Bits - n - Bytes News

2008-04-12T17:33:00.000-07:00

COMPANY NAME/URL

DESCRIPTION

SHUTTERFLY

http://www.shutterfly.com/

We are a leading Internet-based social expression and personal publishing service that enables consumers to share, print and preserve their memories by leveraging our technology-based platform and manufacturing processes. We provide a full range of products and services that make it easy, convenient and fun for consumers to upload, edit, enhance, organize, find, share, create, print and preserve their digital photos in a creative and thoughtful manner.

SMILEBOX

http://scrapbooks.smilebox.com/?partner=yahoo&campaign=scrapbook&utm_source=yahoo&OVRAW=Scrapbooking&OVKEY=scrapbooking&OVMTC=standard&OVADID=10594871512&OVKWID=38010666012

Smilebox is all about sharing extraordinary scrapbooks. In just a few minutes, you can create and share beautiful wedding scrapbooks, baby scrapbooks, and scrapbooks for everyday memories. You can email your scrapbook, post it to a website or blog, or print it!

PICABOO

http://www.picaboo.com/ideacenter/scrapbooking/index.html?gclid=CNXq88_JspECFQTslgodylWNeQ

Find tips, techniques, and samples for creating stunning digital scrapbook pages or turning your hand-scrapped pages into digital albums that can be shared for free online or ordered as hard bound books. Whether you are new to digital scrapbooking or have years of experience, Picaboo is the perfect resource for publishing your creations.

ZScrapbook

http://www1.zscrapbook.com/default.aspx

ZScrapbook.com is a combination of modern and traditional style scrapbooking. We have developed a way to give people of all types the ability to create a truly unique scrapbook that fits their personality.

ZScrapbook - It's as easy as 1 2 3!

MIXBOOK

http://www.mixbook.com/

Mixbook allows you to create books with your friends and family about the things that are important in your life. Mixbooks can be shared online or as coffee-table quality printed books.

PANRAVEN

http://www.panraven.com/home/homepage.html

Our lives are filled with special events and memories that define and enrich us. Panraven was founded in June 2005 to offer rich new ways for people to capture, express, and share their life experiences through words, pictures, audio and video...richly and effortlessly...online and in print.

BUBBLESHARE

http://www.bubbleshare.com/

Create a free account and upload photos to share with friends, family, or the world. Unlimited storage means you’ll never run out of space to keep hundreds, even thousands, of your favorite pictures.

Add fun clipart, audio captions, video captions to your albums. Perfectly frame your photos with over 20 themes. Print stunning photo books, calendars and more!

View or Publish Your Projects Online

2008-04-12T17:31:00.000-07:00

COMPANY NAME/URL	DESCRIPTION
SCRAPBOOKING TOP 50 http://www.scrapbookingtop50.com/
DIGITAL SCRAPBOOKING FREE SITE: (video tutorial) http://www.digitalscrapbooking-free.com/digital-scrapbook-tutorials.htm	DiDigital Scrapbooking Free Site: Download FREE scrapbook printables, templates, kits, ideas and more!
FREE DIGITAL SCRAPBOOKING SITE (video tutorial) http://www.freedigitalscrapbooking.com/digital_scrapbooking_freebies.html
SCRAPGIRLS http://www.scrapgirls.com/	Try ScrapGirls University
THE SCRAPPER’S GUIDE http://scrappersguide.com/index.html

Online Scrapbooking Sites

U.S. Department of Education's Teacher-to-Teacher Initiative Nominations

2008-03-10T20:22:00.001-07:00

The U.S. Department of Education's Teacher-to-Teacher Initiative is accepting nominations for 2008 American Stars of Teaching until March 31. Parents, students, colleagues, school administrators and others can nominate an exemplary teacher who they believe has the qualities to be an American Star of Teaching. We are seeking nominations of teachers across the United States who are improving student achievement, using innovative strategies in the classroom and making a difference in the lives of their students. Teachers across all grade levels and disciplines will be honored as 2008 American Stars of Teaching this fall. To nominate a teacher, go to http://www.ed.gov/teachers/how/tools/initiative/index.html.

The U.S. Department of Education received more than 4,000 nominations for the 2007 school year. A list of previous honorees can be found at http://www.ed.gov/teachers/how/tools/initiative/american-stars-teachers.html.

Teaching Ambassador Fellowship

2008-02-12T21:01:00.000-08:00

Secretary Spellings has announced the creation of Teaching Ambassador Fellowship positions for currently practicing, K-12 public school teachers at the U.S. Department of Education for the 2008-2009 school year. These positions will offer highly motivated, innovative teachers the opportunity to contribute their knowledge and experience to the national dialogue on public education. The Fellowship includes two kinds of opportunities for teachers across the U.S. Up to 20 Classroom Fellows will remain at their schools under their regular teaching contracts and will be paid to participate in additional Department discussions and projects throughout the school year on a part-time basis. Up to five Washington Fellows will be chosen to become full-time, paid federal employees in Washington, D.C. for the school year, working on education programs and participating in policy discussions.

Teaching Ambassador Fellows will be selected based upon their record of leadership, impact on student achievement, and potential for contribution to the field. Highly qualified K-12 public school teachers who have spent at least three years in the classroom are eligible to apply. Teachers must be currently practicing in and employed by a public school district to be eligible. To ensure collaboration at the school and district levels, teacher applicants must have the full support of their school principals.

Applications are due by April 7, 2008. Teaching Ambassador Fellows will be named by early summer for the 2008-2009 school year.

