Wednesday, December 18, 2013

Knoema’s World Data Atlas: A Great Online Tool for Social Studies


The Knoema World Data Atlas is a knowledge platform  (pronounced ‘No Ma’) that offers a plethora of social, economic, geographic and political data on every country of the world and connects that data to analytical and presentation tools. It represents a uniformed platform where users can access, present and share data-driven content. You can access data from multiple sources, assemble relevant indicators in one space, visualize figures, apply analytical functions, create a set of dashboards and present your results.

Knoema includes more than 500 interactive data sets! 

The most obvious connection to social studies is with grades 5-8 where students identify, describe, classify and compare regions of the world.

Watch a brief online video about Knoema.


Wednesday, December 11, 2013

Classroom folders for Google Docs

gClassFolders is a free, Google Spreadsheet based add-on for Google Apps for EDU that creates class folders for students and teachers to simplify and streamline their experience of using Google's world class productivity and collaboration tools in the classroom.



Common Core ELA Standards with Technology by Grade Level

Thanks to Jessica Wilson , a tech integrationist at CSSU for putting together the list.


Grade short answer Google forms with Flubaroo


If you use Google Form as a formative assessment tool, you need to consider using Flubaroo.

Flubaroo is free!  The directions are are easy enough fior an adult to follow.  Besides getting a quick review all of yiour students' results, one of the administrative options allow you to email results to each of your students.



Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Blogger Handouts for Vita-Learn workshop @ Bellows Falls

Before you begin to develop a Google web site you must have a Google account.  If you use gmail, you already have one!  If not, go to create a Google Account and sign up for one.  (It's free!)
Below are some of handouts that might prove helpful:



New Spanish Resources from Common Sense Media


Spanish Resources
Common Sense Media now has student-facing Spanish Resources for our K-12 Digital Literacy and Citizenship Curriculum and Digital Passport, in addition to their family media resources.

  • Family Tip Sheets (click Spanish to view). Provide advice about current issues related to the age-appropriate topics we addres in our K-12 Digital Literacy and Citizenship Curriculum.

Sunday, November 10, 2013

Southeast VITA-Learn meeting-Bellows Falls Union High School on Nov. 21 from 3:30-5:30

You will have two topics to choose from
iPad as a Dynamic Teaching Tool  or Using Blogger as a Classroom Website

iPad as a Dynamic Teaching Tool  presented by Michael Nieckoski
The iPad is a game-changing technology for the classroom that makes instruction and learning something that can literally be held in the hand. This workshop will show some ways that this remarkable device can be used by teachers to present material in their classrooms: by sharing the iPad screen; by using the cameras and connectivity in the classroom, and as an interactive feedback tool. Topics will include: hardware needed; app suggestions for presentations, interactive lessons, and for classroom feedback (some free, some not as free).
Please bring with you to the session:
your iPad or iPad Mini
2)your Apple ID and password and,
one or two ideas or lesson plans that you’d like to teach using the iPad as your primary delivery device. Please ensure that you have the capability of downloading and installing apps on your device.

Blogger as a Classroom Website by Art Skerker
Blogger can be used as a great tool for a classroom website or as an addition to an already existing classroom website.  Need to communicate immediately events that are happening in your classroom or want a venue for your students to share what they are learning then come and try blogger.  Classroom photos, student work, graphs, drawings, and writeups can all be added to your blog easily.   Bring a connected device and ideas of things you would like to share.

The meetings will have great snacks, certificates to document  your PD and dinner at 5:30 for anyone who would like to stay.   Dinner is a great time to troubleshoot, ask questions and collaborate with others.

The southeast VITA-Learn PD meetings rely on those of you who get this email to get the WORD out.  PLEASE forward this email to your staff, tech committees, principals, curriculum coordinators!!!!!  ANYONE  who you can think of that would benefit from these sessions.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact me.  


Christina Smith

Where did the apps go?





You are reading your wsesu.net email and want to look at your calendar, Google + or one of the other apps that were always on the top left of the screen...where did they go?  They are still accessible but you now have to click on the apps icon which is on the top right. 

Monday, October 14, 2013

Chromebook basics

Are you a new Chromebook teacher?  A number of questions have arisen from staff members as to how Chromebook use will change the way that they teach.  I've prepared a folder that will hopefully provide some incite.  The folder contains a bunch of handouts including:
  • creating groups and mailing lists,
  • creating or deleting a folder in your Google Drive,
  • creating a link to send out a Google Form,
  • Google Form basics (the Form is a wonderful formative assessement tool),
  • how to share a Google Doc,
  • setting up offline access, and
  • viewing a Google Doc offline

Friday, September 20, 2013

Add the CommonCore widget to your website


Copy and paste the following into a gadget that accepts HTML


<div id="_MC_ccapp_widget"><script src="http://www.masteryconnect.com/learn-more/cmsjs/widget.js"></script></div>

Once saved, a widget will appear on the right side of your web page that provides CommonCore information.

Thursday, September 19, 2013

FREE Virtual Conference and Expo—High Tech Online Professional Development for K-12 Educators and Tech Staff!



The award-winning producers of FETC and T.H.E. Journal invite you to participate in the FETC Virtual Conference & Expo fall event, focused on exploring the most pressing issues related to 21st Century Skills. This 100% online event brings several valuable education technology presentations straight to your desktop at your convenience.  (Free Registration and additional information )

Tuesday, September 17, 2013

Molecular Workbench interactive models keyed to Next Generation Science Standards


Molecular Workbench [MW] is already one of the most versatile ways to experience the science of atoms and molecules. Now thanks to Google's generosity and the power of HTML5, MW will now run on all platforms, including Chromebooks.  [If you are using a Mac or PC, you may still download and install MW.]