News February 2011 A Publication of the Nebraska Educational Technology Association

Message from the President— A Thought About “About”

started as a pair of friends with a and those reading the work. How William Bolen crazy idea and have now grown to exciting for students to realize the ESU 10, Kearney now having thousands of employees. power they have over their commu- What if the group has a great nity; that is if they take the time to website but when you read their define what they truly believe and Message from the President: “About” you realize there is some- share those thoughts with others of a thing moving this group that is not common belief. As a child we learn that all that they seem to be about? part of our identity is based on our Power through the Web last name. Did we have siblings that A Manifesto? The power of a simple “About” or a were great at math or couldn’t sit still Who we are and what we truly truly defining Manifesto is raising an in their chair? Our teachers would believe can be simple or complex awareness of yourself and sharing wonder if we would be the same. and can sometimes defined in a that with others. It builds your Without defining who we are, we manifesto. That’s a word we don’t authority and helps you connect often wander around and let others hear much anymore and sometimes with people that believe in what you define our destination. brings up visions of a ruler plotting believe in, thus becoming part of a to take over the world or of 1920’s similar community. What a great About NETA Mobsters. In a recent podcast, the opportunity we have to help stu- Software, Websites, Organizations, “Foolish Adventure” team talked dents define who they really are. People, you name it, most of them about how important a manifesto They have a purpose in this world have an “About” addendum in one can be in defining who we are and and they can help others aspire to form or another. Some of them are helping others to aspire to a com- new heights! They have the power brief and to the point, others are mon goal. We have the power of through the web to inspire others inspirational and encourage you to uniting others to move in the same like no generation before them. They join their cause. Who are we and direction and toward the same can unite with others to change their why should you care? If you go to the destination. world. What power! NETA webpage at netasite.org, you will find “About NETA” where you A manifesto is more than just As we help our students develop and can learn our purpose, goals and reading “about” you and what you realize their dreams, it is important vision. If you aspire to a similar believe. Defining what you truly that we help them see how the world purpose, you will hopefully walk believe will have a transformative sees them in the light they are along side us in our journey. effect both to the person writing it (Continued on page 9)

Sometimes it is fun to read the “About” section of a web page as you Issue Highlights learn that this person or company is 4 nothing like you would have imag- 10 ined. You might learn that a group is dedicated to helping other disadvan- 14 taged individuals or that they strive 20 to change the world. Perhaps they

1 NETA News NETA Newsletter In this issue Published four times yearly. Contributions are welcome. Message from the President—A Thought “About”...... 1

PO Box 27, Waverly, NE 68462 Message from the President Elect—e3: empower, encourage, engage...... 3 Phone (402) 540-1904 e-mail: [email protected] Vote Online! for 2011 NETA Officers and Directors...... 4 http://netasite.org iPads in the Classroom...... 8 NETA Officers and Board of Directors You’ve Got Text!...... 10

Sue Oppliger...... Past President Are We Running on Empty?...... 11 ESU 7 [email protected] GPS—Use in the Classroom...... 12 William Bolen...... President ESU 10 The Learning Web Turns Seven!...... 13 [email protected] Renee Kopf...... President Elect ISTE 2010 Report—Karen Cator & the New National Technology Plan...... 14 Falls City Public Schools [email protected] Fab Five Websites...... 15 Nicole Badgley...... Secretary The New NETA Site!...... 16 Arnold Public Schools [email protected] Tech & Learning—Permanent Records...... 17 Rich Molettiere...... Treasurer Omaha Public Schools ISTE 2011 in Philadelphia—NETA Registration and Housing Options...... 18 [email protected] Susan Prabulos...... Board 2011 Calendar of Technology Conferences and Seminars...... 19 Lincoln Public Schools [email protected] NETA Spring Conference Preview...... 20 Bob Goeman...... Board 2011 University of Nebraska Omaha BYOL Sessions at NETA...... 22 [email protected] Conference Registration...... 23 Dawn Prescott...... Board 2011 Schuyler Community Schools NETA Membership Form...... 24 [email protected] Gregg Robke...... Board 2011 If you can share a success story related to technology in the classroom, or a ESU 4 software solution review, we’d love to print it in a future newsletter. For [email protected] making the contribution, you will receive a 2011 Spring Conference T-shirt. Josh Allen...... Board 2012 Papillion-La Vista Public Schools [email protected] Contact Sandy Blankenship, phone (402) 540-1904 or e-mail [email protected] with a short summary to see if your story Michelle Baldwin...... Board 2012 ❖ Millard Public Schools can be included in a future issue! [email protected] Jackie Ediger...... Board 2012 ESU9 [email protected] NETA is an affiliate of ISTE—The International Lenny VerMaas...... Board 2012 Society for Technology in Education. lennyvermaas@gmail.com Jason Rushing...... Board 2013 Lincoln Public Schools [email protected] NETA Executive Officers and Coordinators Nicki Noordhoek...... Board 2013 Waverly Middle School Sandy Blankenship...... Executive Director Dennis McIntyre...... Site Coordinator [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Jane Davis...... Board 2013 Tom Rolfes...... Executive Liaison Lynne Herr...... Contest Coordinator Hershey Public Schools Office of the CIO-NITC ESU 6 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Jason Everett...... Board 2013 Mike Burns...... Exhibitor Coordinator Lucas Bingham...... Web Coordinator ESU 10 [email protected] Louisville Public Schools [email protected] [email protected]

February 2011 http://netasite.org 2 NETA News Message from the President Elect— e3: empower, encourage, engage

Renee Kopf collaboration opportunities. NETA laptops, iPads and iPods in the Falls City PS 2011 will feature a new distance classroom and will focus on related learning strand that highlights a curriculum integration, instruction- To empower, encourage variety of choices that will take al best-practices, and policy related and engage our attendees at NETA students, teachers, and even com- issues that are well suited for a 1:1 2011, we have added two new munity to state, national, and even environment. strands for this year’s conference. global connections. Reaching out to colleagues through The Laptop Community Group is conversation either in person or via Tech Strand sponsored by NETA. The purpose distance learning allows us to Tech coordinators and support of this community is to provide a strengthen our ties to Nebraska personnel from around the state place for support, information teachers and students and to the share their experiences dealing with sharing, questions, sharing, stories, global community. Stop in and check technical issues, decision making and even some laughs about some- out these new strands in addition to processes, and software/hardware thing we all have in common. the existing strands we offer. success within their districts. Some Schools with laptop initiatives or of the session highlights of the 2011 those thinking of heading in that Conversations Strand tech strand include sessions on direction should attend. We all are This year we are introducing “round Drupal, staff development and going through similar situations, table discussions.” Think of it as a classroom design discussions, joys, obstacles and projects. You geeky fireside chat. It’s not a stand Mahara, Data Analysis, and two can find more information at: and deliver presentation. We are sessions dealing with Network www.netasite.org under “Sponsored not taking those types of presenta- Analysis Tools. Groups.” tions away; they will continue to be the cornerstone of the NETA As a reminder for those interested Assistive Tech Strand Conference. But we wanted to give in the technical side, there is a The Nebraska Assistive Technology you the opportunity to learn from Tech Coordinator’s Meeting held in Partnership is a collaboration the crowd, not just the presenter! Grand Island or Kearney in October between private, non-profit and You will have the opportunity to and February and is sponsored by governmental agencies and organi- share your experiences and learn the NETA organization. This group zations that has resulted in the from others on a variety of subjects. is open to those who provide establishment of a comprehensive Make sure you stop in and check technical support to Nebraska program of technology-related out the new conversation strand! schools. The agenda for meetings services for Nebraskans with focuses on technology coordinator disabilities. Partnering agencies For more on this strand, see Josh duties that are largely platform provide us with support through Allen’s blog at http://goo.gl/k5Acc independent. Typically the group grants and contracts to provide addresses issues where technology public awareness, information and Distance Learning Strand is the object rather than the subject referral services, on-site technical With increased opportunities of the discussion. You can find more assistance, a mobile assessment and through technology, today’s class- information at: www.netasite.org evaluation service, funding coordi- room is no longer isolated to the under the “Sponsored Groups.” nation, training for their staff, walls of the classroom, district equipment loans and equipment school building, or the local com- 1:1 Strand recycling, and funding for assistive munity. Online learning supported The 1:1 Laptop Initiative Strand technology devices and home by learning management systems, will showcase sessions related to modifications. video conferencing software such as the planning, implementing and Skype and iChat, and video confer- evaluation of a 1:1 environment. This strand highlights special encing hardware appliances provide This two-day strand will discuss education materials and resources. classes, virtual field trips, and mobile computing devices including (Continued on page 9) http://netasite.org February 2011 3 NETA News Vote Online! for 2011 NETA Officers and Directors

It’s time for election of officers and directors for the NETA board. Read a little information about each candidate and then cast your vote by February 25. Voting will ONLY be done online.

