Cancellation! November 7th CSM Training

I just received this cancellation notice from Juanita at MLTI regarding the two workshop sessions being held here at PIHS tomorrow, Nov 7th, due to the forecasted weather:

Good afternoon 

Sorry for the late cancellation right on the heels of a confirmation.
We were not aware of the winter storm warning in the region. Due to the impending storm we are canceling tomorrow's session and are working to reschedule it in the beginning of December. 

I'll be in touch directly with a reschedule date when determined.
Please contact me with any questions. 

Juanita

This is a reminder/confirmation of your registration for the following event: 

Name: MLTI Common Sense Media Trainings
Location: Presque Isle High School
Date: November 7, 2014 

8:00am - 11:00am: Skills To Help You Discover, Use, and Share Great Digital Tools for Learning Through Graphite by Common Sense Media
12:00pm - 3:00pm: Making a Better World: Teaching Digital Citizenship and 21st Century Skills 

Please ensure you arrive in a timely fashion.  Remember to bring your MLTI device and charger. 

Presque Isle High School is located at:
16 Griffin Street, Presque Isle, ME 04769 

Please check in at the Main Office upon arrival.

Free STEM teaching materials available via iTunes U & iBooks

A message from our own MLTI:

Dear MLTI Schools,

The following information is being shared with you on behalf of Apple and the E.O. Wilson Biodiversity Foundation. If you have any questions, please contact Jim Moulton at moulton@apple.com. 

Thank you 

The MLTI Team 

====== 

This summer, the E. O. Wilson Biodiversity Foundation made a collection of powerful STEM teaching materials available for FREE via a 7 volume "Life on Earth" iBooks textbooks series, as well as an iTunes U course. 

        https://search.itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZContentLink.woa/wa/link?path=lifeonearth 

We are reaching out to all schools participating in one of the Apple MLTI solutions with an effort to identify teachers who have begun using the FREE materials that are made available via iBooks and iTunes U. 

If you have begun using these materials, please let us know - and know that we understand that these materials just became available this summer, so we have no expectations of "degree of use."  Rather, we are simply seeking to identify educators who have begun to use these resources in some way with their students - as auxiliary or foundational materials in support of teaching and learning. 

So, if you have not taken a look at these great resources, please do, and if you have begun using them, please be in touch via e-mail to Jim Moulton at moulton@apple.com
In addition, if you have questions about these resources, please let us know by sending your questions to Jim Moulton at moulton@apple.com or (207) 449-8668

Two Excellent MLTI Workshops Here in Presque Isle

Just in from Juanita at MLTI yesterday, there will be two excellent workshops being held at our own Presque Isle Middle School.  Below are the detail from the email.  Please plan to attend.   This is going to be some good content.

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Dickson, Juanita <juanita.dickson@maine.gov>Date: Tue, Sep 30, 2014 at 2:55 PM
Subject: [MLTI_MacBook] MLTI Common Sense Media - Fall Training Schedule
To: "mlti_macbook@lists.maine.gov" <mlti_macbook@lists.maine.gov>

MLTI has worked with Common Sense Media to bring a fall training dedicated to helping educators harness the positive impact of technology. Learning how to use media and technology wisely and safely is an essential skill for life and learning in the 21st century. The two workshops listed below will help educators guide students to think critically, act responsibly and interact positively in the digital world and to discover high quality resources.
Educators can attend one or both trainings scheduled.
We are currently working with schools to schedule additional sessions. If your school has space available and would like to host, please contact Juanita Dickson at juanita.dickson@maine.gov.
Additional dates will be posted on our events page as they are confirmed: http://maine.gov/mlti/events/index.shtml
Online registration can be found here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/mlti_csm
Skills To Help You Discover, Use, and Share Great Digital Tools for Learning Through Graphite by Common Sense MediaThis session will run from 8:00am - 11:00am

• October 16 - Auburn Central Office

• October 21 - Saco Middle School

• October 28 - Harpswell Coastal Academy

• November 7 - Presque Isle Middle School

• November 13 - Jonesport Beals High School

As technology is integrated into classrooms, teachers need to know how to discover and use quality tools for learning, while meeting Common Core standards. Learn how to: discover high quality apps, websites, and games for students; evaluate the learning potential of these tools; curate tools into useful collections; innovate by reimagining lessons to seamlessly weave in technology using a framework called App Flows; and collaborate by sharing best practices with other teachers on how you're using digital tools in your classroom. Learn how you can achieve these five skill with Graphite, a free service by Common Sense Media. In a hands-on session, you'll practice these important skills and reflect on how they can help you integrate technology into your curriculum.