Please read the detailed information found at http://www.ed.gov/programs/teacherfellowship to learn more. Be sure to click on all of the links to review the following:
Program Overview (http://www.ed.gov/programs/teacherfellowship/programoverview.html)
Eligibility (http://www.ed.gov/programs/teacherfellowship/eligibility.html)
Applicant Info (http://www.ed.gov/programs/teacherfellowship/applicant.html)
Application Instructions (http://www.ed.gov/programs/teacherfellowship/applicationinstructions.html)
FAQs (http://www.ed.gov/programs/teacherfellowship/faq.html).

United States Institute of Peace - National Essay Contest for High School Students

2008-01-25T10:57:00.000-08:00

United States Institute of Peace - National Essay Contest for High School Students

Deadline: February 1, 2008

The United States Institute of Peace

http://www.usip.org

The Institute established the National Peace Essay Contest to expand educational opportunities for America’s youth. The topic for the 2007-08 competition is “Natural Resources and Conflict.” Participants are asked to write a 1,500-word essay stating what they believe are the necessary elements for the development of fair, peaceful, or effective use of natural resources after a conflict. Students are eligible to participate if they are in grades nine through twelve in any of the fifty states, the District of Columbia, or a U.S. territory, or if they are U.S. citizens attending high school overseas. Students may be attending a public, private, or parochial school, or participating in a high school correspondence program. Entries from home-schooled students are also accepted. First-place state-level winners are awarded $1,000 each and compete for national awards. National awards include one first-place award of $10,000, one second-place award of $5,000, and one third-place award of $2,500. First-place state winners are also invited to Washington, D.C., for the awards program. The institute pays for expenses related to the program, including travel, lodging, meals, and entertainment. Visit the USIP Web site for complete program information and entry procedures.

Taconic IPA Science Education Grants

2008-01-25T10:54:00.000-08:00

Taconic IPA Science Education Grants

To: Public, Private, and Parochial Secondary (Grades 7-12) Science Teachers in Dutchess, Orange, and Ulster Counties
Taconic IPA Science Education Grants - The purpose of these grants is to expand students’ learning opportunities in the sciences through the acquisition of classroom and laboratory science equipment. This equipment could include microscopes, temperature probes, light probes, computer-related equipment and software, and other laboratory tools.
Application deadline 2/15; Notification late-April

Got to the following URL for more information and an application:

http://www.cfdcny.org/newsarticle.cfm?articleid=121261&ptsidebaroptid=0&returnto=page30019.cfm&returntoname=For%20Grant%20Seekers&siteid=1880&pageid=29999&sidepageid=30019&banner1img=banner%5F1%2EJPG&banner2img=banner%5F2%2EJPG&bannerbg=bannerbg%5Fcustom%2Ejpg

Sorry for the delay

2007-12-14T06:48:00.000-08:00

Well I started a new job and now I need to find time to go into SL again. The new job has different hours and acces to computers during the work day so I can't just hope on during lunch like before.

My partner in crime and I have not had a ton of time since to work on this blog or our podcast, but I hope we will have some new information posted soon.

Thanks!

NASA Polar Year

2007-11-29T08:26:00.000-08:00

From March 2007 to March 2008, the scientific community will be recognizing the International Polar Year. Scientists from around the world will examine the Arctic and Antarctic regions of Earth. NASA's Exploring Space Challenges invites K-12 teachers to design a challenge in conjunction with this event. Judges will select the best Challenges in grade-level categories K-2, 3-5, 6-8, and 9-12. One overall winning Challenge will be used by NASA ESC for the next school year.

Registration is open until Dec. 30, 2007.

For more information, visit: http://esc.nasa.gov/html_files/TeacherChallenge.html

21st Century Explorer Podcast Competition

2007-11-21T05:30:00.000-08:00

What do you think is NASA's greatest exploration achievement in the past 50 years, and why? That is the question NASA is asking students for the Second Annual 21st Century Explorer Podcast Competition. Students will create an audio recording or video -- running one minute or less -- with their answer to the question.

The contest is open to U.S. citizens, ages 11 to 18. Entries will be judged on content, creativity, execution, clarity and overall impression. The 15 finalists in each format (audio and video) and each age category (ages 11-14 and ages 15-18) will be displayed on the contest Web site, where the public will vote for and select a "People's Choice" winner. Prizes will also be awarded for first, second and third place. Winners will be announced on the Web site Feb. 28, 2008.

Entries are being accepted now through Jan. 4, 2008, or when the first 1,000 entries in each category are received.

For more information, including tips for creating audio and video podcasts, visit: http://www.explorationpodcast.com/

Aeronautics Competitions for High School and College Students

2007-11-21T05:29:00.000-08:00

The Fundamental Aeronautics Program of the Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters announces a new aeronautics competition for high school and college students for the 2007-2008 academic year.

High school students are challenged to write a research paper to explain ideas for a future aircraft that could become the "DC-3" for cargo and passengers in the year 2058. Descriptions should be well-informed and include sections on fuel, environmental effects, noise levels, runway length and condition, operating costs, passenger and cargo loads, and service operations. Notice of intent for high school entries is due on Dec. 15, 2007.

College students are invited to design the next generation, 21st-century, "DC-3"-type aircraft. Some of the design considerations include reduced environmental impact, reduced noise, daily operations on short runways, cost analysis for production and operation, passenger and cargo limits, structure and materials, and engines. Students should also briefly describe three valid scenarios for potential use of this vehicle in the year 2058. Notice of intent for college entries is due on Jan. 19, 2008.

