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Volume 1 Issue 3 - October 30, 2006
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For the best experience which includes seeing pictures and using links in this newsletter
please go to the top menu of this message window and choose View then HTML

CCSS Technology Newsletter New Format!

We hope that you enjoy and find the new format of our newsletter helpful. Do not forget to go to the bottom for some useful hints for home as well. If you are not seeing the pictures or the columns and you are just looking at text, you will need to change the view in your GroupWise to take advantage of the "web" language. You also will not be able to use the links that are included unless you are viewing this in HTML. It is a very simple change . If you are using the web interface you should be seeing this newsletter already in HTML format. However, if you are using the client version, then you will need to click on View that is located on this message menu bar and then select HTML. You can change it permanently to HTML view, if you like, by doing the following: Choose Tools form the top menu, then Options, then Environment. You should see a tab that says Views. Select the Views tab and then in the bottom right area choose the HTML button under Default Read View & Font then choose Ok. GroupWise may have a yellow bar show up at the top of the message that will ask you to click here to see and download the images, go ahead and click on that bar and you will be good to go! If you are still having trouble, you can always go to our home page and click on the Training Center link (just below the employee acceptable use link) to get to the archive section.

   

netTrekker

As announced last week we now have access to netTrekker. We are sure that you are asking, "What is netTrekker anyway, and why do they not capitalize their name?" We have no idea why they do not capitalize their name but we have some documents and links that will get you started in using this great resource. netTrekker is not only for teachers to use, but for students as well. We are working to develop training materials and training sessions. However, we have put together some information that will help you to get started. Click on the links below to load the documents or go to the links provided. From school, you can go to netTrekker without a password. To access it from home you will need to create an account and use that login information when you are off campus. Students will need to create a login for use at home as well. We are looking into the best way to implement student use. For more information see the links below.

netTrekker (there is also a link on the county web site)

netTrekker reference page - (things like dictionaries, encyclopedias,etc great resource for your students)

Quick Start - netTrekker - (screen shots with explanations)

Short Free training videos- (20 videos ranging from 1 to 3 minutes) at Atomic Learning. While you are their check out some of their other free training videos
More to come!

 

 

This week's tip is about creating a contact. You may need to add other people in your address book that is not an employee of CCSS. This is very simple to do. In the GroupWise Client, open the address book. Select the contacts address book. Once you have highlighted the Contact address book t, click on New, then Contact. Once the contact entry window has appeared put in all of the information that need. Be sure to click add by the e-mail address to make sure that your e-mail address gets added. I am sure that many parents would love to get updates and notices about your classroom through e-mails. Sure, there will be some of your students that do not have access to email, but you can still print hard copies of notices for those students. You can also create a group of your students so that you can mail all of your parents in one single address. The more avenues of communication that can be open between you are your parents can only help. We are suggesting that only general information and meeting requests should be sent through e-mail with parents. Any detailed information about a student should be done using more traditional means.

Next week's tip - Create a group in your address books

Electronic "Whiteboard Grant"

There will be a "show and tell" for all interested in applying for the grant. A Promethean White Board will be on display. This will be a great opportunity for you to see the product. Even if you are not a winner, this may inspire you to work with interested parties at your location to acquire this technology. We hope to have some that are using this board in their classroom appear and show some of the activities that they have done in their class. The date for this presentation will be Monday, November 6 between 3:30 and 4:15 at the Central Office. If you are interested in applying for the grant please make sure that you download the instruction form that was included in a previous e-mail message. Below are some links that may interest you if you are thinking about the grant.

Grant Application Instructions

Promethean Website (take an online tour of the project by choosing Solution Overview on the left)

Last Year's winning entry (you will need PowerPoint or Open Office to view)

A thought for the week:

There are only 10 types of people in the world, those who understand binary and those who don't.

Until next time, happy teaching!!

   
Quick Links
Links to great sites for you and your class!

Newsletter Archives and
Training Resources


It is our mission to help you with your technology needs both at school and at home. Yes, even at home. It is our belief that if you learn how to do cool projects for yourself and family, then you will develop the skills to do cool projects with your students. We are constantly adding content and resources along with archiving this newsletter.


Coffee County Training Website

Training Videos


Below is a listing of our current training videos that we have produced that is specific to our county and situation. Remember, just as with your students, individual learning and practice will be the key in learning anything new. As new videos are posted they will be listed here! Go to the training site mentioned above and follow the topic
•Excel- How to Sort, Print, and use Quick Fill
•GroupWise - Address Book, Send a Message and for a professional series that covers almost anything you need with GroupWise, go to the GroupWise section and select Novell Videos at the bottom of the page.
Coffee County Training Website

Want some games for your classroom?
There are 2 school systems that have put together some great PowerPoint Jeopardy style games. Even if the content is not exactly what you need, it would be easy to take the formats of these files and make them work in your classroom. Please follow the links below.

http://jc-schools.net/tutorials/PPT-games/

Jeopardy Games

Coffee County Power Point Resources
 
 
 
 

Final Bits and Bytes


Help & other stuff for School and Home

• Need a free Photo Editor - Try Google Picasa- Good for photo organization and basic editing.

Picasa Google's Photo Editor

NOTE: You have to UNCHECK the box that says Do you want to download Google Toolbar. Always check before downloading any type of software from Google, Yahoo, and Adobe. These organizations always wants to put their software on your machine. These are not spyware type programs, just toolbars. So if you have them it is not an issue as long as the pop-up blockers are turned off for these toolbar products.

Internet4classrooms - there is so much information here you just need to go look. A site stated by two people in Memphis that is known the world over.

Google Earth (see note above that is below the Picasa link)

-- Copyright © 2006, Coffee County School System. All rights reserved.