Instructional Technology Update Budgets / Grant Programs Technology Acquisition Grant (TAG) Program (Not funded in FY04 and not likely to be funded in FY05)   Technology Network Program (TNP) FY05 – MOREnet recently mailed information packets to districts for the FY05 TNP. Note that the existing user fee rates will again be held constant for another year. Note also that there are three forms that must be submitted to MOREnet by May 28, 2004.  Title IID “Ed Tech” Program FY04 – (Reminder) The deadline for submitting end-of-year reports (for both formula and competitive grants) is May 15, 2004. As school and project activities can continue through June 30, it is important to project final costs as accurately as possible. The final expenditure report generates the last payment that should be issued by July. If an audit finds the district overestimated expenditures, the district must file an amended FER and submit a refund for the overpayment. FY05 – A total of 149 applications were submitted for the 2004-05 competitive Title IID eMINTS grant program: 58 New – Year 1 applications, 32 New – Year 2 (continuation) applications, and 59 Established – Year 1 applications. First priority was given to continuation grants, with roughly two-thirds of the remaining funds earmarked for New – Year 1 grants and one-third for Established – Year 1 grants. Because of expected budget cuts (based on ED’s most current poverty statistics), we likely will only be able to fund the 32 Year 2 grants, 23 New – Year 1 applications and 18 Established – Year 1applications.   All grant approval decisions were made on the basis of application scores (narrative score and economic, technology, and education need scores), the number of slots available overall and in each cluster, the competition, and the money appropriated for the Title IID competitive grant program. [Note: No application was approved if the grant application score was under 25.] Notification letters were mailed to applicants on April 26. A list of those applications receiving tentative approval is posted on the Instructional Technology website. Safe Schools & Pilot Safe Schools Grant Program FY04 – (Reminder) The deadline for submitting end-of-year reports (final expenditure and program evaluation narrative) is May 15, 2004. As school and project activities can continue through June 30, it is important to project final costs as accurately as possible. The final expenditure report will generate the last payment that should be issued by July. If an audit finds the district overestimated expenditures, the district must file an amended FER and submit a refund for the overpayment.  FY05 – The Safe Schools funding came under some scrutiny early last month but, at this time, the program is still alive. Assuming Governor Holden’s proposed budget passes, that level funds the Safe Schools Program, the Department will continue to support 93 Pilot and Safe Schools continuation grants. Applications for FY05 grant assistance were due April 1. Once the General Assembly has passed the budget, program staff will review the submitted applications and conduct telephone budget negotiations as deemed necessary. Tentative approval notices will be distributed to applicants after the session ends – mid-May.   Census of Technology / Core Data Screens 30 and 31 Since 2001, districts have completed the annual Census of Technology (COT) via the Department’s online core data collection system. COT data are to be entered April 1 through April 15. The 2004 COT data entry has been running relatively smoothly, with the majority of districts finishing up by the April 15 deadline – well ahead of last year’s completion rate. Changes to the 2004 screens were held to a minimum. Only a handful of items were revised for clarity purposes, and only three new items were added. The biggest change was the use of grade-level spans (preK-2, 3-5, 6-8, and 9-12) on the building-level form to report key technology holdings. [Note that all of the 2004 changes are in keeping with the common technology data elements identified by the State Educational Technology Directors Association.] As way of enhancement, the 2004 survey forms were recreated using a new web tool and reformatted to closely parallel other core data forms, new edit and submit buttons were added, and simulated screen shots and an accompanying directions manual were posted in February so users could get an early start on the data collection.   District Technology Plan Approval Over 60 district long-range education technology plans were submitted for state approval during the April 2004 cycle. A panel of nine readers was selected to review the plans in Jefferson City on April 15. Approval status letters were mailed to districts the following week. Plans must be approved by June 30 for districts to be able to participate in the E-rate, TNP, and Title IID programs. E-rate Program Funding Year 2003 – Wave 28 for E-rate funding for funding year 2003 (July 1, 2003 – June 30, 2004) will be issued on Tuesday, May 4, 2004. In this wave, the SLD committed over $20.5 million in 146 letters to school and library applicants. The funding associated with this wave included funding for priority 1 (telecommunications and Internet access) at all discount levels and for priority 2 (internal connections) at the 70% to 90% discount level. To date, the SLD has committed nearly $2.5 billion in over 33,000 letters for funding year 2003.  Funding Year 2004 – Wave 1 for E-rate funding for funding year 2004 (July 1, 2004 – June 30, 2005) was issued on Tuesday, April 27, 2004. In this wave, the SLD committed over $36.9 million in 3,848 letters to school and library applicants. The funding associated with this wave includes funding for Priority 1 (telecommunications services and Internet access) services only. Funding for internal connections will be delayed until such time that it becomes clear how much will be available for internal connections. Additional waves will be issued every other week until the process is complete.  See: http://www.sl.universalservice.org/  Review of Form 471s – SLD’s Program Integrity Assurance (PIA) teams are now reviewing the Form 471 applications. Most applicants can expect at least one call from a PIA reviewer to confirm information or material included with an application or to request additional documentation. PIA’s “Seven Day Response Rule” (http://www.sl.universalservice.org/reference/deadline.asp) is now in effect. When contacted by PIA, an applicant will be given 7 calendar days to respond. It is important to understand that the 7-day deadline begins when the SLD makes contact with the applicant. Under SLD procedures, this does NOT necessarily mean when PIA talks to the applicant. The SLD deems that contact has been made when a fax or e-mail is successfully sent, a voicemail is left, or when someone else at the school or library has been reached.  