2011 Session Descriptions (pdf)

SESSION 1 - PRESENTATIONS
24th Annual NJAET Conference
“Cloudy with a Change in Learning”
October 11, 2011 - Georgian Court University
Updated 10/4/2011
iPods in Classroom: New iDeas Shared
Dr. Douglas Harvey – Associate Professor of Instructional Technology – Richard Stockton College
(harveyd@stockton.edu)
With iPad devices a little over one year old, there remains a great deal of curiosity in K-12 education as to their value as a
classroom tool. This presentation will present ideas gathered from teachers as to their uses of the devices, and we will
explore some of the apps used.
20 Coolest Things (You Can Do with a SMART Board)
Matt Ringh – Instructional Technologist – Teq
Explore some of the newest, least known uses for a Smart Board. This fast-paced session will explore 20 resources;
some academic, and some just fun. Following a “count-down” format, we’ll delve into topics such as; Mixed Reality, Prezi,
Ripping Flash, Recognizing Tables, and more.
Responding to Critical Thinking
Ms. Carol Bennett – SMART Certified Education Consultant – Keyboard Consultants –
(carolynbennett@keyconsult.com)
A necessary skill to prepare students for the global workplace in the 21st Century is critical thinking. Based on the upper
levels of Bloom’s Taxonomy, find out how the seamless integration of technology provides an effective means for students
to construct knowledge. Utilizing SMART products and applications, Carolyn Bennett will model interactive lesson
activities that enable teachers in real-time to identify gaps in student understanding in order to improve individual student
performance.
What’s New on the Web?
Ms. Barbara DeSantis – Educator- Sayreville Public Schools - (barbara.desantis@sayrevillek12.net)
Join me for a lively review of my newest favorite web tools! All applications are free and can be used in K-12 classrooms.
Our discussion will include student samples as well as step-by-step directions and handouts. Fakebook, Symbaloo, and
Webspiration are currently on the top of my list- what else will make the list?
Interdisciplinary Lessons
Susan Briant – 2011 NJAET Grant winner –
Online Courses
Rose LoCastro – National Account Manager - Aventa Learning K-12 – (rlocastro@k12.com)
School districts are facing many challenges; declining budgets, low test scores, decreasing graduation rates, teacher
shortages, and shorter student attention spans. More and more school administrators are discovering that online solutions
offer the most effective way to address budget issues while maintaining and even increasing test scores.
Aventa Learning by K¹² is a leader in online education. Our curriculum meets national and state standards and includes
more than 140 courses for middle and high school, all crafted in a rich multi-media format to engage today’s students. The
breadth of our curriculum is extensive and includes Advanced Placement® (AP) courses, core courses, foreign
languages, and credit recovery courses with ELL support. In this session, K12, Inc. representatives will discuss and
demonstrate their rich, multi-media format, which includes avatars, Flash simulators, and videos.
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SESSION 1 – HANDS-ON – Bring your own device
Free and Exciting Multi-Media Change That Would Never Cloud Your Classroom – Thinkfinity
101 – Hands On Session
Ms. Carol Cherson/Thinkfinity Trainer- –Middlesex ETTC- (chersonsky@aol.com)
Come and take a tour of the world called Thinkfinity. Are you looking for some new sunny innovative interactive teaching
materials to obtain for FREE? Would you like to have 55,000 lesson plans available for you any time? Do you need to find
the national, state, or curriculum standards for your lesson plans? Would you like to have thousands of free Interactives,
movies, podcasts and more? If you have said yes to any of the above questions this workshop is for you. Thinkfinity is a
FREE Educational Resource for Everyone. You will be WOWed with this Sunny Resource.
To the Cloud: Web 2.0 Tools in the Classroom
Mr. Mike Marotta – Assistive Technology Specialist – Advancing Opportunities – (mmarotta@advopps.org)
Technology is everywhere! In this fast paced, media saturated world, we need to use new tools to engage students and
facilitate learning. This session will focus on using a variety of web 2.0 tools in the classroom to move our students from a
passive role (observers of information) to a more active role (creators of content) within the learning environment.
