Teaching with Technology

I've Moved

2007-11-12T09:48:00.000-06:00

I used Blogger last year as an online newsletter to supplement my website. It is easy to use, can be accessed from any computer, and is integrated with so many other online services. Google's purchase of Blogger makes it even more flexible... but I need just a little more control. So I've moved to WordPress on our district's server. Check it out at: http://www.np.k12.mn.us/TechIntegration.

The Infinite Thinking Machine

2007-05-14T22:34:00.000-05:00

Great title... great blog, videos, handouts, information, and resources! What is the Infinite Thinking Machine?

The Infinite Thinking Machine (ITM) is designed to help teachers and students thrive in the 21st century. Through an active blog, an Internet TV show, and other media resources, the ITM shares a "bazillion practical ideas" for turning the infinite universe of information into knowledge. We showcase examples of innovative instructional methods, talk with leading experts, and share real stories from the classroom to improve how we think, learn, teach, and live. And we try to have a little fun along the way.

If you are looking for new and cutting-edge ideas for your classroom, this is the place to visit.

Intel Goes Web 2.0

2007-05-14T22:33:00.001-05:00

The hot topic in education technology this school year has definitely been Web 2.0 ; a term used to describe how the Internet has shifted from a "consumable" resource to an interactive environment where global citizens "contribute" to a wealth of information. Examples of Web 2.0 include wikis, blogs, online collaborative editing sites, tagging/bookmarking, podcasting, Really Simple Syndication (RSS), and online video. The popularity and innovative uses of these Internet applications continue to grow exponentially.

Another indication that Web 2.0 is impacting education is the recent announcement by Intel®... They have redesigned their Essentials Course (formerly Teach to the Future) to align with the most current pedagogical approaches and promote 21st century skills such as wikis, blogs, online collaborative editing sites, and tagging/bookmarking (sound familiar?). The curriculum still includes the integration of Microsoft Office products, but now provides information for alternatives such as Open Office.

The changes emphasize the fact that we need to teach and learn with 21st century tools. I welcome the decision to update the curriculum and look forward to facilitating another cohort of New Prague teachers!

Teacher Tip: Gradebook Comments

2007-05-14T22:33:00.000-05:00

Course syllabus, school planners/handbooks, in-class reminders, TeacherWeb sites, Family Access, Student Access... the list of tools used to communicate classroom expectations demonstrates our commitment to the success of every student. Occasionally, we still hear a student say, "I didn't know." Try this tip suggested by a NPHS teacher...

When students are absent for an assignment, I use the Gradebook comment section to enter the "extended" due date according to our school policy. The comments appear on both Student and Family Access.

It doesn't guarantee the assignment will be turned-in on time, but it does clearly communicate the due date after an absence.

Do you have a technology tip that may be helpful to other teachers? Please submit your suggestions: sbrandt@np.k12.mn.us

Classroom YouTube (TeacherTube) Channel

2007-05-14T22:32:00.000-05:00

Many teachers are beginning to use digital storytelling as a method to engage students with course content. Multimedia tools such as PhotoStory and MovieMaker are accessible to anyone using Windows XP... best of all, they are free! Students often enjoy using multimedia technology because it allows them to communicate their message beyond text; their stories incorporate pictures, video, narration, and music.

Students are also motivated by the number of people who will view their product. If it is only turned into the teacher, quality may suffer. Teachers use this to their advantage in a number of ways. The ideas below list ways teachers are displaying students' digital storytelling videos...

Submitted to the teacher only
Class viewing of all videos
Burn stories to CD or DVD as a "video study guide"
Submit videos to cable access channel
Upload videos to a YouTube channel

YouTube? For school? The AP History classes create digital stories on a variety of topics. They use each other's videos to create "video study guides" as a way to prepare for the AP exam. They have experimented with a variety of delivery methods... burning the stories to CDs... they have tried DVDs... most recently, YouTube. A teacher can easily create a YouTube account, upload all of the student created videos, and publish to the web. Videos can be viewed from any computer connected to the Internet by students and the rest of the world! That can be very motivating.

It is important to remember that a student's personal information should not be attached to any project posted on the Internet without specific parent permission. This includes names, pictures, addresses, telephone numbers, etc. Take a look at the AP History Channel; contact me if you have an idea for using YouTube with your class.

Important update... Well, about 48 hours after I wrote the above article, YouTube was added to our list of blocked websites. As I've mentioned in previous articles about YouTube, it does contain some inappropriate material. Fortunately, there is a more appropriate alternative... TeacherTube. I am still researching to see if a "channel" can be created by individual users, but all content is monitored by the education community. Tools are available to "flag" material that may be inappropriate (or no relevance to education). Click the link and check it out today.

Cool Tech Tool: Gizmos

2007-05-14T22:31:00.000-05:00

The Mimio is called an interactive whiteboard for a reason... it's meant to be interactive. The ability to capture notes, manipulate objects, and use the whiteboard as a mouse is great; the engaging part for students is using the Mimio to interact with the presented content. Wouldn't it be great if there was a website filled with interactive activities? If you are a 6-12 math or science teacher, you're in luck. The ExploreLearning website has created a variety of interactive "Gizmos" to help students visualize math and science concepts.

Mathematics

Grade 6-8
Grade 9-12

Science

Grade 6-8
Grade 9-12

The Gizmos can be used on individual computers or displayed to an entire class with a LCD projector. Combine these activities with a Mimio and you'll have students interacting with concepts you never thought possible. Take a look at the demonstration activities... like what you see? Click the *Free Trial button in the upper-left corner; this will give you a 30-day free trial to the Gizmos. Contact me if you think this would be a useful tool for you and your students.

Web 2.0 - Part VI: Podcasting

2007-04-01T15:56:00.000-05:00

This is the eighth issue of the Teaching with Technology newsletter and yes, I have more to share about web 2.0... podcasting. As mentioned in the previous newsletters, web 2.0 is about the Internet shifting from content that is "read only" to a format that allows users to contribute to the medium. Podcasting is like blogging with audio files. Users create "radio-style" shows that are "broadcast" on the Internet. People podcast about a variety of topics including hobbies, careers, interests, and areas of expertise. For educators, this means people are podcasting about history, poems, science, technology, fitness, world languages... the list is endless... and free! Teachers are using podcasts to learn and share best practices; their students are creating podcasts to demonstrate knowledge of the learning objectives.