Any U.S. student enrolled in an accredited high school, secondary school, or home school in the United States or its territories is eligible to enter the competition for cash prizes. Non-U.S. citizens and students in international locations can enter as well, but they are not eligible for cash prizes. Trophies and certificates will be awarded to each winner, regardless of citizenship.

For complete details, visit: http://aero.larc.nasa.gov/competitions.htm

ISS EarthKAM Image Competition Entries Due Nov. 28, 2007

2007-11-14T06:55:00.001-08:00

Educators and their students are invited to participate in the International Space Station Earth Klimate Analysis Mission Image Competition. Participating classes will create a collaborative investigation about climate change using EarthKAM images.
Each classroom should focus their investigation on a specific topic. The investigation should include background research and supporting images. Schools are encouraged to select a topic that is relevant to their local community.

The entire project must be submitted electronically, no later than Nov. 28, 2007. The EarthKAM team will evaluate the submitted investigations based on content, creativity and overall presentation. Prizes will be awarded for the best projects, and the winning projects will be posted on the EarthKAM Web site.

To learn more, visit: http://www.earthkam.ucsd.edu/public/about/missions/index.shtml

Please e-mail questions about this contest to ek-help@earthkam.ucsd.edu

NASA/NSTA Web Seminars -- Inquiry in Science and Mathematics Education: Parents as Partners

2007-11-14T05:44:00.000-08:00

Join NASA and NSTA for two, free Web seminars featuring scientists and education specialists from NASA. Designed for educators of grades K-6, the seminars will focus on how educators can better engage parents and enlist their support for inquiry-based science and mathematics education. The presenters will share their expertise, answer questions from the participants and provide information regarding Web sites that students can use in the classroom.

The Web seminars are 90-minute, live professional development sessions that use online learning technologies to allow participants to interact with nationally acclaimed experts, scientists, engineers and education specialists from NASA. Each Web seminar is a unique, stand-alone program. Archives of the Web seminars and the presenters’ PowerPoint presentations will be available online.

The Web seminars in this series are scheduled for Nov. 20 and Dec. 12, 2007. Each seminar will begin at 6:30 p.m. EDT.

Online registration for each is now open.

http://learningcenter.nsta.org/products/symposia_seminars/fall07/NASA_Denver/webseminar.aspx

IPY/NSTA Web Seminars -- The Role of Polar Regions in Earth’s Changing Climate System

2007-11-14T05:43:00.000-08:00

Join NASA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the National Science Foundation and the National Science Teachers Association for two free Web seminars on the topic of the International Polar Year. The seminars are designed for educators of grades 5-8. The sessions will focus on the interaction of polar regions with Earth’s climate system, atmospheric gas changes over Earth’s history, what ice cores tell about past climate, and the implications of climate change in the polar regions. The presenters will share their expertise, answer questions from the participants and provide information regarding Web sites that students can use in the classroom.

The Web seminars are 90-minute, live professional development sessions that use online learning technologies to allow participants to interact with nationally acclaimed experts, scientists, engineers and education specialists from NASA, NOAA, and NSF. Each Web seminar is a unique, stand-alone program. Archives of the Web seminars and the presenters’ presentations will be available online.

The Web seminars in this series are scheduled for Nov. 27 and Dec. 13, 2007. Each seminar will begin at 6:30 p.m. EDT.

Online registration for each is now open.

http://learningcenter.nsta.org/products/symposia_seminars/fall07/IPY_Denver/webseminar.aspx

Meet Me at the Corner, Virtual Field Trips

2007-11-01T05:49:00.000-07:00

Ever wonder what you could do with younger students where they use digital camcorders to do interviews, or create a show? Well here is a site that has looked at that very question (in my opinion) an dthe children do a great job with. Meet Me at the Corner is a virtual tour of NYC with specific places and peopel discussed. Something I think you could do with almost any aged students who can come up with a story idea or some questions. Check out the link for more information.

http://www.meetmeatthecorner.org/

Some Interesting Information/Contests

2007-11-01T05:26:00.000-07:00

Well I just stumbled into several pieces of information that I wanted to post and share. I'm not sure how much of this would be an every year event or just a one shot this year, but take a look and see what is there.

Evaluate Online Information

World Book, Inc. has announced the World Book Fact or Fiction? Student Video Contest, inviting students to create an original video on what makes an online site a good information source. The contest encourages students to be discerning about the trustworthiness of the information they are finding online when they conduct research on topics for school or their personal interest. The contest is open to students in elementary, high school and college. Students get to vote for their favorite video from December 1, 2007 through January 7, 2008. The creator of the top vote-getting video will win a MacBook, and his or her school will receive a digital video camera. Deadline: November 30, 2007
http://videocontest.worldbook.com/

Preserve and Protect the Environment

2008 SeaWorld/Busch Gardens/Fujifilm Environmental Excellence Awards recognize the outstanding efforts of students and teachers who work at the grassroots level to protect and preserve the environment. Eight projects will be selected, and each winning group will receive $10,000 to benefit the award-winning project; an all-expenses-paid trip for three students and one adult leader to an Anheuser-Busch theme park for a special awards event; a Fujifilm digital camera for use by the award-winning group—and more.
Deadline: November 30, 2007
http://www.swbg-animals.org/conservation-matters/eea/about.htm

NASA Educator Guides

2007-10-30T09:20:00.000-07:00

The Educational Materials section of NASA's Web site lists classroom activities, educator guides, posters and other types of resources that are available to be downloaded and used in the classroom. Materials are listed by type, grade level and subject. The following educator guides are now available as complete guides or can be downloaded in easy to use individual lesson plans.

