1-1 Learning
Learn more About the 1-1 Learning Project.
Windows XP graphing calculator
Submitted by cbf on Thu, 02/26/2009 - 3:57pm.
In the technology demonstrations at Oak Hill last night, one of the teachersat the Smartboard demo
indicated that she could really use a graphing calculator that they could display
on the Smartboard. Microsoft has a very nice, simple graphing calculator,
as part of the Windows XP "PowerToys" available as a free download
from here.
(Unfortunately, it doesn't install on Vista, which probably menas it won't install on Windows 7 either, although it works fine if you can get it installed. There's a simple workaround here.)
Dell Mini-Note Project-March 2009: Update 1
Submitted by Shelley_Chamberlain on Sun, 11/30/2008 - 6:30pm.
The Dell Mini-note laptop project is an extension of the TAC 1-1 learning project team during the 2007-2008 school year. Last April, the 1-1 learning project studied the effects of having one laptop per child in two out of three science 8th grade classrooms at Brown Middle School. Two vendors (Apple and HP) graciously loaned enough laptops for each child to use during science class for 7 weeks. One classroom used MacBooks and the other used HP tablets. The student outcomes of this pilot were very positive. Students benefited in the following ways:
- Improved student performance
- Differentiated instruction
- Improved student focus
- Higher level of student understanding and motivation
- Enhanced student-teacher communication
- Improving technology skills
(See attachment for full report to NPS? School Committee)
Asus EEE - Ultraportable computer
Submitted by Erik on Wed, 04/30/2008 - 11:51am.
In yesterday's TAC? meeting, we were talking about the surprising success of the Asus EEE, which has really stimulated the market for Ultraportable computers.
Just saw the following promotion for it at TigerDirect.com. To see it, click here.
Asus Eee PC 2G Surf - Intel Mobile CPU, 802.11b/g Wireless, 512MB DDR2, 2GB SSD, 7" WVGA, Linux (Sky Blue)
The new Asus Eee PC 2G Surf brings portable computing to the next
level. At 7-inches and weighing only 2 pounds, you can take the Eee PC
anywhere. This amazing little notebook features rich network and
wireless connectivity, a graphic user interface for simplicity and ease
of use, and more than 40 built-in applications. With the Asus Eee PC,
bumps and shocks are no longer issues, because it features a dependable
solid-state 2GB storage drive that gives you unparalleled
shock-protection and reliability. Power-efficient design provides
longer operating time when you’re on the go. Perfect for the student,
the Asus Eee PC 2G Surf offers an excellent Internet experience and
makes it easy to learn, work, and play. Shop the World Wide Web without
attaching any lines or wires. Learn through the latest technology
without a technical manual. Connect with friends and family with just a
few clicks. You’re always connected with built-in WiFi 802.11 b/g that
automatically detects and connects to the Internet at any hotspot. The
Eee PC includes the documents and the e-mails software, and a suite of
other productivity software to help keep you on track. Upload photos
and videos and share them instantly on Flickr or YouTube without
waiting till you get home. Enjoy music and videos with extensive
support for a wide range of digital multimedia. Log on to Skype or
other networks, and you can connect with friends anywhere, anytime.
Best of all, the ultra-portable Asus Eee PC 2G Surf is incredibly
inexpensive – so you’d better place your order quickly before the word
gets out that this is the best deal anywhere for a super-light,
versatile notebook that makes even schoolwork tons of fun!
Shift Happens
Submitted by Erik on Tue, 04/08/2008 - 4:48pm.
Just came across this video, entitled Shift Happens. See it also on YouTube.
It paints a rather shocking picture of how dramatically the competitive global workplace and need for not-yet-even-defined education will change in the next 5-10 years. Makes it impossible to deny the need for equally dramatic changes in the way education is delivered.
Here are some statistics from the video
China has more honors kids than the US has kids.
More Chinese kids took AP English than American students.
According to former US Secretary of Education,
Free Software Speeches and Documentaries
Submitted by DPic on Tue, 04/08/2008 - 4:35am.
There aren't super-recent but they are seriously worth viewing.
Speeches:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-1647626314188526128 - The Free Software Movement
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=6390784544771380326 - The Danges of Software Patents
Documentaries:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-3498228245415745977 - The Code Linux
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=7707585592627775409 - Revolution OS
Free Software for Schools: Success Stories
Submitted by DPic on Tue, 04/08/2008 - 4:23am.
Please look into these stories:
http://www.sd73.bc.ca/district-operations.php/page/linux-in-education/
http://www.linux.com/articles/62285
http://searchenterpriselinux.techtarget.com/news/article/0,289142,sid39_...
http://www.itinfusion.ca/linux/school-district-ditches-windows-for-linux...
Also look at entire public school systems, governments, and big businesses switching to Linux:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linux_adoption#Government
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linux_adoption#School_and_education
Exploration Ubuntu
Submitted by DPic on Thu, 04/03/2008 - 5:43am.
Where: Wiesner Building, E15 (in other terms, "the lower atrium of the Media Lab")
[map] Streetview
20 Ames Street
Cambridge, MA 02139
Free & Open Source Software in K-12 Education
Submitted by DPic on Thu, 04/03/2008 - 5:36am.
