Complementary Webinar Sponsored by SMART Technologies

"Engage your students with classroom management software"

Learn how you can use classroom management software to create an interactive environment for your students and actively engage them in the learning process. At the end of this complimentary webinar, you'll understand how classroom management software can help do the following:

• Improve student focus, comprehension and participation
• Give you better ROI from an integrated IT system, making it secure and easy to maintain
• Provide an easy-to-use tool that lets teachers do what they love to do: teach

You'll spend 45 minutes with Leslie Wilson, president of the One-to-One Institute, along with the director of technology of The John Carroll School, Greg Russell. Together, they will examine the challenges that today's schools face and explore how classroom management software can help improve student outcomes.

Register now for this February 11 event, 4PM Eastern.

FYI: Announcing the Release of Frames 4!

Frames 4 makes it easier than ever for students to share their ideas and understanding using stop-motion and clay animation, capture processes using time-lapse, and employ digital storytelling techniques to communicate with the world.

With Frames 4 student can:

• Create Amazing Illustrations
• Import Images from a Digital Camera
• Connect your digital camera for direct access to your pictures from the Library tab.
• Use New Digital Storytelling Features
• Frames 4 works in English, French, and Spanish! Choose a language or allow Frames to use the default language for your computer.
• Export to Adobe Flash®

Visit their website, read about the new features, download an evaluation version, and find upgrade pricing.

Attend a Transformational Technology Seminar and win a 21st Century Classroom Kit

CDW-G and PolyVision are sponsoring a "Transformational Technology Seminar" on Thursday, February 5, 2009 from 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm at the Steelcase/PolyVision Showroom located at 4 Columbus Circle, 8th floor terrace, New York, NY 10019. Attend and learn about the ‘best in class’ classroom solutions and add excitement to today’s 21st century classroom! The Seminar will featuring the following:

• eno - PolyVision’s next generation interactive whiteboard
• RM educational software tools and resources
• Qwizdom student response systems
• Avermedia document cameras/network sharing
• Mitsubishi Short throw projectors

Agenda:
4:00 pm – 4:30 pm
Welcome - refreshments served

4:30 pm – 6:15 pm
Hands-on demo sessions

PolyVision, RM and Qwizdom
6:15 pm – 7:00 pm

Refreshments on the terrace

For more information contact Deborah Mason at d.mason@rmeducation.com or to register by phone, find out more information or prefer to have a district on-site presentation please contact me at 1-866-728-6758 ext. 15.

FYI: Tabula Digita Bumps DimesionM Games to Version 2.0

Tabula Digita has launched a new version of its multiplayer, immersive educational video game, DimensionM Multiplayer 2.0. The latest release, introduced earlier this month, offers expanded curriculum content and offers instructional activities covering more than 200 math skills for students in grades 3 through 12.

Tabula's DimensionM incorporates algebra and pre-algebra lessons into a 3D environment in which players carry out missions (lessons) in multi-player tournament-style games. Players face mathematical obstacles, which, when solved, allow them to advance and score points. Tabula Digita said the new version 2.0 features "vastly expanded" content presented through "immersive, action-packed simulations." Some of the new features include:

• Support for student-created avatars;
• In-game reports on performance and mastery of concepts; and
• New communication and collaboration features.
• DimensionM Multiplayer 2.0 is is aligned with New York State standards and correlates with the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics.
  

All schools and students participating in the NYCDOE Citywide Initiative will still have access to the original Evolver Multiplayer game, but will now have this to more thoroughly integrate the immersive and engaging gaming approach into the classroom. The new software and one Curriculum Content Pack will be available to all schools that have purchased licenses for Evolver Multiplayer.

For more information on Tabula Digita's DimensionM gaves visit www.DimensionM.com. For more information on the NYCDOE's Tabula Digita Citywide Initiative visit NYCDOE Technical Learning Solutions.

AASL Collaborative School Library Media Award

Established in 2000, the $2,500 AASL Collaborative School Library Media Award recognizes and encourages collaboration and partnerships between school library media specialists and teachers in meeting goals outlined in Information Power: Building Partnerships for Learning through joint planning of a program, unit or event in support of the curriculum and using media center resources. The deadline if February 2, 2009.

