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A devastating critic of one to one laptops (and tablets?) programs. Food for thought: maybe these tools should stay in the classroom?

Facing shrinking enrollment and in danger of closing its doors, in 2007, the Newton (KS) School District reestablished Newton as a public charter school. Bolstered by Charter School Program funds from the U.S. Department of Education, the Walton 21st Century Rural Life Center became the first public school in the nation to completely incorporate agriculture into its elementary classrooms and curricula.

Ginger Gregory is the Gifted Resource Teacher at Lakeview Elementary School in Yukon, Oklahoma, and currently has 117 videos on her classroom YouTube channel. Ginger has used the six iPads in her classroom and her free, district-provided YouTube channel (since the Yukon school district participates in the Google Apps for Education program) to help her students develop oral communication skills, oral fluency, as well as digital literacy skills this semester. In the following six minute video, Mrs. Gregory and eight of her students explain what they have learned as a result of their assignments this year using iPad videos and YouTube.

It would be very helpful if you could provide us with a bit of information. This helps tremendously as we make plans. * The primary audience for this workshop will be K-12 teachers. Is that correct? * Are there any specific objectives or programs you hope to support through these trainings? * The confirmation indicates the workshop schedule is 8:30-3:30, Is that correct? Attached, you'll find the proposed agenda's for our week of workshops. Please review them to make sure they meet your objectives and let us know if we need to make any changes or if you need any clarification on what's included. Please reply to this email as soon as possible to let me know if the agenda's meet your approval. Don't hesitate to contact me if you have questions. I'm looking forward to meeting you all in June. With my summer travel schedule, email is the most efficient way to reach me. I do check several times a day.

Alternative option to Microsoft's PhotStory3 (free) program. 

"Inman USD No. 448 encourages employees and students to be creative and actively engaged in the learning experience. Collaboration and team building among staff is facilitated on a regular basis and everyone in the district is involved in continuously improving the district's programs."

"Science Apps Science Apps Apps are the latest way to connect users to information via tablet computers and smartphones. These programs offer users the opportunity to hold science in their hands and put quality resources in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics literally at their fingertips. Science NetLinks is in the early stages of gathering and reviewing STEM-related apps for both the iPad and the Android. Please check back often as we expect to add new app-related tools on a regular basis."

"Quality teaching instructs us that reflection and evaluation is vital in the development of ourselves as teachers. Photo courtesy of Loco Steve As teachers we reflect on our students daily - "Why did Nathan do this?" "Why did Sarah do that?. We also evaluate our own teaching and lessons - "That was a disastrous lesson" "Why did I use that manipulative?""

Handbook for planning, preparing, implementing and evaluating programs

"heck out MakeUseOf cheat sheets that list shortcuts for a number of essential programs that you probably use on a daily basis. Those will definitely make you more productive. All free. Enjoy! Share them with everyone! To download them you just need a password. Simply subscribe to MakeUseOf Newsletter using your email below to get it. The password will be instantly emailed to you once you have confirmed your subscription. "

NGAkids Art Zone interactives offer an entertaining and informative introduction to art and art history. Featuring a variety of art-making tools that encourage exploration and creativity, these activities are suitable for all ages. Simply select a thumbnail image at the left or click one of the colorful banners above to learn more about each program. Great for elementary students.

ISTE urges tech training for future teachers As the FY10 budget process unfolds in Congress, ed-tech advocates want funding for a new grant program for pre-service teacher

"Welcome to the Educational Technology Clearinghouse Digital resources for Florida's schools Visit the Florida Microsoft Antitrust Litigation site for information about the settlement and the vouchers that will be issued to qualifying Florida schools. The Florida Digital Educator program supports the appropriate integration of technology into K-12 education. Visit the Florida Standards website for information about the Sunshine State Standards. "

this is a wealth of resources and all FREE

"Technology Fosters Communications and Parental Engagement" Communication, recognition, and motivation have long been challenges for educators. Parents often struggle to obtain day-to-day information to support their child's progress while teachers strive to foster greater parental engagement. Although report cards offer specific performance information several times per year, most schools rely on students to be the main conduit of information regarding their daily performance, supplemented by periodic and often broad-based communications from the teacher or school. However, if we look at fundamental recognition programs in the business world, we see an approach that embodies a complete role reversal.

"Classroom Video ConferenceThe author of two books, 12-year-old Adora Svitak published her first, Flying Fingers, at the age of seven. In addition, she has spoken at some of the nation's pre-eminent education conferences and taught students around the world via her video conferencing programs. Most recently, she spoke at the TED conference. "