VIRTUAL> Virtual Teacher - PANORAMA
- From: Gleason Sackmann <gleason@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: K12Newsletters <k12newsletters@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Mon, 14 Apr 2003 08:00:00 -0500
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K12NewsLetters - From Educational CyberPlayGround
http://www.edu-cyberpg.com/
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Date: Sat, 12 Apr 2003 18:36:17 +1200
From: cathy@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
VT - 69 April 11th 2003
THE FREE ONLINE FORTNIGHTLY IT TEACHERS' NEWSLETTER
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CONTENTS
1. Welcome
2. Mind Candy
3. WWWinfo - PANORAMAS
4. New Printables - TESSELLATIONS
5. Technical Stuff ? Apple Site and Coferences
6. Web Site Focus ? Laugh at Work Week
7. Drawing Cartoons
8. Great Sites
9. Readers' Requests/Comments
10 Next Issue
11. Code of 'Netizens'
12. Tips
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1. WELCOME EVERYONE. It?s the Easter break here in Sydney.
VT will be taking a break to, the next issue will be out on May 2nd.
As you will see I haven?t covered Databases in this issue, I will
leave them till after the holidays. I was sidetracked with some
wonderful tessellations. The printout is a tessellation, and there
are also some wonderful Tessellation sites, which I have added
to the VT site, including moving tessellations. The standout site
of the month is the Panoramas,
you?ll love them, a free holiday for those not actually leaving
town this Easter.
Have a great break.
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2. MIND CANDY
Schools should be a mirror of a future society.' Anon
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I touch the future. I teach.
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'As a child lives today he will live tomorrow' John Dewy
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Chaos breeds life while order breeds habits' Henry Adams.
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'It takes a whole village to raise a child.' African saying
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It's not the biggest, the brightest, or the best that will survive,
but those who adapt the quickest'. Charles Darwin
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'To raise new questions, new problems, to regard old problems from
a new angle requires creative imagination and makes real advances'
Albert Einstein
' Education for the future has left the harbour and is already
on the open seas. Some educators are still clinging to the
belief that the ship hasn't left and are invested in business
as usual. Some educators are enjoying the freedom of the
open seas .... excited about the foreign ports and places
they will visit '
Renata and Geoffrey Caine
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3. WWWInfo - Panoramas - They're fantastic!!!!
This is a fantasic site high on the WOW! factor.
Just click on some of the panoramas - the pyramids,
La Tour Eiffel - The Eiffel Tower - Paris
Niagara Cascade at Reunion Island
Inside Dr. Rileys Mouth
http://www.panoramas.dk/
Time Square
http://www.panoramas.dk/fullscreen/fullscreen41.html
http://www.panoramas.dk/australia.html
You will need the quicktime to view this site, the latest
Free download is at:-
http://www.apple.com/quicktime/download/
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4. NEW PRINTABLES ? TESSELATIONS
Make your own using Paint.
http://www.virtualteacher.com.au/Tessell.html
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5. TECHNICAL STUFF
Apple website info Education - Especially for Australia - review
distinguished schools program
http://www.apple.com.au/edu/
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Visions & Reflections, the 24th annual National Educational Computing
Conference
The 24th annual National Educational Computing Conference
(NECC) is presented by the International Society for Technology
in Education (ISTE) in conjunction with the Northwest Council for
Computer Education (NCCE). It will be held in Seattle, June 29
through July 2, at the Washington Convention & Trade Center.
You may pre-register now through June 18 at http://www.neccsite.org
Australian Computers in Education Conference
To join this list send a blank email to join-acec2004_friends@xxxxxxxxxxx
The manager of this list is Kerrie Smith kerrie.smith@xxxxxxxxxxxx
The Australian Computers in Education Conference (ACEC2004) biennial
National Conference will be held in Adelaide in July 2004. ACEC2004 will
cater for educators who use computers in their teaching from K-tertiary.
Why not take a holiday in South Australia and participate in a vibrant
and inspiring computers in education conference? An Information
Distribution email list has been created to distribute information on
a regular basis to possible presenters, participants and sponsors.
