Technology Supports for Writing NEW ONLINE
Students with special learning needs can be found in most school
classrooms. It is critical for all teachers, tutors, special educators,
administrators and families to understand the many ways challenges
involving written expression may impact student learning and how
state-of-the-art resources can provide support at school and in the home.
In this online course you will learn about:
Features of text and picture based word processors and assistive writing
technology Graphic organizers Technology to help with the physical aspect
of writing Speech-to-text and voice recognition Information for more than
50 helpful products and other resources which can be used to support the
writing process Free and open source tools to help support your students
in the classroomThis 10-hour professional
development course includes a51 page state-of-the-art eBook filled with
information about software and hardware tools to improve the writing
process. It includes one video describing how to take advantage of this
new "just in time" type of multi-media interactive learning tool and 11
integrated videos showing examples of how to use the built-in supports in
some of the highlighted software products. Take this course from any
computer connected to the Internet at any time of the day or night and
learn how to eliminate barriers to successful written expression
Recommended for: Regular and Special education teachers, child study
team members, and parents.
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I Can't
Believe it's Free: Software for School and Home
Which suite of applications has a word processor, spreadsheet,
presentation program, and database…and it is free? You were sure you knew
the answer until you read the ‘free’ part. Yes, Open Office, is an example
of Free Open Source Software (FOSS). It can be downloaded for PC’s and
Mac’s and is a viable solution for the basic software almost everyone
needs. Files created in Open Office open seamlessly in Microsoft Office
and vice versa. Come and use Open Office and TuxPaint, a free variation of
KidPix. Now you can legally install software on your computer with a ZERO
DOLLARS BUDGET.
Recommended for: Anyone interested in using free software.
Collaborative Internet Projects
Collaborative Internet projects are opportunities for schools to join in
curriculum enhancing activities that are interdisciplinary by nature.
Collaborative Internet projects use the Internet to its fullest potential
- to communicate with students around the planet on commonalties and
differences in a variety of subject areas. These inquiry-oriented,
problem-based projects allow for true technology integration as opposed to
mere technology usage. This powerful communication connects schools around
the world and develops a global community. Participants will view examples
of collaborative Internet projects, find collaborative Internet projects
they can join, learn tips for participation, and learn the steps for
developing an original problem-based project (come with ideas!).
Recommended for: Teachers of Grades K-8
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Sibelius
Music Notation Software
Get started and learn some great tricks with this professional level music
notation software. Input music simply and easily, create custom
arrangements, export as audio and even score for video! Teachers will love
the worksheet creator, too. This software is so intuitive that you’ll be
able to advance on your own and even have your students using it.
Recommended for: K-12 teachers, all subjects
Developing Early Learning Foundations
Explore strategies for building early learning foundations with engaging
activities and challenging projects. Participants will learn how to create
Pixie Activities students can use to explore early literacy topics, math
concepts, science processes, and social studies themes. They will also
explore open-ended paint and storytelling projects that expand writing and
critical thinking skills. A complimentary copy of Tech 4 Learning’s Pixie
will be given to each participant. You will be able to practice and use
what you have learned immediately. ‘vendor presentation’
Recommended for: Educators working with students in grades K-5.
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Make your
Research Reports Painless with Noodlebib!
Are you tired of your students losing their note cards and bibliography
cards? Is it difficult for them to keep their research organized? Then you
NEED to use Noodlebib in your classroom! Noodlebib helps students create
bibliography cards in the correct formatting and creates Works
Cited/Consulted pages easily. It allows the users to create Note cards and
organizes them into clusters by keywords and by source. Come spend a few
hours to learn how to use this exciting tool in your classroom!
Recommended for: 6th - 12th grade teachers.
Incorporating Technology into Physical Education Looking to spice up your
PE program? Why not add some technology to it. In this workshop
learn from a master technology-using physical education teacher how to
enhance your current PE program through the use of programs including:
Microsoft Word, Excel, Power Point, Movie Maker, and podcasts.
Recommended for: Physical Education teachers
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Centers From Heaven
Are you stuck trying to develop centers for your classroom. Do you have at
least one computer center? Then this is the class for you. Using the FREE
(yes, FREE) site, Thinkfinity, you will leave this workshop with more
interactive sites, lesson plans and ideas than you ever have at any
workshop. This is a must for the first year teacher to the very seasoned
teacher.