Resources will be shared via a WIKISPACE page. Come prepared for hands-on learning!
Vokis, Prezi and Glogster. Oh My!
Mrs. Debra Goldberg – Technology Coach 5-12 - Vernon Township School District (dgoldberg@vtsd.org)
During this hands-on session, teachers will explore 3 free Web 2.0 tools that students can use for presenting and
publishing information. Vokis allow students to chose an avatar and write or record a dialogue. Prezis give students the
ability to make an online presentation. Glogsters enable students to present their information as an online multi-media
poster. All of these exciting cloud computing resources can be used from 4th-12th grade in any subject area.
SESSION 2 – PRESENTATIONS
Apple and Accessibility - Making Technology Available to All Learners
Dave Marra – Senior Systems Engineer – Apple- (marra@apple.com)
Discover new ways Apple is making exciting technology available to all learners as part of its ongoing commitment to
accessibility. For over 20 years, the Mac has shipped with dozens of accessibility features built in, at no additional cost,
allowing it to be used right out of the box by people with disabilities. Now, with the innovative new iPod and iPad, Apple
continues to set the standard by taking accessibility and learning to a whole new level.
Play to Learn – A Systems Thinking Approach
Dr. Richard Langheim – Associate Professor –Ramapo College of New Jersey – (richlangheim@gmail.com)
Playing simulations can help students develop a deeper understanding of problems in the classroom. Creating simulations
requires that students deeply understand a problem and can communicate that understanding to others. Now teachers
and students can use simulations developed by teachers and students and become adept creators of simulations
themselves. This workshop will introduce an array of tools and instructional materials that are used in K-12 classrooms.
Participants will be connected to the network of teachers and students who use and create simulations of dynamic
systems. We will conclude by creating a simple simulation that can be used in a classroom. Participants who wish to use
STELLA or the STELLA Player during the workshop can download a trial version from - http://www.iseesystems.com/.
Adapting Adoption-Based Design to Develop Educational Technology Course
Dr. Veronica McGowan – Assistant Professor- Delaware Valley College - (Veronica.McGowan@delval.edu)
This paper proposes the adaption of a curricular model, known as the Adoption-Based Design model (Chan, Yang, &
Chang, 2004) in a framework that weighs stakeholder needs in the inclusion of new curricular content for an educational
technology course. In this paper, a bimodal procedure of seven discrete model components of: 1) Content Design
Analysis; 2) Provisional Design Approach; 3) Content Examples; 4) Pilot Curriculum; 5) Revision; 6) Re-adjustment and 7)
Dissemination and will be discussed in terms of best practice implementation of Educational Technology courses for the
purpose of gradually incorporating new curricular elements into a working curricular design.
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Broadening Your Instruction at School at Home Using LiveScribe
Mrs. Janet DeSenzo – Sales/Consultant – JanTech Educational Services – (janet@jantechedserv.com)
The Echol Pen from LiveScribe isn't just a notetaking tool. Teachers are now using the pen to create pencasts: a personal
recording of a lesson, made by the teacher that can be shown in class or posted to a website. Students can now review a
previously taught lesson easily, from home or school. This allows teachers to provide direct instruction whenever and
where ever it's needed.
Classroom Walkthroughs (CWTs)
Evan Erdberg – Director of NE Sales – Teachscape – (Evan.Erdberg@teachscape.com)
Do you have the teacher data you need easily accessible to make informed decision? Are your principals completing 8-10
walkthroughs per teacher annually? Are you providing targeted professional development for your Math, Science and
English Teachers?
This workshop will focus on:
Teacher evaluation and observations – how are you currently capturing this data and how are you using the data
to make informed decisions around what professional development each teacher requires.
Principal observation reliability - how do you ensure your principals are trained to observe teachers correctly, can
you provide a certification process for your administration.
