Free PDF creation and merging

Portable Document Format, more commonly known as PDF, is a great standardized format to use for files. Adobe Acrobat is one of the premier PDF creation and editing programs available, but it is expensive. There are free alternatives for teachers to use.

I post all of my files for students as PDF files so that they can not be edited. Also, everyone can get a free PDF reader, such as Acrobat Reader to view the files so I don’t have to worry about a student not having the software to view the file.

Creating the PDF file is very simple. I create the original file using a word processor or presentation program and then convert it to a PDF file using CutePDF Writer. CutePDF Writer is a free utility that installs onto your computer like a printer. You create your original file and then “print” it. Instead of selecting your printer, you select “CutePDF.” The software will convert the file to PDF form and ask you were you would like to save it. You can also use it to “print” any file, including web pages, to a PDF file. I use this often to save web articles for reading later.

There is also a free application available that allows you to merge multiple PDF files into one PDF file.

Quick PDF tools is a great resource. The software is easy to install and very easy to use and the website has easy to follow instructions. You simply select the PDF files you want to merge in Windows Explorer, right click, select QuickPDF tools, and select merge. You can then order them in the window in the order you want them merged, and then select merge. It is really that easy.

I have used both applications to create PDF files from PowerPoint presentation handouts and then merge those PDF files with downloaded PDF files to create a single file guidebook that I use when teaching Google for Educators.

I love the ability to save any file as a PDF file. I use it to post files to my class website for students to use, as well as to make backup copies of files that I know I will be able to open on any computer, regardless of the operating system or software.

Copyright Issues

Copyright issues in education are very confusing. Copyright laws are almost impossible to understand and education has different rules for many things.

Teaching Copyright is a great resource for teachers to use in their classroom. The site has information for teachers to understand educational copyright laws and rules, as well as lesson plans to use with your students.

Students need to understand that there are copyright rules and laws and that they need to abide by them. Many students think that if it is on the internet, they can use it. They can get away with alot of this in K-12 because teachers don't have the time or resources to check everything the students use, but many colleges have these resources and students can get in big trouble if they have a copyright violation in their work.

I found Teaching Copyright to be a great resource and very easy to use. It has lesson plans, handouts, resources, and links for teachers. Every teacher should work with their students and help them understand copyright rules.

Textbook resources for college students

College textbook costs continue to go up. Even more frustrating for students is spending hundreds of dollars on textbooks and then not even using them in class. If they are lucky, they can get 40% of the purchase price back by selling it to the bookstore.

There are options out there though. Here are some tips and resources.

1. Buy used whenever possible - it will save you money.

2. Check with the professor on the first day of class to see if you will actually be using the book in the class. Also check with the professor to see if you really need the latest version or not.

3. Share a textbook with a roomate or friend, thereby sharing the cost.

4. Use online, free textbooks and web sites as a resource if you don't need the actual textbook.

5. Check the campus bulletin boards and web sites for students selling their old textbooks - this can be cheaper than buying used books from the bookstore.

6. Check out these free resources for saving money on textbooks:

Chegg (www.chegg.com) This online service allows students to rent books at a huge savings over purchasing the book. There is also the option to buy at the end of the rental. Chegg also plants a tree for every book rented, bought, sold, or donated.

Campus Book Swap (www.campusbookswap.org) Campus Book Swap acts as a bulletin board, helping students buy and sell used textbooks. Students post their book with a description and asking price and other students can purchase the books from them. Books are sorted by school, which makes it easier to find the books a student needs.

Flat World Knowledge (www.flatworldknowledge.com) This is an open source textbook site that allows instructors to select free textbooks that are written by experts and peer reviewed. Educators can add their own materials to the books and mix-and-match chapters. There are various formats to use and there is also a user discussion forum.

Advice.com - great article on college textbook tips.

Share this information with your high school seniors and any college students you know.