➤ Choose the link at the NETA web site at http://netasite.org ➤ Use your unique membership ID# from the mailing label on this newsletter.

President Elect

This officer serves for one year in this position and then moves into the role of the president. The president elect is responsible for helping to plan the spring conference.

Bob Goeman, University of work on your behalf to improve our association. I am Nebraska at Omaha currently the Technology Coordinator for the College of It is both an honor as well as a plea- Education at the University of Nebraska—Omaha. My sure to be nominated for the presi- position allows me to help faculty, staff, and students use dent-elect position of NETA. My technology in their teaching and learning, and has given me involvement in NETA has inspired me the opportunity to work with a wide range of professional to continue to spread the news of the educators from across the United States that are innovative importance of getting all different users of technology. I believe that NETA revolves around a types technology in the hands of our caring membership who share different expertise about young people. I have participated in several different technology in all curriculum areas. I look forward to serving capacities. A few things include: member for 20 years, the association as president-elect and participating in the volunteering wherever needed, conducting workshops, advancement of our great association! presenting interactive sessions, and serving as a board member. Over many years, No other candidates at this time. I have gained a great deal of knowledge from people No other candidates for President Elect were nominated. involved in NETA. I look forward to serving the needs of There will be an opportunity to do a “write-in” vote for our ever-changing educational climate. I feel privileged to another candidate if you wish.

Treasurer

This officer is elected every two years. The treasurer receives and disburses all funds for NETA and keeps the board informed of the status of all accounts.

Rich Molettiere No other candidates at this time. Omaha North H.S. No other candidates for Secretary were nominated. There I have been the NETA treasurer for a will be an opportunity to do a “write-in” vote for another number of years and would like to candidate if you wish. continue in this position. Over the last few years the Board has imple- NOTE: Contact Sandy Blanknship at mented a number of improvements in [email protected] if your mem- the budgeting process as well as financial operating procedures at my bership number is torn or unreadable on the request that, I believe, make the organization more newsletter. efficient as well as more documented. I would appreciate your vote.

February 2011 http://netasite.org 4 NETA News

Directors

Directors serve for three year terms. They attend four board meetings per year and one working retreat. Directors serve on planning committees and have special conference duties. Four positions need to be filled.

Crys Bauermeister, Pierce High School Dustin Buggi, Johnson County Central Students need to see how technology Over the past seven years as a science touches their lives, no matter what career teacher, NSSRS/NeSA administrator, path they choose. NETA is just one way I PowerSchool Administrator, LAN Man- am more effective as a technology leader. ager and technology director I have been Our school is 1 to 1, and although I used to able to see all sides of technology—from be a Language Arts teacher, I’m now a training staff and administrating the computer applications teacher. While challenging, the task servers and network to teaching and using technology in is rewarding and my sharing and collaboration skills have the classroom. I would like to use this comprehensive view grown. Along with students, teachers need to develop their of technology in education as a NETA board member. skills with ever transforming technology. Just when I think Technology in education is a fast paced, constantly chang- I have an application mastered, an update is released, ing world of high cost and high stakes. It is absolutely proving that learning is a lifelong task. Although change is imperative to have an organization like NETA where all constant, technology leaders need to continuously adapt to educators can share and stimulate ideas on how to improve the ever-changing landscape of the educational tools at our student achievement. Technology should in fact augment disposal. My involvement with NETA includes presenting the learning classroom and current teaching methods and at three previous conferences, helping at registration for not hinder it. There are many educational technologies in the past two years, and attendance at the conference for the market place today that are new, shiny and heavily the past ten years. Plus, for the past 4 years, I have made marketed but if they hinder or distract the child’s learning, sure that someone new from my district or another school there is no need for it in the classroom. However with proper district attends NETA. These newcomers have found that training and use of technology, it can open worlds beyond NETA is contagious. Attending NETA inspires technology your students’ imagination. growth within teachers! When elected to the NETA board Jay Cecrle, Adams Central Jr./Sr. High I will strive to represent the classroom teacher as well as adapting to the changes in technology. I look forward to I have been a science teacher for 10 years serving you! and seen much change in classroom technology. I entered my first classroom Lynn Behounek, Ralston Public Schools using an overhead projector with transpar- I became a NETA member in 1994, when I encies, a donated PC desktop running started teaching for Ralston Public Schools. Windows 95, and a chalkboard. Today Since then I have enjoyed everything I have I teach with a laptop, digital projector, a mobile computer learned and been able to share with lab, and an Angel website to accommodate the digital students and staff members over the years. learner. My students are in the process of transitioning After 8 years, I decided to leave the from content consumers to content creators. Many of the classroom to become a media/technology specialist for the technology skills and ideas I have used in my classroom are district. Being able to share the great things I have learned the direct result of attending the annual spring NETA through classes, from my colleagues and the local and conference with colleagues who are equally passionate national conferences with more than a classroom of about the use of technology in education. With each students is what I enjoy. Currently, I work with 550 technology conference I attend, I become more excited students and 60 staff members at two elementary schools. about what is possible in the classroom. The opportunities For the past 10 years, I have attended the ISTE conference now available to our students to learn and be successful are and have been able to bring back new ideas of how to astounding. By being on the board of directors, I can help incorporate technology in to the curriculum. The thingsI NETA continue to be a leading source of classroom have learned from listening to the exciting advancements technology training and knowledge for teachers. As a and ways to utilize technology in the classroom from the practicing teacher, I am in touch with the needs and issues state and national conferences is something I value. Beinga of using technology with students. I will work with other part of the NETA board, I will not only be able to continue members to ensure that quality speakers and learning to gain more knowledge, but also share with other what opportunities relevant to the classroom teacher are a top I have learned. priority.

(Directors continued on the next page)

