Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

 

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Instructional Technology Newsline
September 2007: Volume 8, Number 11 

 

Newsline Submission Guidelines


 Inside this Issue

Instructional Technology Update 

From the Director’s Desk

State and National News

E-rate Program

Research, Publications, Resources

ALTEC Update

MOREnet Update

Cooperating School Districts Update

Regular Featured Items 



Index by Topics
Archives   
 

INSTRUCTIONAL TECHNOLOGY UPDATE

DESE Budgets / Grant Programs
Note the following updates for the Safe Schools and the Title II.D competitive grant programs, the MOREnet networking program, and the new 100 eMINTS/METS classrooms grant program.

Education Technology Grant Programs

Federal Title II.D Competitive Grants <Reminder>

The Department approved 14 competitive grants for 2007-08: six Year 1 grants and eight new Year 1 grants. Visit the program website to learn more about Missouri’s Title II.D-eMINTS grant program, the districts with approved grants, and how districts are using eMINTS professional development and multimedia technology to enhance instructional strategies and improve student performance. Look for project summaries of the new Year 1 grant projects to be posted to the website by late September or early October. See: http://dese.mo.gov/divimprove/instrtech/federalfunded/TitleIID/index.htm.

 State eMINTS/METS Classrooms Grants – Approved applicants announced

On Monday, September 10, Governor Blunt announced the award of 100 Technology Classroom grants. These grants offer Missouri educators the opportunity to integrate NSF-supported mathematics or science curriculum with multimedia technology and eMINTS instructional strategies. A total of 129 responsive applications were received from 77 Missouri districts and charter schools. The 100 tentatively approved applications represent 63 districts, with over one-third of the mathematics and/or science teachers located in upper elementary/intermediate schools, 40 percent in middle or junior high schools, and one-fourth in high schools. To read the Governor’s press release, visit: http://www.gov.mo.gov/cgi-bin/coranto/viewnews.cgi?id=EElAuVEuAlSUyrwaBh&style=Default+News+Style&tmpl=newsitem; to review the list of schools receiving grants, visit: http://dese.mo.gov/divimprove/instrtech/appr_notice_for_web_and_email.pdf.

 MOREnet – New online resources

Thanks to an additional $250,000 appropriated to the State Library for database licenses to support K-12 education, the following online resources will become available this fall to the all MOREnet members at no charge.

 Gale Discovering Collection will again be available to all MOREnet members as no extra charge beginning September 17, 2007. This online resource consists of essays, reference works, and magazine articles on the subjects of literature, history, biography, science, and socials studies for students K-12. A complete list of the collection’s content can be viewed at: http://gale.cengage.com/DiscoveringCollection/explore_content.htmor visit the MOREnet online resources website at: http://www.more.net/online/index.html. Schools interested in setting up access to their usage statistics and/or enabling home/off site use through remote access should email MOREnet at techsupp@more.net. [Note that organizations with a current Discovering Collection agreement will be contacted by the Gale Group to arrange a credit.]

 Learning Express, an online, interactive testing database will soon join the list of online resources available to all MOREnet members – the release date and access information will be announced as soon as it is available. Learning Express is designed to help people succeed on the tests they must pass to gain citizenship, improve their testing skills, or to further their education or career. Online test preparation materials include the ACT, ASVAB, Civil Service, Cosmetology, EMS, Firefighter, GED, GMAT, GRE, Law Enforcement, Paramedic, PPST, Real Estate, SAT, United States Citizenship, and more. Learning Express is unique in the depth of its test preparation materials that span ages from elementary through adult. This testing resource also provides instant scoring and customized feedback.

Additional information on Learning Express Library can be found at: http://www.learningexpresslibrary.com. This database is funded through the REAL reserves for a two-year, statewide subscription. The online resource will be available through Sept. 30, 2009. [Institutions with existing contracts and a service end date of Sept. 30, 2007 will continue to receive the service without interruption. Those institutions with contracts that expire after Oct. 1, 2007 will be contacted by LearningExpress, LLC to arrange a credit.]

Safe Schools Programs

State Safe School Grants Competitive Grants <Reminder>

The Department approved 31 competitive grants for 2007-08: five new Year 1 grants, 25 Year 2 grants, and one Year 3 grant. Visit the program website to learn more about districts are using program funds to provide services to students identified with violent, abusive, and chronically disruptive behaviors, to help these students return successfully to their regular classrooms and/or complete their high school education. Look for project summaries of the new Year 1 grant projects to be posted to the website by late September or early October. See: http://dese.mo.gov/divimprove/safeschools/.

 ERIP – The Solution for All-Hazards Planning

Missouri’s Office of Homeland Security and the Safe Schools Working Group announce development of the Missouri Emergency Response Information Plan (ERIP) Portal. ERIP is an Internet-based multi-hazard planning tool consistent with the Incident Command system. Made available in August, the tool is free for school districts and private schools, fully funded by Homeland Security. Copies of the Powerpoint presented at the 2007 School Administrators Conference, see: http://www.dese.mo.gov/commissioner/adminconf/. Note that the Missouri School Boards Association created the information DVD, ERIP – The Solution for All-Hazards Planning, which is available at: http://www.msbanet.org/web/2007/08/erip__the_solution_for_allhazz.aspx.

