Virtual
Teacher Newsletter No. 64 January 31st 2002 DIGITAL LIFESTYLE
THE
FREE ONLINE FORTNIGHTLY IT TEACHERS' NEWSLETTER
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CONTENTS
1.
Welcome
2.
Mind Candy
3.
WWWinfo
4.
New Printables - Watchable -MACWORLD
5.
Technical Stuff NASA Press Release
6.
Web Site Focus Computer Lab Tips
7.
MICROSOFT
8.
Great Sites
9. Readers' Requests/Comments
10
Next Issue
11.
Code of 'Netizens'
12.
Tips
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1.
WELCOME EVERYONE. I hope everyone had a great holiday.
Now
Term 1, 2003. On January 7th,
Macworld San Francisco
was
held. You can watch the Keynote
address by Steve Jobs at :
http://www.apple.com/quicktime/qtv/mwsf03/
Streaming
video, fantastic. One and a half
hours direct from
the
net, amazing. I was thinking, wouldn¹t it be wonderful to present
lessons
like this to my students, wouldn¹t I love to motivate and
stimulate
and excite as much as this presentation did. Apple has
come
along way from the early days of expensive high end
machines
marketed only to professional users, they now target
everyone
and have fantastic programs, a wonderful OS, great
prices,
just check out the latest Teacher prices at:-
http://www.apple.com.au/edustore/
Nano
Technology has lept ahead with predictions of smaller
things
to come. Check out the tips for
Operating a computer lab,
and
send me some of your own. Have a
great term.
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2.
MIND CANDY
"You
can learn many things from children. How much patience
you
have, for instance." Franklin P. Adams (1881-1960)
American
journalist, humorist, "Nods and Becks"
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"I'm
not afraid of storms, for I'm learning how to sail my
ship."
Louisa May Alcott (1832-88) American writer, reformer
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"The art of teaching is the art of
assisting discovery."
--Mark
Van Doren
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"Compassionate
teachers fill a void left by working
parents
who aren't able to devote enough attention
to
their children. Teachers don't just teach; they
can
be vital personalities who help young people to
mature,
to understand the world and to understand
themselves.
A good education consists of much more
than
useful facts and marketable skills."
--Charles
Platt
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"You
can observe a lot by just looking around."
Yogi
Berra
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3.WWWinfo
Searchable
movie database, gives specific details of ratings
including
the US MPAA. The intention is to
provide specific
information
about movie content and ratings.
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4. NEW
PRINTABLES
Not a
Printable but a watchable.
Steve
Jobs Keynote address at MacWorld
http://www.apple.com/quicktime/qtv/mwsf03/
APPLE¹S
LATEST
SAFARI Speeds Web Browsing
The
fastest and easiest to use web browser ever created
for
the Mac, Safari features integrated Google search
capabilities,
SnapBack for retracing web paths, improved
bookmark
management and automatic ³pop-up² ad blocking.
Everyone
Can Now Edit Video Like a Pro
AIRPORT Extreme 802.11g Wireless Networking
Five
Times the Data Rate, Wireless Bridging & USB Printer Sharing
50
computers.
Latest
Versions of iPhoto, iMovie, iDVD & iTunes Work
Together
Seamlessly
iLife
is the only integrated suite to include all of the four
applications
required for today¹s ³digital lifestyle²‹digital
music,
photography, moviemaking and DVD creation‹and
is the first product to offer the
benefits of seamlessly integrating
them.
³iLife
does for our digital lifestyle what Microsoft Office
did
for office productivity‹all the applications you need
are
in one box, and they all work together,² said Steve Jobs,
Apple¹s
CEO. ³Apple is far ahead of its PC competitors in
offering
the best-in-class applications for digital music,
photography,
moviemaking and DVD creation, and now they
all
work together seamlessly.² The iLife retail package $95 AUD
12-inch
PowerBook G4 with a brilliant 12-inch, active-matrix
display
housed in a lightweight, durable aluminum alloy enclosure
weighing
just 2.1kg Teacher¹s Price from $2,063.60AUD
First
Notebook to Feature 802.11g Wireless Networking, FireWire
800
& Backlit Keyboard
For
more details:-
http://www.apple.com/hotnews/articles/2003/01/mwsf/
Over
the next few newsletters I will take an in depth look at
some
of this products.
