Technology @ May

Hi everyone. As you know May Community Academy is a Technology Magnet Cluster school within CPS. We strive to have a wide variety of technological resources available to help our students succeed. This week the Wednesday Web focuses on giving you some quick resources related to the technology in the building. It’s very possible that I’ve missed something. If I have please be sure to let me know. Remember, the goal of the Wednesday Web in blog format is to hear from you- what works/what doesn’t/what you would like to see more of, etc. I’d love to hear from you anytime. Email me at nmzumpano@cps.edu.

May Community Academy's Website
This year one of my goals is to revamp the website. This is a very time consuming process so I’m trying to schedule this into my day. Remember that the website contains hundreds of resources for teachers, parents, and students alike. If you have any recommendations for sites, or for the actual site itself please let me know. In the meantime, don’t forget to check it out when you are in need of lessons.




Turning Point Response Systems
We have one set of 32 response clickers in the building. Basically, you are creating an interactive PowerPoint. When you have multiple choice or true/false questions you can create them in a format that allows students to respond instantly, and then view the class responses as a whole. The website offers some self paced web and video tutorials. If you would like to try them out let me know. I can create the first PowerPoint for you to get you started.


AverMedia Digital Document Camera
We have 3 digital document cameras available for checkout. Digital document cameras are much more than an overhead on steroids. The website gives you ways to incorporate it into your classroom. Furthermore, I have two hard copies of potential lesson plans. If you want to check one out to get some ideas, please let me know.



Video Cameras in the Classroom
We also have 3 video cameras available for you to use as well. Consider recording your students speaking, and then as a class provide feedback. How about recording a science experiment and having the students explain how the scientific process was achieved. The website link offers some additional suggestions. Please note….the cameras take a few hours to charge. If you plan on checking one out, please give me 24 hours notice, or post to the resource calendar.



Wii Room
As I mentioned in the beginning of the year P.D., we have 3 Wii systems. Beyond the “virtual gym” aspect, if you know of any specific games you feel we should purchase or have suggestions as to how the room should be utilized, I’d love your suggestions.



Digital Cameras in the Classroom
There are digital cameras available for you to check out. The website here claims to have 1,001 uses for digital cameras in the classroom, but I haven’t checked it out yet. Again, 24 hour notice is appreciated. Don’t just limit yourself to our cameras, however. If you have your own and you are comfortable using it, consider purchasing a cheap SD card to house all of your school pictures.



Promethean ActivBoards and ActivVotes
Many of our primary classes house Promethean ActivBoards, and two more will be assigned to classrooms this year. We also have 2 sets of ActivVote systems, similar to the Response Clickers. Even if you don’t have an ActivBoard in your classroom, please consider visiting the Promethean Planet site. There are hundreds of flip charts available for free download, along with “themes” and “resource packs”. You may not be able to use them “interactively” but you can still use them. There is even a free “flipchart viewer” download page. Definitely worth a look!



Jeopardy Templates
We have a full blown Jeopardy set in the building. It can accommodate 4 teams of up to 6 players each. If you want to check it out (and need help setting it up) give me some notice- its time consuming! In the meantime, here are some Jeopardy/PowerPoint templates…



BrainPop
May has a subscription to BrainPop, which also includes BrainPop Jr. for younger students. Please email me if you need (or lost) the login information.



Explore Learning's Gizmos
We also subscribe to Explore Learning’s “Gizmos” which are interactive on-line science and math activities. Ms. Goyal (4th grade) is a wiz with the Gizmos so I’m sure she wouldn’t mind if you asked her about them.



Atomic Learning
Soon we will have a yearly subscription to Atomic Learning. This site is a subscription-based tutorial site where you can watch short clips on virtually all types of computer software.



May's Blog
Don’t forget to post to our blog! If you would like me to post a question for your students (and everyone else) on the blog site, please let me know. If you need help setting up your own classroom blog and need some samples or instruction, see me for that too.




May's Wiki
May’s wiki from last year was mainly set up to house our involvement in Reach the World: Bike Africa and my Dell TechKnow computer program.


May's Twitter Page
My goal is to make our Twitter page an active one, especially with students and parents! I set it up for people to track our trip to Stanford. Please consider “following” us.