In this issue... Teacher Feature Freeware Gems New Mobile Lab for EHS SMS Technology Initiatives Tech Updates from LSS & MSS State of the Network Professional Development SAU 16 TechLetter Archive

Teacher Feature

by Aimee Reeve

            Glen Russell has been teaching at LSS for 8 years. In his classroom computers are integrated throughout the year as tools to simplify research, for word processing, and to enhance the content areas. However Glen feels that it is the integration of interactive CD’s and simulation programs in the content areas that has had the most significant impact on his teaching and on student performance. He has observed that students find interactivity more engaging than linear activities, and that they especially appreciate immediate feedback on their efforts. Simulations bring alive the subject matter for students and help them see its application to the real world. When students are fully engaged in the process motivation is enhanced.

            Glen introduces computer skills or new programs using the LCD panel and external speakers to project the sound and images so the whole class can easily see and hear what is on the computer. He takes the class through the process step by step. Then students work in groups to solve problems and complete their projects. Groups work simultaneously using 4-6 computers.

            In Social Studies Glen successfully used Oregon Trail to provide a virtual field trip during the Westward Expansion unit. Students not only learn about US history and geography, but gain experience in planning and problem solving. An extra benefit is that the simulated journals from Oregon Trail provide students with concrete examples and direction for writing their own journals. The Explorers of the New World unit is enhanced using an interactive program in which early explorers speak to the students about their world. Its extensive reference section is a valuable resource when students complete research reports. When it comes to research, students also enjoy finding many sources on the Internet. Using key words to search for information has given the task , previously considered to be tedious, a whole new level of excitement.

            In Science Glen provides another opportunity for teamwork as students learn about environmental science and marine biology using The Great Ocean Rescue. He observed that students begin to integrate their own background information as they work to solve the problems and get excited about what they’re doing. This helps them to appreciate the interdisciplinary nature of learning. Then, during the Weather unit, as students take readings from the LSS weather station and compare their predictions to those of the internet weather sites, they see how well they have learned the concepts behind the weather. This unit also incorporates an interactive Weather CD.

            A popular math application is The Graph Club. Class surveys are completed on a number of topics including favorite books, favorite candy bars, and other favorites. Teams generate a variety of graphs that show the data in different ways. Students are motivated to display their opinions while learning to assemble and display data.

            Despite the level of computer integration in his classroom, Glen points out that he does not consider himself an expert in technology. He remembers that it wasn’t long ago when he was apprehensive about using technology Wanting to use the computer in his classroom was the primary impetus for taking courses and attending workshops. But Glen gives a lot of credit to students for helping him lose the initial fear of damaging the computer by doing something wrong. His students were willing to try new things and he also learned through their experimentation. Seeing their lack of reservations made him feel more comfortable using the computer. He quickly realized its motivational value when he found that students were willing to give up recess to work on computer projects. Students were discovering school could be fun!

            Today, Glen continues to learn from his students as many more of them now have access to technology at home. He would encourage teachers who are feeling uneasy about integrating computers not to be afraid to use technology. For those who fear that it adds more work to an already busy schedule, Glen has learned that taking that first step actually makes things easier. When technology is integrated into the curriculum it connects to what you are already doing. Things become less difficult as the process motivates the students. Motivated students surely make our job more rewarding. As Glen gets that message across to students and teachers he shows that he is a leader in technology.

Freeware Gems

By Mary Jo Spencer, Technology Coordinator, Stratham Memorial 

 What an amazing concept – Free Software!!  Yes indeed, there is such a thing and if you sort through the listings of freeware carefully, you can find some really great programs.  This helps at school by providing additional resources for students and freeware can help connect school with home since there is no cost for students to use these programs at home as well.  You can find freeware in general software download listings such as www.download.com as well as in special freeware listings such as www.completelyfreesoftware.com  www.nonags.com or http://macfreebees.tripod.com/

 Here are some freeware gems that I have come across:

 PhotoPlus5 for PC’s:  www.serif.com/photoplus5/index.asp 

 This is a totally amazing multi-function photo editor, paint, and animation program.   You can start from scratch, pull in photo files from your digital camera, or acquire images from a scanner.  Now you can lighten, brighten, and sharpen your photos or apply a special effect.  Then you can use the export optimizer to prepare the photos to be sent via email or for publishing on the web.