Applicants who have provided fax numbers or e-mail addresses, even if they have not indicated a preference for those contact modes, must make sure that fax and e-mail messages are monitored. If an applicant does not respond to a request for additional information (or the SLD cannot make contact with the applicant), the SLD’s final course of action is to process the application solely on the basis of the original submission. Applicants can assume that if PIA asks for more information, it is because they don’t have enough to approve the request. Usually, if the requested information is not provided in a timely manner, individual funding requests or an entire application will be denied. The normal SLD explanation in such cases is that the “Applicant has not provided sufficient documentation to determine the eligibility of this item” or “…has not provided sufficient documentation to substantiate the requested level of funding for this item.” The SLD will be flexible on the 7-day deadline if an applicant is clearly being responsive and justifies a request for additional time to gather information.    New and/or updated documents posted on SLD website –   New information on Contract Guidance: http://www.sl.universalservice.org/reference/contract_guidance.asp New document summarizing recent FCC decisions regarding Transfer of Equipment: http://www.sl.universalservice.org/reference/transfer_equipment.asp. New document summarizing the new "Two out of five year rule on Internal Connections:" http://www.sl.universalservice.org/reference/two_out_of_five.asp. Updated Technology Planning guidance (covering whether plans have to be approved before the 470 and 471): http://www.sl.universalservice.org/reference/TechnologyPlanningFAQ.asp#7. Washington News President sets Internet Access goal – In April, President Bush announced he is setting a national goal of “universal, affordable access for broadband technology by the year 2007.” FCC Chairman Michael Powell responded to the President’s statement by indicating he looked forward to working with FCC commissioners to deliver on this vision for the American people. Commitments from the White House and FCC could have positive implications for continuing and possibly expanding the universal service fund, which supports the e-rate program. The Administration had received criticism about its telecommunications policies. According to a Wall Street Journal reporter, “The stock market must wonder why America, which invented the Internet, has slipped to ninth in the world, as ranked by Internet access speed per person.” South Korea is ranked first, followed by Japan, a passel of Scandinavian countries, Italy, and the United States. Source: Washington Post, 3.17.04. New program helps educators lobby for ed tech – CoSN and ISTE announce creation of the Ed Tech Action Network (ETAN), which is a new joint initiative  designed to establish a grassroots network of education technology advocates. It will provide users with necessary tools to advocate for increased federal government support for education technology at a grassroots level, including an interactive website, in-person training, sample advocacy letters, legislation updates, and policy backgrounders. Source: CoSN, 03.19.04 See: http://www.cosn.org.   ED to host "Increasing Options Through e-Learning" conference In July – On July 12-13, in Orlando at the World Center Marriott, the U.S. Department of Education will host it’s second Secretary’s No Child Left Behind Leadership Summit, “Increasing Options Through e-Learning.”  This conference will ask leaders to explore virtual education – distance learning, virtual schools and other online education courses – as a powerful technology innovation expanding opportunities for learning any time, any place in support of NCLB. State policy leaders, state chiefs, board of education members, superintendents, and educational technology directors are invited to attend. For more information, visit http://www.NCLBTechSummits.org.     Ed Tech Research, Publications, Resources SETDA releases NCLB implementation toolkit On April 26, the State Educational Technology Directors Association (SETDA) presented the 2003 National Leadership Institute (NLI) Toolkit: “States Helping States Implement No Child Left Behind” during a briefing at the U.S. Department of Education. SETDA's NLI, held in December 2003, was structured to produce deliverables to aid state technology leaders in implementing NCLB. Work teams were developed around five topics identified by state leaders as NCLB issues requiring a state voice and consensus. Topics included: Building Partnerships and Leveraging Resources; Technology Leadership Skills for the 21st Century; High Quality Professional Development; Data Collection and Data Driven Decision Making; and Virtual Schools/Distance Learning. To download the 2003 NLI Toolkit, visit http://www.setda.org.  Special July issue of T.H.E. Journal to feature SETDA “State of the States” report T.H.E. Journal and SETDA are partnering to provide a special July issue of T.H.E. Journal. This special issue will examine four key topics in technology and education (leadership, data, technology integration, and professional development) and provide both state and district approaches to best practices relating to these topics. Districts are encouraged to sign up to receive a copy of the July issue. Missouri’s Wellington-Napoleon school district featured in 2004 TCO Cases Studies From small rural school districts to large suburban school districts, school leaders are signing up in droves for the Consortium for School Networking's online Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) Tool. Launched last year with support from the U.S. Department of Education, the TCO Tool is being used by over 1,000 school districts to provide information school leaders can use to support education technology budgets and initiatives. The tool offers schools a formalized process for assessing the costs of managing their technology investments. The 2004 TCO Case Studies can be used as guides for other school districts looking for methods for maximizing technology budgets and for building efficiencies in tracking overall technology costs. Schools participating in the 2004 studies include: Fairfax County (VA) Public Schools, Round Rock (TX) Independent School District, Kenosha (WI) Unified School District No.1, and the Wellington-Napoleon R-9 School District in Wellington, MO. Source: CoSN, 04.16.04 See: http://www.cosn.org.  