Web Content

As most of you have already noticed, the web filtering rules have changed in the district. Please don't be alarmed. We are evaluating a new device to see if it meets our needs. Some of the sites that you visited previously might be coming up blocked. If this is the case, please follow the instructions and send an email to Abuse. This will be the quickest way for us to unblock all necessary sites.

Google Wave

Google wave is a new way to communicate for personal and work use. Check out the link and if interested, you can request an invite. If you really can't wait, send me an email. I have a few invites that I can give, but it's first come first served.

How Do I Do That? - Tuesday, December 15

The December session of How Do I Do That? has been moved to Tuesday, December 15. The class will be held in the B10 Computer Lab at Marshall Simonds. The session is open from 2-4:30pm.

The December session will feature how to use video content in lessons and presentations. Subscription video services including Discovery Education's UnitedStreaming and BrainPOP will be used as well as free online video from YouTube and TeacherTube. Participants will learn ways to save videos and embed them into PowerPoint or class blogs for presentations. The Open Office presentation software, Impress, will also be introduced.

New Creation

Due to some Wireless coverage issues that we have been dealing with at some schools, I decided to create a wired mobile cart "Prototype". The cart uses 1 computer tower and 3 Virtual Terminals to provide 4 working stations. This unit has been delivered to Pine Glen for testing. If all goes as planned, then we'll hopefully see alot more of these wheeling around your schools.

Trade a Proposal for a Flip Video

Give us a proposal explaining how you would use a Flip Video in your classroom. If we pick yours then we'll give you a Flip Video. There are 8 up for grabs. All entries must be in by November 30th, and submitted to Cindy M.

How Do I Do That? - Tuesday, November 10

The November session of the How Do I Do That? program will be held on Tuesday, November 10 in the B10 Computer Lab at Marshall Simonds. The session will be open from 2:00 to 4:30pm.

The November session will feature the new Burlington Public Schools BLINK system. BLINK is a new web based network system for all BPS teachers, staff, and students. The cloud system will allow staff and students access to important software programs, documents, and email from any computer or mobile device that has an internet connection.

Participants in the November session of How Do I Do That? will be introduced to BLINK, learn about the log in process, and learn how to access software and documents. Open Office programs will also be introduced.

Click on the following link to read a blog post from Dr. Conti regarding BLINK:

ericconti.wordpress.com - BLINK Network

How Do I Do That? - Tuesday, October 13

The October session of the How Do I Do That? program will be held on Tuesday, October 13 in the B10 Computer Lab at Marshall Simonds. The session will be open from 2:00 to 4:30pm.

This month's session will feature information on blogs for educators. We will discuss the positive uses of blogs as an extension of the classroom. We will also look at the concerns that can potentially be faced using a class blog and how to be prepared for them. Teachers will have the chance to set up a blog for themselves.

Wordpress, Blogger / Blogspot, and Edublogs will be featured.

Please email me with any questions about the session: villano@burlington.mec.edu

Minis

As of this week all of the HP Minis have been delivered. The minis are available for sign out in BHS and MSMS Libraries, and in the 4 Computer Labs in the elementary schools. All of the mini's have 3 USBs, a multifunction card reader, wireless, webcam, and a monitor out. The front of the laptop has 2 buttons. 1 of the buttons is the power button (yellow circle), the other button is for the wireless (red circle).

SMART Board Tools Quick Reference

SMART Board usage is growing fast in Burlington this year. These interactive boards give teachers many options for classroom instruction and student participation. Teachers can use the SMART Notebook, interactive websites, Microsoft Office docs, Open Office docs, videos, images, and just about anything else that runs on a computer.

The SMART Board is most powerful when you use the SMART Board Tools. These adjustable tools can be used in any program and give you the power of many of the features of SMART Notebook anytime you want them. The SMART Board Tools can be kept open at all times. You can usually open the SMART Board Tools by going to the START menu and clicking on the list for SMART Board Drivers.