Making a Better World: Teaching Digital Citizenship and 21st Century SkillsThis session will run from 12:00pm - 3:00pm

• October 16 - Auburn Central Office

• October 21 - Saco Middle School

• October 28 - Harpswell Coastal Academy

• November 7 - Presque Isle Middle School

• November 13 - Jonesport Beals High School

Students grow up in a digital world with potential for communication, collaboration, critical thinking, and creation. How can we help students participate safely, responsibly, and ethically in digital spaces? Learn about the 21st century learning skills students need to learn about digital citizenship. You'll learn about free, research-based curriculum to help teach students safe, responsible, and respectful participants in a digital world, while fostering 21st-century skills and meeting ISTE and Common Core Standards. The curriculum is available online as downloadable lessons, and as iBooks textbooks, with interactive activities, videos, and assessments that can be downloaded to computers, iPads and tablets. You'll also learn about Digital Passport, a game-based interactive for students in grades 3-5 that teaches the "rules of the road" for digital citizenship, and how to engage families with the Connecting Families program.  Workshop will include hands–on work by getting familiar with the curriculum, sampling lessons, and much more for classroom work or district planning.

_______________________________________________
MLTI_Macbook mailing list
MLTI_Macbook@lists.maine.govhttps://mailman.informe.org/mailman/listinfo/mlti_macbook

iOS 8 & iCloud Drive - Important Information for Primary Solution Teachers

Today, from MLTI, I received this important email notification that would be good for all in our district, who have the iPad mini and MacBook Air, to review before Apple's updates this Wed, Sept 17th:

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Dickson, Juanita <juanita.dickson@maine.gov>Date: Tue, Sep 16, 2014 at 10:07 AM
Subject: [MLTI_iPad] iOS 8 & iCloud Drive - Important Information for Primary Solution Teachers
To: "mlti_ipad@lists.maine.gov" <mlti_ipad@lists.maine.gov>

Dear Apple Primary Teachers, 

iOS 8 will be available on September 17th. The Apple MLTI Project team will start supporting iOS 8 on that date. As such, we highly encourage all users to update to iOS 8 when it becomes available. If you want to learn more about iOS 8 you can learn more at the overview page (http://www.apple.com/ios/whats-new/).

After upgrading to iOS 8 the setup assistant will ask you if you would like to upgrade to iCloud Drive. iCloud Drive is a new feature of iOS 8 that can replace "Documents and Data." iCloud Drive will allow you to safely store all your presentations, spreadsheets, PDFs, images, and any other kind of document in iCloud and access them from your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Mac, or PC. 

During the iOS 8 upgrade, it is highly recommended that Primary Solution Teachers DO NOT enable iCloud Drive prior to the release of OS X Yosemite. 

Teachers that have received an iPad mini and MacBook Air as part of MLTI should be aware that if they enable iCloud Drive when updating their iPad mini to iOS 8, they WILL NOT be able to access the updated versions of documents stored in iCloud Drive on their MacBook Air until they upgrade to OS X Yosemite. OS X Yosemite will be released this fall. 

Once OS X Yosemite is supported by MLTI, users are encouraged to upgrade their MacBook Air devices to OS X Yosemite and then upgrade to iCloud Drive on all of their devices upgraded to OS X Yosemite and iOS 8. 

If a teacher does turn on iCloud Drive prior to the release of OS X Yosemite, it is important to note that no data will be lost. The files can be downloaded, edited and uploaded on a device that has not been updated to OS X Yosemite by going to https://www.icloud.com. 

If you have questions on this or other MLTI-related issues, please call the MLTI Help Desk at 1-800-919-2775 and use the pin# 4MLTI. 

Thank you,
The Apple MLTI Project Team
_______________________________________________
MLTI_iPad mailing list
MLTI_iPad@lists.maine.govhttps://mailman.informe.org/mailman/listinfo/mlti_ipad

Editing a Pathway in Google Earth - MLTI Minute

Right from the video blog of MLTI Minute.

I love Goole Earth.  I think it is an amazing application for the Science, Social Studies, History, Math, English, Art, etc classrooms.

If you have any questions or are interested in using Google Earth, please contact me.

MLTI GeoGebra Webinar Series

Below is a forwarded email from MLTI offering a FREE GeoGebra webinar series:

MLTI has an upcoming series of four 1 hour webinars that will support middle and secondary level educators using the free application GeoGebra for mathematics teaching and learning.

Webinar topics include:1) building technical expertise with built-in features, tools, and commands;2) using GeoGebra to support the representation, analysis, and discussion of data;3) modifying existing GeoGebra applets; and4) creating your own applets and hosting them online.