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5.
TECHNICAL STUFF
NASA
Breakthrough Method May Lead To Smaller Electronics
From:
A NASA Press Release
NASA
scientists have invented a breakthrough biological method to make ultra-small
structures that may well be used to produce electronics 10 to 100 times smaller
than today's components.
As part
of their new method, scientists use modified proteins from 'extremophile'
microbes that live in near-boiling, acidic hot springs to grow mesh-like
structures so small that an electron microscope is needed to see them. A research
article describing the new technique appeared in the Nov. 24, 2002, on-line
version of the journal Nature Materials.
Scientists
have crystallized new protein to form tiny, flat, lattice-like structures that
act as nano-templates. These crystalline structures, made of rings about 20
nanometers across, are about 5,000 times smaller than the width of a human
hair. A nanometer is a billionth of a meter.
Technical
information about the new process can be found at: http://ipt.arc.nasa.gov/trent.html
and http://ipt.arc.nasa.gov/mcmillan.html
Images
are available at:
http://amesnews.arc.nasa.gov/releases/2002/02images/bionano/bionano.html
High
quality audio files are available at this URL:
http://amesnews.arc.nasa.gov/audio/bionanosound/bionanosounds.html
Questions:
E-mail: jbluck@mail.arc.nasa.gov
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Online
Course Available - the intro videos are great. If you are
looking
for online courses to upgrade your skills these may suit,
there
are sample units to try.
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IrfanView
is a very fast, small, compact and innovative FREEWARE (for
non-commercial
use) graphic
viewer
for Windows 9x/ME/NT/2000/XP. IrfanView is free for educational
use
(schools and universities) and for use in charity or humanitarian
organisations.
Many plugins available. Only one EXE-File, no DLLs, no
Shareware
messages like "I Agree" or "Evaluation expired" No registry
changes
without user action/permission!
Download
at http://www.irfanview.com/
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GEM
lives in Syracuse, New York it is the Gateway to
Educational
Materials, located at http://www.thegateway.org/
and
sponsored by the US Department of Education. It is non-commercial,
and
aims to be a way of getting people in touch with educational
resources.
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Free
Downloads and Tryouts Of many major software programs.
http://www.edsoft.com.au/Downloads/DLindex.htm
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Australian
State wide software deals on computer software
http://www.edsoft.com.au/Specials/SWLDindex.htm
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The
12th Annual Conference of the Queensland Association for Gifted and
Talented
Children inc. will be held at the Queensland University of
Technology
(QUT), Kelvin Grove, on the weekend of 16th-18th May 2003.
You
may wish to note this date in your diary.
The
conference theme is "Productive Partnerships for a Smart Education".
The
conference web site is ...
http://www.qagtc.org.au/conf2003/qagtc2003.htm
If
you are interested in presenting a paper or workshop, please download the
"callforpapers.rtf"
from
http://www.qagtc.org.au/conf2003/flierrequest.htm
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StarFest
May 2nd 9th
2003
Information
about the StarFest 2003 week, and that call for participation
is
now at
http://www.ozskywatch.com/spec/2003/StarFest_2003/index.html
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A new
US study regarding 'high-stake' testing of students
http://www.nytimes.com/2002/12/28/education/28EXAM.html
More
Schools Rely on Tests, but Study Raises Doubts
December
28, 2002 By GREG WINTER
Rigorous
testing that decides whether students graduate, teachers win
bonuses
and schools are shuttered, an approach already in place in more
than
half the nation, does little to improve achievement and may actually
worsen
academic performance and dropout rates, according to the
largest
study ever on the issue.