http://netasite.org February 2011 5 NETA News

(Director nominees, continued) classroom, and open source software. Darci has presented Tom Gamble, Indian Hill Elem., Omaha at regional, state, and national conferences for the past As the technology facilitator for Indian Hill eight years. Mrs. Lindgren participated in her school’s Elementary in South Omaha, I’ve been very Learning Web team where they built a new community fortunate to bring the limitless opportunities web site, and has received a NETA Technology Grant for of technology to our students and staff. her school’s Making History video game project. She Technology is a vital part of a student’s presented the Making History project at ISTE in Washing- education and must be integrated into their ton D.C. in 2009. In addition to staff tech. support and education. I have introduced handheld computing, laptops, network management, she also rebuilds donated P.C. interactive whiteboards, and GPS to our staff and students. equipment for her school, maintains five web sites, and It is imperative we pursue new and creative means of takes care of Holy Family’s E-Rate funding. Mrs. Lindgren technology instruction. NETA is a valuable resource for the has been married for 21 years. Her husband, Jon, is a Midwest. I have attended the conference for years and have farmer and crew chief for the Nebraska Department of been fortunate to be a presenter. I am a member of ISTE and Roads. Her four kids age 8-18 and are active in cross attend the annual conference bringing new ideas and country, yo-yo’ng, horses, and 4-H. Darci is also a Sunday concepts back to our state. NETA is a means to bring school teacher; Boone County Relay for Life committee together the best our state has to offer in educational member; and 4-H dog, cat, and pocket pet judge during technology for all grade levels. This allows us to foster better the summer. In her free time she enjoys gardening and technology instruction for the students of our state and keep crocheting lace. Thank you for taking the time to consider us ahead of the educational technology curve. I would be me for the NETA Board of Directors. See you all at NETA! honored to contribute my knowledge, experience, and enthusiasm to the NETA board and its members. Lori Long, Gothenburg Public Schools My name is Lori Long and I have taught in Matthew Lee, Westside Comm. Schools Gothenburg for six years, the last four as a My name is Matthew Lee and I am a Social media/technology integration specialist. Studies team leader/teacher and data Prior to 2005, I taught English in Gretna collection specialist at Westside High School and North Platte High Schools and served in Omaha, Nebraska. My focus is on the the Gretna community as the public development of technology rich lessons for library director. I am passionate about information literacy use in my own and my team’s classrooms. I and the role technology plays in education. In the last few also work to create technology resources for use by the years, I have presented at NETA and NEMA and partici- entire high school staff. I consider myself a lifelong learner pated as a member of a Learning Web team. Being a and have received a Masters Degree from UNO in Second- member of the NETA Board would give me an opportunity ary Education-Instructional Technology. I believe the drive to share my enthusiasm for technology in all facets of to continue to improve one’s teaching is the main characteris- education. As a media/tech integration specialist, I tic of an effective teacher. I enjoy sharing what I learned and collaborate with teachers and students to incorporate tools developed in the realm of technology usage and integration. I that enhance the curriculum at all grade levels and subject have presented at NETA and the Apple sponsored LLI events areas. In a time of shrinking budgets, it is important that at Westside H.S.; conducted staff development workshops at we, as a teaching community, share ideas and work to Westside; and presented on technology integration at our advance technology offerings to all areas and all ages. My sister school in Tianjin, China. My goals if I get the privilege of husband, Jim, is a former educator who is now a beekeeper serving on the NETA board include: 1) Strive to maintain and in central Nebraska. We have three sons who keep us very improve the annual NETA conference. 2) Make NETA an busy with their activities. In my spare time, I enjoy attend- organization that provides learning experience for all mem- ing sporting events, reading, and traveling with my family. bers throughout the year—not just during the conference. This could be done through the use of online seminars, wikis, Josh McDowell, Barr Middle School— Grand Island Public Schools enhanced listservs and more. 3) Increase the emphasis on free and open-source resources. Teachers need to know what is I am currently serving as Assistant Princi- available and have direction on how to incorporate these pal at Barr Middle School, a part of Grand resources into their teaching, especially in this age of budget Island Public Schools. I began my teaching cutbacks. career with Kearney Public Schools before moving to Grand Island where I have been Darci Lindgren, Holy Family School for the past six years. Early in my teaching career I was Mrs. Darci Lindgren has been the Computer able to witness the impact that meaningful and relevant Technology Coordinator at Holy Family technology use had on teaching and learning. With the School in rural Lindsay, Nebraska since support of every building administrator that I worked for I 2001. She is an advocate for web literacy, have been able to utilize technology in a way that has digital citizenship, video games in the (Directors continued on the next page)

February 2011 http://netasite.org 6 NETA News

(Director nominees, continued) Gregg Robke, ESU 4 maximized student learning and my own efficacy. Serving on I am just finishing up my first term on the the NETA board would afford me the opportunity to NETA board. I have enjoyed serving on the continue to support teachers in implementing the effective NETA board and I look forward to continue use of technology and continue my own learning and to serve another term. I have actively been growth. Whether we are talking about 21st century skills, involved in NETA for many years. I have web 2.0 tools, or the latest and greatest piece of technology, annually served as the NETA college credit our focus must constantly remain on students and their course instructor. This is a valuable service as it allows learning. I feel that my leadership in the area of technology educators to receive graduate credit for attending the NETA education and 21st century learning makes me a great conference. I have presented and co-presented on several candidate for the NETA board of directors. I look forward to occasions at the conference and enjoy listening to the many the opportunity to serve NETA and its membership. valuable conversations that result because of NETA. I am Mike Peterson, O’Neill High School currently serving as the technology director at Educational Service Unit 4. ESU 4 is located in the southeast part of I am Mike Peterson and I have been involved Nebraska which serves a five-county area. My job responsi- with technology since my parents bought me bilities include training and teaching teachers effective uses an Atari gaming system in 1980 and I was of technology in the classroom. I believe strongly that hooked. I have taught “computers” since technology can serve as a tool to motivate students to use 1987; first with TRS-80 computers that critical thinking skills. NETA allows educators to learn and loaded programs with a cassette tape-to the use some of these tools on a daily basis. present time where laptops are a part of every student’s daily activities at O’Neill High School. Throughout these past 25+ Tanya Windham, Adams Middle School years I have seen how technology can have a positive impact Who am I? It depends! I am a wife, mother, on the education of a student. I have presented at NETA teacher, student, gadget geek, and assume a several times and I feel I can have a positive impact on the variety of other roles as the situation NETA Board or Directors. I continue to increase my knowl- demands. Currently, I teach 8th grade social edge in the field of technology and feel I am always a “leader” studies at Adams Middle School in North in my field. Platte. After several years serving in the US Army and teaching for the US Air force, it was time to stay Dawn Prescott, Schuyler Middle School home for a few years. My husband and I have six children, In serving as a Board member for the past so day care was a bit much. Educational experiences include three years, I am constantly amazed and in a BS in Computer Science from the University of Southern awe of the knowledge, expertise and commit- Mississippi; a BA in Education from UNK; an MA in ment that my colleagues on the Board Curriculum & Instruction from Doane; and I am nearing the possess, as well as their willingness to share end of my Ed Specialist with UNK. My endorsements are their wide range of talents to make NETA K–8; Middle school math, science, and social science; PK–12 even better for the organization’s members. I have learned Administration; and Assessment. I am an avid technology that the real strength of NETA’s leadership comes from user as I am constantly learning more and more ways to people who 1) represent a variety of educational technology incorporate technology into my classroom/curriculum and backgrounds and vocations, and 2) come from different my hope is to assist other teachers in doing the same. We geographic and demographic areas of Nebraska. It’s in our must be prepared in order to prepare our students for the diversity that we can accomplish great things! For the past future. I have attended and presented at NETA and had the eleven years, I have taught 7th and 8th grade Computer wonderful opportunity to attend ISTE this past summer. I Literacy in Schuyler, and I believe my classroom teacher am also a member of NAG, ISTE, NAMLE and other experience brings a unique and essential “real-world” professional educational organizations, and currently serve perspective to the NETA Board. As a technology educator, I as the secretary for NAMLE and have presented at their know that we need to be intentional in teaching digital ethics Professional Development Institute as well as their Midwest and citizenship to our students. It is only when our students Regional conferences. I follow several technology leaders on make responsible choices in the use of technology that these Facebook and Twitter as well as following several Educa- remarkable tools can benefit society and positively impact tional Technology Blogs. It is my hope to be accepted into a the world around us. Frequently a NETA conference present- Educational Technology doctoral program next year. er, I am also a member of ISTE and ISTE’s SIG-CT (Special Interest Group for Computing Teachers). I attend the VOTE! national ISTE conference each summer and actively partici- Choose the link at the NETA web site at http://netasite.org pate as an ISTE volunteer. If re-elected, I would again be and use your unique membership ID# from the mailing label honored to serve on the NETA Board. on this newsletter. ❖

http://netasite.org February 2011 7 NETA News iPads in the Classroom—Reading

by Nicki Noordhoek, Dr. Seuss Books Waverly Includes professional narrations, background audio and Middle School enlarged artwork. Individual words are highlighted as the story is read and when words and pictures are touched. Three ways to read these e-books: “Read to In our continuous quest Me”—listen to the narrated story with words highlighted to find the top Apps for all as they are read; “Read it Myself”—read the book in its various mobile devices, traditional form; and “Auto Play”—plays like a movie, one thing is obvious: the automatically reading and turning pages. ever-growing selection will soon be mostly pro- The Wheels on the Bus Go Round and Round duced and developed by Sing along and read with your children. Books developed the students themselves. by Duck Duck Moose (i.e. Old MacDonald) allows you to Students’ interest along listen to song book in English, Spanish, French, German, with their “dive in and and Italian as well as record their own voice to playback. do” mentality will be Children are encouraged to touch, explore, and discover leading the Application fun surprises in the captivating, interactive illustrations. market to an entirely new level. The Three Little Pigs Karaoke like text scroll (highlights red as you read); page If you haven’t explored indexing to access your favorite parts; bookmarking to pick Apple’s Application up where you left off; read at your own pace w/out audio development site it is and scroll text; large page turn area; 3D page turn provides highly recommended a tactile “feel”; great music accompanies each story. (http://developer.apple. com/devcenter/ios/index. MeeGenius! action). Not only to see Beautifully illustrated and enhanced books featuring what you think yourself, many favorite titles. Some of the features include word but to pass on the link highlighting, audio playback, and automatic playback. to those students who Free version comes with six titles. will take the information and run with it! Let them know what unit you’ll be Journals: Middle School Love and War doing next! An inspiring book—Journals: Middle School Love and War. Inside are thousands of questions & answers about The focus of this article boys, girls, love, dating, parents, and complicated topics will be in the area of in life. It has a personal diary with prompting questions to reading. The Apps provid- help you gather and compose your daily thoughts, and a ed in this list are stand- weekly podcast called Journals Out Loud where students alone Apps, meaning you can listen to a panel of teens tackling tough questions. don’t need to download them through an eReader Melvin Says There’s Monsters! Lite (iBooks, Kindle, etc.). Digital Storybook! Fully animated pages with back- They are more interac- ground music. Character narration that will engage tive, animated, and students as well as drop down thumbnail navigation and engaging. read along controls (Continued on the next page) February 2011 http://netasite.org 8 NETA News