Many people are confused by the term, podcast. The list below gives answers to some of the frequently asked questions:

Do I need an iPod to listen to a podcast?
No, you can listen to podcasts directly on your computer, any mp3 player, OR an iPod.

Where do I find podcasts?
I think the easiest way to start is iTunes. With this free program you can search, stream, download, and subscribe to podcasts. There are a number of large podcast directories such as Yahoo! Podcasts, Podcast.com, and Odeo. Education specific directories include EPN (Education Podcast Network), OpenCulture, UC Berkley, NPR Podcasts, and Apple Learning Exchange.

What does it mean to subscribe to a podcast and how do I do it?
Some podcasts are posted weekly or even daily, but most podcasters create episodes when they have time. Services like iTunes allow listeners to easily subscribe to their favorite programs in one location. When new episodes are posted, iTunes automatically imports the selected programs.

How do I create a podcast?
Creating a podcast is easier than you might think. Typically, all you need is a computer, recording software, a microphone, and a hosting service. You can even create a podcast using any telephone. The most popular recording software is Audacity (free download), an entry-level microphone can be purchased for about $10, and hosting services can be found for free. After testing several, my favorite is Gcast.

I've posted my first podcast in the upper-right sidebar. Click the "Gcast" play button and let me know what you think.

Intel® Summer Workshops

2007-04-01T15:55:00.001-05:00

Last school year, New Prague Area Schools was able to participate in the Intel® Teach to the Future program, thanks, in part, to the federal Enhancing Education Through Technology (EETT) grant. The grant was awarded through a collaborative effort between the Carver-Scott Educational Cooperative and 11 neighboring school districts. With federal educational funds being reduced, New Prague is fortunate to receive a second round of funding this school year. In this phase, the Intel® Teach Thinking with Technology program will give teachers with intermediate-level technology integration skills (Intel® Teach to the Future or equivalent competency) an opportunity to enhance these skills and promote higher-order thinking.

The EETT grant has provided New Prague Area Schools funding to implement an established professional development program that can be tailored to meet the specific needs of our district. If you are looking for summer professional development opportunities, consider one of the following options:

Option #1: Intel^® Teach to the Future

June 18 – August 10
3 face-to-face meetings
Online instruction and activities
Create a technology enhanced unit for your curriculum
Portland State University graduate credits (5-quarter / 3-semester)
$250 registration fee (optional)
Stipend opportunities available
NOTE: 20 NP teachers completed the course last summer; 10 more will be finished in May.

Option #2: Intel^® Teach Thinking with Technology

August 6 - 9
4 classes (6 hours each)
Create a unit using online visual learning tools (concept mapping, visual ranking, etc.)
Portland State University graduate credits (5-quarter / 3-semester)
$250 registration fee (optional)
Stipends provided through EETT grant
NOTE: Be part of the first NP cohort to complete this intermediate-level course.

For more information, attend one of the question and answer meetings:

Middle School: Media Center, April 10, 7:15 - 7:25 am
High School: Faculty Meeting, April 11, 7:05 am

South of the River Learning Academy (SORLA)

2007-04-01T15:55:00.000-05:00

In addition to the technology integration courses offered this summer, New Prague Area Schools also participates in the South of the River Learning Academy (SORLA).

What: Top-Quality Professional Development for Pre-K-12 Educators
When: June 18-21
Where: Century Middle School in Lakeville
Interest: Math, Reading, Mental Health, Technology, Writing and more...
Cost: $35 per session, graduate credit optional available

Great Lunches
CEUs for license renewal
Graduate Credit for lane change
Presenters from all over MN and a few from New Prague...Shawn Brandt, Kelly Behrendt, Barb and Stefan Kavan, MaryKay Proshek, and Pat Beckius

Check lounges and mailbox areas around your buildings for brochures or go right on the SORLA website.

Questions? Call... Colleen Cardenuto at ext. 1740

PowerPoint Review Games

2007-04-01T15:54:00.000-05:00

The March 12th Staff Workshop day was a busy one... Posting second trimester grades, preparing for third trimester, coaches meeting, Gifted and Talented presentation, and technology sessions that included Study Island (Middle School MCA prep), Project-Based Learning with Publisher, and PowerPoint Review Games. A number of teachers have asked me for the information from the review games presentation because they were unable to attend. I've listed some of the review game highlights below and a link to the Tip Sheet:

Enter 30 questions/answers on one Excel spreadsheet
Select a review game format (Jeopardy or Baseball)
The PowerPoint review game will automatically import your questions/answers
Create a review game today (Tip Sheet)

The biggest advantage to these review games is the ability to type the questions/answers one time only... without having to deal with all the different PowerPoint slides. Eventually, I would like to have 6-8 games for teachers and students to choose from. If you have suggestions for a review game idea or how to improve one of the current games, please feel free to contact me.

Cool Tech Tool: Google Notebook

2007-04-01T15:53:00.000-05:00

Notebooks and note cards have been used for years to summarize, organize, and track cited references. When using the Internet, it has always seemed a little inefficient to go from electronic references to hand-written notes, only to type content back into electronic text. I have been using Google Notebook for about four weeks and think it has great potential to help students accurately organize and cite Internet resources.

For example, a student locates information on a website relevant to their research topic. They highlight text or images they would like to "clip," right-click, and choose "Note this (Google Notebook) from the pop-up menu.

The highlighted information is automatically transferred to the student's account along with the website address and the date the note was created. The Notebook can be viewed on any computer with Internet access. Do you have students submit their note cards with their report? Google Notebook allows users to make their note pages public or print in an easy-to-read format (sample).

