Tech & Learning (Dec 2010, Vol. 31, No. 5)

Award-winning strategies to use in your school Classroom-tested technologies that really work

VOLUME 31 NUMBER 5

techlearning.com

IDEAS AND TOOLS FOR ED TECH LEADERS

The

Best

|

DECEMBER 2010

|

$6

SP IS ECIA SU L E

2010

Of

Leaders of the year and top gear inside

Unlimited potential on a limited budget.

Now available for under $2,000! To learn more about the ActivBoard Mount System and the ActivClassroom visit www.PrometheanWorld.com/mount or call 1-866-467-7918, option 2.

contents

DECEMBER 2010 | VOL. 31 NO. 5 Publisher: Allison Knapp [email protected]; (510) 868-5074; Fax: (650) 238-0263 EDITORIAL Editorial Director: Kevin Hogan [email protected] Managing Editor: Christine Weiser [email protected] Editorial Interns: Amir Hardy, Clea Mahoney Senior Art Director: Nicole Cobban [email protected] Art Director: Annmarie LaScala Contributing Editors: Judy Salpeter, Gwen Solomon Custom Editorial Director: Gwen Solomon [email protected] ADVISERS David Warlick, Ryan Bretag, Patrick Higgins, David Andrade, Dean Shareski, Scott Meech, Kim Cofino, Darren Draper, Terry Freedman, Cheryl Oakes, Bob Sprankle, Lisa Thumann, Jen Wagner, Lisa Nielsen, Ben Grey, Michael Gorman, Daniel Rezac, Henry Thiele, Özge Karaog ˘ lu, Kevin Jarrett, Kyle Pace, Steven W. Anderson, Silvia Rosenthal Tolisano TECHLEARNING.COM Assistant Web Editor: Diana Restifo ADVERTISING SALES East Coast Sales Manager: Caliann Mitoulis [email protected]; (215) 370-5813 MARKETING AND EVENTS Marketing Manager: Jared Stearns [email protected] Director of Events: Diana Milbert [email protected] Production Director: Bill Amstutz [email protected] Production Manager: Nicole Spell [email protected]

FEATURES

CIRCULATION Group Circulation Director: Denise Robbins [email protected] Associate Director for Audience Development: Tracey Dwyer [email protected]

4

REPRINTS AND PERMISSIONS Wright’s Reprints: (877) 652-5295

Leader of the Year Winners While the concept of leadership can be fuzzy sometimes, the winners of 2010’s Leader of the Year awards are clearly groundbreakers. Turn to page 4 to read about our three winning education leaders.

EDITORIAL AND ADVERTISING OFFICES 28 East 28th Street, 12th Floor, New York, NY 10016 Phone: (212) 378-0400; Fax: (650) 238-0263 For general editorial correspondence: [email protected]

14

Awards of Excellence Calling a piece of technology for the classroom a “solution” is easy. Proving it? That can be hard. Turn to page 14 to see which products were selected for this year’s Awards of Excellence.

NEWBAY MEDIA LLC—CORPORATE President & CEO: Steve Palm Chief Financial Officer: Paul Mastronardi Vice President, Web Development: Joe Ferrick NEWBAY MEDIA K-12 EDUCATION GROUP Vice President, Group Publishing Director: Adam Goldstein Publisher: Allison Knapp Editorial Director: Kevin Hogan Editorial/Creative Director: Anthony Savona

ondemand Check out the following resources from our partner sites:

Online Production Manager: Rob Granger Web Production Specialist: Ashley Vermillion Web Director: Ragan Whiteside SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION $29.95 per year in the U.S. $59.90 for two years. $39.95 in Canada and Mexico. $69.95 in all other countries. To subscribe: (888) 266-5828 or www.techlearning.com

www.techlearning.com

VIRTUAL TECH FORUM Now On-Demand! Registration is free. Sponsored by eInstruction, K-12 Computing Blueprint by Intel, Lightspeed Systems, Apperson, and Fiddlehead

ARCHIVED WEBINAR The Five W’s of Wireless Tech & Learning (ISSN-1053-6728) (USPS 695-590) is published monthly by NewBay Media, LLC 28 East 28th Street, 12th Floor, New York, NY 10016 POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Tech & Learning, PO Box 8746, Lowell, MA 01853 Periodicals Postage Paid at New York, NY, and additional mailing offices. Copyright ©2010 NewBay Media, LLC All Rights Reserved.

