May 2012
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Technology News
From the Director
I know many of you have told me you are counting down the days until summer break, and who can blame you! Summer is a fabulous time to get some much-‐needed R&R, spend time with family and friends, and to...start planning for next year! There. I said it! I know you may not want to think about it, but the 2012-‐13 school year will be here before you know it. So, here are some summer technology ideas for you. ü Create Smart lessons and save them so you are ready to go! ü Search and explore Web 2.0 tools or apps. ü Storage warehouse tools are very popular right now because everyone is accumulating so much information they don't know how to organize and store it in a central location! If this sounds familiar to you, check out these tools-‐-‐ Livebinders, Slideshare and Edshelf. ü If you haven't already started using cloud storage, check it out! Dropbox is what we use in the technology department. ü Attend one of the upcoming web site trainings and begin to add content to your page. ü Subscribe to Twitter and start following educational leaders around the world. They post some great resources! It has been a wonderful year. I appreciate everyone's help and support and willingness to explore technology integration in new and exciting ways. Enjoy your summer!
End of the Year Check-In Dates and Locations High School:
Turn in by Wednesday, May 30 to Janice Nadeau in the Media Center
Middle School:
Check-in Tuesday, May 29 in the Media Center
Erwine Intermediate:
Check-in Wednesday, May 30 in Technology Lab Room 113
Turkeyfoot Elementary:
Check-in Tuesday, May 29 in the 2nd Grade Hallway Please be sure to check your end of the year procedures list for more information and instructions.
ProgressBook Update Did you know? You can include your email address on the Teacher Home Page. This can be found on the right side under Tools. The email address entered will show in Parent Access on the Student Schedule tab and the Classroom Information tab. ProgressBook allows you to import assignments created in previous grading periods into your current gradebook. From the Class Dashboard, along the bottom below the assignments, you will see a link for Import Assignments. Your previous assignments will be listed. Using the magnifying glass will display more assignments. Click the arrow/paper icon to export the assignment to your class dashboard. This will take you to the Main assignment tab where you can enter the point value and marks.
Incorporating QR Codes in the Classroom
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Three simple ideas for integrating QR codes in your classroom. Have students install a free quick-response (QR) code reader on their phone, iPod Touch, or tablet. (Try ‘Zappit,” “OneTap QR,” “T3 QR Code Scanner”) ONE: Create a classroom QR bulletin board that students can add to throughout the year. That way, any time they need to revisit course materials, they can scan the codes on the bulletin board. TWO: Integrate QR with a PBL or Service Learning project where students can create codes that will link to the content they create. If students helped create awareness around spreading germs, for example, they might put the codes around the school or in a parent newsletter. THREE: Award prizes by having students scan a code leading to an animation or badge. When they pass a test on commas, perhaps they get a code that takes them to a badge for Comma Guru!
Textbooks, a Thing of the Past? The High School cart of iPads is being utilized for exploration of real-‐time content, hands on learning, and innovative assignments.
PRODUCTIVITY - Amy Stacy, Math Students are utilizing iPad video and picture capability to create Keynote and PowerPoint presentations about a famous mathematician.
ASSESMENT - Rick Glass, Spanish
QR codes, a thing of the past? Maybe…for those a bit savier! The Aurasma App is being utilized to create video news announcements that are overlaid with an Aurasma “trigger image”. Once iPad camera scans the “trigger image”, the student created video begins to play. Another clever way to assess content learned!
INFORMATIONAL - Colleen Vincent, Health
Students are exploring Safari, YouTube, and iTunesU to study real-‐time content about genetic modification and trends within the food industry.
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The website featured in January’s ‘Technology News’ was “The Teaching Channel.” Congratulations to
Cindy McDonald who received an iTunes gift card.
Bring Your Own Device “Okay, class please get out your cellphones” is becoming a common phrase in classrooms throughout the country. Coventry High School and Middle School are not the first to implement a ‘BYOD’ policy. Students in Rick Glass’ Spanish class and Joe Headley’s history classes might have been shocked hearing their teachers ask them to get out their iPods, iPhones, and other devices. The addition of wireless Internet access has allowed students to use their own technology in the classroom and it is working!
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