Bits & Bytes Podcasts

Communications project with Northern Ireland, October 16, 2008
If anyone never understood what our “What color is your iPod?” communication project with Northern Ireland is all about, this is what it is based on: The Flat Classroom

I have just discovered that Atomic learning has produced Videos by Vicki Davis one of the teachers involved in the creation of the Flat Classroom Project. We have free access to the videos only through Oct. 30. PLEASE TAKE 15-20 MINUTES TO VIEW THESE VIDEOS! It will well be worth it for the future of our project!
Videos – http://movies.atomiclearning.com/k12/7sfc_wb2/
To download a .pdf of the entire project please click: http://movies.atomiclearning.com/k12/download/Flat_Classroom_links.pdf

Our Wiki – https://kempsville-avid.wikispaces.com/
Our Blog – http://kmsavid.edublogs.org/

October, 2008
I have discovered a great way to create videos with Animoto.  Check out mine below

Be sure to visit http//www.animoto.com to create your own video! Sign up for an account, use this referral number, a4elab14c, and our school will earn credits!


September 25, 2008
From Edutopia.org – Netiquette is becoming a key part of education.
http://www.edutopia.org/whats-next-2008-netiquette-guidelines
Don’t Even Think About It: The Basics of Netiquette
Forward-thinking schools make netiquette the student’s Internet hall pass. Here are some of the basics:
 Don’t SHOUT in all caps.
 Remember: The person on the other end of a digital communication can’t see your expression or hear your tone of voice.
 Cool off before responding to messages in anger.
 Check messages for misspellings or misstatements.
 Respect others’ privacy and your own (for example, don’t give your number to that new MySpace friend).
 Use a clear and understandable email subject line.
 Adjust your tone and style to the situation (for example, don’t use IM-speak or all lowercase letters in an internship application).
 Don’t forward private messages to people they weren’t intended for or copy others on replies to personal messages.
 Remember: Email is never really private and a copy may exist in cyberspace . . . forever

See the results! – Hands down! Teachers should be teaching netiquette in the classrooms! http://www.edutopia.org/node/5702/results

September 5, 2005

Many of these links will require Network login if you are viewing this from home – vbschools\yourNetworkID

The Technology Handbook – has all the answers to ALL your questions.  You can access the handbook through the Website, the Intranet Site and the Shortcuts folder

• Every teacher and student must install a printer on each computer they are using
  Desktop > shortcuts > printers > classrooms – double click on squiggle with proper room number.
• You must use Outlook Client on your “own computer” but Outlook web access on any other computers.
• You must get Outlook to recognize your personal contacts for your email to work properly. Please watch the video:
  • http://studentportal.vbschools.com/sites/MKV/Technology/Training%20Videos/Videos/contacts_640.html (will require login)
• ISS is equipped with two networked computers.  Using a computer is a necessity not a luxury.
• Bit, Byte & Megabyte Blog – will replace monthly newsletter.
• Bit & Byte Sessions – Each one will be centered on the new ISTE standards for teachers, the VBCPS Technology proficiencies associated with these standards and how the teachers can achieve integrating these technology standards in the classrooms. The first one will be Oct. 8
• Laptop carts have been dispersed throughout the building.  There are at least 2 to 3 carts in every section of the building. HOWEVER, two carts can not be connected to the electric in one room (blows the circuit breakers!).  Teachers will need to sign up through Outlook to use the laptop carts.
• Each Team will have a multimedia cart with a computer or laptop and a projector.  Teams will still need to sign up through Outlook to use the equipment. 
• Sign up to use Technology (labs, multimedia carts, laptop carts through Outlook Public Folders.  If you can’t find your public folders, watch this video:
  • http://studentportal.vbschools.com/sites/MKV/Technology/Training%20Videos/Videos/Public_640.html (will require login)
• Bring your own paper to computer Labs for print jobs
• Substitutes may not bring classes to computer labs (except if you have a regular long term sub).
• Lab rules – do not remove screens from monitors, absolutely no food or drinks, leave lab in the same condition you found it in, do not change any settings on the computers.
• Classes take precedence over SOL Labs when signing up to use Labs.  If you only have 10 SOL lab students it would be better to sign up for a laptop cart then to tie up the entire computer lab.
• You must incorporate one internet safety lesson every nine weeks.  Please send lesson plan to Diann Caviness for documentation.
• HOMEWORK, http://www.homeworklive.com Live teacher code is VA16411
• DiscoveryEd Streaming, http://www.discoveryeducation.com  (United Streaming) login= vb + your wise number, password is vbcps
• BrainPop  http://www.brainpop.com 
• SOL Pass, http://www.solpass.org
• Pinnacle – please exit properly or you will have trouble getting back in!  Wait until the little e is gone from your systems tray (by time and date).

August 29
Thank you for subscribing to my blog! I hope this will be a more effective way for me to get information to you.

All students will be trained in how to log onto the network, save to SharePoint and review internet safety through their English classes Sept. 8-16.

August 2008

What new in Technology at Kempsville Middle School

The Technology Handbook (Accessible only in school) – has all the answers to all your questions. You can access the handbook through the Website, the Intranet Site and the Shortcuts folder.