Focused cost effective professional development – with district budgets decreasing, what options are available for
providing a high level of professional development in Math, Science, literacy, ELL, and high yield strategies while
holding teachers accountable for their participation.
Teacher self reflection – coaches and sports teams have been recording their games for years to reflect on what
they are doing right and wrong. It’s time to copy their success and allow our teachers to record their classrooms,
share the recording with peers, and allow for coaches and mentors to observe and comment on video online in a
secure environment.
Glogster and Edmodo
Dana Ebbighausen – Technology Teacher – Sayreville Public Schools – (dana.ebbighausen@sayrevillek12.net)
This class will focus on using Glogster as a presentation tool for students. Presenter will walk through the creation of a
glog, and then show how to share with classmates using Edmodo.
SESSION 2 – HANDS-ON – Bring your own device
PowerPoint Who? Presenting with Prezi
Dr. Nicole Luongo – Assistant Professor – Saint Peter’s College (nluongo@spc.edu)
Come learn the basics of the free, web-based Prezi presentation software. You will examine and gather resources for
your own Prezi presentation as well as how you have your students use it in class. By the end of the session, you will
create a mock (or real) presentation based on your specific educational needs. Additionally, you will be provided with
instructions for lesson planning so that you will be prepared to infuse the provided technology into their current curriculum.
Above all, this session will stress the importance of integrating Prezi into the current curriculum to enhance teaching and
learning in the twenty-first century classroom.
Online Professional Development Using Moodle
Ms. Waleska Batista-Arias – Structure Learning Experiences Coordinator – Cherry Hill Public Schools
(wbatistaarias@chclc.org)
Cherry Hill Public Schools, a 2011 Commissioner's Choice Awards recipient, has developed a solid professional
development program using Moodle as a key delivery tool. Establishing a culture of technology PD is key to the district's
success; teachers are required to complete the PD and annual teacher reviews build in specific recommendations
customized to each staff member. Attend this session to see how the professional development resources are organized
in Moodle and hear lessons learned as the system was rolled out district-wide.
We’re Getting Engaged! Using Web 2.0 to Enable, Engage, Empower!
Mrs. Sandra Wozniak – Director of Curriculum and Instruction – TregoED (sanwoz@gmail.com)
Web 2.0 tools are the perfect way to get your students to develop reading, writing and critical thinking skills. Learn how
teachers used SCAN, Livebinder, intervue.me, readwritethink.org and other web-based tools in an ISTE Technology
Innovation Award winning lesson integrating technology, language arts, and social studies. Participate in the lesson, set
up your own, and experience the power of online discussion beyond the wiki!
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SESSION 3 – PRESENTATIONS
iLife '11 - Do More with Photos, Movies, and Music on Your Mac!
Dave Marra – Senior Systems Engineer – Apple – (marra@apple.com)
Rediscover creative new ways to work with digital photos, movies, music and more with iLife! The brand new iLife '11
suite features exciting new updates to iPhoto, iMovie and GarageBand, along with iDVD and iWeb, all with features
specifically designed for education. In the classroom, over the Internet or as part of a dynamic presentation or podcast,
iLife offers exciting new digital content creation tools that are powerful, fun and easy to use. Explore iLife '11 today!
Tips, Tactics and Tools for Using Your Interactive Whiteboard with Multiple Handicapped
Students
Ms. Dee Hoban – Assistive Technology Professional Special Education Teacher- LADACAIN Network Schroth
School (dee.hoban@ladacin.org)
Learn how to use your interactive white board (SmartBoard, Mimio, Hitachi, Promethean, etc.) with ALL of your students
every day!!! Workshop will demonstrate how to position students in wheelchairs and standers to use the board, various
physical and visual prompting techniques, access tools such as switches, pointers, tennis balls and koosh balls. All
participants will also receive a list of websites with free educational activities for use with any interactive white board. If
you have an interactive board in your classroom this is the workshop for you!!!!
