Virtual Teacher Newsletter No.89 April 30th 2004 GO ATOMIC
THE FREE ONLINE FORTNIGHTLY IT TEACHERS' NEWSLETTER
==============================================
CONTENTS
1. Welcome
2.
Mind Candy
3. WWWinfo FREE ATOMIC LEARNING
4.
New Printables - MATHS
5.
Technical Stuff UNSW COMPUTER TEST
6.
Web Site Focus TONY VINSON REPORT
7. MOTHERıS DAY
8.
Great Sites
9. Readers' Requests/Comments
10
Next Issue
11.
Code of 'Netizens'
12.
Tips
==============================================
1.
WELCOME
EVERYONE. Go Atomic, take advantage of
Brynıs
10 day trial on Atomic Learning. This is a great site and covers
tutorials
on almost everything, a great offer from VT and Atomic Learning.
I
think I am taking a stand. I think
unless we start to get computers
working
better in schools with the right software up-to-date equipment
enough
technical support and teacher tuition we are going to
frustrate
ourselves back into the 19th century.
We
are like the crew of the Enterprise trying
³To Boldy Go Where No One Has Gone Before ²
in a
Wright Brothers Plane.
Start
with Brynıs offer, and from here on in, send in ideas
to
improve the system, your thoughts,
your experience.
I
have been giving this a lot of thought lately, so be prepared
to
hear more in subsequent newsletters.
==============================================
2.
MIND CANDY
Excerpts
from test papers and essays submitted to science
and
health teachers by junior high, high school, and college
students
around the world.
"When
you breathe, you inspire. When you do not breathe, you expire."
"H2O
is hot water, and CO2 is cold water"
"Water
is composed of two gins, Oxygin and Hydrogin. Oxygin is pure gin. Hydrogin is
gin and water."
"Three
kinds of blood vessels are arteries, vanes and caterpillars."
"The
body consists of three parts- the brainium, the borax
and
the abominable cavity. The brainium contains the brain,
the
borax contains the heart and lungs, and the abominable
cavity
contains the bowels, of which there are five - a, e, i, o, and u."
"The
pistol of a flower is its only protections agenst insects."
"The
alimentary canal is located in the northern part of Indiana."
"The
tides are a fight between the Earth and moon. All water
tends
towards the moon, because there is no water in the moon,
and
nature abhors a vacuum. I forget where the sun joins in this fight."
"A
fossil is an extinct animal. The older it is, the more extinct it is."
"Equator:
A menagerie lion running around the Earth through Africa."
"For
a nosebleed: Put the nose much lower then the body until the heart stops."
"For
fainting: Rub the person's chest or, if a lady, rub her arm
above
the hand instead. Or put the head between the knees
of
the nearest medical doctor."
"For
dog bite: put the dog away for several days. If he has not
recovered,
then kill it."
"To
keep milk from turning sour: Keep it in the cow."
==============================================
3.
WWWinfo FREE ATOMIC Learning for 10 days
GET
IT WHILE IT LASTS These tutorials are great donıt miss out on your chance
to give them a thorough test.
Hi
again Cathy,
It
occurred to me that you might like to offer your newsletter subscribers a free
trial of Atomic Learning. That would be good for both of us.
If
you make the offer as follows:
Readers
of Virtual Teacher can access the complete Atomic Learning Library free for 10
days.
Just
send an email to Bryn Jones at bj@ictpd.net and ask for a trial - mention that
you heard about it from Virtual Teacher.
Include
this link to info http://ictpd.net/alinfo.html
Bryn
=====================================
4.
NEW PRINTABLES
Some
Great Ideas from the Department on maths - downloadable pdfs
http://www.curriculumsupport.nsw.edu.au/maths/sitemap.cfm
There
are some interesting resources at this site downloadable as PDFs
Unfortunately
the e-learning Highlight is:-
http://www.curriculumsupport.nsw.edu.au/learningtechnologies/index.cfm?u=3&i=150
the
download of compute-A-graph
an
antiquated program that runs with 256Ks under OS 9 on
Mac
or on a similarly antiquated PC. Come on guys we need
the
great stuff, that works
brilliantly with all the latest gear.
Our
students unless time travel evolves in the meantime
will enter the world in 2010-2020, not 1995.
==============================================
5.
TECHNICAL STUFF
Not
Technical Enough Stuff
The
recent UNSW Computer test for Years 5&6, came as a bit of a surprise.
Rather
than being a good test - all be it
paper and pencil, of computer skills
it
proved to be an antiquated test quite out of tune with current computer
education
in
NSW. Question 3 related to plugging and unplugging a computer, I have
stopped
demonstrating how to set up computers to Primary aged students
as
this encourages them to play with cables, and I believe compromises
safety
in the classroom, particularly in light of OH&S concerns. The paper
also
moved between Mac and Windows Operating systems, not offering both
in
one questions but offering either or for questions (5.6,7 and 8 for
instance).
Although
OS 10 for Mac has been around now for at least 2 years the images
related
to earlier operating systems.
