KASD Tech Talk

I have moved the Kimberly Tech Talk to the district Blogger account. The new address is http://kimberlytechnotes.blogspot.com

If you are a fan of the program Inspiration then take a look at Diagramly. This free online tool allows you to create idea maps, flow charts etc for FREE. It does not create outlines and there are not a lot of instructions but it is very easy to use.

Are you or one of your colleagues interested in using GIS software either for instruction or administratively? A geographic information system (GIS) allows us to view, understand, question, interpret, and visualize data in many ways that reveal relationships, patterns, and trends in the form of maps, globes, reports, and charts.

A group Wisconsin GIS professionals and educators is applying for a grant from ESRI for free use of all their GIS software for instructional and administrative use through summer of 2014 for K-12 schools, districts, clubs and DPI. The grant requires that we develop a plan of implementation for using the software and providing professional development. The grant includes both instructional and administrative use. This brief survey explores the potential demand and training requirements as well as curriculum development opportunities.

If you think that you may have an interest in participating, please fill out the following brief survey.

https://sites.google.com/site/esrigrant/GISSurvey

Please forward this message to anyone you think might be interested.

More information on GIS is available at:

http://www.esri.com/what-is-gis/index.html

and

http://www.esri.com/industries/k-12/index.html

The Freedom School District in conjunction with Marian College is offering a iPad class at Freedom High School on the following dates:

• May evenings May 10,11
• May 16-22 online and assignments
• May 24,25 wrap up

ACER VIDEO BOOK REPORT CONTEST

Technology can help bring excitement and creativity to the traditional book report while still displaying students understanding of reading. This contest aims to marry traditional reading curriculum strategies with 21st Century skills in an attempt to make book reports and reading more interactive, fun and engaging for young learners.

The Acer Video Book Report contest also provides an opportunity to educators to re-think the standard book report by producing videos that creatively illustrate the students' comprehension of the book, along with teaching collaborative and critical thinking skills.


How to Submit:
• Simply select a book from one of the two literary categories:
Fiction or Non-Fiction
• Help your students create a video to share their favorite book.
• Submit the YouTube/online URL for a chance to win:
1. A 21st Century Library Makeover from Acer for your school—Ten (10) Acer Windows 7 Tablet PCs.
2. One educator conference pass and hotel accommodations for the 32nd Texas Computer Education Association (TCEA)
annual conference to be held in Austin, TX from February 6-10, 2012.
3. Tablet PCs will also be customized "sponsored by the winning student(s) name(s)', Acer and Microsoft.
• Sign and submit the Student Release Form by the deadline, July 15, 2011.

Tierney Brothers is putting on a number of summer classes for Smartboard training

Oconomowoc, WI
4/26
SMART Response Integration
http://goo.gl/qHeVi

Oconomowoc, WI
5/12
Jumpstart your SMART Board and SMART Notebook Integration (Level 1)
http://goo.gl/sAJbp

Oconomowoc, WI
5/17
SMART Response Integration
http://goo.gl/qHeVi

Minneapolis, MN*
5/17 & more
Elevate your SMART Board and SMART Notebook Integration (Level 2)
http://goo.gl/OPCer

Waukesha STEM Academy – Saratoga Campus
6/16
SMART User Conference
http://goo.gl/eswcC

Minneapolis, MN*
7/20-7/21
TBI SMART Certification (2 Day Course)
http://goo.gl/F7dbx

Wausau East High School
8/23
SMART User Conference
http://goo.gl/eswcC

*Sessions conducted in Minneapolis are available to view remotely online via webinar

Skype has created a new site just for educators. It is a live database of other teachers, content experts, authors, illustrators, etc. that are willing to meet up with you via Skype. You can sign up for free and then start searching for people that can bring greater depth to your lessons or become an expert for someone else!