With
calls for accountability in public education mounting, such
make-or-break
exams have become cornerstones in at least 28 states in
the
drive to improve public schools. The idea is that by tying test scores
to
great consequences, the learning process will be taken that much more
seriously
and tangible progress will be all the more likely.
The
approach is also central to some of President Bush's sweeping
education
overhaul, lending even greater momentum to the movement
known
as "high stakes" testing.
But
the study, performed by researchers at Arizona State University
and
financed by teachers' unions that have expressed skepticism about
such
tests, found that while students show consistent improvement on these
state
exams, the opposite is typically true of their performance on other,
independent
measures of academic achievement ...
Copyright
2002 The New York Times Company
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6.
WEBSITE FOCUS - TIPS for Working in a Computer LAB
Terrie
wrote:
My
school is taking the plunge and setting up a new computer lab
for
next year. The aim is to ensure all children get adequate IT time.
Has
anyone been involved in the setting up of a lab and have
suggestions/recommendations? Are there any rules/ideas to ensure
that
the lab that runs smoothly and efficiently?
We
already have a projector which the boss aims to hang from the
ceiling
as a fixture. We will have 17 PCs and will be purchasing a laser
printer.
We are looking at at server. At present all PCs are peer to peer.
The
lab is being set up in what used to be the AV room so it is quite
secure
and air conditioned.
As
for the lesson formats and structure, I guess that will be trial and
error
for me. It's very daunting! I will check out previous newsletters
though
I can't remember seeing anything that springs to mind at present.
If
you think of anything to help the lab routine run smoothly, I'd
appreciate
a line!!
Have
a great Xmas, stay safe and rested. Thanks for another great
year
of IT support.
Terrie
Hi
Terrie,
This
is a pretty good question. The school is a Primary school.
Setting
up a server is most important and should bee done as
soon
as feasible.
1.
Initially set up all computers with the same interface at start
up.(
as students become more proficient this is less important)
2.
Establish rules of computer use that all students sign.
There
is a computer policy document at
http://www.virtualteacher.com.au/teachtool.html
3.
Also a Scope and Sequence.
http://www.virtualteacher.com.au/teachtool.html
4.
Set up a folder for each class on the server, and a folder
within
each class for each child. (kindergarten and year 1
maybe
better simply to save into class folders). Establish
saving
process into personal folders in your first lesson.
5.
Use a the computer activities downloads http://www.virtualteacher.com.au/teachtool.html
as lesson starters, or other similiar
ones. I actually like to
make
up plastic sleeve books - one for each computer, with
these
so that I am not continually running off stencils.
6. I
also like to work on one program for each term - not chop
and
change. So work on Word for a
term, Excel, PowerPoint
for a
term etc. This consolidates the
learning.
7.
Teach the students to be self sufficient, ask each other,
use
the help key, before asking the teacher.
7.
All students must stay in their seats with their computer
and
hand-up for attention. You can't
solve a problem unless
the
child is seated in front of the computer.
9.
Computer lessons are about discovery learning, there is no
need
to cover every detail. Give a
small amount of info, use
the
stencils at VT, show or discuss the required result, and
let
the students discover as much as they can. Demonstrating
a
procedure from go to whoa is a bore, and the students
don't
need it.
10.
All Intros should be kept to 5 minutes maximum.
11.
Students need to ask precise and thoughtful questions
encourage
this.
12.
Stop five minutes before the end of the lesson, and discuss
what
the students have discovered.
Praise and support
discovery
learning. Value the discoveries
the students have made.
Goodluck
ciao
cathy
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7.
MICROSOFT
Microsoft
Chairman Bill Gates introduced a number of new technologies at
the
International Consumer Electronics Show. CES
1. This fall, watch makers
will begin selling 'Smart Wristwatches'
that
receive a constant, low bandwidth stream of data over the FM
spectrum.