Block CAD for PC’s:  http://user.tninet.se/~hbh828t/proglego.htm

             What could be much better than virtual Legos?  Now you can have all the Lego-like blocks you want and you can even color them.  Bright Pink anyone?  No more hoarding blocks and no more clean up afterwards.  I sure won’t miss stepping on those tiny blocks that seem to find their way to the floor.  Just be sure to give your students a chance to use this program too.

  Zip It Fast 2.0 for PC’s:  http://www.zipitfast.com/

If you are tired of those nag screens from WinZip but don’t want to pay the shareware fee, now you can just switch to ZipItFast 2.0 for all those Zipping and UnZipping tasks.  This program is completely free and it supports about 20 different compression formats. 

FuturePaint 2 for Macs:  http://www.stazsoftware.com/sw_futurepaint.html

 Last but not least is a freeware paint and image-editing program for the Mac.  System requirements for this program are: System 6.0.8 through OS X. 1 Meg RAM.  This program provides a wide range of controls for working with images and it can also acquire graphics directly from scanners.

New Mobile Lab at EHS
By Richard Pratt, Technology Coordinator, EHS

 The High School will be piloting a new (for the SAU) concept this year.  We have been able to purchase a rolling, wireless iBook lab.  The lab consists of fifteen student machines and an additional machine for the teacher.  Each machine is provided with the latest Macintosh version of Microsoft Office (which is totally compatible with any PC version since Office 97) as well as a variety of subject specific software intended for use in Science, Math, Social Studies and English classes.  In addition we have purchased several digital video cameras which, along with the video editing software which came with the iBooks, will allow students and teachers to easily produce presentations which include, or are totally composed of video materials.   Administrative software on the teacher iBook will allow complete control of all the machines by the teacher.  For example, if they wish to have the full attention of the class they can easily freeze the student machines for as long as needed and then let the students get back to work.  The software also allows direct monitoring of the student machines and even allows the teacher to control the student machine fully from the teacher laptop.  

            A partial list of the available software includes Microsoft Office as well as Appleworks, Inspiration, HyperStudio, ActivChemistry, A.D.A.M.-The Inside Story, Vernier Graphical Analysis, Algebra Animator, Geometry Inventor, Rainforest Researcher, Tabletop, Colonization (a simulation program from Tom Snyder), Romeo and Juliet, Talking Walls, Timeliner, and the 2001 World Book Encyclopedia.  We have also purchased a subscription to ABC-CLIO’s American History Online.

The possible uses for this lab are really only limited by the creativity of our staff and students.  It will be available for sign out on a period or daily basis which will allow classes to complete anything from single period software drills to full blown cooperative multimedia projects. Staff orientation to using the lab will be available starting at the opening of school.

Stratham Memorial School: Technology Initiatives 2001-2002
By Mary Jo Spencer

  This year SMS continues its push to replace old equipment in classrooms by providing new computers to grades 4, 5, and part of grade 2.  Several of the related arts teachers will also receive new equipment.  The overall technology focus for the year is Using Technology to Enhance Education for Everyone.   Specific initiatives include using Scholastic Reading Counts and Reading Inventory to encourage students to build their reading skills and read a wide variety of books as well as using CDROM and Internet information for research.  Publishing is another target with students being encouraged to use writing programs, Kid Pix, and Print Shop to author their own books and add to the library’s collection of student-authored publications.  Several classrooms will also be publishing classroom information and student work on the Web using the SAU 16 WebCT server.

Technology Updates from Main and Lincoln Street Schools 

By Dianne Thompson, Technology Coordinator, Main Street & Lincoln Street Schools

 I am happy to introduce myself and to be on board at Main and Lincoln Street Schools. I have spent about 3 weeks this summer working in the district taking WebCT training and learning my way around the two buildings. I am very excited about working with WebCT and seeing what can be done on the elementary level. I will be working on modules for each grade level and hope to have LOTS of participation by teachers to develop quality, content-rich technology activities.