Recommended for: K- 5 teachers.
Preschool,
Kindergarten, and First Grade Teachers: PowerPoint and the
Internet Would you like to learn how to make PowerPoint lessons to enhance
your teaching? Would you like to use websites that are designed for your
classroom curriculum? Are you interested in viewing software that will
address just the needs of your fist grade students? Then this is the
workshop for you. We will begin by making PowerPoint presentations
designed to use immediately with your students. Next, we will look at the
wonderful Internet resources for Preschool-1st grade including free
worksheets and motivating classroom activities. We’ll conclude with a
review of "must have" grade appropriate software. In one afternoon you’ll
make important additions to your Technology Toolbox.
Recommended for: Pre K to First grade teachers who are beginning or
intermediate PowerPoint user.
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Thinkfinity: Free
Resources for Your Classroom
Thinkfinity, Verizon's education portal, provides the highest quality
educational resources to teachers and students. Developed by
world-renowned organizations who are experts in their fields, these
standards-based resources include lessons plans, student materials,
reviewed Web resources and interactives. Learn more about Thinkfinity's
free teacher resources and how to effectively integrate online educational
resources into your curriculum to increase student achievement. Receive a
small technology gift, too.
Recommended for: All Teacher
Think Green with Thinkfinity: Inquiry based Lessons and Resources
Use Thinkfinity’s 55,000+ FREE resources to create a comprehensive
environmental program that teaches earth-friendly behaviors including
sustainable practices for how to live, work, and play. Understand the
value of environmental stewardship through the use of practical activities
such as recycling, composting and reducing waste, inside and outside of
the classroom. Be inspired by Thinkfinity resources that will create
environmental partnerships involving students, teachers, administrators,
and parents that align with existing curriculum and state mandated
standards.
Recommended for: All teachers grade K-8
Audio For
the Classroom – Music, Podcasting and More
Powerful FREE software and web-hosting can bring you and your students
some powerful new tools. From meeting the needs of auditory learners, to
student-produced projects and classroom radio, we’ll look at how you can
use audio & podcasts simply and effectively to create excitement about
your subject in and out of school. Using free software and web-hosting,
you will leave knowing how to load all of the software and gear, and
produce/post your own podcasts and audio projects.
Recommended for: K-12 teachers, all subjects
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Digital Storytelling with Photo Story 3
Use your digital photos and Photo Story 3 to tell your stories. Photo
Story 3, a free program from Microsoft, makes it easy to add music,
narration, titles, and special effects to turn your photos and images into
movies. Come see how you can promote literacy skills across grade levels
and content areas by becoming a digital story teller. It is easy and it is
fun. Bring your own digital photos or you can work with sample files that
will be provided. Take home your digital story on a CD and start checking
submission deadlines for the Sundance Film Festival.
Recommended for: Participants who have basic computer skills
SMART board for
Beginners
Get the most out of your SMART interactive whiteboard? Learn know how to
use the great features in the latest version of SMART software? Be able to
use a SMART board with confidence by attending this workshop. Learn how
you can create interactive lessons that will make teaching and learning
more engaging for you and your students.
Recommended for: Anyone interested in using a SMART board.
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SMART board
Across the Curriculum : A First Course
Make the most of your SMARTboard and watch class participation and
engagement soar. First you will master SMARTboard basics. Then you will
learn how to plan and prepare your SMART lessons on any computer using
SMART notebook software. Come and take back interactive enhanced lessons
to use with your SMARTboard. We will provide a list of websites that are
particularly SMARTboard "friendly." No more fumbling for transparencies,
hyperlinks, diagrams, or files. Your lesson will flow seamlessly and
learning will increase as students participate as active learners. Please
bring your curriculum materials.
Note: Smart Board software is free to Smart Board users and can be
purchased for use on other boards
Recommended for: Anyone interested in using a SMART board
Bells and Whistles for Your SMART board
You are in for a treat with the SMART recorder. As you lecture record your
voice and every pen stroke and action on your Smart board to create
tutorials, provide lessons for absent students, or establish an archive of
teaching activities. Learn how to use Senteos, SMART's interactive
clickers, to provide instant classroom assessment data to inform your
instruction. Try out the AirLiner, SMART's remote graphic tablet. You will
have time to create a lesson using these exciting tools.