 

STATE AND NATIONAL NEWS
 

Governor Blunt awards grants for “100 Technology Classrooms in 100 Schools”

Governor Blunt announced the 100 schools and 100 classrooms that will receive a total of $2.9 million through this eMINTS/METS Classroom Grant Program. The funding was included as part of the Governor’s education budget and is over and above the K-12 funding contained in the Governor’s new funding formula. “In addition to sending more than a half a billion dollars in new funding to Missouri schools, we are promoting strategic investments in math and science learning to ensure that students in Nixa and in classrooms across the state have the necessary skills to succeed in the competitive, technology-based economy and careers of the future,” Gov. Blunt said. “Education is my highest priority, and I am committed to ensuring that our children receive a world class education that prepares them for the challenges of the future.”

 The governor announced his plan to provide $2.9 million to 100 classrooms in 100 schools with technology in his State of the State address. The program enhances Missouri’s Instructional Networked Teaching Strategies (eMINTS), which provides teachers with lessons on how to incorporate technology into instruction and learning. The eMINTS/METS Classrooms Grant Program was designed to create a visible set of classrooms that effectively integrate high-quality mathematics and science curriculum and teaching strategies that are powered by technology. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) contributed an additional $250,000 for professional development, bringing the department’s total professional development budget for this program to more than $1.2 million.

 Governor Blunt also expanded quality afterschool programs for students to participate in math and science activities. In addition he secured funding to encourage more students to take advanced placement (AP) courses by paying a portion of the test fee for all students who take AP math and science exams. DESE committed $100,000 in professional development funding to certify additional teachers to teach AP courses.

 Click here to read the full press release: http://www.gov.mo.gov/cgi-bin/coranto/viewnews.cgi?id=EElAuVEuAlSUyrwaBh&style=Default+News+Style&tmpl=newsitem.

 CCSSO Successful Practice Series features Missouri eMINTS program

On August 9, the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) announced release of the Successful Practices Series designed for state education agencies, with the leadership of chiefs and deputies, to share practices that work from their states with their colleagues across the nation. The second report of the series, titled “Changing the Face of Education: Missouri Leads the Way,” explores the eMINTS (enhancing Missouri’s Instructional Networked Teaching Strategies) program, which has thus far been implemented across Missouri and in eight other states. The program blends state-of-the-art technology; instructional strategies focused on inquiry-based teaching, higher order thinking skills, and cooperative learning; and professional development for teachers so that classroom environments may foster a new way of educating students. eMINTS professional development and in-classroom coaching components have emerged as critical elements in reaching students through their teachers. Long before the words “high-quality teaching” dominated the national vocabulary, eMINTS was quietly creating a paradigm to guide best practices across Missouri and in other states. To download the report; visit: http://www.ccsso.org/publications/details.cfm?PublicationID=356.

Missouri Teacher of the Year uses high-tech tools to teach American History

Eric Langhorst, the eighth-grade teacher at South Valley Junior High School in the Liberty School District and Missouri’s Teacher of the Year for 2007-08, uses high-tech tools to teach students about the past. In his American history class, he incorporates 21st-century technology to make learning meaningful and exciting for his students. Mr. Langhorst strives to make the classroom experience fresh and exciting and uses cutting-edge technology to actively engage his students. His students participate in live debates, play computer simulations of presidential elections and invite local elected officials as guest speakers. "Technology has become a tool that I utilize in my classroom to bring the outside world to my students and allow my students to share their experiences with a global community," Mr. Langhorst said.

 Beginning his 14th year in the profession, Mr. Langhorst is the social studies department chairperson for his school, serves on the district’s technology team, and recently was a mentor for a first-year teacher in the district. He is an adjunct faculty member at Park University, Parkville, teaching graduate courses in instructional technology. He serves on the Clay County Historical Society Board of Directors.

 In 2005, he created a blog and podcast, "Speaking of History." Teachers from across the nation and the world visit the Web site to discuss topics relating to education, history and technology.

He has won numerous awards, including the 2006 Cable’s Leader in Learning Award from the national cable TV industry. He was a finalist for the 2007 Daughters of the American Revolution National History Teacher of the Year and was selected to the 2006 National School Boards’ Association’s "20 to Watch List" for educational technology leadership over the next 20 years.

His articles have been published in several publications, including Educational Leadership magazine, Discovery Education Resource Guide and School Library Journal magazine. Next month, Mr. Langhorst will provide the opening keynote at the 2007 MOREnet Instructional Technology Conference.

 See full press release at: http://dese.mo.gov/news/2007/toy.htm.

 

 

E-RATE PROGRAM

Funding Year 2007On September 11, USAC released FY2007 Wave 19 funding commitment decision letters (FCDLs) that included commitment for approved Internal Connections and Basic Maintenance requests at 83% and above. To-date commitments total over $1.3 billion. See: http://www.sl.universalservice.org/funding/y2007/national.asp.

Funding Year 2006 No Wave has been released since August 1, when USAC released FY2006 Wave 60 that included FCDLs for approved Internal Connections and Basic Maintenance funding requests at 86% and above. As of August 1, FY2006 commitments totaled just under $1.96 billion. See: http://www.sl.universalservice.org/funding/y2006/national.asp.

RESEARCH, PUBLICATIONS, RESOURCES

SREB releases latest report on virtual schools

A survey by the Southern Regional Education Board (SREB) points to dramatic growth – and growing interest – in state-run virtual schools. The 112-page report, released in August at the annual meeting of the SREB's Educational Technology Cooperative, provides state-by-state details on the scope, financing, enrollment, curriculum, teacher preparation, and other aspects of government-supported virtual schools throughout the South. A copy of the Report on SREB State Virtual Schools, which is based on an online survey conducted last spring, is available at; http://www.sreb.org. To read eSchool News feature story, see: http://www.eschoolnews.com/news/showstoryts.cfm?Articleid=7328.

