Issue 29, Volume 7 March 22, 2007     Thought for the Week Whatever the mind of man can conceive and believe, it can achieve.  -- Napoleon Hill    Featured Blackboard Site The featured Blackboard site was created by Gloria Rasco, a technology teacher at Moss Bluff Middle. Mrs. Rasco created the site to serve as a resource for all of her students as well as a communication resource with parents. Visit Gloria Rasco's site.   Attention! Register Now For Blackboard! Blackboard Training Courses - Spring 2007 Register Online Now: https://www.cpsb.org/techclasses/   Utilizing Blackboard to Support Curriculum – Getting Students Involved Dates of Training: April 18, 2007 (face-to-face, orientation) and April 18 – May 9, 2007 (3 weeks online) Time: 3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. (face-to-face, orientation) Location: Lab A Level: Intermediate Technology Requirements: Internet Access at Home This hands-on workshop combined with an online class will guide participants through the enhancement of their current Blackboard Website to utilize with students during the upcoming 2007-2008 school year. Participants will learn how to utilize the many tools of Blackboard to create a rich, engaging online environment for students extending instruction beyond the classroom. Introduction to Using Blackboard as a Classroom Website (Face-to-Face Class) Prerequisite: None Dates of Training: May 2, 3, 14, 16 (must be present on all 4 days) Time: 3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Location: Lab A Level: Basic CLUs: 6 This workshop will introduce classroom teachers to the use of Blackboard as a Classroom Website. Participants will learn how to customize the design of Blackboard, add documents, and utilize Blackboard tools in the creation of a classroom website. For Questions, Contact: Kim Leblanc (kim.leblanc@cpsb.org) Internet-Based Economic Lesson Materials This a great resource for the K-12 teacher and students alike. This site is divided into 4 components to assist in the learning environment:(1)Cyber Teach, a comprehensive guide to teaching economics using the Internet, including model lessons and templates for creating effective lesson plans on your own; (2)Current Events, helps you to understand what's happening in today's world economy with the latest economics news and related EconEdLink lesson plans; (3)Data Links, allows you to access up-to-date macroeconomic data for classroom use, including primary source materials, charts, and simulations; and (4)Web Links, a comprehensive list of Internet resources for the K-12 educator. There are curricular activities and economic data in easy-to-use formats. The URL: http://www.econedlink.org/ 2007 AT&T Excelerator Grant Program   The 2007 AT&T Excelerator Grant Program provides financial assistance to non-profit educational organizations that want to improve their technology resources, such as computer hardware, software, and networking tools. The grants also fund Internet access and computer training to assist organizations with various programs, many aimed to increase educational learning and job skills development. Grants range from $2,500 to $25,000 and are one year in length. Eligible organizations must be located in the following states: Alabama, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas, Tennessee and Wisconsin. The deadline to apply is May 4, 2007. Find out more at http://www.att.com/gen/corporate-citizenship?pid=7745. Your PC Frozen? Try This Quick “Thawlution.” It’s amazing, isn’t it, how many of us try and make things harder than they need to be sometimes. Take your computer, for example. You’re working ambitiously on that project that has consumed hours of your time; then, out of nowhere, Windows locks up! Your computer is “Artic” frozen! You press (or bang) the keys, and get no response. Even the control+alt+delete key combo doesn’t work. At this point, you frantically begin searching for the Tech Help contact information. Well, not so fast! Computers used to have a reset button on them, but the recent ones don’t. But never fear! The solution is simple. Just press and hold the power button for about 5-7 seconds, and the computer will turn off. Wait for about 15 seconds and then just press the same power button again to turn it back on. Now, take your hand and pat yourself on your back for a job well done! Add Text To AutoShapes In Word Words can easily be added inside drawing objects and AutoShapes. Within Microsoft Word, students can combine illustrations with creative writing, add descriptions to geometric shapes, create holiday decorations, and so much more.   1. Start with a blank document in Word. 2. On the Drawing toolbar, click AutoShapes, and select the type of object that you would like to draw. Press the DELETE key to remove the drawing canvas from the screen if you have the drawing canvas turned on. 3. Click and drag to create a new drawing object. 4. When you are ready to add text inside the drawing object, right-click inside it. Select Add Text from the shortcut menu. ***Note that some AutoShapes automatically put the insertion point inside the shape. 5. Type your text inside the object, and then format the words as you like. 6. Try filling the shape with color or a pattern by clicking the Fill Color button (with a picture of a paint bucket) on the Drawing toolbar. To make the shape stand out, add a drop shadow to it by clicking the Shadow Style button (also found on the Drawing toolbar). Click the Shadow Settings button to explore more drop shadow options. $150,000 To Help Fund Arts Programs The Learning in the Arts for Children and Youth category offers funding for projects that help children and youth acquire knowledge and understanding of and skills in the arts. Projects must provide participatory learning and engage students with skilled artists, teachers, and excellent art. Funded projects apply national or state arts education standards. The deadline to apply is June 11, 2007. Contact: http://www.nea.gov/grants/apply/GAP08/LITA.html 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) Alternative Reading Responses http://instech.tusd.k12.az.us/balancedlit/handbook/BLHS/blwayhs.htm This page provides an alphabetical list of different and very creative ways that students might use as alternatives to the typical book report or literary essay. For any activity chosen, have students write up their own work proposal and due date. Reading Detectives http://www.readwritethink.org/lessons/lesson_view.asp?id=54 Upper elementary students will learn how to compare and contrast ideas in reading selections with this lesson plan. A Reader's Tool Kit handout is included to help guide students, as well as an interactive Venn diagram. Proton Don  http://www.funbrain.com/periodic/index.html Students will get to know the periodic table in this online chemistry game. Click on the element symbols or the names to start, and select your level of difficulty. An official publication of the CPSB Technology Department If you have any questions or comments please e-mail the Tech Connect. For Technical Support:  tech.help@cpsb.org Calcasieu Parish Homepage  Technology Department  Tech Support  Best on the Net Tech Guides  Computer Purchasing Information  Tech Connect Archive