National Teacher & Champion Principal Awards

By bringing the power of cable television's 21st century technology and high-quality programming to teachers, students and parents, we strive to support the learning experience, both in the classroom and for the benefit of the communities we serve. For 18 years, they have honored teachers from coast to coast with Time Warner Cable's National Teacher Awards, and hope the winners will encourage others to follow their lead, bringing enrichment and innovation to our nation's classrooms.

This year, Time Warner Cable will recognize 15 projects for creative use of cable television resources and the winners will receive $2,000 cash and $3,000 for school technology advancement. Apply here.

The Champion Principal will receive a trip for two to the TWC National Teacher Awards gala celebration in Washington DC and $5,000 for classroom technology enhancement. Apply here.

FYI: Neo2-An Alternative to Laptops!

Conventional laptops are great for business people, but they have features some of your students may never use. NEO 2 includes everything you need for writing, keyboarding, quizzing, and giving on-the-fly assessments—all at a small fraction of the cost of a standard laptop. Learn more here.

Using Cool Websites in Education

New DVD Available for FREE!

Bold Visions: Women in Science & Technology

Bold Visions gives us a glimpse into the lives of women who are dispelling the myths commonly associated with professionals who work in the fields of science and technology by showing how engineers make a difference in our lives. Order your FREE copy now by contacting JETS at info@jets.org. Simply email JETS with the subject heading: "Bold Visions" and provide them with your name and mailing address.

Make Your Wireless Wishes Come True!

CDW-Government, a technology consulting firm, and Discovery Education, a provider of digital eduction content, have announced their annual Win a Wireless Lab sweepstakes. The labs include 20 computers, a projector, a printer, wireless access points, a mobile cart and more. Five grand-prize winners will receive a lab an interactive whiteboard or a video projector; 10 second-prize winners will receive a notebook computer; and five third-prize winners will also receive digital camcorders. Applicants will also be entered into a random monthly drawing with a chance to win a whiteboard for their classroom. School teachers, administrators, school and district technology specialists can apply. DEADLINE: May 1

Visit: http://cdwg.discoveryeducation.com/

How SMART Boards Can Help Create Podcasts with Your Students

An easy and effective way to teach podcasting techniques is with a Smart Board from Smart Technologies, which allows the teacher to project images but also acts as a touch screen. the whole class can observe as their peer uses the SMART Board. Instead of working with a mouse, the student is pressing the screen and it's activating. Then they can hold it down and drag and move files around very easily. Using the SMART Board is a great way to get younger students engaged in the computer aspects of podcasting.

Podcasting Basics: Simple Steps for Introducing Podcasting into Your K-8 Class

Getting started with podcasting in your class doesn't have to be a complex undertaking. The software you need is free and the required hardware can be purchased for under $20 (use your Teacher's Choice). And you don't need to know a line of HTML. Yet the payoff--in student engagement, creativity and dedication--can amaze you. Brad Pearl, an elementary school teacher, runs the K-12 Podcast Academy that shows you exactly how to do this. Read more here. Share how you use Podcasts in your school.

SAVE THE DATE! March 18, 2008 -Destination: NYC 2010

Did you think the "Preparing Students for the 21st Century" Conference was enlightening? You must continue to travel with us on the Roadmap to the 21st Century School to the third stop, Digital Documentaries: Engaging Students in Authentic Learning Experiences on Tuesday, March 18, 2008 from 8:30-11:30AM or 12:30-3:30PM. The travel guide, Marco Torres, will focus on the Technical Skill Track of Filmmaking. Register for the AM Session: http://tinyurl.com/2uhr38 or PM Session: http://tinyurl.com/2fhn7n Register before these sessions closeout!

FYI: Kidspiration 3 Adds Visual Math Tools

Education developer Inspiration Software this week released an update to Kidspiration, a K-5 visual learning software suite. The new version 3.0 adds five new tools focused around math comprehension. These include Fraction Boxes, a dynamic fraction-building tool; Fraction Tiles for comparing and ordering fractions; Base Ten Blocks, which are designed to help enforce an understanding of place values; Pattern Blocks for exploring geometric shapes and their attributes; and Color Tiles for counting and developing computational strategies.

