G-Rated Tips for OS X

By Ralph Tolbert, Educational Technology Consultant ()

Easy Application Switching

In Jaguar you can switch between multiple open applications by using the Apple-Tab key combination. It's even better in Panther: Use the arrow keys to move when a dock-like window appears showing all open programs, including the finder.

Suffering From Two-Button Mouse Jealousy?

Jealous of your PC friends and their two-button mouses? Click and hold down the Control key to view the same dialog windows that the right mouse button reveals for PC users. Also, most USB mice now are Mac-friendly, and the scroll wheel is so nice.

Mac Shortcuts in PC

Most Mac users know that Apple-A selects all items in a window, but PCers just need to use the Control-A combination to do the same. If you use both platforms, try the Mac shortcuts using the Control key when you're on a PC.

Printing Trick

Here's how to print the contents of a folder: drag the icon of the application -- called Printer Setup Utility, found in the Utilities folder within the Applications folder -- to the dock and then drop the folder on top of the icon.

Fear Factor Philosophy 201

Now that you have decided to learn along with your students, per my suggestion last month, you may have two fears: How well will the student projects turn out and will you be able to provide the required technical information to help them succeed?

John Updike once said, "Any activity becomes creative when the doer cares about doing it right or better." If you provide opportunities for the students to discover new ideas and information to solve problems as they occur during the project, then the students will not accept mediocrity. They'll strive for excellence, and you will have successfully provided a creative experience for them.

Where does the "Fear Factor" come in this time? A student will ask you a technology question about which you have no clue. Relax! Help is only a few clicks away when you Google for forums or tutorials on the software in question. The result may be a Web site like http://tutorials.findtutorials.com, where there are hundreds of free online tutorials ranging from entry-level texts on using word processors to advanced techniques in Web development and database design. Although an Apple Web site, the Apple Professional Development Site at http://www.apple.com/education/apd offers a wealth of information on how other schools and teachers are using technology.