List of technology trainings that I provide for my district.

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Department of Instructional and Informational Technology
Professional Development Catalog
The Department of Instructional and Information Technology provides ongoing
professional development opportunities to enhance instructional practice in the
classroom and support schools in achieving their student achievement goals. In addition
to offering professional development workshops at building and department levels, our
office also offers customized preparation through our technology integrator.
In this catalog you will find a full listing of our current professional development
offerings for grades 6‐12 that are appropriate for all content areas. To schedule a
workshop or training contact Xaras Collins‐Brown at xcollins‐brown@wssd.org or x2130.
Opportunities for co‐planning and co‐teaching are also available.
For more information and links go to www.wssd.org/technology.
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Schoolwires
Topic/Tool Description
Introduction – Teacher Create your own webpage on the district website. Learn how to provide course information such as documents,
Webpage links, calendars, and images.
Intermediate – Teacher Continue to grow your teacher webpage by learning how to use your webpage to support your classroom
Webpage instruction with blogs, podcasts, and video.
Promethean Interactive Whiteboard
Topic/Tool Description
Flipcharts – ActiveInspire Learn how to create flipcharts with interactive media in this foundation skills course.
Activemarker Learn how to annotate over any program on your live desktop screen.
PowerPoint Converter Learn how to convert your existing PowerPoints and edit as flipcharts.
Content Area Applications Learn how to integrate the board and activities into your content area.
ActiveInspire Learn about the new interface and updates to the Promethean software.
Promethean Planet and Learn how to navigate Promethean’s supporting websites and explore available resources.
Promethean Learning
SMART Board Interactive Whiteboard
Topic/Tool Description
SMART as a Presentation Learn the basics of using SMART Boards as a presentation tool for PowerPoint, website explorations, and other
Tool desktop applications.
SMART Notebook Software Learn how to create slide presentations and interactive activities with the SMART Notebook 10 software.
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Document Cameras
Topic/Tool Description
Basic Operation Learn how to connect your cables, get a live feed, record video and still images, and use the software with a
projector, Promethean board, or SMART Board.
Classroom Applications Explore different ideas and uses for a document camera in the classroom.
Projectors
Topic/Tool Description
Basic Operation Learn how to connect your cables, adjust screen settings, and operate your main menu functions.
Classroom Applications Explore different ideas and uses for a projector in the classroom.
Online Resources Grade Level Key:
‐ middle school
‐ high school
Architecture and Geometry
Topic/Tool Description
Google Sketchup Learn how to create, modify, and share 3D models.
Blogging in the Classroom
Topic/Tool Description
Blogging: A Communication Review and discuss classroom applications for blogging and explore different classroom blogs. For example:
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and Literacy Tool online discussion, developing writing and analytical skills, communication across class sections, or creating digital
portfolios.
Blogging Tools Compare and contrast a variety of blogging tools to determine which one will help you to accomplish your
communication or literacy goal. Tools: Schoolwires, 21classes, Edublogs, Wordpress, and Blogger.
Concept Mapping
Topic/Tool Description
Inspiration 8 Learn how to increase your students’ literacy skills and reading comprehension through graphic organizers and
outlines built in this computer‐based application. **Only available on CFF Laptops.
Bubbl.us Learn how to use this web application for brainstorming. Create mind maps that can be embedded into your
blog, wiki, or website.
Mindmeister Learn how to use this web application for brainstorming. Students can collaborate to plan projects, create
concept maps, and enhance their visual learning skills in real time on the web.
Webspiration With the web‐based version of Inspiration, your students can create, collaborate, and modify mind maps and
outlines.
Current Events and Personal Learning Communities with News Aggregators and RSS Feeds
Topic/Tool Description
Google Reader Learn how to subscribe to your favorite online newspapers, magazines, websites, and blogs. A great tool for
keeping up with current events and creating your own personal learning networks.
iGoogle Learn how to create a customized homepage that brings all the information you need and want to one location
each time you open an Internet browser.
Pageflakes Another web‐based tool for creating a customized homepage and a reader that brings top news stories, weather,
your calendar and the websites you follow right to your finger tips.
