While we don’t know why the Word clipart was not coming up, the more important issue is that you and your students have access to a MUCH BETTER clipart collection [...]]]> I was walking by a classroom today when the teacher grabbed me to help figure out why the kids couldn’t access the clipart in Microsoft Word.

While we don’t know why the Word clipart was not coming up, the more important issue is that you and your students have access to a MUCH BETTER clipart collection at http://schools.clipart.com!

Our district subscribes to this service, and when you are at school, there is no need to sign in.  If you need to use it at home, just get the username and password by going to First Class > District Conferences > K-6 Technology > Websites for Chatham Teachers.  That document has our subscriptions and username/passwords.

I’ve even got a video about how to use it!  From within the district, you can see something on the NJN server here.  You can also see a video on my YouTube channel (see below).

Click here to view the embedded video.

Click here to view the embedded video.

The Magic Pen Tool in SMART Notebook allows you to do three things (see that there are three stars around the pen?).

1. Write with disappearing ink.  Sometimes you just need to make a quick note that does not [...]]]> What one tool makes writing disappear, spotlights items onscreen, and magnifies the minute?  The Magic Pen of course!

The Magic Pen Tool in SMART Notebook allows you to do three things (see that there are three stars around the pen?).

1. Write with disappearing ink.  Sometimes you just need to make a quick note that does not need to hang around.  Tap the Magic Pen button once and use your finger to write or draw.  The digital ink will fade away as you continue talking.

2.  Spotlight that content!  Do you need to draw your students’ attention to a particular area of the screen?  Tap the Magic Pen button once then draw a circle around the area you’d like to spotlight.  Cool, eh?

3.  Magnify the miniscule: A tiny icon, a web address, a particular cell; any of these can be magnified by tapping the Magic Pen button once and then using your finger to draw a rectangle around the item to enlarge.

Want to see this all in action?  Have a look at the short video below!

Click here to view the embedded video.

 The kids didn’t get to travel to the wilds of Montana to dig, but in science class they did get to be paleontologists for [...]]]> Okay, so we’ll skip Tech Tip Tuesday today to recognize WAS teacher Sarah Gutierrez and her student teacher, Cathy Gomber, for teaching their second grade students how to narrate their fossil dig.

 The kids didn’t get to travel to the wilds of Montana to dig, but in science class they did get to be paleontologists for the day.  Their Jurassic adventure is documented in Photo Story fineness on Sarah’s website HERE.  You can double-click on the video image itself to see it full-screen.

Interested in using Photo Story with your class?  Need to know how to post a video on your Schoolwires Centricity teacher web pages?  Let Erik know, and he’ll direct you to the resources you need or even help you and your students directly!

Note: you can click the photo for a bigger image.

Back on March 11 (my [...]]]> Welcome to the newest category on the K-6 Tech Talk blog: Media Monday!  With the proliferation of audio and video in our lessons, it makes sense to take time each week to have a look at some of the aspects of technology related to audio, images, and video.   This week we’ll review Audacity.

Back on March 11 (my sister’s birthday!) we learned that directions for Audacity are in your school’s Faculty Share technology folder.  They are still there: a Notebook file with arrows and step-by-step directions for linking what you record to objects in Notebook, as well as an Audacity quick-start guide.  If you look below, you’ll be able to view a video as well.

Click here to view the embedded video.

You may [...]]]> Your voices have been heard loud and clear! United Streaming–now called Discovery Education Streaming–has returned! Teachers in the School District of the Chathams may view the video about how to create a new account by CLICKING HERE and using your regular login credentials to see the video from either in school or at home.

You may find the Notebook presentation used in the video in the K-6 Technology area of District Conferences in First Class if you prefer not to watch the video.

Remember that Discovery Education is MUCH MORE than just the video services.  There are teacher resources (lesson plans, tips, tricks), professional development videos, games, skill builders, clipart, etc.  Take the time to explore, and you won’t be disappointed!

Additionally, we have our own NJN Digital Classroom Video Server This icon on your desktop will allow [...]]]> We’re all experiencing a sense of loss with the departure of Discovery United Streaming this year, but there are alternatives! If you’re trying to find some video content for your lessons, take a look at the sources on my website.

Additionally, we have our own NJN Digital Classroom Video Server
This icon on your desktop will allow you to look at a number of videos that have been saved in the district. Check the high school and middle school areas for extensive collections. The elementary schools will be adding some VHS titles this year, so if you have a favorite library video you’d like to see on the video server, let your librarian know!