Suited for Spacewalking Educator Guide

This NASA educator guide for grades 5-12 focuses on the technology behind spacesuits. Briefly discussed are the space environment, the history of spacewalking, NASA's current spacesuits and the work that astronauts do during spacewalks. This guide includes classroom activities, a glossary and a list of other NASA resources.

http://www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/topnav/materials/listbytype/Suited_for_Spacewalking_Educator_Guide.html

Space Food and Nutrition Educator Guide

Space food research meets the challenge of providing food that tastes good and travels well in space. The activities in this NASA educator guide for grades K-8 emphasize hands-on and cooperative involvement of students as they explore the unique problems of keeping astronauts happy and healthy in space.

http://www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/topnav/materials/listbytype/Space_Food_and_Nutrition_Educator_Guide.html

Register Today for NASA/NSTA Web Seminars -- Igniting the Flame of Knowledge: Human Space Flight

2007-10-23T06:16:00.000-07:00

Join NASA and NSTA for two free Web seminars featuring scientists and education specialists from NASA. Designed for educators of grades 4-9, the seminars will focus on the biological and physical aspects of humans living and working in space as NASA completes the International Space Station, returns a human presence to the moon and looks forward to Mars and beyond. The presenters will share their scientific expertise, answer questions from the participants and provide information regarding Web sites that students can use in the classroom.

The Web seminars are 90-minute, live professional development sessions that use online learning technologies to allow participants to interact with nationally acclaimed experts, scientists, engineers and education specialists from NASA. Each Web seminar is a unique, stand-alone program. Archives of the Web seminars and the presenters' PowerPoint presentations will be available online.

The Web seminars in this series are scheduled for Oct. 30 and Nov. 6, 2007. Each seminar will begin at 6:30 p.m. EDT.

Online registration for each is now open. Visit: http://learningcenter.nsta.org/products/symposia_seminars/fall07/NASA_Detroit/webseminar.aspx

Announcing the 12th Annual IGES Art Contest for Grades 2-4

2007-10-23T06:15:00.001-07:00

Entries are currently being accepted for the 12th Annual Institute for Global Environmental Strategies Art Contest for students in grades 2-4. This year's theme is "The Ocean: From Bottom to Top." Entrants are encouraged to learn more about the ocean and send in a drawing about what they have learned.

The contest is open to all U.S. citizens in grades 2-4. The winning entry will be printed as the IGES greeting card and the first-, second- and third-place artists will receive savings bonds. All entrants will receive a certificate of participation.

Entries are due on Oct. 26, 2007. For more information, visit: http://www.strategies.org/ArtContest

Social Networking Safety

2007-10-23T05:30:00.000-07:00

With all of our discussions on Social Networking either here in the blog or in our podcast, we thought we should add in some sites that talk about being safe while using these sites. On the right hand side of the blog there is a new area titled Social Networking Safety. If you are looking for more information on this topic to share with students, or family then take a look and see what is there. I'll add some more as time permits, but I wanted to at least get some up.

As we said, we are not anti- social networking sites, but we are for safe use of these sites. Think before you post something is one rule that everyone should follow when dealing with blogs, diaries, and all social networking sites.

Thanks,

Karen and Sean

Social Networking and Bookmarking

2007-10-22T09:52:00.000-07:00

Interested in learning about Social Networking websites? I am sure you have all heard of Myspace.com. However, there are many, many more than this. Go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_social_networking_websites to check out some others you may not have heard of, but your students are definitely using or http://social-networking-websites-review.toptenreviews.com/

Okay, many of you reading are probably still wondering what is a Social Networking site. Basically, a social networking site is an online place where a user can create a profile and build a personal network that connects him or her to other users. It is an online hangout to meet friends and make new one.

Top Social Network sites:

February 2007*

Rank Name Domain Market Share

1 MySpace www.myspace.com

2 Facebook www.facebook.com

3 Bebo www.bebo.com

4 BlackPlanet.com www.blackplanet.com

5 Xanga www.xanga.com

6 iMeem www.imeem.com

7 Yahoo! 360 360.yahoo.com

8 Classmates www.classmates.com

9 hi5 www.hi5.com

10 Tagged www.tagged.com

11 LiveJournal www.livejournal.com

12 Gaiaonline.com www.gaiaonline.com

13 Friendster www.friendster.com

14 Orkut www.orkut.com

15 Live Spaces spaces.live.com

16 HoverSpot www.hoverspot.com

17 Buzznet www.buzznet.com

18 Sconex www.sconex.com

19 MiGente.com www.migente.com

20 myYearbook www.myyearbook.com

MySpace, with 70 million visitors, has become the digital equivalent of hanging out at the mall for today's teens, who load the site with photos, news about music groups and detailed profiles of their likes and dislikes. Other social network sites include Facebook, geared to college students, LinkedIn, aimed at professionals, and Xanga, a blog-based community site. In all, an estimated 300 sites, including smaller ones such as StudyBreakers for high schoolers and Photobucket, a site for posting images, make up the social network universe. There is even http://www.Kaneva.com , which has a 3-d virtual world with stores, clubs and a mall that created avatars can meet friends in online to hang out.

On the Horizon, “Both companies (Myspace and Facebook) are planning to extend their reach beyond the computer screen to cell phones. Cingular Wireless, Sprint Nextel and Verizon Wireless are starting a service that will allow users to post messages on Facebook's home pages or search for other users' phone numbers and email addresses from a cell phone. MySpace has a pact with Helio, a wireless joint venture between SK Telecom and Earthlink, that will allow users to send photos and update their blogs or profiles by cell phone. http://knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu/article.cfm?articleid=1463

We have posted some resources for Social Networking safety to the left and in our delicious tags.