      New resources from techLEARNING

The following resources were made available in August: eBook “Tech Planning” provides strategies for gaining consensus and communicating effectively [see: http://cp20.com/Tracking/t.c?KYd-eFw-1FOPM9] and white paper “Technology in Schools” discusses how rising costs are changing the landscape of today’s education [see: http://cp20.com/Tracking/t.c?KYd-eFx-1FOPM0].

ALTEC UPDATE
submitted by Jana Craig Hare
 

Fall LoTi Mentor Certification training from TechNet The LoTi Framework refers to Level of Technology Implementation designed to accurately measure authentic classroom technology use (http://www.loticonnection.com/). The LoTi Mentor Certification Institute is a three day experience designed to provide strategies and resources to improve student achievement through professional development. Activities focus on higher order thinking through the instructional use of existing and emerging technologies. LoTi is a valuable resource for the development of district- and building-level technology plans. Districts can maximize Professional Development and plan for curriculum initiatives through assessment of current technology use. The training will be led by the LoTi Regional Training Center @ ALTEC.

LoTi Mentor Certification will support school efforts to:

  • Improves student achievement based on NCLB requirements;

  • Refine instructional technology implementation strategies used by teachers;

  • Promote a higher quality of technology implementation in the classroom;

  • Create an effective bridge between instruction assessment and technology use and

  • Provide a data-driven approach to instructional professional development planning and implementation.

Where:       UMKC Professional Development Center at Union Station
30 West Pershing Rd., Suite 401
Kansas City, MO 64108

When:        Thursdays - Sept. 20, Oct. 11 and Oct. 18, 2007

                   Registration: 8:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.

                   Workshop: 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. lunch on your own

Cost:           $650.00 ($600.00 special rate for 2007-2008 TechNet members) 

The Institute is limited to 30 participants. Each participant will need to bring their own laptop computer and a flash drive. To register for this workshop, go to the UMKC PDC web site at http://education.umkc.edu/kcrpdc

  • Click on PDC Calendar of Events

  • Search by month and day to find the workshop you wish to attend

  • Click on Register Here

  • Sign in as a:

  • registered user if you have already created an account and password

  • new user if this is the first time you have used the on-line registration system

  • MyLearningPlan user if your district subscribes to MyLearningPlan.com

 After set up, access your account at any time by going to http://www.mylearningplan.com/. After registering on My Learning Plan, send a Purchase Order to Janet Leiker, KCRPDC, 30 West Pershing Rd. Suite 401, Kansas City, MO 64108 or by fax to 816 283-8523. (Do not send checks.) Invoices will be sent after the workshop. For questions, contact Linda Kostner at 816 235-5486.

ALTEC works to help integrate technology into the classroom by offering online tools and resources such as RubiStar, TrackStar and many others found at http://4teachers.org/. This site helps teachers locate online resources such as ready-to-use Web lessons, quizzes, rubrics and classroom calendars. 4Teachers is committed to empowering learners of all ages through innovative technologies. We focus on instructional Web-based resources, onsite and online professional development, program support, scaleable online assessment, and assistance for special needs. We continue to redefine the learning experience through innovative resources. Visit 4Teachers.org to explore the online resources today!

TechNet’s formal name is the Kansas City Metropolitan Educational Technology Network. They are a non-profit, regional consortium of school district and University technology coordinators, directors, instructional specialists and others interested in the educational use of technology. TechNet hosts an annual regional technology conference every February. Please visit our website to check on details: http://education.umkc.edu/technet.

The TechNet Mission Statement is:

  • To provide a regional association for educators involved with or seeking knowledge of educational technology

  • To provide for the sharing and exchanging of ideas, strategies, and materials for improvement of effective, equitable, and ethical uses of technology

  • To provide professional development support and resources for educational technology specialists in schools

  • To work in conjunction with other state and national organizations with similar interests

To Become a TechNet Member Fill out the application form and send it, with a check or purchase order for $35 to Linda Kostner, TechNet Treasurer. Questions about TechNet? Contact Molly Mead, TechNet President, at meadmo@umkc.edu.

 

MOREnet Update
submitted by Eric Nicklas
 

Gale Discovering Collections available to MOREnet members September 17, 2007 Beginning Sept. 17, 2007, MOREnet will be adding the Gale Discovering Collection to its online resources. Thanks to an additional $150,000 appropriated to the State Library for database licenses to support K-12 education, the Gale Discovering Collection will again be available to all MOREnet members at no extra charge.

 This online K-12 resource consists of essays, reference works and magazine articles on the subjects of

  • Literature,

  • History,

  • Biography,

  • Science, and

  • Social Studies.

A complete list of content can be viewed a Discovering Collection: Explore the Content at http://www.gale.com/DiscoveringCollection/explore_content.htm Information on accessing the collection will be announced as soon as it is available and posted on MOREnet’s Online Resources website at http://www.more.net/online/

 If you are interested in setting up access to your organization’s usage statistics, enabling home/off site use through remote access or have any other questions, e-mail MOREnet Technical Support at techsupp@more.net. Organizations with a current Discovering Collection agreement will be contacted by the Gale Group to arrange a credit.