It will alert you to progress in planning, paper submission
deadlines, and registration information.
World Environment Day (WED)
http://www.theschooldaily.com/articleView.asp?articlePK=18836
World Environment Day (WED) will be celebrated on June 5,
2003 and this year's theme is "Water ? Two Billion People
Are Dying For It". The United Nations Environment Programme
is preparing a booklet to be used for environmental education
programmes in and out of school settings among
children and youth.
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15th Biennial World Conference for Gifted Education
http://www.gtcasa.asn.au/world.htm
Date : Friday, 01 August 2003
Venue : Convention Centre, Adelaide, Australia
Our Children of the Future 3
http://www.octf.sa.edu.au/octf/
Date : Thursday, 01 May 2003
Venue : Adelaide Convention Centre, Adelaide, Australia
12th State Conference of the Queensland Association for Gifted & Talented
Children
http://www.qagtc.org.au/conf2003/qagtc2003.htm
Date : Friday, 16 May 2003
Venue : QUT, Kelvin Grove, Brisbane, Australia
Island Journeys : a quest for inspiration
http://www.islandjourneys.com.au
Date : Thursday, 02 October 2003
Venue : Wrest Point Casino, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
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6. WEBSITE FOCUS ? Websites for 2 - 7 year olds
Som fantastic letter templates, links and ideas at this site.
Printouts are exceptional
http://www.first-school.ws/theme/alphabet.htm
Games Themes and Resources
http://www.perpetualpreschool.com/
Interesting Site, some great ideas and resources
http://www.meddybemps.com/index.html
World of Peter Rabbit
http://www.peterrabbit.co.uk/
Crayola Site, Craft Printouts, sections for Educators and parents
http://www.crayola.com/index.cfm
Printouts and Games, Fairly commercial, however if your
Children are keen on the Wiggles, this may be just the ticket.
http://www.thewiggles.com.au/games/play.html
ABC has some great activities, here?s the link to the games page.
http://www.abc.net.au/children/mixy/carrotpie/default.htm
Fantastic Site, often mentioned in VT, great info, great printouts.
http://www.EnchantedLearning.com
Some Great Games and activities here, my children love the
Little Animals Activities Centre
http://www.bbc.co.uk/education/schools/
Loads of fun great resources
http://www.sunshine.aust.com/aus/index.html
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7. STUDENT TRACKING and REPORTING ? STARS
STARS is a student tracking and reporting system that is easy
and effective. Designed for K - 6 NSW Primary
schools, it is a database entry for Maths and English allowing
data analysis across the school, over time. Curriculum outcomes
for these 2 Key curriculum areas are updated with syllabus
changes and include all outcomes for these 2 subject areas.
Other areas can included in the 4 page report document. The
cover and backpage can be personalized by the schools
themselves as these are word templates. The 2 internal pages
include the maths and science data entry results shown as
heavy line, referencing grade level and WT,(working toward)
A (achieved) indicators. There is room for comments as well as
other subject reporting.
STARS streamlines the process of recording and reporting on
student progress. It provides teachers with a time-efficient and
manageable way to map kids. It?s as simple to use as handling
your email! The philosophy underpinning STARS was developed by
Dr David Cullen, the Principal of Narrabri West public School
from 1998 to 2000.
I liked this program ? it is particularly suitable for reports for years
2-6, for lower grades there is little movement on the
outcomes for the first 2 years of school, however teachers
in these grades can still input information for Maths and
Science. Take a look at this program if you are considering
a reporting package to provide statistical cross grade information
for your school. Download the brochure at:-
http://www.mtg.com.au/
A free demo CD is also available.
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8. GREAT SITES
HOT SITE
Famous Trials
http://www.law.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/FTrials/ftrials.htm
An interesting resource from Doug Linder, faculty, University of
Missouri Kansas City. A straight-forward homepage full of thumbnails
that lead to various trials throughout history. From Socrates to OJ
Simpson, you'll find timelines, photos, excerpts from the trial, maps
and other pertinent materials. You also find thought-provoking sections
such as Exploring Constitutional Conflicts nad Searching for Evil. But
wait,There's More will lead you to other trial links.
