Cedar Hill Tech Tips

Journal of Course Experiences, KidPix Deluxe 4

2012-01-05T07:49:00.000-08:00

Now that I have completed my Web 2.0 Collaborative Instruction course, and the holidays are over, I am continuing my quest to complete my MA+30 to advance on the salary guide. The current assignment in the course is to select an activity from the KP Lesson Anthology. I have selected the Butterfly activity, but modified it, so instead of illustrating the life cycle of a butterfly, I illustrated an insect and labeled all of its parts. To differentiate the activity, I would suggest to "fast finishers" to illustrate the life cycle of an insect and include it in an insect slide show.

Next up is my personal project (x2 since I am going for the A grade). I'm a little stuck on a lesson plan for teachers, so I'm going to save that for last.

Voicethread

2011-12-07T06:14:00.001-08:00

Voicethread is very similar to Fotobabble, yet I am far more intrigued than I was with Fotobabble. I wonder why this is the case...I’ll have to reinvestigate Fotobabble at some point. The free version of Voicethread looks pretty awesome. With a free account, you are entitled to three voicethreads at a time (up to 50 slides each), 3 minutes of comment by telephone, unlimited voice and text comments, and a webcam commenting up to 30 minutes! The voice annotation of the pictures were appealing, plus the ability to comment by several means, phone, typing, audio, or video kept me engaged. Voicethread could be used for a Westward Expansion journal, Explorer’s diary, field trip summary/highlights, or even as an alternative to whitebooks. I also love that you can draw on the videos!

Five education practices that should be replicated nationally

2011-11-21T08:23:00.001-08:00

eSchool News recently polled their readers on what education practice they believed should be replicated nationwide. The top five practices were (Late Night style):

5. Monitoring networks to gauge application usage
Not exactly in the style of Big Brother, but more so to see what applications teachers and students are using most to make future purchasing decisions.

4. An extra day for teachers to plan and collaborate
Students would be on a four day schedule and teachers on a five day, with the fifth day dedicated to planning and collaborating with colleagues. I think there is a district in NJ that has something similar in place. It might be a half day once or twice a month for professional development. I'm wondering out loud if a four day week would be viable. Assuming an 180 day school year, a four day week for students would extend the school year through the summer (10 additional weeks to make up for the one day a week for collaboration). There were be less learning loss due to summer vacation, and the time to get back into learning mode/classroom systems would be decreased as well. Maybe a half day every week would accomplish the same.

3. SEED Math Program (Special Elementary Education for the Disadvantaged)

2. Reading as a high school graduation requirement
I would add effective communication skills to the graduation requirement

and the number one education practice that should be replicated nationwide...

1. Tablet computers and electronic interactive textbooks for students
Technology would certainly help districts go green, and would absolutely engage the students, but would it save money in the long run as proposed in the article? Obsolescence is always an issue when dealing with technology, whether it is purchased or leased. Cost of maintenance another. Would students bring their own technology? Would bringing their own create a digital divide? Can the district's infrastructure handle the number of users that result? Hmmm...

MindMeister & Fifth Grade Communication Skills

2011-11-19T14:18:00.001-08:00

MindMeister is a free web 2.0 tool that allows users to create beautiful concept maps with text, icons, links, and images. It has historical playback, which records all the changes made to the map (infinite undos!) and collaboration capabilities. You can also access Mindmeister from anywhere- who doesn't love that?! A free account entitles you to create three mind maps.Sorry Web2.0BP classmates, I do not like Mind42. I created my concept map of fifth grade communication skills using MindMeister, which by the way, I love! I mapped our fifth grade writing projects, the type of writing, and the Web 2.0 tool used to complete the project.

Timeglider.com

2011-11-12T12:19:00.001-08:00

Timeglider.com is a free web 2.0 tool that allows users to create a zooming, panning, interactive timeline of any event. With a free account, you can create up to 5 timelines, but the best bargain is a lifetime membership for just $75! Unlimited timelines, create groups, collaborate- might be very worth the investment. It would certainly beat setting up and maintaining 30 student accounts.
It was pretty easy to create a timeline. I made one on the cheer competitions that we have between my daughters' teams. I could see using this tool with elementary students for their biography, the colonization of America, Civil War, family tree, mapping a story's plot, and maybe even planning a project.

