Full or Half-Day Workshops

Technology across the Curriculum: What's Working

Teach for engagement, and deeper understanding of curriculum using powerful technology. Bring your content to life using streaming video, front loading vocabulary, rotating a 3-d model, or taking a virtual field trip inside an erupting volcano. Next, we will step into the world of Second Life and experience the future of teaching and learning. Hold on as I teleport you to various islands, to meet and greet those of you all ready in-world. This is not science fiction, this is not your messy writing on the overhead, this is the future of

Differentiate Instruction Using Technology

This workshop will explore the many ways technology tools can be used to differentiate instruction in all content areas. Based on scientific research, this presentation will be filled with practical strategies to take back and engage students in new and powerful ways.

Conquering InfoClutter: Timesaving Technology Solutions for Teachers

This session helps “close the gaps” in teachers' technology skills. Most teachers did not grow up in a networked world with high-speed access to millions of resources with a few clicks of a mouse. This workshop comprehensively builds the digital foundation needed to survive in the fast-changing world. It starts with the basics of organizing and conquering infoclutter. It guides teachers through digital storage, retrieval, sharing and repurposing of documents in their digital file cabinets. It helps teachers move toward full technology integration in their classrooms. Every teacher needs this workshop for the timesaving tips.

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Creating and Using Digital Portfolios

Creating and managing portfolios can be simplified if the portfolios are digital. Explore the many different examples found online during this hands-on technology workshop. Leave with valuable management tips to make this happen in the classroom. Investigate how a portfolio can be organized, including tips and suggestions for including artifacts. The process of creating an electronic portfolio can be simplified with the action plan you will create during this hands-on, full-day workshop. Classroom teachers, administrators, tech support staff or curriculum directors will benefit from this action-packed session!

Primary Source Documents in the Social Science Classroom

Capture some of the human stories that make up events in history. This workshop will focus on bringing primary source documents into the classroom through the use of technology. Actively engage your students using multimedia video clips, images, audio clips and more. Using the wireless laptop lab, you will explore hundreds of complete lessons that are available for you to start using immediately. Learn practical classroom management tips through this hands-on, full-day workshop. This session is a must for all teachers of social science as well as technology support staff and curriculum directors.

Teaching and Learning Supported by Technology

This session will explore the many possibilities when technology is incorporated into the classroom. This session is designed to help save time by plugging into the many resources available online. Boost student achievement through the use of thousands of free resources across the content areas. Explore WebQuests, Cyberguides, templates, skill reinforcement Web sites and many more resources designed to help everyone make the most of integrating technology.

You will leave this session with practical management tips and ideas to take back to the classroom and use immediately. Every resource covered in the session will be available on a customized Web page accessible long after the workshop. In addition I have designed a digital filing cabinet filled with thousands of additional websites that can be explored long after our session together.

Math and Technology: Practical Strategies for Teachers

You will leave this hands-on session with hundreds of new ways to use technology in mathematics classes.  We will explore a digital filing cabinet filled with resources including WebQuests and collaborative projects, free online games, virtual manipulatives, assessment tools and Web sites filled with practical ways to liven up your math class. We will focus on resources and assessments that align to the Illinois Learning Standards.

 All of these resources have been organized for you to use throughout the school year. Your handout and companion Web site will contain practical Timesaving Technology Tips to share with your colleagues back at school.

Reading and Writing Across the Curriculum: Empowering Students with Technology

Empower students of all ages with great ways to infuse reading and writing across the curriculum. This workshop is filled with practical, real strategies to take back to the classroom. Hundreds of Web sites have been organized into a literacy web that is available to not only workshop participants but also others back at school.

Overhead Overkill!

Wheel the overhead right out of the room and get ready to engage your students in amazing new ways. Bring your content to life by streaming videos, front loading vocabulary, rotating a 3-d model, or taking a virtual field trip inside an erupting volcano. Next, we will step into the world of Second Life and experience the future of teaching and learning. Hold on as I teleport you to various islands, to meet and greet those of you all ready in-world. This is not science fiction, this is not your messy writing on the overhead, this is the future of teaching and learning, and you need to know about it today!

The Reality of Second Life

Don’t just dream of the future; come on a walking tour about the future of teaching and learning. If you stumble into walls I will teleport you to various landmarks, and let you explore the island. We can sit down for a chat with Einstein, a famous historical figure, or the teacher next door.  As your virtual tour guide I will help you experience the power of Second Life and the great potential for transforming teaching and learning. This is not science fiction, my space or facebook, instead this is a world YOU need to be in! If you are all ready in-world, drop in on the session in real time and share your stories, no idea about what this session is about, this is a must attend!

Second Life will Change Education! Are You In-World?

The first trip into second life was almost my last, it felt like Match.com when you are not interested in dating. Falling down stairs, walking into walls, and changing my hairstyle twenty times, didn’t leave me bruised, but confirmed I am an old lady living in a video game world. A few weeks later, dear Kathy Schrock extended her virtual hand through her site of the week. I logged back on and Kathy (Drybourgh her name in-world) teleported me to Eduisland II. Still walking into walls I sat down with Kathy and our aviators had a nice little chat, in world my name is Meg Writer.  Sounds scary? This is just the beginning  of my journey of transformational thinking about the future of teaching and learning. Scared? You bet! Come in explore the possibilities, ready or not they are here!

Network Literacy

In 2007, it's no longer important to be just information literate-it's about being network literate.  Today, networks have the capability to connect people, resources and ideas together in an ever-expanding global conversation on just about every topic-including education.  By joining this conversation you can contribute, create content, and have your ideas amplified by contributors world-wide.  Join me as we explore the critical attributes of what it means to be network literate, how network literacy empowers 21st Century teaching and learning, and why we need to get started right now! 

The Browser is the New Software...

The next big thing is the power and potential of sharing methodologies for collaboration and learning in an online environment, unique as every visitor. These powerful tools enable everyone to tell their story, edit movies, polish presentations, showcase work and create an environment for collaboration. This custom learning environment may soon reach the masses through a yet defined ubiquitous computing solution in the hands of all. Come explore the power of collaboration in rich learning environments, things you can use today, and others you need on your radar screen.

Handheld Computers for Teaching and Learning

Handhelds computers can transform teaching and learning through active participation.  These powerful tools are a wonderful cost savings in the quest to reach one to one computing. The new handhelds do about 95% of what a laptop computer can do at a much lower price, investigate how this can be managed in the classroom.

This workshop is for you if you would like to see what is possible with these powerful tools. Explore the many ways handhelds can be used in the classroom to actively engage students in learning. Integration ideas across the curriculum will be the focus of the day.

Information Literacy Skills for Educators  

Teachers, school leaders, staff, students, parents and community members need new information literacy skills.  This is not just about how to use technology tools, instead this is how to transform teaching and learning in technology-rich environments.

The One-Computer Classroom

This workshop will focus on planning for integrating the one computer into your curriculum. Practical strategies will include organizing digital resources and files, as well as creating, saving and sharing presentations. This hands-on workshop is filled with timesaving tips for successful integration. You will leave this session with a framework and plan for integration throughout the year.