YouTube, GoogleVideo, and More

2007-03-04T20:35:00.000-06:00

Lately, I've been posting some articles with video content from YouTube and GoogleVideo. Both services allow anyone to upload and share their videos on the Internet. All kinds of videos can be found... some high quality and some low, entertaining, educational, bizarre and, of course, inappropriate. Teachers who have found valuable content on these sites have asked me, "How do I display this video and prevent students from viewing the other inappropriate videos?" There are several options; my two suggestions are:

Download the video and a free Flash video player
Embed the video into your TeacherWeb site or blog

Download: The advantage of a downloaded video is its location. Now that it's stored on your computer, network, or flash drive you do not have to worry about the Internet connection being slow (or down) during class time. For this reason, most teachers choose the download method. Follow these steps:

Copy the web address of the video
Paste the address in the empty box at KeepVid.com
Click the Download button
Select a location to save the video, click the Save button

Great!... but when I double click on the downloaded video, my computer cannot open it. Well, unlike UnitedStreaming, these videos are downloaded in a format called Flash (.flv). This means your computer needs a Flash video player. Download the free player by doing the following:

Go to: http://applian.com/flvplayer/?src=GFLV_PLAYER
Scroll down to FLV Player
Click the Download just FLV Player link
Click Run... and Run again
Click Next... Install... and Close

The FLV Player is now installed. Open the player by doing the following:

Select Start... All Programs... and FLV Player
Click File... locate the downloaded video

Embed: The suggestion above works great, but what if you want to post the video on your TeacherWeb site? YouTube and GoogleVideo both give the option of "embedding" videos to websites and blogs. This means the video will play directly from your webpage without seeing other posted videos that could distract students' attention. To embed a video, do the following:

Locate the video on YouTube or GoogleVideo
From the column on the right, copy the Embed code (when using GoogleVideo, you have to click the Email - Blog button to see the Embed HTML code)
Go to your TeacherWeb site, webpage, or blog
Paste the embed code in the desired location

If you've located a video, but all of this downloading and embedding seems too hard... give me a call. I'd be glad to guide you through the process.

i.e. (Interactive Educator)

2007-03-02T19:25:00.000-06:00

We have a number of teachers in our district who are starting to enhance lessons with interactive whiteboards. The technology is easy to use, but designing lessons that use the technology efficiently and effectively can be challenging. Research shows that teachers often start by applying new technology with traditional teaching practices (refer to ACOT: Stages of Technology). Using this technology with traditional teaching methods will capture students' attention, but improved achievement happens with students "interact" with the lesson.

Interactive whiteboards come with Notebook software that allows teachers to design lesson plans, similar to creating a PowerPoint presentation. The advantage of Notebook is its ability to manipulate objects during the presentation. I read an article, "Grand Slam Technology," in i.e. (Interactive Educator) about a teacher who Incorporated her students' hobbies into lessons to capture their attention. In this example, the teacher combined her students' interest in Major League Baseball with a lesson on identifying the states. A blank map was displayed on the interactive whiteboard with a list of MBL team logos. Students were asked to place the team logos over the appropriate states. This is just one example of how this technology can engage students and improve achievement.

Resources:

i.e. Interactive Educator, Free quarterly magazine
Apple Classrooms of Tomorrow, 13-year research project
ACOT: Stages of Integration image, Provided by Wesley Fryer

Web 2.0 - Part V: Wikis

2007-03-01T16:09:00.000-06:00

It can be a time-consuming process to make a webpage for classroom projects or instruction. TeacherWeb uses forms that simplify the process, but the format only allows students to be consumers of the information. Web 2.0 is about the community of users contributing to the content. Typically, the more users involved the richer the content. The word wiki is derived from the Hawaiian word wiki-wiki meaning quick. On the Internet, a wiki is a webpage that can be created quickly. Wikis generally have the following characteristics:

Pages are edited within the web browser
Open for anyone to edit (some require a shared password)
Content is connected with hyperlinks throughout the wiki
Edits can be "rolled back" to previous versions

Technology has moved society into the Information Age, but many of our educational practices were designed for the Industrial Age. Outside of school, how often is someone asked to research, write, and present without collaboration? A wiki empowers a group of students to collect, discuss, revise, and evaluate their collaborative efforts. The tools in a wiki give teachers control so the content can be monitored, guided, and assessed.

I could continue writing about wikis and how they can be used in the classroom, but experiencing the technology is the best way to learn. I've set up a sample wiki using my favorite wiki tool: PBwiki (the PB stands for peanut butter... because it is as easy as making a peanut butter sandwich). The PBwiki team designed templates specifically for the education community and understands the needs of teachers. Take a look at the "NP Schools" demonstration site and feel free to contribute and edit content. All you need is the password: trojans

If you have a project idea you think might work well with this technology, please feel free to contact me. You'll be surprised how a project can be developed so wiki-wiki.

Web 2.0... The Machine is Us/ing Us

2007-03-01T07:29:00.000-06:00

Several blogs I've read recently have posted this video, Web 2.0... The Machine is Us/ing Us, for discussion. It is the ongoing creation of Michael Wesch, Assistant Professor of Cultural Anthropology at Kansas State University. It is his representation of the evolving Internet. I think the video accurately depicts the speed at which technology (specifically the Internet) is changing. His points are clearly made at the end...

We’ll need to rethink a few things… copyright, authorship, identity, ethics, aesthetics, rhetorics, governance, privacy, commerce, love, family, ourselves.

I'd also insert education. How do we prepare our students for a rapidly changing and unpredictable world? Take time to watch the video (4:30 min).

Cool Tech Tool: OpenOffice

2007-03-01T07:05:00.000-06:00

OpenOffice.org is a multiplatform and multilingual office suite and an open-source project. Compatible with all other major office suites, the product is free to download, use, and distribute. To help build the community, join us. - OpenOffice.org

What does this mean?

Multiplatform: The program can be used on a PC or Mac.
Multilingual: Can be downloaded in a variety of languages.
Office Suite: Common productivity programs similar to Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel.
Open-Source: Programs that are created by a community of programmers and distributed freely to the public.
Compatible: Start a PowerPoint presentation at school... save it to your flash drive... finish the presentation at home with OpenOffice... save the finished presentation to your flash drive... present your multi-media lesson with PowerPoint at school.

If you can't justify spending $150 - 250 for the Microsoft Office Suite, you may want to consider this set of free programs. Go to OpenOffice.org and give it a test run. If you are like me, you'll be amazed at the professional look/feel and similarity to MS Office. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

Now Blogging... Teaching with Technology

2007-02-05T07:05:00.003-06:00

You may have noticed this month's newsletter has a slightly different look. I have written a few articles this school year about the benefits of web 2.0, blogging, RSS, etc. but I've been communicating through a "static" webpage. So I thought it was time for me to "walk the talk" and modify the newsletter into a blog format. The benefits?