This is a fascinating site ? looking at polyhedra, puzzles, it is interactive
and addictive.
http://mathworld.wolfram.com/topics/LiveGraphics3DApplets.html
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Strategies for teaching Reading in the middle years.
http://www.myread.org/
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Great maths site - Enquiring into number Thingys ? Tackling someof Mathematics
baffling problems ? from a simple easy to understand perspective.
http://members.ozemail.com.au/~macinnis/scifun/number.htm
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9. READERS COMMENTS/REQUESTS
Hi Cathy
I am a new Music Specialist and wondered if you could suggest some helpful
sites
for teaching music to primary school students.
Thanks
Anne
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Hi Anne,
2 sites I like are at:-
http://www.virtualteacher.com.au/music.html
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Cathy, I'd like to reply to another Terrie who asked about instruction for
Microsoft Access. Our school district has start-to-finish tutorial lesson
plans for teachers on our district web site. Please refer your readers to
it:
http://curriculum.peoriaud.k12.az.us/curric/6th%20grade/6thlesson2000.html
We teach Access to our sixth graders.
Terrie Rust
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Cathy:
I have been integrating technology within my curriculum
for some time now and am on many mailing lists such as your
own, but I have to say, your page is the one I look forward to
receiving the most. It is written so teachers without a
vast technology experience can understand what to do and
for this reason Ipass it along to my colleagues.
In the school board where I teach (Halifax Regional School
Board, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, many of the junior highs
have adopted the middle school philosophy. It is within this
approach that my team person and I work. We
are in a technology rich school with an LCD/VCR/laptop/2
ps'c/printer/scanner in each classroom, as well as , a pod area
with 16 computers that 4 - grade 7 classes share. They are
situated in the centre of the 4 classes with a wall of windows
from each class facing the computers so the students are visible at
all times. The school also has a well equipped computer
lab (32 computers) with a SMART Board. Not all schools in
Nova Scotia have this amount of technology, but thanks to
a Federal Government Initiative, all have enough
technology within each school plus are completely wired
for adequate technology integration.
I am impressed with Australia's leading edge technology
approach. You are by far, ahead of Canada.
I am writing to you because you requested pictures of what
was going on in classrooms around the world. My team
person and I just finished an Interdisciplinary Unit with
water as the theme.
http://hrsbstaff.ednet.ns.ca/phillie/WaterIDU/Intro.htm
We regrouped our 51 seventh graders, opened up the
removeable wall between our classrooms, and began the
unit 3 weeks ago, with our finishing day on Friday. The kids
love these units with teacher as facilitator as they construct
new knowledge. I always take pictures as the kids work, but
have few that really show them using the technology, as I
guess now I take that for granted, but here is a page of pictures
I took during the unit. Part of the time was during our Winter
Carnival, so you will have to pardon hats, painted faces, etc.
http://hrsbstaff.ednet.ns.ca/phillie/wavepics.htm
Again, let me say thanks to you for a job well done!
Ellen
P.S. A site that many of our newbies into technology like
is created by a Canadian teacher and Technology Coordinator,
Pete McKay and is called The Teacher List. After one subscribes,
a worthwhile Internet site is emailed to them daily.
http://www.theteacherlist.ca/
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Hi Ellen,
Thanks for the info and great letter. The pictures look great,
seems like you are doing a really fantastic job in inspiring your
students. More of this needs to happen. I am preparing a
seminar session shortly and with your permission would love
to use some of you shots in the session - this type of info needs
to be past on so that everyone can realize the possibilities.
As to the tone of the newsletter - I believe computers should
make life easier, more efficient and fun. Computers aren't
complicated and if programs and explanations make them
appear that way, those program and explanations need to be
discarded. I like it simple fun and attainable.
