Yale joins the Open Course list

 

Cross posted from SharonsShare

Open Yale Courses provides free and open access to seven introductory courses taught by distinguished teachers and scholars at Yale University. The aim of the project is to expand access to educational materials for all who wish to learn.

This can be such a boon to those students needing more, but living in remote areas.  Technology can be the leveler to give them the challenge the need.  There are courses in Astronomy, English, Philosophy, Physics, Political Science, Psychology and Religious Studies.

Thank you Yale.

Technorati Tags: sharonbetts,Yale,opencourses

All we want for.....

We are starting the process of moving the website to a more user friendly format.

What I need from you, the users and readers, are any ideas of missing content or functionality.
This is the time to let me know what is missing. Think broadly - ask your children - How can we change this website to really meet the needs of the students, staff and community?

And what is there that is not necessary? Are there areas that could / should be removed?

Thank you for any and all input,
Sharon Betts, Educational Technology Coordinator

Quarter 1 07-08 Tech. Teacher of the Quarter

Announcing the Technology Teacher of the Quarter
Quarter 1 2007-2008

Congratulations go to Donna Storer, 6th grade teacher at Leeds Central School.
Donna has been working along with her students for the last two years to improve learning through technology. She completed the Cadre 1 course last year and is now enrolled in Cadre 2. The class website is used by all her students and parents. Her class just finished production of "old-time radio shows" around their Social Studies Curriculum (you can hear these under Intermediate podcasts)

Their latest adventure is just getting underway as they team up with other 6th grades around the US and the world to expand their cultural experiences virtually. Donna's model of "life-long learning" in technology is an example for not only her students but for all of us.

In recognition of her exemplary work, Donna will receive a digital recorder to assist in more communication experiences with her students.
Congratulations, Donna!

Is there a new computer in your future?

When computers are purchased, they are usually installed with the latest software. For Windows machines that will mean the Vista operating system and Office 2007 (Word, Excel, Power Point, etc.) This can be very exciting for everyone in the family and the students will soon be producing projects and papers using their new equipment.

What a disappointment if they arrive in school with a file or send an assignment to a teacher only to discover that it is not able to be read or printed. Why?????? Not all software programs are compatible. In MSAD#52, we have installed many Open Source programs. These software solutions are very robust and capable of supporting all the necessary objectives of our school program. Plus, they are free to install for anyone. The Office Suite being used on all student machines is Open Office. (http://www.openoffice.org/)

You are also welcome to download and install this on your new (or old) Windows home computer systems. If you do not wish to install this software, you can guarantee that your products are compatible by clicking Saving As in your word processor – and selecting Office 2000.

What other software is available for free – and being used by your students in MSAD#52?

GIMP – this is a substitute for Photoshop – http://www.gimp.org/

IrfanView – a nice photo-editor - http://www.irfanview.com/

Audacity – Sound recorder and editor - http://audacity.sourceforge.net/

Google Earth – satellite imagery, maps, terrain and 3D buildings - http://earth.google.com/

Tuxpaint - drawing program for children ages 3 to 12 - http://www.tuxpaint.org/

Gcompris - an educational software which propose different activities to children from 2 to 10 years old http://gcompris.net/-en-

If you have any questions about our software program or technology in general, please contact Sharon Betts, Educational Technology Coordinator at sbetts@msad52 or 225-4565

Listen to our Blogs and Podcasts

There is a new section on the MSAD#52 website.  Podcasts and Videos!  Take a few minutes to listen and view some items from us and from other educators around the world.

Community Input Wanted

It is again time to begin the budget process in MSAD#52.  Do you - the parents and students - have any input on  our existing technology programs or on future adoptions?

Is the technology available to  students adequate? fabulous? lacking?  Comments.

Do you feel students are mastering necessary technology skills as they move through the system?

What suggestions do you have for improving our use of technology?

email Sharon Betts, Educational Technology Coordinator with your thoughts and feedback.

