5/22/2012
Tierney Brothers K-12 Tech Update 5-22-12
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Free Webinars
Upcoming Training/Professional Development Classes
Blog Posts
Latest News
Grad Credit Now available for those who attend SMART User Conference IT4Educators and NDSU are proud to offer 1 Semester Credit in conjunction with the SMART User Conferences (Summer 2012), hosted by Tierney Brothers.
Conference Description:
Users will attend a SMART professional development session with people who teach the same content area(s) or grade level(s) as you. Transform your instructional practices using SMART Notebook software. This hands-on workshop will lay a foundation for you to incorporate 21st century skills within SMART Notebook lessons to drive student engagement.
More info on SMART User Conference or to Register:
http://www.tierneybrothers.com/training/26482/SMARTUserConference.aspx
*register with coupon code SMARTCONFEARLY before 5/31/11 to receive a $10 discount
More info on the Grad Credit Option is available here:
http://www.it4educators.com/main/ndsu_SmartUserConference.aspx
June 12 – Sun Prairie, WI
June 18 – Waukesha, WI
August 7 – Earlham, IA
August 8 – Cedar Rapids, IA
August 14 – Cloquet, MN
August 21 – Wausau, WI
August 23 – Hastings, MN
Time: 9:00am-3:30pm
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Tierney Brothers now offering Priority Service & Support Upgrade
As of March 1st, 2012 Tierney Brothers is now offering a priority service and support upgrade for our K12 customers. Features include:
• Extended 2 Year Warranty on SMART Boards
• 2 hour phone/email response time
• Customized email address for reporting issues
• Loaner Projector Program
• Unlimited Advanced Phone Support
• 48 hour on-site response
• SMART Board Registration
For full details, Click Here
To obtain priority service, you must contact a Tierney Brothers, Inc. Advanced Support Specialist at 800-933-7337 or by email at Advancedsupport@tierneybrothers.com
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Anyone in your district looking to become a SMART Certified Trainer?
As an official SMART Certified Training Center Tierney Brothers now provides SMART Certification Training for others. Click for more information about official SMART Notebook Certification, SMART Response Certification and SMART Table Certification.
If you or your organization provides training on SMART products, then consider SMART Certification Training. SMART Certification Training goes beyond the basics with extensive hands-on training that enables you to train others effectively. The credential you will receive gives you the required skills to deliver high-quality training for SMART Board interactive whiteboards.
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Registration now open for edcampMSP
For those of you who have never gone to an EdCamp before, please realize this will be different than any other conference that you will attend. Why? This is an unconference.
The first thing that makes it different is the schedule. The philosophy of EdCamp is that there is no need to pay for speakers to come and talk about teaching, instead participants are the ones who facilitate the sessions on teaching and learning. Therefore, right away in the morning there will be at least 40 different opportunities to allow presenters to present (yes, people will start lining up before the doors open). That is how the schedule will be built.
EdCamp Minneapolis-St. Paul should be a great day of learning! Even if you don’t feel like facilitating a session, please come ready to share ideas.
More info and registration:
http://blogs.district279.org/edcamp2012/
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PBS terminates U.S. K12 digital distribution agreements with Discovery Education & Learn360, expands with SAFARI Montage
PBS has terminated its U.S. K-12 digital distribution agreements with Discovery Education and Learn360 as of June 30, 2012.
SAFARI Montage is proud to announce the renewal and expansion of their K-12 digital relationship with PBS (Public Broadcasting Service). Beginning July 1, 2012, SAFARI Montage will become the primary major commercial digital distributor of PBS' library of full-length programs to schools nationwide. This deal begins a new chapter in a long-standing relationship for SAFARI Montage, the premier digital content provider to K-12 classrooms, and PBS, the world renowned U.S. network of educational programming. SAFARI Montage has carried hundreds of essential K-12 PBS digital series and programs since 2005, and will be adding hundreds more PBS/WGBH programs during the next year.
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Upcoming Webinars
SAFARI Montage: Digital Curriculum Management & Distribution Overview
Learn about SAFARI Montage digital curriculum management system in this complimentary overview.
SAFARI Montage provides K-12 school districts with a comprehensive solution for their digital media networking and visual instruction needs. The full suite of integrated products provides a single interface for accessing all visual resources from inside the school district intranet or from home.
Click Here for more info or to view the webinar
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Upcoming Training/Professional Development
Official SMART Notebook 11 Re-Certification
This course is only available for persons certified on SMART Notebook Software verison 10. Anyone not certified on version 10 would need to attend a full certification session in order to obtain a Version 11 certification.
The cost of this course includes the cost to take the re-certification assessment which participants can take after the course is completed.
This course is an official SMART Notebook 11 re-certification provided by a SMART Certified Training Center and will cover what's new in SMART Notebook version 11 software.
More Info and Register Here
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Using SMART Boards & SMART Notebook in the Classroom part 1 of 2
This course is designed to:
• Develop and extend the SMART integration skills of teachers and other educational professionals which will simplify and deepen daily practice with the SMART Board™ interactive whiteboard and SMART Notebook software.
