|
||||
Students Build Computers for Classrooms
Hank Hardin's students at Avery County High School don't suffer a lack of hands-on experience. They build all the new computers that are put into their district's classrooms - a lasting benefit of a Computer Engineering program that's been going strong for more than a decade. Continue reading... New A+ Handouts Available Online
Some
great new resources aimed at any student studying to take the revised
A+ exams are now available to teachers in the QTL Teacher Resource area
online. Since last summer, we've had several leading teachers developing supplemental handouts to ensure that students who want to sit for the updated exams have resources covering the newer content. This semester we've added several new handouts contributed by our Microsoft guru, Barry Cochran of Guilford County Schools. Some focus on OS topics including Preventive Maintenance, Upgrading the Operating System and Windows Media Center. There are also handouts on laptop devices, input and display devices, and power management. All these are available for your use from the QTL Professional Learning Community. Participating teachers can just sign into the system on our Professional Learning Community site (or follow the link from your curriculum CD). Under "QTL Teacher Resources" you'll see the course "New A+ Objectives." Click into there to access the handouts from Barry as well as contributions from Bill Reece, Greg Thoyre, Rick Sheldahl, Phil Vice and Geof Duncan. Thanks to all who helped with these additional resources! Dozens Attend Fall and Winter Workshops
Attendance was great at the latest event in QTL's Fall/Winter Workshop Series. Some two dozen Arkansas educators attended an in-service training in Hot Springs January 29. Read what was on their list of hot topics. That workshop followed events in Raleigh and Asheville, NC and Natchez, MS. More workshops are in the works for 2007, including numerous summer opportunities for teachers to get up-to-date with new technology and the latest A+ requirements. Bush Proposal Would Slash Perkins Funds
The Bush
Administration's latest budget proposal would cut Perkins Funding for
Career & Technical Education programs in half. The proposal would
eliminate Tech Prep and reduce support for other local vocational
education programs that prepare students for real-world careers.
Association for Career & Technical Education has issued a
legislative alert asking those who care about CTE to voice their
opposition to the cuts. More information is available on the ACTE site.Vocational Teachers Learn to Engage Students
New vocational teachers bring a wealth of knowledge to the classroom, but can be overwhelmed by the challenges of the classroom. A partnership between QTL and the Arkansas Department of Workforce Education offers those new educators strategies for engaging their students, and shows them ways to 'survive and thrive' in the classroom. Find out how it's already changing the way some teachers approach their new profession. Ready for Vista?
Windows Vista
isn't tested in the revised A+ exams and won't play a large role in
QTL's updated curriculum next year, but that doesn't mean students
won't be curious about it. Here are some articles and reviews
that may interest you or your class:Should you make the switch? A users' forum and toolkit from CNET. Start Clean or Upgrade? An in-depth test and comparison from ExtremeTech. 15 Vista Tips and Tricks From PCMag. 15 Reasons to Switch From PC World. The Look and Feel of Vista Video from PC World. Tech Tips and Topics
Is your school a member of CompTIA? Get exam voucher discounts and more. Get information here. Study Says 25 Million Americans Steal Movies Is illegally downloading a movie unethical? Do your students do it anyway? This article from ExtremeTech could prompt a good discussion of ethics in the digital age. Linux vs. Microsoft Could a unified approach to Linux spell trouble for Microsoft? A PCMag columnists explains why he thinks Vista could be a turning point - and not necessarily in Microsoft's favor. Games for Learning An eSchool News article examines how teachers of some K-12 subjects are using computer games to help students connect to the curriculum they're learning. |
Summer 2007 Training
QTL's Summer 2007 Teacher Training Sessions will give new teachers a strong introduction to the content of QTL's Computer Engineering and Networking I programs.
They're also a great opportunity for teachers who've been in the
program a while to come back for a refresher. Here's the schedule: Quote of the Month
"The 2006 Summer QTL IT Training in Natchez, MS was fantastic! It renewed and updated me on computer technology and how I can take it back to my classroom. Our faciliator, Shannon Burts, was absolutely inspiring with her unbounding zest and energy for learning about computer technology. The training program also expanded my network of fellow CET instructors into another state. We shared classroom ideas along with interesting computer tips and tricks. Learning how to use and navigate the online Moodle Community Center was yet another resource that will be most useful in my classroom." Bert Chu, Computer Engineering teacher Phillips Community College of the University of Arkansas New Textbook Versions Released
As the new A+ exam structure comes online, textbook publishers have been scrambling to finish their revised resources. Among the first we've seen are Chuck Brooks' new Marcraft A+ texts. As always, Chuck has done a great job incorporating all the content of the exams into a book that has plenty of pictures and illustrations. You can find more information on their website. Other texts are becoming available as well. If you've evaluated one and want to share what you've seen, sign in and post your thoughts in the forums at QTL's Professional Learning Community. About Us
The Centers for Quality Teaching and Learning 3000 Highwoods Blvd. Suite 300 Raleigh, NC 27604 Visit us online. Email us for more information. Call us toll-free at: 888.507.3800 Newsletter Contacts Robin Fred QTL Director of Communications The Centers for Quality Teaching and Learning is a 501(c)3 non-profit educational partner to schools and state departments of education. It offers fun, effective and rewarding teacher professional development and programs that blend research-based teaching with technology. Want to know more? Watch a brief introduction to QTL's IT programs and resources, including the new online features!
|
|||
|