Lincoln Tech Update

Hello all,

This is a technology update for 9/22/2008.

What is wrong with the Internet?  Is Anything Being Done? Yes, I know it’s extremely frustrating when the Internet keeps going down.  The reality is the internets at Lincoln are antiquated.  I’ve been informed that they are going to begin to improve our network this year.  I’ve seen actual, physical plans for new drops in the rooms and wireless Internet schoolwide.  I’m crossing my fingers with the rest of you.  We indicated where we need more Internet drops based on our knowledge.  If you have long blue cables running around your room or a switch sharing multiple computers, you need more Internet drops.  Please let us know.  We probably remembered about 75% of the needs.  Remind us by email if you have a unique situation or comment below.

Websites Worth Checking Out. One comment made by the accreditation team was bringing the resources of the Internet into our classrooms to supplement our instruction.  Here’s a number of sites worth checking out:

Hippocampus. Free videos, animations, and demonstrations in all subjects.  Great for explaining that really difficult concept.  Check out the subjects: Algebra, Government, Biology, Calculus, Environmental Science, Physics, AP Physics, Psychology, Statistics and US History.

Library Resources. The library and the district pay for a number premium services of a number of websites.  These are great for research, whether for creating a research paper or PowerPoint presentations.

Opposing Views and the SIRS database in the Library Resources listed above.  Two invaluable websites where opposing viewpoints can be found on a variety of contemporary issues.

Student blogging.  We’ve already doubled the interested teachers in having students create blogs and write in their content area.  Blogging is similar to journaling, but permits more interaction among students.  Read this post if you are curious about the value of blogging.

Free blogging sites for students or yourself: Blogger and Wordpress

A good sample blog from another school is here.  Sean Leys showed me this one: Roosevelt HS Blog

Lincoln HS Calendar on Google Calendar. If you use Google Calendar, I created a public calendar you can add.  Go to Google Calendar and search Public Calendars.  Search for “Lincoln HS” and add it to your IGoogle or Calendar page.

Morning Announcements Online and on your IPod: You can now listen to morning announcements online and on your IPod.  Let your students know.  Also, if you want to post an audio or video production with your classes, no stopping us now.

Additional Resources at Lincoln. We have a video editing lab with Final Cut Studio, Vegas Studio, IMovie, and Movie Maker.  If you wish to use this lab or schedule a class of students in the video lab, don’t be shy.  We also have cameras for checkout to record any event.  I want to make sure everyone is aware of these resources available to our students.

Student Emails. I’ve been promised the student emails today.  I plan to distribute lists of all classes with student emails next week.

Upcoming Thursday’s Workshop.  September 25, 2008, 3:15 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.  Using the Lincoln Forums. On Thursday, I will conduct a workshop in Room 209 after school regarding posting assignments, documents, resources, and information on the Lincoln website for your classes to access.   It’s really simple and can offer your students another way of accessing your curriculum away from your class.  Forums are accessed here.

Again, stop by if you need help with anything or send an email to mskramst@lausd.net.

Until next time, Skramstad

skramstad Updates, Workshops google, resources, Updates, websites

My goal of this Easy Grade Pro workshop is to make the key features as simple as possible.  Avoid getting bogged down in all the advanced features at this time.

Learn some of intermediate tricks and tips of Easy Grade Pro, including setting up class for quarters, printing custom reports, using weights in grading, and other tricks you never knew were possible. (I’m not on the EGP payroll). Why are you resisting making your life easier? You will go away a happier person…

Easy Grade Pro printable guide

Sample gradebook

skramstad Workshops egp, Workshops

Hello all!

We’re back.  I hope you haven’t lost your voice yet.  I’d like to take a moment of time to introduce myself.  I’m Mike Skramstad, Technology Coordinator at Lincoln High School.  You can find me at Room 209.  I’m more than willing to assist with a variety of your technology issues working with your students.

Last year, I’ve seen significant strides with technology from our new video editing lab to the rolling laptop carts and upgrades with all of our computer labs.  We have the technology resources to accomplish great things!  Want to see some sample projects and Student Movies from last year or one of our first efforts at student blogging.  (oh yea, the secret password is: included in your email)

Let me provide some information about a variety of issues and review some items for new teachers.

Easy Grade Pro Assistance. A number of Lincoln faculty use Easy Grade Pro for their rollbooks. I have ordered and received the newest version, which has a variety of new features.  If you would like it installed, let me know and we’ll update your computer or add it on.

The earlier, the better to start using Easy Grade Pro.  Ask Clayton in the computer room for an export of your classes on a flash drive.  I’m willing to assist you with 1) setting up a new grade book, 2) learning basic Easy Grade Pro functions, and 3) get the crash course of electronic grading.  Stop by during your conference period, but call ahead to make sure I’m not on the run.  Next Tuesday and Thursday next week after school, I will provide a short in-service on using Easy Grade Pro.  I will keep you posted next week.

You can access a blank EGP template for the old version here and the new version here.  I set up the calendar to import into your existing gradebook.

Technology Lesson Planning. If you have an idea for a technology project, let me know and I’ll help you find resources and templates to make the lesson run smoothly.  Many grants are available for more involved projects, and I’m willing to assist in writing it up, but I need details of your ideas.

Student Email Addresses. I’d like to invite all English teachers to bring their classes to the lab to set up and use their email addresses provided by the District.  These email are provided using a GMail type interface.  We would then be able to show them how to use Google Documents for writing and storing essays online.  This would be a great help to all content area teachers having their students prepared with this basic expectation.  Please email me or add a comment below if you want to set up a time to bring your English classes.

Check this short video about Google Documents.

Computer Labs. Any teacher can schedule in the computer labs in a couple weeks when room assignments are ironed out to work on a technology project.  The schedule is online (Technology–>Lab Schedule) and you can sign up by sending me an email or coming to Room 209.  Include periods and a brief description of what you are planning.  Also, please make your students aware of the availability of computer labs in a room to be determined during lunch, nutrition, and possibly after school.  Student can type, scan, print or research on the Internet at these times.

Technology Workshops. Last year I offered a variety of technology workshops on a number of topics, from word processing to video editing.  I had minimal participation after school, and would like to hear any suggestions for future technology training.

LAUSD Email. It would really be helpful if people checked their LAUSD email as often as you can, so we can keep people informed about events and news.  I know we’ve all sorted through our pile of announcements from our box after the date at times.  I think we should schedule a secret party via email with lots of sweets.

Lincoln website. The Lincoln website can be accessed at lincolnhs.org or lincolntigers.org and even abraham-lincoln-hs.org.  You do not need to worry about anything else.  It will redirect you to the site.

That’s a mouthful for this week.  I’ll try to keep you updated as the year advances.  You can best reach me at mskramst@lausd.net and it’s probably better than talking to me in the hall since an email leaves a permanent record.  And I talk to lots of people in the hall.

Until next time,

Skramstad

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