Technology TIP

At the Staff Development Day I presented a session called “10 Sites/Resources for Secondary Teachers.” If you are looking for new ways to integrate technology and engage students, a created a web page for the presentation. It will help you explore 10 resources that can be used in a variety of subjects with secondary students. There is a brief recording of the presentation with links and tutorials to help you get started. As always, if you have any questions, feel free to contact me.

Note: Jason Wacek presented a workshop called, “10 Sites/Resources for Elementary Teachers.” Take a look at his web page as well.

New Prague Area Schools is offering a number of summer technology workshops. Select from any of the options listed below…

• Online Workshops: Select from the growing list of self-paced technology integration workshops. To register, go to NP Moodle… click the Staff Development category… enter staff as the enrollment key.
• Open Lab: Are you planning to create new technology integrated projects for your class this summer? Wouldn’t it be great to have immediate tech support while designing the lessons? I will be available in the high school Ares computer lab from 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. on June 21, 22, and 23.
• Intel Project-Based Learning: This “personalized” workshop provides opportunities to explore a variety of classroom technologies and create a “Unit Plan” for your curriculum. The course allows teachers to “customize” the content, time, and schedule to fit their needs. Complete the entire 3-day workshop (August 16 – 18) for 20-hours, or select the number of hours you want to attend. Take the Intel PBL survey to learn more and select your level of interest.
• TIES Workshops: New Prague Area Schools is a member of the TIES technology organization. They offer a wide variety of technology classes; most classes are free for teachers in member school districts. View the 2011 TIES Summer brochure and follow the registration procedures.

Feel free to contact me if you have questions about any of these opportunities.

New Prague Area Schools is again partnering with Learner’s Edge to offer graduate credits for teachers who complete our online and summer workshops. Options include…

• 1 semester credit (5 hours of workshops, total of 15 combined hours)
• 2 semester credits (10 hours of workshops, total of 30 combined hours)
• 3 semester credits (20 hours of workshops, total of 45 combined hours)

The process: Attend any of the New Prague summer opportunities and complete the following steps…

1. Fax or mail the completed registration form. After the payment is processed, you will receive the syllabus via email.
2. The Augustana College direction guide will also be emailed. This document provides steps for online registration with Augustana which needs to be completed before the coursework is submitted to allow submission of grades.
3. Completed coursework is mailed to Learner’s Edge for evaluation. The course grade will be emailed upon successful completion. Then a transcript may be requested directly from Augustana, per the direction guide.

Feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

Every five years we renew our teaching licenses with the MN Department of Education. There are a variety of ways to earn the 125 professional development hours, but all teachers must show evidence in six required activities:

• Positive Behavioral Intervention Strategies
• Accommodation, Modification, and Adaptation
• Key Warning Signs for Early-Onset Mental Illness
• Reading Preparation
• Technology Integration
• Reflective Statement of Professional Growth

The NPAS Staff Development team has created a free, online option for the Early-Onset Mental Illness requirement. The online workshop offers teachers the flexibility to take the course at their own pace and schedule. Complete the workshop in one setting (approx. 3-hours) or in smaller segments when time permits. If the format proves successful, we plan to provide additional licensing workshops in the future.

To register, click the Early-Onset Mental Illness link in the Moodle Staff Development category… enter staff as the enrollment key.

Are you looking for a way to capture students’ attention when introducing new science concepts? Dan Burns may have some resources for you. He has collected several video clips from The Simpsons on his website, Science on the Simpsons. Most clips are less than 2-minutes and can be downloaded for playing on your classroom computer/projector.

The Flip has very quickly become the favorite classroom video camera with teachers around the world. The low price point (under $150) and ease of use made it possible to integrate a variety of student video projects. Unfortunately, Cisco recently announced they are discontinuing the product. If you have been using the Flip with your students, you may be interested in Michael Gorman’s suggestions for 12 Fabulous Flip Camera Alternatives For Education… A Must Read!

What is the “20-Day Challenge?” It is a professional development opportunity consisting of short activities (15 minutes). This challenge will focus on Google Docs skills that can be integrated into your classroom. The Challenge has a new activity posted each day. This is a self-paced online course; you can complete one activity each day or do a few when you have time. Complete the Challenge and receive six (6) clock-hour credits for relicensure. Credits can also be applied toward the Classroom Technology Request program.

To register, click the Google Docs :: 20-Day Challenge in the Moodle Staff Development category… enter staff as the enrollment key.

Google Sites is part of our NP Google Apps. The application allows teachers and students to create websites for class projects that are visible to anyone with a NP Google Apps account. The TIP Sheet will demonstrate the basics of adding text, hyperlinks, images, and additional web pages. Some NP teachers have already used Google Sites for student projects with great success. Take a look at the TIP Sheet and give it a try.

If you have ever used Google Earth, you have experienced what a powerful tool it can be for a geography teacher. Spin the entire planet, zoom in to different continents, countries, regions, cities, and even neighborhoods. Turn on the labels, and each of these locations can be identified. If you teach body systems, you now have a very similar tool… Google Body. A scroll bar allows users to peel away layers, exposing muscles, bones, organs, blood vessels, and nerves. Rotate the body and zoom in for a closer look; click on any body part to view a descriptive label. Sounds cool, right… so why haven’t more people heard about it? Google Body is actually a website… but it requires a specific browser to interact with the virtual model. Follow these two steps to begin exploring (you will not be disappointed):

1. Download & install Chrome Canary (this browser needed view Google Body)
2. Copy and paste this URL (http://bodybrowser.googlelabs.com) into the Chrome Canary address bar.

Update (06/01/11) :: For security reasons, Google has changed the Chrome Canary browser’s default settings. If you want to use this in your classroom, please contact me. I will make the configuration changes on your computer.

Inspiration has been a great software application to help students create mind maps. Unfortunately, it is fairly expensive for schools to license for every computer and very few students have it installed at home. There are several online mapping tools (MindMeister, Mindomo, Bubbl.us), but Popplet has the most intuitive design. Students can quickly create a free account and begin mapping their thoughts. There are features for collaboration, connecting ideas, and inserting images. Best of all, it has a “presentation” feature that is better than any mind mapping application I have ever used. Take a look at this example and consider using Popplet with your students.