Recommended for:Advanced SMART board users. This course is not for
beginners.
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Using Cooperative Learning in the Technology-Infused Classroom
Learn to differentiate instruction using a variety of cooperative learning
activities. In the technology-infused classroom, students need to
learn to work collaboratively as a team, while at the same time be
individually accountable. Strategies for balancing these key
features of cooperative learning as a method of integrating technology
will be highlighted.
Recommended for: Teachers of Grades K-8
Technology in the Classroom: Knowing Where I Stand, Knowing Where I’m
Going
So you’ve got computers in your classroom and you are wondering what to do
next. Or perhaps you are wondering where you stand regarding technology
implementation. In this workshop you’ll start off by taking the free LoTi
Digital-Age Survey. The LoTi Digital-Age Survey provides each participant
with an empirically-validated tool that creates a personalized digital-age
professional development profile aligned to the NETS for Teachers
(NETS-T). This profile offers recommendations aligned to five popular
instructional initiatives including (1) Level of Teaching Innovation (LoTi),
(2) Partnership for 21st Century Skills, (3) Marzano’s Research-based
Instructional Practices, (4) Daggett’s Rigor & Relevance, and (5) Webb’s
Depth of Knowledge. Participants will receive a separate Level of Teaching
Innovation (LoTi), Current Instructional Practices (CIP), and Personal
Computer Use (PCU) score. After all participants have received their
results the remaining portion of the workshop will focus on gaining a
better understanding of how these results can be used to further your
professional development in regards to technology. This workshop is given
by a LoTi certified mentor.
Organizing
Your Computer Files
You know you saved that file … somewhere. How can you find it? This
workshop will teach you how to organize your computer desktop and hard
drive to make locating files quick and easy. You will learn how to make
electronic folders, remove unwanted files, use the Search feature to find
missing documents, and even change the look of your desktop.
Recommended for: Anyone who wants a less chaotic electronic filing
system
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Introduction
to Microsoft Word
After this full-day workshop, you won't be able to imagine how you existed
without Microsoft Word. You will learn to create, save and open documents;
change the style and color of text; add borders and shading; and use the
spell checker and thesaurus. This course fulfills the "Word Processing"
requirement for NJDOE's Beginner Technology Proficiency Level Certificate.
Recommended for: Anyone who wants to learn word processing. Some
experience using a mouse and Windows is suggested, but not necessary. No
experience with Word is expected.
Introduction to Microsoft Excel
Ready for the next step beyond calculators? This full-day workshop will
cover the skills needed to create basic spreadsheets using Microsoft
Excel. Learn to create, save and open spreadsheets; enter and edit data in
a spreadsheet; build formulas and create charts. This course fulfills the
"Introduction to Spreadsheet and Graphing" requirement for NJDOE’s
Beginner Technology Proficiency Level Certificate.
Recommended for: Anyone interested in creating spreadsheets.
Experience using a mouse is needed.
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Intermediate
Microsoft Excel
Take Excel to the next level. First, get some tips to increase your
efficiency: keyboard shortcuts, handy functions, and pitfalls to avoid.
Then, learn to use the database analysis functions of Excel such as
sorting and filtering. Finally, learn to create and use macros to automate
those repetitive tasks.
Recommended for: Experienced users of Microsoft Excel
PowerPoint ---
Tips and Tricks with Video Clips
Stretch your PowerPoint presentations to the max with video clips you
make with your digital camera … learn how to add, activate and time your
own digital video clips … feel free to bring your own camera (don’t forget
the wires needed to transfer into the computer) or use one of ours … Fun
and easy!
Recommended for: Those comfortable with basic PowerPoint & interested
in adding Pizzazz to their presentations.
PowerPoint – Tips and Tricks with your Digital Camera
Stretch your PowerPoint presentations to the max with digital photos …
fascinate your audience by layering your photos and timing them just right
… learn how to frame your photos into different shapes to add a special
artistic touch to your presentation … feel free to bring your own camera
(don’t forget the wires needed to transfer into the computer) or use one
of ours … Fun and easy!
