NECC 2003 Notes

Powerpoint Ideas Needed

Hi everyone.

I know with school up and going everyone is busy-busy-busy.  I was blessed this year with a new Infocus machine and have enjoyed using it to show Powerpoint, Internet sites, and Excel worksheets.  During the conference there was a session called "20 ways to use Powerpoint" (I think).  It was standing room only 20 minutes before it was to begin and so I didn't hang around.  If anyone did go to that session or has any ideas for a good/different Powerpoint use, please let me know.  I've searched the internet and found lots of pre-made lessons and lectures and such.  I've even found a Jeopardy template and a Who Wants to Be a Millionaire-type powerpoint.  I want to avoid simply doing a powerpoint lecture for each day, but still want to use the technology to creatively and effectively. 

Wish you all a great year!  Thanks,
Melanie Helms

Powerpoint Ideas Needed

BIONIC YOUTH: TOO MUCH INFORMATION?

This post is from Helena Mitchell.

For children and teens all over the globe, technology is the primary medium through which they interact socially and recreationally. Until recently, however, no research existed to indicate whether or not the exposure (or perhaps overexposure) to technology has been a benefit or detriment to young minds. In the last five years researchers have found evidence suggesting that today's children are developing an entirely different set of skills than their parents due to the brain's ability to adapt. Video games have had a particularly notable effect on visual perception, though some scientists worry that the increase in visual stimuli results in stunted emotional development and other behavioral issues. Correlations have also been found between video gaming and increased IQ scores. Messaging technology research is still in its infancy, as scientists try to catalogue the various behaviors associated with the technology. What seems evident at this point is that the perceived relationship between avid technology use and loneliness may be overstated. Messaging also appears to improve social interaction, build confidence and increase the ability to multitask.

SOURCE: Newsweek; AUTHOR: Fred Guterl http://www.msnbc.com/news/953368.asp

New Member Greeting

Greetings,

I'm a new member to this weblog and look forward to catching up on previous posts, as well as making my own.

I am the program manager at the Office of Technology Policy & Programs (OTP) located at GCATT (Georgia Centers for Adavanced Telecommunications Technology).  For more information about OTP go to www.gcatt.gatech.edu and click on the "policy" link.

Best,

Salimah

Conference Reflections

OK, I admit that at times I was "sleepless in Seattle" but now I am "alert in Atlanta".  I've had a week to get back in the swing of things here at Georgia State University.  It's been a very busy week but I have had time to reflect on the NECC conference and all that the entire delegation accomplished.  I am proud to have been a  part of such a successful learning journey.  Being able to see so many educators participate in a great technology conference is truly inspiring.  I know many of the participants would not have been able to take such a trip on their own.  Plus, the learning will continue through the benefit of ISTE publications and weblogging.  Speaking of weblogging, I was impressed with all of your efforts and everyone persevered through the learning curve.  I know you will find it a useful tool in future endeavors.

First, I have to once again say how much we appreciate Lisa and Kelly.  All of the accomplishments could never have happened without the necessary "behind the scenes" work.  I saw first-hand how much they did to make it a successful venture.  They truly went "above and beyond" with extra things like setting up conference calls, driving everyone here and there, overseeing all the extra touches that we often just take for granted, and being attentive to everyone's needs.  These two were up at the crack of dawn each day and did not get to rest until the late, late evening hours. I hope they have found some time this week for a much needed rest.  They deserve it.  Wow!  Thank you, Lisa and Kelly,  for your professional committment to make a difference in the lives of educators!

I also want to commend all of you on your first venture with weblogging.  I would like to complement Theo on his wonderful posts and say how much I liked his thought-provoking comments to other participant's posts.  I hope some of you will find the time to reply as there is lots to think about and reflect on once the first segment of this grant comes to a close.

In closing, I am in the process of preparing a CD of photos which I will send to each faculty member.  Please share with your team! 

Accolades to Lisa and Kelly

I am in the lobby of the hotel now just prior to take off on the flight back to Atlanta.  I just wanted to take a moment to say that Lisa and Kelly deserve accolades for their hard work over the last few days.  I got to see first hand all the planning, organizing, re-organizing, and running around to take care of the thousand and one last minute details that come up.  They are a great team and I enjoyed working with them and being a part of this terrific grant for educators in Georgia.

I am most impressed with their driving skills as well - no one could have done it better.

I think our entire delegation was just terrific.  I am just an email away if any of you need help with your weblogging.  Enjoy the rest of your summer and let us continue to hear from all of you.