Dvolver- Don't like it

2011-11-10T16:17:00.001-08:00

Okay, that's a bit harsh, but Dvolver is unfortunately not a tool that I'll be using with elementary students any time soon. Dvolver is a free movie maker where users get to choose their setting, characters, background music and dialog. Sounds great, but the setting descriptions are a little PG-13, the characters are racy (I would even think twice about using it with high schoolers), and dialog is limited to 3 lines of text per character, 100 characters per line. I think it would be useful for quick videos to demonstrate a point, because you'll definitely keep the kids' attention, but having elementary school students use it would raise many questions.

Wallwisher.com

2011-11-06T05:44:00.000-08:00

Wallwisher is a free Web 2.0 tool that allows users to create a wall and then post "stickies" to it. The stickies can consist of text, images, links, and even video. At first glance, its simplicity does not reveal its potential (I guess I couldn't relate to the wall subject). A Google search of Wallwisher brings you to Sean Banville's 105 classroom ideas for Wallwisher (did he come up with these all by himself?). Just a quick glance at his explanatory wall opens up all kinds of possibility in the elementary classroom!

Here are some of my ideas for elementary students: (I did not read Sean's 105 ideas, just a peek at his wall)

* Star Student creates a wall for their Star of the Week poster and during the week, classmates post stickies and comments to it
* Students do preliminary research for a project and post links and commentary to websites they find valuable
* Brainstorming
* Class Word Wall
* Compliment Wall

Check out 7 Billion

2011-10-29T14:56:00.001-07:00

7 Billion

I am so loving the iPad! Check out this cool app of the day!

Check out this application on the App Store:

7 Billion

National Geographic Society

Category: News

Updated: Oct 21, 2011

105 Ratings

iTunes for Mac and Windows

Please note that you have not been added to any email lists.
Copyright © 2011 Apple Inc. All rights reserved

- Cathy :)

Cathy Cheo-Isaacs

Technology Integration Specialist, Cedar Hill School

Pastry Chef

(908) 413-2469 cell

GO S.U.!!!

Sent from my iPad

Web 2.0 and Information and Media Literacy- Perfect Together!

2011-10-27T15:52:00.000-07:00

Our assignment was to create a mind map to illustrate our understand of how Web 2.0 tools can support information and media literacy. I referred to Route 21- The Partnership for 21st Century Skills, and Kathy Schrock's Google Tools to Support Bloom's Revised Taxonomy for assistance. You can assess my understanding and the projects we complete below.

Each year, I try to update or introduce class projects when the projects are no longer fun for me to teach. Now that I'm familiar with the curriculum, the part I enjoy most is figuring out the logistics of pulling off a new project. Of course, sometimes we choose to scrap it as soon as we're done. Most of the time, teachers are open to change, but I do run into resistance too.

Journal of Course Experiences, KidPix Deluxe 4

2011-10-17T09:38:00.001-07:00

Today I am continuing my journey towards my +30 step on the salary guide with KidPix Deluxe, another course offering through Fresno University PD.

While I currently use KP on many occasions in the classroom, i am looking forward to a thorough overview of the software. I think I'll be looking for online options as well since this year, my approach to technology is Web 2.0!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Journal of Course Experiences- Three Web Page Project

2011-06-21T09:34:00.000-07:00

I intend to use Dreamweaver to create a website for keyboarding resources for fourth graders at my school. The website will provide links to practice exercises and online keyboarding activities. Additionally, the students' accomplishments will be acknowledged on the website.

Dreamweaver Lesson Plan- Students

2011-06-19T07:00:00.000-07:00

AS: How will we display your web 2.0 projects throughout the year?

Objectives: Students will use Dreamweaver to create an online anthology to describe and display their web-based projects throughout the year

Subject: Technology, Web Page Design

Activities:

Creating the website:
Students will launch Dreamweaver CS3 from the Start Menu
Students will choose a webpage template from File> New
Students will name their site so it can be easily identified as their own
Students will create a page for each subject area and set page titles for each page created

Creating :
Students will develop their anthology website throughout the year as curriculum units are completed
Students will include static and linked images in their site

Updating the website

Students will open their anthology website to update it with links to their new work

Closure

Differentiation: Creating a class website

Students will create a class website that links to each student in the class' work

Students will update the class website as each project has been completed

Vocabulary: website, links, title, images

Materials: Dreamweaver CS3, URLs to online work

Evaluation: Teacher Observation

Standards:

TEC.K-4.8.1 - All students will use computer applications to gather and organize information and to solve problems

TEC.K-4.8.1.4 A - Basic Computer Tools and Skills

TEC.K-4.8.1.4 A.1 - Use basic technology vocabulary.

TEC.K-4.8.1.4 A.3 - Input and access text and data, using appropriate keyboarding techniques or other input devices.