Other new features include:

• Word Guide for vocabulary development and reading comprehension, which includes audio pronunciations and definitions for about 13,000 words;
• Enhanced audio support, including the ability to record instructions in languages other than English for ELL and ASL students;
• A new Listen tool that uses text to speech to read passages aloud;
• Support for higher-resolution monitors with a larger visual workspace; and
• Vista support.

A free trial of Kidspiration 3 can be downloaded here.

"What's Hot and What's Not" Literacy Digital Resources

International Reading Association has published their annual spring list of "What's Hot and What's Not" in literacy education. These digital resources may be helpful to Literacy Coaches:

1. Scholastic has compiled a Resource Round-Up for teachers designing author studies, with comprehensive links to materials throughout their site and beyond:
   http://content.scholastic.com/browse/article.jsp?id=2754
2. Reading Rockets has video and audio interviews with many authors who are elementary school favorites at this link: http://www.readingrockets.org/podcasts/authors
3. The Library of Congress has compiled a remarkable collection of poetry audio and video resources on the web. It includes many broadcasts not readily accessible through search engines: http://www.loc.gov/rr/program/bib/webcasts/index.html
4. The November Learning site has a nifty guide available for download,"Writing Winning Grants." The author, Alan November, notes that just the process of sitting down together and coming up with common goals can unify a community. The 22-page guide includes prompts, templates, and worksheets to take you step-by-step through grant writing skills. http://novemberlearning.com/images/stories/Documents/winninggrants.pdf
5. Thirteen, the web-based resource of WNET in New York, has a free online self-paced assessment course on the "backwards planning" model of curriculum development, featuring Heidi Hayes Jacobs. This is all part of their "Concept to Classroom" series of free multimedia professional development offerings: http://www.thirteen.org/edonline/concept2class/assessment/index.html
6. Did you know there is a foundation dedicated to building community involvement in the launch of the school year? If you haven't been able to muster enthusiasm yet for the start of the year, visit this site and you'll find their cheerfulness is contagious. The First Day Foundation, based in Vermont, has free planning kits, as well as suggestions for first day celebrations that range from simple to elaborate: http://www.firstday.org/
7. The Institute for Summer Learning at Johns Hopkins has a wealth of materials on their website, including an event planning kit for National Summer Learning Day, which takes place in mid-July: http://www.summerlearning.org/index.php
   

CONFERENCE SHAREOUT: Preparing Students for the 21st Century

Alan November:
Spoke at length at the idea that our students don’t know technology – They instant message, email, cell phone but have very little knowledge about how technology works, specifically search engine. This needs to be taught similar to any other subject with teach.

Teenage work together – networking. We need to harness their natural collaboration to create resources. This will empower them while teaching them research skills, they can become contributors and mentors. Alan explored a site called Jing for sharing and collaboration. http://www.jingproject.com/
Spoke about the need of students and teacher to understand how search engines work. Kids get distracted online.

Asked Why Wikipedia is among top searches?
The Wikipedia address. Whenever a new article is added another link to the Wikipedia site is added. Currently there are 800,000 links to Wikipedia. Google is like a popularity contest. The more links you have to your site, the more popular you become.
Once you know understand how search engines work you understand how information can be manipulated.
Explored the Google Customized search engine. You can handpick the sites that will be available for research. You can find it under more in Google.

Alan’s site is: http://www.novemberlearning.com/


Will Richardson
http://willrichardson.wikispaces.com/
His presentation is up on this Wiki.

Will spoke about change. How politics is changing by technology, he gave an example of Obama’s online fundraising.
Spoke about how the media is changing and today every person can become a reporter. Will gave an example from the New York Post – every one can comment. He argued that journalism is shifting. 75% of the sources the media is using come from the web.
He spoke about music and how technology has changed the industry.