People will be able to get info like weather, traffic, and
stocks
on their watches. IT works with a 28 megahertz processor. The
prices
will range from $200 to $1,000.
2. 'Smart Refrigerator Magnets'
could also be programmed to receive
traffic
data, school lunch menus, or local restaurant ads. These would
also
use the FM spectrum.
3. A sewing machine that can
download stitch and embroidery patterns
from
the internet.
http://www.microsoft.com/billgates/speeches/2002/01-07ces.asp
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8.
GREAT SITES
I
have noticed the development of a new style of online sites
-
they are not just replicas of the paper versions, they are using
the
new media, the internet to invent new ways to communicate,
they
are more fun, easier to use and more motivating - they save
time
and enhance learning - way better than the old, time wasting,
laborious
older website styles - bring it on...here are a few that
fit
this description
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This
site is fantastic, easy to use and fun to play, and it deals with
multiplication.
It has worksheets and awards to
download as well.
It can be downloaded onto your pc to
play of line - great site.
Multiflyer
http://www.gdbdp.com/multiflyer/
Multiflyer
is a fun online game developed to help anyone who is learning
multiplication
tables. It takes place in space and even sprinkles in
learning
about the planets. You can play it online, or register and
receive
a full downloadable version as well as downloadable interactive
support
tools. The game lets you figure out the answers, or you can turn
off
the table and wing it on your own. Simple, fun diversion to help
reinforce
multiplication skills.
K-12
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Orisinal
http://www.ferryhalim.com/orisinal/
A
beautiful site built with Flash. A bit of a time waster? Or really
more
like a trip to an online interactive museum of new media--but hey,
that's
educational too! Features a considerable collection of lovely,
addictive
games and a smaller collection of interesting media called
"Experiments."
(Roll down past the News)
K-12
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WEIRD
SCIENCE GUY
This
wacky Web site, hosted by Science Bob from his mobile
science
lab, has amazing science facts, trivia, and tips on tackling
science
fair projects. Read the silly scientist's Q&A section, then
select
weird items -- slime, rock candy, chicken bones, etc.
that
the entire class can experiment with.
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National
Library of Virtual manipulations
this is a great site
I
played it for ages.
Kids
in all grades can use this site's marvelous math manipulatives
by
moving and arranging them on-screen! Users can finish colored
bead
patterns, add electronic base-ten blocks, find areas and
perimeters
on virtual geoboards, and more! Teachers can click on
"Standards"
to learn the NCTM standard supported by each game.
http://matti.usu.edu/nlvm/nav/vlibrary.html
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9.
READERS COMMENTS/REQUESTS
Dear
Cathy
Many,
many thanks for your efforts for 2002. I was made aware of
this
site during this year and have passed on ideas to many others
from
your Newsletter. I begin at a new school next year so will
check
for those who have not heard of it there.
My
contribution is this upgrade to Outlook that you can add by
"clicking"
on the suggested bar. Heaps of fun to add to all your
emails
etc.
Best
wishes for Christmas and 2003.
Regards
Diane
Boon
Willetton
Western
Australia
Thanks
Diane
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Dear
Cathy,
I had
bookmarked this great website ( well I thought it was great)
that
was called something like 'teachers suitcase' it had a series
of
icons on the screen that you could put your homework on ,
messages
, sites for children to use, etc. I think it was made by
Kathy
Schronk (?) I can't find it again, do you know what I am
talking
about? If you do could you send me the site.
Raelene
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Hi
Raelene,
You
may mean the Discovery School - Kathy Schrock - some
good
stuff at this site - however I don't know which part you are
referring
to.
http://school.discovery.com/teachingtools/teachingtools.html
Could
be custom classroom
Let
me know if this is the one.
ciao
cathy
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I am
working in a school in Hounslow, London. I am looking for a
site
for teaching phonics audio visual (reception class). you had
a
site some months ago which had pictures and a rhyme for each
letter
but i seemed to have lost it. i would be grateful if you could
find
that site or you know of any others. great site by the way.
thanks
phil...