Recommended for: Those comfortable with basic PowerPoint &
interested in adding Pizzazz to their presentations.
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Digital
Portfolios Using PowerPoint and PhotoStory
See the possibilities offered by digital portfolios in capturing what your
students have learned. Use a microphone to capture a singer’s talent or a
new reader's abilities, use a digital camera to record a sculpture or
science project, use a scanner to bring in a finger-painting or watercolor
piece. Then pull it all together with software and produce a CD-ROM that
brings that student's accomplishments to life in a way that a letter grade
never can. Participants will choose either PowerPoint or PhotoStory to
produce a finished digital Portfolio.
Recommended for: Participants familiar with digital media file
creation.
Getting Started
with Moodle: Your Online Classroom As explained on moodle.org, "Moodle
is a course management system (CMS) - a free, Open Source software package
designed using sound pedagogical principles, to help educators create
effective online learning communities." This hands-on workshop will allow
users to take Moodle for a test drive. Experience an existing Moodle
classroom and then learn how to get started on creating your own Moodle
site. You will learn how to create an online classroom, upload files,
setup calendars, include podcasts and video, and assorted other features
built into a Moodle site. Come prepared with files (Word, Excel, etc) to
upload to Moodle. Each attendee will walk away with a CD with all the
necessary files and programs to setup Moodle on a stand-alone computer.
Recommended for: Participants comfortable using email attachments
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Free
Google Tools for your Classroom Discover innovative, collaborative
technology tools for the classroom that are yours for FREE! When it comes
to searching the Internet, most people turn to Google. Now you can look to
Google for great teacher tools, too! Discover Google Docs and Spreadsheet,
Google Earth, Google Maps and Google Forms. Bring back something new and
exciting to your content area.
Recommended for: Participants comfortable using email attachments
Effective
use of Google Search Web search is one of the most popular online
activities and, for an increasing number of students, a primary starting
point for research and learning. This session will offer some fundamental
concepts, strategies, and tools to help you teach your students search
more effectively. The session will cover techniques to search smarter,
assessment of search results credibility, and advanced Google search
features.
Recommended for Participants comfortable using email attachments
Blogs,
Podcasts and the Classroom
Blogs and podcasts form a new partnership in communications media.
Students and teachers can become personal publishers and broadcasters in
ways that connect the subject area with writing and speaking skills. In
the morning we will explore the world of blogs and how a blog can relate
to your instructional goals. You will establish a blog on the Internet for
future use. The afternoon will be devoted to the world of podcasting. You
will learn the vocabulary, the tools and the process used to locate,
download, create and publicize your own podcasts. Find out what all the
buzz is about and learn how these new tools can amplify student projects
as well as your own listening interests.
Recommended For: K-12 teachers, all subjects
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Web 2.0 in the
Classroom- Virtual Workshop There is no doubt that Web 2.0 is
transforming the way we teach and learn! Webinars, screen casts, and Skype
now make it easier than ever to communicate and collaborate on a local,
national and international level. Online word processors, graphic
organizers, spreadsheets, and video conferencing are now accessible right
within your browser and many are free! Learn how these tools are
transforming the way you think about using software in the classroom. All
of the content will be delivered online during the course of 4 weeks and
will include opportunities to view the software in use. There will be
opportunities to network with your colleagues as you learn about the
various Web 2.0 technologies.
Recommended for: All educators and parents
Web
Design Teacher Web: Point and Click to Create Your Own WebPage
Does your district provide you with access to TeacherWeb? If yes, sign-up
for this workshop immediately and leave the session with your very own
website ready to be used by any one with Internet access. Lost permission
slips? Missing handouts? TeacherWeb to the rescue. Post them on TeacherWeb
and parents and students can download them 24/7. You can also post
classroom announcements, curriculum materials, links to favorite websites,
and classroom photos. Bring your materials and leave with a website! (If
your district has not purchased TeacherWeb you can create a TeaherWeb for
free and maintain it for a small yearly fee.)
Recommended for: Anyone who wants to use TeacherWeb.
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