TEC.K-4.8.1.4 A.5 - Produce and interpret a simple graph or chart by entering and editing data on a prepared spreadsheet template.

TEC.K-4.8.1.4 A.7 - Create and maintain files and folders.

TEC.K-4.8.1.4 A.9 - Use basic computer icons.

TEC.K-4.8.1.4 B - Application of Productivity Tools

TEC.K-4. - Social Aspects

TEC.K-4.8.1.4 B.2.d - Personal security and safety issues

TEC.K-4. - Information Access and Research

TEC.K-4.8.1.4 B.7 - Locate specific information by searching a database.

TEC.K-4.8.1.4 B.8 - Recognize accuracy and/or bias of information.

TEC.K-4. - Problem Solving

TEC.K-4.8.1.4 B.9 - Solve problems individually and/or collaboratively using computer applications.

Journal of Course Experiences- Dreamweaver CS3, Day 360 (or so)

2011-06-18T18:05:00.000-07:00

So I think I've established that it is a challenge for me to complete online and independent courses. I really need to be present and accountable because life gets in the way.

The exercises from the text thus far have been a good review of website design and a good introduction to Dreamweaver CS3. I am excited at the prospect of gaining new skills with this software.

Assets Panel- Maintains a listing of all the asset types (images, colors, links, movies, scripts, library items, and templates) within the current site

Spell check- SHIFT+F7

vs
controls the line spacing

Property Inspector= Formatting Toolbar

Linking can be accomplished by browsing for the file, using Point to File or highlighting text and holding shift while pointing to a file in the asset box. Links can be made to html files, PDFs or zip files. Anchors can be created to link to specific areas on the page.

Point to File icon prevents linking to misspelled urls. Click, hold and drag to file in Files panel

Image maps can be creating by clicking on the whole image, and using the image map section of the image properties box. Hot spots can be square, round or polygonal. Alternate text must be provided for each hot spot.

Cascading Style Sheets

Finally, something I have no prior knowledge of. :)

CSS2- second recommendation of cascading style sheets containing about 120 properties.

Cascading- how the browsers interpret your style sheet

Rules consist of two parts- the selector (specific tag) and the declaration (how the specific tag should be displayed- property, value)

The easiest way to define a style sheet is in Page Properties.

Chapter 6 has to do with CSS, which I've never really understood. Looking forward to learning a lot and getting how to use it.

CSS- Cascading Style Sheets

Cascading refers to how browsers interpret your style sheet, i.e. which rules the browser follows when it encounters conflicting CSS information

You can use CSS to control basic formatting of a web page. In DW, use CSS formatting by editing the preferences.

Property Inspector- located at the bottom of the page

Page Properties controls: appearance, links, heading, title/encoding, tracing image, margins (amount of space to edge of browser, color-background, links- visited and unvisited, underline-/rollover

Types of Style Sheets:

Embedded- apply styles to a single page

External (linked)- most powerful, can format lots-o-pages

Inline- override style definition of a single element

Professional Development at the Library of Congress

2011-03-03T11:20:00.000-08:00

In these tight economic times, school districts are cutting or discontinuing reimbursement for educators to attend professional development workshops. The Library of Congress offers self-paced online modules for you to take and earn a certificate of completion. Each module is about an hour in length.

http://www.loc.gov/teachers/professionaldevelopment/selfdirected/

IXL Math

2010-12-26T16:31:00.000-08:00

If you've ever spent time with me, you know that I LOVE math! I love anything that has to do with logic and figuring things out. I am also really good at being distracted (Squirrel!) and came across this website while checking out ideas for my new Cricut Cake. IXL Math currently has math practice sets for grades PreK-8 with advanced topics coming soon. You are able to do 20 practice problems for free each day and a membership is pretty reasonable at $9.95/month or $79/year for families. I love the fact that the skills are tested in the form of word problems (my favorite!). Skills can also be connected to state standards.

http://www.ixl.com/

Inserting a document in OnCourse

2010-09-20T21:30:00.000-07:00

Steps to insert a document into your website with OnCourse:

1. Click the Pencil (edit section) to open the section for editing
2. Type the text for viewers to click on
3. Highlight the text
4. Click the Globe w/chain
5. Choose Other under Protocol
6. Click Browse Server- takes you to your uploaded documents
7. Choose Document
8. Click OK
9. Save & Close
That's it!