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HI Cathy
Great site and newsletter-
The Library Software I use is Bookmark- an unsophisticated
software VERY suitable for Primary Schools (where, in Victoria,
we have a lot of untrained Librarians.) You could find out more
about it from Barry or Gary at Book Mark Library Services on
03 9886 1290. Their back up service is FANTASTIC- no , this
is not a paid commercial!!
Mary Adler
Hughesdale Primary School
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Dear Cathy,
Unsure as to whether you can help me - I have an assignment
to do regarding the effectiveness of student portfolio's.
Unfortunately I am having difficulty getting information.
Have you any suggestions?????
Robyn
Hi Robyn,
There is a great deal of material on the web about portfolios.
Digital portfolios are the latest innovation. You will need to do a
bit of reading with regard this topic, a google or edna search
should assist. There is a digital portfolio for download at
http://www.virtualteacher.com.au/teachtool.html
under templates. The nut of it is that students evaluate their own
work and can compare current to past work to see progress.
If you search the VT site with the google search engine there is
also information from previous newsletters.
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Hi, Cathy,
Yet another site for you to consider for inclusion in your newsletter.
If you ever create one with an emphasis on special education, this site
is wonderful. Teachers and parents can use it for information as well
as using the activities to learn what it feels like to have a learning
disability. As always, keep up the fabulous work. My mother always
said... "if you want something done and well, ask the busiest person to
do it!"
Best to you... Nancy S-G
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/misunderstoodminds/
Thanks Nancy great site as usual.
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Cathy
I am a technology teacher and with my students have created
many web pages and will continue to do so in the future. Our
school has no Intranet and I would like to set one up but have
NO idea where to start. I continue to search the Internet and
read all that I can about this topic but the nuts and bolts of exactly
how to make this happen elude me. Can you help?
Chris
Can anyone offer some advice here. I will cover this in later newsletters.
So stay tuned.
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10. NEXT ISSUE
I WILL cover databases and also take a look at setting up intranets.
So send in your experiences and advice and we will tackle these two
Topics. Happy Easter to all.
Ciao
Cathy
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11. Code of the 'Netizens'
This Newsletter is not free, despite the misleading advertising
above. The Fee is now due. Each week you must help one
colleague on the Internet who has less knowledge than you.
Help that person even if you have to visit their classroom or
do a little research and get back to them. Trust me, this will
help a lot of people get their computer classrooms running better.
OK I'm trusting you!!!
***********************************************************
COPING WITH TOXIC PARENTS CD/AUDIO TAPE
A teacher's survival guide by renowned author/educator
Mike Moore. Teachers! Learn how to be assertive when
confronted by toxic parents, principals, and fellow staff
members. Remember you only receive the treatment
you are prepared to tolerate. Buy the audio tape/CD now.
http://motivationalplus.com/cgi/a/t.cgi?tolerate
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12. TIPS
1. Double click on highlighted URLS to open in browser.
2. Send in your Questions, Questions will be published with
Answers, send in your Answers, if you have expertise to share.
3. Nominate a brilliant site for review and inclusion in this
newsletter.
4. Nominate a fantastic school site for review and inclusion in
this newsletter.
5. Make contact with other schools using fantastic programs.
6. Prepare and innovative article for this newsletter.
7. Tell 2 colleagues about this newsletter.
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The opinions expressed here are purely those of the editor,
Cathy Brown. All other small print clauses apply. Such as:
Use at your own risk. Nothing in life is guaranteed. If it doesn't
work for you send me an email.
Editor: cathy brown mailto:cathy@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
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Delivered FREE to your e-mail box every fortnight.
Online Lesson Plans, Great Sites, Free Stuff, Tips, Time savers,
and templates.
Computer Solutions for Teachers. Subscribe today! It's
totally Free! Just type subscribe in the subject and send it to me.
cathy@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
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Reach a growing audience of teachers, by advertising in the
Virtual Teacher Newsletter or on the Virtual Teacher site.
For more information contact,
cathy@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
For information about inservice and training contact me at
cathy@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
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