Twitter for Teachers: A Super-Powered PLN Tool
Mrs. Nancy Barlow – Teacher/Consultant – Teacher Geek – (nancybarlow@gmail.com)
Twitter for Teachers: A Super-Powered PLN Tool Are you looking for a simple way to grow your Personal Learning
Network? Not sure what a Tweet is? This session will show you how to use Twitter to grow your Personal Learning
Network into a “POWERFUL Learning Network” through authentic, meaningful connections with other educators. Twitter
will surprise you as a place where inquisitive educators can find smart resources, enthusiastic mentors, and energizing
discussions. Besides giving you a Twitter How-To, this session will discuss the difference between Twitter and Facebook,
and shortcuts that will show you how to make the most of your Twitter experience.
Educational Networking with Edmodo
Mrs. Shannon Johnson – Teacher – Sayreville Middle School – shannon.johnson@sayrevillek12.net
Using Edmodo can encourage frequent student collaboration, facilitate assignments, paperwork and grading, and make
digital sharing a student centered skill. Students will build virtual backpacks and connections while engaging in the
network. Come see how great Edmodo can be!
Classroom Acoustics and Student Learning
Mike LeBate – Lightspeed –
A study of how a child’s learning processes can be impaired by a noisy classroom environment. Children are immature
listeners who have to listen more precisely than adults to recognize and comprehend speech. Poor classroom acoustics
can contribute to problems with speech perception and interfere with comprehension. Acoustics and classroom
amplification systems work together to improve the classroom’s learning environment.
Using Technology to Enhance ELL (English Language Learning) Instruction!
Mrs. Christina Namendorf- ESL Teacher – Sayreville Public Schools – (christina.namendorf@sayrevillek12.net)
This presentation will discuss ways to use technology to help English Language Learners (ELLs) acquire language while
developing good technology skills. Through the use of technology resources teachers can learn to meet various needs in
the ESL classroom while helping students meet the same high standards as their peers. Instruct, Inspire, and Achieve
new goals with your ELL students!
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SESSION 3 – HANDS-ON – Bring your own device
The Shrinking IT Budget: Leveraging Open Source and Freeware Solutions to Support
Teaching and Learning
Dr. Mark Clauburg – Faculty – Walden University – (mark.clauburg@walden.edu)
As the economic climate continues to worsen and K-12 districts make drastic budget cuts, IT professionals are faced with
the challenge of supporting users using fewer resources. The speaker will address options for ensuring faculty and
students have access to a robust collection of software tools to enhance teaching and learning.
Do-it-Yourself Professional Development: Building Your Personal Leaning Network (PLN)
Mr. Kevin Jarrett – Technology Facilitator, K-4 – Northfield Community School – kevin_jarrett@yahoo.com
Personal Learning Networks (PLNs) are currently all the rage in edtech circles. Why? Is it because district professional
development leaves so much to be desired? Is it because great conferences are time consuming and costly to attend? Or
is it because lifelong learners are “always on” and ready to learn? The answer is a combination of these (and many other)
forces. Come to this session to learn how to create your own personal learning network BY ACTUALLY DOING IT.
Although geared to first-timers, this session will also feature ADVANCED TECHNIQUES for getting the most out of your
PLN!
Four Steps to the 21 st Century
Mrs. Sandra Wozniak – Director of Curriculum and Technology – tregoED – (sanwoz@gmail.com)
Learn how four simple steps and an online critical thinking tool can put the 4 C’s in your 3 R’s. Creativity, collaboration,
critical thinking and communication are essential skills our students will need to succeed. Learn how the SCAN tool can
help your students develop these skills using role playing with authentic scenarios in a web-based discussion platform.
Discover how this and other online tools can help your students reach the goals of the common core - “to encourage
deeper thought among students, and more emphasis on persuasion and analysis.”