Partnership for 21st Century Skills resource database created The Partnership for 21st Century Skills, an alliance of education, business, and government leaders, is creating a comprehensive database of resources relating to 21st Century Skills, ICT (information and communications technology) Literacy, and Professional Development. The resources form the core research of the first year report and MILE guide and include classroom materials, organizations, highlighted examples, books, websites, services, content and performance standards collections, to name a few. Using the classifications and subjects articulated in the Partnership's Report and MILE Guide, users can search the database according to their individual needs. The development of the database, still in the works, will help educators find resources to create 21st century education for students. See: http://www.21stcenturyskills.org/resourcedb/default.asp   CoSN publishes 2004 Compendium of Monographs The 2004 CoSN Compendium looks at eight issues of importance to today’s education technology leaders. A key question running through the compendium is “What do we, as technology leaders, need to know and do in order to support our schools and districts in today’s changing world?” Articles offer answers to this and other questions with help from case studies, interviews with experts, and an in-depth review of latest legislation, policy, and research findings. Visit CoSN’s online store at: http://www.cosn.org   Internet and wireless connectivity: Latest Pew research findings The Pew Research Center's Internet tracking survey reported its latest findings this week. It recorded the increasing number of Americans who use computers and shop online. It also reported on wireless connectivity: 17% of Internet users have logged on using a wireless device. Members of "Generation Y" (those ages 18-27) are most likely to have used wireless devices - 28% have done so. 63% of American adults use the Internet, 55% of Internet users go online during a typical day, and 53% of Internet users have six or more years of experience. 73% of U.S. adults say they use a computer at work, at school, at home, or some other place. Online whites are substantially more likely than online blacks to go online during a typical day - 59% of wired whites are online on that average day, compared to 35% of wired blacks. Hispanics fall in between: 41% of wired Latinos go online during a typical day. Generally, the more education and household income, and more Internet experience a person has, the more likely it is that he or she will be online during a typical day. 90% of U.S. Internet users go online from home and 50% of U.S. Internet users go online from work. ED releases RFP for Community Technology Centers (CTC) program From the Federal Register: April 16, 2004 [CFDA# 84.341A] -- The purpose of the CTC program is to assist eligible applicants to create or expand community technology centers that provide disadvantaged residents of economically distressed urban and rural communities with access to information technology & related training. Applications Available: April 16, 2004. Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: June 1, 2004. Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: June 16, 2004. Eligible Applicants: Eligible applicants shall be an entity, such as a foundation, museum, library, for-profit business, public or private nonprofit organization or community-based organization (including faith-based organizations), an institution of higher education, a State educational agency (SEA), a local educational agency (LEA) (including a charter school that meets its State's definition of an LEA), a private school, or a consortium of such entities, institutions, or agencies.  To be eligible, an applicant must have the capacity to significantly expand access to computers & related services for disadvantaged residents of economically distressed urban & rural communities who would otherwise be denied such access. Estimated Available Funds: $10,000,000.  Up to 25 percent of the available funds will be set aside for novice applicants. Estimated Average Size of Awards: $350,000. Minimum & Maximum Award Amounts: The minimum award amount is $250,000 & the maximum award amount is $500,000, for the 12-month project period.  No grant application will be considered for funding if it requests an award amount outside the funding range of $250,000 to $500,000. Estimated Number of Awards: 18-25. Additional Information is available in the Federal Register notice and can be accessed online at: www.ed.gov/legislation/FedRegister/announcements/2004-2/041604d.html  ED list of grant announcements available online The U.S. Department of Education provides a list of grant announcements on its website for new awards for FY 2004. It identifies the amount of anticipated funding and the actual or estimated deadline dates submitting applications under each authorized program. The list includes programs and competitions previously announced, as well as those ED plans to announce at a later date.See: http://www.ed.gov/fund/grant/find/edlite-forecast.html.  DESE updates Strategic Plan The Department recently released the 2004 DESE Strategic Plan, centered around four key outcomes and 15 objectives. Outcomes include increased percentages of students achieving the Show-Me Standards at targeted performance levels in the Missouri Assessment Program, children entering school ready to succeed, and 18-year-olds with a high school diploma or GED, and increased performance of career preparation, employment, work force advancement, and independent living programs. The updated plan is available at: http://dese.mo.gov/divadm/  Tools for school improvement planning This website contains observation protocols, focus group samples and questions, surveys, questionnaires, and other techniques to help schools examine specific school-improvement concerns. In the tools section is a database of new and innovative tools used throughout the country, organized into school-improvement focus areas common to many schools, districts, and states. The site features two essentials for school improvement, including a school-improvement guide with a step-by-step process for successful school improvement, including sample worksheets and rubrics. In the "Using Data" section, are resources on using data -- types and uses of data, selecting and analyzing data, and using results to drive your planning efforts. See: http://www.annenberginstitute.org/tools/     RPDCs and the Missouri Center for Safe Schools to Offer       i-SAFE America Professional Development   i-SAFE America has partnered with the Missouri Center for Safe Schools and Missouri’s Regional Professional Development Centers (RPDCs) to offer schools a FREE prevention-oriented Internet safety program which includes a comprehensive K-12 curriculum, professional development training, and resources for parents and the community at large.    In 2002, Congress awarded i-SAFE with a Grant governed by a cooperative agreement with the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice. i-SAFE programs will be used in all 50 states by the end of the 2003-2004 school year. i-SAFE is receiving continued support from Congress, and will be expanding programs nationwide.  