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The 16th Annual Technology Fair and Student Showcase is sponsored by NPAECT and provides an opportunity for students, teachers, technology vendors and community members to share the projects and products created in our classrooms.

For more information regarding the Tech Fair please visit the NPAECT Wiki for the Information Letter.

The registration for the Tech Fair is now closed, but we will be representing PENNCREST well with 8-10 groups traveling to Edinboro for the event. We hope to see all of you in Edinboro to support your fellow teachers and students as they showcase their work, interests and talents. See you there!

Technology Fair and Student Showcase

Date: April 30, 2009

Time: 3:00 PM-7:00 PM

Location: Frank G Pogue Student Center at Edinboro University

http://www.google.com/doodle4google/

Check out the entries by PENNCREST students in grades 5-12.

View Album

Get your own

State and Regional finalists will be announced on May 8th, 2009. Good luck to all that entered the competition!

Attendees will spend time in the classroom using GIS applications, free GeoCaching software and resources before heading outdoors (rain or shine) to learn how to find hidden treasures! Attendees will learn how to create lessons using geocaching to teach any subject: Science, Mathematics, English – the possibilities are
limitless. Special “curriculum caches” will be hidden in the surrounding area and attendees will learn how to use a GPS to find them.

**Attendees will be invited to apply for eight $500.00 matching equipment grants to purchase GPS units, software and accessories for classroom use (one grant will be awarded at each training location). In addition, one randomly drawn attendee will receive a free Garmin GPS receiver unit courtesy of netTrekker.

Breakfast and Lunch Included

Receive 5 Act48 Hours

Cost: $0

July 14th, 2009 @ IU5

Download the full PDF of the event

Spaces are limited so be sure to register ASAP!

The Technology Department is back from the Google Teacher Academy RELOAD in NYC. We had a really great time sharing and interacting with the teachers and Googlers that participated in the RELOAD. The day was filled with informative and entertaining presentations by Google Certified Teachers on various topics including: Copyright Confusion, Google Forms, Google Earth, I didn’t know you could do that with Google!, Second Life and a Web 2.0 Smackdown. Lisa from The Innovative Educator blog wrote a great post detailing the day. Be sure to check out her post for the full recap of the day.

When we first arrived at the Google Offices we were given a badge and were directed to the elevator. Upon exiting our short elevator ride we were greeted by what one would expect for the look and feel of a Google office. The design was very clean and white with pops of color on the floors and walls. We checked in on the Google automated check-in system and waited to be escorted into the meeting room. After a short setup time the Google Certified Teachers entered the space for some breakfast and time to catch up with each other. The last time many of these educators met face to face was two years ago at the Google Teacher Academy.

Photo found here.

After some introductions and instructions (sorry no cameras allowed) the presentations began. The first PENNCREST presentation was also the first presentation of the day. The group was so welcoming and we felt right at home. Everyone really enjoyed all the videos filmed and edited by the PENNCREST community. We can’t thank you enough for all your help! Our presentation was followed by other excellent sessions on Copyright, Google Earth and Google Forms.

During the course of day we had two breaks and lunch provided by Google. At Google, all food available in the office is included in the Googlers salary. How cool is that? During the breaks we were escorted to one of two micro-kitchens to eat and drink as much as we wanted. Chocolate, espresso, yogurt, cereal, fruit, gummy bears was all ours for the taking! When it was time for lunch we were shuffled through a portion of the campus where employees were riding around on scooters busily moving from one place to another. The lunch room was cafeteria style, but not like what we think of here at PENNCREST. Their lunch lines consisted of sushi, vegan options, salads galore, gourmet prepared salmon and I can’t forget the dessert bar!

Our second presentation welcomed everyone back from lunch. Again, everyone loved our videos and we were very well received. The rest of the afternoon we were engaged by a very interactive trip into Second Life, were encouraged by innovative staff development strategies and were entertained by the Google Earth Monster Milk Truck. We participated in our first Web 2.0 Smackdown where everyone was welcome to come up and share a cool non-Google Web 2.0 tool. The day ended with the opportunity to reflect on the day with the group.

