EdTech @ETHS Volume 1, Issue 5
February 2011
Black History Month on Discovery Education Streaming
Although it’s no substitute for the great live events planned here at school, Discovery Education Streaming has created a Black History Month page that includes videos, lesson plans, images, and discussion guides for use in the classroom. Access the website here and use your DES login credentials to begin viewing content.
Announcing a Redesigned Lab F in the BCC: “TechSpace”
As a reminder, use your full email address (ex. chand@eths.k12.il.us) and grade book ID/last name (ex. 305chan) to login and begin exploring.
Designed specifically for faculty and staff, the newly remodeled Lab F in the Bacon Computer Center is ready to welcome you and your colleagues for opportunities to train on tech tools and collaborate on lessons that best integrate technology in the classroom.
Also, you can create lessons, assignments, and even quizzes that include the media objects. Email me for more info and a tutorial.
Some the highlights for TechSpace include:
A selection of videos includes:
Stories of the Civil Rights Movement
The Integration of Major League Baseball
The Role of Youth in the Struggle
“I Have A Dream”: The March on Washington
INSIDE THIS ISSUE 1
Black History Month on Discovery Education Streaming
1
Announcing TechSpace
2
Google Apps Transition
2
Featured Posts from Chanatown.net
2
Ed-Tech Conference Opportunities
2
Next Issue
Learn – 16 movable tables designed to maximize use of the workspace and encourage collaboration during breakouts. Depending on the objective, the tables can be arranged in rows or pods. Many of the upcoming technology training workshops will be held in TechSpace. Train – 25 Tablet PCs connected via a secure wireless access point allows teachers to work freely in the lab, researching content on websites such as Discovery Education Streaming or recording VoiceThreads using the embedded webcam and microphones. Collaborate - Several tables are available in a separate area with a whiteboard for brainstorming sessions, lesson planning, and/or grading. Again, laptops can be used here, or it can be designated as a "No-Tech" zone. This Friday, we welcome you to stop by TechSpace for a “soft opening” as I’ll be on hand to offer tips on creating, editing, and improving on Teacher Websites. For more information and ideas of how to use the lab, please visit the TechSpace homepage here.
EdTech @ETHS 1
GOOGLE APPS TRANSITION In a few days, ETHS Google Apps will get even better as all users will be transitioned to full Google accounts. This will allow ETHS faculty and staff access to more Google products including Google Reader, Blogger, and Moderator. Users will be able to use regular sign-in pages to access their ETHS account using their full eths202.org email address (i.e.chand@eths202.org). Data will continue to be owned by ETHS, so all work and communications will be safely held on an internal domain, searchable and visible to the public only if you choose to allow. For more information on how to use Google Apps in your classroom, please contact me and look for future workshops in TechSpace.
FEATURED POSTS CHANATOWN.NET
TAC Refreshers Recently, you were sent an email with documentation and video links regarding Grade Scales and Tardy Codes in TAC. Let us know if you have additional questions or suggestions for upcoming workshops regarding Gradebook.
Ed-Tech Conference Opportunities On January 29, David Chan and Dave Allen presented on Senior Studies and Google Sites at the Northern Illinois Computer Educators mini-conference at Stevenson High School. Please find a Prezi and links here. Also, I shared my thoughts on a few of the other sessions here.
FROM
GOOGLE’S NEWEST NOTEBOOK Interested in seeing Google’s latest hardware creation? I got my hands on a Cr-48 (Google’s Chrome OS Notebook) and see some possibilities in education. Read more here and stop by TechSpace if you want to take the notebook on a test drive.
ALTERNATIVES
TO
POWERPOINT
Recently, I suggested a few alternatives to PowerPoint for several AVID classes. With access to free Web 2.0 tools, students can engage in creating original, clever, and animated content for projects that might have previously suffered through a “Death by PowerPoint.” Read more about the possible uses and check out the included samples. Let me know if you have additional questions on any of the applications.
BEST
IPHONE
APPS
FOR NEW
USERS
Verizon users have been waiting for their big day, and last week, a huge wave of new customers flooded Big Red for the iPhone 4. So, did you finally join the ranks of Apple? If so, you may be interested in loading up on a few apps. Read about some of the best of the best here (part I) (part II)
Upcoming Conferences: Illinois Computer Educators (ICE) Conference: I’ll be presenting on Thursday (2/24) and attending on Wednesday through Friday. Look for session debriefs on the blog. I’m particularly excited about seeing David Pogue as well as a brilliant SMARTBoard presenter. Web 2.0 Conference: Saturday, 4/9 – Niles West High School – Call for Presenters Open If you are interested in attending or presenting at Web20, please let me know.
Next Issue: Spring will be just around the corner, which means many an Awards Assembly. We’d like to get a head start by recognizing several teachers and how they successfully integrate technology in the classroom. Stay tuned for more info on a lesson sharing video library and our very own in-house awards program. For additional newsletter requests, tech support, comments, or just to say “hello”, please email or call at ext.7366. Thanks for reading.
David Chan Technology Integration Specialist
EdTech @ETHS 2