The key question: How do we compete in this world?

The old model is not working.
Young adults use technology differently. They use technology to communicate. They look at privacy differently. Students come to school and we tell them not to use what they are using on a daily basis. Will argues we are teaching students the wrong skills. Students are being punished for using tools that can support and promote their learning.

Explore his blog: http://weblogg-ed.com/

Preparing our Students for the 21st Century Conference

The Bronx office of Instructional Technology is offering a unique opportunity for Administrators, Instructional Technology Specialists, Literacy and Math Coaches to participate in a one-day conference focused on Preparing our Students for the 21st Century. Internationally renowned educational consultants and keynote speakers: Alan November (www.novemberlearning.com) and Will Richardson (http://weblogg-ed) will present their big ideas, pose thought provoking questions and leave the audience with a resurgence of enthusiasm and inspiration.

This one-day conference will take place in lieu of all previously scheduled March School Technology Liaison Meetings for the Bronx. Go to Protraxx for more details: https://www.protraxx.com/scripts/ezcatalogny/ViewClass.aspx?ID=118932&CustomerID=77

Empowered Education Digital Video Contest

"Empowered Education" awards is a video program of the eSchool News Network, produced with support from the Pearson Foundation.

Here are some of the program's highlights for the winners:
• a trip to the nation's capital for a gala awards ceremony
• recognition and prizes for winning students and their schools
• an international showcase for students' work
• a chance to meet senators, representatives, and other key officials
• news releases to the hometown news media.

To qualify, students make a three-to-five minute original video on the theme of "How Technology Helps Me Learn." Winning entries will be those produced by students in the best journalistic style, illustrating how their schools or colleges are employing technology to advance learning.

Deadline: April 30, 2008

Competition Overview

Rules and Regulations

FYI "Film Your Issue!"

Are you passionate about improving our educational system? ED in '08 needs ambitious individuals to make short videos about the education crisis and enter them into their contest.

The campaign has partnered with Film Your Issue, an outreach to young Americans to engage them in the public dialogue about the important issues of our time.

The basic rules are simple: Make a short film, 2 minutes or less, that gets the message out about the current crisis in education. As our nation falls further and further behind on the international stage, what can the candidates do to lead change? Enter now. Official rules.

The best answer wins a $5,000 scholarship. The deadline is April 14, 2008.

Adobe 2008 School Innovation Awards

Adobe Systems Incorporated is seeking entries for the Adobe School Innovation Awards developed to recognize the creative and innovative work of high school students.

The program theme is My Community – My Planet – My 21st Century. Students can submit entries in three categories: Web Design and Development, Film and Video, and Graphic and Print Design. Winners will be named in each category. One grand prize will be awarded for the best overall submission. Submissions will be accepted through May 12, 2008. Winners will be announced in June at the National Educational Computing Conference (NECC) in San Antonio, TX. Category winners will receive $1,500, a Lenovo laptop and a copy of Creative Suite 3 Master Collection. The grand prize winner will be invited to attend NECC and will receive round-trip airfare and hotel accommodations for two.

Submit entries online at www.adobe.com/education/solutions/k12/awards/index.html.

Webcast-Cooperative Arithmetic: How to Teach Math As A Social Activity

A master teacher in Anchorage, Alaska, establishes a cooperative-learning environment in an upper-elementary classroom. View this informative webcast at: http://www.edutopia.org/math-social-activity-sel-video

PodCampNYC 2.0

PodCampNYC, the popular annual “unconference,” has partnered with the Mayor’s Office of Film, Theatre and Broadcasting to produce a festival entitled “The Future of Media and Education.” Educators and students are encouraged to produce and submit short videos about how developments in media and technology will change schools in the future. Submissions will be featured online at video sharing site Dailymotion and at PodCampNYC on Friday, April 26th and Saturday, April 27th at Brooklyn’s Polytechnic University.

