CTK Tech Teacher -Mrs. Massi
Tech Teach
To view the Faculty Meeting Presentation and flip video samples, visit my Google Domain Site Tech Teach
Ed1Stop
Ed1Stop is our Contra Costa County portal to a wealth of education resources. Most of you already use Discovery Education, Brain Pop, or the Grolier online Encyclopedia. So I thought we'd take a look at some new or overlooked features within in portal.
New this year is World Book. Make sure to explore the Advanced section for e-books and differentiated instruction.
Learn 360 has media clips from sources like A&E, Reading Rainbow, and a daily video clip of This Day in History.
One of my all time favorites is Tumble Books. TumbleBookLibrary is an online collection of TumbleBooks – animated, talking picture books which teach kids the joy of reading in a format they'll love. TumbleBooks are created by adding animation, sound, music and narration to existing picture books in order to produce an electronic picture book which you can read, or have read to you. Works perfectly with the Activboard.
Digital English is a resource developed by classroom teachers to help support the teaching of English Language Arts(ELA) for students from grades Kindergarten through 5th grade. Each grade level has at least 10 fully developed lessons aligned with the lowest scoring ELA standards in California. Parents, teachers, and students may find Digital English to be a great tutorial resource that will allow for a greater understanding of the ELA standards.
Digital Math is a website featuring resources to help students, parents and educators learn about the
California Mathematics Standards and to prepare students for the California High School Exit Exam
(CAHSEE).
Inspiring, engaging and award-winning, Education City provides fun games for children aged between 3 and 12 years old, as well as for older children in special education. The website's resources, activities and games cover the core subjects of Language Arts, Math, Science and Spanish Math. Ideal for use with the ActiveBoard.
Atomic Learning
Atomic Learning is focused on promoting the practical application of technology in education by empowering educators with the training and resources needed to create 21st century-ready students.
Atomic Learning’s online training resources teach you “how do I do that” through a library of short, easy-to-understand tutorial movies, and address “how do I apply that” questions with complete continuing professional development and technology integration solutions.
Atomic Learning’s online training resources teach you “how do I do that” through a library of short, easy-to-understand tutorial movies, and address “how do I apply that” questions with complete continuing professional development and technology integration solutions.
To learn more about Atomic Learning, watch the tutorials at: http://www.atomiclearning.com/k12/atomicsite
Flip Video Workshop
Workshop Agenda
Getting Started with your Flip Video Camera
Unpacking, installing batteries, features & basic use
Karen's examples - resources (see links below)
Tips for Video Recording and General tips & framing shots
Interview a Neighbor Activity to practice camera use & video recording tips
Editing Software
Installing & opening the software, saving, trimming, creating movies & snapshots
Discuss Storyboarding - Planning a project
Why storyboard? Storyboarding ideas, create your storyboard and shoot the video
Thank you Computer Using Educators
Go to CTK Teachers for Flip Video lesson ideas and tutorials.
View Student samples
10 Tips for Better Video
1. Use camera supports whenever practical, especially for telephoto shots.2. Shoot mostly medium and medium closeup shots.
3. Tell a complete story that has a beginning (introduction), middle (main message), and ending (conclusion).
4. Shoot to edit.
5. Shoot sequences.
6. Keep it short! Just about every program could be improved by editing out shots and scenes that are too long or redundant. Cut the shot after it has delivered its message. Most people let their scenes run much too long, making viewers anxious to hit the road.
7. Vary the pace of your programs. Include a variety of shots.
8. Record 10 seconds extra on the front and back of your shot. Start the camera early, let it run long. This will give you more choices when editing.
9. The music you use must be appropriate to the video action. Use instrumental pieces (no words) for background music during narrations.
10. Avoid dressing your subjects in white or placing them in front of bright backgrounds. This can play tricks with your camcorder’s auto exposure.
Watch the video tutorials at Atomic Learning. or download the Storytelling Guide.
Getting Started with Sites
The following videos will help guide you through the set-up of Google Sites for your students.
Coming Soon. Creating and Editing pages in Sites.
Coming Soon. Creating and Editing pages in Sites.
Google Apps For Education
Google Wiz Kids
What a thrill it has been to introduce Grades 4-8 to Google Apps for Education. Both teachers and students have been learning the ins and outs of online collaboration and benefiting from the ease of "cloud computing". Each teacher has used the tools differently, but all are seeing the great advantage of commenting on student work in progress. What a great way to give guidance and encouragement. It goes without saying that Miss McMillan and her seventh grade class have been the shining stars of this implementation. They are indeed the school's experts, and we have decided to take advantage of that expertise. The seventh grade students have worked hard to create a few tutorials to help you design your sites and use your Google tools. They are awesome! Thank you Seventh Grade!!
Google Docs
Sharing Documents
Google Forms
Google Spreadsheets
Google Mail
Mail Labels
Google Sites
Preso
Check back for more tutorials from the students.
Tech Tuesday
Learn how to embed questions using the question wizard.
Creative Writing flipchart
Creating a DVD of Video Files
When using streamed video in the classroom you can run into bandwidth problems, so it is always a good idea to download your movie ahead of time. Saving a lot of movies on you computer can also create issues since desktop and documents folders get synced to the network. A good way to organize and archive your video is to create DVD's that you will have from year to year. Here is a step by step tutorial that shows how easy it is.
