March 17 Tech Update

Status of Building Technology

The contractors are still not done with all of the work in the building. Over spring break, an electrical engineering firm will be coming into our building to do a check of all the electrical systems and components. We are trying to identify what is causing the ghosting and humming problems we are getting in a projector/speaker systems.

The security cameras are in place. One additional camera is being added to the library hall. Digital Video Recorders are connected to this system. Our card readers will become active once training in how to use the system has been completed.

The bell system will eventually be switched so that the middle school and high school can be independent of one another. There are still a few bugs with the paging system, but they will be worked out soon.



Projectors - all of the projectors in the LFM/FHS complex are ghosting to some extent. This means that there is a shadow of words and images on your screen. It can also cause video to look jumpy. The projectors should all be connected and working at this time. If you are still experiencing problems, check with Char.

Speakers - all of the speakers have been installed. They are designed to run through the projector, so you need to use the projector remote volume control to adjust speaker volume. There is still a humming in the speaker system. If you are having problems with your speakers, check with Char.

Phones - all the phones should now be working properly. If you have problems with voice mail or questions about how to use fast dials or program your address book, see Char. The phones are now set to only allow calls from the outside during non-classroom hours. You will be able to place outside calls and receive internal calls. If you are calling long distance, you still need to fill out a long distance report available in the office.

DVD/VCRs - if you have a unit that stops working, please let Char know. The company that installed them is still responsible for replacing/fixing units. If you are recording on a dvd, you need to remember to use DVD+ .

School Announcements - FHS announcements are now going to broadcast over channel 87. Chris Kaminiski and Julie Schroth are coordinating announcements. Please continue to turn announcements in to Julie in the library. Chris has done a great job getting this system up and running, it will be nice to have our broadcast announcements back on the air!

AirLiners - The FHS math and science departments are using their new AirLiners. These are hand held smartboards that allow the teacher to control their computer from anywhere in the classroom while writing notes on the projector screen, letting students share work and highlighting important information on webpages.

Turning Point Student Responders- FHS/LFM has two sets of student responders that are now available. Training will take place right after spring break. To learn all about them, read my blog posting called "CLICKERS" on the Technology Integration and Curriculum blog. You will be able to sign out the responders from the library after spring break and you have completed training.

Fairview Mail - The district will be switching over to the new Fairview Mail system after spring break. It is important that you AT LEAST go to http://fairview.k12.oh.us/webmail one time and sign in using your building computer network login and password. This was, your leeca mail will be forwarded to this account. IF you have problems logging in or would like help setting up your account please let Char know. Directions for using the options for the account are in the blog posting called "MAIL" or are available from Char.

Distance Learning Lab - The DL is now open for business. Thanks to Jeff and the custodial staff, we have cleared out room 214 and set up the chairs and equipment for the lab to be functional. There are SO many great learning opportunities that are now available to all of us and our students. Kathy Ingersoll, Mark Weidus, Elizabeth Ptaszek, Janice Baker, Bryan Weir, Laura Hall, Gayle Dill, Rose Mary Young and Char can all help you use the equipment. We will use a calendar at the library front desk to schedule DL times. We are lucky to be in a partnership with the Lorain District Learning Consortium (http://www.pageflakes.com/LCDLC.Ohio/12258169/)
They will help us to coordinate programs from content providers, locate teacher to teacher classroom partnerships and provide staff development. Their next training session will be April 3 at 4:00 in our DL (room 214). Come and learn about using webcams in your classroom.

Wiki and Blogging in your classroom - Are you interested in learning how to use blogs and wikis? Come to a special drop in class at 3:00 on April 3 in the FHS library. All levels of experience welcome. Talk to Kathy Ingersoll about how she is using these tools in her English classes.

Remember to use the Technology Integration and Curriculum Blog at http://edtechgirl.blogspot.com/ or find it linked on the Technology homepage http://fpsdtech.rwlo.org

What's a clicker?

The other day I was teaching a lesson on the beginnings of the Universe. I was covering a lot of new material in class. After every section of discusison, I would stop and ask for questions...big surprise, there were no questions. Then I would ask a few questions based on the material, to see if students were able to apply the ideas. Five or six hands would go up, questions would be answered and I would move on. I covered the first 500,000 years of the history of our Universe in just under the 24 minutes I had in our shortened schedule. Pretty good for a day. Now, what are the chances that ALL of my students actually understood the material we went through? I won't know that until I give them some kind of assessment - an application assignment or maybe a test. This might not be for 3 or more days after the lesson, during which time the class would have moved forward in the unit. Add another day or two for grading, now the student is at least a week into the material and I don't know if they really grasped the basic concept.



Enter...THE CLICKER. Let's go back to my classroom scenario, except this time, when I pause to check for comprehension, every student is holding a clicker, a small calculator looking device that will allow them to interact with my questions in a whole new way. I ask my first question and now all 29 students have a chance to answer. Looking up at my projector screen, I see an indicator that lets them know that their response has been entered into the system. With one click of my mouse, a graph appears showing how many students picked each possible answer. Instant feedback and I am able to immediately go back to the material and reteach it. If I didn't give them the right answer initially, I can re-poll the question and see if understanding has improved.







What is a clicker any way? Clicker is a nickname for a student responder. There are many different styles available on the market. The main systems are either infrared or radio. Ours is an infrared system. There are 32 responders in each set. They are numbered. They "talk" to a receiver that you position in the front of your room. Because it is an infrared system, there does need to be a direct sight line to the receiver, but the students can use the responders from anyplace in your room. Our responders run through Turning Point software. This software allows you to create special, interactive question slides IN a PowerPoint presentation. So, if you know how to do basic PowerPoint, you should feel pretty comfortable using the software. The 2008 version we have access to has the ability to tie your questions to Ohio State Standards. It also comes with an OAT and OGT question bank, sorted by indicators and a test writer component.



Data based decision making is one of the foundations of creating effective lessons. The responders allow you to collect a lot of data about your class. The software can generate individual student reports, class reports, reports by indicator and reports that combine data from multiple classes. These reports have graphs built into them so that you can quickly see areas that you may need to re-teach or students who may need extra help.Later this year, the Turning Point Software will also by synced with Study Island.



Student responders are great for doing pre-assessment to see what kids know before a unit begins or post assessment to check their progress. They can be used anonymously or you can create class lists in the software and assign a specific number to each student that they will use each time you do a clicker lesson. You can also set up team competitions for fun reviews.



Currently, there are two sets of 32 student responders available in the FHS/LFM complex. I will be offering after school training when we return from spring break. The responders will be housed in the library where they can be checked out just like the computer labs or the stand alone projectors.



SOFTWARE

Turning Point Software is available FREE for download to PCs or Macs. You can install it on multiple computers. You can then work on making slides at home or school, use the question bank or create a test with the testmaker component. Choose the 2008 version to get the basic software. You might also want to download Turning Point To Go which will let you ask a question at any point in a lesson without having to create it in a slide.

Training for Turning Point will be scheduled after Spring Break or see Me:)