November Update

The winter is approaching and teachers and students are fully involved with classes and projects.  My office is now at Tripp, and I am impressed everyday with the ubiquitous use of the MLTI laptops across the curriculum.  It is worth a visit just to walk down the halls and witness the learning.

Leavitt teachers have been switching their MSAD#52 laptops for the state MacBooks.  The transition is going smoothly due to the extensive time and work put in by the technology staff in preparing these machines.  Thank you, Jason, Lori and Randy.  This will make more units available to the students via carts.

Technology learning is continuing for teachers also.  Year long courses are being attended by 30 staff members, PowerGrade and individual topic sessions are continuously scheduled.   It is very rewarding to see the dedication of our staff in implementing these new technologies.

K12Online - let the fun begin

This is an online conference with presentations from educators around the world. Listen in (and view) some of the newest topics in Educational Technology.

(Cross posted from SharonsShare) These presentations have been published today at K12OnlineConference 2007!

Direct links to the presentation are provided.

1. CLASSROOM 2.0 KEYNOTE: “Classroom 2.0 or You Live Where?”

2. NEW TOOLS KEYNOTE: “More Than Cool Tools”

3. Classroom 2.0: “Travel Through Space and Time”

4. New Tools: “Cell Phones as Classroom Learning Tools”

This is a must attend conference - at your own time and place. Even have CEU's and college credits offered. The presenters names are a list of visionary educators.

Technorati Tags: sharonbetts,k12online07

October update

September was a very busy month getting the labs ready and the curriculum rolling. All NWEA testing has been completed and the labs will be getting back to skill and integration lessons.

At Leavitt, we have had MacBooks delivered for the teachers (as part of the state MLTI program). The laptops that these teachers are presently using will be redistributed with a large group becoming available to students.

Many staff members have registered for the technology courses being offered this year. You can read about these opportunities and consider stopping in sometime. The technology staff will be attending the MainEducational Technology Conference in Augusta this month. There are always a lot of excitement generated by this newlearning.

Did you know?

This is worth thinking about for all teachers and parents.
Any comments:

Teachers complete summer training

Over 30 teachers dedicated a week of their summer to advance their technology skills. Bootcamps concentrating on web development, digital storytelling and integrating teacher laptops were devoured by teachers working toward more proficient use of technology. Congratulations to all participants!

Ed. Tech. Coordinator moves

What can we do now?

Summer is a time for activities and fun. But, what can you do on those rainy days? How can you help your child to continue learning until classes begin?

Summer - while enjoying the sun and your laptop:
http://sharonbetts.org/sshare/blog.html

Why Teach Technology.

This video is from TeacherTube. It was produced by a student in answer to his teacher's question on Why Teach Technology. Vicki Davis is the teacher.

21st Century Teaching

Last evening at our School Board meeting, I heard a presentation on the success of Greene Central Schools second year with their Reading First Grant. Sure having over $400,000 over 3 years to spend on materials, professional development and programming was a big help. But, the items that jumped out of the presentation for me were teaching and learning paradigm shifts that have resulted during these two years. The teachers said:

• we no longer work in isolation, but as a team
• each student is benchmarked and her progress checked regularly
• extensive data is being used to discover a student's true levels
• intervention is not completed by pulling out, but by adding
• scientifically based researched reading programs are being implemented as needed
• we know the level and progress of every child, not just the ones that are apparent
• we have had such great training and support
• special education referrals are going down

I think these bullets represent a shift toward 21st Century teaching. Doug Johnson, wrote in his Blue Skunk Blog some criteria for 21st Century teachers:

* are diagnosticians who use technology to help them create effective IEPs for all their kids using evaluation data that is accessed and manipulated electronically
* are masters of differentiated instruction
* communicate online easily
* can identify, organize and prescribe online learning activities
* are dynamic and engaging discussion leaders
* figure out new ways of teaming with other educators to specialize in learning styles rather than content areas

I see a clear correlation between these criteria and the Greene teachers' description of their work. Technology is the ubiquitous tool used to make these things happen. From a child's computer project to the Palm Pilots used by teachers to record test scores, it is a major component of this success. We are onto something here.