Questions 25 and 26 relate to the use
of an
external 55.6K modem, something I haven't used in schools or personally
for
at least 3 years. The use of a serial port is positively antiquated
technology.
There
was also a heavy emphasis on programming using the old logo turtle
maths.
Although hailed as a great program over 25 years ago, it is certainly
not
mainstream in schools today.
Computer technology is taught as a tool,
using
a programming language in primary schools is at best an interesting
diversion,
certainly not essential to computer literacy. The UNSW testers need
update
their testing questions and bring them into the 21st century.
Or
better still don't test Computer skills at all.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hello
Fellow Primary & Secondary Teachers,
We
wish to alert you to an upcoming online event beginning early
Term
2 entitled Ask an expert - 'Ask Dr Water'.
'Ask
Dr. Water' is an online question
and answer activity for
students
and their teachers who want to find out more about salinity, rivers and
household water use beginning Monday 26th April 2004 and concluding Friday
30th
April.
We wish to encourage teachers and
students to send in a question relating to the areas of salinity, rivers and
household water use during this period and answers will be sent back by
email. Following the end of this
particular
week, a FAQ page will be set up of the main points raised.
We
hope that this online event may assist your teaching and learning in the area
of Water-salinity, rivers and household water use.
Regards
Raff Grasso.
Here
is the link to 'Dr Water'
http://www.myinternet.com.au/edu/water_year/ask_dr.htm
Submission
Form:
http://www.myinternet.com.au/edu/water_year/ask_dr.htm#samp_form
Further
information about Water
http://www.myinternet.com.au/edu/water_year/index.html
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EdNA
Online is running another program of free workshops commencing in May 2004.
Each year EdNA Online's Information Officers run workshops in each state and
territory to help the education and training community get the most out of the
EdNA Online service. EdNA Online is a joint initiative of the state, territory
and Australian governments for the education and training community.
WORKSHOP
A: An Update of EdNA Online's Tools and Services
WORKSHOP
B: Embedding services and resources from EdNA Online into your own website
Workshop
participation is free to the education and training community. To find our
where the workshops will be held, and to register, visit
http://www.edna.edu.au/workshops
EdNA
ONLINE SERVICES AND RESOURCES
Featured
Resources
At
2:04 PM +0930 7/4/04, TheNetworker wrote:
Conferences
in Australia http://www.edna.edu.au/edna/noticeboards?nbpath=688&date=&show=all
Conferences
Overseas http://www.edna.edu.au/edna/noticeboards?nbpath=690&date=&show=all
Online
conferences http://www.edna.edu.au/edna/noticeboards?nbpath=2353&date=&show=all
In
addition, scholarships, grants, and other funding opportunities have been
listed on the EdNA Online noticeboard Scholarships, Fellowships, Grants. Don't
miss the application due dates - visit the noticeboard http://www.edna.edu.au/edna/noticeboards?nbpath=3550&date=&show=all
To
include an event or a scholarship/fellowship in the respective noticeboards,
submit the information using the form at http://www.edna.edu.au/edna/page227.html
-
select the appropriate noticeboard and fill in the fields as displayed.
Suggested notices are evaluated by the EdNA Online Information Officers and
included in the noticeboards upon approval.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CBCA
There
are a number of new items on the national CBCA website that are relevant for
events coming up soon:
1.
The 2004 Shortlist will be on the national website at 12:00am EST on Tuesday 6
April. The link will be on the home page: http://www.cbc.org.au
2.
The Book Week Banner that is copyright free for you to put on any print or
other resources you develop for Book Week is now available. See: http://www.cbc.org.au/banner04.htm
it's a fabulous image that you can download.
3.
There is now an illustration of the official Book Week poster so that you can
see what the artwork will look like. See: http://www.cbc.org.au/bookweek.htm
This
page includes other information about Book Week and you can order a limited
edition print of the poster separately if Brian Harrison-Lever's artwork
appeals to you.
==============================================
6.
WEBSITE FOCUS - Tony Vinson
I
meet Tony Vinson just recently and was interested to re-visit
his
report. Some very pertinent ideas , the quote below is from
a
Country Teacher, the report is riddles with quotes from teachers
and
is certainly worth re-reading.
Report
http://www.pub-ed-inquiry.org/reports/final_reports/02/
Teachers are under pressure not to think of
themselves as professional educators.
We are more and more interpreters of the written word from
above
and required to respond to the pressures that arise from the
community.
The system does not recognise the vocational
functions
that we perform and for which we are not paid.
We
are educators. We make a
professional input at every
stage,
from the curriculum to the building we work in. We
should
actually start taking the high ground and say these
are
the things that, as professional educators, we insist on
having
a strong say in and control of. The whole idea of
professional
educators giving away the curriculum to a non-teacher
body
is ludicrous. We all sit here and
complain, and I do too,
about
the incredible pressures this situation puts on us as
professionals. We are asked to try and teach someone
else's
recipes
that don't fit our particular students, our particular
communities.
There is a continual mismatch because we
are
trying to do something that our profession knows we
can't
do properly.
