Teaching with the Web	The Instructional Technology Journal of Greenwood School District 50 http://www.gwd50.org Volume 3, Number 15 March 15, 2008
South Carolina Implements Web-Based Training for Teachers, Students by Dave Nagel 3/15/08 The South Carolina Department of Education, through its Office of eLearning, has partnered with Atomic Learning to deploy a Web-based instruction system for teacher training and online instruction for students. Through the partnership, Atomic will deliver training in various software applications, along with lesson plans and other technology-based support systems. According to Atomic, the goal is to improve the understanding of technology among teachers and students. South Carolina is providing online assessments for educators, along with professional development recommendations based on the assessments. A similar system is in development for students. To help with mastery of technologies, Atomic is providing training in more than 100 individual applications, along with lesson plans and professional development workshops on such topics as Web 2.0 and blogging, among others. "The challenge facing America's schools is the empowerment of all children to function effectively in their future, a future marked increasingly with change, information growth, and evolving technologies," said Dee Appleby, director of the South Carolina Office of eLearning. "Technology is a powerful tool with enormous potential for paving high-speed highways from outdated educational systems to systems capable of providing learning opportunities for all, to better serve the needs of 21st century work, communications, learning, and life." Teachers and students are being provided with access to Atomic's online library of tutorials for "professional development opportunities, school projects and homework and for personal growth," according to the company. From: T.H.E. Journal	Important Teacher Notes ç èAtomic Learning Tutorials- Click on the Link to view tutorials on Windows, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, Email, Internet, Publisher, Teacher Resources, Interactive Whiteboards, and BlackBoard Resources. If you already have a BlackBoard account, use your assigned username and password. If you do not have a BlackBoard account, use your email address for your username and use atomic as your password. After you login to BlackBoard, click on the Atomic Learning Tab to view the tutorials. For any login problems, please contact Terri Ann Bennett at tbennett2@hargray.com. (Atomic Learning Tutorials are excellent! CH) èKeep Viruses off of your computer over Spring Break 1. Click Start/Programs. Choose "Symantec Client Security," then "Symantec Antivirus." 2. Click the "LiveUpdate" button. 3. In the LiveUpdate window, click the "Next" button to find and download updates. You may need to click “Next” several times and the updates may take a few minutes, especially if you are on a slow Internet connection. 4. When the updates are completed, there will be a "Finish" button that you should click. This will return you to the "Symantec Antivirus" window. Close this window. 5. Complete this process before you return to school. 6. If you want to make sure, you can re-open the "Symantec Antivirus" window and check the date for your Virus definitions. è Backup your folders and files regularly. If a laptop is damaged or stops working, no attempt will be made to recover those folders and files. Only the original image of the laptop will be restored; your folders and files must be restored from your backup. Use your flash drive, a CD, or your folder on your school server. èWhen using your laptop, be sure there is sufficient air flow under the laptop to allow the cooling fans to work properly.
Book Reports Use these links to help your students produce creative book reports! § Book Report Now! Five fast and easy steps for finding a book and writing a great report. Includes information on different types of reports as well as templates for selected books. § abcteach: Book Report Forms Printable forms to guide students through writing book reports. § Better Book Reports-25 Ideas! Spice up old book reports with some new ideas. § More Ideas Than You'll Ever Use for Book Reports Several hundred creative ideas for book reports. Book Report Sandwich Ideas for gathering the ingredients for a “tasty” report. § Book Report Rubric Use with any multimedia book review. From EduHound	Site Survey: Websites that Educate, Enlighten, Entertain, and Engage · International Space Station: An Interactive Reference Guide(GL:3-12) This NASA site offers visitors the opportunity to explore the world of the International Space Station (ISS) and learn how the crew lives, how the station was built, and what its purpose is. · ChemTutor (GL: 9-12) Basic chemistry help is available here for high school or college students. Chemtutor begins with the fundamentals and gives expert help with the most difficult phases of chemistry.
	The Laptop-and-Projector Project Website Tech Project: http://www2.gwd50.org/TechPlans/TechPlan2006.htm Instr. Resources: http://www2.gwd50.org/TechPlans/StaffDevResources.htm Previous TWTW Issues: http://www2.gwd50.org/techplans/TWTW-Index.htm Instructional Technology Specialist: http://www2.gwd50.org/hughesc/Hughes1.html