 2008 MOREnet Instructional Technology Conference Registration is open for the 2007 MOREnet Instructional Technology Conference (MITC) to be held Oct. 14-16 at Tan-Tar-A in Osage Beach, MO. Register now to reserve seating in the sessions of your choice. Go to http://www.more.net/conferences/mitc/registration.html for registration information.

The Keynote Speaker for this year’s MITC is Eric Langhorst, eighth-grade American history teacher at South Valley Junior High School in the Liberty School District, Eric was just announced Missouri’s Teacher of the Year for 2007-08 on Aug. 30. The news release announcing Eric’s award relates “Mr. Langhorst strives to make the classroom experience fresh and exciting and uses cutting-edge technology to actively engage his students. His students participate in live debates, play computer simulations of presidential elections and invite local elected officials as guest speakers.

"Technology has become a tool that I utilize in my classroom to bring the outside world to my students and allow my students to share their experiences with a global community," Mr. Langhorst said.” To find out more about Eric, visit http://dese.mo.gov/news/2007/toy.htm

His presentations at the conference should have a dynamic message for those in the throes of technology integration. MITC brings together educators interested in maximizing the opportunities for instructional technology in Missouri schools. The high-quality professional development sessions include three and six hour pre-conference workshops, hands-on seminars, roundtable discussions, human networking and collaboration opportunities plus an Exhibitor Fair that boasts the latest technology tools and expertise. Visit http://www.more.net/conferences/mitc/  to register and learn more about MITC 2007.

 Learning Express joins list of MOREnet Online Resources Learning Express, an online, interactive testing database will join the list of online resources available to all MOREnet members. The release date and access information will be announced as soon as it is available. Learning Express is designed to help people succeed on the tests they must pass to gain citizenship, improve their testing skills, or to further their education or career. Online test preparation materials include the ACT, ASVAB, Civil Service, Cosmetology, EMS, Firefighter, GED, GMAT, GRE, Law Enforcement, Paramedic, PPST, Real Estate, SAT, United States Citizenship, and more. Learning Express is unique in the depth of its test preparation materials that span ages from elementary through adult. This testing resource also provides instant scoring and customized feedback. Additional information on Learning Express Library can be found at www.learningexpresslibrary.com. Institutions with existing contracts and a service end date of Sept. 30, 2007 will continue to receive the service without interruption. Those institutions with contracts that expire after Oct. 1, 2007 will be contacted by LearningExpress, LLC to arrange a credit. This database is funded through the REAL reserves for a two-year, statewide subscription. The online resource will be available through Sept. 30, 2009. For questions or comments concerning this announcement, please reply to: Jeanne Sullivan at jeanne@more.net

 Third Internet Safety Night invitation Join MOREnet October 23, 2007, 6:30-8:30 for another exciting event. MOREnet is looking for schools and libraries across the state to host events, and connect online via streaming video, or by interactive videoconferencing. YOU can make Internet Safety Night happen in YOUR town! Check out http://besafe.more.net for help getting started. Hosts connect to MOREnet and MOREnet does the rest! Contact isn@more.net for help or more information. http://www.more.net/security/index.html

 E-rate for Beginners MOREnet is sponsoring E-rate for Beginners sessions at no cost at the MOREnet building in Columbia. For more information or to register, please visit: http://www.more.net/training/trainingform.html

 In late October and early November, MOREnet conducts regional training sessions on the E-rate program. These sessions are intended as an introduction to the program. During this training, participants receive an overview of the E-rate program, including eligible services, the application process and the required forms. Visit http://solutions.more.net/apps/training/schedule/ for the course schedule and http://www.more.net/training/trainingform.html to register.

The dates and locations are

  • October 9 - St. Louis Public Library

Central Location, Room 306

1301 Olive Street

St. Louis, Missouri 63103

The Library owns a parking lot at 15th and Olive (the Library is between 14th and 13th on Olive – 1 block down from the parking lot). Attendees can park here for free all day.

  • October 10 - Farmington Community Civic Center

2 Black Knight Drive

Farmington, Missouri 63640

  • October 23 - Rolla Public Schools

500 A Forum Blvd

Rolla, Missouri 65401

  • October 30 - MOREnet – Columbia

3212 LeMone Industrial Blvd

Columbia, Missouri 65201

  • October 30 - Maryville R-II (VIDEO CONFERENCE EVENT)

Northwest Technical School , Room #8

1515 South Munn

Maryville, Missouri 64468

  • October 30 - LaPlata R-II (VIDEO CONFERENCE EVENT)

201 W Moore

LaPlata, Missouri 63549

Parking will be on the east side of the gym in the church lot and it will be held in the ITV Room.

  • November 2 - Southwest Center for Educational Excellent, Webb City

528 Ellis

Webb City, Missouri 64870

  • November 7 - Kansas City Public Library

14 W 10th Street

Kansas City, Missouri 64105

Parking will be validated.

Registration for the fall regional sessions registration is available at the MOREnet site http://www.more.net/, or for more information, contact Rebecca J. Miller, Program Manager, MOREnet 573/884-2146 or millerrj@more.net

 Security Poster Contest As part of MOREnet’s National Cyber Security Awareness Month activities, MOREnet Security is sponsoring a poster contest where aspiring artists can help promote cyber security awareness. K-12 students age 18 and under with an artistic bent (or without – they’re network security people, not art critics) are encouraged to use their imaginations and creative talents to design and submit a poster with an Internet Safety theme.

