Cool Tech Tool: Gizmos

The Mimio is called an interactive whiteboard for a reason... it's meant to be interactive. The ability to capture notes, manipulate objects, and use the whiteboard as a mouse is great; the engaging part for students is using the Mimio to interact with the presented content. Wouldn't it be great if there was a website filled with interactive activities? If you are a 6-12 math or science teacher, you're in luck. The ExploreLearning website has created a variety of interactive "Gizmos" to help students visualize math and science concepts.

Mathematics

• Grade 6-8
  • Number & operations
  • Algebra
  • Geometry
  • Measurement
  • Data analysis & probability
• Grade 9-12
  • Number & operations
  • Algebra
  • Geometry
  • Measurement
  • Data analysis & probability

Science

• Grade 6-8
  • Earth and space science
  • Life science
  • Physical science
• Grade 9-12
  • Earth and space science
  • Biology
  • Chemistry
  • Physics

The Gizmos can be used on individual computers or displayed to an entire class with a LCD projector. Combine these activities with a Mimio and you'll have students interacting with concepts you never thought possible. Take a look at the demonstration activities... like what you see? Click the *Free Trial button in the upper-left corner; this will give you a 30-day free trial to the Gizmos. Contact me if you think this would be a useful tool for you and your students.

Web 2.0 - Part VI: Podcasting

This is the eighth issue of the Teaching with Technology newsletter and yes, I have more to share about web 2.0... podcasting. As mentioned in the previous newsletters, web 2.0 is about the Internet shifting from content that is "read only" to a format that allows users to contribute to the medium. Podcasting is like blogging with audio files. Users create "radio-style" shows that are "broadcast" on the Internet. People podcast about a variety of topics including hobbies, careers, interests, and areas of expertise. For educators, this means people are podcasting about history, poems, science, technology, fitness, world languages... the list is endless... and free! Teachers are using podcasts to learn and share best practices; their students are creating podcasts to demonstrate knowledge of the learning objectives.

Many people are confused by the term, podcast. The list below gives answers to some of the frequently asked questions:

Do I need an iPod to listen to a podcast?
No, you can listen to podcasts directly on your computer, any mp3 player, OR an iPod.

Where do I find podcasts?
I think the easiest way to start is iTunes. With this free program you can search, stream, download, and subscribe to podcasts. There are a number of large podcast directories such as Yahoo! Podcasts, Podcast.com, and Odeo. Education specific directories include EPN (Education Podcast Network), OpenCulture, UC Berkley, NPR Podcasts, and Apple Learning Exchange.

What does it mean to subscribe to a podcast and how do I do it?
Some podcasts are posted weekly or even daily, but most podcasters create episodes when they have time. Services like iTunes allow listeners to easily subscribe to their favorite programs in one location. When new episodes are posted, iTunes automatically imports the selected programs.

How do I create a podcast?
Creating a podcast is easier than you might think. Typically, all you need is a computer, recording software, a microphone, and a hosting service. You can even create a podcast using any telephone. The most popular recording software is Audacity (free download), an entry-level microphone can be purchased for about $10, and hosting services can be found for free. After testing several, my favorite is Gcast.

I've posted my first podcast in the upper-right sidebar. Click the "Gcast" play button and let me know what you think.

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 Review Games

The March 12th Staff Workshop day was a busy one... Posting second trimester grades, preparing for third trimester, coaches meeting, Gifted and Talented presentation, and technology sessions that included Study Island (Middle School MCA prep), Project-Based Learning with Publisher, and PowerPoint Review Games. A number of teachers have asked me for the information from the review games presentation because they were unable to attend. I've listed some of the review game highlights below and a link to the Tip Sheet:

• Enter 30 questions/answers on one Excel spreadsheet
  
• Select a review game format (Jeopardy or Baseball)
  
• The PowerPoint review game will automatically import your questions/answers
  
• Create a review game today (Tip Sheet)
  

The biggest advantage to these review games is the ability to type the questions/answers one time only... without having to deal with all the different PowerPoint slides. Eventually, I would like to have 6-8 games for teachers and students to choose from. If you have suggestions for a review game idea or how to improve one of the current games, please feel free to contact me.