Virtual Teacher Newsletter April 28th, 2000
No. 4
THE FREE ONLINE FORTNIGHTLY IT TEACHERS' NEWSLETTER
-----------------------------------------------------------
Subscribe: cathy@virtualteacher.com.au (put 'subscribe' in the
subject)
Or visit: http://www.virtualteacher.com.au
Unsubscribe: comfilm1@optusnet.com.au (put 'unsubscribe' in the
subject)
Contact: cathy@virtualteacher.com.au
Website: http://www.virtualteacher.com.au
Newsletter Archives can be found at:-
http://www.virtualteacher.com.au/archives.html
==========================================================
CONTENTS
1. Welcome
2. Mind Candy
3. ESL and LOTE Internet Sites
4. Mother's Day
5. Technical Tips
6. Net Detective - Webquest
7. Absolutely Fantastic Site - Kids-Space Org
8. Great K-2 Site
9. Great Sites to Check Out
10. Readers Comments
11. Readers Requests - Can you help out?
12. Next Issue
13. Code of 'Netizens'
14. Tips
==========================================================
1. Welcome all. I have been re-reading Seymour Papert's
"Mind-storms"- Children, Computers and Powerful
Ideas. I love his statement in the intro of that book - "The
computer is the Proteus of machines. Its essence is its universality,
its power to stimulate. Because it can take on a thousand forms
and can serve a thousand functions, it can appeal to a thousand
tastes".
Lately I have noticed an increased interest in the Internet by
several 12-year-old friends. The universality is timeless, a
sudden and undeniable interest in the opposite sex. Skills of
email communication have been honed remarkably, over the period.
Even spelling has improved, when rather cutting remarks were
passed in regard to this inadequacy, and the use of the spellchecker
is now mandatory. There is an increased used of the internet
to find the best sites to recommend, jokes to tell, games to play,
and general composition and word processing skills have increased
10 fold. Young love what a universal motivator.
The beauty teaching computer skills is that the students are already
motivated in one way or another.
Linda Dennis - Editor-in-Chief, of "The Premiere Magazine
for Computer And Photo Crafting" (US) will be reviewing
the Virtual Teacher site and newsletter shortly. Virtual Teacher
will also be providing a column about the Internet downunder in
the fall issue of this magazine - I am pleased as punch about
this. So if you have any recommendations for great Australian
sites send them in and I'll include your email address in the
article. What fun this could be. I'll provide you with more details
later.
Mother's day is fast approaching so I have included some
links for ideas to celebrate these great people. Keep the contributions
coming. I have had some requests for info on ancient history
from subscribers, perhaps you can help, I'll include these in
the next issue. Hope you enjoyed Easter.
Cathy
==========================================================
2. Mind Candy
Innovation 1872
Check out the Rules posted by a Manhattan Principal in 1872.
http://www.virtualteacher.com.au/1872.html
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If you've ever wanted alternative words for school reports
- here's your list of politically correct terminology.
http://www.virtualteacher.com.au/noone.html
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Children remind us of who we were while helping us to
see who we have become.
Maureen D. Aube, mdaube@together.net
==========================================================
3. ESL and LOTE
This initials mean English as a Second Language and Language
other than English. The web resources for these are vast, I love
the translation pages and have had a lot of fun with then - especially
the ones that offer sound wav. file translations as well as written
ones.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ESL LOTE Resources General
This is the best links page on the net I have found, but you'll
need your flicker glasses on to view it.
http://www.ozkidz.gil.com.au/lote/
Teaching Ideas for a variety of subjects including ESL. These
ideas are mostly submitted by teachers.
http://www.ncte.org/teach/
Edu Hound ESL and Foreign language
http://www.eduhound.com/cat.cfm?subj=ESL%20%26%20Foreign%20Language
Multicultural Calendar
http://www.kidlink.org/KIDPROJ/MCC/
The Department of Education Employment and Training's LOTE
Key Learning Area website has links for all teachers of languages.
<http://www.sofweb.vic.edu.au/lt/klafocus/lote/>http://www.sofweb.vic.edu.au/lt/klafocus/lote/
The above site includes links to subject associations, websites
and LOTE links sites
<http://www.lotelinx.vic.edu.au/>http://www.lotelinx.vic.edu.au/
There is also an alphabetic listing of LOTE resources available
from
<http://www.sofweb.vic.edu.au/resource/reslote.htm>http://www.sofweb.vic.edu.au/resource/reslote.htm
Christine EkinSmyth
Centre for Technology Supported Learning
DEET, Victoria, Australia
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chinese
Another question from ESL was regarding Chinese Language translators
etc some interesting sites for online Chinese language tuition:-
http://redgum.bendigo.latrobe.edu.au/~zhang/one.htm
These sites offers lessons in speaking Chinese free online, I
liked the fact that it had sound files accompanying it so that
the Chinese words could be heard as well.
http://www.wellgot.ca/english.htm
http://philo.ucdavis.edu/~txie/ccol/1-1.htm
http://www.ocrat.com/voa/
http://www.bell-labs.com/project/tts/mandarin.html
http://zhongwen.com/chat.htm
Here's a good set of LOTE Links
http://www.mrc.tas.edu.au/lote.htm
'Everything ESL' is an interesting friendly site, with some
great ideas from working teachers.
http://www.everythingESL.net/
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
German
Thought you might be interested in referring to some of these
resources in your next newsletter.
For teachers of German as a second language there is the GermanLinx
website <http://www.germanlinx.vic.edu.au/>http://www.germanlinx.vic.edu.au/
a collection of web resources for students and teachers of German.
There is a link from here to Das Teddy Baer Projekt, a collaborative
project for students of German as a second language. There is
also a link to an international website competition running this
year for students of German on the topic of the Olympic Games.
