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The Instructional Technology Journal of Volume 3, Number 3 September
15, 2007 |
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Why do I have to learn this? 9/15/07 How often do you hear this protest
in your classroom? The Futures Channel offers free video resources that can help connect students’
lessons to real-world applications.
“The site produces short documentary-style videos that take students
behind the scenes with professionals from a wide range of careers. As the subjects of these video clips
discuss why math and science are so important in their respective fields,
they help answer the common question, "Why do I need to learn
this?” The site's Hand-On Math section
features movies on counting numbers and integers, algebra, fractions, geometry,
measurement, and statistics. One clip
incorporates measurement into a video about college students who must measure
food for animal feedings. Teachers can
download classroom activities based on the video content. All videos and classroom activities are
available free of charge.” |
Important Teacher Notes: BrainPop, Safari Montage, and United Streaming “refresher” ·
BrainPop login and password:
(contact Cindy Hughes) ·
Safari Montage: After you
login the first time, change your password: o
Click
“Settings & Tools” in the bar along the top of the screen o
In
the section labeled “My Login Information,” click the “Change Password” link. o
Type
in your new password and click “Update.” Your
personal account lets you set up your own playlists for use in your classes. ·
United Streaming: If you set up an account last year
and do not remember your password, simply click on the “forgot your password”
link. If you are new to the district
and have not created an account, get a code from the media specialist in your
school, and follow the directions on the site to create your account. |
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Dos and Don’ts When Seeking Technology
Grants From time
to time, teachers receive information about technology grants. In the current issue of eSchool News, Dennis Pierce, the managing
editor, shared some of his insights from being a technology grant
“reader.” A summary of the tips is
below. (To read the complete article,
click here.) 1.
Don’t beg.
Make a strong case for need, without appearing desperate. 2.
Do describe specific educational
goals and objectives. Funders want to support the
end result--improved student learning--and not just the means to that end. 3.
Don't recycle an old proposal.
Make sure your proposal specifically targets the priorities of the
grant program to which you're applying. 4.
Do describe your project
clearly. Give the grant readers a sound
basis for judging your projects' value. 5.
Don't use clichés, fancy words, or
"education speak." The easier your proposal is to
read, the more likely it is to be funded.
Don't assume that all grant readers are educators. 6.
Do proofread. How can you be trusted with the funder's
money, if you can't be trusted to spell all the words in your proposal correctly? 7.
Don't make technology an add-on to
an existing project. Successful proposals describe
projects in which technology is an integral component, not just an add-on to
jazz up a traditional lesson plan. 8.
Do be creative. Generally, funders are looking to fund model programs that
haven't been tried before. Proposing a
unique project, in which technology is a necessary means to educationally
sound goals, will propel your grant application to the top of the pile. |
Site Survey: Websites that Educate,
Enlighten, Entertain, and Engage ·
Free School Stuff Directory ·
Mr. Nussbaum.Com ·
Earthcam ·
Road Trip! Through SC Civil Rights
History (1940s - 1970s) ·
DOC Cop |
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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.htm |
