tubeminator: Download and convert from any site. FLV, AVI, MP3, MP4  

This is by no means a comprehensive list, but it will definitely get you on your way!

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Telling Hawaiian Stories Online

Hawaiian stories are only a click away!

Heitiare (Kawehi Wallace) Klammerer (Seabury '03), speaks about E Pa'a Pono, the book she wrote in Hawaiian. The book is available at ulukau.org and can be read either online or downloaded.

"The book was part of several other books that I took part in. E Pa'a Pono In particular is one that I authored, designed the layout and did the photography. The book project was a partnership with several community groups in the Ko'olauloa area headed by the Na Kamalei-K.E.E.P. Early Childhood Education Progam of Punalu'u. The project was to tell stories related to the Ko'olauloa area of O'ahu. The story E Pa'a Pono comes from the Kula Kaiapuni 'o Hau'ula.

Having been a teacher at Hau'ula Elementary, I was given an opportunity to put in a story idea for our Hawaiian Language Immersion Program (HLIP). I put in a story idea that showcased the Hawaiian language and its importance. The story also highlighted the local Halau Nalu or Surf Club which is made up of most of our keiki from HLIP. The Halau Nalu is just a great outlet for Hawaiian keikis as well as non-Hawaiian kids to learn the Hawaiian sport of surfing as well as practice language and culture.

Mainly the book is meant to show the importance of preserving our Hawaiian language. I believe it is the kuleana of all who love Hawai'i and who make Hawai'i their home.

I don't know how it is that people separate language from culture because they go hand in hand. As the 'olelo no'eau or Hawaiian proverb explains it best, "Ma ka 'olelo ke ola, ma ka 'olelo ka make". In language there is life and death.

E ola mau ka 'olelo Hawai'i."

Mahalo, Kawehi, for sharing your mana'o with us and for helping to preserve our Hawaiian language!

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(This article is also posted as "E Pa'a Pono (Hold Fast) -- A Book Written by Seabury Alum Kawehi Wallace '03" in sister blog Seabury Reads)

Multimodal Fluency -- What does it mean?

The four literacies: visual, multicultural, media, and digital.

This 43-slide show wraps up neatly and concisely what a 21st century classroom should like, and why.

Multimodal Fluency: Classroom to the Cloud

View more presentations from Sean Cordes.
Sean Cordes is an Assistant Professor of Western Illinois University.

Thanks to Bobbi Newman of Librarian by Day, who shared this on her Libraries and Transliteracy page.
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danah boyd, on (1) Privacy on the Internet and (2) Why Teens Like to Hang Out on Social Networking Sites

(1) I always tell my students that privacy is never guaranteed on the Internet.

I still believe that, but cultural anthropologist Dr. danah boyd (yes, her name has no caps), considered by many to be the "high priestess" of social media, says that everyone expects privacy on the Internet and that they are entitled to it. She gives examples of how Facebook, Google, and other developers can work toward insuring that privacy.

Privacy is Not Dead: Danah Boyd Talks about Privacy at SXSW (a ReadWriteWeb.com article)

(2) Here's a fascinating 14-min. video interview on Discover Magazine where danah (I'm hoping that it's okay to refer to her as danah, but she's a Dr. ala UC Berkeley) gives us a historical/sociological view of why teens like to "hang out" on social network sites. She provides excellent insight to educators.

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P. S. She was the keynote speaker at the opening ceremonies of the 14th National AASL Conference in Charlotte, NC, in November, 2009. What a treat it was to hear her speak!

Google Fiber for Maui?

Think Big with a Gig

What if Google Fiber picks Maui for its experimental fiber network that's 100 times faster than the present Internet connection? It would mean a jump-start for businesses, high-speed global educational interactions, and speedier working of our government.

Hawaii tested 48 among the 50 states for Internet speed. You can test your Internet connection at Speed Matters. Google Fiber could bring us up to speed (pun intended), and then some.

Here's an overview of what the project would mean, according to Google: Public Overview of the Project

To get involved, you can fill out an application if you're a Maui resident.

The deadline is March 26, 2010, so action is needed now. Please let me know if you'd like to HELP garner support for this initiative.

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What People are Saying about This:

Kim Abrahamson: "This could really help our community in attracting high-tech jobs to our island. Our location as a bridge between the East and the West could position us as the Silicon Valley of the Pacific!"

Denise Lionetti: "Who, in our community WOULDN'T want to help do something to leave our painfully slow internet in the past??"

Casey Asato: "I just nominated Maui and promoted SH. I briefly talked about our engineering projects, and the innovations of SH and Schools of the Future."

Ned Simonds: "I'm in as a nominator too."

Roberta Hodara: "I think it would be wonderful if Seabury becomes an integral part of this initiative! What a wonderful opportunity."

Mark Mayeda ('03): "I think it would be amazing to use Maui as a pilot model for high speed internet in a rural setting. Not only is Maui a mid-Pacific technology base, but it's also no ka oi!!"

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