(iPad Apps, continued) (A Thought “About,” from page 1) Story Kit portraying. Their “about” page may not be in print and may or may not Create an electronic storybook! Students can rewrite and be formalized in a web page or even rearrange four public domain children’s books. Students on Facebook. Even so, it will be can add text, illustrate, record and input sound, as well as evident in the comments they write, add, reorder, or delete pages from your book. The new the pictures they post and the story is saved to iPad and can be uploaded to StoryKit friends they accept. Our role as web server. educators is to encourage our students to find those items they are K12 Timed Reading Practice (free version is K–4) passionate about and show the Students can practice fluency reading timed short stories. world the strength that lies within More than 250 short, engaging fiction and non-fiction them. As we help them see this stories with the ability to track one or multiple readers. power within, we need to help them Also, has the ability to track stories read, WPM, percent- not damage their future through age above or below reading rates and next step recom- misplaced words or actions. mendations. Today’s students are creative and Fairy Tales! have many different pathways to express themselves to the world App is equipped with auto-scroll technology to make for with which they are involved. How an easy and enjoyable reading experience. Students can they do that and what their stories choose from several works by Hans Christian Andersen tell is as important as any lessons including The Emperors New Clothes, The Snow Queen, or they may learn from the curricu- The Red Shoes. lum. What’s it all “about?” ❖

Ladybug’s Bookshelf (Strands, from page 3) Speaker this year will be Scott This app features cleverly animated and illustrated Marfilius, an assistive/educational read-along stories for 2–6 year olds. In addition there are technology consultant from Milton, hidden surprises such as fun, challenging games; creative Wisconsin. He will be presenting activities; music; and more. four sessions on Thursday, April 28. His session topics include:

Marvel Comics 1) Teaching Digital Natives - Using Technology with Classroom A new way to experience the most popular super heroes! Instruction that Works Your choice of a guided view (an animated panel by panel path) or just pan your way through the excitement of 2) Achievement for All! Strategies your hero brought to life. for Implementing UDL in Your

Classroom

Toy Story Read-Along 3) Office Products: Creative A fully interactive reading experience! This App has an Educational Uses of Microsoft interactive Read-Along feature including the ability to Word and PowerPoint Record your own voice narrative. Students can also explore animations and be creative with finger painting. 4) The Price is Right Included is a Visual Page Index, which allows students to jump to a favorite part of the story, or resume where they Come join us at NETA 2011! We’ll left off.❖ still have the “regular” demonstra- tion sessions, poster sessions, and playgrounds. But don’t miss some of these strands if they are of interest to you! ❖ http://netasite.org February 2011 9 NETA News You’ve Got Text!

by Gregg Robke, may not like. They also use their ESU #4 social networks to take more “jabs” at each other. As parents, teachers, and administrators, we need to watch out for this kind of behavior. Remember that movie, The bully is no longer the big kid on You’ve Got Mail! with Tom Hanks the playground. There have been and Meg Ryan who get connected several recent stories relating to this via email? Email has become a very issue. Ones that really disturb natural way of communication. We can easily send messages to many “ I believe that we (parents, people and communicate to them teachers, administrators) our concerns, questions, or com- have a responsibility to teach Our responsibility ments on whatever topic interests appropriate uses of these I believe we (parents, teachers, us. Have you ever thought of how technologies—cell phones, administrators) have a responsibil- adults use email vs. how students online social networks, and ity to teach appropriate uses of use email? Is email losing its ability Internet behavior.” to be an avenue for communica- these technologies—cell phones, tion? Is it more about using cell online social networks, and Internet phones and text messaging? Or, behavior. They can be effectively what about smart phones and the me are the adolescents who end up integrated into our curriculum if ability to video chat with others taking their own lives. One example done appropriately. Many futurists through software? I know that my is the story of a 13-year-old girl in predict that every student will have own children would rather text Florida who committed suicide a digital device (a phone) to carry than send an email. They get after an explicit cell phone photo with them to school in five years. immediate feedback from a text she had texted to a boy was for- Are we prepared for this as educa- message vs. an email that may take warded to several other students. tors? Instead of “You’ve got mail,” days to get a response. Read the full version of this story at perhaps we should start saying, http://on.today.com/fXlmX7. “You’ve Got Text!” Cell phones—relevant? There are many positive ways to use Each year, the Nebraska ESU’s Reprinted by permission, Gregg cell phones in the classroom. But, sponsor a contest for “Internet Robke, ESU#4 (http://grobke. as we think about using them for Safety.” The contest is sponsored by blogspot.com) education, we must consider their the Nebraska Attorney General’s relevance for the curriculum. In Office and concludes in April. Our order to be effective, there has to be goal is to get the word out and help NOTE: See the November Issue of an outcome. Cell phones can be students understand the “risk” of the NETA newsletter for the entry engaging and fun if used effectively. rude behavior online. There are form and guidelines of the Internet And, if we can take time to teach numerous organizational web sites Safety contest referenced in this appropriate uses of the technology. whose goal is to help students article. The interactive form can be understand these risks. In fact, downloaded from the NETA Inappropriate use Anderson Cooper has interviewed website at http://netasite.org/ There are also ways in which students regarding the very issue of resources.html students use cell phones negatively. Cyberbullying. You can see the Students are using cell phones to episodes on AC360˚. One of his Deadline for Internet Safety bully other students. They do this episodes is titled, In a Wired World, Contest entries: ❖ by sending obscene texts or ob- Children Unable to Escape Cyber- March 10, 2011 scene photos to other students they bullying. Access the episode at: http://bit.ly/dJcWMB

February 2011 http://netasite.org 10 NETA News Are We Running on Empty?

by Dawn Prescott, Schuyler Community jobs are at an all-time high, salaries In conclusion, Dr. Roberts empha- Schools are high, and recruiting highly- sized that we must focus on Com- skilled talent is in demand. For puter Science in K–12 education if every two college graduates with a we, as a nation, hope to continue to This past fall, I attended the B.S. in Computer Science there are lead the world in technology and Grace Hopper Celebration of seven job openings! Globalization innovation. He acknowledged that Women in Computing Conference has actually increased the number it will take a team approach— lead- in Atlanta, Georgia. As a member of jobs in the United States. Our ers from education, our govern- of the Computer Science Teachers challenge: Attract students to ment and industry—to make it Association (CSTA), I participated computing fields early—in middle happen. The facts are clear. It’s in the “K-12 Computing Teachers” school—and provide challenging imperative that we, as educators, part of the conference. technology coursework at the high make a serious commitment now to school level. providing our students with every One conference speaker, Dr. Eric possible opportunity to succeed in a Roberts, Professor of Computer “Demand for U.S. Computer future we can only imagine. Science at Stanford University, Science graduates remains spoke on the current state of high despite offshoring.” For further reading: Computer Science in the United Margolis, Jane. Stuck in the Shallow States, and he identified what we as Contrary to popular belief, demand End: Education, Race and Comput- a country must address to remain for U.S. students graduating with ing. MIT Press, Cambridge, Massa- competitive in the current and Computer Science degrees remains chusetts. 2008. future global economy. Here are his high. Our challenge: Computer thoughts: Science is often considered “voca- Wilson, Cameron et al. “Running tional”, not academic. Technology on Empty: The Failure to Teach “ Demand for strong computer skills are not assessed at the state K-12 Computer Science in the science skills has remained level, and administrators often don’t Digital Age.” Computer Science high throughout the history understand the need for Computer Teachers Association (CSTA). 2010. of the field, even during Science curriculum. http://csta.acm.org/runningonempty/ ❖ times of recession.”

