2008 NETA Workshops
These optional workshops will really help you make the most of your conference experience. All workshops are hands-on experiences (unless otherwise noted) and will provide plenty of interaction and discussion time. The presenters are specially invited experts in each topic. Enter your selections on the registration form (or when you register online) and add $35.00 for each workshop (maximum of three). Include your payment with your conference registration. Workshop participants must also be registered for the conference.
Wednesday Evening, April 23
7:00–9:15 PM
W31 VideoCasting
Jan Tell & Maura Hendrickson, Grand Island Public Schools
Is podcasting intriguing, but frightening? Come work with us on creating your first podcast using VideoCue Pro. The presenters will share student projects and rubrics, and guide you through the development of a video podcast. Additional software options for podcasting will also be shared.
(Mac—Lobby B)
W32 PowerMediaPlus Hands-On
Beth Kabes, ESU#7-Columbus & Sandy White, ESU#13-Sidney
A workshop to better utilize the educational media-on-demand tool that blends standards-based multimedia with state-of-the-art curriculum integration. The media collection features all media types—3,300 videos; 23,000 core concept clips; 6,000 audio files, including speeches, audio books, and music; 25,000 educational photos, clip art images, and illustrations; and 5,000 print resources. Participants will learn how to search the collection and incorporate the media into classroom projects. The workshop will also review creating lesson plans, assignments and assessments using the PowerMedia Plus tool. (Windows—Salon A)
W33 Beyond Comics: Comic Life for the Classroom
Susan Prabulos, Meadow Lane Elementary, Lincoln Public Schools
Want a fun new way to get your students interested in learning? Come and create teacher tested classroom projects using the program Comic Life. The projects will cover language arts, science, social studies, art, and math. No experience with the program is necessary. (Mac—Salon B)
Thursday Morning, April 24
10:15 AM–12:30 PM
T11 Acrobat Pro: Interactive PDF Forms for Everyone! (THIS WORKSHOP IS FULL)
Graci Gillming, ESU#10
This workshop will emphasize how to create interactive PDF forms with Acrobat Pro Version 8. Learn how anyone with the free Adobe Reader program can now complete, print, save forms and even submit the form field information back to the originator. Returned forms can now be collected and compiled into a spreadsheet. Forms originally created in Word can now be turned into PDF forms quickly and easily with auto Form Field Recognition...simply amazing! (Mac—Lobby B)
T12 Online Classroom Management Using ANGEL
Joel Fritz, Waverly Public Schools
Learn how you can take your current class online using the ANGEL Learning Management System. Angel will allow students to take assessments online, give practice opportunities prior to assessments, upload documents for students to download later, create drop boxes for submitting completed work, discussion boards, podcasts and more. The workshop will focus on setting up a class in ANGEL. You will learn how to create an assessment for use online, how to upload documents, how to use a drop box, and
more if time permits. (Windows—Salon A)
T13 Web Widgets: Fresh & Interactive Content for Your Site
Tony Vincent, Educator and Consultant
Web widgets can bring new life to a classroom site. Web widgets are little bits of code you embed into a
webpage or blog. Once a widget is placed on a page, it can grab updated information or display interactive content. Learn about places to find, customize, and use free Web widgets that display their information right on your own site. Examples include word of the day, daily riddles, educational videos, audio files, photo albums, games, and polls. Your website or blog will thank you for the fresh content! (Mac—Salon B)
Thursday afternoon, April 24 2:00–4:15 PM
T21 Don’t Be In Jeopardy: Daily Integration of Technology
Nicole Badgley, Arnold Public Schools
Participants will play Jeopardy to select the subjects, software, and overall categories for hands-on exploration. Technology can be infused in so many interesting and creative ways in the Language Arts classroom. Go beyond classroom management and word processing to reach students in a variety of formats. Learn to use music, video, interactive web pages, email, etc. to interest and motivate students to learn and enjoy literature, research, grammar, writing, journalism, and speech. (Mac—Lobby B)
T22 Photoshop Elements & Premier Elements—Connect Curriculum with Creativity
(THIS WORKSHOP IS FULL)
Sara Martin, Adobe Education Leader
This workshop focuses on Adobe’s most affordable and versatile software bundles; Photoshop Elements
and Premier Elements. Projects will teach basic Photoshop skills: layers, shapes, filters, graphics, and
digital editing. Video editing skills include: capturing video, organizing, assembling and editing clips;
adding effects, transitions, sound; adding title and credits; exporting movies and practical strategies for
implementing video production in the classroom. The presenter will also share how to integrate the
programs into grades 6-8 lessons in language arts, history, science, and math. (Windows—Salon A)
T23 Using GPS and Mashups in your Classroom
Bob Goeman & Paul Clark, UNO
Are you ready to create 21st Century learning experiences? In this workshop, you will learn how to
