Classes from both G.W. Carver and East Salem have put together a few questions in a Voice Thread for our friend, Mrs. Swecker, as she travels to Mexico to scuba dive.
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The GenTech crew interviewed Sean Sharp, an ITRT from Floyd County, on their latest podcast episode. Sean talks about some exciting ways Floyd County is using technology to help with assessment. He also talks a bit about the challenges and rewards of working in a rural school district. Take a listen! While you are at it, you might want to check out Sean’s blog too!
Wow…I just ran across this link, Panoramas.dk, and it’s worth it’s own post. I have to give Brian (TRT from Williamsburg) credit for finding the site since I found the link it in his blogroll on his blog. The site contains Panoramas (306 degree views) of various places around the world including the Giza Pyramids, the Colosseum, the Apollo Missions, the Great Wall, the Yulong River, and many, many more very cool places! My favorite was a gorgeous Panorama of the Krakow Military Cemetery on All Saints Day. There are some ads in the sidebar and at the bottom of the site, but nothing to obtrusive. I did notice that some of the panoramas had links to show the place in Google Earth. I have not had a chance to try it out in the lab or on the laptops, so you’ll want to test the site on them before trying to use it with a group of kids. Also, if there is a specific panorama that you would like linked on “Links for Kids” for your grade level, let me know. Since the site contains ads and links to other sites, this would be the safest way to use it with your class.
I’ve been frequently asked about learning to use the Smartboard. Well, here are some links that will help you get started!
First, if you are on a computer that doesn’t have the Smartboard’s Notebook software (for instance, if you are working from home), download it by clicking the link below:
After you’ve played a bit with the Notebook software, you might want to download some pre-made lessons. You can search for content from within the Notebook software (see picture).
You can also search by grade and subject on the SMART Technology Website:Download pre-made lessons from SMART Technologies
You may also want to check out this handout to help you out:
Creating Lessons with Notebook Software
A couple of other things to explore:
Beth Swain recently send out an email talking about the upcoming technology and math inservices she will be offering. I think these are going to be great, and I highly recommend them!!
1. November 27th, 3:00 to 4:00 pm, G W Carver Computer lab– this workshop will focus on websites for teaching SOLs from the patterns, functions and algebra strand. There is something for every level K-5. They have basic patterns to balance scales plus much more. I am sure you will find something to take back to your classroom to use. You will have time to play and explore the sites during the workshop. (RSVP to Beth by Nov. 19)
2. January 15th, 3:00 to 4:00 pm, G W Carver Computer lab – this workshop will focus on using the Smartboard in your classroom. I have activities/ideas/games for k-5. You will get hands on experience with the smartboard. Many of the activities are templates that you can customize to your level of students. The focus of this workshop will be on math vocabulary and the SOLs in the number and number sense strand. (RSVP to Beth by Jan. 4)
She plans to schedule 3 more workshops to focus on other Math strands. Recertification points will be given for attending all 5.
I’ve had a chance to see a “sneak peak” at what she will be sharing, and I think you will walk away with things you can use in your classroom right away! I’ve had people asking for ideas to use in remediation time and things to do with the Smartboard, and these workshops will give you ideas for both! Hope you will be able to join us.
Teaching with Technology 