Instructional Technology Workshops

Workshops

The dates for technology workshops are listed each semester on the district web site. Sessions are usually held after school, beginning at 3:45 in the IT Training lab, Room 4, Lee Junior High. All workshops are hands-on. Due to the limited number of computers available, pre-registration is required. To register for any workshop, call IT by the stated deadline. Please note: A minimum of 10 people must be enrolled in a class in order for it to be held as scheduled.

Most workshops can be held on-site. To make arrangements for one to be held at your school, please call IT.

Applications

Basic PC Housekeeping and Maintenance (1.5 hours)
Computer care and maintenance is often overlooked by the average user. Yet, taking a few precautions as you work, and learning to use the computer and its file system properly, can save you trouble in the long run.

Blackboard (1 hour)
An introduction to the Blackboard e-Education platform is provided. Learn to access and navigate the MCS Blackboard site.

CPS - Classroom Performance Systems (2 hours)
CPS provides instant feedback by allowing all students to answer questions at once and generate reports to help you customize instruction. Participants who complete the training can check-out a classroom set of 30 units from the IT office.

CPS II - Classroom Performance Systems (2 hours)
Take it one step further and learn how to create interactive games, integrate PowerPoint presentations, and design detailed assessments

Digital Cameras (1.5 hours)
Just point, center the subject in the view window, and click. It really is that simple to take good digital pictures with the Sony Mavica. Project-based lesson ideas that utilize the digital camera are also presented. Each MCS school library has a Mavica camera available for checkout.

Downloading 101 (1.5 hours)
Do you ever wonder where those downloads go? Do you wonder if you should close the box when the download completes? How about the frustrating message that asks you which application you want to use to open the download? Come find out the answers to these and other questions. Prerequisite: Windows Basics (or basic knowledge of Windows functions)

EBSCO (2.0)
A fully integrated database containing thousands of curriculum-targeted primary documents, biographies, topical essays, background information, critical analyses, full-text coverage of 800 magazines, and over 10,000 photographs. Learn how to navigate the Student Research Center, Kids Search, Literary Reference, and Novelist databases.

Email Basics (1.5 hours)
Email is a snap with the district web-based program, IceWarp. Learn how to send, receive, and reply to messages.

Email 2 (1.5 hours)
A continuation of the basics class that shows you how to set up a list, create and organize mailboxes, and use other program functions.

Find It! (1.5 hours)
An overview and comparison of the major search engines along with tips for finding online information in a quick and efficient manner. Prerequisite: IE Basics (or knowledge of IE functions).

GPS (2 hours)
Basic knowledge and skills needed to use geographic information system (GIS) and Global Positioning System (GPS) in the classroom will be provided. Participants will be eligible to check-out a classroom set of 30 from the IT office.

Grab a Graphic (2 hours)
Can't draw? Here's where to find free graphic libraries on the web. And once you've found them, learn how to crop, reduce, change formats, and to customize them for your documents.

Inspiration: Creating Thinking Maps (2 hours)
Thinking Maps integrate thinking skills and mapping techniques by allowing students to organize information and develop concepts. Learn how to make all eight types of maps with Inspiration, an easy to use graphic organizer application.

Inspiration: Graphic Organizers for the Comprehensive Curriculum (2 hours)
Many of the Comprehensive Curriculum activities call for the use of graphic organizers. Let Inspiration help you create the templates you need to complete the activities. Participants will receive a variety of templates.

Inspiration: Project-based Activities (2 hours)
Designed for INTECH attendees who may need a little reminder about some of the program features and functions as well as additional integration ideas and activities.

Internet Explorer Basics (1.5 hours)
Surfing the World Wide Web is as simple as "point and click" with the super friendly web browser, Internet Explorer. Topics include selecting links, entering URL's, setting Favorites, searching for information, saving pages, etc.

