Elementary Technology Manual

Murray County Central 2009-2010

Hopefully this technology manual will help you with some everyday problems or questions that you may have! Can I download software such as Firefox, Smartboard software, educational games etc onto my computer? Yes! When you are choosing to download, make sure you are downloading for a MAC. After it has downloaded to the computer, double-click on it and the installer will walk you through the steps of how to install it. When it asks for your password – enter the password you use to log on to the computer. Software Update keeps popping up on my screen with updates, I usually just click the red X – is that what I should do? No, when that happens, the computer is telling you that Apple has important updates to keep the computer safe and up-to-date with software. Please click install. It will ask for your password, once again, it is the password that you use to log on to the computer. I leave my projector on all day, but when I don’t use it, I shut the little door on the front/hang a piece of paper on the light or just let the light shine, that’s okay right? No, please, please, please SHUT off the projector when it is not directly being used!! The projector bulbs are very expensive and the projectors themselves are also very expensive. We are very fortunate to have a district with the technology that we do – so please treat it kindly!

Do my kids need a seating chart in both of the computer labs? YES. The simple reason is this way we can narrow down if something is broken, not working right or if someone else’s information gets put in the garbage. How does the mobile lab work?

1. The mobile lab should be checked out. There will be a check out area behind the mobile cart – please make sure you are using it.

2. Teachers are responsible for GETTING AND RETURNING the carts to and from the computer lab in the library. Please do not send kids.

3. Teachers should plug and unplug the carts – this is for safety.

4. After you bring the lab to your room, be sure to plug the Ethernet cord into the wall to get the Internet (I have labeled the cord – “Plug me into the wall to get Internet!”)

5. Turn on the power strip after plugging the cart into the wall. Before you unplug the cart, shut off the power strip.

6. Return to the computer lab and plug it in and remember to turn on the power strip.

BLOGGING www.edublogs.org You are able to update your blog at school, at home, in Mexico, wherever you are as long as you have an internet connection you are ready to go!

Edublogs is ONLY for education and it’s FREE!! How easy is it??

1. Click the “Sign up for FREE” link 2. Enter in your information 3. Start blogging!

Once you have your blog started, here is a picture of what the “Write” part of the webpage looks like. This is where you will enter your daily assignments, updates, newsletters, upload PowerPoints, upload worksheets, etc.

1. Title – Enter a title for your blog – “Web Design Feb 10” 2. Post – What do you want your audience to read? Maybe it is a short summary of

the lesson; the assignment; a newsletter; an update to something….the list can go on and on

3. Tags – Tag your blog if you’d like with keywords (you don’t have to do this) 4. File – Choose to upload a file such as a worksheet, PowerPoint, etc so your

students or parents can pull down homework off of your blog or a newsletter 5. Title – Give your file a title “Chapter 3 Lecture” “Feb Newsletter” 6. Description – If you would like to, give a description of the file you are going to

upload 7. Upload – When you have attached your file, given a title, description, etc click

the upload button and wait for your file and information to upload. 8. Save & Continue Editing – do a quick save and keep editing your information

(**it will not publish to your blog, only saves it)

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9. Save – save your file for updating later (**it will not publish to your blog, only saves it)

10. Publish – go live to the web. After you have clicked this, your information will go to your blog immediately

MANAGING Your Blog

Blogging Con’t Change your background and the look of your blog

Click on PRESENTATION from the menu bar Choose your theme (pretty slick!) You are able to have your students comment on anything you post. Your students would go to your blog and “add a comment” under the post you’ve created. Imagine having an online discussion with your class!

My favorites and soon to be yours (hopefully)! www.mcc.mntm.org/smartboards.htm www.flashcardmachine.com - great site to make flashcards for FREE. You make your own with your own vocab words! http://jc-schools.net/tutorials/interactive.htm - an all interactive webpage for all curriculum areas. great to use with the smartboard! www.manythings.org/fc/plurals.htmls - plurals and singular nouns flash cards for free http://www.manythings.org/fc/states.html - states and capitals flash cards http://www.education-world.com/ lesson plans, technology integration, etc http://www.enchantedlearning.com/Home.html - One of Dante’s favorites and mine too! Math http://www.amblesideprimary.com/ambleweb/mentalmaths/additiontest.html - addition – would be great for the SmartBoard!!

http://funschool.kaboose.com/formula-fusion/games/game_bobbers_farm.html - math game for identifying fractions, odd and even numbers and prime numbers. http://www.funbrain.com/cashreg/index.html - Make Change Game http://www.fema.gov/kids/dizmath.htm Story Problem Math http://www.amblesideprimary.com/ambleweb/mentalmaths/dividermachine.html division - would be great for the smartboard! http://edweb.tusd.k12.az.us/ekowalcz/math/elementary_web_sites.htm -- this one website has over 25 math sites alone!! Social Studies http://www.sldirectory.com/teachf/socsci.html - a huge site with many links for social studies http://jc-schools.net/tutorials/interact-socst.htm - all interactive & great for the smartboard! Language Arts http://www.internet4classrooms.com/lang_elem.htm - 78 websites on this page alone

http://ettcweb.lr.k12.nj.us/forms/newpoem.htm - poetry http://www.bbc.co.uk/skillswise/words/grammar/interestsentences/compoundsentences/ compound sentences games, information and quizzes http://www.bbc.co.uk/skillswise/words/grammar/punctuation/commas/ comma usage, games, information and quizzes http://www.mrsgoldsclass.com/LanguageArts.htm - writing, reading, spelling and children’s author websites (tons of links) Science http://www.internet4classrooms.com/science_elem.htm - you choose the topic in science http://www.techtrekers.com/science.htm - an amazing website with TONS of information and lessons http://www.apples4theteacher.com/science.html - free interactive activities for kids – could use on smartboard http://www.sowashco.k12.mn.us/virtualmedia/elementary/science.htm - be sure to check this one out!! they have science fair info, the human body, museums, current events and more!

What is the best way to get a hold of Kara? I prefer email! I can check email no matter where I am! I have email installed on my phone and if I forget to take my phone with me, I can also check email on any computer that has the First Class Client. I usually try to get to your issue with-in 24 hours; however, some issues override others. I usually work on a first come first serve basis via email. I find that to be a fair system and I am a fair person. If you tell me something in person, I will probably forget it as I have a lot to remember for the district. Which is why I prefer it to be in email – it’s a written reminder! I know you can all appreciate that!! Please be sure to ask if you have questions over your technology or Smartboards. I don’t have all the questions, but I will try to help you find the answers. Don’t be afraid of the technology – your kids need it!! It’s their future! Embrace it…