Issue 14

Issue 14, Volume 10

November 19, 2009

Thought for the Week
The most wasted of all days is one without laughter.
-- E. E. Cummings

BB310: Blogging in the K-12 Classroom
Dates of Training: November 30 - December 14 (2 weeks online) Prerequisite: BB201
Location: All Online
Level: Intermediate Technology
Requirements: Internet Access at Home/Computer Proficient
CLUs: 2
This online class will serve as an introduction to using blogs within the K-12 classroom. * There is no face-to-face session for this class. It is all online.

Register for any one of these classes https://www.cpsb.org/techclasses/. If you don’t already have an account to register for Tech Center classes, you will need to first create an account before you can register.

Promethean ActivBoard Classes Available

Register now at the following site: https://www.cpsb.org/techclasses/

PRAI 101: Introduction to ActivInspire
Date: December 8th
When: 3:30-5:30 pm
Prerequisites: None
Location: Lab D - Technology Training Center
CLUs: 2
This hands-on workshop is designed to provide the participant with a working knowledge and use of the board and associated software, ActivInspire. Basic skills covered include the dashboard and basic tools necessary to construct simple flipcharts that will support engaged student learning.

PRAI 220: Transition to ActivInspire
Dates: December 7th
When: 3:00-5:00 pm
Prerequisites: Previous training in ActivStudio
Location: Lab C - Technology Training Center
CLUs: 2
Have you made the transition to ActivInspire? Do you want to learn the newest software from Promethean? Then, register now and come to the PRAI 220: Transition to ActivInspire. This two hour hands-on workshop is designed to help the current ActivBoard user transition from using ActivStudio to using ActivInspire.

PRAI 210/PRAI211: Using Promethean Accessories: ActivExpressions/ActiVotes
Dates: December 15th
When: 3:00-5:00 pm
Prerequisites: PRAI 101 or PRAS 101.
Location: Lab C- Technology Training Center
CLUs: 2
Do you have ActivExpressions or ActiVotes? Are you looking for effective ways to use these devices in your classes. Register now and come to the PRAI 210/PRAI211: Using Promethean Accessories: ActivExpressions/ActiVotes. This hands-on workshop is designed to provide the participant with a working knowledge and use of the ActivExpressions/ActiVotes in conjunction with the ActivInspire software. Participants will be given the opportunity to practice using these tools.

PRAI102: Beginning Flipchart Integration and Construction
Date: January 5th
When: 3:00-5:00 pm
Prerequisites: PRAI101 or PRAS101
Location: Lab C-Technology Training Center
CLUs: 2
Are you looking for ways and time to develop flipcharts for your classes. Then, PRAI102: Beginning Flipchart Integration and Construction might be the class you are looking for. In this hands-on workshop, the participant will be given a brief review of PRA101 ActivInspire tools and software. The remainder of the workshop will focus on providing the participant with the opportunity to begin constructing basic flipcharts that promote student engagement. Participants are encouraged to bring teacher resources such as Comprehensive Curriculum and/or Teacher Manuals to aid in the development of these flipcharts. Participants may also wish to bring a pen drive to save their projects to.

Register for any one of these classes https://www.cpsb.org/techclasses/. If you don’t already have an account to register for Tech Center classes, you will need to first create an account before you can register.

Add Visuals With JING!

Jing, by TechSmith, is free software that adds visuals to your online conversations. It is perfect for adding quick and simple visual elements to your day-to-day conversations. If you need more, Jing allows you to export your images or video to Snagit or Camtasia Studio for further editing. With Jing, you can snap a picture of your screen, record video of onscreen action, or share instantly over the web, IM, or email. They even have video quick help. Check it out and get the free download at http://www.jingproject.com.