Younger versions of Social Networking sites:

http://www.Webkinz.com

http://www.Clubpenguin.com

Disney and Nickelodeon have a social networking site for kids.

Stemming from Social Networking is Social Bookmarking, which definitely has it place in education and research in this digital high tech world. Social bookmarking websites are becoming more and more popular. They allow you to save bookmarks online and Tag/Categorize them with keywords instead of saving them as bookmarks in the favorite’s list of your browser. This technology makes accessing your favorites easy to do anywhere anytime. It also makes search for topics easier since you can add people to your network with the same interests.

Go to http://www.ebizmba.com/articles/social30.html for the August 2007 top listing of Social Bookmarking sites. Probably the most popular is Del.icio.us. Sean and I both have delicious accounts and we invite you to join them at the links provided below this posting.

Regards,

Karen and Sean

Plants in Space Webcast: Chat Live With a NASA Moon Scientist

2007-10-22T05:40:00.000-07:00

When will humans return to the moon? How will they get there? How will the astronauts live and work in reduced gravity? How does someone grow plants on the moon? Classroom students from across the country will have the chance to ask these questions and more during a series of live Web chats with experts from NASA's Constellation Program and Biological Sciences Offices.
The Challenger Center for Space Science Education in Alexandria, Va., and NASA Education are partnering to host two one-hour webcasts with Dr. Gary W. Stutte and Dr. Raymond M. Wheeler from Kennedy Spaceflight Center and John Gruener from the Johnson Space Center on October 23 and 30, 2007, at 2:00 p.m.ET. The webcasts are free and open to the public.

Classroom teachers may register at the Challenger Center Web site to chat with NASA's plant growth experts on how astronauts will use plants to provide food, oxygen, clean water and recycle waste during long-duration space missions on the moon. The conversations are in support of NASA’s Lunar Plant Growth Chamber design challenge for grades K-12.

In the NASA design challenge, elementary, middle and high school students research, design, build and evaluate lunar plant growth chambers using space-flown basil seeds. Students participate in the engineering design process, learn how to conduct a scientific experiment and can receive national recognition for their efforts on the Challenger Center Web site. To register for the webcasts visit: http://www.challenger.org/clc/sts118webcast.cfm

STS-118 Basil Seeds on the Move

2007-10-22T05:38:00.000-07:00

The 10 million basil seeds that flew in space on the STS-118 space shuttle mission have moved one step closer to the classroom. The seeds were returned to NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, on Oct. 4, 2007, and were then packaged and sent to Park Seed Company, located in Greenwood, S.C. At Park Seed Company, the seeds will be sorted and placed in small packets, each packet containing approximately 50 seeds. The packets of space-flown seeds and control packets of seeds that have not flown will then be distributed to educators who have registered to take part in the Engineering Design Challenge. The seeds will be packaged in a commemorative envelope with an insert that provides additional information about the seeds.

The seeds are available to the first 100,000 registrants, who must be residents of the United States or U.S. Territories and Outlying Areas.

For more information on the challenge and to register to participate, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/education/plantchallenge

Literacy Empowerment Foundation Matching Book Grant Program

2007-10-17T07:30:00.000-07:00

The Deadline for the Matching Book Grant Program is November 30th, 2007. http://www.lefbooks.org/matching_book_grants/

LEF currently supplies books to over 35,000 schools. The LiteracyEmpowerment Foundation (LEF) has increased the size of the matching grants available to $16,000.00 per school.

A school can now order $32,000.00worth of books and pay only $16,000.00. (Any amount purchased from $100.00 to $16,000.00 will be matched.)

The Literacy Empowerment Foundation (LEF) is a 501(c)3 nonprofitorganization. Orders must be received by November 30, 2007.

(Please forward this email to your friends and colleagues in literacy.)

Information and a matching book grant order form are available at http://www.lefbooks.org/.

NASA 50th Anniversary Essay Contest for Students Grades 5-9

2007-10-17T07:25:00.000-07:00

NASA 50th Anniversary Essay Contest for Students

The NASA 50th Anniversary Essay Competition for middle and junior high school students is now accepting entries. The competition consists of two separate topics, each with a limit of 500 words. The first topic challenges students to describe how they benefit in their everyday lives from space technologies built by NASA over the last 50 years. The second topic requires students to imagine how their everyday lives will have changed because of NASA space technology in the next 50 years.
Students may submit two separate essays, each responding to a separate topic. Participants must be U.S. students in grades 5-9 and under the age of 15.
An optional notice of intent is due on Dec. 7, 2007. Final entries are due on or before Jan. 7, 2008. For more information, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/5-8/features/F_Essay_Competition.html

NASA Educationhttp://www.nasa.gov/education

Educational Uses of SL

2007-10-15T10:34:00.000-07:00

Hello,

Sean and I have been putting this together and adapted most of it from Puritans Guide to Second Life (one of Karen's other blogs). Many people ask us in RL when they find out that we are in SL as educators and Karen teaches some of my graduate classes in SL they want to know some of the educational benefits. We usually list one or two items and then when the conversation is over, we think wow - we should have mentioned ...

Well, we have been putting together a list for any educator considering SL that consists of Educational Benefits (compiled from multiple blogs/wikis - they are mentioned in the next section and the Second Life Wiki is among the best and where most of this information has come from), Reliable SL Blogs and Wikis and some educational places to visit in SL with connected links and videos to visit if you do not have an SL account.

How is Second Life Used Educationally?