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Document and Presentation Tools
Topic/Tool Description
Wikispaces for Educators Learn how to create your own Wikispace for collaborative student projects. The session focuses on how to
organize, secure, share, collaborate, and manage your wiki.
Synergy Learn how to store your documents on Schoolwires for remote access and share files with your department, PLC,
or team.
Google Docs Learn how to create or upload documents, slide shows, forms, and spreadsheets. Create a virtual office for your
or students to collaborate on projects anywhere there is Internet access.
Zoho Learn how to use the online word processor, presentation tools, spreadsheets, file management, and notetaker
features. Includes web conferencing capabilities.
Glogster Have your students create interactive, multimedia digital posters for project presentations on a safe, private
platform. Integrate diverse core subjects.
PowerPoint Learn how to take PowerPoint presentations to the next level with embedded video and sounds; custom images
and animations; and slide design.
Prezi Learn how to create engaging, stylish presentations with a large map, instead of slides.
Interactive Maps
Topic/Tool Description
Google Earth 5 Google Earth 5 lets you fly anywhere on Earth to view satellite imagery, maps, terrain, 3D buildings, from galaxies
in outer space to the canyons of the ocean. You can explore rich geographical content, save your toured places,
and share with others. New features include historical imagery, ocean floor and surface data, and simplified
touring with audio and voice recording. Great applications in ALL subject areas.
Google Maps Google Maps provides quick access to political and physical maps through an easy scrolling feature. Add photos,
video, and descriptions of any location with the click of a mouse. Get directions by car, public transit, or walking.
National Geographic Use National Geographic’s online atlas for global road maps and satellite views.
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Peer Editing
Topic/Tool Description
Microsoft Word 2003/2007 Learn how to use the comment balloons and track changes to make insertions, deletions, and formatting
changes. Also, learn how to create a table of contents, footnotes, citations, bibliography, and captions.
Podcasting/Digital Storytelling
Topic/Tool Description
Audacity Learn how to record voice and music for simple editing and posting. Great for projects like book talks, meet the
author, news reporting, oral histories, audio diaries, and speaking and listening skills. Files can be uploaded into
PowerPoint, Schoolwires, etc.
Windows MovieMaker Learn how to teach your student how to create their own movies with video, images, and audio tracks. With a
simple editing process students can bring projects to life.
Microsoft PowerPoint Learn how to be more creative with PowerPoint presentations by including audio, web links, embedding video,
etc. Great tips on creating engaging slides.
Microsoft Photostory Learn how to use this simple tool for creating slide shows with still images (no video) and audio in a few easy
steps.
VoiceThread Learn how to create digital storytelling projects around a single image or video with your entire class
participating. Share and collaborate online or embed into your wiki, blog, or webpage.
Animoto Learn how to create simple slideshows with this web‐based application.
Slide Learn how to create simple slideshows with this web‐based application and share with others.
Voki Learn how to how to create avatars and simple podcasts that can shared and embedded into any webpage, wiki,
or blog.
Audio Dropboxes Learn to how to use this two‐way communication tool where students can record oral assignments from their
computers for your review. Audio Dropboxes can be embedded into any webpage, wiki, or blog.
Schoolwires Learn how to use the podcasting page on Schoolwires to store and make podcasts available to your students.
iTunes Learn how to search iTunes for audio and video podcasts, music, and university lectures for classroom use. No
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iPods needed. Then upload to your webpage, blog, or wiki for student use.
Surveys and Polls
Topic/Tool Description
Schoolwires Learn how to use the Forms/Survey tool to create online surveys, quizzes, and forms. Great tool for formative
assessment
Poll Everywhere Learn how to set up a student response system for formative assessments. Ask a question and students can vote
and view response data in real time.
Wall Wishers The “parking lot” strategy goes digital for formative assessment. Learn how to create a digital wall for students to
post responses to questions with text, images, and video.
Timelines
Topic/Tool Description
XTimeline Learn how to explore, create, and share web‐based interactive, embeddable timelines complete with images and
video.
Timetoast Learn how to explore, create, and share web‐based interactive, embeddedable timelines complete with images.
Our Time Line Learn how to create web‐based interactive timelines with this simple tool.