 Both schools are receiving some new equipment this summer to replace obsolete or broken equipment. Each classroom will have at least 3 computers that are networked with Internet access. Classrooms will also have a modern networked printer. Lincoln Street is also acquiring two new sets of AlphaSmart laptops for word processing and teaching keyboarding.

 I am in the process of creating Intranet sites for each building. We will use the Intranets to put links to our WebCT courses, give curriculum connections, provide school news, and to have digital scrapbooks of the year’s activities. The nice thing about having an Intranet is that schools can use more digital options than they could put on a public site. There is so much that goes on in an elementary school, and now we can use this vehicle to allow students to share their activities and successes. We will also be rolling out new Internet homepages for both schools so that we can share information with students, teachers, and parents.

 I am also focusing on three computer applications this year: Excel, PowerPoint, and webpage creation using Word. I’m thinking of it as the Graphs and Graphics year. I will be holding Techie Talks in the buildings to provide short lessons to teachers with these applications and encouraging them to attend some of the SAU Staff Development opportunities.

While there are no new innovative initiatives, I hope that what we can accomplish this year is to infuse the elementary curriculum with technology activities and resources. Teachers in both buildings have been doing an outstanding job of managing their classroom computers and integrating technology into their curriculum for a number of years. Now we hope to provide them with more support and training so that students can not only learn to use technology resources, but also to learn, using technology. I would be remiss not to thank Aimee Reeve and Nina Baillargeon for all their assistance and help to me as well as to the district these last couple of years. Their efforts and their advocacy of technology in education have been invaluable to both schools.

State of the Network

By Joe Faletra

Well, it has been quite a busy summer here at Technology Services.  I sit writing this article extremely tired, with pizza boxes and soda bottles all around and computer parts and equipment all over the room (interesting mental picture I know).  Let me bring you up to date.

            EHS – EHS has most of their new Gigabit backbone in place.  All of their computers have brand new images on them and have been cleaned and updated.  They have 36 new computers, of which 13 went to replace some very outdated systems in a shared lab.  A new wireless Mac lab is in place and the Science department is chomping at the bit to get to them. 

            CMS – CMS has a new T-1 line running between their facility and the EHS grounds which will increase their network speed threefold.  120 of their PC’s were upgraded with memory and all the computers were cleaned. 

            LSS-MSS – Technology Services would like to welcome Dianne Thompson to the coordinators team.  Dianne jumped right into the deep and of the pool over the summer and had done a great job.  We are installing switches and jet direct cards in each room so that Mac’s and PC’s can print and live in harmony.  We have upgraded servers, cleaned PC’s and servers and are ready to install some new core switches.

            SES – Swasey is in the process of a building expansion.  We moved their lab into the library (sorry Cindy!!) so it will be an active place this year.  There is a new server at SES and virus protection.  Soon we will be installing a SonicWall firewall and a few other components.

            NES – All of Newfields' computers have been cleaned and polished!  They will also be adding a SonicWall firewall to their network.

            SMS – Stratham received a new server on Wednesday.  We still have some work to do on it, but the teachers came back and wanted access!  We obliged and brought the system in early so they could prepare for the kids.  SMS also bought 20 new computers for classrooms.  Kudos to MaryJo for trying to get the most for her dollar!

            SST – SST has a new biotechnology program.  They are located right next to us in the Annex.  We ran some fiber and installed some equipment to get them on line.  They have 7 new systems in the room and Carolyn Kelly is ready to get going!  All she needs now is a phone.  Is not having a phone such a bad thing?  Maybe I should give mine up!

            KES – KES has a couple of new computers, but after the lightening strike I am not too sure anyone is ready to jump in and touch them!

            EKS – EKS has a new server that we hope to install before the opening of school.   We terminated a lot of “new” cable runs and installed additional patch panels for the folks down there.

            SAU – The SAU has a new server (finally).  Now they can join the rest of us in the NT world!  Not much else for new equipment down there though.

             Tech Services – We are moving most of the SAU and EHS equipment to our office which should be an interesting event.  We have a new webserver that hosts all of the schools websites.  We updated servers for FirstClass (e-mail), and our Linux server. 

I think that sums it up.  We look forward to serving you this year!  Now where did I put my coffee???

Professional Development