Anne

Ishan Malik July 2, 2003

Before you read this weblog I must warn you that it is close to 1 am and I am tired.  Every time I tried to get to a computer it was occupied and it seemed forever before I would be next.  So the late bird must stay up late to complete her assignment.

Today did not start off as planned.  I wanted to attend an 8:30 session this morning.  The session was about Interactive Math and Technology but I overslept and missed the 7:15 am shuttle.  I started to catch the metro but changed my mind because I did not want to travel alone.  According to the attendees I missed a great session, probably the best of the entire conference.

Several of us went to Pike's Market.  It was not as exciting as I had imagined.  We ate at a nice restaurant and walked the waterfront.  Also, we were able to walk in some nice authentic shops.

I was disappointed with the dinner at the meeting because the chicken and potato dish was cold; not good at all.

Fortunately, a close friend of my family, my sisters best friend, picked me up for dinner and drove me around the city.  The city is beautiful at night.  I was able to see the street hills and the lights.  Seattle is much nicer than I thought.  I am very thankful to Georgia State University, Dr. Christine Thomas, for inviting me.  Also, I must thank the Georgia Educators of NECC for sponsoring the trip.  Hopefully the next time we can register early enough to stay at one of the sponsored hotels so that we can bond with the other educators;.)

Michael Washington - Wednesday July 2nd cont'd

The name of the session that I referenced in my last posting was "Understand and Enjoy Math through Interactive Software".  The name of the CD that the presenter, Rudy Neufeld, passed out is entitled "Understanding Math" and it is the bomb!  Topics from Fractions, Integers, Exponents, Algebra, Solving Equations, Graphing, Calculating Percent, Probability, and Geometry are all covered on this CD.  As I said before, he has tons of Lesson Plans on his website to accompany the software lessons.  His web addres is: http://www.neufeldmath.com

After this session I headed back to the hotel and a group of us headed to Pike's Market and did some sightseeing.  It was fun walking through the different shops and looking at all of the beautiful scenery.  We ate at a seafood reasturant called Cutters and the food was pretty good.  I must say that I never knew anything about Seattle before this trip, and I was presently suprised at what a wonderful city this is.  I plan to bring my wife back here for a vacation one day. 

Also, on Tuesday evening I was fortuanate enough to check out the Space Needle.  This was also a wonderful experience and a must see while staying in Seattle.  I would have to say that I have enjoyed my trip to Seattle and I am thankful for the opportunity to attend the NECC conference!

Take care and happy blogging!!!!!

Mike - Georgia State University preservice teacher of  secondary              mathematics education

Paulina Kuforiji: June 29 and July 1

James Smith - July 1

NECC Tuesday

Hi, James here, today is Tuesday. Today begin as always (on EDT). We had fun coming from the convention center monday afternoon. Today I said I'm going to be nice - no military techniques. The breakfast session was great for me. I had the oppotunity to learn the area(s) of everyone in the group.
The keynote address this morning was on Five Essential Questions for e-learning. In summary the speaker was good and the information was okay. If you are interested in conducting a distance learning course ask yourself those five questions. (1) who cares? (Who think the course is important? or are they being force to take the course, etc. (2) What's inside? (Select what you want them to learn. Make all parts of the lesson work together. See if it changed someone and ask yourself "did I miss a step" (3) What would big bird say? ( How visual is it? To much text - add a little graphics. Be careful how you say it and determine where you want them to go). (4) Halfway through - what's changed? ( are they still with me? Make eye contact and keep them wandering what next. (5) Bring new insight into the program. ( Key player are critcal to the program).  So if you are thinking about presenting a course through distance learning think - people-value-visual-connection-insight.

 
Any one interested in NCATE. The Wright State university is keeping their information on a web site. There is copy of their 2000 NCATE report on the web. http://www.ed.wright.edu/ncate. We didn't see on the the web because the internet was down.

There was several of us attending the same session. I told Ricky that I would talk with him about that session later and I left for another session. The problem solving and critical thinking session was okay. I knew the software that they used. I satyed any way to see if there were new ideas.

I took a break from the action. I begin to talk with different peoples that was next me. They were all friendly and interesting. They were enjoying the conference and the city. They were from different states and came for different reasons. One group I talked with was from Mississippi. They came in a group some what like our group.

I visited the the exhibit area. There I stopped by the palm area to see why so many were there. They were showing the new palms and the software that they had. There is a nice software package for educator (low cost).
The Cisco System was more for the high schooler that were planning attend college. I was most interested in this one because I have stock in Cisco.
The HP session illustrated the use of  the wireless conputers for the administrator.

I'm going to 6c to type in the weblog.