The question that comes to mind is "Why can't we implement these strategies in all areas for all students"?

reading+first
sharon+betts

Technology Teachers for Third Quarter

This quarter we are honoring three teachers who have taken the plunge into a new technology for the benefit of their students:

Jenn Bradford, a Cadre member from TES - Jenn began using Moodle with her fifth grade students during their Discovery Unit. They employed online discussions to plan, report and give feedback throughout the process. This student comment said it all: Our group is working spectacularly! I can't believe it!
Jenn also is an avid digital photographer who has documented the entire year in pictures. AT the end of the year, she plans to have each student receive an archive of their experiences.

Tina Nadeau, a Cadre member from TMS - Tina's seventh grade class has become digitized. They are using Moodle for writing prompts, online discussions, and resource links. This quarter students completed impressive Digital Stories using Keynote software to demonstrate their learning.

Jennifer Adams, teacher at GCS - Jennifer started using digital recordings with her 4th grade students. Songs of the Solar System and Favorite Food paragraphs are shared on the class website. Through sound, students are able to express their learning in different ways.

These dedicated educators are using the tools of today to bring their curriculum to life and enhance learning. Each will receive a certificate and a classroom scanner to assist them with their next projects. Congratulations!

Cyber Safety and Bullying

Online bullying, called cyberbullying, happens when students use the Internet, cell phones, or other devices to send or post text or images intended to hurt or embarrass another person. Cyberbullying is a problem affecting almost half of all American teens. National Crime Prevention Council is a great site for parents and students - help stop cyberbullying!

Curriculum Draft

The technology department of MSAD#52 has released the draft curriculum for grades K-8. We welcome any input from the community. This curriculum is based on the National Educational Technology Standards as well as the National Technology Plan and our own Long Range Technology Plan.
Download the Drafts.
Grades K-4

Grades 5 - 8

Technology Standards - National

The International Society for Technology Educators has the most widely adopted set of standards existing today. Here is a draft of their updated plan.

Technology Teacher for Second Quarter

Maynard Walton, Tripp Middle School Science teacher, named Technology Teacher of the Quarter!

Maynard Walton has been named the Technology Teacher for second quarter. Mr Walton's Science class has been made interesting and challenging through interactive technology tools. Podcasting lessons for his webpage on his way to school in the mornings started the trend. All of Mr. Walton's students have now been given accounts on our district e-portfolio system. They document their creativity in designing their websites as they create virtual science notebooks. Although student work is password protected, you can see the many aspects of technology in action at Maynard's webpage.

Eduhound selects Second Grade Website

Tim Thompson, second grade teacher at Greene, has been recognized for his use of web technology in his classroom by Eduhound. CLICK THE HEADER TO READ MORE.

Tim Thompson, second grade teacher at Greene, has been recognized for his use of web technology in his classroom by Eduhound.

A quote from them:
We found your site to be an excellent addition to our directory. It is now active on Our Spotlight Page under the appropriate state/city/grade level.

It was also selected as the SPOTLIGHT CLASSROOM OF THE WEEK!
It will be featured in the Thursday, February 8, 2007, edition of EduHound Weekly -- and permanently on our classroom spotlight page Congratulations Tim!

Slide Show posted.

View a pdf version of the Technology Overview and Status Report.

Technology Update at Board Meeting

The annual update on technology in MSAD52 will be given at this weeks board meeting.
Thursday, January 18, 2007 beginning at 7:00 PM at Greene Central School.

Board treated to Technology

At the January 4th board meeting, three dedicated teachers demonstrated some of the ways technology is making a difference to their teaching and the student learning. Tim Thompson, 2nd grade at Greene - and our 1st Quarter Teacher of the Quarter, showed his young students blogs, wikis and personal work. From Tripp Middle School science department, Maynard Walton and Ben Wilson took the audience through their many methods of transforming their lessons through technology. Ben ended with examples of video clips posted from the Tripp athletic events. Exemplary ..................