The new global economy puts more pressure on technology innovation. Tech Coordinators’ Group—Interested? Our challenge: The U.S. needs to increase K–12 math and science This group is open to those who provide technical education, including computer support to Nebraska schools. The agenda for meetings science. We need to recruit and focuses on technology coordinator duties that are retain the top students and scien- largely platform independent. Typically the group tists, and our country needs to lead addresses issues where technology is the object rather the world in innovation. than the subject of the discussion.

“ Producing more highly The spring meeting will be held February 16, 2011 skilled science and technol- in Grand Island. ogy students is essential for economic growth in the U.S.” For more information, contact Lucas Bingham at [email protected]. Right now computing opportunities are skyrocketing. The number of

http://netasite.org February 2011 11 NETA News GPS—Use in the Classroom

by Bob Goeman, University of Ideas for using GPS receivers optional digital camera. Each Nebraska at for classroom activities group will be asked to find and Omaha Treasure Hunt: identify five different plants and This category can cover just about trees and bring back the latitude all subject areas. First, locate and longitude and a physical The use of a GPS receiver hiding spots around the school sample of a leaf. When back in the in today’s world is becoming campus. You will want to mark classroom, the students can commonplace. Many cars have them with a GPS receiver so you exchange information and GPS them built-in for navigation, distribute the coordinates on other receiver and then send them back trucking companies use them for GPSs. Place containers in each of out to match the data created by tracking, and farmers use them to the locations with questions that the first group. Another way is to track and monitor crop yields. accompany your curriculum. The already have markers with infor- They can also be used in the questions can be trivial or match mation on certain plants and trees, classroom as educational tools. future assessment questions. They which the students will need to GPS receivers can be utilized with can also be written in such away find and identify. If no mark on the any aged student. It can be used that there is a prize at the final tree, then they are at the wrong for engaging cooperative learning location if the student has an- location. activities, problem solving, exer- swered all of the questions cor- cise, spatial movement, using rectly. If it is not obvious, the GPS Math: innovative technology, and just receiver will guide the student to “Where am I?” becomes a great plain learning outside the four each hidden location. question for Math. Maybe it is a walls while having fun. search and rescue scenario, or a GPS Drawings: fishing expedition, a plot of land Below are some things you must This category is when a GPS logs a for farming and the greatest keep in mind while using GPS path, or route while students walk growth potential, a simple hide- receivers: in a specified path. This is similar and-seek in the schoolyard, or 1. GPS receivers do not work to dropping a popcorn trail behind even tracking a fleet of trucks. A inside buildings. It is best to them. Many activities start in a GPS receiver can calculate lati- use them outside. large grassy area and the student tude, longitude, altitude, speed, begins by walking a square. The and direction of travel. These 2. It is fine to use a GPS receiver GPS receiver needs to be adjusted thoughts can be done first on for 1 to 1 teaching, but best to make “marks” more frequently paper in the classroom with a practices allows students to so the pathway is more defined work in groups with two or when saved and taken back in the three students per receiver. classroom. Google Earth (free) is a The screen is very small, so it is great application to bring in the art difficult to have more than and see how it compares to what three per group. students thought they were draw- ing in the field. The art can then 3. Don’t let the intimidation become much more complicated factor get the best of you. and diverse to meet your curricu- Your students will catch on lum. Again, this activity is best very quickly and you will need done in groups with one GPS to get out of the way. receiver per group.

4. Always have a spare set of Science: batteries with you. If someone’s One example is plant and tree GPS receiver goes dead, you identification. Students are sent will want it back on the learn- outside with a GPS receiver, a ing track as soon as possible. notebook, a plastic bag, and an (Continued on the next page)

February 2011 http://netasite.org 12 NETA News

(GPS, continued) ruler, protractor, and pencil then The Learning Web Turns Seven! taken out in the field to better understand all of the calculations. The Learning Web is a year-long professional institute promoting technology integration projects which meet school improvement History: goals and support proven instructional strategies. Every town in America has some The Learning Web staff development process will again be offered to the history locations that need to be educators of Nebraska. The Learning Web is a yearlong professional identified. Send a GPS receiver institute promoting technology integration projects, which meet school home with students to record the improvement goals and support proven instructional strategies. latitude and longitude of the location and find five facts about The Learning Web teams: the history of the location. Create • attend the NETA Conference in LaVista (Omaha area) April 28–29, a Wiki site (or similar) for students 2011 to gather ideas for the project. to post their findings for others to read and post comments. • attend a regional two-day institute in June at an ESU to learn about instructional strategies and develop an action plan. Geography: • work with a team facilitator who will help to answer questions and Students can monitor traffic at provide resources. specified waypoints at safe loca- tions. Students record latitude and • align the project to a school improvement goal. longitude and collect data on seat • make sure the project supports at least one proven instructional belt usage, cell phone usage, red strategy. light runners, etc. Bring data back to classroom and combine all • implement the project during second semester of the 2011–12 points on Google Earth by adding school year. pushpins inputting data. Find • share the project at the NETA conference in April, 2012. distance apart from each other as well as traffic counts. Share infor- The project supports a team of up to five from a school or district in each mation with the community. ESU, who create an action plan to implement a technology integration project which supports a school improvement goal. For example, in support Use your own creativity to find of a reading and/or writing goal, a school may elect to integrate graphic additional ways to use GPS receiv- organizers as a research based comprehension strategy. The team of teach- ers in your classroom. What we ers may train and create graphic organizers using Inspiration software. have found is the only real down- side is getting your students back The project teams from last year will be presenting the success of their in the classroom! Enjoy. ❖ projects at a poster session during the NETA conference on April 28th. Don’t miss this session! The focus of last year’s teams was creativity and Other GPS resources: many of them have been using Animationish. Many of the poster sessions will highlight how this creative tool was used to improve student learning. geocachingkids.com Learn the What, How, Who and This is the seventh year for the project, and the hope is that it will be Where of Geocaching at on-going and grow in future years. Each particpating ESU will recruit a http://www.geocachingkids.com/ district as their 2011 team. If you are interested, please contact the tech- nology professional development person at your local ESU. The Science Spot: GPS & GIS Lesson Plans & Links The Learning Web is sponsored by http://sciencespot.net/Pages/ the Nebraska Educational Service Units, NETA, Nebraska’s Coordinating The classgpslsn.html Commission for Postsecondary Education & the Nebraska GPS Activities and Lesson Plans Department of Education. ❖ http://lovinfifth.com/gps/ Learning GPS-activities.htm Web http://netasite.org February 2011 13 NETA News ISTE Conference 2010 Report— Karen Cator & the New National Technology Plan by Dennis McIntyre, “Everybody in this room understands that our nation’s success NETA Site depends on strengthening America’s role as the world’s engine of Coordinator discovery and innovation...” —President Barack Obama, STEM Presentation, September 2010