Education The education components of i-SAFE America’s Internet Safety Education Program include the professional development program (PDP) for educators and law enforcement officers, and curriculum with age-appropriate, integrated teaching and learning activities for students in grades K-12.  The i-SAFE Internet safety curriculum is correlated to the National Educational Technology Standards for Students (NETS). The grade-specific materials address the following five core subjects, in addition to supplemental lessons: Community, Cyber Security, Personal Safety, Predator Identification, and Intellectual Property. Additional supplemental lessons address other relevant, emerging Internet issues such as cyber bullying.  In keeping with current teaching and learning theories, i-SAFE curriculum materials provide a broad range of materials and formats to meet a variety of teaching and learning needs such as: Different grade levels Students with different learning modalities Students with different backgrounds and experiential levels Teachers with different technology skills Different classroom environments (i.e. the computer lab, the classroom with one or more computers, and the classroom without computers). Community Outreach The strategy for protecting children from victimization online will not be fully effective if it is limited to classroom instruction. i-SAFE’s Outreach Program equips students, parents, teachers, principals, superintendents, and community members and leaders with the tools they need to communicate the concepts and the importance of Internet safety throughout the community.    Specifically, the Youth Empowerment Campaign is designed to enable students who have received i-SAFE Internet safety lessons to get involved and volunteer to be peer-to-peer student Mentors. As Mentors, students serve as Internet safety role models who plan and create engaging Internet safety events and activities in their schools and in their communities.  To bring i-SAFE to your school, please contact your Regional Professional Development Center or i-SAFE at education@isafe.org

Registration open for 2004 eMINTS Summer Samplers http://www.emints.org/profdevelop.m.ent/summersampler2004/ Registration is open through June 11 or until sessions are filled for eMINTS 2004 Summer Samplers. Summer Samplers provide an intensive professional develop.m.ent opportunity for Missouri educators led by the eMINTS Cluster Instructional Specialists who work with teachers in the eMINTS program. eMINTS' Summer Samplers provide a concentrated learning experience for non-eMINTS elementary and middle school educators who wish to improve their knowledge and skills in using multimedia technology to enhance inquiry-based learning.     MOREnet FY05 K-12 Technology Network Program (K-12 TNP) Overview --Submitted by Eric Nicklas, Program Manager, K-12 Technology Network Program, MOREnet  FY05 participation Fees The FY05 K-12 Technology Network Program (K-12 TNP) participation fees will remain the same as in FY04. See a chart below for the FY05 fees. The participation fees are based on the number of certified full-time staff in the school district as of July 1, 2004. MOREnet will mail (U.S. postal mail) invoices for participation fees in August and September 2004.  FY05 K-12 TNP Proposed Participation Fees* fewer than 49 = $1,500 50-99 = $3,000 100-499 = $4,500 more than 500 = $6,000  *The proposed participation fees depend on final approval of the state budget by the Missouri General Assembly. If the proposed budget does not receive the necessary approval, FY05 participation fees may change.  MOREnet mailed (U.S. postal mail) FY05 K-12 TNP packets to superintendents in late April. The program packets contain specific information about the costs and services provided by the K-12 TNP. The complete FY05 packet is also available on MOREnet’s website (www.more.net/programs/k12tnp).   Three forms included in the FY05 K-12 TNP program packet should be returned to MOREnet by May 28, 2004:  1. District FTE Declaration/E-rate Letter of Agency (Program Continuation) 2. K-12 TNP Participation Agreement 3. E-rate Form 479 (CIPA Compliance)  Questions? Please direct questions about the costs and services available through the K-12 TNP and MOREnet to Eric Nicklas, K-12 TNP Program Manager, at (573) 884-7200 or eric@more.net.     METPA  Update --Submitted by Dee Wiecher, METPA Parliamentarian, Technology Facilitator, Kirkwood R-7 School District http://www.metpa.org   What has METPA been doing?  Your professional organization, Missouri Educational Technology Professionals' Association (METPA), has been working for you in this past year.  Many of you received guidance from METPA members about writing your long-range technology plans.  METPA coordinated a teleconference in March dealing with the NCLB and technology.  The organization sponsored several events at both the fall technology conference and the spring MOREnet conference.    What will METPA be doing?  METPA will offer a full ten-hour staff development strand for technology directors at the fall technology conference.  The Standards Committee will begin the process of working on what it means for an eighth grade student to be technology literate.  The Executive Board will explore affiliating with the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) in order to gain more benefits for you as a member.  What is METPA doing right now?  METPA presents two annual awards to recognize excellence in technology education in the state of Missouri.  One recognizes outstanding district, school, or classroom web pages.  The other spotlights best practices in technology staff development.  Many of our Missouri school districts are outstanding in the area of technology. Please consider nominating your school district or another outstanding district by completing the nomination form which may be found at http://www.metpa.org/, the METPA website.  The deadline is May 15.  What can you do for METPA?  The Nominating Committee is in the process of developing the nominations for educators to fill the offices of vice-president, secretary, treasurer, and parliamentarian for next school year.  Duties for the newly elected people will start on July 1, 2004, and run through June 30, 2005.  If you are interested in serving as an officer or would like to suggest a person for nomination, please contact Andy Hall at andy@well-nap.k12.mo.us.  If you are not a member of METPA and would like to join, you will find the application for membership at http://www.metpa.org/, the METPA website.     Operation Show Me Graduation --Submitted by James K. Tice, Chair, Missouri Rural Opportunities Council (MOROC) www.moguard.com  The Missouri Rural Opportunities Council seeks to provide information for rural school districts, and others, on opportunities to provide quality education to Missouri’s students.  