Etech+Wednesday+February+4,+2009

=Etech= = = Click [|here] to see all the sessions that were available. Click on the time slot and then click on "Show Descriptions" in the upper right. Then scroll down to see details of each session. Some sessions posted links to their website/wiki and/or posted handouts relating to the session.

Session 1 8-8:45 am
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What's Up Docs--Using Google Tools For Classroom Management, Assessment And Collaboration

 * Presenter**: shryock, char - Fairview High School (Fairview Park City SD)

Come and learn how to use Google Docs, Google Calendar and Blogger as collaborative tools. By the end of this standards-based session, participants will have the basic skills and real world examples that they will need to begin to share materials and ideas with students, colleagues and the world beyond their classroom. This is a train-the-trainer style session. Materials will be available online.
 * Description**:

One of the best sessions I attended! Google is taking over the world with some amazing web applications. Check out her presentation here:
 * Comments**:

http://sites.google.com/site/edtechgirl/etech-2009-using-google-tools

Among the highlights:

Google Docs http://docs.google.com/ Create word-processor documents, spreadsheets, and presentations online, and invite others to work on the same document with you. Rather than emailing attachments back and forth when working with colleagues on a document, these Office-compatible files are stored online and can be worked on by anyone who is invited to (sort of a wiki of documents). Great applications for both student assignments and staff collaboration, and all free!

Google Sites http://sites.google.com A simple, free option for creating a class web page, with many useful features. Can also designate both public and private areas of the site.

iGoogle http://www.google.com/ig A highly customizable homepage that you can set up to track you favorite or most-used websites. Not so much for use by students, but as a time-saver for you.

Much more was shared. The only drawback: **our firewall blocks all of these at school** because you need a gmail account to access it all! Any chance this can be resolved?

(Regarding firewalls, this presenter offered one of my favorite quotes of the conference: "Kids write bad notes to each other on paper, but we don't take away access to paper.")

Using SMART Boards To Engage Your Students And Maximize Achievement
Get ready to maximize student engagement with SMART Boards. Learn how to download SMART notebook software and start creating templates that are child-friendly, engaging, and fun! Even if you don't have a SMART Board in your classroom, you will walk away with practical ideas for creating standards-based lessons that will make learning contagious in your elementary classroom. // Presenter: //Moran, Kelly - Kirtland Elementary School (Kirtland Local SD) [|View/Download Presentation Resources] Great templates for Elementary -

Thirty Three Tech Tips That Translate To Time (re)Trieved
Tired of too many steps to accomplish simple tasks? Too busy to find out if there is a shorter way? Touchy about what you don't know? Terrific! This time will be well spent. Thirty three tips to make life easier. Test it out by attending! You'll take take home all thirty three tips on your handout and then some! ALT + Tab your way to this session! (Primarily PC.) //Presenter:// Cronbaugh, Cheryl - North Central Ohio Computer Cooperative - NCOCC [|View/Download Presentation Resources] Great pdf handout with Screen shots and directions for her tips.