Download and view this tutorial in a larger view 
Seventh Grade "Googlers"
This week we have been exploring all the positive uses of Google Apps with our seventh graders. They have created sites (being used as e-portfolios), docs, and become responsible users of email. I can't praise these students enough for the awesome job they are doing with their Google Apps for Education accounts. Kudos to their teacher, Miss McMillan for her creativity, organization, and love of Web 2.0+!
The teachers of the day
Today I spent a great afternoon with a wonderful group of teachers at St. Martin dePorres in Oakland. We spent an afternoon looking at the tools of Activinspire, but the real excitement was to see two of the school's students take over the teaching.
Thank you Quante and Somto for sharing your enthusiasm.
Thank you St. Joachim School
Yesterday I had the pleasure of visiting St. Joachim School. I was there to share my enthusiasm for the new Inspire software. I thank the principal for inviting me and the teachers for staying so late to learn the new tools and see some of the power of this engaging software. Here are some additional links and the flipchart we used. I look forward to returning soon.
Tech Events in the area -
Workshop Resources
Earn your Activinspire badge!
Presentation Resources for Moraga Schools
Download the workshop flipchart.
Beginning and Intermediate session 1/24/2011
Beginning and Intermediate session 1/24/2011
Our seventh grade teacher has created a portaportal.com site with great resources for teaching. Visit her page for more ideas and tips for Promethean Activboards as well as great links to resources in all subject areas.
Area Upcoming Events
Feel free to contact me with any questions
amassi@csdo.org
Inspire Resources
The Promethean Inspire Resources have been moved to a new site. Please go to http://amassi.net
There is no better resource than Promethean Planet for tips, flipcharts, and creative ideas for using Inspire. But sometimes navigating the website can be a time consuming task. Here are a few links to documents and sites that might make your search easier.Take some time each week to check out ActivTips or subscribe to the ActivTips podcasts on iTunes. There is even a My Planet App for the iPhone.
I recently discovered this website filled with Inspire tips, guides, and training flipcharts for teachers. Don't miss these technology resource pages created for the teachers of Fredrick County Public Schools (Maryland)
Here are a few documents for those who would like some reference while they explore Inspire.
Start with the very basics.
This 36 page document describes the tools and functions of Inspire.
This guide aims to show you just some of the many possibilities that ActivInspire can offer you and your lessons.
Training Flipchart
San Jose Conference
Thanks to all who attended the sessions.
Download the session flipchart
Download the magic eraser resource pack from Promethean Planet.
Oakland Diocese Workshops
Activote Flipchart
Activote/Expression Flipchart
Activexpression Teaching Tips
Need a complete user guide? Download the ActiveInspire User Manual.
New for 2009-2010
Welcome Back to a new school year. Over the past two years you have all made great progress in using new technology to enhance your lessons and engage your students. This year we continue to add more tools for student productivity and creativity. I am very excited to introduce a great new animation software to grades 4-8, a Typing program for K-2, and some great writing templates that will add pizzaz to your stories.
I have waited several years for an OS X version of HyperStudio to be released. It is finally here and better than ever. With HyperStudio, students (and teachers) can create interactive presentations, podcasts, animations, and movies. It has been completely modernized for todays tech savvy students. To learn more go to the Mackiev site.
At the request of the K-2 teachers, we have added a keyboarding program appropriate for the primary grades, Type To Learn, Jr. It is our goal to have the students learn the keyboard by typing words and short sentences in a game like setting. Visit the Sunburst site for a complete description.
Also new this year is Stationery Studio. "It includes an easy-to-use word processor and library of inspirational designs to make writing fun and foster the ability to write about any subject." This program is sure to add pizzaz to student writing projects. Use it on the computer, or print the templates for handwritten lessons. View some samples at FableVision.
Learning.com is coming to CTK
This year we have added Easy Tech and Tech Assessments to our curriculum for grades 3-5, and grade 7. I will be working one-on-one with the teachers in these grades on how to best implement these two great resources. Go to learning.com for more information.
Download the revised list of software titles available for you and your students for 2009-2010.
Get Inspired!
I'm Inspired! I spent four days last week in an intense workshop with Promethean Activinspire trainers and experts. I learned so much about the new Inspire software, I am ready to help develop flipcharts with teachers and am excited to begin teaching the basics to anyone ready to switch over to the new software.
At the end of June, all teacher computers were up to date with the newest software and resources. I hope you had some time to become familiar with the new interface. While the software still has some kinks, it has many great improvements. For some quick tips and tricks download this guide.
No Future Left Behind
This film was created as the Keynote for Net Generation Education Project. When kids at the Suffern Middle School were asked to talk about education and their future here's what they had to say.
Books You Should Read
The following is a short list of books I highly recommend for your Professional reading. I have donated copies you can check out from our library or you can buy them from the links provided.
Reinventing Project-Based Learning: Your Field Guide to Real-World Projects in the Digital Age by Suzie Ross and Jane Krauss
Creating a Wiki/Blog Page
Introduction
A brief introduction to using and finding your school blog pages.
Editing Your Page
This tutorial shows how to edit the content and settings on your page.