The Telecommunication and Education Committee is collaborating with the Missouri National Guard in promoting Operation Show Me Graduation. Click on the URL below for further details of this opportunity for deployed troops to participate in graduation programs with family members. Show Me Graduation information http:// www.moguard.com     Accessibility in Distance Education--A Resource for Faculty in Online Teaching --Submitted by Lainie Martin, Web Develop.m.ent, DESE http://www.umuc.edu/ade/ The Accessibility in Distance Education (ADE) Web site focuses on helping faculty develop accessible online learning materials for people with disabilities. It is divided into five major sections, targeting common accessibility questions.     SMARTboard Tips and Tricks --Submitted by Martha Bogart, Coordinator Distance Learning, Cooperating School Districts Here is some information from the SmartTech folks that I thought might be of interest to those of you using SMARTboards:  Lesson Activity Contest http://edcompass.smarttech.com/LessonActivityContest Educators who create learning materials with Notebook or SMART Ideas software are invited to enter the lesson activity contest. The contest is open to North American and UK educators at primary, secondary and higher-education levels. Educators who submit activities that meet eligibility criteria will be entered into a draw to win one of over thirty prize packages that together value at over US$20,000! The contest closes May 31, 2004, and multiple entries are allowed so start sending your activities now!   New Notebook Activity Guide Do you have a SMART Board interactive whiteboard but have yet to master the features of Notebook software? If so, our new Notebook Activity Guide is for you! It's a resource developed to help educators understand how to apply Notebook software features in learning environments, get hands-on practice using these features and create great Notebook software activities. Check it out: http://edcompass.smarttech.com/en/learning/activities/notebookactivityguide.aspx . Tips and Tricks Thinking Aloud When teaching a lesson in a curricular area using the SMART Board interactive whiteboard, think aloud so the kids can hear what you are trying to do and see how to do it. For example, say, "I am going to change the color of this word." First, select it by tapping on it, then go to the colored square and choose a color. "My word changes to that color." I am teaching so that they can apply the same process on their own later. Get to Know Your Game Write topics in Notebook software such as "I like cats" or "I have sisters." Then the students come to the interactive whiteboard and write their name, transform their name to text and move the text object under the topic that fits them. After the game, everyone knows more about each other, and the students have gotten to use the interactive whiteboard, practice writing, change their writing to text, and move the text object, all in one lesson. -- Submitted by Lisa Berg, Missouri, U.S.  Dragging Objects We have found that some students (younger ones mainly) have difficulty dragging objects across the SMART Board interactive whiteboard. The two main problems students experience are changing the size of the object when selecting it, or dropping the object, because it can be difficult to maintain pressure while moving it. For students who have difficulty dragging objects, teach them this trick: 1. Put one finger on the object you want to move. 2. Keep that finger on the object and touch the location on the interactive whiteboard that you want to move the object to with another finger. 3. Now remove your first finger from the interactive whiteboard. You should see the object zoom to where you want it to go!  -- Submitted by Peter Kent, Australia Touching the Interactive Whiteboard Sometimes young children's hands can be sweaty. When this happens, and they move an object on the SMART Board interactive whiteboard, their hand makes an ugly sound and everyone laughs. Also, the object does not move easily. I solved this by giving students a soft mallet (like you would play a xylophone with) to use in place of their finger. It moves the object faster and also solves the shadow problem because the children are able to stand to the side of the interactive whiteboard. Now my students prefer to use the mallet when moving objects. -- Submitted by Shawnea' Jackson, Music Specialist, U.S.  Learn Online Join SMART online for an overview of the basics of the SMART Board interactive whiteboard and Notebook software. The Training Services group is running free orientation sessions every Wednesday at the following times: 4, 5, 6 and 7 p.m. EST (1, 2, 3 and 4 p.m. PST). Each session is led by a SMART trainer who works with SMART products every day. You'll receive basic information on how to use your interactive whiteboard and Notebook software. * A complimentary practice activity so you can try out what you've learned * An orientation session that's educational and fun   Sessions are delivered via a toll-free telephone conference call and SMART's Bridgit(TM) data-conferencing software. Participants should have a computer running a Microsoft(R) Windows(R) operating system and a telephone that they can use while connected online. For more details, visit http://www.smarttech.com/trainingcenter/online/index.asp.    2004: An Odyssey of Learning The Missouri Distance Learning Association (MoDLA) will host 2004: An Odyssey of Learning, the annual summer distance learning conference, July 15-16, 2004, at the Clarion Hotel, in Springfield, MO.  The conference is designed to provide educators, administrators, technology coordinators and others interested in distance education, information on current trends in instruction, and information on the latest instructional technologies along with a multitude of exemplary presentations of distance learning strategies in action.  Conference Location 2004: An Odyssey of Learning will be held at the Clarion Hotel, Springfield, MO.  Participants may reserve rooms at the special conference rate of $64.95 until July 1.  For information or reservations, contact Clarion Hotel at (417) 883-6550.  Conference Features Keynote Speaker Thursday, July 15 - "Educational Evolution: The One-Room School House meets the Virtual Classroom"                       Dr. Jim Baker, Assistant to the President, Southwest Missouri State University  Friday, July 16  - "Thriving or Surviving in Difficult Economic Times"             Dr. Ed Gould, Department Chair, Higher Education Leadership, School of Education Capella University President,             Beacon Resource Group, Higher Education Consultants  Breakout Sessions To be determined   Vendor Fair The vendors will be available from 1:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 15 and 8:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m. on Friday, July 16 to give attendees the opportunity to view and discuss the latest distance learning technologies. The Vendors will help kick off the conference with a Vendor Reception from 4:30 p.m.