•Bit, Byte & Megabyte Blog – will replace the monthly newsletter. Teachers will be requested, encouraged and coerced to sign up to receive an automatic email every time a VIP piece of information is placed on Blog.

•A large number of printers have been relocated to insure all Special Ed teachers have adequate access. You can count on one hand the number of classrooms without a network printer. Please re-install the printer of your choice. Shortcuts folder > Printer > Classroom > look for room number. Students (and teachers) need to know how to install a printer for every different laptop or desktop computer they use..

•Internet Safety will continue this school year. All teachers are required to incorporate one lesson every 9 weeks.

•Student Login/SharePoint Training will take place the 2nd & 3rd weeks of September through English Class. English Teachers will be recieving a schedule.

•Bit & Byte Sessions – Each one will be centered on the new ISTE Standards for Teachers, the VBCPS Technology Proficiencies associated with these standards and how the teachers can achieve integrating these technology standards in the classrooms. This is in keeping with Dr. Merrill’s proposed 5 year plan which focuses on 21st Century Skills in the classroom. The first Bit & Byte Session will be October 8 and will continue every second Wednesday of the month. There will be at least 7 sessions throughout the day in Lab 146.

•Laptop carts have been dispersed throughout the building. There are at least 2 to 3 carts in every section of the building. The printers have all been removed and placed into the classrooms. Classes can use two carts in one room because of wireless access; HOWEVER, two carts can not be connected to the electric in one room (blows the circuit breakers!). Teachers will need to sign up through Outlook to use the laptop carts. Students must be instructed how to install a printer for every different laptop or desktop computer they use

•Each Team will have a multimedia cart with a computer or laptop and a projector. Teams will still need to sign up through Outlook to use the equipment. There will still be two carts available for additional checkouts. These carts are located in the library and Lab 146 – please sign up through Outlook to use.

Tidbits of information learned at the CRS Conference – System Wide

New Focus – 21st Century Skills: – http://hamptonroads.com/node/474341
July 28, 2008 – Dr. Merrill’s proposed plan.

SASI will be replaced with another data management system in two years.
Why: Technical support for SASI is being discontinued from the developer

Pinnacle – a new version is being tested at two schools this year. It will be rolled out system wide for the SY 09-10.

Vista/Office 2007 – Migration will take place during the SY 09-10

SharePoint - New design will be rolled out December 2008. Supposedly this new version will have a much easier user interface. SharePoint will still be the primary storage area for students, teachers and staff.

LANDesk – New version has already been pushed to all administrative computers. Classrooms will be updated during teacher work week. Just like you did not know when it happened, neither will the teachers.

There are new ISTE (International Society of Technology in Education) Technology Standards for Students and Teachers that reflect 21st century teaching skills. New VBCPS Proficiencies are aligned with the new standards. These new standards will be the focus of my Bit & Byte Sessions for the upcoming year

SchoolNet - Align (teacher – lesson plans)
Teachers, standards, curriculum should be fully loaded into system by August 20, 2008.

SchoolNet – Outreach (Teacher Web pages)
The KMS Outreach Portal is already accessible from the KMS Webpage. Parents can access it now, once they register. Teachers will be required to put a minimum of information on the page NOW.

Welcome message
School Website Link
VBSchools Link
Teacher’s email address
Homework Live Link (Our school only, this year only, until teachers convert to SchoolNet by next year)

SchoolNet – Pinnacle access for parents
•The Pinnacle-SchoolNet Connection will be tentatively ready by February. 2009
•Parents will have to sign for login and password (how, not fully worked out yet), even if they already have registered to get a login to see the Outreach Pages in SchoolNet

KMS Website
•Student pictures will be allowed to be placed on the school’s website as long as we have a signed parental permission form on file.

Wireless Public Access
Sometime this school year, a very filtered, limited wireless access will be available for private equipment

New Technology Standards for teachers – 2008
ISTE International Society for Technology Education has introduced new standards for all teachers. Is your technology integration up to these standards?
http://www.iste.org/Content/NavigationMenu/NETS/ForTeachers/2008Standards/NETS_for_Teachers_2008.htm

Virginia Beach City Public School has also initiated new proficiencies for students in response to these new standards. Are your students making these goals?

Download a copy of the proficiencies. VBTP for grades 6-8

Creativity and Innovation
Communication and Collaboration
Research and Information Fluency
Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, and Decision Making
Digital Citizenship
Technology Operations and Concepts

Here is a great site that shows teachers how to easily incorporate technology into the everyday classroom!
http://www.educationworld.com/a_tech/tech/tech146.shtml

July/August 2008
If you are setting up your room for August, please locate your computer near an electrical outlet and the network drop. We do not have longer network cables available this year. You need to work with what you have or use a cable 15 feet or shorter.

Rooms next year

If you have received a new room assignment for next year, please do not move your computer or the printer.  There will be a computer in the room for you to use and a network printer nearby.  Special Ed classrooms please work with the CRS in moving your printer.

Summertime and passwords

Please remember to reset your password before leaving for summer break.  It’s easy!
You CANNOT reset your password from home – you must be on the network in school to do so!

Login to your computer
After fully loaded do Ctrl + ALT + del
Click on the reset password button in the lower right hand corner
Use at least 8 letters and characters and do not use one you have used before.