Comments: Most blogs allow you to leave comments after each post (article). This is an efficient way to share your thoughts about the article, offer suggestions, and read the comments of other readers.
Archives: The blog will automatically sort previous posts according to the month and year they were written. Select any previous month to read previous articles.
Tagging: Each post is labeled with one or more "tags" (categories). If the reader wants to view posts about similar topics, the tag link with show all posts in the same category.
RSS: Real Simple Syndication gives visitors an option to "subscribe" to the blog. Now, instead of having to check several blogs for updated information, the visitor opens their RSS aggregator (i.e. Google Reader) to view updated posts from their subscriptions. [read more about RSS]

You will notice that all previous articles have been transfered to this blog as well. Take a look around, leave a comment or two, and feel free to contact me if blogging in your classroom interests you.

Staff Development Day 2007

2007-02-05T07:04:00.000-06:00

1 day... 25 presenters... 250 participants. Learning new ways to integrate technology... priceless. Thanks again to everyone who helped make the Staff Development Day a success. Kudos to Julie Schmitz for taking pictures and producing this video!

Web 2.0 - Part IV: Social Bookmarking

2007-02-05T07:03:00.000-06:00

Can you remember when you were first introduced to the Internet? For me, it was 1994 at Bemidji State University. Honestly, I didn't understand why the computer science department was so excited to share this "new" resource... and why did they keep reminding us to "bookmark" websites? At that time, there were no more than 3,000 website in the world (many of those not worth looking at twice). Well, things have changed and the computer science department was much more forward thinking than I (Netcraft currently reports about 110 million websites).

Web 2.0 seems to be in that same stage of infancy, but my eyes are opening a little quicker this time around. In the last few issues of this newsletter, I shared some brief information about web 2.0, blogging, and RSS (Real Simple Syndication). This month, I'd like to introduce Social Bookmarking.

Social bookmarking sites are a popular way to store, classify, share, and search links on the Internet.
-Wikipedia.org, Feb. 4, 2007

What are some advantages of social bookmarking?

You can access your bookmarks from any computer w/Internet connection
Bookmarks can be shared (w/teachers, students, etc.)
Sites can be organized with tags (categories) that make sense to you
View bookmarks of other users who have tagged the same website

I often find more valuable content from viewing other people's bookmarks than I do using a search engine. If you've never viewed a social bookmarking site, browse my bookmarks at del.icio.us. Think you would like to give it a try? Feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

PowerPoint with Purpose

2007-02-05T07:02:00.000-06:00

PowerPoint can be an effective presentation aid, when used properly. The technology alone though does not guarantee success. If you have ever assigned students to a PowerPoint project, you have probably sat through a number of presentations like this...

Students, as well as teachers, can get wrapped-up in the "bells and whistles" of PowerPoint. Can you remember when you learned how to change the background, insert a picture, and add animation with sounds? The tools can be fun, but we have to teach students to use them to enhance the content, not create distractions. There are a number of books, articles, and websites that offer suggestions for creating PowerPoints with purpose. Here are some of the guidelines I have found useful:

Plan and outline the content before you touch PowerPoint
The "80/20 Rule" - 80% of your time on content research, 20% on PowerPoint
The "6 x 6 Rule" - no more than 6 bullets, no more than 6 words per bullet
The "10/20/30 Rule" - no more than 10 slides presented in less than 20 minutes with at least 30 pt. text
Light background with dark text -or- dark background with light text
Keep it simple - dissolve/fade transitions, animation only when used to enhance the message, no more than 2, easy to read fonts in the entire presentation
Cite your sources - under an image, after a quote, and on the last slide for research

It is not always easy to follow these guidelines, but they will help focus the attention on the content of the presentation, rather than the technology itself. Teach your students to ask these two questions:

How does this slide help my audience understand the information better than hearing it alone?
Does the slide enhance the content or cause distractions?

With these tips and techniques you and your students will be on your way to making PowerPoints with purpose!

Cool Tech Tool: Primo PDF

2007-02-05T07:01:00.000-06:00

TeacherWeb has made it easy for teachers to post documents on their class websites. In most cases, it works great. Occasionally though, a student may not have PowerPoint, Excel, Word, etc. at home and are unable to open the posted file. Some teachers have converted their files to PDF (Portable Document Format) before posting to their website. Why? PDF files offer a number of advantages:

Smaller file size (often takes less time to download)
Cross-platform (can be viewed on PCs or Macs)
Opens with the free Adobe Reader program

How do I convert my files to PDF? One way is to scan your printed documents... but that can take a lot of time. For me, Primo PDF has been the best answer. It is free and easy to use. The program runs through the print option, simply click File... Print... and choose PrimoPDF. The program will ask you where you would like to save the file - viola! You have a PDF file. The file can be uploaded and posted on TeacherWeb, just like any other file.

Staff Development Day: Integrating Technology

2007-01-02T07:05:00.000-06:00

Since 1999, over 3 million teachers (including 20 from New Prague) in 35 countries have completed the Intel® Teach to the Future professional development program. Teachers learn from other teachers how to integrate technology into their current curriculum. The course focuses on using technology to develop students’ higher-order thinking skills. Throughout the course, teachers develop a unit portfolio that includes lesson plans, student project samples, and assessment tools.

With help from the NCLB Enhancing Education Through Technology grant, New Prague, along with 10 other local school districts, was able to start implementing the program. On January 22, our Staff Development Day will focus on integrating technology. The Intel® participants will present a variety of teaching strategies to help educators at all levels incorporate technology into their lessons.

Most teachers would agree the best professional development workshops are ones that share information, best-practices, and resources that can be applied immediately in the classroom. With that in mind, the goal of each workshop is to provide a “mini-session” of the Intel experience. Presenters will share examples of supporting instruction with technology and demonstrate specific skills to help teachers get started. Next, teachers will be given “hands-on” time to apply the technology to a specific lesson and ask questions with support from classroom teachers who have experience with the technology. To make the best use of our limited time, teachers are asked to bring the following items to the workshops.