I Just Need to Make One Little Change to this PDF

2010-09-09T22:46:00.001-07:00

How many times have you encountered a PDF from your past that all you need to do is make one little change, and it would be ready for your current needs? Well, look no further, PDF to Word is a pdf converter that is... wait for it... FREE!!! All you have to do is upload your file, whether you'd like a Word document or RTF, and enter the email where you'd like the converted file to be delivered. That's it! Did I mention that it's free? Hooray!

Journal of Course Experiences- Dreamweaver CS3, Day 1

2010-06-29T14:45:00.001-07:00

I’ve just finished reading the opening chapter of the text. I’m pretty excited to be starting another class towards my +30 (after this course, I’ll be at +12!). The chapter offered a flashback to HTML (I loved BBEdit), and an explanation of new web authoring technologies that I’ve fallen behind on.

XHTML- eXtensible HTML has taken the place of HTML. It is very similar, but has a stricter format (yay!) and follows SML syntax rules.

Roundtrip XHTML- permits the author to easily move between DW and another text editor with little to no change to the code.

XHTML:
- requires all opening tags to have a closing tag
- all element and attribute tags are in lower case
- attribute values must be contained within quotes
- empty tags should be written with a space and a slash at the end of the tag (to close)

- more structured than HTML, which allows one document to be viewed on multiple devices (browsers, cell phones, PDAs, etc) by creating different style sheets for each device.

XHTML is HTML reformatted using the syntax of XML

File naming
- no spaces
- avoid capital letters (will need to remember to use a capital letter if linking to the page)
- avoid illegal characters

CSS- Cascading Style Sheets
- used to separate the presentation of a page from its structure

Presentation- how a page looks
Structure- the meaning of the page’s content

Dreamweaver uses CS3 by default for setting page properties (background color, image, default text colors, page margins, etc.)

XML- system for customizing web content that must follow a set of specific syntax rules

DHTML- a collection of different technologies including any combination of XHTML, JavaScript, CSS, and the DOM (document object model). Combining these technologies allows the author to create more dynamic content than basic HTML
- has serious cross-platform issues, because the behind the scenes code is supported differently between browsers.
JavaScript- commonly used for creating rollovers, resizing browser windows, and checking for browser compatibility; can be access through the behaviors panel

Web Application0 web site that delivers dynamic data instead of static data that has to be updated manually (i.e. Amazon, eBay) aka- data-driven, database-driven and dynamic sites

Extending Dreamweaver
Objects, commands and behaviors are widely shared throughout the Dreamweaver community.

www.adobe.com/cfusion/exchange/index.cfm?view0sn120

www.dwfaq.com/Resources/Extensions

Journal of Course Experiences- I'm Done!

2010-05-29T17:38:00.000-07:00

I've completed all the requirements for the course! I'm just reviewing the syllabus and checking it three times to be thorough. I learned some great things about Access and look forward to working through the rest of the text on my own time- hopefully it won't be a year from now. Hooray!

Microsoft Access Lesson Plan- Teachers

2010-05-29T16:31:00.001-07:00

AS: How do you currently keep track of information for a class trip?

Objectives: Teachers will use Microsoft Access to create a database to track payments, permission slips and chaperones for a grade level class trip

Subject: Technology, Databases

Activities:

Your Grade Level/Subject Area Team is planning a field trip to culminate a unit of study. The planning will involve collecting multiple payments, permission slips, and securing chaperones for the trip. Typically you would keep handwritten records of the progress, but this time you will make the leap and use the technology available on your district-issued laptop.

Creating the database:
Teachers will launch Microsoft Access from the Start Menu
Teachers will name their database so it can be easily identified
Teachers will protect their database by assigning it a password
Teachers will start by creating a table for the students that will be going on the field trip
Teachers will define fields, then create and save a table from the Design View
First Name, Last Name, Address, HomePhone, StudentCell, Parent1, ParentCell1, Parent2, Parent Cell2, Emergency Contact, EmergencyPhone
Teachers will enter student data into the table

Adding a new table:
Teachers will also create the following tables:
Class/Section (for individual classes)
Payment
Permission Slip
Chaperone
Group
Teachers will enter the appropriate data into each table

Updating the database:
Teachers will open the field trip database to update data as necessary

Querying the database:
Teachers will create a query to view the payments made by students in each class or section
Teachers will create a query to view the students that have not yet returned a permission slip
Teachers will run a parameter query on the database to view information for a specific student
Teachers will use calculations to determine the total paid by each student
Teachers will use the Totals row to determine the total paid by all students

Creating a report:
Teachers will create a report of the students that still need to return a permission slip or payment for the trip

Closure:

Vocabulary: Database, record, field, table, query, report, calculation, totals, aggregate function