 Posters should be no larger than 8.5 by 11 inches and may be hand-drawn or computer generated. (Copyrighted material will not be accepted.) Digitally created posters should be sent to security@more.net. (Note: If the poster is hand-drawn, take a digital photograph of it and send the file to security@more.net ) If a digital file isn't available, please send the original artwork to MOREnet Security, 3212 LeMone Industrial Blvd., Columbia, MO 65201. The deadline for entries is Friday, Sept. 28, 2007. Note: Submissions will not be returned.

 A panel of experts (they're staying mum on what they're experts in) will select five finalists. The finalist submissions will be posted online Friday, October 5 at http://www.sam.more.net/poster. Viewers will have the opportunity to cast a vote for their favorite poster until 5:00 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 19, 2007.

 The poster contest winner will be announced during Internet Safety Night on October 23, 2007. The winning artist will receive an MP3 player, and the winning poster will be showcased on our security awareness page, displayed at Internet Safety Night, and used to create Security Awareness promotional materials next year. The organization (school or library) affiliated with the winning artist will also receive one free registration to the 2007 Security Symposium.  

For more information on Security Awareness resources and activities planned for the month of October, please visit http://sam.more.net/  

Regional Security "Lunch And Learn” Workshops In conjunction with Security Awareness Month activities scheduled during October, MOREnet Security is planning five regional security "lunch and learn" workshops focused on Incident Response (what to do about security complaints), Security policy development (why they're important and how to get started), and Security Awareness (things to do to promote security awareness in an organization).

 The sessions run from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and include an informal presentation on Incident Response, an overview on security policy development - with handouts and worksheets, and an overview of some strategies and useful resources to use to promote security awareness. There will also be time for discussion and questions. These workshops will also be a great opportunity to network with tech people from organizations in the area, receive handouts and other materials to take home and will also point out current security trends and threats you need to be aware of.

 The sessions will be held during the last week of September at the following locations.

  • Monday, 9/24, Southwest Region, Missouri State University, Springfield, MO

  • Tuesday, 9/25, Southeast Region, Southern TeleCenter, Portageville, MO

  • Wednesday, 9/26, Northwest Region, Daviess County Library, Gallatin, MO

  • Thursday, 9/27, Northeast Region, Bowling Green R-1, Bowling Green, MO

  • Friday, 9/28, Central Region, Lincoln University, Jefferson City, MO

 Participants should bring a sack lunch. To register, send an email to security@more.net . Please include your name, organization, email address and specify the workshop you want to attend. For more information on Security Awareness resources and activities planned for the month of October, please visit http://sam.more.net/ .

 

Cooperating School Districts Update
submitted by Rebecca Polityka
 

The Virtual Learning Center (VLC) of Cooperating School Districts (CSD) continues through professional development to increase technology use in the classroom. Over the summer, VLC staff members attended and/or presented at various conferences, including the Missouri Distance Learning Association (MoDLA) Annual Meeting, National Media Education Conference (NMEC), National Educational Computing Conference (NECC) and the Handheld Computer Conference.

 In addition, The Wired Classroom, the VLC’s blog, is updated regularly with news about videoconferences with New Links to New Learning, conferences, and collaborative ideas. Visit http://csdtechpd.wordpress.com/ to read up on the latest VLC news, including an entry on a recent visit from the Ministry of Education for Singapore to St. Louis.

 One focus of the summer was “123 VC! Jazzing Up Your Curriculum with Videoconferencing.” During the summer of 2006, CSD participated in a week-long professional development class with educators in Texas, Michigan and New York. This summer, CSD staff presented information about the Racial Dialog videoconference series to teachers in Texas and Michigan. Rebecca Polityka and Martha Bogart’s presentation at MoDLA focused on the VLC’s participation last year in the course. The VLC is hoping to be an active participant next summer, and is also interested in branching out and perhaps creating a 123 VC! course for Missouri educators. If you are interested in participating in this kind of course, please e-mail Rebecca Polityka at rpolityka@csd.org.

Through New Links to New Learning, Cooperating School Districts has connected thousands of students to virtual field trips, authors and experts all over the world over videoconference. As content provider, New Links to New Learning has many new exciting programs lined up! Also, New Links members look for collaborative partners to videoconference with - do you know of an interested classroom? For information on New Links to New Learning, the VLC’s videoconference subscription service, please contact Rebecca. rpolityka@csd.org

 2007-2008 Mental Health in Children and Adolescents Videoconference Series (for K-12 educators & support staff) In a series of videoconferences, educational staff can learn about various mental health issues in children and adolescents from BJC staff. Participants will learn about the causes and treatment of mental health issues, and how to access mental health professionals if they spot children in their classrooms whom they feel need help. These presentations are interactive, and include question and answers sessions. Meeting time for all sessions is 4:00-5:00 p.m. CT; free to New Links members; $50 for non-members.

  • Sept. 18: Factoring in Forgiveness This presentation will discuss teaching strategies that can encourage students and adults to interact with civility and ways to make discipline more effective.

  • Oct. 23: Suicide and Depression This presentation will review depression and other mood disorders; discuss pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions used to manage mood disorders; describe risk factors and protective factors for suicide; discuss warning signs and intervention strategies and identify suicide prevention resources.

  • Nov. 20: Teens and Prescription Drug Abuse description coming soon

  • Jan. 15: Teaching Emotional Literacy Through Empathy Learn strategies for teaching empathy in your classroom and in handling disciplinary issues. Lessons in empathy can truly have a positive impact for learners of all ages.

