Teaching with the Web	The Instructional Technology Journal of Greenwood School District 50 http://www.gwd50.org Volume 3, Number 17 April 15, 2008
From the Office of Computing Services 4/15/08 Several years ago we began using the @gwd50.org address. If you have not changed your address, it is now time to discontinue receipt of email at the @gwd50.k12.sc.us and @mail.gwd50.k12.sc.us addresses. Messages addressed to @mail.gwd50.k12.sc.us and @gwd50.k12.sc.us will be returned to the sender after July 1, 2008 so you should make sure that all of the people with which you correspond have the correct email address for you. You should also make sure that any mailing lists that you belong to have the appropriate address. Finally, you should make sure that you update any website accounts that use your old email address. This is particularly true if you have an account on the State Department of Education web site. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me (oquinnb@gwd50.org) or your school's technician. Also, remember that you should report all technology problems via the HelpDesk system at http://helpdesk.gwd50.org. Brian O’Quinn Director of Computing Services	Important Teacher Notes · Remember, if this is your year to recertify and you have not yet completed your ePortfolio to recertify your technology proficiencies, this is a state requirement that needs to be completed and approved by your principal by May 1, 2008. I know everyone is busy, but please do not let May 1st slip up on you! · If you need help with your portfolio, I'll be at GEC on April 14, 17, 21, 23, and 28 in room 503 from 3:30 - 5:00. · Remember to 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, and/or your network folder. · To extend the lifespan of your projector bulbs, remember to shut the projector down when it is not in use. After using the projector, do not move it until the bulb has enough time to cool down. · Now that the weather is finally turning warm, please do not leave the laptop in your car – in the passenger compartment or in the trunk. The summer heat will cause electronic components to fail and can cause the screen to malfunction.
Site Review from Education World® Pedagogy in Action “Pedagogy in Action will provide veteran teachers as well as those new to the profession additional teaching methods to add to their teaching toolbox. More than twenty-five methods are succinctly described including cooperative learning, gallery walk, game-based learning, interactive lectures, Socratic questioning, assessment, peer review, quantitative writing, role playing, and others. The descriptions are written by practicing teachers and include tips for effectively using the technique, research on the learning impact and a set of sample activities. Visitors to the site will find more than 600 activities that span more than a dozen subject areas and more than 200 examples of research on learning. Resources can be easily browsed from the search page as they are grouped by subject, pedagogy, and research topic.” April showers bring May flowers!	Site Survey: Websites that Educate, Enlighten, Entertain, and Engage · PoissonRed (Red Fish) http://www.poissonrouge.com/ This site offers more than 200 games, activities and animations that provide independent play for pre-readers. It is purposefully designed with no text for very young children. It is colorful and intriguing with graphics that appeal to the young child so that exploration is simple and intuitive. · Cascades Volcano Observatory Educational Outreach http://vulcan.wr.usgs.gov/Outreach/framework.html This site from the U.S. Geological Survey provides information and resources about volcanoes including teacher’s guides, student activities, videos, and more. · Kidipede: History for Kids! http://www.historyforkids.org/ Intended for middle schoolers, this site provides accurate and complete historical information that is easy to find and easily understood. (This site also offers teachers’ guides, maps, etc.)
	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