Materials: Microsoft Access, collected permission slips and payments

Evaluation: Teacher Observation

NETS Standards:
3. Model Digital-Age Work and Learning
Teachers exhibit knowledge, skills, and work processes representative of an innovative professional in a global and digital society. Teachers:
a. demonstrate fluency in technology systems and the transfer of current knowledge to new technologies and situations.
b. collaborate with students, peers, parents, and community members using digital tools and resources to support student success and innovation.
d. model and facilitate effective use of current and emerging digital tools to locate, analyze, evaluate, and use information resources to support research and learning.
5. Engage in Professional Growth and Leadership
Teachers continuously improve their professional practice, model lifelong learning, and exhibit leadership in their school and professional community by promoting and demonstrating the effective use of digital tools and resources. Teachers:
a. participate in local and global learning communities to explore creative applications of technology to improve student learning.
b. exhibit leadership by demonstrating a vision of technology infusion, participating in shared decision making and community building, and developing the leadership and technology skills of others.
d. contribute to the effectiveness, vitality, and self-renewal of the teaching profession and of their school and community.

Microsoft Access Lesson Plan- Students

2010-05-29T15:50:00.000-07:00

AS: How can we track your Type to Learn 3 progress?

Objectives: Students will use Microsoft Access to create a database to track their weekly keyboarding progress

Subject: Technology, Databases

Activities:

Creating the database:
Students will launch Microsoft Access from the Start Menu
Students will name their database so it can be easily identified as their own
Students will protect their database by assigning it a password
Students will define Date, Lesson, Homework, Accuracy, and WPM fields, then create and save a table from the Design View
Students will enter their current keyboarding data into their progress table

Adding a new table:
After the first Type to Learn Assessment, students will create a new database called TTL-A Results
Students will include the following fields in TTL-A Results:
Date
Accuracy
WPM
Students will enter their current assessment results into this table

Updating the database:
Students will open their Keyboarding Progress database to update their weekly progress table
Students will update their assessment results monthly

Closure:

Differentiation: Analyzing the database:
Students will export the data from the progress table and/or their assessment results table into Excel
Students will create a graph of their keyboarding lesson progress, homework completion and assessment results over time

Vocabulary: Database, record, field, query

Materials: Microsoft Access, handwritten keyboarding progress, assessment results

Evaluation: Teacher Observation

Standards:

TEC.K-4.8.1 - All students will use computer applications to gather and organize information and to solve problems.
TEC.K-4.8.1.4 A - Basic Computer Tools and Skills
TEC.K-4.8.1.4 A.1 - Use basic technology vocabulary.
TEC.K-4.8.1.4 A.3 - Input and access text and data, using appropriate keyboarding techniques or other input devices.
TEC.K-4.8.1.4 A.5 - Produce and interpret a simple graph or chart by entering and editing data on a prepared spreadsheet template.
TEC.K-4.8.1.4 A.7 - Create and maintain files and folders.
TEC.K-4.8.1.4 A.9 - Use basic computer icons.
TEC.K-4.8.1.4 B - Application of Productivity Tools
TEC.K-4. - Social Aspects
TEC.K-4.8.1.4 B.2.d - Personal security and safety issues
TEC.K-4. - Information Access and Research
TEC.K-4.8.1.4 B.7 - Locate specific information by searching a database.
TEC.K-4.8.1.4 B.8 - Recognize accuracy and/or bias of information.
TEC.K-4. - Problem Solving
TEC.K-4.8.1.4 B.9 - Solve problems individually and/or collaboratively using computer applications.

Journal of Course Experiences- Database Project

2010-05-29T09:56:00.000-07:00

I intend to use Access to manage my cheerleading program. We collect a TON of paperwork each season for each participant. We need to keep track of the paperwork collected, plus be able to access the contact information, plus other information gathered at any given time. I have been tracking all this information with Excel, while effective, I know in the back of my mind, is not most efficient.

The hardest part of creating a database is deciding how it should be structured. What tables do you need to hold information? How can or will the tables be related?

Of course, I am discovering that I am my greatest distraction in getting this assignment done. It was challenging to come up with a third table for the assignment, and now that I have, I'm making queries, and attempting calculations.

I am quickly realizing that a database is a work in progress and constantly evolving.

Journal of Course Experiences- Project 2

2010-05-24T15:46:00.000-07:00

I'm working like crazy to complete this course by my district's deadline for reimbursement. Back to work, with hopefully no distractions. Must...finish...this...weekend...