On April 29th, 2008, Saint Stephen's Armenian Elementary School is
opening its doors to the community for a special event focusing on
"Free & Open Source? Software in K-12 Education." We are inviting
teachers, IT personnel, and school administrators from Boston and
nearby suburbs to come and see for themselves how FOSS can help them
to meet all of their educational computing needs. They will be able
to "test drive" Open Office.org and other apps in our 100% Linux
computer lab, and to learn from local experts how to introduce FOSS
1-1 Learning Pilot-Stage 2
Submitted by Shelley_Chamberlain on Fri, 03/14/2008 - 9:52pm.
Lastest update:
We received 28 macbooks on loan from Apple and will be using them for one 8th grade science classroom at Brown to support two science units. We are meeting 2/20/08 with the teacher to define our assessments before and after each unit as well as the final student product.
We also heard we will be able to borrow tablet pcs by the end of the month. We are working on the logistics of that loan to see if we can fit it in this late in the year. We are still hoping to borrow some ultaportables.
Joint Meeting of Board of Alderman's Program, Services, and Finance Committees
Submitted by janetsville on Wed, 02/20/2008 - 2:48pm.
The joint meeting of the Aldermen's Programs & Services and Finance Committees will be held on FEBRUARY 27 at 7:45 p.m. in the Aldermanic Chamber. For the first time, the aldermen will consider the override budget. This is a critical opportunity for voters to be involved with the override process.
Wednesday, Feb. 27
7:45-10:45 p.m.
Aldermanic Chamber, 2nd floor of City Hall
Ubuntu MA InstallFest
Submitted by DPic on Wed, 02/20/2008 - 1:18am.
I would like to invite everyone here to the Ubuntu Massachusetts Local Community Team's upcoming Installation Festival.
Who are we?
We are a group of volunteers and activists organized around the Ubuntu
operating system. We advocate digital freedom and promote Ubuntu as a
means of achieving this.
Pilot of 1-1 Learning Project-Stage 1
Submitted by Shelley_Chamberlain on Tue, 02/19/2008 - 4:49pm.
The 1-1 Learning Team and the Project-based learning team have joined forces to organize a pilot of 1-1 learning at the Brown Middle School, 8th grade science. We have just put out a request for demonstration units, enough for each child to use a wireless laptop during science class.
This will not be a "true" 1-1 pilot as each student will only use a laptop when in science class, but it will give us an idea about "just-in-time" use, since teachers will not have to "scramble" to get computers, either by signing up for a lab or mobile cart.
PC Evolution (ultraportables)
Submitted by Shelley_Chamberlain on Mon, 02/18/2008 - 9:10pm.
One of five trends written in the CoSN newletter. This can only help the 1-1 learning initiative.
Consortium for School Networking (CoSN)
1025 Vermont Avenue NW, Suite 1010, Washington, DC 20005
ph 202.861.2676 fx 202.393.2011 email info@cosn.org web www.cosn.org
Evolution of the PC Perhaps spurred by the increasing focus on the environment, there are several predictions on 2008 being the year of the evolving PC. PCs are expected to get smaller, more affordable, and use less energy, although not necessarily all in the same product. Begun by Apple in January with announcement of the Macbook Air -- "the world's thinnest notebook" -- 2008 may be the year the ultraportable becomes popular. Going hand-in-hand with this development is a similar increase expected in the use of flash drives, with one source predicting that each of the major PC vendors will release at least one flash drive-equipped laptop this year. The push to make cheaper PCs, which began with the One Laptop Per Child initiative and the introduction of the Asus Eee PC, may also move into the mainstream, with predictions that Apple and Dell will develop similar, low-cost PCs in 2008.
If I join the site, will I receive automatic email notifications from the site?
Submitted by janetsville on Sat, 02/02/2008 - 10:27am.
Once you join the site and have been approved, you can log in and edit various options. On the top right hand screen is a set of menu choices, click on My account. Once in your account screen, click on the Edit tab. There you can make various changes including the option to turn off Email notifications if desired.
How do I join the NPS TAC site?
Submitted by janetsville on Sat, 02/02/2008 - 10:22am.
When you go to the opening page of the site, enter in a user name or email and a password and click on Create New Account. You will come to a My Account screen where you are required to enter a Username, enter your email address, your real name, and your Relationship to Newton Public Schools. You have the option of subscribing to selected groups to help focus your area of interest. You also have the option of entering some personal information to help other members get to know you. The last step is to click create new account. You will then receive an email notification where you much click on the links provided to verify that your email address works. Once your registration has been approved, you will be set to join the conversations and collaborations on our site.
About the 1-1 Learning Project
Submitted by Erik on Wed, 01/16/2008 - 4:19pm.
The 1-1 Learning Project is continuing to research the implementation of 1-1 student laptop initiative at a designated grade level. Last year members of the TAC?, along with teachers and administrators from the school department, visited several schools that have implemented a 1-1 laptop program at the middle school level. The TAC members were very impressed, for example, with the 1-1 program at the King Middle School in Portland, Maine.