Sponsored by CDW-G and Netgear

eBOOKS How Web-Based Tools Change Teaching & Learning Sponsored by HP and Intel

Resources Whitepaper: Can Computers Motivate Students? Sponsored by CompassLearning Check techlearning.com for updates

TE C H & L E A R N IN G | 3

LEADEROFTHEYEAR

LEADER of the

YEAR

WINNERS While the concept of leadership can be fuzzy sometimes, the winners of 2010’s Leader of the Year awards are clearly groundbreakers. From the nitty gritty of classroom instruction to back office decision-making, each has shown that innovative thinking and decisive action, can make a huge difference in the success of students. We found the stories of these three education leaders to be inspiring. We think you will too.

—The Editors

Know someone who deserves similar recognition? Maybe even yourself? Check out techlearning.com for how to enter next year. Thanks to our generous contest sponsors for donating the following items to the winning schools: Acrobat X classroom set of 8 Vernier Go!Temps HP EliteBook 8440 notebooks Inspiration Software’s InspireData and Kidspiration Lexia 25 flexi-licenses and hosting for one year Livescribe Echo Smartpens Webcams (from Pearson Digital Learning) free downloads of Pearson Apps (from Pearson) Pearson gift bag (Penguin and DK books, software, t-shirts, etc.) Promethean ActivBoard 378 with projector and professional development Qwizdom Q6 32 Remote Set and Q7 Presenter Tablet Tabula Digita site license Xbox 360 Kinect bundle with Kinect Adventures (from Microsoft)

4 | TECH & L EA RN IN G

Finally, a data-driven analysis tool that teachers can use for differentiated instruction in under a week.

systems for education For more information and a demonstration, call 800-899-7204 or visit www.oncoursesystems

Student Stats, from OnCourse Systems, is the just-right data solution for mid-size school districts. Import virtually any student data—standardized test scores, benchmark assessments, IEPs, even attendance and discipline records—and Student Stats generates classroom reports that teachers can use immediately to craft their lesson plans. For administrators, Student Stats provides student achievement reports by teacher, grade, school and district.

The Student Stats advantage: r Web-based—no software to install or update r Customizable—reports can meet your district’s needs r Secure—control access to student records r Affordable—a manageable alternative to large-district data programs r Intuitive—Distribute reports to staff with point-and-click simplicity

LEADEROFTHEYEAR

Making the Right Connections Never doubt your students or their ability to help. That’s Brian Mannix’s motto. As he says, “The more faith you have, and the more you turn that over, the easier your job becomes.” This social studies teacher practices what he preaches. As he develops challenging interdisciplinary projects infused with technology, he relies on the students to lend a hand. “The kids with more tech experience have been fantastic at helping their peers. I’m amazed at how many of them log on to Edmodo [a private passwordprotected social-learning network for schools] to give advice. There are twins who go on every night and beg people to ask them questions about homework.” Mannix collaborated last year with

Tools He Uses Apple iMovie Dell Latitude 2110 Netbooks Digi Teen: Digital Citizenship for Teenagers (digiteen. ning.com) Edmodo (edmodo.com) Flip video cameras Geocaching (www. geocaching.com) Google Docs (docs. google.com) Google Sites (sites. google.com) iPod touches PBworks: Online Collaboration (pbworks. com) YouTube (www.youtube. com)

