Summer Seminars and Software News

Summer Seminar Reminders
Sign up for all workshops on Bob. All workshops at 85A Lab on the Paly campus.

Nextech - June 16-20, 9:00-12:00 (1 unit) - 6 spots left
June 16: SMART Board Technology, Lessons, and Practice
June 17: iSpeak - Podcasting & Other Audio Tools
June 18: Collaboration - Blogs, Wikis, Distance Learning
June 19: Digital Imaging & Video - New Tools for Visual Learning
June 20: Cool Tools - Preview Interesting Freeware / Shareware

PowerUp - August 11-15, 8:30-3:30 (2 units)
Wait list - Email me if interested.


Wimba on InClass: Live Audio Talks

InClass users can now do their own versions of webinars! Teachers can host live presentations, test reviews, homework help sessions, or office hours. Wimba Classroom Express offers built-in software to make all of these services possible.

When you log on to InClass, click on the Communication link, at left under Tools. Then click on the Wimba Classroom link. Automatically, there is a Wimba Classroom for your course. A SetupWizard takes your and your students' computers through the paces to make sure they are ready for Wimba. New computers should do just fine; for others, the Wizard will download and install whatever is needed.

Click on Enter Class and you're ready to upload content. Just click on the arrow sign to the right of GO to upload a Powerpoint presentation. You can present your slides one at a time, talking through them, and your students can "raise their hands" to ask questions. Each participant holds down the TALK button to be heard by the rest of the group. Note that you can also click on the Web button and share a website of interest.

Maybe try Wimba out with a couple of students or colleagues to get ready for next year? A full manual is a click away (note the Wimba Classroom Help link). Or ask me to drop by and demo this new feature to you and your colleagues.


Smartboard Notebook Version 10: Ready When You Are
The new version of Smartboard software has features that make it well worth the download. Things like tables and shape recognition and object animation and even spell check. Go to http://www.smarttech.com and then to the Software Downloads section. Choose PC or Mac and go for the full Version 10 download.

You'll be asked for a serial number. If you have a Smartboard, you'll find it on the side, probably starting with SB680. If you don't have a Smartboard but want to use the software, use this serial number: SB680-R2-452799. Smarttech will send you an email with a product key and download link. After you download and install the software, you'll be asked to type in the product key, and then the software is fully operational.

Two summer workshops will help you learn the new software: Day 1 of Nextech on Monday, June 16, 9:00-12:00, will focus on Smartboards as well as a 2-hour introduction on August 20, 1:00-3:00. Both meet at the 85A Lab on the Paly campus.

eTechNews: New Tools & Programs

The New eTechNews
With all the blogging tools available, it's time for eTechNews to dive in!

I've avoided doing so because users had to navigate to the blog or else set up a blog reader to download and hold the entries. Until now. With current options, users can still subscribe to eTechNews via their email.

Take a look at the box to the right. Type in your email address and click Subscribe. You will get an email confirmation with a link to click on. Voila - you'll still be on the recipient list and continue to receive tech news in your inbox. Please do!

The same features will continue to be available: tech news, teacher toolkit, recommended links, and upcoming workshops. They will just be in new locations. Look for news here in the main body of the blog. Look for links, toolkit, and workshops on the right. Additionally, we an do new things - like surveys. Plus all the editions will be automatically archived. The new eTechNews in blog format. Hope you like it. Feel free to comment below today's entries.

Google Teacher Academy, June 25
The Google Academy is a free professional development day designed for K-12 educators at the Mountain View campus. This intensive, one-day event introduces participants to Google's free products and other innovative technologies. Via an online application process, Google selects 50 Bay Area teachers to participate. Applications are due Wednesday May 28. Click here to see more information. Click on "Apply Now" at the bottom of the page to see the application.

Successful Mail Migration
During the first weekend in May, IT staff moved all District mail accounts to a new, more robust server. Such a move does not come without a few aches and pains! After a weekend without email (oh my!), all District employees started back with the new Exchange Webmail. During this month, IT technicians will reconfigure all 1700 staff computers so that you can get back to a regular mail client like Entourage, OS X Mail, Thunderbird or Outlook. If your desktop support tech has not reached you yet, hang in there - s/he is coming! In the meantime, contact me or IT staff with questions. Plus there are How To's posted on Bob - text, screen shots, and video.

iConnect "Loan-to-Home" Update
iConnect is the new PAUSD program that loans a computer for home use to families who do not have one due to financial reasons. During this school year, iConnect started with students in grades 6 and 9. By June, we expect to have deployed 25 computers. Plans are underway to continue the program next year, again in grades 6 and 9.

iConnect loans eligible families a desktop computer and a pocket flash drive to move computer files easily between home and school. As a family contribution to the program, parents/guardians agree to maintain a home Internet connection to support their students’ academic program.