For more information, go to: http://www.dailymotion.com/group/TheFutureOfMediaAndEducation

FYI: Inspiration Launches Kidspiration 3

Inspiration Software has announced the launch of Kidspiration 3. The newest version of Inspiration’s visual learning software supports students in kindergarten through fifth grade as they think creatively and organize ideas to write, comprehend, and communicate successfully.

Kidspiration 3 extends the principles of visual learning to mathematics with five new visual math tools. Combining the hands-on learning power of manipulatives with the benefits of technology, students will use Kidspiration to build problem-solving and reasoning skills in the core skills areas of counting, place value, computation, and geometric thinking. The new visual math tools in Kidspiration address the National Council for Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) Curriculum Focal Points for Grades K-5, including numbers and operations, measurement, algebra, and two-dimensional geometry.

Kidspiration users who purchased their software after Dec. 1, 2007, are eligible for a complimentary upgrade.

For a free 30-day trial of Kidspiration 3, visit www.inspiration.com/freetrial.

FYI: Guess What, Moodle Users?

Elluminate, Inc. , a provider of live elearning and web collaboration tools, has announced the release of Elluminate Bridge for Moodle, which integrates the Elluminate Live! virtual classroom environment with the Moodle open-source course management system.

Elluminate Bridge for Moodle enables academic institutions using Moodle open-source technology to easily add synchronous distance learning and collaboration into coursework. Instructors can schedule, deliver, and record classes using Elluminate Live! – an Internet-based, real-time elearning tool that includes voice over the Internet, shared whiteboards, chat, breakout rooms, application sharing, import capabilities with PowerPoint presentation software, and more. For more information, visit http://www.elluminate.com/moodle_course_management_system.jsp

In addition, Elluminate is offering any K-12 academic institution free, unlimited access of Elluminate Live! Lite Edition for one year. The product, which features full-duplex audio, shared whiteboard, public/private chat, math symbol library, graphing calculator, and advanced moderator tools, adds live interaction and collaboration to coursework and can be easily upgraded to the full functionality of Elluminate Live! Academic Edition. Elluminate Bridge for Moodle is included in the free offer. For more information, visit http://www.elluminate.com/k12.

GRANT ALERT: Mathematics Education Trust

About Mathematics Education Trust
Supporting Teachers...
Reaching Students...
Building Futures

MET provides funds to support classroom teachers in the areas of improving classroom practices and increasing teachers' mathematical knowledge. Perhaps this could be your opportunity to write a grant that embeds instructional technology into your mathematics curriculum. For all mathematics grant opportunities, go to:

FYI: SMART Launches a New SMART Document Camera

So what's a document camera? A document camera enables teachers to display detailed images and video of any physical object and instantly incorporate that material into digital lessons using a projector. The SMART document camera enables teachers to perform these functions and facilitate lessons using the SMART Board interactive whiteboard and Notebook collaborative learning software. The SMART document camera enables users to zoom in or out on an image, write over images, and capture still images directly into Notebook software or any software application.

Many NYCDOE schools have SMART Boards for presentations, but users can interact with objects placed under the document camera. A student presenter could dissect a frog for the entire class to see and capture the project as an image or video to add to a Notebook file on frog dissection. The teacher could then use the interactive whiteboard to access a web site and review additional information about dissection, adding it to the Notebook file.

The SMART document camera begins shipping in spring 2008.

For more details, visit SMART Technologies at: www.smarttech.com.

Digital Resources for National Women's History Month

National Women's History Month has its roots in a March 8, 1857, protest against low wages and harsh working conditions launched by female garment and textile factory workers in New York City. Although there had been increased concern about the lack of representation of women in history throughout the 20th century, it was not until 1981 that Congress established National Women's History week, the second week in March, coinciding with International Women's Day (March 8). In 1987 National Women's History Week was expanded to a month-long observance. Since then, every year Congress passes a resolution for Women's History Month along with a proclamation from the President.

The AFT has developed a Web page to help teachers celebrate the month in their classrooms. See www.aft.org/tools4teachers/women/.