Educational Benefits of SL

• 3D virtual worlds can provide opportunities for rich sensory immersive experiences, authentic contexts and activities for experiential learning, simulation and role-play, modeling of complex scenarios, a platform for data visualization and opportunities for collaboration and co-creation that can not be easily experienced using other platforms.

• Provides an excellent platform for flexible delivery and online education.

• An extension tool to meet student learning needs on a 24/7 basis.

• The many communities of Second Life provided students with rich opportunities for observation, research and interaction with other cultures, as well as many interview subjects for use in their writing.

• Second Life's ability to create a sense of presence, shared space and shared experience makes it ideal for presentations, panels and discussions. Presenters can show slides and videos and stream their voices into the world.

• The platform allows for the development of a range of strategies and spaces for training and skills development. Users can access a range of training options in Second Life - both useful in the virtual world and in real life!

• Residents are creating displays and exhibits on a broad range of subject areas. Using images, text and multimedia they are able to create dynamic, interactive displays and exhibits, which avatars can move in and interact with.

• Immersive Exhibits in Second Life allow residents to engage in, experience and respond to information in context, allowing for a deeper understanding of places, situations or circumstances through simulation.

• Allows students to undertake a range of role-plays and simulations, practicing real life skills in a virtual space or exploring situations that they could not undertake safely or easily in the real world.

• Advanced scripting and building tools built into the Second Life platform allow for the development of complex data visualizations and simulations.

• Teachers can create laboratories where students can take part in virtual experiments that produce and analyzable data.

• This platform currently hosts a range of Libraries, Art Galleries and Museums where residents can engage in events, discussions, and displays on a wide range of topics that they might never be able to do in the real world.

• The platform allows for the creation of amazing, immersive environments based on historical places and events. These environments can be used for a range of learning activities including role-plays, action learning and research and historical study.

• The built in scripting tools allow users of Second Life to explore a range of Artificial Intelligence concepts.

• Second Life is one big arts project, as all of the content is user-generated. However, there are plenty of examples of original artworks, both in galleries and in the "open", from scans of paintings and drawings from the real world to 3D dynamic and interactive sculptures and installations that make use of the unique 3D qualities and building tools of the Second Life platform.

• Second Life offers the ability to create a range of performances and theatrical events. Easy to customise avatars, and the ability to make elaborate sets and props quickly and cheaply makes it an appealing platform to some performance artists.

• Built in camera tools allow users to shoot virtual photographs in Second Life, which can be save and used in a range of ways including photo stories and photo scenarios. This strategy can be used to engage students in digital storytelling, and recording and reflecting their work in Second Life. It can also be used to create engaging multimedia resources, which can be used in teaching and learning.

• As well as being used by language teachers - including ESL/TESOL - to run language classes, Second Life also provides opportunities to interact with native speakers of target languages.

• Second Life has also been used to help abused children redevelop socializing skills; adults with cerebral palsy to allow them to share personal interactions without prejudice.

• Because Second Life has a real population it provides an opportunity to explore various forms of governance and community-building and to engage in political action, such as protests and electioneering, without many of the risks associated with taking action in the real world.

• Second Life has a real economy and currency exchange making it possible to experiment with running businesses and engaging in economics modeling in a low-risk environment.

Reliable SL Blog/Wiki Resources

http://rampoislands.blogspot.com/
http://sleducation.wikispaces.com/educationaluses
http://eye4youalliance.youthtech.info/
http://plcmc.org/teens/secondlife.asp
http://ddmcollective.blogspot.com/
http://www.storyofmysecondlife.com/?p=153
http://puritansguidetosecondlife.blogspot.com
http://milamber-taurog.blogspot.com
http://bethssecondlife.blogspot.com/
http://kathyschrock.net/blog/
http://muveforward.blogspot.com/
http://ets.tlt.psu.edu/gaming/http://www.secondlife.intellagirl.com/

Articles and Papers
http://women.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/women/body_and_soul/article1557980.ece
http://trumpy.cs.elon.edu/metaverse/gst364Win2005/handout.html
http://web.ics.purdue.edu/~mpepper/slbib

Some Must See Locations in SL ( I did not duplicate any from my last educational tour of SL - http://puritansguidetosecondlife.blogspot.com/2007/06/tour-of-educational-places-in-sl-self.html
)
• Remember Me - Alzheimer's Exhibit on InfoIsland
• Gold Rush - http://www-rohan.sdsu.edu/~orloski/670web/egame.htm
• Hydro Hijinks Diplomacy Game
• Play2Train - Idaho Bio-terrorism Awareness and Preparedness Program - http://www.isu.edu/departments/irh/IBAPP/index.shtml
• UC Davis Medical Center's Emergency Workers Simulation-based Training http://www.news.com/1606-2-6099774.html
• National Oceoanographic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Island http://www.esrl.noaa.gov/outreach/sl/
• Seifert Surface’s Mathematical Sculptures in the Future Sim
• S&P 500 Visualized in Second Life on Clear Ink Island - http://www.clearnightsky.com/node/278
• Genome - http://slurl.com/secondlife/Genome/91/78/23
• Roma - Ancient Rome http://rikomatic.blip.tv/file/153210/
• The Independent State of Caledon - http://www.secondseeker.com/?p=111
• Temple of Isis - http://www.flickr.com/photos/pathfinderlinden/sets/72157594214266172/
• Ant Harvesting Simulation - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ehEzRUu4_RM
• SDSU Second Life Pioneers based on http://www.lubbockisd.org/webquests/MeetImmigrants/ http://slurl.com/secondlife/Meadowbrook/222/97/24/

Karen & Sean

We'll be Back Soon

2007-10-12T06:27:00.000-07:00

Karen and I have run into a few scheduling issues with people being out sick and time in different school districts, BUT we will be back to publishing more information to our Blog and doing another Podcast or 2 next week. Until then please take a moment to look at some of our other Blogs and Wikis, if you haven't already seen them.