- 6:30 p.m., Thursday, July 15.   Virtual Field Trips Throughout the day, attendees will have the opportunity to participate in a variety of live videoconferences with presenters in different locations around the world.   Silent Auction Visit the Silent Auction and browse through the donations. Take the opportunity to enter a bid on one or more items.  The Auction will continue for the duration of the conference so you will have an opportunity to return often to see if someone has upped the ante.  The Silent Auction will close at 1:00 p.m., July 16. Cyber Cafe The Cyber Cafe will be open for the duration of the conference for attendees to have the opportunity to check email and web sites. More Information For more information, contact the MoDLA Office at 417-836-6150 or by email through the MoDLA director MichelleNorgren@smsu.edu     I-TV/Distance Learning Workshop Opportunities --Submitted by Judy Stainback, Education Technology Consultant  Attention all administrators, technology coordinators, teachers and I-TV facilitators – this message is for you!  GreaterNET is conducting two opportunities for you to receive professional development on two-way interaective TV (I-TV) in a K-12 environment.  Whether you are interested in what I-TV is all about, how to get started and want to experience a distance learning environment, or if you are an I-TV teacher who wants to improve on interactive teaching strategies in your classroom, we have a workshop to help. The following two workshops offer you an opportunity to start from the basics and take your skills to the level necessary to be a competent I-TV administrator, teacher, facilitator or technology support person.  Attendees must register and pay for sessions separately.  Session 1: Missouri Distance Learning Association Annual Conference – July 15 – 16, 2004 Clarion Hotel, Springfield Pre-conference session: 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 and 1:00 – 2:45 p.m.   Subjects to be covered: ·         Distance Learning 101 – a basic primer on how to get started and what is involved in the implementation process and where to go for help. ·         Introduction to an I-TV classroom – what are the differences and similarities to a traditional classroom from the standpoint of a teacher, counselor, or administrator ·         Interactivity strategies for effective teaching – how not to be a “talking head”.  The after lunch session will include some hands-on time in a simulated I-TV classroom  To register for this session go to: www.modla.org or call Michelle Norgren at 417-836-6150.  Information about the MoDLA conference is available at the website.  Session 2: GreaterNET Annual Workshop State Fair Community College – August 2 – 3, 2004 Sedalia  This 1 ½ day intensive hands-on course will train attendees in depth about how an I-TV classroom works.  We believe administrators, teachers, facilitators and technology coordinators will all benefit from this course with an emphasis on practical knowledge.  Attendees will be immersed as both students and instructors in an I-TV classroom.  The workshop leaders will share classroom-tested strategies for interactivity and classroom management.  You will have practice using the Polycom codecs and the various peripherals in a typical classroom and will leave with the knowledge necessary to be a successful implementer, user or manager of I-TV facilities in your district.  Schedule:   8:30 am – 4:30 pm August 2        8:30 am – 12 noon  August 3 Cost for the workshop is $100 per person.  Lunch will be provided on August 2.  Session is limited to 20 attendees who must register by July 23 by contacting Judy Stainback at 417-882-2509 or jstainba@mchsi.com.            Cable in the Classroom Cable in the Classroom is looking for excellent, media and technology savvy educators to serve as advisors and project consultants.  These K-12educators (teachers, library media specialists, etc.) will be asked to use and evaluate a number of new tools and technology applications in their classroom and must have enough flexibility in their planning and curriculum to do so within a reasonable timeframe. They must also be available during the school year to participate in online collaborations, consult and collaborate in limited-duration projects, and spend 2 to 3days out of the classroom at meetings or conferences.  Teacher advisors will be paid  $4,000 annual stipends. In addition, their schools will each receive $1,000 for supporting such wonderful teachers.    Missouri Schools and Programs in the News Ferguson Florissant School District Congratulations to Jacque Frieda who was named Ferguson Florrisant’s Teacher of the Year!  Jacque is a third grade eMINTS teacher at Duchesne Elementary.      eMINTS Question of the Month   Q. How does the eMINTS program fit with the Reading First grants? Are the two programs compatible? A. The eMINTS program is an excellent fit with the Reading First grants. eMINTS teachers use technology to teach and reinforce reading skills in the best possible way - in a meaningful context in lots of different subject areas. The Reading First grants require that schools select a reading program that includes five basic components: phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, fluency and comprehension. There should not be a significant conflict with the eMINTS program philosophy, particularly when working on vocabulary and comprehension. Teaching reading in the eMINTS classroom is actually made easier because students want to read so that they can participate in the exciting projects and WebQuests. There are many successful eMINTS teachers who use a variety of commercial reading series and programs in conjunction with the eMINTS instructional model that combines inquiry-based teaching and technology.     Copyright Question of the Month  Q.  May an educator (e.g., administrator, classroom teacher, substitute teacher, or student teacher) other district employee, volunteer, or others copy a complete song from an audio source, digitize it, and then add it to a multimedia presentation?  A.  No This would exceed portion limitations detailed in the guidelines.  Note:  Up to ten (10) percent, but in no event, more than 30 seconds, of an individual audio work may be copied.   Example:  The individual audio work lasts 30 seconds.  The educator may copy only ten (10) percent (three seconds).  Example:  The individual audio work lasts six minutes (360 seconds).  The educator may copy only 30 seconds.  Ten percent would equal 36 seconds but no more than 30 seconds may ever be copied.      