Sunday, September 16, 2012

Enjoying the moment

Hiking on a beautiful day!

Wednesday, April 11, 2012

FakeFlash Malware - RealThreat or FakeThreat?

A number of teachers here at Foote (and a few hundred thousand Mac users around the world) have expressed concern over FakeFlash -  a Mac malware program that has gotten much attention in the Apple computing community recently.  

The main answer to everyone’s question: “Our computers here appear to be as safe as before the threat.”  That said, many of you have had questions about the details and about home computers.  This note will help address some of those questions and concerns about your Mac at home.

Here are the main questions being asked:
  1. Is this really a threat? 
  2. Can I tell if I am infected?
  3. How can I protect my computer in the future?
For answers to these and a few other questions, I put together a response that might help. (click the link below)


Please let us know if you have other questions.

The Tech Team



Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Foote SmartBoard Webinar

A number of brave Foote teachers persevered today and braved the elements by choosing to stay and hear a webinar sponsored by Smart Technologies but created and delivered by three educators who have been recognized as leaders in their schools because of their success with integrating technology into math and science courses.  This information, however, has some valuable for teachers of all disciplines.

Though we had a great turnout (thanks to Joe's insight and interest in making this webinar work at Foote and to Heather's very generous offer to sweeten the pot by bringing her renowned math & munchies goodies) there were a few who could not make it to the Twichel room to watch these presentations.

Because of a few technical glitches, this took a bit longer than anticipated to post, but the following three video clips are here for those of us (me) who couldn't keep up with the flood of information -- now we can hit pause whenever you want.  Also, I included links to the resources they mention.

I hope those who came will post some comments here as well as links to additional resources.


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Smart STEM Workshop Webinar - Part 1 - Robert Goodman.mov

SmartBoard Webinar (February, 29 2012) Part 1 of 3




Bob Goodman briefly presents information that shows students in his district's programs are doing much better than average because of a number of successful initiatives they have recently adopted.  A significant part of that success, he says, is because of the transformative effect which comes from making classes more interactive with SmartBoard tools.

See more about the "Center for Learning and Teaching" and these initiatives he touches on here:
http://njctl.org/

The Progressive Math and Science Initiatives (PSI / PMI) he mentions are here:
The Progressive Math Initiative Courses
http://njctl.org/courses/math/

The Progressive Science Initiative Courses
http://njctl.org/courses/science/




(This info is part of the SMART winter 2012 webinar series –
Discover New Ways to Bring Math and Science to Life in the Classroom
and was recorded for the Foote school faculty who could not make it to the professional development webinar.  It is not intended for resale or monetary gain.)




Part 1:
http://youtu.be/sDzFhaGmxDs
Part 2:
http://youtu.be/TdNvUsunFRQ
Part 3:
http://youtu.be/zS7-DwO3QoE


Other Resources:
Smart Exchange
http://exchange.smarttech.com/search.html


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Smart STEM Workshop Webinar - Part 2 - Kristen Stephens

SmartBoard Webinar (February, 29 2012) Part 2 of 3



Kristen Stephens says the Smart Response XE (audience response clickers with a full keyboard)
http://bit.ly/mm29_smart_clickers
gives her "immediate insight into her students’ understanding is one of the reasons why she,  values her SMARTResponse system.  Because Stephens teaches algebra 1, advanced placement calculus and introduction to calculus and statistics, she uses the only interactive response system that features a full QWERTY keyboard.

“With SMART Response, every benchmark gets tested twice, and it does it in 10 minutes. If kids still need help on the second time around, within 10 seconds after they hit submit, I have the data and I know exactly what they need help on.”


She is the mathematics department chair at Rocky River High School in Rocky River, Ohio
http://rrcs.org/rockyriverhighschool_home.aspx
http://www.rrcs.org/KristenStephens.aspx


(This info is part of the SMART winter 2012 webinar series –
Discover New Ways to Bring Math and Science to Life in the Classroom
and was recorded for the Foote school faculty who could not make it to the professional development webinar.  It is not intended for resale or monetary gain.)




Part 1:
http://youtu.be/sDzFhaGmxDs
Part 2:
http://youtu.be/TdNvUsunFRQ
Part 3:
http://youtu.be/zS7-DwO3QoE


Other Resources:
Smart Exchange
http://exchange.smarttech.com/search.html




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Smart STEM Workshop Webinar - Part 3 - Winnie Litten

SmartBoard Webinar (February, 29 2012) Part 3 of 3




In this video, Winnie Litten talks about how her SmartBoard and SmartNotebook lessons have transformed her classes and improved her science labs.


(This info is part of the SMART winter 2012 webinar series –
Discover New Ways to Bring Math and Science to Life in the Classroom
and was recorded for the Foote school faculty who could not make it to the professional development webinar.  It is not intended for resale or monetary gain.)



SMART Exemplary Educator application video.
Winnie Litten, Oak Park High School
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d9JbzEWgdoA




Part 1:
http://youtu.be/sDzFhaGmxDs
Part 2:
http://youtu.be/TdNvUsunFRQ
Part 3:
http://youtu.be/zS7-DwO3QoE


Other Resources:
Smart Exchange
http://exchange.smarttech.com/search.html

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Recently reading the Eight Realizations of the Great Beings and a commentary by Thich Nhat Hanh made me think about how a teacher in todays schools might approach keeping up with the rapid and often painfil changes in technology.

Recently reading the Eight Realizations of the Great Beings and a commentary by Thich Nhat Hanh made me think about how a teacher in todays schools might approach keeping up with the rapid and often painfil changes in technology.


Eight Realizations for Technology and Education


The first realization is the awareness that the world is impermanent. Technology changes too rapidly for any sane person to keep up.

The second realization
Too much desire brings more suffering. Don't expect too much too soon. Baby steps.

The third realization
Be aware that the human mind is always searching for possessions and never feels fulfilled. Gathering too much is a trap.


The fourth realization
laziness is an obstacle
practice diligently .

The fifth realization
ignorance causes suffering. remember to listen and learn in order to develop understanding and eloquence.


The sixth realization
be generous. Treat all as equals.

The seventh realization
desire leads to difficulties. Although we are in this work
we should try not to be caught up in it. Live simply.

The eighth realization
the fire of change is causing endless suffering everywhere. We should help everyone we can.

One source of the Eight Realizations in their original form.

http://www.buddhanet.net/pdf_file/beingssutra.pdf

http://www.drewking.com/8Great.htm