Omitting Duplicates

Display the query's property sheet to omit duplicates. With no fields selected, click the Properties button in the toolbar. Choose Yes from the Unique Values property.

Parameter Query

A parameter query prompts the user for input whenever it is run, rather than specifying a criterion within the query design.

- Clear all criteria from the query design

- Type a value within brackets in the Criteria field, making sure that it does not match the name fields in the table. Using the same name as another field in the table will not prompt the user for input.

Top-Values Query

Allows the user the show only a specified number of records rather than all records in a query.

- Click Top Values box on toolbar

- Specify number or percentage of records to show

Calculations

Calculations are not just for Excel! They can be performed in Access queries as well. A calculated field is used to calculate values from other fields.

- Enter a name for the calculated field followed by a colon, then the expression in one of the columns in the Field row

- Use the Zoom... command to view the entire expression

- Use brackets around each field name

Calculating Statistics

Statistics in Access are functions like COUNT, SUM, AVG, MAX, MIN, STDEV, VAR, FIRST, and LAST. They are considered aggregate functions, a function that performs some mathematical function against a group of records.

- Include the Total row in the design grid by clicking the Totals button (Sigma) on the toolbar

- Choose the desired statistic from the drop down menu

Crosstab Queries

Crosstab queries are used for summarizing data by calculating a statistic for data that is grouped by two different types of information.

- Choose Crosstab Query Wizard from New Query dialog box

- Select field for row headings

- Select field for column headings

- Select Statistic for calculations

- Run the

Joining tables is used to find records in two tables that have identical values in matching fields. With one of the tables you'd like to include in the query, click the new object button and choose query. Open the new query in design view. Add another table to the query by clicking the show table button, and choose another table from the dialog box. Expand all the fields to view everything. When both tables are in the work space, you can see the line joining the tables at the matching fields.

Drag the desired fields into the grid. Run the query. Results will show records in which the matching field appears in both tables. Records that do not match the query do not show up.

The join property are properties that indicate which records appear in a join; right click the join line and choose properties to change.

If you don't want to include all the possible records in a query, include criteria.

Calculations can be performed in queries. Simple calculations can be made, plus there is an expression builder available.

Wordle

2010-03-25T07:29:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Penny Iannella for sharing this fun site. Wordle is an online tool for making "word clouds" from text that you input. Simply click on the Create your own link to start...

You can create a word cloud by inputting your own text, importing from a URL, or entering a delicious.com username

From Screen Captures

Use the menus at the top of the screen to customize your word cloud, or click on the randomize button for some real fun!

A wordle of Cedar Hill Tech Tips:

From Screen Captures

Here's a word cloud of my delicious tags:

From Screen Captures

http://www.wordle.net

Enjoy! :)

Journal of Course Experiences- Project 1

2010-03-17T10:11:00.000-07:00

So I've just completed the assignments for Project 1 in MS Access- Exploring Databases. Access is a database management system, which allows you to "create a database; add, change, and delete data in the database; sort the data in the database; retrieve data in the database; and create forms and reports using the data in the database." (Shelly Cashman).

I've created several simple databases from the design view and entered data for each. The assignments covered creating forms, running queries and designing reports. I think I have a pretty solid handle on the basics and am ready to take on more.

Journal of Course Experiences

2010-03-16T07:47:00.001-07:00

I've enrolled in my third Fresno Pacific course last week to earn my +30 credits towards advancing on the salary guide. The jury is still out on how thrilled I am with the format of the courses at this point. It seems like the philosophy of "online learning" at Fresno is more like independent study. Don't get me wrong, Fresno Pacific Professional Development courses are an excellent alternative to enrolling in a degree program. I am about to begin MS Access- Exploring Databases with a new set of instructors. One of the requirements, which I think I'm grateful for is keeping a Journal of Course Experiences while completing the assignments. I love (rolling eyes of sarcasm) keeping journals, but I guess it is better than having to submit a response online (which my husband is a huge fan of). Anyway, here it is, day 1 of course experiences. I am surprised that my assignments are not required to be turned in as they are completed, but all at once on a CD for evaluation. I have until June 15 to complete the course, and I hope that I can stay motivated enough to do so. My last two courses have taken me almost a year each. Wish me luck!

p.s.- I'm also not sure that I'll keep this Journal on my Tech Tips blog, but the thought of maintaining another one is daunting!

Help Request Help

2009-10-01T11:48:00.000-07:00

Have you tried to initiate a Help Request from your netbook only to find that the Next button is not in the spot you expected? No matter how much you scroll, it is just unreachable. Our awesome Tech Dudes have come up with a fix!