Mark Your Calendar May 1 Newsline published online May 7 Truman’s Birthday—State Holiday May 13 MO Rural Opportunities Council Telecommunications/Education Committee Meeting (1:15-3:30 p.m.) Governor Office Building, Room 316, Jefferson City, MO May 15 Final Expenditure Reports (FER) due to DESE (Safe Schools and eMINTS) May 15 Safe Schools Program Evaluation Narrative (PEN) due to DESE May 15 eMINTS  Teacher and Technical Contact Quarterly Reports due May 25 Newsline articles due May 31 Memorial Day—State Holiday      Upcoming 2004-2005 Conferences  June 19-22 SETDA Annual Convocation and ET Forum New Orleans, Louisiana (in conjunction with NECC)   June 21-23 NECC 2004: Jammin’ and Jazzin’ With Technology New Orleans, LA http://www.neccsite.org   July 15-16 2004:  An Odyssey of Learning Missouri Distance Learning (MoDLA) Conference Clarion Hotel, Springfield, MO MichelleNorgren@smsu.edu   October 3-5 Technology Exploration:  Improving Teaching and Learning 2004 Missouri Educational Technology Conference Tan-Tar-A, Osage Beach, MO        From the Mailbag  My Teacher Is The Best Essay Contest "My Teacher Is the Best" Essay Contest: GiveKidsGoodSchools.com is running its "My Teacher is the Best" Essay Contest. By writing a short essay about their favorite middle school teacher, public school students in grades six, seven, and eight can win two new laptop computers -- one for themselves and one for the teacher they write about. Essays must be submitted by May 31, 2004 and may be no longer than 250 words. For more info:  http://www.givekidsgoodschools.com/goodteachers/essay.html  Special Education Resources http://www.cise.missouri.edu/publications/innovations/april-2004/index.html Special Education Resources for All Educators: Missouri Innovations in Education, April 2004, is now available online.  This issue focuses on various programs in Missouri that are applying research-based strategies to improve student achievement.  Using data in a problem-solving approach to determine appropriate strategies, addressing diverse learning needs through the Missouri Math Academy, the principles of Reading Recovery, a class-within-a-class success story, and the benefits of co-teaching were some of the topics addressed in the April issue. Also, in response to readers’ feedback, a print-all feature has been added to the newsletter, allowing visitors to print the entire newsletter from a single page. Formerly provided in print, this newsletter is now available in a web-based format only.  Missouri Innovations in Education is published by the Center for Innovations in Education four times each year:  September, November, January, and April.  Innovations is acknowledged throughout Missouri as a valuable source of information about educating diverse learners.  Lewis and Clark Resource http://www.lewisandclarkexhibit.org Another Lewis and Clark Resource: The Missouri Historical Society offers excellent teaching and learning resources at their Lewis and Clark site:  Articles for Teachers and LMS http://fno.org "The Technology Fix" by Jamie McKenzie  http://fno.org/apr04/technologyfix.html  Pflaum, William D. (2004). The Technology Fix: The Promise and Reality of Computers in Our Schools. Alexandria, VA: Association for Supervision and Curriculum Develop.m.ent. William D. Pflaum, the author of this book, spent a year visiting classrooms to see how teachers and students are making use of computers and other technologies.   “The Techno-Savvy, Book-Rich Media Center” By Jamie McKenzie http://fno.org/apr04/technosavvy.html Now that the digital rush has passed by, many folks are coming back to see the need for balance and savvy. This article is a reprint of an article that first appeared in the November/December issue of Library Media Connection.   As Much Spam as Ever? A new study indicates that the recent federal anti-spam law has done little to stop the flood of unwanted e-mails. More than 60% of respondents to the Pew Internet & American Life survey indicated that spam has made them less trusting of e-mail as a communications tool. Source: The Washington Post  Summer Workshops Make the Difference http://www.techlearning.com/story/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=18401194 Taking a weeklong summer workshop changed how one educator approached teaching with technology, helped her learn about learning, and made a difference for her students.  Working with Reluctant Teachers http://www.techlearning.com/story/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=18401198 Many teachers feel overwhelmed with all the demands on their time and see technology as just one more headache. Here are ways to help them.  How To: Back Up Your Files http://www.techlearning.com/story/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=18311588 Here’s practical advice for everyone and the instructions on how to do it. NEA Foundation June Grants All U.S. public school teachers in grades K-12, education support professionals, or higher education faculty and staff are eligible to apply for the NEA Foundation’s Innovation Grants and Learning & Leadership Grants. Grant amounts are up to $5,000 per project. Application deadline: June 1, 2004.  Education Policy Fellowship Program http://www.iel.org/programs/epfp.html The Institute for Educational Leadership’s flagship program, the Education Policy Fellowship Program (EPFP), is a ten-month in-service professional development program designed to prepare mid-level leaders in public and private organizations to exercise greater responsibility in creating and implementing sound public policy in education and related fields. EPFP participants hold full-time positions in diverse organizations at the local, state, and national levels. The program currently operates in sites in Connecticut, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri,New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and Washington, DC--and a New Jersey site will open in the fall of 2004. Application deadline: August 2004.  Share the Technology http://www.sharetechnology.org/ Share the Technology provides a way for donors and potential recipients to search message boards and databases on the site to find computers and equipment available for free in their region.  FastWEB http://www.fastweb.com/ FastWEB is the largest online scholarship search available, with 600,000 scholarships representing over one billion in scholarship dollars. It provides students with accurate, regularly updated information on scholarships, grants, and fellowships suited to their goals and qualifications, all at no cost to the student. Students should be advised that FastWEB collects and sells student information (such as name, address, e-mail address, date of birth, gender, and country of citizenship) collected through their site. Science Resources For All Ages And Topics www.weatherclassroom.com The Weather Channel now publishes a twice-monthly permission-based email newsletter for teachers. This newsletter will contain current event-driven weather information you can use in the classroom, along with timeless activity ideas and other teaching resources. This email newsletter will be free and yours for the asking.   