Thanks,

Sean

Wikis in Education, Episode 3, part 2

2007-09-19T05:31:00.000-07:00

This is the information for the second part of the podcast on Blogs and Wikis in Education, Episode 3. Karen and I will attempt to get the first half posted in the next day or so, but I wanted to get this information up for anyone who listened and is looking for more information.

Wikis –

Tools-4-Teachers: a wiki to bring more information to teachers about using technology in the classroom. The wiki includes information and links on many different topics including free interactive websites, Web 2.0, podcasting, and so much more.

Grazing for the Digital Native: This informative site offers information about today’s learners, technology, and technology in the classroom that teachers should look over. They also include information about Web 2.0 as well as workshops on different topics. They have also incorporated several videos from different sources to help the visual learner in each of us.

Wikiversity: Wikiversity is a community dedicated to learning, research, teaching, and service. The site has many different learning activities and materials that teachers can use. They also offer their wiki in several different languages including German, Spanish, and French.

McMEL: The Maine Center for Meaning Learning created this wiki with information on technology, pedagogy, and resources for teachers in Maine… although I find much of what they have very useful for any teacher, not just ones from Maine. They have some very good information on 1 to 1 computing with the laptop initiative that took place in Maine.

Thanks, and I look forward to seeing more people visiting the blogs and wikis that Karen and I discussed and /or created.

Sean

Web1.0 vs Web 2.0: Supplement to Episode 2 Podcast

2007-09-06T11:10:00.000-07:00

What is web 2.0?

Well to really grasp what web2.0 is, it is recommended to have an understanding of Web 1.0. Basically, web1.0 is the information web where web2.0 is the interactive web.

Ajaxian, http://ajaxian.com/archives/how-to-tell-the-difference-between-web-10-and-web-20 (originally from http://mpt.net.nz/archive/2005/12/27/web-2), suggests that a characteristic of 1.0 is the construction sign verses the Web 2.0 pages with the Beta sign. This is basically to give a little humor to the 1.0-2.0 discussion.

Copacetic describes the differences as follows:

Web 1.0 is:	Web 2.0 is:
about reading	about writing
about companies	about communities
about client-server	about peer to peer
about peer to peer	about XML
about home pages	about blogs
about portals	about RSS
about taxonomy	about tags
about wires	about wireless
about owning	about sharing
about IPOs	about trade sales
about Netscape	about Google
about web forms	about web applications
about screen scraping	about APIs
about dial up	about broadband
about hardware costs	about bandwidth costs

Taken from: http://joedrumgoole.com/blog/2006/05/29/web-20-vs-web-10/

It seems there are two types of people out there
• those who believe that there is no difference between Web 2.0 and 1.0, and
• those who believe that Web 2.0 is distinct and revolutionary.
(http://www.exforsys.com/tutorials/web-2.0/web-2.0-characteristics.html)

Personally, we ( Sean and I) think there is a major difference in web 1.0 and web 2.0 for educators regarding the way the web, as technology, is used for instruction:

Education Web 1.0	Education Web 2.0
Class web page for information and links only	Class web page gives information, but also collects information as well with such widgets as Polldaddy.com. Wikis are replacing web pages as a community place for the classroom so that students and parents can also contribute making it a true educational community.
Web based or attached PDF Newsletter	The class blog seems to have taken over the class or school newsletter. Around the globe principal blogs, teachers blogs and classroom blogs have emerged to spread the word. Plus, it allows readers to be interactive by commenting.
Web as a research tool as a web to write process	Web as a research means. Tools such as Zotero.org and Scholar.Google.com have made research and citation of references much easier and simpler. Note and reference cards are already build into this tool eliminating the multi-stepped web to write process. Plus, you can work with your research offline. It is now web to web.
Open up Multiple pieces of software	Widgets really are a wonderful thing. They allow educators to put calculators, converts, translators and other tools of this kind on one single web page making them simple to use and easy to find. A great place for a sampling of Widgets is http://tools-4-teachers.wikispaces.com/Web+2.0.
Collegial Network on AOL	Collegial network has expanded to sharing of social bookmarking, such as del.icio.us. This opens up the new social networking in and of itself with Facebook.com and Linkedin.com. It has even allowed kids to network more by means of Myspace.com, Clubpenguin.com and Webkinz.com making community circles much larger and broader. The younger social networking sites are even beginning to act as a training ground for social networking sites like Linkedin.com.
Organization of web based material on hard drive bookmarks	Mobilization of material and content organization. Many items have made our lives more mobile. This can entail the social bookmarking networks such as del.icio.us, the Google Directory allows web users to drill down through categories, channels in most video on demand sites (Youtube, teachertube et al.).

Above are just a few differences in 1.0 and 2.0 that Sean and I are able to note off the top of our heads. This list could grow in detail in our view.

Keeping it simple, we feel that web 1.0 is a resource web that gives information and provides no interactivity. Web2.0 is a rich and interactive media that allows both designers and users to interact through a variety of means, such as blogging, wikis, tools, gaming (Teen SL), etc.

Some 2007 - 2008 web2.0 tools for educator may be found at Karen's Blog -Teaching 2.0.

For the more visual individuals out there, here are two great videos regarding web2.0:

Web 2.0 - The Machine is Us/ing Us

Web 2.0

Regards,
Karen

Let the 2007-2008 Academic Year Begin!

