Workshops:
Pick a Session

Educational Technology Integration Training

We can in-service your staff on integrating technology into your CURRENT curriculum. Choose from the list of workshops below, or let us design sessions specific to the needs of your staff and your curriculum.

As teachers, we understand what teachers need, and we know how to deliver the message.

Workshop Descriptions

SMARTBoard Workshops

SMARTBoard ~ For the Very Beginner
This workshop is a hands-on step-by-step session to teach the very basic components of the SMART Notebook 10 software.
We teach, you practice, and then you "do" on the board.
Ok... a little "fluff" will be thrown in, too. It will also include steps to use the projector more effectively. Don't let another day go by wishing you knew how to use your board more effectively beyond the basic "write-and-erase" options.

SMARTBoard ~ "What's It Good For Anyway?" - Best Practices
This presentation-style session will include a multitude of ideas on how to successfully incorporate the SMARTBoard into your classroom. From classroom management tools and time-saving tips to interactive lesson ideas, this workshop will help you understand the capabilities of this awesome piece of classroom technology beyond being a "glorified whiteboard".

SMARTBoard ~ Intermediate
Do you want to take your SMARTBoard skills one step further?
This session will demonstrate the different ways to use your SMARTBoard beyond the basic "write-save-print" features. Time will be given for you to try out each feature and apply it to your curriculum.

SMARTBoard ~ "Show Me How To Make That!"
This afternoon SMARTBoard session, "Show Me How To Make That!" will be a hands-on step-by-step session to teach the components of the SMART Notebook 10 software. Don't let another day go by wishing you knew how to use your board more effectively.

SMARTBoard ~ Advanced
Join us for a session that will feature advanced SMARTBoard implementation ideas. We'll show you some of the latest features and ideas on how they can be implemented. Transform the way you teach by putting even more "WOW!" into your SMART Lessons.
*This session is for participants who have had extensive experience with SMARTBoard applications and are ready to move to a more sophisticated level of implementation.

SMARTBoard ~ Make and Take
This new session style will literally be a "workshop". Join us for a completely hands-on session to work on lessons, classroom management tools, independent learning activities, and games. This is a great workshop for you if you have already been using the SMARTBoard software, attended some of our SMARTBoard training, and are ready to create some exciting activities to use on your SMARTBoard with our assistance. Don't worry; we will also be giving you fresh new ideas and some templates as well! Bring your instructional materials to make the absolute most out of this session!

10 Ways to Get SMARTer
We are excited to  feature 10 of our favorite SMARTBoard implementation ideas. We’ll show you some of the latest features and ideas and how they can be implemented. Transform the way you teach by putting even more “WOW!” into your SMART lessons.  Hands-on time will be provided to allow you to try them out!
*This is the perfect session for educators who have already attended our SMARTBoard trainings and need some new ideas or a little refresher course.

 

iPad Workshops

Pads in the Classroom - Apps to Support Learning
Do you own an iPad? Do you WANT to own an iPad, but need an excuse to make the purchase?  It is all in the name of what's best for kids, right?  Attend this session and we will show you numerous free and low budget apps that will engage your students and promote interactive learning in your classroom via the iPad.

Beginning iPad
Learn the basics of using the iPad as well as how to care for this new device. Time will also be set aside to learn about apps that are relevant to your classroom.

iPad Tips and Tricks/Apps for Education
Tips and tricks to navigating your iPad will be demonstrated along with different integration ideas for the classroom.

 

Multimedia Workshops

Podcasting 101 - School Edition
Podcasting has never been easier OR cheaper than through the use of Audacity and Audioboo.  These two great resources are FREE!  The first portion of this workshop will teach you the basics of using Audacity to create an mp3 file.  The second portion will cover steps needed to turn your newly created mp3 file into a podcast that can be posted online for student, parent, and community subscribers.  Join us for this fun and easy-to-follow workshop.  you will need to have access to an email account during this session.  If you cannot access your email from outside your school, we can show you how to easily register for a Gmail account for immediate access.

Picture This - Digital Storytelling/Reporting
Using the free downloadable application, Photostory 3, we will share ideas and student created projects to give you ideas on how to use this powerful piece of technology with your students.  After a brief demonstration of what this software can do, we will take participants step-by-step through creating a "digital story' of their own.

Let's Make a Movie with Windows Movie Maker
Maybe you didn't know it, but you have the power to bring your students' work to life using the FREE software that is ALREADY on your computer.  Not sure if you have Movie Maker on your computer?  Check.  It comes standard with Windows.  We will guide you through using this program with a hands-on step-by-step workshop. You will be amazed at the student-produced work after allowing them to use this program for digital storytelling, alternative assessments, audio/visual books, and a multitude of other integration ideas including its use with United/Discovery Streaming.

Pump Up the Writing
Motivate your students to write more and complain less using these free and easy-to-implement methods. If you have ever wondered how to integrate technology into your writing lessons across the curriculum, we can show you how using digital technology images in PhotoStory 3, Animoto, Movie Maker, and Blabberize! The integration of audio/video will also be demonstrated to differentiate instruction and engage students with varied learning modalities.

Ban the Book Report
Turn peer pressure into peer motivation by enabling your students to express their love of reading. We'll show you ways your students can make book trailers, book talks, and produce audio books to share with younger students, or their own classmates. Free online resources will empower your students' creativity and will not only motivate them to read, but will get them excited about sharing their favorite books.

 

Google Workshops

Google Magic: Captivate, Motivate, and Educate Your Students
Did you know that Google offers a number of FREE tools that can enhance what you teach?  Through the use of Google Docs, you can have students work collaboratively from any computer to effectively generate documents, spreadsheets and presentations.  We can also show you how to use Google Forms to create an online test that students can take from any computer.

