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NPS Middle School Technology News |
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Volume 1, Issue 1 |
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Fall 2006 |
Inside this issue:
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graphic organizers with Inspiration, experimented with Picasa and scanners to organize, enhance and collect digital images, used PowerPoint to make more dynamic presentations, learned how to use Publisher to jazz up brochures, handouts and Websites, and filmed movies that were edited with Movie Maker. Windows Camp was funded through a grant provided by the Newton Schools Foundation and money provided by Newton’s IT Department. After the success of this year’s sessions, we hope that we can get funding again next summer. |
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This summer over 40 middle school teachers decided to forego beaches and pools in order to participate in the first year of Windows Camp. Based on the iCamp model which was held for the fourth time this summer, Windows Camp featured a relaxed atmosphere, workshops, lots of hands-on activities and project time as well as a daily raffle. Teachers from all four middle schools spent four days in one of two camp sessions honing their technology skills and learning how to use software applications such as: Inspiration, Publisher, Picasa, MovieMaker, PowerPoint and more. Classes were taught by |
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the Instructional Technology Specialists from Bigelow, Brown, Day and Oak Hill. The goal of Windows Camp was to provide a relaxed and technology-rich experience for teachers to learn new techniques and experiment with multi-media applications. For each session of camp there was a high ratio of counselors to campers which made it possible to give everyone quick responses and more individual attention. Camp attendees created or polished First Class Websites, made |
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This past spring, Newton provided IBM Thinkpad Laptops to all sixth grade teachers. Giving teachers a laptop for use at school and at home is part of Newton’s Technology Plan to update the computers currently in use in the middle schools. |
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The new laptops come pre-loaded with most of the software that middle school teachers need including: Inspiration, Geometer’s Sketchpad, Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Publisher, Impact math software, and much more. |
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…The Information Technology Department will continue to provide teachers with laptops as funding allows; plans are in place for the 7th and 8th grade teachers to receive one this year. |
IBM Thinkpad Laptops
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Tales from Windows Camp
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