2007-09-05T08:33:00.000-07:00

Taken from Teaching2.0

Let the 2007-2008 Academic Year Begin!

It is the start of the 2007-2008 Academic School Year. Are you trying to decide what your professional goals will be this year? Are you trying to incorporate more technology into your classroom, but do not know where to start? Are you just learning about technology and need a place to start, refresh and explore this wonderful instructional tool? Or, do you just have a love for instructional technology and blogs on this subject?

Well, if you answered, "Yes" to any of these questions, then you have come to the right blog!

I decided to explore some school webpages and other educational websites along with topics that promote 21st Century Learning. Please join me in the followingeducational web tour designed to promote the use of techology in your instructional practice this up and comming school year.

Our first stop on this journey is going to be http://t4.jordan.k12.ut.us/t4/content/view/221/35/. This website is FANTASTIC! It is from the T4 Jordan Schoo District, Utah, USA. They have really embraced the "Transforming learning concept through technology." This website is a definate must bookmark. Here is just a sampling of this websites offering:

How Can I Become A Better Teacher?

Using Internet Resources to Teach the Core Curriculum
Learning at Higher Levels with Technology
Classroom Instruction that Works
Using the School Computer Lab for Core Curriculum
T4 Teacher Resources

Teach Me More About...

A Revision of Bloom's Taxonomy
Using Google in the Classroom - Google Tools Podcast, Google Docs Podcast, Internet Survival Tools
Rigor, Relevance, and Relationships
Blogs (Social Software in the Classroom)

Wikis
Podcasts - Podcast Creation Guide (Apple), How to podcast
Geocaching Games
Google Earth
Webquests
E-Portfolios
Virtual Manipulatives
Cellphones in the Classroom
iPods in the Classroom
Many things technology - For tips, tricks, and educational technlology know-how, don't miss any of the T4 Tips podcasts.

Okay if the above does not have you hooked yet on this site, then how about this. Darren Draper, author, designer and creator of Pay Attention works for this school district and created many of its pages.

View the YouTube version of the presentation.
View the TeacherTube version of the presentation.

Download the high resolution version (1024x768, 100MB) - Pay_Attention_HiRes.mov
Download the MP4 version (640x480, 29MB, but decent video quality) - Pay_Attention.mp4 (Mirror)
Download the iPod friendly version - Pay_Attention.m4v

Please check out http://t4.jordan.k12.ut.us/t4/content/view/221/35/, the district webpage for copyright educational uses of Darren's Materials.

Our Second stop on this educational journey is going to be http://school.discovery.com/schrockguide/edres.html Kathy Schrock's Back to School Resource on the Discovery Website.

This is another fantastic website. To get you hooked and to bookmark this website as a reference for this school year, here is just a small sampling of resources from this webpage:

First Day Activities...one classroom teacher's ideas for fun and useful activities for the first day of school
First Day of School Sites...a link to all types of sites to help you get ready for the first day of school
Icebreakers and Energizers...a nice list of beginning-of-school year activities
Icebreakers for the First Day of School...teacher-tested ideas for the first week back to school
101 Things for the First Three Weeks...common sense and practical tips for setting the stage for a good year
Student Interest Inventory #1...a fun interest inventory to give to students at the start of the school year to learn more about them
Tips for Getting Organized...all kinds of ideas for organizing your classsroom, your students, and much more

Our Third stop will look at great educational blogs on the internet. That is in addition to this blog of course. :-)

Some blogs to familiarize yourself with regarding education are as follows:
The above are just a sampling of educational blogs on the internet. They are a great way to stay connect and find out about instructional technology trends and uses in schools around the country and globe.

Our Fourth stop will be the Kings Park Elementary School in Springfield Virginia. Their website is wonderful for the k-3 School http://www.fcps.k12.va.us/KingsParkES/staff/index.htm. This site offers K-3 teacher resources, Lessons and Activities, Interdisciplinary Units and Web Activities and Resources. It is broken down by grade level K-3. This website has taken time and very careful consideration regarding its development. It is a wonderful resourse for the elementary school teacher. Below is a sampling of what you may find at this website:

As a former reading teacher, the Phonemic Awarness Activities is a wonderful classsroom resource for teachers.

Well, I hope I have provided you with a wealth of resources for your first week back to school.

Regards,
Karen

Tech Tools 4 Teachers Podcast Schedule

2007-09-04T11:46:00.000-07:00

Tech Tools 4 Teachers

http://techtools4teachers.mypodcast.com/index.html Karen and I ventured out today and decided to start a Podcast for Educational Technology. Above is the link to our podcast site. You can subscribe by RSS using iTunes, My Yahoo, Google, Podcast. We will be podcasting every Friday afternoon, please check out our podcast and joint blog - Bits n Bytes News .

Our Schudule:

Web 1.0 vs. Web 2.0
Great Educational Blogs and Wikis: Must Know Teacher Sites
Second Life and Education
Social Networking
M-Learning Trends
Gaming and Learning
Distance Learning
Data Assistance and the Teacher
Who is the Millennial Child?
Internet Safety
Educational Web 2.0 Sites
SmartBoard and the Senteo in the Classroom
Year 2007 in Review

Welcome to Bits N Bytes News

2007-09-04T11:20:00.000-07:00

This newsletter is designed by Sean Banks and Karen Brooks. It also serves as a supplement to our weekly podcast located at http://techtools4teachers.mypodcast.com.

We hope you join us on our weekly educational podcasting adventure in technology.

Regards,
Karen and Sean