Development of the competition is supported by the Goethe Institut
in Melbourne and we are keen to encourage groups of students to
develop a website and enter.
The Association of German Teachers of Victoria also has a website
<http://www.trinity.vic.edu.au/agtv/>http://www.trinity.vic.edu.au/agtv/
Please use these as you see fit.
Christine EkinSmyth
Centre for Technology Supported Learning
DEET, Victoria, Australia
==========================================================
4. 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/index.html
==========================================================
5. Technical Tips
Put a computer operations instruction list next to each computer
for both students and teachers. Stapled into a manila folder
it is a great idea. Include startup and shutdown instructions,
maintenance and troubleshooting tips. Here's one I did recently
for the Macs at a recent school inservice I conducted.
http://www.virtualteacher.com.au/compop.html
I'll be doing one for PCs in the next newsletter, unless some
of you kind souls have already done one??? Send it in.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Try the online Eudora Tutorials at
http://www.eudora.com/techsupport/tutorials/
==========================================================
6. Net Detective
Webquest
Net Detective
Use this webquest to develop Internet search skills. This is
an excellent webquest with student evaluation at the end. You
can also download it and change the questions to suit your topics.
http://www.plainfield.k12.in.us/hschool/webq/webq95/index.htm
==========================================================
7. Absolutely Fantastic Site - Kids-Space Org
This was such a fantastic site I just had to review a lot
of its pages separately. It is so kid friendly. I loved the
roving balls that follow the mouse pointer, I could have played
with those for ages. Children can submit their own work to this
site - what a class project this would make. Have some fun, dive
in and take a look.
http://www.kids-space.org/
Create your Own story with the animals - and then print it out.
7- 10 year olds
http://www.kids-space.org/HPT/1a/11a.html
Make your own sound sequence with this picture. Press record,
click on various things in the picture, then press play. Great
for 5-8 year olds
http://www.kids-space.org/HPT/1/11.html
Read some great stories by other children, these stories include
some pictures in place of words. 7-10 year olds.
http://www.kids-space.org/story/month.html
I loved this section, make up your own tunes with the leaves and
flowers and then give yourself a round of applause by double clicking
on the chipmunks.
http://www.kids-space.org/HPT/1/12.html
Try out the sounds of the street in this scenario. 5-8years old.
http://www.kids-space.org/HPT/2/21.html
Learn about scales and musical notes here. This site is just
great, 5-12 year olds.
http://www.kids-space.org/HPT/2/22.html
Here is a brilliant page filled with children's compositions that
you can play online. How better to motivate a budding musician.
I loved this space. After listening to the music you can even
write to the young musicians for their scores.
http://www.kids-space.org/air/compositions/compositions.html
Listen to children singing songs. 3 children singing so far.
5-12
http://www.kids-space.org/air/songs/songs.html
==========================================================
8. Great K- 2 site
Great Class Sites
Kindergarten Miss Fontanella's Kindergarten Class
http://earlychildhood.about.com/education/earlychildhood/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?site=http://www.jsd.k12.ak.us/hbv/classrooms/Fontanella/fontanejhbvHome.html
==========================================================
9. Great Sites to Check Out
Recipe for a Successful Website
A well-done essay dealing with the right way to design
a Web page giving practical ideas and links to example sites;
well worth reading for learning how to design and how to
evaluate Web sites. Fun to read as well. Suitable for 11 years
onwards.
http://www.nathan.com/thoughts/recipe/
eNature
Kudos to the National Audobon Society for this great site.
Now, you have
access to field guides for more than 4800 species of plants and
animals. Start a list for you, as an individual or for your class,
and
add species as you see them. Find out more about various habitats
in
the US, or ask an expert about a species you have observed. 11
years onwards, US animals and maps.
http://www.enature.com/
Grade Level: Elementary, Middle School, High School, College,
Adult/Professional
Content Area: Science (Environmental Studies/Life Science) [Dewey
#570]
Application type: Project, Resource
Submitted by: Webmaster: info@enature.com
==========================================================
10. Readers Comments
I like your newsletter and web site very much.
I am the technology coordinator for my elementary school (K-5),
as well as a
third grade teacher. I am happily sharing the newsletter with
my colleagues.
Best wishes,
Fred Mc Gehee
Cullen Elementary School
Glendora, CA
....extremely helpful and age appropriate.
Danielle
==========================================================
11. Reader Requests - Can you help out???
Susan Gaynard
I am particularly looking for info on Ancient Greece.
Other Readers were also interested in ancient History resources
on the web.
Send in your great sites.
==========================================================
12. Next Issue Virtual Teacher will take a look at Microsoft
Word 2000(Mac '98). If you are currently using this wonderful
program send in your ideas - there's some great stuff in this
program. I am also looking to review some great school sites,
so if your school has a good site send along the URL and I will
review it here. I have had requests for more information about
the contributors to this newsletter. In future I will publish
your name, school/organisation and email address along with your
contribution - unless otherwise requested - so please include
them. This should be great, and should get everyone connected.
Should you not wish your name published just let me know, and
I will credit your contribution to anon.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
13. 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!!!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
14. 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:comfilm1@optusnet.com.au
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Delivered FREE to your e-mail box every week.
Online Lesson Plans, Great Sites, Free Stuff, Tips, Time savers,
and templates.
Computer Solutions for Primary School Teachers. Subscribe today!
It's totally Free! Just type subscribe in the subject and send
it to me.
cathy@virtualteacher.com.au
==========================================================
Reach a growing audience of teachers, by advertising in
the
Virtual Teacher Newsletter or on the Virtual Teacher site. For
more information contact,
cathy@virtualteacher.com.au
==========================================================
Virtual Teacher is available for Inservice bookings in
the Sydney area please contact
cathy@virtualteacher.com.au
==========================================================