Here is what you are contending with now:

From CHTechTips

No scrolling in the world is going to get you to that Next button.

All you have to do is press F11 to enter full screen mode when you are in the Help Request program. F11 is one of those keys at the top of your keyboard that you're always wondering, "What are these here for?".

From CHTechTips

Full screen mode will make all of the buttons in the dialog box available. See the Next button?

From CHTechTips

When you are done with your Help Request, press F11 to exit full screen.

Good luck!

I need my icons!

2009-09-29T11:53:00.001-07:00

Looking for the Teacher Workstation or Help Request Icons?

After you login, look for a little white box with a red stripe on top by the clock on the desktop (bottom right of your screen).

RIGHT CLICK that and choose "WORK ONLINE" . When you do, the Teacher Workstation and Help Request icons should push to the desktop.

Good luck!

I must change the sensitivity of my netbook's mousepad!

2009-09-18T21:19:00.000-07:00

I love my netbook!!! The one thing that is driving me bananas is I'll be typing and just accidentally brush the mousepad. Next thing I know the cursor has been placed somewhere else on the screen, and I'm typing there! Arggh!!! Up until now, there hasn't been a way to change the setting of the mousepad, but Dell has a driver update that will allow you to change the touchpad sensitivity- Hooray!! As always, pictures will follow when I feel like it- Enjoy!

Start by clicking the following link:

http://www.bernardsboe.com/general/Dell_Touchpad----Pointing-St_A00_R213399.exe

You will be asked if you want to save the file

From CHTechTips

Save the file to your Desktop

From CHTechTips

Run the file when the download is complete

From CHTechTips

Click Continue

From CHTechTips

Click OK to unzip the files- do not change the location

From CHTechTips

Let the unzip do it's thing until it is done

From CHTechTips

Next the driver will install itself

From CHTechTips

Accept the agreement

From CHTechTips

Click Finish when done

From CHTechTips

Restart the computer when prompted

From CHTechTips

Once restarted, Click Start,

From CHTechTips

Control Panel

From CHTechTips

Click the category Printers and Other Hardware

From CHTechTips

Then click Mouse

From CHTechTips

The Touchpad Control Panel will open

From CHTechTips

Click Touchpad Settings

From CHTechTips

Drag the glider under Touch Sensitivity to change the sensitivity of the touchpad

From CHTechTips

DO NOT use the setting "Disable Touchpad if USB mouse is detected". Your SmartBoard will not work.

Not Again!

2009-09-09T10:27:00.000-07:00

Alright, so I am totally LOVING the netbook, but I am tired of always having to log back in when I've walked away from my netbook, for seems like just a minute!

By default, (for security reasons and power conservation), The netbook goes to screen saver after 10 minutes and requires a password to get back in. After 20 minutes, it will power down. To change the settings, just follow these instructions (again, pictures will follow for all you visual learners when I feel like it!)

Right click desktop, and choose Properties

Click on the Screen Saver tab

UNCHECK On Resume password protect to avoid re-logging in. You can also extend the length of time before the netbook goes to screen saver.

To change the length of time before the netbook powers itself off, press the Power button in the bottom right.

That's it! Good luck!

Get Your Own Bag!

2009-09-05T07:25:00.001-07:00

I don't know about you, but I've spent my entire morning (and still have 32% of this awesome battery life left) shopping for a bag for my netbook. There are so many bags to choose from and the prices range from $19.99 to $1499.99 (I think Steve would kill me, but I really like the one in bronze best).

Ebags.com has a great selection, plus they will donate 10% of the retail price of any pink product to Susan G. Komen.

Happy Shopping!

Netbook Baby!

2009-09-04T12:41:00.000-07:00

Guess who got a netbook today? We all did- Hooray! I don't know about you, but I am loving it! I just got home and connected it to our wireless. Need help?

Connecting your netbook to a wireless network (not at school):

Go to Start, Programs, Dell Wireless, Dell Wireless WLAN Card Utility

From CHTechTips

Click the Add button

Wireless networks that are in range will appear

Choose your home network and click Next

Enter your WEP key, and then again to confirm, click Next (your WEP key can be found on your wireless router)

Click Connect at the next screen

Click OK to exit the Wireless Utility.

That's it!

Good luck!

Monitor and Adjust

2009-07-17T01:18:00.001-07:00

When I was working on my teaching certification through the Alternate Route Program, a phrase that came up throughout the year was "monitor and adjust". Tammy Jenkins and Phyllis Bivins-Hudson reassured a media center full of first year teachers each week. They reminded us regularly that we should always be assessing our own situation in the classroom and making changes to make things work because sometimes, even the best laid plans are bound not to work.