  • Feb. 19: Recognizing Bullying Behaviors in Adults Learn to communicate in nonviolent ways, no matter what age you are or what grade you teach.

RoundTrips announces free videoconference: Constitution Day 2007: Fact, Fiction, and the 4th and 5th Amendment

Presented by: The Missouri Bar Association, Missouri School Boards Association, and HEC-TV
Date: September 17, 2007
Times: 9 to 9:50 a.m.; 11:00 to 11:50 a.m., or 1:00 to 1:50 p.m.
Grade Levels: 8-12
Cost: FREE

Missouri students and teachers are invited to celebrate Constitution Day 2007 by having an interactive discussion on 4th and 5th amendment issues with Jennifer Joyce, Circuit Attorney for the City of St. Louis, and Shane Farrow, a criminal defense attorney from Jefferson City. Students will take part in an exciting presentation that focuses on the TV programs they are watching. The content in programs such as 24 and CSI regularly touch on constitutional issues. Would the Constitution stop Jack Bauer from his mission? Does the CSI team follow the Constitution? The Missouri Bar’s Constitution Day program will help students see the difference between fact and fiction, when it comes to the Constitution.

 Students will be able to watch in one of three ways: via web stream, via videoconference, and via cable television. Preparatory materials, including a detailed study guide, are available and accessible via The Missouri Bar Association’s website at http://www.mobar.org/.  Details on how to join each program are provided below.

  • 9:00 a.m. Program—Students will be able to view this program via Web Stream ONLY. To access the program, go to http://www.mobar.org/ and click on “Constitution Day Sign up Now” for instructions on viewing the program live. Students with questions will be able to email them to the panel of on-screen experts during the program.

  • 11:00 a.m. Program—Students will be able to view this program via Web Stream, Videoconference, AND Cable Television in St. Louis County and St. Louis City. To view the program via Web Stream, go to http://www.mobar.org/ and click on “Constitution Day Sign up Now” for instructions on viewing the program live. Students with questions will be able to email them to the panel of on-screen experts during the program.
    To view the program via Videoconference, contact Helen Headrick at Helen@showmecable.org or 314-432-3476. Videoconference participation is limited so sign up early. Students with questions will have face-to-face interaction with the panel of experts during the program.
    To view the program via Cable Television in St. Louis City or County just turn your TV to channel 26, HEC-TV, at the program time. Students with questions will be able to email them to the panel of on-screen experts during the program.  E-mail any questions during the program or questions your students may have developed in advance to live@hectv.org.

  • 1:00 p.m. Program—Students will be able to view this program via Web Stream, Videoconference, AND Cable Television in St. Louis County and St. Louis City.
    To view the program via Web Stream, go to http://www.mobar.org/ and click on “Constitution Day Sign up Now” for instructions on viewing the program live. Students with questions will be able to email them to the panel of on-screen experts during the program.
    To view the program via Videoconference, contact Helen Headrick at Helen@showmecable.org or 314-432-3476. Videoconference participation is limited so sign up early. Students with questions will have face-to-face interaction with the panel of experts during the program.
    To view the program via Cable Television in St. Louis City or County just turn your TV to channel 26, HEC-TV, at the program time. Students with questions will be able to email them to the panel of on-screen experts during the program. E-mail any questions during the program or questions your students may have developed in advance to live@hectv.org.

Study guides for the program will be posted on The Missouri Bar website http://www.mobar.org/. A CD of clips from 24 and CSI that will be used during the program is available in advance to help prepare your students. To request the CD, contact Millie Aulbur of the Missouri Bar Association at milliea@mobar.org. To find out more about RoundTrips Interactive Video E-Learning, visit http://www.roundtrips.org

 RoundTrips announces free videoconference: Rethinking the Digital: New Media Art and the Active Viewer

Date: October 16, 2007
Times: 10-11:00 a.m. or 1-2:00 p.m.
Grade Levels: 9-12
Cost: FREE

As we spend more time with computers, websites, cell phones, television screens, and handheld devices, it is important to consider how the rise of technology impacts our place in the world—and how it can offer new possibilities for the creation and experience of art. Designed to stimulate critical thinking about such issues, the Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum at Washington University is excited to offer its first distance-learning program this fall—Rethinking the Digital: New Media Art and the Active Viewer. Linked to the new media art exhibition Window | Interface currently showing at the Museum and tied to Missouri Grade level Expectations (GLEs) and National Standards in Visual Arts and Technology, this program challenges schools to rethink ideas of art and learning in the digital age.

Join RoundTrips live from the exhibition as students interact with Museum professionals through interactive videoconference (as well as web streaming and television viewing).The student-centered project developed by teachers Jim Sturm and Tim Gore for use by teachers, schools and arts organizations, can expand the learning experience beyond their walls with innovative technology. Engaging not only with artworks that use new technologies, but with the computer-based interface involved in distance learning itself, students will be challenged to consider the world of iPhones, Nintendo Wii, virtual reality, and computers in a very different way. By including a more in-depth look at artworks in the Window | Interface exhibition, this program provides students an opportunity to make connections with new media art and significance of technology.