• Support hands-on and true integration learning opportunities.
Content and learning opportunities covered:
· Interaction with and integration of the SMART Tools, Floating Tools, Object Settings, and Side Tabs.
· Best practice strategies for lesson creation and student engagement.
· Implementation and integration strategies for lesson management and classroom management.
· Intentional State Standards and Common Core alignment.
· Effective investigation of the SMART Exchange and modification of downloaded lessons, with teacher content creation and collaboration session.
More Info and Register Here
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Using SMART Response in the Classroom part 1 of 2
This course is designed to:
• Develop and extend the SMART Response integration skills of teachers and other educational professionals which will simplify and deepen the data collection and investigation process with the SMART Response units and SMART Notebook software.
• Support hands-on and true integration learning opportunities.
Content and learning opportunities covered:
· Interaction with and integration of the Teacher File Set-Up,
· Formative Assessment Creation, and Summative Assessment Creation.
· Best practice strategies for assessment creation and student engagement.
· Implementation and integration strategies for lesson management and classroom management.
· Intentional State Standards and Common Core alignment.
· Effective investigation of the SMART Exchange and modification of downloaded assessments with teacher assessment creation and collaboration session.
More Info and Register Here
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Blog Posts
Four Web 2.0 Tools for the Classroom
1. Scrapblog
Taking and sharing photos has become part of our everyday lives. We constantly take photos and create videos, and we instantly upload and share them. And we do it because there’s no better way to tell stories. We created Scrapblog because we wanted to go beyond the ho-hum online slideshow. With Scrapblog, your photos and videos become the stars of all the stories you want to tell: the great vacation you just took, your kids’ most excellent adventures, your best friend’s wedding, or just a day in the park with family. And we know that not everybody’s a computer whiz or a design star, so we made it super easy to use. Drag and drop to create, share with one click – you get the picture.
Click Here
2. Wibbitz
Wibbitz is an innovative technological company creating a new visual way of experiencing content. By analyzing text we can deeply understand exactly what it’s talking about. Our Text-To-Video Platform can then match the best visual representation for the text, add voice-over narration and generate an engaging video out of it. These videos create an enhanced lean-back viewing experience that can be watched on any device. Using Wibbitz almost any article, post or feed on the web can be instantly turned into a short video clip.
Click Here
3. Google Drive
Google Drive is everywhere you are—on the web, in your home, at the office and on the go. So wherever you are, your stuff is just...there. Ready to go, ready to share.
Click Here
4. Pixton
Click Here
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Four iPad Apps for the Classroom
1. ScreenChomp
ScreenChomp is a doodling tool that will record your actions as well as your voice. Great for classroom assignments that require showing your work as well as explaining your steps. When you select to share your recording a simple weblink is created that you can share anywhere, or you can directly link into Facebook.
Click Here
2. T-Charts (Pros and Cons)
T-Charts (Pros and Cons) is a simple T-charts program that has numerous educational applications. After selecting a topic, students can use this app to list the pros and cons, assign weight to each factor listed, and email the lists to others for discussion purposes.
Click Here
3. Pocket Zoo HD
Pocket Zoo HD puts your very own zoo at your fingertips. The Zoo (app) is complete with a map, videos, and live webcams into zoos throughout the World. The webcams include animals like Shamu at Sea World, a Manatee at the Dallas Aquarium, a Giraffe in Tokyo, and more than 20 others. Each animal shown on the map when clicked offers information including Scientific Name, Location, Diet, Size, Lifespan, and Survival Status. This app is a great source of information as well as fun!
Click Here
4. Videolicious
Videolicious is a fast way to create great looking videos. There are three easy steps: Choose your shots, record an explanation or story, then choose your music. The shots, both video and still, are then edited and layered together with your voice and music to create a cohesive video. Share created videos on Facebook, YouTube, or through email. This is a great app for both students and teachers.
Click Here
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Tech Tip: Update the firmware on your SMART Board
Please use the steps below to update the Firmware. It’s the process that will give you the best results without error. Balloon pop ups aren’t always very accurate and can be problematic. You will need to update the firmware using only a 16’ USB cable. You cannot update firmware using a Wireless Kit or thru Cat5 Extenders and USB Extenders. Using the method below, you shouldn’t see the firmware trying to “downgrade” to version 4 from 5.
SMART Firmware updating:
Hit the “?” on the Pen Tray
Click the “Technical Support” icon
Click “Tools”
Click “Diagnostics”
Click the “View” Tab at the top
Click “600 Series Setup” or “SBX800 Bar” (choose your model)
Click the “Flash” button
Hit Next twice
This will bring you to the actual Firmware screen
Check the “Update” box and hit Next.
Follow any prompts to begin the Update.
The Smart Board’s status light will blink Amber while the firmware is being loaded.
After it has successfully completed, launch the Orient Screen and complete the Orient process.
Feel free to contact our Technical Service department at 612-331-5500 (option 2) or email us at technicalsupport@tierneybros.com.
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