A
country teacher, Dubbo Hearing, August, 2001.
http://www.pub-ed-inquiry.org/reports/final_reports/02/Chapter1.html
==============================================
7. Mother's Day
Kids Domain never fails to come up with some great
ideas for holiday celebrations check out their Mother's Day suggestions.
http://www.kidsdomain.com/holiday/mom/
Kids Domain Mom Day Crafts
http://www.kidsdomain.com/craft/_momday.html
Motherıs
Day History, crafts, and a poem.
http://www.holidays.net/mother/
Who
came up with Motherıs Day and why?
http://people.howstuffworks.com/question634.htm
Special
things Kids Can do For Mum
http://www.kidsturncentral.com/holidays/mothers/momday.htm
DLTKıs
Motherıs Day Crafts for Kids
http://www.dltk-kids.com/crafts/mom/
Enchanted
Learning Motherıs Day
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/crafts/mothersday/
Famous
Mothers
Mother
Teresa
http://www.agirlsworld.com/amy/pajama/mothersday/famous.html
FAMILY HERO: FAMOUS MOTHERS by Nancy
Nickerson
http://www.myhero.com/myhero/hero.asp?hero=famousMothers
==============================================
8.
GREAT SITES
HOT
SITES
Spinners
Post Primary mathematical Resources from the Canberra Mathematical society
Computer(ICTs), Graphics, Calculators,
Other , Worksheets
Puzzles/Competitions/Enrichment
http://www.pa.ash.org.au/canberramaths/5cPPriClass.htm#Computer
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Art
Educator (ARTiculation)
http://www.articulation4kids.com
The
objectives of ARTiculation are to encourage you to look at a piece
of
artwork and to understand what goes into the art making process. Over
fifty
activities reinforce what has been learned in each section. Main
sections
include Elements of Art, Principles of Design, and Art
Critiquing
Process. Also contains a Timeline, Vocabulary Section, and
numerous
lessons plans and worksheets (Activities) in the Resource
section.
Requires Flash and Shockwave.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ILLUSIONS - Dynamic Optical Illusions
Where nothing is as it seems.
An intriguing
selection of old, new and exclusive optical illusions.
Pictures are
often enhanced via the use of 3D and through animation.
http://www.skytopia.com/project/illusion/illusion.html
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Anzac
Day Better late
http://library.trinity.wa.edu.au/subjects/sose/austhist/anzac.htm
Peter
Macinnis' great photos of Anzac Images
http://www.ictpd.net/anzaciview/index.htm
==============================================
9.
READERS COMMENTS/REQUESTS
Thankyou
Cathy for the comments on my site.
I
really hope school kids can get some use from the information I provide. I have
had a few contact me direct re school projects on Glenrowan.
Keep
up the great work with your newsletter, kind regards Dave White.
http://www.glenrowan1880.com>http://www.glenrowan1880.com
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cathy
just
a feedback comment re: film making
having
attempted previous versions on many different OS and platforms, iMovie is just
the best thing!
so
simple students can do the edit and construction without being blocked by
technical difficulties.
students
use a G4 iBook in class to produce a short story on an aspect of out local
science habitat enclosure. needless to say we have seen steve irwin look alikes
through to sci fi monster from the
deep 3 minute epics
enjoy
the newsletter, look forward to the sunday post.
regards
gary
eltham
high victoria
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hi
Cathy,
Item
no 7 with CD covers where do I go to get the information to create. I
am
very interested because my daughter is doing this course at high school and
some
extra from outside activity would build up her knowledge and again experience.
I am
a 4th year student in Education and I find the information that you provide
is
excellent.
Well
done keep it up.
Agnes
Kami
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Any
CD Burning Program will have an option to create cd Covers,
if
you computer has a CD burner it would have been supplied with
CD
Burning Software like Nero, Roxio, or Easy CD.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cathy, Your map info is incredible! I couldn't bookmark them all
fast
enough. Thanks again for keeping
us all on the cutting edge
of
curriculum offerings. Warm
regards, Nancy S-G
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hi
Cathy,
I
haven't been able to open the power point Life on Mars.
Has
there been trouble? I am just
getting the message 'page can not be displayed'.
Thanks
for any ideas/information.
Simone
Mossop
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Problem
sorted.
http://www.virtualteacher.com.au/teachtool.html
You
can now download Life on Mars it is a large file.
==============================================
10. NEXT ISSUE Will be VTıs 90th
issue, I now have over
6,500
subscribers, cause for celebration, cause for something
special.
Ciao Cathy
==============================================
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!!!
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Delivered
FREE to your e-mail box every fortnight.
Online
Lesson Plans, Great Sites, Free Stuff, Tips, Time savers,
and
templates.
Computer
Solutions for Teachers. Subscribe today! It's
totally
Free! Just type subscribe in the subject and send it to me.
==============================================
Reach
a growing audience of teachers, by
advertising in the
Virtual
Teacher Newsletter or on the Virtual Teacher site.
For
more information contact,
For
information about inservice and training contact me at
==============================================