 Videoconference space for the program is limited. Students will have face-to-face interaction with the Mildred Lane Kemper Museum. To enroll in the videoconference, contact Rebecca Polityka at rpolityka@csd.org. Once enrolled, teachers will receive the program's preparatory and evaluation materials from RoundTrips. For information on cable TV and web viewing, contact RoundTrips. After its live presentation, the program will be archived at http://www.roundtrips.org for on-demand viewing. You can also obtain a DVD of the program by contacting RoundTrips.

 Find more details about the Kemper Art Museum and the exhibition, including curriculum resources, at http://kemperartmuseum.wustl.edu. To learn more about RoundTrips Interactive Video E-Learning, surf to http://www.roundtrips.org.

 Show-Me a Movie Digital Storytelling Contest for Missouri Students

 Time to start production for the Show-Me a Movie Contest! This is a digital storytelling contest for Missouri students to demonstrate their creativity and digital moviemaking skills. Based on curriculum, and with a content focus, these 2-minute videos will showcase what students know, care about, and are able to do. Winners will be showcased at the Midwest Education Conference in St. Louis on Feb.4-6, 2008. For more information, application form, and scoring guide, go to: http://www.csd.org/showmemovie/index.htm NO FEE TO ENTER.

 Cash prizes will be awarded to the different divisions of each category (12 in all), and winners and their families and friends will be invited to a winners' reception on Feb. 5, 2008 at the METC at the St. Charles Convention Center.

Entries must be received no later than 5 p.m., December 17, 2007. Entries received after this deadline will not be considered. Mail entries to: Show-Me a Movie, Cooperating School Districts, 1460 Craig Rd., St. Louis, MO 63146 or email entries to: mbogart@csd.org.

Divisions

  • Elementary: Grades 3 - 5

  • Middle: Grades 6 - 8

  • High: Grades 9 - 12

Categories

  • Show Me Something New: Make an instructional or how-to movie.

  • Show Me a Story: Tell a story about someone special, your school, your community.

  • Show Me a Challenge: Share local environmental concerns and social issues, which promote awareness and public action.

  • Show Me Your Community: Recount an aspect of your community/ethnic culture that is unique, significant, promotes a message, and advances a better understanding of it.

e-LEARNING FOR EDUCATORS: MISSOURI UPDATE
submitted by Christie Terry
 

e-Learning for Educators Fall registration opens e-Learning for Educators: Missouri provides high-quality online professional development to increase teacher knowledge and skills that improve student performance. There is no special software needed in order to participate, all you need is an Internet connected computer. All e-Learning courses are facilitated by experienced Missouri educators in a supportive environment. Register online at http://www.elearningmo.org/. Fall courses begin October 3, 2007 Costs are Individual-$125, group of three or more from same building-$100 per teacher. All Missouri teachers are eligible for eLearning Scholarships to cover half ($62.50) of course fee. Awards are good for one year from award date. Limit one per applicant. Graduate Credit is available at an additional cost of $100 per credit hour from UMSL, MSU, and UMKC.

 Courses for Fall Session

  • Helping Struggling Readers Improve Comprehension

  • Supporting Literacy Development in the Lower Elementary Classroom

  • Differentiated Instruction: Empowering All Learners

  • Using Technology in the Elementary Math Classroom

  • Inquiry in the Science Classroom Using Internet-Based Data Sources

  • Classroom Assessment Enhanced by Technology

  • Transforming the Classroom with Project-Based Learning

  • Teaching and Learning with Web 2.0 Tools

  • Mentoring Virtual School Students

 Partners for e-Learning for Educators: Missouri include:

  • Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE)

  • Public Broadcasting Station KETC/Channel 9

  • Missouri State University

  • University of Missouri

 For more information about e-Learning for Educators: Missouri contact: Christie Terry, State Program Coordinator e-Learning for Educators, 573-884-4233 terryce@emints.org

 

eMINTS UPDATE
submitted by Monica Beglau
 

Registration open for eMINTS programs for administrators, techs and more Registration for administrators, technology specialists and other specialists to participate in eMINTS professional development programs specific to their role is now open. These programs require only an online registration process. For more information, contact the eMINTS office at (573) 884-7202 or e-mail emints-info@emints.org. Register at http://www.emints.org/cgi-bin/respond/rsp.cgi?b=programregister

 eMINTS featured in CCSSO best practices publication eMINTS was recently featured in the Council of Chief State School Officers’ (CCSSO) Successful Practices series. Read the article, Changing the Face of Education: Missouri Leads the Way  at http://www.ccsso.org/publications/details.cfm?PublicationID=356. Find other articles about eMINTS at http://www.emints.org/about/media/publications.shtml.

 Missouri MSTA article authors needed Authors are needed for articles to appear in the 2007-08 Missouri State Teachers Association "School and Community" journal publication. Authors must be members of MSTA or independent non-affiliated educators. If you are interested in writing an article (800-1,000 words) and becoming "published," please send your name, school district, email address, telephone number and the topic for the article you are interested in writing to emints-info@emints.org. The author will be assisted as needed by Sandy Falloon, our eMINTS Communication Specialist.

  • Winter (Copy due: October 3, 2007) Topic: Online learning - Tips for taking courses, facilitating courses and developing courses. How is online different from traditional processes? How does evaluation take place?