6 | TECH & L EA RN IN G

his team teachers (English and science) on a Connected Classroom project. Now the three are testing it before it is rolled out school-wide. In an uncanny case of perfect timing, when Mannix brought the proposal to the technology committee, there was leftover money and the project was born. Over the summer, the committee invested $20,000 in Dell Netbooks and Apple iPod touches for one-to-one and one-to-two connectivity, respectively. So far, Mannix’s classes have done a colonization project with schools in New Jersey and South Carolina, communicating via Skype and wikis. They are learning about digital citizenship through Digi Teen Project, a program that links Seventh-grade social studies teacher 11 schools all over the world. Great Neck South (NY) Middle School “We have turned our classroom into a paper-free environment,” the economy, terrorism, drugs, and Mannix brags. smoking. Students were broken into Mannix shares the highs and lows groups; each group chose a challenge with his colleagues through staff develand spent about two months making a opment and informational sessions. He documentary with iMovie. Some days and his team discuss their lessons and they worked on it during social studoffer resources. Later he will develop ies, other days in their English classes. a course covering the most intriguThey conducted interviews and pering and replicable elements of The formed research after school. The culConnected Classroom. mination was an Academy Awards–like Another schoolwide project that celebration with a “mocktail” hour. incorporates technology creatively is Students handled the invitations, the the student-made documentary and music, and the brochures, and many awards show called “The A-Kid-emy wrote acceptance speeches in English Awards.” Mannix developed this projclass. “It was the best project I’ve ever ect in collaboration with his fellow done as a teacher,” Mannix says. team members, the librarian, and the Mannix says the most important lestechnology assistant. son he’s learned is this: “You have to “Last year we asked, ‘What is the teach with technology and not save it greatest challenge facing the U.S. for a separate class. It must be part of today?’” he notes. Topics included the everyday experience.”

BRIAN MANNIX

SAVING MONEY for your business. That’s our business.

CUSTOM Value Solutions make it possible.

With Frontier's Custom Value Solutions, you select from an array of the highest quality products and features to create a custom communications package that's right for your business.

BUILD YOUR BUSINESS WITH TOOLS TO ATTRACT AND KEEP CUSTOMERS UÊÊ ˜`‡Ìœ‡i˜`Ê܏Ṏœ˜ÃÊ̅>ÌÊÀ>˜}iÊvÀœ“ÊÓ>ÊLÕȘiÃÃÊۜˆViÊ>˜`ʈ}…‡-«ii`ʘÌiÀ˜iÌÊ̜Ê

i˜ÌÀiÝ]Ê6œ*Ê>˜`Ê>˜>}i`Ê-œṎœ˜Ã]ʈ˜VÕ`ˆ˜}ÊiµÕˆ«“i˜Ì

ENSURE YOUR BUSINESS IS SECURE AND EFFICIENT UÊ*i>Viʜvʈ˜`Ê/iV…Ê-Õ««œÀÌÊ>˜`Ê >Ì>Ê >VŽÕ«Ê܈̅ÊÓ{ÉÇÊÀi“œÌiÊwiÊ>VViÃà UÊÀœ˜ÌˆiÀÊ ÕȘiÃÃÊ6œˆViʅ>Ãʜ«Ìˆœ˜ÃʏˆŽiÊ՘ˆ“ˆÌi`ÊV>ˆ˜}]ÊV>Êvi>ÌÕÀiÃÊ>˜`Ê`iÕÝiÊۜˆViʓ>ˆ UÊ >̈œ˜Üˆ`iʘiÌܜÀŽÊL>VŽLœ˜iÊ>˜`Ê̅iÊVœÛiÀ>}iÊ>˜`ÊÀiˆ>LˆˆÌÞÊޜÕʘii`Ê>˜`Ê`iÃiÀÛi

Business is better in the New Frontier. Call your Frontier Business Consultant today at 1.866.408.9231 or visit Frontier.com © 2010 Frontier Communications Corporation.