utilize Web 2.0 applications to develop and implement curriculum using open source applications to
create your own annotated, customized maps, complete with place marks, lines or shapes. You will also add text, photos, and videos and then share your maps with students and the world. Also learn GPS
techniques with hands-on geocaching and use the digital data and online resources to create mashups for support of educational learning opportunities (Mac—Salon B)
Thursday evening, April 24
7:00–9:15 PM
T31 Exploring Free Open Source Software for the Classroom
Jeff Ingraham, Educational Service Unit 3
If your school is like most educational institutions, you are probably faced with financial constraints when it comes to integrating technology into curriculum. Competing demands for resources and the high costs of commercial software can be major obstacles. Fortunately, there are TONS of sources of FREE software available thanks to the open-source software development community. Participants in this workshop will learn how FREE versions of open source programs such as Open Office, Audacity, GIMP,
Firefox, NVU and LOTS more can help you bring 21st century technology into your classroom today. (Mac—Lobby B)
T32 Digitally Transform Documents using Word 2007
Sue Sydow, Wayne State College
Transform your documents using building blocks, themes, tabs, ribbons, live preview, smart art tools and other basic elements in the new Microsoft Word 2007. Take a global guided tour and discover where the commands are located that you are already familiar with in Microsoft Office Word 2003. Allow yourself to accomplish the same results and more in Office Word 2007 with speed and accuracy. (Windows—Salon A)
T33 Inspire Learning with iLife ‘08
Joanna Seymour & Ann Wiley, Columbus H.S.
Bring excitement to your classroom and help students make meaningful connections to their learning by using Apple’s powerful iLife applications: iPhoto, iMovie, and iTunes. In this workshop you will learn to use these highly integrated applications to create projects that enhance learning. Participants should have experience using OSX and, if possible, bring a digital camera. (Mac—Salon B)
Friday morning, April 25
10:15 AM–12:30 PM
F11 Photoshop Elements: Elementary Project Ideas
Jason Rushing, Lincoln Human Elementary
Enhance your elementary lessons by using Photoshop Elements!! Animations, photo essays, and PSA’s are just a few of the ways you can engage your learners and motivate them to create some outstanding final projects. Participants will see student examples and will have the opportunity to learn the steps and create their own projects. A good understanding of the program is required. (Mac—Lobby B)
F12 What’s New in Distance Education: New Ideas, New Tools, Great Resources
Gordon Roethemeyer & John Stritt, Distance Education Council
Learn how to make the move to a blended learning model. Explore new tools that can help you enhance any distance education course including Xmeeting, PVX, Video Cue, and others, plus new Learning Management System features in Moodle and Angel. Get hands on experience with Renovo the new statewide scheduling system and clearinghouse. All participants will receive a Distance Learning Teacher Toolkit and learn about exciting opportunities in distance education. (Windows—Salon A)
F13 Google Apps for Your Classroom (THIS WORKSHOP IS FULL)
Chris Pultz, Lincoln Public Schools
The Google Labs have cooked up an impressive array of FREE tools that bring new life and possibility to traditional classroom projects, organize your digital life, and get you collaborating with your colleagues. We’ll spend a few exciting minutes on a number of different tools that you might want to start utilizing right away! (Mac—Salon B)
Friday afternoon, April 25
1:00–3:15 PM
F21 Maximizing Your Game Film With Gamebreaker
Eric Bell, Lexington Public Schools
Learn the basic components of GameBreaker, software to manage and utilize your time and your game films. Capture movies, code film, combine numerous game clips into one movie and create and burn DVDs using iDVD. (Mac—Lobby B)
F22 Great Resources for SMARTBoards! (THIS WORKSHOP IS FULL)
Katie Morrow, O’Neill Public Schools
SMARTBoard interactive whiteboards can leverage the learning potential for all students. Come find out how to utilize this tool beyond a presentation aid. Focus will be placed on visual learning techniques as well as engaging students in classroom content. Classroom implementation ideas will be modeled and shared, and participants will create a multimedia quiz show and an animated podcast with SMART Recorder. (Windows—Salon A)
F23 Clickin’ the Day Away
Melissa Simons, Elkhorn High School
Sure, your students are “plugged” into their iPods and “composing” their latest text message, but how do you “plug” them into learning in the classroom? Join me, a high school English teacher, as we click our way through the basics of eInstruction’s Classroom Performance System (CPS). In this workshop, we’ll explore both teacher led activities and the student assessment activities. Engagement is half of the equation as we’ll also discuss the use of data to inform, change, or lead your instruction in new ways. Whether your students are elementary, middle school, high school, or college, Classroom Performance System (CPS) and the “clickers” will motivate your students to engage in the classroom. (Mac—Salon B)