SESSION 4 – PRESENTATIONS
Introducing iPad - The Perfect Learning Companion
Dave Marra – Senior Systems Engineer – Apple – (marra@apple.com)
See how iPad is changing the learning landscape, providing students with instant access to thousands of educational
apps in all grade levels and all subject areas. Designed to be thin and light enough to take anywhere, iPad is the best way
to experience the web, email, photos, video and books. With a large, high-resolution display, an incredibly responsive
Multi-Touch screen and an amazingly powerful Apple-designed chip, iPad isn't just the best device of its kind; it's a whole
new kind of device. Discover iPad today!
Brighten Your Day with iPad Tips & Tricks
Carla Sbrana – NJAET- hockenbu@comcast.net
Bring your iPad and discover hidden keys, battery saving tips, how to manage & use the built-in apps that come with your
iPad.
Capturing Organizational Learning
Mr. Marc Mancinelli – Director of Curriculum: English – Camden County Technical Schools –
(mancinelli.marc@gmail.com)
This session shows methods of capturing the learning of an organization. Learning is most useful when it is captured as it
happens, organized and catalogued, and shared amongst others. A variety of online tools makes this easier to do, so that
your organization can learn from its experiences.
Copy Cat Kids, Developing Social Skills
Amanda Scairpon, Denise Scairpon, Sharon DiPaolo – 2011 NJAET Grant winners – (ascairpon@wtschools.org)
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News Programs: Not Just for Middle or High Schools Anymore
Jim Dolan – Computer Resource Teacher – Montgomery Township School District – (jdolan@mtsd.us)
Morning news programs have been around in middle schools and high schools for years. See how Village Elementary
School 4th graders have been running a successful news program for over 5 years now. Attendees will learn about
everything from permission forms to the equipment needed to get their own successful program started. Our news
program has had many special guests and provided opportunities for our school, in addition to boosting student’s
self-esteem and public speaking skills. See what it can do for your school!
Using Online PD to Help Integrate Technology into Your Curriculum
Jeff Roth – North Atlantic Territory Manager – Atomic Learning – (jroth@atomiclearning.com)
Recent research shows that students achieve significantly more when their teachers participate in tech-focused PD.
Attend this session to learn about the impact technology integration training activities have and learn about a single online
solution that can simplify technology integration and training to impact your students.
SESSION 4 – HANDS-ON – Bring your own device
The Absolute Beginner’s Guide to Elementary Classroom Collaborations with Skype
Ms. Mary Lou Best – First Grade Teacher – Northfield Community School – (mbest@ncs-nj-org)
You've heard about Skype ... you already know that the NJ Core Curriculum Content Standards emphasize global
collaborations ... but where do you begin? How do you make sure your district will support you? Where do you find
classrooms to collaborate with? Most importantly, how do you structure authentic learning activities that move beyond
"wow this is cool" to "I really learned a lot today!" This workshop will lead you step-by-step through the process
experienced by a first grade teacher and her technology facilitator. Leave with a plan for everything you need to get up
and running with Skype!
Quick, Get under the Scratch Umbrella!
Ms. Sophie Idromenos – Technology Specialist and Teacher (sophia@gmail.com)
The educational climate is changing. There is a down-pour of new standards emphasizing 21st century skills. How will you
meet them while keeping the students engaged? Scratch, the free cross platform application, can help by allowing
students to create games thus promoting creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking. Participants are encouraged to
bring their own laptop, preloaded with the software, and pre-registered with a Scratch account
(http://scratch.mit.edu/signup) so they may follow along as we build a simple game. Overall, this workshop will provide an
overview of the software, basic programming concepts, and resources for future lessons.
