Take 5! Integration Update - January 27, 2011 (Vol.2/#15)

Issue #15

“Take 5” is a weekly update containing information related to teaching and learning for today and beyond...

Take just 5 minutes (or less) to look over these resources and see what might be helpful for your and/or your students. Better yet, set aside at least 15-30 minutes a week (yes, that's been increased from last year!) to focus on finding resources and ideas that will improve student learning and prepare them for their future!


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Tips and Tools for Teachers 

• Got Goals? Try Joe's Goals – A public goal-setting site for you and/or your students... for homework/studying goals, fitness, nutrition, or anything else you're trying to improve 

• SMART Gallery Collections – Looking for more images for your lessons? Search and download new gallery collections for SMART Notebook at SMART Exchange. (This is updated regularly, so return to this link every month or two to see what SMART has added 

• Glogster Premium "SALE" - only $59 (not $99) until February 28th for GlogsterEDU Premium that has more features. Check it out here: http://edu.glogster.com/product-informations/ 

Ponderings

• Kids Today - Here's one perspective... from AVG, so the results (or survey pool of respondents) might be a bit skewed, but it gives some food for thought... or pondering... Some highlights:
  

  • Children on average have an online footprint by the time they are six months old.
  • More young children know how to play a computer game (58%) than swim (20%) or ride a bike (52%)
  • 28% of young children can make a mobile phone call, but only 20% know to dial 911 in case of an emergency
  • 69% of children aged 2-5 can operate a computer mouse, but only 11% can tie their own shoelaces 

Learning Opportunities

• 1. Ohio FreeTech Conference (hosted by SmartEd Services) - It's FREE and held in "Toledo" (Sandusky) (Jan. 25 & 26), Cincinnati (Feb. 2 & 3), Columbus (Feb. 9 & 10), and Cleveland (Feb. 17 & 18). Ashland grad credit is also offered. See the sessions HERE.
• 2. Apply for National Board Certification by Jan 31st - Go HERE
• 3. Ohio eTech Conference (Columbus, OH) January 31 - February 2
  
• 4. NWO's STEM Education Inquiry Series (at Rossford High School!) - Thurs., February 17th - a low-cost, local opportunity for elementary teachers and JH/HS science, math, and technology teachers offered 7 times from September 23 - April 14, 2011.
•  5. In the right margin of this blog, enter your email to receive future postings into your email Inbox (Take 5s and more!) -- plan on 1-3 posts per week.

;-) Just for Fun! (and a little learning, perhaps)

• Need some R & R? Try doing nothing for 2 minutes! No, really... ABSOLUTELY NOTHING... give it a try at "Do Nothing for 2 Minutes" -- How did you do?

SPECIAL NOTE... this site was just one of MANY new things I learned about while at the Ohio Free-Tech Conference over the last two days. More info will be coming about some great ideas and resources that presenters shared. Eventually, presenter's resources will be posted online and I'll leave a link to those as well. If you can, try to make one of the 3 other Free-Tech Conferences over the next few weeks or even the Ohio eTech Conference in Columbus, OH next week!