Materials for a lesson that will be taught between February – May
Username/Password information for resources that might be used, e.g., School login, Skyward, TeacherWeb, United Streaming, etc.
Flash drive for saving files

Workshops have class size limits; register early to ensure your schedule. Online registration begins Thursday, January 4 – Thursday, January 11. http://www.np.k12.mn.us/OnlineRegistration/

Earn Graduate Credits with Intel – Teach to the Future

2007-01-02T07:04:00.000-06:00

One of the workshops offered at the Staff Development Day on January 22 can be taken for graduate credit. The Intel – Teach to the Future course description reads...

This will be the first meeting of the 40-hour course. Participants can earn 5-quarter credits from Portland State University for a $250 tuition fee and apply it towards lane advancement. This year’s technology integration Staff Development Day is made possible because 20 elementary, middle, and high school teachers committed and participated in the Intel Teach to the Future course last summer. Teachers learned how, when, and where to incorporate technology tools and resources into their curriculum. If giving up 40-hours of your summer does not sound like vacation, maybe you want to consider taking the course during the school year. You will be introduced to the Intel course and have an opportunity to decide if you would like to continue with the graduate level class. Coursework will be completed by May 18.

You can view the course syllabus online or, for more information, contact Shawn Brandt at ext. 1349.

Pick-Up and Drop-Off Folders Are Here!

2007-01-02T07:03:00.000-06:00

At the beginning of the school year, I gave a staff presentation that described technology changes in our district, e.g., new computers, flash drives, AB Tutor Control, pick-up/drop-off folders… many of you have been asking about that last one. The tech support staff found several problems when trying to create folders with multiple levels of permissions for a variety of users. Because teachers continued to stress the importance of this capability, the tech’s continued to research solutions. This was a great example of the tech support staff and teachers working together to make technology work effectively and efficiently in the classroom. I am happy to report that it has passed the testing phase and the folders will be ready to use beginning in January. What’s so special about these folders? Each teacher will have their own folder (separate from their secure X:drive folder). Within the teacher’s folder is a Pick-Up and Drop-Off folder…

Pick-Up Folder (students use folder to “pick-up” assignments)

Teacher can save copies of files (e.g., Word, PowerPoint, pictures, video, etc.)
Teacher can organize files into unit, chapter, or topic folders
Students can view files and save changes to their X:drive folder
Students cannot delete or rename files
Students cannot add files or folders

Drop-Off Folder (students use folder to “drop-off” assignments)

Teachers can create unit, chapter, or topic folders for students to submit their assignments
Teachers can view, copy, or delete any files
Students can paste assignments from their X:drive, flash drive, or desktop
Students can open folders
Students can “see” if the assignment has been pasted
Students cannot view files
Students cannot delete or rename files
Students cannot copy files

A help session will be presented in early January to demonstrate tips and suggestions for using the pick-up/drop-off folders. Thank you for input.

Web 2.0 – Part III: RSS

2007-01-02T07:02:00.000-06:00

Web 2.0, also known as the “read/write web,” has been an ongoing series in the past two issues. In last month’s article, blogging was explained as an online journal about a particular topic that combines text, images, and links. Unlike most web pages, a blog is regularly updated. So when you find one with useful information, it can become a valuable resource for current information. Like a web page, it can easily be bookmarked; but what happens when you find 10 or more blogs that you want to track? Regularly checking for updated content would be too time-consuming. What you really need is a tool that monitors the sites automatically… you need syndication, something simple... really simple!

Introducing RSS (Really Simple Syndication). If you have read a blog, news article on the web, or have been on the Internet in the last two years, you have probably seen some form of RSS icon (see samples to the left). These icons let you know that the web site has a “feed” (a special format) that allows a “feed reader” (a special program) to track updates on that specific page. In the past I have promoted Bloglines.com as the feed reader of choice, but Google has recently released Google Reader which is quickly gaining popularity with its clean, fast, and easy-to-use interface. As they put it, “It’s like your inbox, for the web.” Take a quick Google Reader tour to learn more.

**Recent Update** Is it really that important to learn about Web 2.0? Pick up the latest issue of TIME magazine... "2006 Person of the Year - You." Web 2.0 has allowed people to make the shift from "consumers" of information to "creators" of it. Technology is bringing collaboration to a whole new level; changing the way we work, play, and live. We have seen a tremendous amount of change in our lifetime... imagine what our students will see! The TIME article provides of number of examples that demonstrate how Web 2.0 is changing the way we perceive information.

Cool Tech Tool: Firefox 2 -or- ieSpell

2007-01-02T07:01:00.000-06:00

TeacherWeb is quick and easy to use, but many of the templates do not have a spell checker. Sure, you can type your information in Word, spell check, copy the text, and paste into the TeacherWeb form… but there has to be a more efficient way, right? Of course! The Firefox 2 upgrade includes a spell checker directly in the browser.

One problem… not all TeacherWeb templates work in the Firefox browser. Is there a free solution? Of course! Download ieSpell for Internet Explorer. This adds a small spell checker button on the browser’s toolbar. Click it once to highlight possible misspelled words.

December: The 3rd Issue!

2006-12-04T07:05:00.000-06:00

It's hard to belive, but this is already the 3rd issue of the "Teaching with Technology" newsletter. Many of you have told me that you enjoy reading the newsletter; thank you for the positive feedback. I'm happy teachers are finding this new form of communication helpful. Here are the topics for this issue:

Let MarcoPolo Do the Exploring
Web 2.0 – Part II: Blogging
Mimio Interactive Whiteboard
Cool Tech Tool: NewsMap

Let MarcoPolo Do the Exploring

2006-12-04T07:04:00.000-06:00

The Internet can be a valuable classroom resource; the trouble is finding content in the endless web of information. An entire prep period can be spent searching websites for relevant and creditable resources. Wouldn’t it be nice if you had your own personal explorer who would search, review, and even develop integrated lesson plans for you? One of the most famous explorers in history is here to help… MarcoPolo.

MarcoPolo is a collection of seven content websites with lesson plans, student interactive content, downloadable worksheets, links to panel-reviewed websites and additional resources created by the nation's leading education organizations:

The Internet content organized by MarcoPolo is grade-specific, standards-based, and free of charge. Each page has been reviewed by content experts to assure the information is accurate, up-to-date, unbiased, and appropriate for students. For more information about searching for lesson plans and Internet content on MarcoPolo, download the tip sheet.