To begin receiving this free resource, fill out the brief registration form found at www.weatherclassroom.com and check the box next to “Please send me free e-newsletters and updates form the Weather Channel Education Department.” In addition to signing up for their new email newsletter, you’ll also gain immediate access to: Archived copies of newsletters Downloadable lesson plans from Weather Channel curricula including: Rays Awareness, with information about two issues that potentially affect everyone: Ultraviolet (UV) overexposure and skin cancer. With information, tips, and resources for UV safety, Rays Awareness enables you to map out a personal strategy for staying healthy while still enjoying the great outdoors. Look Up, a program is to encourage young people to look up at the sky above and to not take it for granted. Look Up offers cross-curricular lesson plans and activities for educators to teach students everything from poetry to music to mathematics while using the sky above as inspiration. Project SafeSide, a program that teaches how to prepare for severe weather such as hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, lightning, extreme heat, and severe winter weather. Forecast Earth focusing on the causes and effects of the powerful climate and environmental forces that are changing our planet. Lesson plans were developed to support this special programming and meet national teaching standards. Other resources, including a Glossary and Encyclopedia. Ever wondered how tornadoes form or how the Hurricane Hunters fly into the eye of the storm? The Weather Classroom can answer these questions and much more! Each episode of The Weather Classroom examines fundamental weather topics with a fresh approach. Downloadable teacher guides are available for much of Weather Channel programming. You’ll also find great multimedia content on the student portion of the site. Your students can create their own interactive weather forecasts, learn about becoming a meteorologist, and get Homework Help with additional Weather Channel online resources.  Newton’s Apple http://www.tpt.org/newtons/index.html Although Newton’s Apple is no longer broadcast, classroom and teacher materials are still available. Check out the Try this at Home  (http://www.tpt.org/newtons/tryits/index.html) section for quick demonstrations, or http://www.reachoutmichigan.org/funexperiments/agesubject/lessons/newton/HseChem.html for Household Chemistry activities. Finally, check out http://www.reachoutmichigan.org/funexperiments/agesubject/subject.html for a myriad of activities on a wide range of topics.   Adventures in Energy http://www.adventuresinenergy.org/ Oil and natural gas provide almost two-thirds of our energy needs, and these needs continue to increase. How do we find, supply, use, and conserve energy? Take an interactive online tour for an overview of where oil and gas come from, which everyday products are made from oil, and which environmental practices may be developed for future energy sources. Follow the Classroom Energy link for even more information and classroom resources.http://www.hhmi.org/  Howard Hughes Medical Institute http://www.hhmi.org/ Visit the Howard Hughes Medical Institute web site for a section devoted to Young Scientists. Here you will find pages on: Ask a Scientist Get an answer                           http://www.hhmi.org/askascientist/ Wild-Eyed Alaska The birds come back                 http://www.hhmi.org/alaska/ Cool Science for Curious Kids Projects for K through 4              http://www.hhmi.org/coolscience/ BioInteractive.org Virtual labs, animations              http://www.biointeractive.org/ Becoming a Scientist Learn what it takes                     http://www.hhmi.org/becoming/ Environmental Protection Agency http://www.epa.gov/ Would you like to teach about the environment, but feel that you don't have the technical background? Then check out the EPA pages for kids http://www.epa.gov/kids/and teachers http://www.epa.gov/teachers/ for a collection of fact sheets, brochures, and web pages that you can use to explain environmental issues. These resources offer basic and clear information to assist you in teaching your students about the environment. On these pages, you will find curricula and activities on a variety of environmental topics. Explore these links and find creative ways to teach your students about the environment.  Geography Action! http://www.nationalgeographic.com/geographyaction/index.html Geography Action! is an annual conservation and awareness program designed to educate and excite people about our natural, cultural, and historic treasures. Each year celebrates a different topic related to conservation and the environment. Find resources such as: Kids Take Action!, http://cgi.nationalgeographic.com/cgi-bin/worldpoll_pledge.pl  an activity-based conservation awareness program Geography Awareness Week, http://www.nationalgeographic.com/geographyaction/habitats/gaw.html a series of events to celebrate conservation Lesson Plans http://www.nationalgeographic.com/geographyaction/habitats/educators.html Games http://www.nationalgeographic.com/geographyaction/habitats/games.html Photo Galleries http://www.nationalgeographic.com/geographyaction/habitats/photo_galleries.html K-8 Internet Textbook on Air and Space Flight http://wings.avkids.com/ What do you want to know about Aeronautics? This K-8 Internet Textbook on Air and Space Flight will tell you! Designed for all levels and all interests, a visit to this guide will lead you to lesson plans about aerodynamics, NASA tours, student activities and curriculum bridges to other disciplines. There’s even a section to help visiting engineers and scientists plan their time with students.  Pulse of the Planet http://www.pulseplanet.com/index.shtml Each weekday, Pulse of the Planet provides its listeners with a two-minute sound portrait of Earth that tracks the rhythms of nature and culture worldwide and blends interviews and extraordinary natural sound. Pulse of the Planet is broadcast over 300 public and commercial stations around the world and on Voice of America and the Armed Forces Radio Network. Heard by over a million listeners every day, the series is presented by the DuPont Company, with additional support from the National Science Foundation and the National Endowment for the Humanities.  Kinetic City: Mission To Vearth   http://www.kineticcity.com/ The Kinetic City Super Crew needs your kids' help to save their virtual world of Vearth from the science-distorting compurter virus, Deep Delete! The students work together to perform engaging and educational science activities, and then download their data to the Super Crew (Keisha, Curtis, Megan and Max) to help repair their world. Then, your kids will go on an exciting Mission To Vearth adventure, earning Kinetic City Power Points as they use their knowledge to battle Deep Delete.   The Kinetic C