It was an honor to have Five goals • enhance both the formal and attended a presentation made by The new technology plan, as she the informal; outlined, contains five goals. The Karen Cator, Director of the U.S. • provide the necessary support; Office of Educational Technology. key words in the focus of each of This was a session for sharing the goals include: • redesign, readjust, reapply; both information and background • find the efficiencies. about the new National Educational 1. Learning—change the learning Technology Plan—Transforming processes to achieve more Rewarding, invigorating, American Education: Learning engaging and individualized and refreshing Powered by Technology. At the time components; It was rewarding to listen to such of the ISTE Conference in Denver a quality, dedicated educator 2. Assessment—develop a new last summer, the Technology plan speaking about the national plan generation of assessment tools was in the final stages of develop- to focus the future technology and techniques; ment. The new plan was released in efforts even more on learning and November, 2010. 3. Teaching—increase empower- the learner! It was invigorating to ment of teachers through access hear about a plan, at the national Dedication and expertise and connection to resources; level, that appears to be leading an Karen shared the highlights of the effort to make the technology 4. Infrastructure—provide ve- new plan in a vibrant presentation efforts make sense and be ac- hicles for access in and out of in which she focused our attention countable. It was refreshing to the classroom; on learning and the learners. Karen have the plan unfolding in a comes to the Office of Educational 5. Productivity—increase school succinct and focused form. Technology after many years of district productivity and thus serving education, including Apple student achievement. Where to get it leadership and advocacy roles. As The full technology plan can be part of this session, one could sense Key Phrases accessed at the U.S. Department the dedication and expertise that Some of the more important of Education website : http://www. Karen has brought to education phrases that shared the potential ed.gov/technology/netp-2010 and the role technology can have and the power of what might be in the teaching and learning done included: NETA will have the honor of enterprise. hearing Karen Cator as one of its • continue to pursue the Univ- Keynote speakers on Friday morn- ersal Design for Learning One could also sense the intensity ing of the spring conference, April initiatives; of Karen’s mission in the Educa- 29, 2011 in the new “Pick Your tional Technology Office, and her • learn more about “how people Own Keynote Speaker” format. background in working as past learn;” Detailed bios were printed about chair of the Partnership for 21st all of NETA’s invited speakers in • measure what matters; Century Skills. Her ISTE presenta- the November 2010 newsletter. tion created not only a sense of • seek to attain persistent learn- awareness about the newly released ing records and continuous See more information in the plan, but an energized rationale for improvement models; conference preview section, ❖ the new efforts. located later in this issue.

February 2011 http://netasite.org 14 NETA News Fab 5 Websites

by Jackie Ediger, ESU 9, Hastings

The ISTE Conference Bibme.org 2010 brought out many great http://www.bibme.org/ websites that I couldn’t wait to Automated bibliography maker that auto-fills. It’s easy to build a citation share! I am always looking for ways page. Did I mention it is free? to hook student with images, and interactive learning, help them Search for a book, article or website, and enter the information you have. organize their research, and to Click ‘add it to your bibliography list’ and it automatically will put it in the connect with students when they right MLA, APA, or Chicago format, ready for you to download. are not in the classroom.

Google Alerts http://www.google.com/alerts?hl=en After setting up a Google account, look into Google Alerts (under the more button)! Find out the latest information on websites, blogs, and Tagxedo discussion boards. Put your name into a google alert to see whenever your http://www.tagxedo.com name comes across the Internet. Put in your school name to see whenever is a website like Wordle where you your school is mentioned. Put in a news story topic and you can monitor can enter a paragraph, poem, or developing details. Decide how often you want to be sent an alert email— paper you have written, and then everyday, once an hour or once a week. It’s a great way to keep updated on pick the picture shape you want the information of interest. word cloud to display it in.

Vocaroo http://vocaroo.com —Click one Bit.ly button—“click to record” and it http://bit.ly/ starts immediately. You then have Bit.ly allows you to shorten long hyperlinks, share your links with anyone, two options, a) Send it to someone, and get real time data to see how many people have clicked on your new or b) post it on your website and it bit.ly link in the last 24 hours., the last seven days or the last 30 days. It is a gives you the embed code. It’s slick, great way to see if your link is getting used by your students or from links fast, and no signing in before you on your website. Twitter, Yahoo and Facebook all use bit.ly to shorten URL begin recording. addresses on their sites. ❖

http://netasite.org February 2011 15 NETA News The New NETA Site!

by Lucas Bingham, with creative and innovative ideas on how we might use the new site. Louisville Inspired and guided by these ideas and suggestions, we have the result you Public Schools see every time you load our web presence in your browser! The back end of the site runs off of Joomla, which is a content management system that will help us create a great experience for you when visiting the site. I’ve had the pleasure of working with NETA over the years But we didn’t stop at making it look better and work more efficiently, there for various events and have been are many features in the works also that are not quite ready to roll out yet. able to attend the spring conference for several years. Last year, I was Features in the works include: thrilled to be accepted onto the • A mobile version of our website supporting various mobile browsing board as the Web Coordinator and experiences thoroughly enjoy working with this great group of leaders. It is amazing • Exclusive member-only area with access to content and other special- what we accomplish and the new ized web-applications NETA site is something we would like to showcase to you! • Newsletter content continued on the web—a place to view digital excerpts of our great newsletter articles. If you visited the NETA site near the end of 2010, you might have • Member collaboration, commenting and more—a great way to get noticed our banner “turning the involved in the conversation. page in technology” giving a little hint that we were undergoing a site Furthermore, we plan to use social networking/media and web 2.0 tools in re-design. As you probably have many upcoming features. Integrating these items right into the site will noticed, it is now live and has many help create a great experience for all of our members and site visitors! features that we plan to use to keep in touch with our members. What’s new? Here are some great new items that you can see right now at http://netasite.org

• Quick and direct access to our social networking sites • E-Mail articles directly to those who might be interested in reading them

• Dedicated areas of the site with specialized content based on if you are an attendee, exhibitor or presenting at the conference. Also easy registration access from the top of every page!

This new design is not just my We will have much more in the works leading up to our 2011 spring creation however, the entire board conference. Check back often for new features and articles. I am excited to had a part in giving suggestions, have the opportunity to showcase the new site design to you and want to reviewing content and coming up thank you all for the continued support of NETA and our mission! ❖

February 2011 http://netasite.org 16 NETA News

Permanent Records How This article is reprinted by permission fromTech & Learning It’s magazine, from the October 2010 issue (page 20). Done http://www.techlearning.com/article/33300

‘own’ their history and evidence of their achievement,” says Carol Andringa, curriculum specialist for career and technical education. “A portfolio helps them collect, organize, and manage important information for further learning, college and scholarship applications, and job interviews. It is always available, and parents can use it to communicate about school and Linda Dickeson got excited student progress.” about electronic portfolios when her district beta tested Adobe Acrobat 9 Digital Leaders Pro, almost two years ago. “Previous Dickeson can identify plenty of ways teachers can use digital portfolios, from versions of the software let you showcasing classroom projects to offering evidence of their own perfor- create portfolios,” says the Distance mance. She trains colleagues in how to build a portfolio to augment a text- Learning Coordinator for the book or for a lesson that has no textbook attached. The teachers learn to Lincoln (NE ) Public School District, capture Web pages, construct study guides, and incorporate videos. “You can “but they weren’t going to get us put these into a curriculum portfolio to use again and again,” Dickeson says. where we needed to be. With this version, the lightbulb was turned on Beyond the District for educators everywhere.” Once their teachers get started, Andringa and Dickeson know, they’ll find even more uses for PDF portfolios. In fact, while Dickeson was conducting Instant Illumination training at the Nebraska Department of Education earlier this year, the state The key, Dickeson says, is that the director of technology suggested that he uses a PDF portfolio as a pre- program lets you create, in just a few meeting organizer rather than send many emails containing many attach- simple steps, a PDF portfolio that ments. It probably won’t be too long before Dickeson turns that idea into a you can fill with any kind of file: reality in her district. (Send questions to Linda at [email protected]) ❖ PowerPoint presentations, scanned documents, video and audio clips, and so on. “The software compresses the files and puts a wrapper around them so it’s one neat little package,” she says.

“Students, parents, anyone with a computer, can open up and interact with all of a portfolio’s contents,” Dickeson says. “And it’s easy for students to continue adding new files every year.”

