EDUCATIONAl TECHNOLOGY

Enrollment for these workshops is handled through My Learning Plan.
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Computer Applications

The BCIU's Educational Technology Services (ETS) Department provides workshops to help teachers, administrators, and support staff with instruction on various computer applications. Any level of user may take a workshop; sessions are designated as beginner, intermediate, or advanced.

Microsoft Productivity Software

The following Microsoft workshops will be available in summer 2010:

Introduction to Excel 2007
Excel 2007: Beyond the Basics!

Powerpoint 2007: Learn how new Powerpoint features can enhance your presentations

Publisher 2007: Create Engaging Publications

Learn the Basics of Word 2007

Word 2007 Advanced

Curriculum Software

ETS provides workshops for teachers, administrators, and support staff on curricular software. Workshop opportunities for summer 2010 include training on the following:

Introduction to Web 2.0 for Educators
Everybody is talking about Web 2.0, but exactly what is it? This workshop is for you! Learn all about the different Web 2.0 tools. The emphasis will be on how they are used in an educational setting. Invigorate your classroom by using these tools to engage and encourage collaboration with your students. Bring your lesson plans with you and see how you can integrate these tools into the learning environment.

Using Google Docs and Other Google Applications in the Classroom
This 6-hour workshop is an overview of Google Docs and other Google applications and how they may be used in an educational environment. This hands-on workshop will provide lesson ideas, hints, and pitfalls to avoid as we explore the implementation from a teacher’s perspective in a classroom setting. If you want to advance productivity and collaboration in your classroom, come to this workshop. We will be using Google docs, Google presentation, and the Google search engine. Don't have a Google account? You can create one in the class.

Introduction to Blogs and Wikis for Educators
Blogs and wikis are fast and easy tools designed to quickly publish content on the Web. Come discover how they can help you engage your students and also connect with parents. Blogs are a great way to get feedback from your students. Wikis are a wonderful collaboration tool for students working as a classroom or as groups in a classroom. This session will demonstrate the basics of using some of the most popular blog and wiki sites to make your classroom a "21st century classroom." Get a jump start on setting up your blog and wikis for the new school year.

Digital Photography and Cool Websites
Have tons of photographs on your computer and wish you could correct imperfections such as red eye and poor exposures? Come see how Picasa, a free Google App, can rescue your photographs. Educators, jazz up your school web pages with digital photography. Show off your class activities in the best possible light. Create digital scrapbooks to document your activities. The second part of this class will introduce you to some cool web sites that will enhance and add excitement to your classroom.

Enhance Learning Using your SMART Board
How does a SMART Board interactive whiteboard change your class? Learn the basics of the SMART Notebook software and how to use theEssentials for Educators Gallery to enhance student learning. You will also learn how to create nonlinear presentations, add multimedia, and use other advanced techniques to create truly engaging presentations or use as a tool to collaborate on project ideas. Bring your lesson plans with you! It’s all hands on! Time will be given for participants to create and complete their own notebook projects. Flash drives are recommended so you can take your projects with you!

Make Learning Exciting with your Promethean Board!
How does a Promethean interactive whiteboard change your classroom? How does it work? How does your current software work on it?
Explore Promethean Planet, download and modify already created Flipcharts with lessons plans. Flip Charts are available for just about every subject area! Learn to create your own Flipcharts to enhance your student learning. Use the Activotes system to instantly assess student learning. Bring your lesson plans with you; there will be lots of time to work on them. It’s all hands-on! Don’t forget your flash drive to take your "stuff" with you. Get a jump on the new school year!

Moodle: Come Learn how Moodle can Enhance Learning and Promote Collaborarion Among Students
Moodle allows educators to create online classes, which students can access as a virtual classroom. A typical Moodle home page will include a list of participants (including the teacher and students) and a calendar with a course schedule and list of assignments. Other Moodle features include online quizzes, forums, where students can post comments and ask questions, glossaries of terms, and links to other Web resources. Come see how a school district in Berks County is already using Moodle to enhance learning.

Polycom Training Videoconferencing: Virtual Field Trips
No money for field trips? No problem! Virtually take your classes to anywhere in the world. Have them interact with other students, attend a presentation, visit a museum or the zoo, even swim under water with dolphins. Part 1 of this class will train you in using the Polycom equipment at your school. You will get to practice calling other Polycoms and making successful connections. Part 2 will explore the many FREE resources available for virtual field trips. We will be connecting to two field trip sites.
This class is held at the BCIU Education Centre.

Download the 2010 ETS Summer Course Schedule catalog here.

ON-SITE TRAINING

BCIU offers training to educational staff and the community at on-site locations. We have sessions in computer platforms, basic computer skills, software application programs, internet skills training, curricular software evaluation, and integration of computer technology into curriculum. Act 48 credits available.

Online-Safety (New CIPA requirement)

In October 2008, a new federal law, "Protecting Children in the 21st Century Act," contained a new Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA) requirement which mandates that schools' Internet safety policies include “... educating minors about appropriate online behavior, including interacting with other individuals on social networking Web sites and in chat rooms and cyberbullying awareness and response."

ETS offers school districts a workshop about how to meet this new CIPA requirement. We can bring this workshop directly to the students at your school, or we can deliver it to district staff and teachers, who in turn will deliver the instruction to their students.

Web-based Media Booking (MediaNET)

ETS provides workshops to help teachers with the basics of using MediaNet, the Web-based media booking system, to request educational media for classroom use.

Discovery Education Streaming (Video-on-Demand)

The BCIU's ETS Department provides workshops to help teachers with the basics of using the Discovery Education Web site to download and stream educational media for use in their classrooms.

Educational Technology Hardware

ETS provides workshops to help teachers use various educational technologies, including multimedia projectors, interactive whiteboards, and student response systems (clickers).