Download the 2009 application

$2,500 to $10,000 for teachers sponsored by the Jordan Fundamentals Grant Program

The Jordan Fundamentals Grant Program was born out of my firm belief that education is the key to opportunity and to building commitment among students to the core values which foster personal excellence and achievement. These grants are given to support teachers and provide access to additional resources. Your school may be eligible for the Jordan Fundamentals Grant Program. For information about the program, including eligibility requirements, please visit: www.jordanfundamentals.com. The program is presented by the Jordan Brand, a division of Nike, Inc. and administered by Compass Consulting.

• Innovation Grants: Grants averaging $2500 will be awarded to individual teachers for projects that will impact classroom innovation and improve instruction.
• Inspiration Grants: Winners of Innovation Grants may apply for an Inspiration Grant. Grants totaling $10,000 will be awarded to teams of teachers in support of scaling-up implementation of approaches developed with Innovation Grants.

The application deadline has been extended to April 15.

Apply NOW!!

Teachers! What could you do with a $5,000 or a $10,000 grant for your classroom?

The A+ for Energy program was developed by BP to recognize teachers for innovation and excellence in teaching energy and/or energy conservation in the classroom. PreK-12 teachers in an eligible U.S. location, who are currently teaching in a public or private, accredited or licensed school are encouraged to apply. BP will award up to $4 million in grants and scholarships to fund innovative classroom, after-school, extra-curricular, or summer projects focused on energy and/or energy conservation aligned with the application criteria. Grants of $5,000 or $10,000 will be awarded directly to teachers, reflecting the budget request submitted with their application.

ALL ELIGIBLE TEACHERS can apply online at the A+ for Energy website. Applications for the 2009 program will be accepted now through March 9, 2009. Click here for more information.

2009 Adobe School Innovation Awards

The stage is set for high school students who have unique stories to tell about their world. The 2009 Adobe School Innovation Awards will honor the most innovative print, web, and video projects created with Adobe software.

Students can win valuable Adobe software — and an exciting awards ceremony will take place in the Best-of-Best Winner's own community. The winner will receive an award of Adobe® Creative Suite® 4 Master Collection software for use on up to 30 seats in a lab at the student's school (or home school). Students should start preparing their entries today.

The theme of the competition is The World is Your Stage. High school students (ages 14 to 19) can submit entries in three categories: Web Design and Development, Film and Video, and Graphic and Print Design. Category winners and finalists will be chosen, as well as the Best-of-Best Winner for the top overall submission.

The deadline for submissions is May 8, 2009, at 5pm (Pacific Time). Winners will be announced at the National Educational Computing Conference (NECC) in June in Washington, D.C.

Register now >

Download the 2009 Adobe School Innovation Awards flyer

Enter to Win the 2009 Schools of Distinction Awards!

Does your school demonstrate excellence in math and science?

The yearly Intel Schools of Distinction Awards recognize U.S. schools that demonstrate 21st century teaching and learning environments and implement innovative, replicable programs that inspire their students to excel in the areas of math and science.

Who Wins?

• Two categories: Math and Science
• 18 Finalists: 3 each in grade group: K-5, 6-8, and 9-12
• 6 Winners
• 1 Star Innovator for 2009 (one school selected from the 6 winners)

Awards:

• Winners receive $10,000 each from the Intel Foundation and more than $100,000 in products and services from the program award sponsors.
• The Star Innovator for 2009 receives an additional $15,000 cash grant from the Intel Foundation as well as additional services and products from the award sponsors.

Apply now for the Intel Schools of Distinction Awards
before February 17, 2009!

Free Educator Open House February 11th @ The Skyscrapter Museum

The Skyscraper Museum invites
New York City Educators to a
FREE EDUCATOR OPEN HOUSE
Tuesday, February 10th
4 – 5:30 PM, Remarks at 4:30 PM
Light refreshments will be served

All attendees enjoy $35 off a scheduled class visit!
(However, you must RSVP by calling 212-945-6324 or by
email to education@skyscraper.org.)