Still not convinced? The readers of Edutopia, a popular "best practices" magazine selected MarcoPolo as the "Best site to download free lessons and materials."

MarcoPolo, the beneficent behemoth of free lesson sites, took the clear lead in where to find educational gold on the Web. Its search engine scours the online lesson plans of MarcoPolo's partners, including the National Geographic Society, the National Council of Teachers of English, the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, and the National Endowment for the Humanities.

If you are interested... next came DiscoverySchool.com, which features lesson plans, online seminars, and the savvy Kathy Schrock. Four sites shared a tie for third: Education World, the New York Times Learning Network, PBS, and Scholastic Teacher.

Web 2.0 – Part II: Blogging

2006-12-04T07:03:00.000-06:00

Last month’s newsletter introduced the Internet community’s increasingly popular buzzword – Web 2.0. Broadband access has increased the speed of the Internet allowing users to be more than just consumers of information; they are now contributors in an interactive environment. Our students (digital natives) have gravitated toward this technology because it gives them a platform to communicate, collaborate, express ideas, and create content. This month, we’ll take a look at one of the fastest growing categories of Web 2.0… Blogging.

The term blog comes from the words web log. Typically, a blog is an online journal about a particular subject; it combines text, images, and links to other blogs or web pages. An important aspect of a blog is the ability for viewers to leave comments. Most blogs are open for the world to see, but the creator can also permit access to only selected users, such as family and friends. Technorati, the “Google” of blog search engines, currently tracks over 60 million blogs!

Why is this important for educators? Two reasons… First, finding the right blogs can help connect teachers with other professionals in their subject area, maybe a teacher in another state or an expert in a specific field of study. Second, blogs can engage students in reading and writing activities that extend beyond the class period.

Millions of blogs, some good, some great, some worthless… how can a teacher find one that is worth reading? For starters, Technorati (mentioned above) is a search engine for finding blogs about a variety of topics and Answers.com has a list of blogs for specific subjects. Discovery Education and eSchool News recently announced the 2006 Education Blog Awards; the winners are:

Best Classroom Instruction Blog for Teachers: Assorted Stuff
by Tim Stahmer, an Instructional Technology Specialist for Fairfax County, Virginia Public Schools.
Best Classroom Instruction Blog for Students: Applied Science Research
by Frank LaBanca, a Science Teacher at Newton High School in Sandy Hook, Connecticut.
Best Education Theory Blog: Moving at the Speed of Creativity
by Wesley Fryer, Director of Instructional Support Services at Texas Tech University, College of Education.
Best K-12 Administration Blog: EduWonk
by Andrew Rotherham the Co-founder and Co-director of Education Sector.
Best Instructional Blog for Teachers: MacKenty.org
by Bill MacKenty, Computer Science Teacher at Edgartown Elementary School on Martha's Vineyard in Massachusetts.

If you are interested in having your students blog, there are a number of free tools available. Don’t select a blog based on popularity or even ease of use. The most important consideration should be student safety. Using a blog that is open for the world to see might be important to reach the learning objectives; conversing with an expert in a particular field of study, for example. If you are working with middle school students, a tool that has more security features might be a better choice. I encourage you to consider blogging in your classroom and contact me for additional information.

Mimio Interactive Whiteboard

2006-12-04T07:02:00.000-06:00

You might be more familiar with the term SMARTboard… it is the “Kleenex” of interactive whiteboards. There are several technology products on the market now that fall into the category of interactive whiteboards. These tools all have a few things in common… they use a LCD projector to project a computer screen onto the whiteboard; they have a “stylus” that allows the user to control the projected image like a mouse; and can be used as a writing surface to make notes on the projected image. Most importantly, students can interact with the content on a whole new level.

How is a Mimio different than just using a projector and writing notes with a dry-erase marker? Let’s use PowerPoint as an example. You have your slides created and information organized. You’ve included bulleted notes, images, a webpage, and even a short video clip; but instead of standing at the computer to present the information, you can present where the information is being displayed. A student has a question? You can reinforce the concept with notes directly on the slide (or image, website, video, etc.). If you are teaching this lesson again, those notes can be saved and displayed again for the next class. A few simple review questions could be displayed at the end of the presentation. Have students interact with the Mimio by answering the questions and moving objects (such as a rectangle) to reveal the correct answer.

Being the lesson is presented electronically; it can be saved in a variety of formats. Print the notes for study guides or to meet IEP requirements. If a lot of students are absent for the lesson, it can be posted to your TeacherWeb site to be viewed or printed online. The saved lesson can be retrieved next trimester or next year and easily modified.

The middle school and high school currently have a number of Mimios in use with a few available on a checkout basis. If you are interested in learning more, please join Steve Mefford, a Mimio sales representative, for a product demonstration on Wednesday, December 6 at 7:00 am at the Middle School (Kim Borwege’s computer lab).

Cool Tech Tool: NewsMap

2006-12-04T07:01:00.000-06:00

This cool tech tool visually organizes the most current articles posted by GoogleNews. NewsMap is for teachers or students who need information about current events. Topic categories are separated by color (the brighter the color, the more recent the posting). Headlines are listed in different sized text (the larger the text, the more coverage it is receiving).

Stages of Technology Integration: Am I there yet?

2006-11-01T07:05:00.000-06:00

For many, technology integration is a new term in education that seems fairly vague. So you might be wondering… What is it? How do I get started? And how will I know when I’m there? Let’s start with “What is it?” A variety of definitions can be found on the internet, but New Prague Area Schools describe it as the following:

Technology Integration happens when classroom teachers use technology effectively & efficiently in the curriculum to improve student achievement. The objective is not learning to use technology; it is using technology to learn.

It’s easy to justify the use of technology in the curriculum: increased student motivation, teaching 21st century skills, differentiated instruction, etc. But in a time of state standards, high-stakes testing, and increased accountability, those reasons may not be enough. Before technology is used in a lesson, two questions should be answered:

Will the use of technology increase the number of students who reach the learning objectives or their level of mastery? (effective)
Can technology reduce the time required for students to meet the learning objectives? (efficient)

The answers to these questions are not always black and white. Often, a teacher’s comfort and skill level determine the effectiveness and efficiency more so than the technology itself. That is why it is important to understand that technology doesn’t increase student achievement, teachers do. The combination of a teacher’s sound pedagogical practices and technological skills can have a profound impact on student learning. (This is where I insert my own shameless plug to encourage you to take advantage of my tip sheets, web resources, and help sessions.)

