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Winter/Spring Catalog

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Using What You Have: Features in Windows & Word that Support Struggling Readers and Writers
Even on a tight budget, school districts can use technology to help their students with disabilities succeed in the regular classroom.  This hands-on session will explore specific features in Microsoft Windows and Word that enable teachers to differentiate instruction to meet students’ varying needs in reading, writing, studying and testing.
Recommended for:  Regular and special education teachers, child study team members, parents

Data Literacy with InspireData™   NEW

Make sure your students have data literacy.  InspireData™ builds critical data literacy skills and engages students. As students organize and analyze data they ask meaningful questions and dig deeper to solve problems. They move beyond simply memorizing facts and start acquiring the skills of reasoning, inquiry and communication. They actively explore and analyze data using dynamic Venn, bar, stack, pie and axis plots to interpret information and draw conclusions. This process builds data literacy and makes learning a richer, more meaningful experience. Participants will receive a free trial version of Inspire data so they can begin building data literacy, developing analytical skills, and strengthening critical thinking as soon as they return to the classroom.
Recommended for: Math teachers, elementary school teachers, science teachers and special education teachers.

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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

Technology Integration for the Elementary Music Teacher

Your students love computers and music. Bring them together to make music class rock! Bring a few of your favorite songs, lesson materials and CD recordings. We will overview 3 types of software: audio editing programs, Sibelius notation software, and Apple's GarageBand. You’ll learn the basics on creating custom CD’s containing edited music, practice tracks and karaoke-style accompaniments.  You'll come away with some ready-to-use music tech lesson activities and simple strategies to infuse your current music curriculum with technology.

Recommended for: Elementary Music Teachers.

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Language Arts and Spreadsheets
Looking for some different language arts activities? Spreadsheets are one answer. See how a Shel Silverstein poem and a spreadsheet become natural partners to help your students sharpen their language arts and higher order thinking skills. See how easy it is to turn Microsoft Excel into a spelling tutor. Learn how to use Excel’s easy-to-make graphs as motivating writing prompts. You will receive activity files to use with your students and share with colleagues.  Meet language arts and technology standards at the same time.
Recommended for: Grade K-5 teachers

Multimedia Book Reports
Learn how you can use the Internet and PowerPoint to make electronic book reports. This workshop will teach you how to extend your students’ writing experience by providing them with the tools to use non-textual visual and audio information to better communicate their ideas.
Recommended for: Language arts teachers from elementary to high school.

Capture YouTube 

Want to use a youTube video clip in your classroom? Are you getting Access Denied? In this workshop, you will learn and practice alternative ways to capture youTube clips for offline viewing.
Recommended for: All teachers

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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

Microsoft  Access:  An Introduction
This workshop will introduce you to Microsoft Access database software.  Learn to create and maintain tables to track a variety of classroom, district, state and testing information.  We will focus on the principles of sound database planning, design and implementation.  Working with a small sample of raw information throughout we will complete and populate a basic database file as well as create a simple report.
Recommended for: Participants with basic computer skills.

Do you have the Audacity?

Want to add narration to your PowerPoint or Movie?  PodCast?  Learn how to use Audacity, a free, open source software for recording and editing audio.  It’s the perfect tool for digital movies.

Recommended for:  Participants with basic computer knowledge

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Intermediate Adobe Photoshop

Photoshop is a very powerful and prolific program for the web enthusiast and designer alike.  There are many layers to this program and this workshop goes ever deeper to tap into all the resources available.  Bring your curriculum ideas and leave with graphics fit for a virtually art gallery.  Specific questions will be encouraged and addressed.
Recommended for:  Participants who have completed Introduction to Photoshop

Introduction to Microsoft PowerPoint.

This full-day workshop will enable participants to create multimedia presentations to support all aspects of teaching and learning. Participants will explore features in PowerPoint, which bring slides to life. You will learn how to animate your slides and how to add interesting transitions between slides. This course fulfills the “Introduction to Multimedia” requirement for NJDOE’s Beginner Technology Proficiency Level Certificate. To help with the creation of your own PowerPoint presentation you might want to bring a textbook or other curriculum materials
Recommended for: Anyone who wants to create dynamic presentations. Some computer experience is required.

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Intermediate Microsoft PowerPoint: Movies, Sound and Hyperlinks
Come and expand your PowerPoint skills. You will learn how to add hyperlinks, sound, and action buttons. Bring your own curriculum materials and/or an existing PowerPoint presentation and you'll take back an amazing classroom-ready slide show.
Recommended for: Participants who have completed Introduction to Microsoft PowerPoint.

Google's Great Free Tools for Teachers     NEW

When it comes to searching the Internet most people turn to Google.  Now look to Google for great teacher tools, too.  There's Google Docs and Spreadsheets, Google Earth, Google Maps and Google Notebook.  All of these wonderful Google Tools are yours for free.  Bring something new and exciting to your math, language arts, and social studies lessons.

Recommended for: All teachers

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Podcasts in the Elementary Classroom

All you need is a computer, a microphone, a free sound editing program, some ideas and you are ready to turn your students into newscasters, literary critics, learning consultants and problem solvers.  Your students will record radio-like programs to be shared with your school or the world via the Internet.  Podcasting is a motivating tool which strengthens language arts skills while deepening knowledge in any curricular area.  This workshop will show you how to get the software you need and how to get started.  Bring the excitement of podcasts to your classroom. 

Recommended for:  Elementary teachers

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.

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The del.icio.us Elementary Classroom (Super sites simply saved with this super tool)          NEW

Are you looking for the very best in free interactive sites that correlate to specific content? Are you looking for a way to save/publish these links so that they are easily accessible from any internet connected classroom or home?  Do you want to harness the natural interest your student’s have for technology?  Spend an exciting day with us and leave with a wealth of resources to use throughout the year with one or more computers in your classroom. Recommended for: For elementary teachers grades 2-5 No special computer skills needed.

Classroom WebPage using Microsoft FrontPage

Want to create your own web site? Not sure where to begin? This workshop will take you step-by-step through the web site creation process using Microsoft FrontPage. Begin with a simple page. Add links, color, images, a background, sound, animation, and a message banner. Create a professional layout using tables.  We will search and evaluate free background, graphic and sound sites, free web server space, and a free web-based e-mail address to help fill out our web site.

Recommended for:  Participants familiar with word processing

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Design, Post and Collect Information with Online Forms
Have you tried every new Web design technique available to have the latest bells and whistles for your web site?  Do you find it challenging to use the Web as a tool for displaying district information?  Well what would you think about using the Web to gather information from students, teachers, staff and the community.  Using Microsoft Front Page learn what is needed to put together an efficient survey tool and then turn the information into a creative and lasting summary report.
Recommended for:  Participants must be familiar with Web Design software, e.g. FrontPage, Dreamweaver or another HTML editor.

TeacherWeb: 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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