Waalen,+Denise

Denise Waalen

June 29, 2009


 * 8-12 SMART Executive Meeting**

Mary Ann Wolf From setda.org presented first. Good information on 21st Century Learners, classrooms, infrastructure and systemic change key elements. See PPT slides for more information (to be posted).

Nancy Knowlton CEO of SMART Technologies shared her vision of new directions for the company. She sees staff development as a huge need in the future.

Andrew Shared the new top secret technologies and ideas being developed by SMART, including SMART Exchange A resource of all SMART Lessons and resources in one area for educators SMART Express A web based application (free) for students to access outside of school SMART Classroom Suites A combination of the software SMARTA provides for schools SMART Response Updated version of the Senteo system SMART Notebook for Math (a compilation of all the best math resources and technology) $150 per teacher and SMART Asset Management - Tracks usage and service issues for all SMART technologies

PM Sessions:
 * Obama Economic Stimulous Package Overview**

Funds must be used for: 1) College and Career Readyt standards and assessments 2) K-16 and Career Data Systems 3) Teacher Effectiveness and Equitable Distribution 4) Lowest Performing Skills Several districts shared how they were using the funds that they expect but most were behind Mahtomedi in the previously mentioned areas. Actual funding is "slated" for July 15th...we'll see....

Understanding DIgital Kids**
 * Ian Jukes and Lee Crockett

This was a great session that focused on the unique needs of digital natives and their unique physical and processing differences. Visit the website:www.committedsardine.com for more infomation. Great site!!!!!!!!! 87% of learners are visual or visual/kinesthetic yet we teach with basically oral lectures....When will we change? Check out Brain Rules book

June 30, 2009

Hello all, I just want to share a few thoughts and resources that may be of value to you which are a combination from information gathered today....

Interactive Online Field Trips, American History, Rich Multimedia Content Packages, The Underground Railroad Simulation, Maps, games, timelines, audio, video etc.are all available for free at: thinkport.org. Sponsored by the Department of Ed and John Hopkins University Center for Technology in Education. Check it out!

Lure of the Labyrinth: This is a animated game with challenging math puzzles that deepens students' understanding of critical pre-algebra skills. Math topis include: Ratios, proportions, fractions, variables, numbers and operations. Go to: LABYRINTH.THINKPORT.ORG This has also beeen developed by the Department of Ed and is free.

Check out these two web sites for free SMART Board interactive games ....pbskids.org/smartboard looks like these may be elementary age... Also check their site for more games and info at pbskids.org and pbskidsgo.org

Polycom Resources: If you are interested in collaboring with another teach for a project, we have a free resource available to districts who own Polycom units. Registriation will begin on September 8 for special author events. Books on the list for "live" visits with the author include: Scrambled States of America, Clever Beatrice Christmas, The Ultimate Gift, Do UNto Otters, Belinda the Ballerina, Cesar Takes a Break, Scrambled States Talent Show, Writing Rules!, Becoming Author of Your Own Life, Gifted Hands, A Loonie for Luck, and Heros Among Us. For updates, check [|www.polycom.com/education]

Polycom Collaboration Around the Planet is a large scale global directory and professional network of educators for video conferencing project collaboration. Visit www.polycom.com/education/blog

More to come!

Tech team: We may want to check out "Schoolwires" which can be a total district communications system or we could purchase an electronic alertr system individually....