Internet Explorer II (1.5 hours)
A continuation of the basics class that covers additional program features, including program preferences, downloading files, organizing Favorites, etc. Prerequisite: IE Basics (or knowledge of IE functions)

Introduction to Word Processing (2 hours)
Designed for the new user, the workshop covers basic word processing functions such as text selection and editing; word wrap; copy, cut, and paste functions; document formatting; and saving a file. A must workshop for those new to the computer regardless of platform or the word processing program being used! Prerequisite: Keyboarding Skills

IrfanView (2 hours)
IrfanView is a very fast, small, compact and innovative freeware graphic viewer for Windows that allows you to edit your digital photos and graphics. Learn how to download the program and use its basic functions. IrfanView is available on all district lab computers.

KidPix: Project-based Activities (2 hours)
Designed for INTECH attendees who may need a little reminder about some of the program features and functions as well as additional integration ideas and activities.

LPB Cyberchannel (2 hours)
LPB Cyberchannel is a digital video-on-demand service designed for the teacher who wants to enhance lessons with video. Learn how to stream or download over 22,000 video content clips and 2,200 full video titles from Discovery School and other award-winning producers. All the video content is correlated to the state standards, and an average of 300-400 new video titles are added annually.

MCS Website Tour (1 hour)
An overview of the MCS information available online, including contact information, professional development, departments, schools, curriculum materials, training guides, online resources, etc. Guidelines for adding information to the site are provided.

MS Access (2 hours)
MS Access is used to create a database (a collection of records organized into fields or categories for some specific purpose). Learn to create forms, tables, and reports.

MS Excel (2 hours)
Create a spreadsheet, set up a budget, input data, and then graphically display the information in a bar chart, line chart, or pie chart.

MS Excel: Interactive Projects (2 hours)
Learn to create interactive puzzles, maps and drawings which you and your students can configure to inform and instruct. What a great way to point out geographical features on a map or to teach the parts of the digestive system or to review information in a crossword puzzle….

MS Excel: Project-based Activities (2 hours)
Yes, your students can engage in higher-order activities that require the manipulation and presentation of data with MS Excel. Simple projects that utilize graphs, charts, flashcards, etc. will be presented.

MS PowerPoint (2 hours)
It's so easy to make a professional-looking presentation with Microsoft PowerPoint. Learn how to use the Wizard and basic program features.

MS PowerPoint II (2 hours)
Learn the more advanced features of PowerPoint such as animation, transitions, inserting audio and video, etc.

MS PowerPoint: Project-based Activities (2 hours)
It is not just a presentation program - MS PowerPoint can be used across the curriculum to create project-based activities correlated to the LA Content Standards. Participants will learn how to create interactive reports, puzzles and informational kiosks.

MS Publisher Basics (2 hours)
What a painless way to create flyers, brochures, invitations, banners, letterheads, etc! All of your desktop publishing needs can be met with one easy to use program. Learn how to use the wizard to create an assortment of professional-looking documents.

MS Publisher: Creating Newsletters (2 hours)
Keep your colleagues, administration, and parents informed with a classroom or school newsletter. You will be amazed at how easy it is to create one using Publisher.

MS Word: Creating a Calendar and a Certificate (2 hours)
No need to buy expensive calendars or achievement certificates as you can create your own using MS Word Templates. This workshop will teach you how. Prerequisite: Keyboarding skills and MS Word workshop (or basic knowledge of word processing functions).

MS Word: Creating Forms (2 hours)
Don’t you just hate those lines that move when you have to complete a form? Learn how to create interactive forms that look professional and function properly. This workshop will focus on creating tables and forms with "user-fillable" fields.

MS Word: Creating Tables (2 hours)
Confused about tables – what they can be used for and how to create one? Learn how to create, size, sort, customize, and utilize this Microsoft Word function. Prerequisite: Keyboarding skills and MS Word workshop (or basic knowledge of word processing functions).

MS Word (3 hours)
Create professional documents with this popular word processing program. Learn how to generate letters, memos, lesson plans, tests, etc. Prerequisite: Keyboarding skills and Introduction to Word Processing workshop (or basic knowledge of word processing functions).