“How do I get started?” – One unit at a time… if that sounds overwhelming, one lesson at a time. In other words, you may have to step out of your comfort zone, but make it a step that will allow you and your students to experience success. If your teaching style tends to follow a lecture format with whiteboard notes and an occasional video, try using a LCD projector to display your notes in a PowerPoint presentation with images and United Streaming videos inserted as visual aids. If you have a project-based learning assignment that requires students to create a PowerPoint presentation to demonstrate their knowledge of the learning objectives, give students an option of producing a Photo Story video. We challenge our students (digital natives) to become life-long learners; technology integration gives us (digital immigrants) the opportunity to model that lesson.*

“How will I know when I’m there?” – It will not happen overnight. In the 13-years from 1985 – 1998, the Apple Classrooms of Tomorrow research project investigated the effects technology in the classroom has on teaching and learning. One aspect of the report described the developmental stages teachers progress through as they begin to integrate technology. As you read the descriptions of the stages below, identify the stage of integration that best describes you, the stage you want to reach, and the stage that helps students achieve their highest level of success.

Entry: The teacher in this stage avoids technology and only uses it when it is required.
Adoption: The teacher discovers a few technology tools that make his/her job easier. The technology is rarely visible in the classroom and the teacher avoids students interacting with technology.
Adaptation: The teacher begins to use technology with the students. In this stage, the technology is not really being used to enhance the learning objectives; it is simply an additional step to the assignment (typing a report in Word for example).
Appropriation: This is the stage of excess. The teacher has gained the skills necessary to use technology across the curriculum, but he/she is so excited about the technology that it becomes the focus of the lesson. The learning objectives become secondary.
Innovation: You’ve made it! This teacher has the skills and confidence to use a wide variety of technology, but uses the learning objectives to drive the instruction. Technology is another teaching tool used when it is most advantageous to help students reach the desired outcomes.

Whether you choose one unit or one lesson, set a professional goal to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of technology integration in your curriculum. Next year, add one more. It may not seem like much, but if a student has five teachers who are integrating, it can make a significant impact on their education.

*To learn more about digital natives and digital immigrants, read “Teaching Digital Natives” in the October issue.

TeacherWeb® Weaves Through the District

2006-11-01T07:04:00.000-06:00

A few of years ago, some teachers in our district discovered a new tool to help enhance communication between the classroom and home. Last year, every high school teacher began connecting with students and parents through their own TeacherWeb® sites. Feedback from teachers, students, and parents has been positive, increasing requests to expand to the middle and elementary schools.

The middle school teaming concept offered unique challenges to the way TeacherWeb® was designed. Teachers wanted a team website that would provide students and parents a “one-stop shop” to view advisory, core, and allied information. The solution was to have each team share access to one TeacherWeb® site that would provide links to all the individual class/subject information. The “Welcome” page uses the News Flash feature to give students and parents an opportunity to enter their email address. When the page is updated with new information, a message is sent automatically to the distribution list with a link to the website. Teams are also using a free service from Calendars.net to post an interactive calendar that displays homework assignments for all the team’s classes.

Middle school teachers are working hard to have their new websites completed by November 15, ready for student-led conferences. If you would like to see an example of a middle school team’s website, visit the Xcels. You can click the team’s Homework link to view their interactive calendar.

For more information about using your TeacherWeb site, download one of the following Tip Sheets:

Middle School Teachers • High School Teachers

Ten Tips: Use Your TeacherWeb® Effectively & Efficiently

2006-11-01T07:03:00.000-06:00

Managing a website can be time consuming. Use these 10 strategies to help you work smarter not harder...

Approach your web content from a student and parent’s point of view. What information would be important? – contact information, class schedule, syllabus, unit summaries, resources for major projects, homework, due dates, important handouts, etc.
Use the “News Flash” feature to communicate updates with students and parents automatically.
Provide a link to Family Access.
Upload handouts… only when necessary. It takes time to post handouts online. If you are printing handouts for the entire class, it may not be worth your time and effort. Extra credit handouts are great to have online as students can access the printouts when needed.
Stop writing long web site addresses on the marker board – hyperlink the web addresses directly from your class “Links” page.
Students and parents love seeing class activities, student projects, and field trip pictures posted online. (NOTE: Be sure all student information is removed from the displayed images and the Acceptable Use Policy has been signed by the student’s parents.)
Use the “All Purpose” pages if a variety of content needs to be posted, i.e. formatted text, hyperlinks, images, tables, etc.
If you have an online textbook, provide a link and directions for access.
Set a weekly, 10-minute schedule to review and update your web pages (every Monday morning for example).
Whether you like it or not, your web site is a reflection of you as a teacher… keep it updated, organized, and professional.

Web 2.0 – The Next Generation of the Internet

2006-11-01T07:02:00.000-06:00

When you hear the word Internet, you probably think of web pages – much like a book or newspaper, it is content waiting to be consumed. If you ask a student, they will probably give a much broader description. To digital natives, the Internet is an interactive community; not just filled with information to consume, but a platform to communicate, collaborate, express ideas, and create content. Web 2.0 is the buzzword that is commonly used to describe this new level of Internet use. What has made this change possible? – Broadband service such as Cable or DSL connections. With dial-up access, the speed required for instant communication, images, and video was just not possible.

Category examples include blogging, podcasting, RSS feeds, wiki’s, and social bookmarking. You can think of Web 2.0 as programs much like Word, Excel, or PowerPoint… the difference? These applications run through the Internet and many are available for free. Let’s use Excel as an example. It is a spreadsheet program that allows you to enter text, data, and formulas so you can sort, calculate, and graph information. The drawback, it runs off the individual computer and the spreadsheet is limited to a single user entering the data. What if it was possible for multiple students to access the same spreadsheet and enter data simultaneously? A science class, for example, could collect data from multiple groups of students and enter the information onto a shared document. The document might be shared with other class periods or even other schools. The results could be compiled, arranged, and displayed in real-time. That is the concept behind Google Docs & Spreadsheets and several other Web 2.0 applications.