Vernier Technology Awards

Teachers, apply now!!! Sponsored by Vernier Technology and NSTA, the Vernier Technology Awards will recognize and reward the innovative use of data collection technology using a computer, graphing calculator, or other handheld in the science classroom. A total of seven awards will be presented: one at the elementary level, two at the middle level, three at the high school level, and one award at the college level. K-college teachers are welcome to apply. Each award will consist of $1,000 towards expenses to attend the NSTA National Conference, $1,000 in cash for the teacher, and $1,000 in Vernier products. Deadline for the 2010 award application is November 30, 2009. The URL: http://www.vernier.com/grants/nsta.html

Using Windows Mobility Center In Vista

Windows Vista includes an extremely useful utility called Mobility Center, designed for laptop users to give lightning quick access to all functions that a mobile user would need. To open the Mobility Center, use the hotkey Win+X to quickly launch the mobility center. You could also find it in the Start menu.

The Mobility Center gives you access to features relevant to laptop users. Find a quick overview at the following web address: http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windows-vista/using-windows-mobility-center-in-vista/

YouMail

Not everybody can swing a smartphone, many smartphones don't offer visual voicemail, and very few people (at the moment) get to play with Google Voice and its transcribed voicemails. For those feeling like their phones are under-powered, there's YouMail. Sign up, follow YouMail's instructions on setting up your phone to hand over your phone's voicemail duties to its service, and you'll be able to listen to or download voicemails from its web site or smartphone apps. With the limited free or paid unlimited transcription plans, the halfway decent speech-to-text versions of your messages are emailed or sent by SMS right away. If you want different voicemail greetings for different contacts, YouMail can do that, too. Whether you're rocking the cheapest phone they had at the store or an iPhone, YouMail's a great add-on. The URL: http://www.youmail.com/home/index.do

Web 2.0 Guru Discusses Digital 3Rs

Responsibility, Reliability and Risks are the Internet’s 3Rs. At this site, descriptions and links are provided to support educators and parents in teaching students about their responsibilities and risks on the net and how to recognize reliable valid web sites. Formal and informal cyber skills instruction is a necessity for every 21st Century student. In homes and schools, these skills should be part of everyday instruction. Read all about it at http://web20guru.wikispaces.com/The+New+3+Rs

TechHelp Helps

Below you will find some computer terms that everyone needs to know and understand when contacting Tech Help at the CPSB Technology Support Center. In fact, when contacting tech.help either via email or phone, supplying all of the necessary information will make the process move more smoothly.

1. Host name/serial number/service tag - These are all the same code off of your computer that you need to know if you contact Tech Help. This name can be found in the white writing on the desktop when logged on to your computer, OR on the back of your desktop computer where all the cables are plugged in just under the bar code on the white label, OR on the white label on the bottom of a laptop computer.
Be sure to have this handy anytime you contact Tech Help by phone and include it in all email to Tech Help at tech.help@cpsb.org.

2. Operating System (abbreviated as OS) - The OS software on your computer is for the management and coordination of activities and the sharing of the resources of the computer. Most CPSB computers are running Windows XP or Windows Vista. Some have the older Windows 98 or Windows 95. This is important information to pass on with all tech help issues.

The Technology Support Center stands ready to help you with your technology needs and that while we are very busy at the start of the new school year, we will attempt to get to your questions as quickly as possible. You can reach us by phone at 217-HELP (4357) or by submitting a question to the CPSB Help Desk at http://help.cpsb.org under the “Questions” section.

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)

Autopsy Of A Pickle
http://www.accessexcellence.org/AE/ATG/data/released/0072-KatharineNoonan/index.php
Yup, a dill pickle; it's really used in this science investigation. The point is to familiarize your students with the processes of dissection, and to have them see it as a scientific investigation. A student worksheet is included.

Resonant Rings
http://www.exploratorium.edu/snacks/resonant_rings/index.html
Building safety, architecture, and earthquakes are all part of the equation here when students build a coil of resonation, and then examine it for vibration frequencies and stiffness.

Snowstorm In A Can
http://www.bizarrelabs.com/snow.htm
Here's a very cool experiment in today's science offerings of wacky and weird experiments across all science topics. In this one, students will learn how snow forms by creating their own snowstorm in a can. Extension activities are included.

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