Google Earth - It's Not Just for Social Studies Anymore
Learn how to fully integrate Google Earth across the curriculum with advanced place-marks. We will show you several examples of interdisciplinary lessons, have you participate in a sample activity, and then give time to help you create a lesson of your own. You don't teach Social Studies? Don't worry! Google Earth is for every classroom!

Google Calendar - You'll Never Forget Another Meeting!
Let us show you  how to set up an online calendar that will save you time and organize your life. As educators, deadlines, meetings, and obligations can sometimes be overwhelming. Ok, they are always overwhelming. These calendars can also be shared and embedded on your website or blog, and are simple to manage. You can make professional or personal calendars, and it can even be used for lesson plans. Best of all it is FREE.

Google Tasks - Finally the Ultimate Checklist for Busy People!
Did you know that Google Calendar includes a way to set up tasks that you can check off as you complete? In this session, we can show you how to manage all of the obligations in both your personal and professional lives. Don't forget another meeting or birthday again. Let us show you how in an easy-to-follow, step-by-step, hands-on workshop.

 

Web 2.0 Workshops

10 Ways to Shake It Up!
Are you stuck in a rut? Do you feel like your students are less than enthused with your class? We will count them down...10 ways we have integrated technology into our classrooms just to shake things up. These ideas are easy to use and will cost your district little or nothing to implement. Student examples will be shown for a full understanding of how to put tech into your current curriculum and make it exciting for you and your students. Bring us your questions and we will answer them. (We are idea people...not to mention a great mother-daughter team!) Start shaking your lessons up THIS FALL!

Web 2.0 Smackdown
Do you want to "wrestle" a little with technology in your classroom this year? Attend this "fast-paced smackdown" to join Nancy and Shannon as they go head-to-head with their favorite Web 2.0 integration tools and ideas. You'll be able to ask questions about implementing these ideas into YOUR classroom, as well as trying them out for yourself.
No "sitting on the ropes"! Get into the "technology ring" with the "tag-team" of Shannon and Nancy to get some new ideas!

Technology Idol
Join us for a session that highlights our students' favorite classroom "tech-activities" as well as our "Can't Wait to Teach It" activities.
Learn about free, safe, online resources to connect your students to information in a way that will motivate them. We're going to do our best to impress the judges with our favorite technology integration ideas. You, the audience, will be our Simon, Paula, Ellen, Jennifer, and Randy! Attend this session and share your voice in deciding which idea will be the next tech integration superstar.

Raising Your Technology Comfort Level
This session puts the participants in control by allowing them to decide which topics are covered. We have created a "virtual bulletin board" with a wide variety of "tech-topics". The participants are free to choose from our bulletin board topics, or ask to find answers to their questions. We can cover topics such as organizing files and folders on the computer, "finding" items that have been saved "somewhere", as well as various Web 2.0 vocabulary terms. If you are a beginner, this just may be the session for you!

3 Big Ways to Use 2.0
Animoto, Glogster, and VoiceThread are three highly-motivating and interactive 2.0 tools that students in our classroom love! This hands-on style session will lead you through all three applications, and we will give you time to practice so you'll feel comfortable using them with your students. Bring a lesson you want to enhance, and we will show you how!

What's With the QR Code?
Have you seen those little black UPC symbol-type squares that seem to be popping up all over? What are they? How can you use them in education? Find out the many different ways you can implement the the use of QR codes in the classroom. From scavenger hunts to differentiated instructional resource materials, we will fill you in on this upcoming technology trend and how you may use them in your classrooms.

 

Web Design Workshops 

EZ Web Design
Are you ready to take your classroom to the internet?
Have you always wanted a website, but felt overwhelmed by the HTML codes, and "geek speak"?
If so, we will navigate you through a FREE website that will allow you to set up your webpage without a school server or tech coordinator. If you can edit a document, you can create a simple website during this session for FREE!
***The only thing you will need for this session is access to your email
      on the web.

EZ Web Design ~ The Next Chapter
Have you always wanted your own website, but thought it was just too difficult to create on your own? Do you have a website started, but just haven't had a chance to finish it? Are you stuck deciding what to put on your pages? Let us help you make your class a 24-hour learning environment by creating a website for your students and their parents to access. If you attended our EZ Web Design class and would like more ideas or follow-up support OR if you would like to jump in and get started with a new website, join us for this completely hands-on workshop.
***The only thing you will need for this session is access to your email
      on the web.

Wiki: The Easy Website Alternative
Would you like to have your own easy-to-update FREE classroom website? Would you like your students to contribute content and help update the class site? Are you still wondering, "What's a wiki?" Don't worry. We are asked that all the time. "Wiki" is the Hawaiian word for "quick". So the answer is a "QUICK" website. This session will show you have to create this valuable classroom tool. A wiki will allow your students to work collaboratively on projects, your students' parents to check out assignments or other up-to-date information that is taking place, and web space to post various classroom resources. We will lead you through a hands-on session directing you with immediate practice with your newly acquired wiki. Examples of how educators are using this web 2.0 tool will be introduced so you can successfully implement it in YOUR classroom. You need to have access to your email account on the web during this session. If you cannot access your email from outside your school, we can show you how to easily register for a Gmail account during this session.

 

Discovery Education Workshops

Discovery Education
Have you been using the DE Service just to download and show video clips? Do you know all the options they provide to teachers, including services for your students? We can show you how to build lessons and assessments students can work on independently at home, or at school. In addition to streaming video, there are numerous other options for supplementing your curriculum.