Intel Goes Web 2.0

The hot topic in education technology this school year has definitely been Web 2.0 ; a term used to describe how the Internet has shifted from a "consumable" resource to an interactive environment where global citizens "contribute" to a wealth of information. Examples of Web 2.0 include wikis, blogs, online collaborative editing sites, tagging/bookmarking, podcasting, Really Simple Syndication (RSS), and online video. The popularity and innovative uses of these Internet applications continue to grow exponentially.

Another indication that Web 2.0 is impacting education is the recent announcement by Intel®... They have redesigned their Essentials Course (formerly Teach to the Future) to align with the most current pedagogical approaches and promote 21st century skills such as wikis, blogs, online collaborative editing sites, and tagging/bookmarking (sound familiar?). The curriculum still includes the integration of Microsoft Office products, but now provides information for alternatives such as Open Office.

The changes emphasize the fact that we need to teach and learn with 21st century tools. I welcome the decision to update the curriculum and look forward to facilitating another cohort of New Prague teachers!

Teacher Tip: Gradebook Comments

Course syllabus, school planners/handbooks, in-class reminders, TeacherWeb sites, Family Access, Student Access... the list of tools used to communicate classroom expectations demonstrates our commitment to the success of every student. Occasionally, we still hear a student say, "I didn't know." Try this tip suggested by a NPHS teacher...

When students are absent for an assignment, I use the Gradebook comment section to enter the "extended" due date according to our school policy. The comments appear on both Student and Family Access.

It doesn't guarantee the assignment will be turned-in on time, but it does clearly communicate the due date after an absence.

Do you have a technology tip that may be helpful to other teachers? Please submit your suggestions: sbrandt@np.k12.mn.us

Intel® Summer Workshops

Last school year, New Prague Area Schools was able to participate in the Intel® Teach to the Future program, thanks, in part, to the federal Enhancing Education Through Technology (EETT) grant. The grant was awarded through a collaborative effort between the Carver-Scott Educational Cooperative and 11 neighboring school districts. With federal educational funds being reduced, New Prague is fortunate to receive a second round of funding this school year. In this phase, the Intel® Teach Thinking with Technology program will give teachers with intermediate-level technology integration skills (Intel® Teach to the Future or equivalent competency) an opportunity to enhance these skills and promote higher-order thinking.

The EETT grant has provided New Prague Area Schools funding to implement an established professional development program that can be tailored to meet the specific needs of our district. If you are looking for summer professional development opportunities, consider one of the following options:

Option #1: Intel^® Teach to the Future

• June 18 – August 10
• 3 face-to-face meetings
• Online instruction and activities
• Create a technology enhanced unit for your curriculum
• Portland State University graduate credits (5-quarter / 3-semester)
• $250 registration fee (optional)
• Stipend opportunities available
• NOTE: 20 NP teachers completed the course last summer; 10 more will be finished in May.

Option #2: Intel^® Teach Thinking with Technology

• August 6 - 9
• 4 classes (6 hours each)
• Create a unit using online visual learning tools (concept mapping, visual ranking, etc.)
• Portland State University graduate credits (5-quarter / 3-semester)
• $250 registration fee (optional)
• Stipends provided through EETT grant
• NOTE: Be part of the first NP cohort to complete this intermediate-level course.

For more information, attend one of the question and answer meetings:

• Middle School: Media Center, April 10, 7:15 - 7:25 am
• High School: Faculty Meeting, April 11, 7:05 am

South of the River Learning Academy (SORLA)

In addition to the technology integration courses offered this summer, New Prague Area Schools also participates in the South of the River Learning Academy (SORLA).

What: Top-Quality Professional Development for Pre-K-12 Educators
When: June 18-21
Where: Century Middle School in Lakeville
Interest: Math, Reading, Mental Health, Technology, Writing and more...
Cost: $35 per session, graduate credit optional available

• Great Lunches
• CEUs for license renewal
• Graduate Credit for lane change
• Presenters from all over MN and a few from New Prague...Shawn Brandt, Kelly Behrendt, Barb and Stefan Kavan, MaryKay Proshek, and Pat Beckius

Check lounges and mailbox areas around your buildings for brochures or go right on the SORLA website.

Questions? Call... Colleen Cardenuto at ext. 1740

PowerPoint with Purpose

PowerPoint can be an effective presentation aid, when used properly. The technology alone though does not guarantee success. If you have ever assigned students to a PowerPoint project, you have probably sat through a number of presentations like this...

Students, as well as teachers, can get wrapped-up in the "bells and whistles" of PowerPoint. Can you remember when you learned how to change the background, insert a picture, and add animation with sounds? The tools can be fun, but we have to teach students to use them to enhance the content, not create distractions. There are a number of books, articles, and websites that offer suggestions for creating PowerPoints with purpose. Here are some of the guidelines I have found useful:

• Plan and outline the content before you touch PowerPoint
• The "80/20 Rule" - 80% of your time on content research, 20% on PowerPoint
• The "6 x 6 Rule" - no more than 6 bullets, no more than 6 words per bullet
• The "10/20/30 Rule" - no more than 10 slides presented in less than 20 minutes with at least 30 pt. text
• Light background with dark text -or- dark background with light text
• Keep it simple - dissolve/fade transitions, animation only when used to enhance the message, no more than 2, easy to read fonts in the entire presentation
• Cite your sources - under an image, after a quote, and on the last slide for research

It is not always easy to follow these guidelines, but they will help focus the attention on the content of the presentation, rather than the technology itself. Teach your students to ask these two questions:

• How does this slide help my audience understand the information better than hearing it alone?
• Does the slide enhance the content or cause distractions?

With these tips and techniques you and your students will be on your way to making PowerPoints with purpose!

Ten Tips: Use Your TeacherWeb® Effectively & Efficiently

Managing a website can be time consuming. Use these 10 strategies to help you work smarter not harder...

1. Approach your web content from a student and parent’s point of view. What information would be important? – contact information, class schedule, syllabus, unit summaries, resources for major projects, homework, due dates, important handouts, etc.
2. Use the “News Flash” feature to communicate updates with students and parents automatically.
3. Provide a link to Family Access.
4. Upload handouts… only when necessary. It takes time to post handouts online. If you are printing handouts for the entire class, it may not be worth your time and effort. Extra credit handouts are great to have online as students can access the printouts when needed.
5. Stop writing long web site addresses on the marker board – hyperlink the web addresses directly from your class “Links” page.
6. Students and parents love seeing class activities, student projects, and field trip pictures posted online. (NOTE: Be sure all student information is removed from the displayed images and the Acceptable Use Policy has been signed by the student’s parents.)
7. Use the “All Purpose” pages if a variety of content needs to be posted, i.e. formatted text, hyperlinks, images, tables, etc.
8. If you have an online textbook, provide a link and directions for access.
9. Set a weekly, 10-minute schedule to review and update your web pages (every Monday morning for example).
10. Whether you like it or not, your web site is a reflection of you as a teacher… keep it updated, organized, and professional.