The Skyscraper Museum invites New York City educators to the gallery to view the current exhibition, Vertical Cities: Hong Kong | New York and to learn more about our educational offerings including:

+ IMAGE-BASED tours for your students

+ FREE classroom resource, the TOWER TUBE, including 14 enlarged images from the Museum's collection and a comprehensive Tower Tube User Guide.
To register, visit www.skyscraper.org/towertube

+ ACCESS to over 2000 historical images of New York

Please RSVP to 212-945-6324 or by email to
education@skyscraper.org

Directions: www.skyscraper.org

The Inauguration: A TeqSmart file for use with SMART Notebook

The folkes at Tequipment have put together a great file for use in exploring the day's events. It is available free for download in their Educator Resource Center (you must register for the site - also free). It is in the DOWNLOADS section under Social Studies - Middle School or, if you are already a member, just click here to be taken directly to the file.

Announcing Connect! Tech4Learning's Social Network

The Tech4Learning team is constantly amazed, inspired, and awed by the work students and teachers are doing with our tools. To help foster this creative energy and share these great ideas, they have created their own social network at connect.tech4learning.com!

Connect is a place where educators can ask questions, raise issues, and share the fabulous projects their students are building with Tech4Learning tools.

Connect gives you a place to reach out to educators around the world who, like you, are teaching our 21st-century students.

To join this network and begin connecting with other educators blending technology, creativity, and curriculum, visit:

http://connect.tech4learning.com

They look forward to connecting with you!

Tech4Learning's Spring 2009 Webinar Schedule

Join a Tech4Learning Webinar!
The spring 2009 webinars are designed to help you consider purchasing or begin implementing Tech4Learning tools.

Use the Webinars to:

• Explore ideas for curriculum connections
• Get an overview of software features
• Learn strategies for successful implementation
• Discuss resources and lessons plans
• Learn strategies for engaging your students
• Visit http://tech4learning.webex.com to learn more, explore upcoming webinars, and register for the one that meets your needs.

Upcoming Webinars in 2009:

• January 14: Curriculum Standards with Frames 4
• January 20: Literature Connections with Linda Oaks
• January 21: WebBlender Across the Curriculum
• January 28: Address Early Literacy with Pixie
• February 11: Valentine's Day Lessons with Pixie
• February 18: Digital Storytelling with Frames 4
• February 19: Visual Literacy and Content Standards
• February 25: Adding Creativity to your Curriculum
• March 4: Using Pixie with a Whiteboard
• March 11: WebBlender: Connecting Home-School
• March 18: Pixie: Creativity & Curriculum
• March 25: Meeting Standards with Frames 4

Register Today!

FREE Engineer Your Life Webinar - Feb 10 - Don't Miss it!

Are you looking for FREE resources and communication strategies to inspire girls to explore engineering? ITEA is joining forces with Engineer Your Life (EYL), a national campaign to showcase engineering as an exciting and rewarding career choice for high school girls. Join them for this 45-minute webinar and you will learn about the research behind the project and how you can encourage girls (and boys) to consider engineering by promoting it through the lens of what matters to teens. You will also hear firsthand from ITEA members about how they are using EYL to reach out to students and fellow colleagues in their schools.

www.EngineerYourLife.org

To register, go to: https://wgbh.webex.com/wgbh/onstage/g.php?t=a&d=667134988 (event password is Itea2009)

WHO:
High School Teachers of Science, Engineering, Math and Technology

WHEN:
Tuesday Feb 10, 2009
4:00 pm EST, 1:00 pm PST

WHERE:
Your Computer

HOSTED BY:
WGBH and ITEA

Congratulations to the 20 Teams that placed in the US FIRST Lego Robotics Bronx Qualifier Tournament

Congratulations to the Teams Participating and the US FIRST Lego Robotics Bronx Qualifier Tournament. We will see you at the Javits Center in March!

