February and March in the DLL

Technology for you

Distance Learning Lab—Room 508

Absegami

Happenings at the DLL

The Distance Learning Lab has the following equipment available for you to sign out:

· Eight Sony Video Cameras

· Three Canon Digital Cameras (these can also take short video clips)

· Two HP Digital Cameras (for History department use only, per the grant that provided them)

· A few laptops that are pretty much only good for MS Office and Intergrade; no internet access or any other bells and/or whistles

They are available for you to use on field trips, classroom events, after school meetings, etc. Just submit the online form to sign them out!

Did you know that the Distance Learning Lab has equipment available for you to borrow?

Text Box: MANDY Franklin’s students reading to children at the Spragg elementary school—captured by a DLL camera

February/March 2008

Art Wolinsky from ETTC was here for the in-service day on February 27th, presenting a workshop on Wikis and Wikipodcasting. He posted his impressions of our school in his blog. The full text is here.

Technology Workshops Can Be Heaven or Hell

Today I did a Web 2.0 in Education workshop for a small group of teachers in Absegami High School in South Jersey. It was NOT what I had expected.

When they originally asked me to do the workshop we discussed the fact that there might be a lot of material that might be blocked and that we needed to make sure that some of the key sites we were using would be open. The person I spoke to confirmed my fears and said that many of the teachers complained about the amount of blocking that takes place. Having done workshops around the country, I have come to see this as the norm. My expectations were set by my past experiences and while I loved the idea that they were asking for a workshop that pushed boundaries, I was a bit apprehensive.

About a week before the workshop, I sent her 7 URLs and asked her test them. I had about 30 others that we would be using, but felt that these 7 were important. I could live with blockage of the others. Based on workshops that I had given in the past, I expected that no less than two would be blocked. I was pleasantly surprised when she said that only Ning was blocked, but that she had put in a request to have it unblocked. Wow, they have an unblocking procedure that people actually use! …..

The rest of the blog can be found at this link:

http://www.3dwriting.com/tlrr/2008/02/technology-workshops-can-be-heaven-or.html

We’ve been BLOGGED!

Nutrition: Portion Distortion in the American Diet by COSI Columbus
Do you think about how much food goes on your plate when you are really hungry? Dr. Jackie Buell will present some surprising information on "portion distortion" and some of the habits we allow ourselves to fall into that can cause our body weight to creep up...
Availability: Published Date(s) and Time(s) ONLY
Audience: Education: Grade(s): 9, 10, 11, 12

Internet Safety for Students by RoundTrips
With seemingly unlimited opportunities, cyberspace may well have become the new "final frontier." How can we help students explore this frontier in safety? This program will give students the chance to interact with experts and peers on topics including onlin...
Availability: Published Date(s) and Time(s) ONLY
Audience: Education: Grade(s): 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, Parent, Public Library: Library Patrons

Beginning French
I have a beginning French class who would like to collaborate with another beginning French class or with an English class in a French speaking country.

We would like to practice our basic skills and possibly have some cross-cultural conversations.
Status: Seeking Partners
Audience: Education: Grade(s): 9, 10, 11, 12

Marine Science Careers by The New Jersey Academy For Aquatic Sciences This program has not yet been evaluated.
Have you ever thought about a career in marine science? Take a look at the different occupations that can be found in an aquarium, including aquarist, marine science educator, penguin keeper, marine mammal trainer, veterinary technician or SCUBA diver.
Availability: By Request/On Demand ONLY
Audience: Education: Grade(s): 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12

Unity and Diversity by Cleveland Institute of Music This program has not yet been evaluated.
Unity and Diversity explores the connection between English literary composition and musical composition. In a series of three videoconferences, students examine the elements of high quality writing and music by composing essays and simple music compositions....
Availability: By Request/On Demand ONLY
Audience: Education: Grade(s): 9, 10, 11, 12, Gifted and Talented Coordinator, Public Library: Library Patrons

A Midsummer Night's Dream by Center for Puppetry Arts This program has not yet been evaluated.
students take a behind-the-scenes look of classic Shakespeare brought to life on the puppet stage. Theme, point of view, characters, puppet design, stage design and performance techniques are discussed. Video clips of show excerpts, models of the stage design,...
Availability: By Request/On Demand ONLY
Audience: Education: Grade(s): 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, Gifted and Talented Coordinator, Title One Coordinator, Media Specialist/Librarian

"Eyewitness to American History" by Battleship New Jersey Museum and Memorial based on 1 evaluation(s).
Experience history through the eyes of the men and women who served this great nation. Participants will learn about veteran's military experiences and have the chance to conduct a "live" oral history interview!
Availability: By Request/On Demand ONLY
Audience: Education: Grade(s): 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, Curriculum Director, Gifted and Talented Coordinator

When I am approached to find a video conference for someone, or make these program listings, I use the CILC (Center for Interactive Learning and Collaboration) web site, which acts as a go between for schools and video conference providers. They have a search function that allows you to enter keywords which will produce listings of videoconferences, providers, and requests for collaborations posted by other schools and teachers. The site is very easy to use, and if you register (use the free option) you can also set up an email list that will send you new programs in your field as they are introduced. The web address is www.cilc.org. If you have any questions about the site, or have any requests for me to research for you, please contact me at extension 2043, or email or stop by to see me.