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Hi
Phil,
Great
site - still works beautifully - turn up the volume.
http://www.kiddyhouse.com/Songs/alpha/a.html
ciao
cathy
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Hi
Cathy
What
a powerful story!!
Thanks
Regards
Michael
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Cathy,
You're
definitely a star! I've been teaching for 18 months and love your
newsletter
- such a wide variety of useful resources and great teaching
ideas!
Many
thanks for all your hard word.
Have
a wonderful Christmas.
Christine
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Dear
Cathy,
I was
most interested to read of the online computer training site you sent
out
in your newsletter. What if people are going away? Can one do this
course
at any time of the year?
Also,
I'm not familiar with the term 'printables'. I was a Victorian
teacher.
I presume they mean lessons which can be printed off. Is that
right?
Also
I'm pleased to see in the newsletter that there are links to
unsubscribe
and resubscribe. I am also changing my email address
shortly
as I am going cable :-)
Regards
Jenny
Campbell
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Hi
Jenny,
As
far as I understand courses can be completed at anytime.
Access
is given for a certain period only once the fee is paid.
Printables
is a common web term used mostly for black line
masters,
and is also used for printable documents.
ciao
cathy
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Hi
Cathy
Thank
you so much for your excellent newsletter. I look forward to
receiving
it every fortnight.
Can
you recommend any sites for successful multi-age group
classes
in upper primary? Can you also
recommend any sites
that
have essential Australian knowledge for upper primary
students?
If
you are looking at studying 'learning to learn' with your kids a
great
site can be found at http://www.brainconnections.com
Definitely
worth spending some time there.
Have
a great Christmas and New Year.
Irene
Louden
This is almost interesting site.
Hi
Irene,
If
you search the VT site you will find many sites suitable for
multi-age
groups. I like http://www.enchantedlearning
.com,
all
the sites above in this newsletter under Œgreat sites¹ would
be
great. There are so many, you
would need to pick a topic
and
search. A good starting place is
just a search on the Virtual
Teacher
site. For Australian sites there
is a link on VT:-
http://www.virtualteacher.com.au/australia.html
ciao
cathy
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Dear
Cathy, what you said about John and the Blue ribbon dedication was
beautiful.
Thank
You Beverley Fine
==============================================
10. NEXT ISSUE - More on Apple
starting with ILIFE.
Some
great sites and webquests on Energy and Simple Machines.
Any
ideas you would love to share send them a long. Perhaps a
slogan
to start the term, for the Classroom and for the WorldŠ
PEACE
TAKES BRAINS
Have
a gigafloppingly brilliant fortnight.
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11.
Code of the 'Netizens'
This
Newsletter is not free, despite the misleading advertising
above.
The Fee is now due. Each week you must help one
colleague
on the Internet who has less knowledge than you.
Help
that person even if you have to visit their classroom or
do a
little research and get back to them. Trust me, this will
help
a lot of people get their computer classrooms running better.
OK
I'm trusting you!!!
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12.
TIPS
1.
Double click on highlighted URLS to open in browser.
2.
Send in your Questions, Questions will be published with
Answers,
send in your Answers, if you have expertise to share.
3.
Nominate a brilliant site for review and inclusion in this
newsletter.
4.
Nominate a fantastic school site for review and inclusion in
this
newsletter.
5.
Make contact with other schools using fantastic programs.
6.
Prepare and innovative article for this newsletter.
7.
Tell 2 colleagues about this newsletter.
==============================================
The
opinions expressed here are purely those of the editor,
Cathy
Brown. All other small print clauses apply. Such as:
Use
at your own risk. Nothing in life
is guaranteed. If it doesn't
work
for you send me an email.
Editor:
cathy brown mailto:cathy@virtualteacher.com.au
==============================================