Videoconferencing
Topic/Tool Description
Skype Go global in your classroom by connecting with other students across the world. Your student can participate in a
great cultural exchange with a webcam, laptop, microphone, and projector. Great for the homebound student,
too!
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Videostreaming
Topic/Tool Description
Discovery Education Learn how to stream live video clips into your classroom. Integrate over 80,000 video clips, audio files, and lesson
resources into any curriculum with your Discovery Education account.
Learn 360 Learn how to stream live video clips into your classroom. Video clips can also be downloaded and embedded
into your webpage or wiki.
DCIU Media‐on‐Demand Easily search and stream the Delaware County Intermediate Units online film library that has now been fully
digitized. Searches also pull content from Discovery Education and Learn 360.
Vocabulary and Spelling
Topic/Tool Description
FlashFriends Learn how to help your students create vocabulary cards in four modes (list, flash, flip, and print). Students can
test, share, and modify flashcards.
Word Champ Show your students how to create, find, and modify flashcards with drill exercises. The site offers a course
management system for tracking progress, assign homework activities, and listing websites.
Spelling City Learn how to make spelling fun with this online program. It includes options to test, teach and play games with
spelling lists you create.
Kidsspell Help your students improve their spelling skills with customized lists that can link to your website.
Online Resources ‐ FOR TEACHERS ONLY
Bookmarking
Topic/Tool Description
Schoolwires Learn how to create a link library for posting your favorite websites to your teacher webpage.
PortaPortal Learn how to use this web‐based bookmarking tool to store your favorite websites.
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Courseware
Topic/Tool Description
Curriki Learn how to find lesson plans, teaching activities, and worksheets.
Hippocampus Learn how to use this resource to enhance your instruction with multimedia lessons and course materials
covered in popular textbooks. Create links to pose to your website, blog, or wiki for enrichment activities.
iTunes U Learn how to search and download lectures, podcasts, and other education content from colleges, universities,
and other education organizations.
Academic Earth Learn how to stream university lectures from Ivy League professors into your classroom.
Thinkfinity Sponsored by Verizon, this search engine is great for lesson plans, interactives, and more from qualified
consortium partners – Smithsonian, Science NetLinks, National Geographic, etc.
General Tools
Topic/Tool Description
Trackstar Create and organize your webquests with this simple tool. Collect your websites and provide directions for all
your online activities. Each one is assigned a track number stored in your account for students to retrieve.
Rubistar Learn how to create quality rubrics in just a few steps.
Notestar Learn how to create and manage notecards by class or by individual student in preparation for research projects.
Great for organizing information and printing notes and bibliographies.
iRubric Learn how to create quality rubrics in just a few steps. Account required.
Teaching in the 21st Century Series
Topic/Tool Description
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Teaching in the 21 Century: This course is designed to present compelling evidence that instructional practices must be updated in order to
The Need for Change* keep pace in a rapidly changing world.
Teaching Authentically in This course is a discipline‐specific course focusing on analyzing and adapting current instructional practices to
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the 21st Century Classroom* reflect appropriate elements of authentic instruction, incorporation of technology into the classroom, and
creation of an authentic learning environment – Math, Science, Social Studies, and Language Arts.
Differentiated Instruction in This course is a discipline‐specific course focusing on the critical role that differentiated instruction must play if
the 21st Century Classroom* educators are to effectively meet the needs of each student in their classroom – Math, Science, Social Studies,
and Language Arts.
Inquiry‐based Learning in This course shows teachers how to develop and encourage inquiry‐based learning as an instructional and
the 21st Century Classroom* curricular approach to engaging students interests, social/emotional needs as well as their abilities to inquire and
think critically about significant content concepts and essential ideas. Inquiry‐based sets forth the highest
cognitive expectations for students being able to take more responsibility for their own learning through the
inquiry and critical thinking processes. Using the course content, you will conduct action research on a question
based on inquiry‐based learning. (Math, Science, Social Studies, and Language Arts)
Project‐based Learning in These courses explain how project‐based learning addresses learning though completing projects that foster
the 21st Century Classroom* skills in communication, collaboration, networking, research, using technology, and critical thinking. (Math,
Science, Social Studies, and Language Arts)
*All courses are available in blended study group, self‐study, graduate credit, or customized content. 30 hours of Act 48 credit available.
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