Sustainable (and Free) Data Assessment Solutions for NJ Schools
Mr. Ryan Winter – NJ Account Manager – LinkIt (ryan@linkit.com)
LinkIt has collaborated with Hunterdon County ESC to provide innovative and cost effective data-driven solutions for New
Jersey schools. Our tools are used for teacher/classroom level assessments, district level benchmarking and test
preparation as well has high stakes data (NJ ASK, HSPA, etc.) reporting and prediction. We offer a free assessment
platform (any subject, any grade), free benchmark assessments (aligned to NJ ASK and NJ standards), reporting platform
for longitudinal analysis, progress monitoring and growth analysis, an item bank in K-12 reading, math and science as well
as intervention lessons to allow teachers to directly connect to resources to remediate specific student needs.
SESSION 5 – PRESENTATIONS
Blogs, Wikis, Podcasts and Other Cool (FREE) Stuff
Mr. Brian McLaughlin – President- McLaughlin Computer Consulting – (bmcl@optonline.net)
Teachers are using these powerful Web 2.0 tools in their classrooms now - ARE YOU? This session is a primer on what
these tools are, as well as how they can be used in your classroom. All of them can be implemented FREE! You will learn
the simple skills needed to begin using them the next day in your classroom.
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Digital Storytelling
Kim Deveaux – Instructional Technologist – Teq
Digital tools allow us to take the age-old practice of storytelling and engage our students with text, narration, images and
music. Through the use of the SMART Board, we’ll explore ways in which teachers are effectively building digital
storytelling into their instruction and learn how both software and online resources make this a creative learning
experience.
Customize Your Classroom Course Material
Patrick Donovan – Net Texts – (pdonovan@net-texts.com)
The Net-Texts system includes an iPad publishing app (download the Net-Texts app for free from the iPad store) and a
content management web site app (www.net-texts.com) that educators can access to find and customize course material.
The Net-Texts content management website permits educators to build engaging, multimedia course material from the
vast and growing amount of open education (or licensed) resources available on the Internet. The Net-Texts iPad app
permits the content for courses to be easily published onto the iPad for consumption without later wifi access.
Brighten Your Day with iPad Tips & Tricks
Carla Sbrana – NJAET- hockenbu@comcast.net
Bring your iPad and discover hidden keys, battery saving tips, how to manage & use the built-in apps that come with your
iPad.
Video Assessment Project
Matthew Finucante, Tara Rome, Paul Nelson, Diane Cansian and CarrieSenatore – 2011 NJAET Grant winners –
SESSION 5 – HANDS-ON – Bring your own device
Free and Exciting Sunny Opportunities for Multi-Media Change That Would Never Cloud Your
Classroom –Thinkfinity 202 – Hands On Session
Ms. Carol Cherson/Thinkfinity Trainer -–Middlesex ETTC- (chersonsky@aol.com)
Have you taken an introductory course about Thinkfinity and only remember a few bits and pieces on how to use it? Come
back for a “refresher.” Give yourself the opportunity to reacquaint yourself with this fantastic resource. Let’s look at the
updates and some of the new sites that have been added to this amazing free portal. Let the sunshine in and become an
expert user of Thinkfinity.
The Social Network
Ms. Alicia Discepola – District Technology Trainer – Millville Public Schools – (alicia.discepola@millvillenj.gov)
Learn to meet the needs of young social media mavens (a.k.a. students) across the Garden State and globe through
social networking themed educational technology tools all while supporting curriculum, meeting subject standards, and
cultivating 21st Century skills such as technology literacy, collaboration, communication, innovation, and more. The best
part: every tool covered in this session is FREE!
Think…Create…Innovate…from Scratch
Mr. Ryan Evans – Tecchnology Teacher – Wanaque School District (revans@wanaque.k12.nj.us)
Scratch is a free programming language created for students aged 8 - 16, but has been used with younger and older
students. With Scratch, students employ logic, problem solving, and creativity to develop interactive stories, animations,
games, music, and art. Scratch utilizes a variety of math concepts, but can be effectively applied to express and expand
upon ideas, scenarios, and a host of other situations in all subject areas. This "Hands-On" workshop will focus on Scratch
basics, lesson ideas, plus the opportunity to build your own Scratch project.
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