MS Word: Project-based Activities (2 hours)
MS Word can be used across the curriculum to create project-based activities correlated to the LA Content Standards. From iconic story writing to creating personal and historical timelines, Word is a versatile program that can transform routine paper/pencil activities into engaging, interactive ones.

MS Word: WordArt and Draw (2 hours)
Learn how to use WordArt and Draw to spice up documents or to create works of art. No artistic skills are needed as the program will do it all! Prerequisite: Keyboarding skills and MS Word workshop (or basic knowledge of word processing functions).

Making Connections, MC Lesson Plan Builder and Thinkfinity (2 hours)
A virtual resource center for teachers to obtain lesson plans, web sites, assessment items, and software that support the LA content standards. Both the Making Connections and Thinkfinity databases contain standards-based Internet content for the K-12 teacher and classroom adopted by the SDE. The Lesson Plan Builder is an online lesson plan template with interactive functions. A wealth of resources for the classroom teacher can be found at this SDE site.

Math Corner (1.5 hours)
This course, which is available through SuccessMaker, provides virtual manipulatives with which students get hands-on experience with fraction strips, attribute blocks, place value cubes, geoboards, money, etc.

PASCO Probeware (4 hours)
Hands-on, minds-on science that will excite students and engage them in authentic experiences is explored through the use of probeware. Bundles include Noodling with Newton, Force and Motion, Electrifying Energy, and Measuring Matter. Einstein COW, which contains all the software and hardware need to conduct activities, is available for checkout from Instructional Technology.

Picture This! (4 hours)
Pair the digital camera with writing across the curriculum to have a winning combination that will add magic to your classroom. In this workshop teachers will glean ideas for using the digital camera to enhance writing skills in all areas of the curriculum. Teachers will create several projects using Microsoft Word, Microsoft PowerPoint, KidPix, and Timeliner. To add further magic to the classroom, Windows Movie Maker and Irfanview will be introduced.

Storypainter (1.5 hours)
Available through SuccessMaker, Story Painter is a multimedia-based interactive writing and drawing tool designed for primary grade students. Students can type, draw and paint, and record their voices to create stories and reports.

TrackStar (2 hours)
TrackStar is your starting point for online lessons and activities. Simply collect Web sites, enter them into TrackStar, add annotations for your students, and you have an interactive, online lesson called a Track. Create your own Track or use one of the hundreds of thousands already made by other educators. Search the database by subject, grade, or theme and standard for a quick and easy activity.

Web Site Evaluation (1.5 hours)
All web sites are not equal! Evaluation is an important skill to learn in this age of digital and information literacy. Students and teachers need practice in critically examining sites to determine authority, authenticity, and applicability to purpose.

Windows I (2 hours)
An overview of the basic functions of the Windows interface. Learn how to manage your files, run applications, and create directories. A must workshop for PC users!

Windows II (2 hours)
A continuation of the basics class in which you will learn to use the Paint, Media Player, and accessory programs as well as a few tricks, tips, and shortcuts.

Windows Movie Maker (2.5 hours)
Windows Movie Maker is a free video-editing tool included with Microsoft Windows XP. With Movie Maker, you can make fun, educational videos that can shared across the Internet or burn to a CD or DVD. Movie Maker is easy for anyone to use, so don't be afraid to dive in, even if you're not a computer expert.

WorldBook (1.5 hours)
The online version of the encyclopedia set contains all of the print version text and illustrations plus many multi-media additions. Curriculum correlation guides will assist you with integration ideas. Attention foreign language teachers! The Spanish language version is also included in the online package.

Writer’s Studio (1.5 hours)
Writer's Studio is a course included in SuccessMaker. Presented on three levels (grades 3/4, 5/6, and 7/8), each level contains: guidance for the writing process stages; more than 100 writing assignments; detailed publishing ideas; and draft, revise, and proofread checklists. Learn how to incorporate this course (which features a project planner, prewriting tools, reference resources, writing journal, spell check, and audio help) into the ELA curriculum.