Video: Web Search Strategies in Plain English by The Common Craft Show

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NYCDOE Software Expo & Showcase

Great news! The NYCDOE Division of Contracts and Purchasing (DCP) and the Office of Instructional Technology (OIT) announce steep discounts off list price on award winning instructional software that will be available for purchase September 2, 2008.

On Monday, October 6 and Tuesday, October 7, 2008, the NYC Department of Education is hosting a Technical Learning Solutions Software Exposition for Principals, Teachers, Coaches, and Decision Makers for software facts, demos, best practices, breakout sessions, speakers and more!

When:
Half day sessions offered Monday, October 6th & Tuesday, October 7th
8:30 AM–12:00 PM or 1:30 PM–5:00 PM

NYCDOE Selected Software Titles Include:
• Orchard & Practice Planet by Siboney
• Destination Math & Reading by Houghton Mifflin
• Rosetta Stone
• Waterford Early Learning by Pearson
• Gizmos by ExploreLearning
• Raz-Kids by Learning A-Z
• Encyclopedia Britannica
• Earobics by Houghton Mifflin
• Dimension M by Tabula Digita
• Atomic Learning
• Virtual Science Lab by Pearson

To Register, visit http://www.learningtimes.net/nycdoeshowcase/register

School Alert: Apply for Renzulli Learning Differentiated Instruction Program

The Office of Instructional Technology is pleased to announce the Renzulli Learning Differentiated Instruction Online Learning Program. Renzulli Learning is a tool for engaging students that helps teachers differentiate instruction through individualized resources tailored to students' interests and learning styles. Participating schools will receive a subsidized site license to Renzulli Learning, professional development, and more.

For more information and to apply, visit http://tinyurl.com/6kepra. Applications will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis with priority given to middle schools.

If your school is interested in applying, please note that your administration should designate a Renzulli School Site Manager (RSSM). The designated RSSM can sign up for the Renzulli School Site Manager class at http://pd.nycoit.org under department "Instructional Technology". The NYC Department of Education is providing a subsidy for this program so that interested schools can enroll at a reduced cost of $700, which is payable through FAMIS.

You could win an Interactive Classroom Makeover!!!

Make a music video with your class that shows how amazing it would be to have a technology-fueled classroom. You could win an Interactive Classroom makeover worth over $25,000.

Grab your video camera, tune up your instruments or just SING! Send us your video, a panel of judges will choose one winner from grades K-5, 6-8 and 9-12 will be chosen from the entries.

Start your video today! The contest ends on October 24. Click here for more information.

Discovery Educator Network Streamathon

The third annual streamathon has been scheduled for September 23, 2008, from 9 a.m. EST to 9 p.m. EST. This free, online professional development event is open to educators nationwide and is a service of Discovery Education, a division of Discovery Communications, whose networks include Discovery Channel, Animal Planet and the Science Channel. To register, click here.

KC3~Kids Creating Community Content International Contest

If you’re looking for ways to engage middle and high school students in authentic research, presentation skills and use of videoconferencing technology then you’ll want to be involved in the 2008-2009 Kids Creating Community Content (KC3) International Contest. This standards based project taps into the creative nature of students as they look at their community and explore ways to share their unique area with students from around the world. For complete details and project requirements visit: http://kc3.cilc.org

Submission Deadline October 17, 2008

Check out Reading Rockets!

If you're beginning to explore video and audio resources on the web for teachers and students, the free Video and Audio Podcasts from Reading Rockets are a terrific place to start.  Features include video and audio chats with favorite authors, as well as advice from education experts and videos of best practices from classrooms:

http://www.readingrockets.org/podcasts/