If you were able to see all the entries I've begun but were not perfect enough for me to post (reference back to original entry), you would be shocked (but not really if you knew me), or maybe not because I suspect many of us are the same way. I romanticize that I could be the Carrie Bradshaw of tech blog-dom, but let's face it, I'm so not. So today, I choose to "monitor and adjust".

Anyway, I've had lots of time while on vacation to consider my inner (okay, outer) perfectionist tendencies (again reference back to original post) and the goals and intentions of my tech blog. If I had all the free time in the world, I would write grandiose descriptions, step-by-step instructions, complete with pictures (for all the visual learners out there). But even given the perfect, and I mean perfect, conditions (all the free time in the world, and living, albeit temporarily, in paradise), I still CANNOT complete a blog entry like the "perfect" one I imagine in my head.

I CAN twit what I'm doing in 140 characters or less. I CAN refer to myself in the third person and let you know what's on my mind. And man, am I good at saving cool stuff on delicious!

Writing over the summer could mean this post goes straight to the virtual circular file to never be read with millions of other blogs, but I will actually be completing my first entry in months. Oh well, c'est la vie! Just make sure your battery is fully charged and your signal strength is EXCELLENT, there's some very cool stuff that you've got to check out! Enjoy!

Academic Earth

2009-02-24T12:00:00.001-08:00

Okay, this site is not exactly geared towards elementary students, but HOLY COW it is incredible! Academic Earth is the host of over 1500 video lectures from universities like MIT, Berkeley, Harvard, Princeton and Yale. The site is free, but you must register. Top scholars share their knowledge on subjects ranging from Astronomy to Economics, Biology to Philosophy, and Entrepreneurship. Amazing!

http://academicearth.org/

Help! I can't open this file at school!!!

2009-02-17T09:48:00.000-08:00

Have you ever completed work at home, emailed it to yourself to find that you are unable to open it? How about when a student or parent emails a project, and you cannot view it at all? Chances are, the version that was created off-site is from a newer version of Microsoft Office. Downloading the Microsoft Office Compatibility Pack will solve the problem. The converter will allow you to open, edit and save Word, Excel, and PowerPoint 2007 files.

Just click the download button, save the converter to your desktop, then double-click to launch the installer. That's it!

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=941b3470-3ae9-4aee-8f43-c6bb74cd1466&displaylang=en

Shift Happens

2009-01-14T20:52:00.000-08:00

My husband, Steve, recently facilitated an online staff college entitled "Shift Happens". While I was not successful in completing the course (he did not give me credit), I was very impacted by the message conveyed in the video we were asked to view, "Shift Happens".

I've watched the video more than once, and it's really motivated me to think about things that I can do to reflect the exponential changes in technology. I was even firing off ideas to Steve in the middle of the tasting menu at Gramercy Tavern. Can you say excited?

Getting Over It

2009-01-13T20:00:00.000-08:00

Here is my first blog entry. Hooray! I have thought about this blog at great length. I've been thinking about it, at least since the beginning of the school year.

A little about my writing style...I love to purchase journals, but have a block about potentially long term, open-ended writing, and as a result, have many beautiful, untouched journals. I think the open-endedness scares me, and I like things to be perfect before letting anyone else see it. I've learned recently, courtesy of Reggie Rudolph, that it is my Concrete Sequential learning style. I must say in my defense though, I did purchase a five year journal at the start of last summer. That's right, five years! The format of the journal is perfect for me. For each calendar day, there are five blank entries, one for each of the five years. The blank entries are only six or seven lines each, which is perfect for me... I am able to see an end in sight. I am proud to report that I have journaled everyday since June 1, 2008.

Anyway, I'm sure that many a blog begin and end just like this. An introduction stating that the author is not good at writing, the author is very excited at the prospect of maintaining his/her writing, and maybe some crazy ideas of the topics that might be covered in this brand new blog.

I stated in the intro that I would use this blog as a source for all things techy at Cedar Hill. There is so much that I've sent via email or have somewhere in my personal drive that I've decided it's time to keep it in a central place, and maybe even share. :) (Not good at that either, it's my CS). I'd also like to chronicle the triumphs and defeats of the integrated projects we work on with the kids.

In closing, I'm getting over it... and so can you!

p.s.- The "liking things perfect before anyone sees it" affliction is very much in full force. Since my initial posted, I've already revised and edited several times!