Although Lincoln teachers are just starting to discover PDF portfolios, they already realize their value. “Students become responsible and

http://netasite.org February 2011 17 NETA News ISTE 2011 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania NETA Registration and Housing Options

Welcome to ISTE 2011! • Click “View Rooms and Rates” (conference discounts for ISTE Mark your calendars, and plan now • Click “Book” members offset the ISTE member- to attend ISTE 2011 in Philadel- • Select dates needed ship fee). NOTE: It is important phia! Join more than 18,000 educa- • Click “Book” that you select Yes, I am a member tors from across the United States • Fill in details for each guest. of an ISTE Affiliate and choose and several foreign countries to NETA: Nebraska Educational participate in the largest educa- All unused rooms in the NETA Technology Association from tional technology conference of its block will be released for general the Affiliate list while registering. type in the U.S. The conference will sale on April 1, 2011. Identifying yourself as a NETA be held June 26-29, 2011 at the affiliate attendee makes it possible Pennsylvania Convention Center in The registration process described for us to communicate with you Philadelphia, PA. above was new last year. Previously before the ISTE conference with you needed to FAX in your registra- any additional up-to-the-minute The NETA Board is providing a tion to reserve a room in the NETA information about NETA social special ISTE 2011 housing and Block. The online registration is hours or other events you won’t registration offer for our member- much better, plus you know imme- want to miss. Conference registra- ship. This offer provides Nebraska diately whether the room is avail- tion is frozen for you at the super NETA members a block of reserved able. Cancellations received by early bird price, $330 ($235 if you rooms at a reserved hotel, guaran- April 13, 2011 will not be charged a are an ISTE member), through teed super early bird registration cancellation fee. Any cancellations May 1, 2011. rate of $330 ($235 if you are an to these room reservations between ISTE member through July 2011), April 14 and 5:00 EST on June 10, International Networking! and an opportunity for a Nebraska 2011 are subject to a $150 cancella- National conferences, although reception while at ISTE. tion fee. After June 10th you will perceived by some as a luxury, can need to work directly with the provide an opportunity to exchange The conference organizers have hotel. ideas with educators from other reserved a block of rooms for states or countries, learn from Nebraska NETA members in the PLEASE NOTE: Last year our national educational technology Embassy Suites Philadelphia NETA rooms filled early, so please leaders, and preview a wide array (Center City), 1776 Benjamin register as soon as possible. of technology solutions through Franklin Parkway, Philadephia, PA the exhibitor area. 19103. This hotel is a 10-minute NETA Super-earlybird walk from the Convention Center, Registration You may want to consider sharing with the NETA rate of $220/240 per Complete your conference regis- a room to reduce travel costs. night for single/double rooms. tration separately using the ISTE Philadelphia promises to be an Complimentary shuttle busses are 2011 Website online registration. interesting conference city and we also available to and from the Register by May 1, 2011 to qualify do hope that you can travel to take Convention Center. This hotel for the Early Bird Rate (if you advantage of this summer learning offers free breakfast and an evening choose the NETA affiliate as opportunity with other NETA manager’s reception. All accommo- outlined below)! members. The housing block will dations are subject to 15.2% state fill quickly so don’t delay! and room taxes. Go to: http://www.isteconference. org/ISTE/2011/registration/ and If you have any questions about NETA Reserved Housing click Register Online. registration or housing for ISTE To take advantage of the Embassy 2011 in Philadelphia, please contact Suites Hotel housing arrangements: Begin by choosing ISTE Member Sandy Blankenship at 402-540-1904 Go to the reservation web site: if you are a current ISTE member ([email protected]). http://bit.ly/gftmLf We hope to see you in Philadelphia!❖ February 2011 http://netasite.org 18 NETA News Calendar of Technology Conferences & Seminars

Events of every type for educators, technicians & administrators

February 2011 CoSN’s School Networking ISTE Conference Conference (formerly NECC) Texas Computer Education March 14–16, 2011 Unlocking Potential Association (TCEA) New Orleans, LA June 26–29, 2011 www.cosn.org/events/ February 7–11, 2011 Pennsylvania Convention Center Philadelphia, PA Austin, TX International Technology www.tcea.org www.isteconference.org/2011/ and Engineering Education Midwest Educational Association (ITEEA) Technology Conference March 24–26, 2011 (METC) Minneapolis, MN www.iteaconnect.org February 14–16, 2011 St. Charles, MO http://metcconference.org April 2011

Nebraska Distance NETA Spring Conference Learning Association (NDLA) e3: empower, encourage, Vendor Fair engage February 17, 2011 April 28–29, 2011 August 2011 ESU 10, Kearney, NE La Vista Embassy Suites & [email protected] Conference Center Annual Conference on LaVista, NE Distance Teaching & Learning http://netasite.org March 2011 August 3–5, 2011 Madison, Wisconsin Nebraska Association for the June 2011 www.uwex.edu/disted/conference Gifted (NAG) Conference March 3–4, 2011 Nebraska Career Education October 2010 La Vista Embassy Suites & Conference (NCE) Conference Center June 7–9, 2011 ITEC (Iowa Technology La Vista, NE Holiday Inn Younes Conf. Center Education Connection) www.negifted.org Kearney, NE Conference nceconference.com EDUCAUSE Midwest Regional October 16–18, 2011 Conference Technology in Education (TIE) Polk County Convention Center Des Moines, IA March 14–16, 2011 June 21–24, 2011 itec-ia.org/en/conference/ Chicago, IL Copper Mountain, Colorado net.educause.edu/mwrc11 tiecolorado.org/conference/

http://netasite.org February 2011 19 NETA News NETA Spring Conference Preview—April 28-29, 2011 La Vista Embassy Suites & Conference Center—12520 Westport Parkway, La Vista, NE “e3: empower, encourage, engage” Conference Highlights As a NETA member, you have the benefit of receiving advanced Spring ➤ 160+ Breakout Sessions— Conference information, BYOL listings and the registration form in this session topics will be listed newsletter before the information goes out to the public. This gives you an at the NETA Web site by advanced opportunity to reserve your spot(s) in the popular BYOL (Bring mid-February. Your Own Laptop) sessions at the conference, which are filled on a first- ➤ Poster Sessions—casually come-first-served basis. visit poster displays and ask questions about Invited Speakers successful projects. ➤Strands—by popular demand! Rushton Hurley Keynote Thursday A technical strand of break- The Sky Ain’t Falling, We’re Rising! out sessions for Technology Coordinators and Support Rushton Hurley has been a Japanese language teacher, a Specialists, a strand for 1:1 principal of an online high school, a teacher trainer, an (computer for each stu- educational technology researcher, and a school reform dent) implementations, & consultant who has worked and studied on three continents. He was one of new this year is a distance the inaugural cohort of Google Certified Teachers and is now director of an learning strand. educational nonprofit called Next Vista for Learning, which houses a library of free educational videos made by and for teachers and students everywhere ➤ New—Conversation at http://nextvista.org. Sessions!! Come learn from the group, not from New! Choose your own Friday Keynote from these speakers: an individual presenting.

➤ Earn Graduate Credit for Tony Vincent Question the Status Quo attending both days of the conference Tony Vincent started teaching in Omaha twelve years ago when it wasn’t so easy to publish online. He left regular teaching to ➤ Vendor Exhibits— become an independent consultant. Currently based in Phoe- your favorite exhibitors nix, Arizona, Tony has worked with teachers and students from showing all the latest! around the world. His websites include Learning in Hand, TonyVincent.net, ➤ Vendor Reception—visit the Our City Podcast, and the Arizona K12 Center Technology Blog. exhibit hall and enter to Richard Byrne win prizes! Winners will be Seven Challenges All Educators Face announced at Thursday’s vendor reception. Richard Byrne is a high school social studies teacher and author of the award-winning blog Free Technology for Teachers. ➤ Conference T-shirts— He has presented at conferences and at schools across North your remembrance of America. Richard’s work is focused on sharing free web-based this year’s conference. resources that educators can use to enhance their students’ learning experi- ➤ Win Big Prizes—attend our ences. http://www.freetech4teachers.com prize drawings after the Karen Cator closing sessions on Friday! Transforming American Education: ➤ NETA Playgrounds—bring Learning Powered by Technology your laptop! Karen Cator is the Director of the Office of Educational ➤ Bring Your Own Laptop Technology at the U.S. Department of Education. She has (BYOL) sessions (see p. 22) devoted her career to creating the best possible learning environments for this generation of students. Prior to joining the department, Cator directed Apple’s leadership and advocacy efforts in education. February 2011 http://netasite.org 20 NETA News Featured Speaker

Scott Marfilius Featured Thursday on Assistive Technology Mr. Marfilius has been working with individuals with disabilities for the past 26 years. The past 20 years has involved implementing assistive technology at various levels. Scott’s focus areas in assistive technology include computer access, and technologies that assist those with cognitive and learning disabilities.