Photo found here.

The conversation continued as we walked the few blocks to John’s Pizzeria on Bleecker St. for some authentic New York Pizza. Over pizza we talked about the struggles we all face trying to implement new educational practices. Some of the best conversations happen during informal times like this. It is great sharing thoughts and pizza with new friends.

Overall our trip to Google NYC was an awesome experience. Being in the same room with educators that love learning as much as we do is really encouraging and uplifting. How many people can say that they got a glimpse into the wonderful world of Google!  The excitement that goes along with visiting a Google campus didn’t match the time spent with new professional connections and friends that we can now meet anytime and anywhere with technology. It was truly a once in a lifetime experience that we will never forget.

Check out pictures from the day here and here. Lisa and Kevin were the designated photographers of the day and they did an awesome job. Thanks Lisa and Kevin!

NOTE: These courses are being offered as a service provided by the Technology Department. No Act 48 hours or extra compensatory pay is available.

Creating a Classroom Website

• Description: This session is for teachers who do not currently have a PENNCREST website. You will setup your site, choose a template and configure how it looks. Please bring ideas, content, photos, assignments, etc to place on your site. You should have time to start adding content. Your classroom website can be edited from school or home for easy access and use. Embed videos, upload files, share classroom website links…the sky is the limit!
• When:
  • March 11th – SHS Production Lab from 3:30-5:30
  • March 12th – MHS Production Lab from 3:30-5:30
  • March 17th – CSHS Production Lab 3:30-5:30
• Register: http://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?key=pOVuR2B1uAOu1uAPj_LBWXg

Online Bookmarking with delicious

• Description: This session is open to all staff and will cover delicious.com, an online bookmarking application. Create bookmarks to share with students and colleagues. The basics of delicious will covered and time will be given to start bookmarking your favorite sites. Please bring your favorite website addresses to begin your delicious profile.
• When:
  • March 18th – SHS Production Lab from 3:30-5:30
  • March 24th – MHS Production Lab from 3:30-5:30
  • March 25th – CSHS Production Lab from 3:30-5:30
• Register: http://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?key=pOVuR2B1uAOuBXtixSnSRcg

Online Learning, Discussion and Collaboration with Moodle

• Description: Moodle is an online classroom space. Assignments, forums, web links, discussions, journals, wikis etc can be added to your Moodle site for students to access from school or home. This session is for new Moodle users. We will cover the basics of Moodle and how to get your class started in this online space. If you already have and use a Moodle class please do not register for this session. PLEASE BRING IDEAS AND MATERIALS THAT YOU WISH TO PUT ON YOUR CLASS PAGE.
• When:
  • April 7th – SHS Production Lab from 3:30-5:30
  • April 8th – MHS Production Lab from 3:30-5:30
  • April 14th – CSHS Production Lab from 3:30-5:30
• Register: http://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?key=pOVuR2B1uAOsToSfWufzDAA

Student Blogging with Edmodo

• Description: Using Edmodo, a private micro-blogging platform, you will create an online blogging space to share, discuss and connect with students. Create discussions, calendar events, upload files and even grade assignments all within Edmodo. Only the students you give access can see your Edmodo classroom space. No email address is required for students to register on Edmodo. Connect with your students, at school and at home, with this free and easy to use online application.
• When:
  • April 16th – SHS Production Lab from 3:30-5:30
  • April 21st – MHS Production Lab from 3:30-5:30
  • April 23rd – CSHS Production Lab from 3:30-5:30
• Register: http://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?key=pOVuR2B1uAOvQj7u7UnPwfQ

NOTE: These courses are being offered as a service provided by the Technology Department. No Act 48 hours or extra compensatory pay is available.

Our presentations can be viewed below. We are still working on them, but the final should be ready to go by Thursday, February 26th for our February 27th presentation.

See you when we get back from being ‘Googlized’ in NYC!

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For additional resources surrounding the conference feel free to visit the PETE&C Ning site.