Social networking sites such as MySpace and FaceBook have gained popularity with students because it allows them to express their views and become part of a community. Negative press has left a shadow over these services which makes them taboo for schools. But when we look at the skills students are using on these sites, we will see they are reading, writing, and communicating with 21st century tools. The content is not always appropriate, but if blogging is motivating to students, we should consider how take advantage of that motivation and channel it into a learning opportunity.

The list of Web 2.0 tools continues to grow at an incredible pace. Students are using the Internet in ways never imagined only a few years ago. This newsletter will continue to introduce some of these new tools and how they can be integrated into the classroom. If you are using any type of Web 2.0 tools to educate your students or yourself I would like to hear about it. Share your stories by emailing me at sbrandt@np.k12.mn.us.

Cool Tech Tool: BubbleShare.com

2006-11-01T07:01:00.000-06:00

Looking for an easy way to post class pictures online? Look no further than BubbleShare.com. Easily upload individual pictures or a whole folder of pictures. BubbleShare automatically provides the HTML code to post a variety of photo album styles onto your TeacherWeb page.

Why do they call it BubbleShare? It has this cool little feature that lets you add “caption bubbles” to your pictures. You can even record audio clips to the pictures. Give it a try; you’ll see why it is this month’s Cool Tech Tool!

The New Technology Integration Newsletter

2006-10-02T07:05:00.000-05:00

Thank you for taking time to check out the new "Teaching with Technology" newsletter. The purpose of this monthly newsletter is to help teachers stay informed of technology integration topics in the New Prague Area Schools. Each issue will contain articles related to district technology resources, best practices, lesson plan ideas, and the "Cool Tech Tool" of the month. If you have a success story, lesson plan idea, or a teaching tool that you would like to share, please contact me at sbrandt@np.k12.mn.us. I appreciate your input and any feedback you have to offer.

Teaching Digital Natives

2006-10-02T07:04:00.000-05:00

You may have heard the terms Digital Native and Digital Immigrant... As you might guess; it refers to the generation that has grown up using computers, video games, mobile phones, digital music, video cameras, etc. The later refers to the rest of us who have had to learn and adapt to this "new language" in a digital age. Marc Prensky is one of the most well-known experts on the different learning styles of Digital Natives and Digital Immigrants. In his paper, "Digital Natives, Digital Immigrants," Prensky describes today's students as follows:

Digital Natives are used to receiving information really fast. They like to parallel process and multi-task. They prefer their graphics before their text rather than the opposite. They prefer random access (like hypertext). They function best when networked. They thrive on instant gratification and frequent rewards. They prefer games to "serious" work. (Does any of this sound familiar?)

This doesn't mean teachers should stop teaching traditional content in a logical, step-by-step format. Instead, it means that if we want students to "learn how to learn," we need to teach with the 21st century tools they have grown up with, understand, and are motivated to use. Find about 10-minutes to read the linked article; it challenges the notion that we can teach students the way we were taught.

5,000 Videos - Sitting on Your Desk

2006-10-02T07:03:00.000-05:00

If a picture says a thousand words, then what does a professionally created video say? We have all seen the power a well-produced video can have in the classroom, but finding the right video can be time consuming and costly. Often, you only need 2-3 minutes of a particular topic in the middle of the 55-minute video. Trying to find the right spot with a classroom full of students can negate any value the short clip may have had on the learning objectives.

This is where UnitedStreaming.com can help. United Streaming is an online video library created by Discovery Education. It contains over 5,000 full-length videos and over 50,000 short video segments... all accessed directly from your computer. Content can is searchable by topic keyword, subject area, grade, or curriculum standard. A list of videos that match your search criteria will be displayed. From this list, you can make the following choices:

Stream the full video (preview directly from the web browser)
Download the full video (save the video to your network folder or flash drive)
Stream the short video segments
Download the short video segments
Add the video or segment to "My Content" (bookmarks the video for later use)

Many of the videos also provide related materials:

Blackline Masters (worksheets, activities, or study guides designed for the selected video)
Teacher's Guide
Quizzes (students can take online quizzes related to the selected video)

If you created an account last year, continue using the same username/password. If you are new to the district, or did not create an account, you should have received an email with an attachment explaining how to create your username/password. Please feel free to contact me if you are having trouble logging in or have questions about using this service. The United Streaming Tip Sheet is also available to help you get started.

Turn Your Students into TrackStars

2006-10-02T07:02:00.000-05:00

Using websites to supplement instructional content is becoming commonplace. You may taken students into the computer lab and said...

Okay class, I would like you to go to W-W-W, dot, F-I, dot, E-D-U, slash, T-F-I, slash, U-N-I-T-S, slash, E-N-E-R-G-Y, slash, W-I-N-D-G-U-I-D-E, dot, H-T-M-L.

...at this point, you may have lost control of even the best listeners in your class. Maybe you've even tried webquests with success, but found that they can be time consuming to create. There has to be a better way. TrackStar could be the solution to your problem.

TrackStar is a starting point for online lessons and activities. Simply collect Web sites, enter them into TrackStar, add notes or directions for your students, and you have an interactive, online lesson called a Track. Create your own Track or use one of the thousands already made by other educators. Search the database by subject, grade, theme, or standard for a quick and easy activity. There is a fun Track already made for each day of the year, too!

Want to learn more? Visit the TrackStar Tutorial page to get started today!

Cool Tech Tool: Class Timers

2006-10-02T07:01:00.000-05:00

Class Timers Keeping students on task and helping them manage time can be a challenge. A classroom timer is a great tool to keep your planned activities on schedule. Display the timer with a LCD projector and the whole class will know how much time remains to complete the activity.

The two timers listed below are free and easy to use. ScreenTimer fills the entire screen for a quick and easy countdown. [screenshot] The drawback? If, for example, you have directions for an activity displayed on a PowerPoint slide, ScreenTimer will cover the entire slide. In this case, a better timer might be Cool Timer. It gives you the option to choose a large or small timer that will "float" over the slide. [screenshot]

To try this Cool Tech Tool, follow the steps below:

Download ScreenTimer or CoolTimer
Save to the desktop
Double-click "setup" or "ctimer"
Follow the install steps

The timer should now be loaded on your computer. In the lower-left corner, click...

Start
Select "Programs"
Click "Screen Timer" or "Cool Timer"