LEADEROFTHEYEAR

Access Granted If you can’t get access to the technology, what good is it? That’s the question underlying Julie Carter’s ambitious plan to allow her teachers to personalize education to meet each child’s unique needs. In 2002 and 2007, district voters approved a referendum levy for technology and instructional equipment. The funding accelerated Minnetonka’s vision for technology integration from 11 classrooms in 2002 to more than 400 classrooms in 2009. To incorporate technology into every aspect of her district, Carter has done four key things. First, she figured out how to put the most computers into students’ hands. “Instead of a one-to-one laptop program, we focused on one-to-one access,” she says. “Depending on the nature of the project, a student might need a thin client, a laptop, or a video-production desktop. We make sure the right tool is available for when it’s needed.” Carter turned to thin clients as a low-cost, low-maintenance solution for computers. Currently there are 745 thin-client devices in classrooms and media centers at the elementary and middle schools. “The huge cost savings and the reduced maintenance effort have changed our workload dramatically. If something does go down, we unplug the box and plug in a replacement. There’s no reimaging or sending

$27 charge for unlimited broadband access. “We are so happy to be able to provide these laptops,” Carter says. “They are getting lots of great use.” The third tier of her plan was to create MyMinnetonka, a portal for students, parents, and staff. Users log on to look up grades and attendance or access the Blackboard eLearning tool and other Webbased applications. Most homework assignments, as well as video clips,

JULIE CARTER Executive director of technology Minnetonka (MN) School District staff in to find out what’s wrong. It continues to make sense.” Carter’s second way to provide access was the laptop-loaner program. “Although a high percentage of our families have Internet access at home, we had to figure out how to provide it for those who did not,” she says. “Students collaborate online at night and work on projects.” At this time, 50 families (identified by school principals) have been given laptops to use for the school year. The district asked Verizon for discounted Internet service and pays the monthly

resources, and handouts, are posted online as well. In addition, students can get online versions of their textbooks, listen to podcasts, post on discussion boards, and study. Last but not least, Carter opened a guest wireless network at the high school so that students can bring in and work on their own laptops, smartphones, iPods, and other devices. “Our goal is to leverage the technology they have in their pockets and backpacks,” she says. “We’re using this system to get more students online without any additional cost.” Carter believes that technology accelerates learning, and that’s what drives her to make sure kids have anywhere, anytime access and a standard set of tools. “It makes learning relevant and interactive for everyone,” she says. “There’s no other way to do it. It’s such an exciting time to be part of education.”

Tools She Uses Blackboard Blackboard Connect-Ed BrainPOP Dell desktops Dell and HP netbooks Destination Reading Discovery streaming

8 | TECH & L EA RN IN G

Finale NotePad Google SketchUp Pinnacle Analytics Projectors Scanners Scratch Skyward

SMART Boards SMART student-response systems SMART document cameras Wyse thin clients

Introducing... The First WIRELESS Document Camera! ‡ 1R:LUHV ‡ 6LPSO\DWWDFKD:LUHOHVV)O\HU DFFHVVRU\WRDQ\'& /DGLEXJŒ'RFXPHQW&DPHUD ‡ +LJK'HÀQLWLRQ,PDJH&ODULW\ ‡ ([FHOOHQW&RORU5HSURGXFWLRQ 4XDOLW\ ‡ )OH[LEOH*RRVHQHFN'HVLJQ ‡ %XLOWLQ0LFURSKRQHIRU86% ‡ ZObT]`[a

;OQ]`>1 (]`OVO\RTcZ]TZO^b]^a G]c`[]PWZSZSO`\W\U\SSRa]c`[]PWZS¿ZbS` :WUVba^SSR[]PWZS¿ZbS`W\USfbS\Rag]c`^]ZWQWSaO\R^`]bSQbW]\ eVS\Q][^cbS`aO\R[]PWZSRSdWQSaO`S]TTbVS\Sbe]`Y ’17>/Q][^ZWO\bQ`]aa^ZObT]`[[]PWZS¿ZbS`W\U ’;ORST]`SRcQObW]\ ’4`][O\geVS`SeWbV]cbbVS\SSRT]`OD>