Issue 29, Volume 11

March 24, 2011

 

 

Thought for the Week
 In the book of life, the answers aren't in the back.
-- Charlie Brown (Charles M. Schulz)

  
Web 2.0 Tools for Math Educators
Looking for great tools that are free? From Digital Learning Environments, this article is specific to math educators, but there is some crossover into science. Math educators will be overwhelmed to find such a large number of useable interactive companion web sites for the teaching of math concepts and skills. There are tools for all ages in this article; you are bound to find one that’s right for your classroom. Check them out at http://www.guide2digitallearning.com/tools_technologies/web_2_0_tools_math_educators.
Register for the LATI Summer Institute
This year’s LATI (Louisiana Assistive Technology Initiative) Summer Institute is June 21st – 23rd, so be sure to save the dates. Here are some of the sessions you will see at AT2 (TtI+DI)=ACCESS: A Formula for Success, the LATI Summer Institute this year: Wikis, Blogs and Podcasts for 21st Century Learners, Say It With An App, and Looking For The AT In mATh. With over 35 sessions, there is something for everyone!

You don’t want to miss this year’s keynote speaker, Dr. Dave Edyburn, a well respected educator and researcher possessing an extraordinary range of knowledge and experience in special education and who specializes in assistive technologies for students with high incidence disabilities.

As always, the institute is free of charge. Network with and learn alongside teachers, parents, and administrators from all over Louisiana. Be sure to register in CourseWhere at http://www.solutionwhere.com/ldoe/cw/showcourse.asp?3024.

Join LATI for a fun-filled learning experience in Lake Charles, Louisiana at the Calcasieu Parish Technology Center. Click on the 2011 Summer Institute button on the Region V LATI site for directions and recommend hotels: http://bb.lati.cpsb.org/

Learn More with Promethean’s Handy How-To Videos
Promethean Planet has new improved search features for you to search the planet. Now, get to know the search even better with their handy new how-to videos covering the search toolbar, filtering and more. Get to know the ins and outs with four new video tutorials. You'll be jumping up and down with excitement when you realize how simple and handy it is!

The four new videos include the following:
How Do I Search?
An overview of the simple search and advanced search features on Promethean Planet.

What is on the Search Results Page?
Take a tour of the sections displayed on the search results page and an explanation of what each section provides for you.

What is the Search Results Toolbar?
Familiarize yourself with the different sorting tools and display options available on the search results page.

How Do I Use Filters to Adjust My Search?
Using filters to refine results on your search pages can be a life saver! Learn how to use them to your advantage.

Check out all four videos at Promethean Planet!

Citations Done Right!
It’s that time of year when a number of research projects or papers are being done. You probably spend some time teaching students to do citations of some kind whether the resource is online, print-based, or whatever. To assist you in that endeavor, you will find a number of online tools below that can help guide students through the correct way to cite resources:
 

Don’t forget! If you have Microsoft Office 2007, you have a citation maker built in right there under the References tab in the Citations & Bibliography group. Simply select your citation style (APA, MLA, Chicago, etc), click on Insert Citation, and then just fill in the blanks. It’s just that simple!

There's also a Citation Builder (MLA, APA and Harvard formats) built right into WorldBook Online, too! Go to http://www.worldbookonline.com/student/citation.

The 2011 Be Heard School Grant
The Calypso School First Foundation is proud to continue its commitment to using technology to transform teaching and learning for all students by announcing the 2011 Be Heard School Grant.

The Be Heard School Grant recognizes the importance of hearing and being heard in the classroom. Voice amplification is an effective, affordable, and measurable tool for improving teaching and learning for all students in all subjects. Research has also shown that classroom voice amplification can dramatically reduce special education referrals (up to 40%).

The Be Heard School Grant will provide four awards to grant recipients across the United States and Canada. One Campus level grant will provide 30 SoundPost classroom portable voice amplification systems. Three other grant recipients will each receive a Grade level grant, with an award of three SoundPost classroom portable voice amplification systems to each grant recipient. The short online applications will be accepted until May 20, 2011. For more information or to apply, go to http://www.calypsosystems.com/about-us/grant-information/be-heardschool-grant.

Create a Theme-Related Brochure in Office Word 2007
Why does research on any given topic have to be a paper or an essay? Well, it doesn’t. By simply changing the final research into a product or project of some kind, students will look at the research as more of a fun project than a required paper. So, why not let your students create professional-looking brochures for a research product?!!

Students can create tri-fold brochures to present topics from any curriculum area, including language arts, math, social studies, science, and art. For example, students could create brochures on the dangers of smoking, a famous artist, or a book they have read. Teachers can use brochures as handouts during student orientation or parents' night.

Find step-by-step instructions for creating a brochure in Word 2007 at the following site: http://www.microsoft.com/Education/ThemeBrochure.aspx

Dual Monitor Setup is Easy In Windows 7
In Windows 7, it is easy to add a second monitor by using the new hotkey Win+P. This is convenient when you need to change the display settings during your presentations with a projector connected to your laptop.

There are actually two ways you can currently setup multiple monitors in Windows 7, either by using a keyboard shortcut or via the traditional system properties. Make sure that you connect the external monitors to your laptop or your desktop computer first.

Using the keyboard shortcut:
Simply press the Windows logo key + P on your keyboard to bring up a quick menu of options. You can pick to show only the computer, make the second monitor a duplicate of the first, extend the desktop to the second monitor or turn off the first monitor and activate the second.

Using the system properties:
Simply right-click on the desktop and choose Screen resolution. Now you’ll see the familiar 1 and 2 to distinguish which monitor is which. There are several options and under Multiple Displays, you can choose from the same options as when you pressed Win + P.

That’s it! You can also change the orientation of the displays and change the resolution of each display. It’s pretty straight-forward in Windows 7 and a lot easier!

Dare Your Middle and High School Students to Change the World!
The Water Planet Challenge is an online resource where middle and high school students can dare to change the world. The challenge wants to spark today’s youth’s natural curiosity to help protect, restore and preserve our water planet. With a growing library of vibrant, awe-inspiring videos, educator lesson plans, and service learning materials, teachers can encourage students to become engaged and involved in affecting global change. This site contains interactive lessons, videos and many other resources and current news about our plant and water sources. Get the latest on the Gulf Oil spill and its effect on the environment and coastal waterways. New content is always being added to the site. Check it out at http://www.waterplanetchallenge.org/wpc/.
Best on the Net!! -- Visit this site for hundreds of websites for teachers! We would love to hear from you about the best educational sites you have found on the web. Please submit, via email, the sites you feel merit inclusion. Send to tech.connect@cpsb.org. Please include the URL and a short sentence about the site. 

Featured Sites: (These sites were submitted by teachers in Calcasieu Parish)

Spring in the Kindergarten Classroom
 http://www.sasked.gov.sk.ca/docs/kindergarten/kindsths.html 
The weather is warming and the world is greening! That means it's time to celebrate spring! Find loads of ideas to use here for your bulletin boards, group activities, activity centers, and more with these sample spring theme ideas for the kindergarten and preschool classroom.
 
The Seasons
http://www.brainpop.com/science/weather/seasons/preview.weml 
This BrainPop entry focuses on an introduction to the science behind the seasons - good to know as our portion of the planet warms up for spring.
 
Holding a Spring Activity Day
http://teachers.net/lessons/posts/374.html 
Wow - there's tons of fun and learning included in these ideas for holding a Spring Activity Day. Use them all on one day and hold the event with the whole school, or use them separately throughout the spring season.
 


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