Awards

Research/Project

• 1st Place Team#6368 PS153X
• 2nd Place Team#7780 IS 125X Henry Hudson
• 3rd Place Team#5909 PS 123X
• 4th Place Team#1636 ESMT IS 190X

Robot Design

• 1st Place Team#523 PS/MS 194
• 2nd Place Team#1739
• 3rd Place Team#2656 IS 98X Herman Ridder
• 4th Place Team#2266 PS 76X The Bennington School

Teamwork

• 1st Place Team#109 PS/IS 123X
• 2nd Place Team#1739 Kezner Academy @ IS 192X
• 3rd Place Team#901 MS101X Maritime Academy

Performance

• 1st Place Team#2656 IS 98X Herman Ridder
• 2nd Place Team# 5909 PS 103X
• 3rd Place Team#1636 ESMT IS 190X
• 4th Place Team#6182 Archimides Academy
• 5th Place Team#895 Bronx Latin MS

Champions/Director

• 1st Place Team#6182 Archimedes Academy
• 2nd Place Team#5910 PS103X
• 3rd Place Team#584 Pablo Casals MS 181X

Judges Award

• Team# 6388 MS144x Michaelangelo MS

The teams below did not receive trophies, but they are eligible to compete in the NYC FLL Citywide Event.

• Team# 7509 PS 108X Philip J. Abinanti School
• Team# 2545 272X Globe School of Environmental Research
• Team# 1172 MS 302X
• Team# 853 PS 121X

Electronic Music Composers Competition for High School Students

The Music Technology program of the Music Department, Northeastern University, Boston is pleased to announce an electronic-music composition contest for high school composers from the Northeast. The first prize will be a cash award of $250 and a performance of the winning work on a public concert at Northeastern in Boston in Spring, 2009. The second place winner will receive an award of $100 and a public performance of their work. Both winners will also receive a free copy of Cakewalk's Sonar 8 Producer Edition and Garritan's Personal Orchestra sample library. The music departments of both winners will also receive a copy of both programs. Additional awards will be given at the judges' discretion.

For more information, click here.

CDW-G Win a Wireless Lab Sweepstakes

Think about how The 21st Century Classroom - interactive whiteboard, notebook computers, wireless cart, projector, printer and document camera - could extend your teaching power.

Enter now for your chance to win one of five Grand Prize packages including a 21st Century Classroom and a $5000 digital media grant from Discovery Education. Plus, over 25 additional technology prizes!

Share Your Classroom-Management Tricks of the Trade with Edutopia!

Edutopia.org wants to hear from you about your favorite classroom-management tricks. Watch the Edutopia example.

Create a video with a classroom-management trick you'd like to share with other teachers and submit it by January 15, 2009, and they'll publish their favorites on Edutopia.org.

Click here for more information.

Request Live Internet Video Stream of Inauguration

The DOE has partnered with ABC News to provide schools with a live Internet video stream of the presidential inauguration on January 20. The ideal location for viewing the broadcast is an auditorium, cafeteria, or large library with projection capabilities (including a laptop or computer with an Internet connection).

If you are interested in taking advantage of this service, please e-mail your borough technology manager (click here to see the list) by this Friday, January 9. The subject of your e-mail should be “INAUGURATION.” Your borough technology manager will contact your to schedule a visit by a technician who will assess your school’s capability to access the video stream. Technicians will work with your staff to set up and test the necessary equipment. If your school has limited technology resources or no large viewing space, the technician will explore possible alternative solutions (e.g., utilizing existing cable television service).

Announcing the 2008-2009 Inspired Visual Learning Awards

Win Technology For Innovative Use of Visual Learning in the Classroom

Hurry! The deadline approaches for the 2008-2009 Visual Learning Awards!

This year, more than $22,000 in cash and technology prizes will be awarded to 15 educators and their students who are creatively using visual learning in their classrooms.




Award prizes include:

• Volume licenses of Inspiration, Kidspiration or InspireData
• A new Intel-powered Classmate PC donated by Intel Corporation
• A 6-month Atomic Learning
• training resource subscription, donated by Atomic Learning

Apply today! Applications are being accepted until February 27, 2009.