Technology & Learning - November 2008 - (Page 24)

BESTOF2008 Teach the Teachers DISTRICT: Palm Beach County School District, FL HOW TECH MAKES A DIFFERENCE: John Long of Florida’s Palm Beach County School District provides training and support for the district’s 104 elementary schools. Of all of his professional achievements, he is perhaps best known for his digital storytelling academy. In 2002, he formed the MOD (Multimedia on Demand) Squad, an enthusiastic group of tech-forward educators. The MOD Squad got to work training 50 teachers in the district to compose multimedia stories and to teach their students to do the same. In fall 2004, Long and his colleagues created a “tech ambassadors” program, in which two teachers from each of the district’s elementary schools are trained to be on-the-ground tech mentors. The first year of training zeroed in on basic technology integration. Years two and three introduced more advanced projects, including digital content and digital curriculum creation. And in year four, the 200 ambassadors moved into the realm of Web 2.0, learning how to produce and distribute podcasts. Go Open Source DISTRICT: Saugus School District, CA HOW TECH MAKES A DIFFERENCE: In 2004, Saugus Union School District took on one of its most high-profile projects: adopting open source. Though you might assume cost savings was the primary motivation, it was the desire for a flexible system that actually motivated Jim Klein, director of information services and technology, to switch all 52 systems from Novell NetWare to an open-source platform. In four weeks, Klein and his team adopted a system that included virtual network computing. Today, Klein says, Saugus boasts a computer network with faster computers. Even the oldest computers are more reliable. And the IT staff is better able to support teacher, staff, and students. In the first year alone, Saugus officials estimate that the district was able to save $65,000 in licensing fees by using open-source desktop software. The district’s next focus is on open-source Web applications. Get Creative with Software DISTRICT: Ohama Public Schools, NE HOW TECH MAKES A DIFFERENCE: Sarah Shotkoski had a unique idea to get her kids excited about reading: making flipbooks. Each sixth grade student takes a basic picture book and turns it into a digital picture book using GarageBand, iTunes, scanners, and iMovie. They start by bringing in their favorite childhood picture books. Shotkoski does a lesson on expression and how a reader’s tone, volume, and voice inflection can change a story. Once students have practiced adding expression to their reading, Shotkoski shows them how to tape themselves using GarageBand and students record their stories. They then listen to the recording to edit out mistakes, then add introductory music and page turn cues. They upload these GarageBand podcasts and the school iTunes, which are used in a listening center in a second grade classroom. This helps younger students listen to fluency, while the older students learn how to use the software and practice reading expression. 24 | TECH & LEARNING http://www.califone.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Technology & Learning - November 2008

Technology & Learning - November 2008 Contents Editor’s Desk News & Trends Put to the Test WeeWorld Adobe Creative Suite 4 Master Collection SAS Curriculum Pathways Rosetta Stone Classroom Version Pulse Smartpen Highlights from T&L Top Classrooms Kepping the VoIP from Being the Wrong Number Watch It Back Office Business What’s New Keeping Tabs Leader of the Year Profile: Music to Their Ears

Technology & Learning - November 2008

For optimal viewing of this digital publication, please enable JavaScript and then refresh the page. If you would like to try to load the digital publication without using Flash Player detection, please click here.