Click on the following link to view information on many of the items located in the SMART Notebook Toolbar and Desktop Tools:

SMART Board Toolbar Quick Reference Guide

Friendly Reminder: U: Drives

Every employee in the school district has access to a network folder, or U: Drive. This network folder is backed up frequently in an effort to preserve precious data. Desktops and laptops are NOT backed up on the network, so any data saved locally (c: drive, My Documents, etc.), could be lost in the event of a hard drive failure.

Each user’s U: drive is mapped automatically at login and can be accessed by opening up my computer. For further assistance or any questions, contact your building technology rep.

Interactive Resource Websites

If you are trying to incorporate more technology into your classroom, the resources available can be overwhelming. One of the best ways to find these resources is a simple Google or Bing search but we rarely have the time to look through thousands of pages of results.

Over the past few years I have made a list of some great free content available online. I have linked 4 pages of interactive technology resources below. Many of the pages have content perfect for using with a SMART Board. Some of the pages include games for play and learning.

If you are starting to use a SMART Board in your classroom, there are many different ways to make the educational experience more interactive. Along with the SMART Notebook and its Essentials for Educators Gallery, SMART Boards are perfect for using interactive resources such as simulations, educational games, images, and videos. Many of the links included in the following pages include these kinds of resources.

One of the links is to the Fox Hill Elementary School website where Mr. Donoff has created several excellent lists of interactive pages.

Please click on the links below to open the pages:

Interactive Technology 1

Interactive Technology 2

Interactive Technology 3

Interactive Technology 4

Here is a cool Site I found with lots of uses for Ipods in schools

http://learninginhand.com/ipod/index.html

How Do I Do That?

A new BPS educational technology program begins on Tuesday, September 15.

The How Do I Do That? program will help BPS teachers explore the extensive technology available for our classrooms. The program will include monthly workshop sessions featuring specific technology topics. Teachers will be able to get individualized instruction and assistance with technology needs during each session.

Teachers may attend any session they wish. Participants do not need to "sign up" for the sessions. Each Tuesday will serve as an "open house" for educational technology.

The program begins with one session per month meeting in the B10 computer lab at Marshall Simonds Middle School. (The lab is located upstairs in the 8th grade hallway near the library) We hope to see other sessions available at each school during the year.

The first session is scheduled for Tuesday, September 15. The featured topic will be SMART Board set up and the SMART Notebook software. The session will be open from 2-4:30pm.

Click here for more information about the program

Please email Dennis Villano, MSMS Media Specialist, with any questions about the program: villano@burlington.mec.edu

SMART Board Set Up Guide

If you are looking for some assistance with your new SMART Board make sure to check out our SMART Board set up guide for teachers. The guide includes step by step instructions for setting up a SMART Board, LCD Projector, and computer.

Before setting up the SMART Board make sure you have all the necessary materials. Also, place the 4 stylus pens and eraser in the SMART Board tray before getting started.

The last page of the guide includes several links to great interactive resources, downloads, lessons, and help with using the SMART Board.

Click here for the SMART Board set up guide

ALSO - Check back here on the BPS IT blog for an upcoming SMART Board set up video.

*! Big news !* Dennis V is going to help contribute to this Blog. In upcoming posts we will try to relay useful info about technology to the district including videos, tutorials, helpful tricks, and more pictures. Stay tuned

First week of school was hectic, but rewarding. We are still delivering equipment, but all teacher laptops are out, new labs are up and running, and most of the new Smartboards have been delivered. Minis are being configured as I type this and will go out soon.

20 inch IMACs for the Arts Lab

Mini laptop vs a 15inch laptop

New printer cartidges are in.

BLINK (Burlington-Link) behind the scenes

Our summer workshop

Technology presents for The schools

Dennis V. Helping with Deliveries

Waiting to be configured

Summer has been very crazy. Lots of technology to assemble and configure before the new school year starts.