  • Spring (Copy due: January 3, 2008) Topic: Developing hybrid or blended courses for students using Moodle

  • Summer (Copy due: March 16, 2008) Topic: The eMINTS/METS initiative and how it's impacting 100 teachers in 100 schools. Background or context; specifics about how it works in one classroom; how to access the METS Web site and what you can find there

 Missouri Social Studies Project Participants Missouri eMINTS teachers Denise Daniel and Stacey Duebel (Ft. Zumwalt), Michelle Nebel and Barb Jamison (Excelsior Springs), Barb Prock (Lebanon), and Jean Robnett (Community R-VI) will participate in special project with Dr. Linda Bennett from UM-C and Millie Aulber from the Missouri Bar Association. The purpose of the project is to create lessons to teach various concepts involved in digital citizenship for elementary students. The lesson plans will be used in research and publications by Dr. Bennett and included in a special instructional model she is designing. Look for model lesson plans to be available through several sources in spring 2008.

 eMINTS website addition A new addition to the eMINTS website is a section on media related to the eMINTS National Center. Check out http://www.emints.org/about/media/index.shtml for downloadable brochures, an introductory PowerPoint about eMINTS, a timeline about the development of eMINTS, and links to recent articles and features about eMINTS. Information about copying eMINTS logos and other resources are also available on the page.  

eThemes Tips Document available A document providing tips for using eThemes is available on the eThemes page at: http://www.emints.org/ethemes/index.shtml The short document may be downloaded and distributed to teachers, LMS,  and others who are interested in taking advantage of the wealth of sites and resources available.

 New Franklin, MO superintendent speaks to national audience Dr. Jeannie Gordon, Superintendent from New Franklin, MO was a panel member at a meeting convened by the State Educational Technology Directors Association (SETDA) and the Alliance for Excellent Education (AEE) on July 23 in Washington, DC. Dr. Gordon shared her district's experiences with eMINTS as part of the focus on making high schools better. The full article and additional information about the panel and meeting is available at:

http://www.eschoolnews.com/news/showStory.cfm?ArticleID=7263

 NECC Presenter update Angie Hammons (now at University of Missouri-Rolla), Nancy Nodine-Hassert, and Andy Myers from Bunker R-III School District also presented a session at the National Education Computing Conference in late June. They were inadvertently left off of the list of eMINTS presenters and bloggers.

 

UPCOMING 2007 CONFERENCES

2007

 

October 14-16 MOREnet Instructional Technology Conference (MITC) 2007
Tan-Tar-A,
Osage Beach, Mo.
http://www.more.net/conferences/mitc/index.html
   

GRANT FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

Due Date

Grant Program

Ongoing UPS Foundation Education Grants
http://www.community.ups.com/philanthropy/grant.html
Ongoing Build an Outdoor Classroom at Your School
http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=pg&p=AboutLowes/outdoor/index.html
Ongoing Adopt a Classroom Grants
http://www.adoptaclassroom.com/
Ongoing The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation's Education Grants Program
http://www.hewlett.org/
Ongoing Educational Foundation of America Grants
http://www.efaw.org/
Ongoing Robert H. Michel Special Project Grants
http://www.dirksencenter.org/print_grants_specialprojects.htm
Ongoing Toshiba America Foundation 7-12 Math and Science Grants
http://www.toshiba.com/tafpub/jsp/about/HowApply.jsp
October  

1

Toshiba Small Grants Program

www.toshiba.com

November  

1

American Honda Foundation Grant

http://corporate.honda.com/

15

Air Force Association Grants

http://www.afa.org/

30

Environmental Excellence Awards

http://www.seaworld.org/

30

Verizon Foundation Grants

http://foundation.verizon.com

4

National Schools of Character Program, sponsored by the Character Education*

http://www.character.org/site/c.gwKUJhNYJrF/b.993253/k.CB9C/Home.htm

31

Do Something Grants for Community Building, Health and the Environment

http://www.dosomething.org/grants

December  

31

Captain Planet Foundation Grants

http://captainplanetfoundation.org/

January  

1

SMARTer Kids Research Grants

http://smarterkids.org/research/details.asp

11

Inspired Teacher Scholarships for Visual Learning from Inspiration

http://www.inspiritation.com/

15

The International Reading Association sponsors several great opportunities for IRA members: Jeanne C. Chall Research Fellowships, Steven A. Stahl Research Grant, Teacher as Researcher Grants

http://www.reading.org/

18

Toyota TAPESTRY Grants

http://www.nsta.org/

30

Toshiba and the Nationsl Science Teachers Association's ExploraVision competition

http://www.exploravision.org/

February  

1

American Honda Foundation Grant

http://corporate.honda.com/

1

Toshiba Large Grants

http://www.toshiba.com/

1

Innovation and Learning & Leadership Grants, sponsored by the NEA Foundation for the Improvement of Education

http://www.neafoundation.org/

23

Kay L. Bitter Vision Award for Excellence in Technology-Based Pre-K Education

http://www.iste.org/

 

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

 

September  
1 Newsline published online
25 Articles for September Newsline due
January  
29

Show-Me TechKnowledge Day, State Capital, Jefferson city, MO 

Contact Stacey or Julie at SuccessLink (573)636-4395 to join the planning committee or for more information

 

MY-ECOACH PROJECT OF THE WEEK
 

Doug Caldwell, eMINTS eIS, has created a wonderful Web Resource List (WRL) with links to unusual sites that have been visited at training sessions. Some of the sites are just fun for sharing and play. Visit and join the fun! http://my-ecoach.com/online/webresourcelist.php?rlid=4008

 

SUGGESTED ONLINE ACTIVITIES
 

Name of Project: The Manatee: A Florida Treasure

URL: http://www.efieldtrips.org/Manatees/