I've just discovered a new free typing game that is built on html5.
http://www.phoboslab.org/ztype/

The expert mode it quite challenging.

Your Nebraska Educational Service Units (ESUs), in partnership with the Nebraska Educational Technology Association (NETA), the Nebraska Council of School Administrators (NCSA) and Lincoln Public Schools (LPS) are excited to bring you the first Great Plains Google Summit to be held at Lincoln Southwest High School in Lincoln, Nebraska on July 19-20, 2012.

http://www.greatplainssummit.org/

The Summit has something Google for everyone!  We have strands for technology directors, school administrators and classroom teachers!  All presenters are invited Google Apps for Education Certified Trainers from across the country.  International educational technology leader Jeff Utecht will inspire you to implement flipped instruction models for all content areas and help you get set up with the Google Ninja program to systematically train teachers, parents and students in Google Apps for Education. Iowa Superintendent Andy Crozier will inspire Administrators to use Google Tools to lead the district.  Youtube STAR classroom teacher Jim Sill will be here from California to help educators maximize Youtube as an instructional resource.  Molly Schroeder from Minnesota will turn you into a Google Search Superhero and outline how to become a Google Certified Teacher yourself!  Join Jeff, Andy, Jim, Molly and other presenters from around the country to learn more about all of Google Tools potential to improve teaching and learning!

Registration will open on February 14 ("Feel the Google Love!") and is limited to the first 500 to register, so register early! We look forward to seeing you in Lincoln this summer!

See PDF flyer available here: http://goo.gl/9SNT8

Please feel free to share with friends and colleagues you know may be interested in this exciting opportunity. On behalf of the planning committee, thank you!
Jason Everett

iPod Touch/iPad Workshop

September 22, 2010

9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

ESU 10 – Kearney, NE

https://odie.esu10.org/workshops

 
This Thursday, September 22, Lisa Pospishil of Norfolk Public Schools will be at ESU 10 to share her expertise in using iPod Touches and iPads in education as well as work with ESU 10 teachers to incorporate the use of the iPods/iPads into school curriculum. 

Teachers should bring an iPod Touch as well as a laptop (for researching and taking notes), and should have a working knowledge of using an iPod Touch and/or an iPad.  The workshop will not cover the basics of iPods or iPads and will focus on reading, although the material will apply to other subject areas as well.

Cost is $25 per person. 

When registering, click on the TASTE Workshop.

If you have any questions, please let me know.

<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
Graci Gillming 
Technology Training Coordinator
Educational Service Unit 10
Bus: 308-865-5664 X-229
ggillmin@esu10.org

 

This two-minute preview clip by Human Relations Media  GETTING IN: The Truth About College Admissions is an excellent resource with helping students make those hard decisions easier about choosing the right college. Target grade level 7-12. If you would like to view the full 23 min. version, please contact Susan Sandoval at ssandova@esu10.org 

 Description:  Follow four real teens as they navigate the college application process—developing a solid college list, filling out applications and, hopefully, getting into their colleges of choice. Program also taps guidance counselors and university admissions officers for insider advice on the smartest steps to take in an increasingly competitive application process. Viewers learn how to catch a college’s attention: choose challenging classes, build a strong transcript, and get involved in the types of extracurriculars that colleges value. Program stresses how important it is to select the right schools to meet individual needs. When it comes time to apply, the teens and experts reveal the secrets of a winning personal statement and the benefits of standout recommendations. Also demystifies financial aid by explaining the process behind obtaining loans, grants, scholarships, and more.

Happy Spring Language Arts teachers!!!!  I am NOT feeling it... how about you?  Well here are a few links that might bring a little sunshine to your corner of the world!

• Google Tools in Bloom's Revised Taxonomy
• How a Web Search Works
• 10 Resources for Teaching Reading/Literature with Technology
• 5 Simple Things to Help Teachers with Web 2.0
• Video 21 - Are you wondering what 21st Century Skills look like in the classroom?  This is a great list of videos that give examples of different instructional skills.

If you are already using Google at your school or if you are planning to go Google soon, check out these great lesson plans I found.  Use the different Google tools to do these great activities!  These look like a lot of fun and very "21st Century!"  See what you think!

What did you try?  How did it go?
http://www.google.com/a/help/intl/en/edu/lesson_plans.html 

Yesterday, I had the opportunity to read a couple of articles that I thought you might like to read. These articles talk about changes in education that I think we can no longer ignore hoping they just "work themselves out."

This is the Top 10 Predictions of 2011 from Tech and Learning. Most of them deal with technology.  For you, this may not be a surprise but maybe for some!

This second article is from Connected Principals blog written by David Truss titled, Less is More; Teach Less, Learn More.  This article contains a video that is about 25 minutes long.  This is well worth your time!  I found this most interesting as he spoke of Finland's education system, which is best in the world.  How does it compare to the US?  How does it compare to YOUR district?  This article is not about technology.  This is about instruction.

What did you find most surprising in these links?  Who did you share them with?

CTE Teacher's Day for Friday December 3, 2010 has been canceled. 

Please join us for CTE Teacher's Day scheduled for February 23, 2011 here at ESU 10!  The agenda for the day might look something like this:

• Morning -
•     Main presentation? - latest tech idea? 
•     Distance learning project?

• Afternoon - 
•     "Technology SmackDown" Share your favorite lesson, web site, tech tool, or project with the rest of the group.  We will rotate through 10 minute (or so) sessions for each participant to share!  Everyone should come with something to share informally with the rest of the group.  Handouts are welcome but not necessary.
•     User Groups
•         Suggestions for User Groups (UG)? Please make your recommendations about what you would like to see (iLife/iWeb UG; Office UG; Whiteboard UG; Mobile UG; etc)

This is something we can grow and evolve from here but this, I hope, is a good starting spot.  Please post in the comments your recommendations and ideas for what more we can do with this meeting.  Do you know something you want to see or do?  Do you know a teacher that you would like to call upon to present?

Thanks for your time! Please post in the comments or a personal email any recommendations or suggestions you might have for this meeting! 

dstall@esu10.org

Are you starting a project that students might need to know more about copyright and creative commons?  Check out this great video on sharing!  It will be a great addition to your lesson!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P3rksT1q4eg&safety_mode=true&persist_safety_mode=1