Gallery of Poster Sessions

On Thursday afternoon, watch for the gallery of Poster Sessions. The first session will highlight the state-wide Learning Web grants and teachers who received NETA and Qwest/NETA grants last year, with additional rounds of poster sessions addressing a wide variety of topics. Stroll freely through the gallery of poster sessions where all presenters will informally display projects in one session room and be on hand to answer your questions.

Student Attendance

Full-time college students must submit proof of full-time enrollment at check-in to be eligible for a student pass. High school students must meet the following guidelines in order to attend: students must be directly involved in a presentation and supervised at all times by an adult. Student presenters are considered guests of the conference and their names must be submitted to Sandy Blankenship [[email protected]] by April 8th.

Lunch Tickets!

Lunch tickets will be available for purchase during check-in Thursday morning. Tickets will be sold just outside of Gatsby room. Purchase your ticket in advance so that later at lunch time you can quickly pick up your lunch without having to wait in line to pay.

Registration Discounts

Register with the form on a later page in this publication or online at http://netasite.org. Groups of ten or more participants qualify for a $10.00 discount off each full conference registration or a $5.00 discount off each one-day registration.

All qualifying registrations must be on the same check, charge card or purchase order and mailed together or entered under the same group name online. Register online at http://netasite.org.

Direct questions about the processing of registrations to: 1.800.280.6218 toll free 541.346.3537 direct (M–F, 8am–5pm PT) [email protected]

For non-registration questions, contact: Sandy Blankenship, [email protected], phone 402.540.1904 http://netasite.org February 2011 21 NETA News Bring Your Own Laptop (BYOL) Sessions

Bring your own laptop to these sessions. The sessions are FREE, but you must register to attend (a ticket will be required), with a maximum of two BYOL sessions per attendee. Put the BYOL session number and title in the appropriate place on the registration form or online. Register early—each session is limited to 40 attendees.

Code Title Description Date Time Presenter BT10 Googlize Your Come and experience some of the best Google Thursday 10:30 AM– Judy Griffin, Classroom tools for teachers and students! We will give a April 28 12:00 Noon Mary Ann quick overview of some of the many tools Google Angeroth has to offer: Google Docs, Sites, Picnik, YouTube, Picasa, Earth, Sketchup, Chrome and the new Body Browser! These are all free! Resources and tutorials will be provided online. We will focus on the collaboration tools: Docs and Sites. BT11 Got the Itch for Scratch is a free program developed by MIT and Thursday 12:30– Richard New Software— the Department of Education. It provides pull- April 28 2:00 PM Gottner SCRATCH it! down menus to write programming for computer animation. The presenter will provide lessons and samples that can be used in your classroom immediately. Come learn how to create projects that include video games, animations and image manipulation. BT12 Everyone Presenters will demonstrate using backchanneling Thursday 2:30– Darren Hanson, Has a Voice in your classroom. This interactive session will be April 28 4:00 PM Jody Bauer, set up so attendees will be able to participate in Jason Sullivan backchanneling and know the basics of setup. BF10 Google Earth, This session will explore Google Earth as platform Friday 10:30 AM– Paul Clark, GPS, and Web for digital storytelling. Participants will have the April 29 12:00 noon Bob Goeman, 2.0: Creat- opportunity to create interactive, place and Web Matt Lee, ing Interactive 2.0-based multimedia presentations that includes Tom Gamble Explorations GPS data. BF11 Teaching for This session will look at how to use online tools that Friday 12:30– Jamey Value with Tech- add value to your lessons. Technology can create an April 29 2:00 PM Boelhower nology individual and meaningful component for any class- room. We'll explore online tools like Scribblar, Stixy, and Xtranormal that enrich the traditional lessons.

NEW at Conference! Barcodes on Name Badges This year your name badges will have bar codes on them. This will allow exhibitors to easily scan your name badge and you won’t need to complete forms to give them your information. When the exhibitors scan your badge, these are the fields of information they will receive: your name, organization, address, phone, and e-mail.

At this point we do not know how many exhibitors will participate in badge barcode scanning. We anticipate quite a few since many have suggested that we add this option. Online registration begins February 1, 2011 Be the first at your school or institution to register and get your pick of the BYOL sessions!

February 2011 http://netasite.org 22 Conference Registration NETANETA News 2011 La Vista Embassy Suites & Conference Center, LaVista, NE (Omaha area)—April 28-29, 2011 Register with this form or online at http://netasite.org

If paying by check, use this form and mail to the address below, or register online at http://netasite.org with PO or charge card. • Early registration discount ends March 25, 2011. There is a $5.00 per person late fee after that date (postmarked). • Pre-registration deadline closes April 8 (Both online or mailing postmarks). After April 8, please plan to register onsite. • NETA does not support shared registrations. Each registrant must have their own name badge and packet. PLEASE TYPE OR PRINT CLEARLY TO AID IN PROCESSING

Name______Position______

School/Organization______District (optional)______

Is the mailing address listed below at school (work) or home? ❏ school (work) ❏ home

Street______City______State ______Zip______

Wk Ph______Hm Ph ______E-mail address ______

Would you like your name and address released to vendors? (No response indicates permission.) ❏ Yes ❏ No NOTE: One-year NETA membership included for each participant (except student pass and vendor pass). Registrations may be paid by check, purchase order, MasterCard, American Express or VISA. There is $5.00 late fee for all mailed or online registrations after March 25.

Conference Registration Amount (Please check the appropriate box below.)...... $______

❏ Full conference, both days...... $115.00 (includes all sessions, exhibits and Thursday Vendor Reception) ❏ Thursday ONLY...... $80.00 (includes all Thursday sessions, exhibits and Vendor Reception) ❏ Friday ONLY ...... $80.00 (includes all Friday sessions and exhibits) ❏ Lead Presenter ...... $25.00 (one per session—additional presenters must pay full registration) ❏ Student conference pass (for Higher Education students—not for K–12)...... $25.00 (Includes full conference and inclusion on NETA listserv. Full-time student ID Required.) ❏ Vendor Exhibits ONLY ...... $15.00 Register for OPTIONAL BYOL (Bring Your Own Laptop) sessions on the lines below (described on previous pages or on the NETA web site). BYOL participants must also be registered for the conference. There is a maximum of two BYOL sessions per attendee.

BYOL# Title Refund Policy: Conference registration refunds will be made only if notification ______is made to the registration office listed below by April 8, 2011. A $15.00 ______handling fee will be subtracted from the refund.

Late Fee (Add $5.00 for registrations postmarked after March 25, 2011, and for on-site registrations)...... $______Group Discount (Subtract $10 for a full registration or $5.00 for one-day)...... $ ______(Must be in groups of 10 or more registrations paid with the same check, PO, or charge card) Total Amount Enclosed (conference registration + late fee - discount) $ ______Payment Method: ❏ Check ❏ Purchase Order (enclosed) ❏ MasterCard ❏ VISA ❏ American Express (American Express, Visa or MasterCard only) Charge Card #______Exp. Date______3-4 digit CVV2 code______Signature (for charge cards only)______

❏ Would you like to volunteer? Please check if you would be willing to volunteer to assist the NETA Board during the conference.

Mail to: NETA11 Conference Registration Questions to: Make checks payable to NETA. 1277 University of Oregon 1.800.280.6218 toll free Fed. ID number #47-0775766 Eugene, OR 97403-1277 541.346.3537 direct (M–F, 8am–5pm PT) or 541.346.3545 fax [email protected] 23 NETA NONPROFIT Nebraska Educational Technology Association U.S. POSTAGE P.O. Box 27 PAID Waverly, NE 68462 LINCOLN, NE PERMIT NO. 1180

Membership Form NETA Statement of Purpose: The Nebraska Educational Technology Association exists for the purpose of providing leadership and promoting the application of technology to the educational process. Its span of interest includes all levels and aspects of education.

Name Position Preferred Address City State Zip Home Phone Work Phone School/Agency Name e-mail

If you attended the Spring Conference in April, 2010, one year of membership was included with your registration. If you would like to be a member, but could not attend the Spring Conference, membership dues are $25 .00 and are good through April, 2011. Make checks payable to NETA. To become a member, please fill out the above form and mail with check to: NETA Membership ❑ I am a new member P.O. Box 27 ❑ I was recruited by this current NETA member Waverly, NE 68462 Address changes should be sent to the above address or e-mailed to: [email protected]