Educators do not need to attend all sessions, although sessions 3 and 4 will assume basic working knowledge of GeoGebra.

These synchronous sessions are 3:30–4:30 p.m. Eastern time and will be hosted online for viewing after the sessions are completed. Session content includes topics explored in more depth during the full-day MLTI professional workshops titled Building Technical Skills with GeoGebra 4 and Exploring Data using Applications on the MLTI Image, although participants of these sessions are encouraged to attend.

Please visit http://maine.gov/mlti/events/brochure.shtml#math for a link to online registration.
-------------
Session 1 (Thursday Feb. 21): Introduction to GeoGebra Features, Tools, and Commands
Session 1 will focus on getting to know the GeoGebra interface including Perspectives and Views, the Menu Bar, Toolbar and Input Bar, and the Construction Protocol. Additional topics will include creating sliders, check boxes, and basic dynamic text, as well as incorporating images and conditional visibility. The session will also include using Input Help and accessing online help resources.

Session 2 (Thursday Mar. 28): The GeoGebra Spreadsheet, Spreadsheet Tools, and Statistics Commands
Session 2 will focus on using GeoGebra to support the representation and analysis of data using the spreadsheet view and spreadsheet tools, including the One Variable Analysis Tool and Two Variable Analysis Tool. Additional topics include example applets related to statistics and the use of spreadsheet and statistics commands.

Session 3 (Thursday, May 9): More GeoGebra Features, Tools, and Commands
Session 3 will build on the topics in Session 1 and focus on new features, tools, and commands such as animation, Input Boxes, Buttons, using GeoGebra Script, using LaTex in text objects, and using random numbers, lists, and the Sequence command. Session 3 will also highlight example applets that include these features, tools, and commands.

Session 4 (Thursday, May 30): GeoGebra Applets: Modifying, Authoring, and Hosting Dynamic Worksheets
Session 4 will focus on skills for modifying GeoGebra dynamic worksheets (applets) made by others and using GeoGebra to author and host your own applets. Topics will include opening applets from HTML pages in GeoGebra and analyzing and modifying their construction, basic considerations for authoring applets and combining features and commands, and options for exporting and hosting your applets online.

Be Careful With How Many Apps You "Try Out".

For those who backup their iOS devices (i.e. iPad, iPhone) to their computer verses iCloud, a word of advice for you.

(Side note: there are two ways to backup your device's data (photos, apps, eBooks, etc) - either iCloud or your computer. Since the MLTI MacBooks are not iCloud compatible, we backup with our laptop only)

Occasionally, you may come across apps that you want to try out, then decide to delete them from your device for one reason or another. However, just because you have deleted them from your device, does not mean they are deleted entirely. What I mean is, these deleted apps are still stored on your computer as an inactive app. The reason for this is because you purchased it (even if it was FREE) and all purchased apps are stored somewhere. In our case, on your laptop.

If you are not careful enough, these inactive, purchased apps can take up room on your computer's hard drive space; which may be critical for those of us who have a lot of content already stored on our computer. An overly stocked hard drive could severely effect the performance and speed of your laptop. This could be very important when trying to use your laptop in class or on your interactive whiteboard. You want as little delay as possible when students are waiting.

In my case, I have a lot of video, extra software, images and hefty documents already stored on my MLTI laptop. On top of that, I discovered I have over 20GB of inactive and active apps stored and backed up on my computer; along with the video, podcasts, and eBooks, purchased though the iPad I use.  20GB is enough to reach my hard drive's performance threshold.

You can remedy or check this out for yourself simply by launching iTunes, going to your iTunes library and viewing your apps library. Select the apps you no longer want to keep and delete them. You can event sort your iTunes app library by app size. Sometimes you can locate "heavy" unwanted apps.

Nothing like minimizing!

Tech Idea for the Art Classroom

I found this idea from a popular Edublog that I follow, Edudemic.

In this article, they were suggesting a great way for student to learn about color and pixellated work using an PhotoShop image filter.

Since our MLTI laptops do not have PhotoShop, I checked Acorn, a light-weight photo editing application on all MLTI issued laptops.  Acorn, which is similar to Photoshop in its language, workflow and terminologies, does this feature as well.

A student could take an image of a famous work, like the Mona Lisa, or their own images and pixellate them to study color relationships, tints and shades.

Users can adjust the filter amount applied

Example from Edudemic

MLTI has a video feature of Acorn from their MLTI Minute site (highly recommended as a frequent visit).  MLTI's Anna-Marie explains how users can use Acorn to paint, however this introductory video will help demo the use of Acorn.

MLTI Workshop Date Corrections

After talking with a rep from MLTI, there was a scheduling error that should now be fixed.

Both Houlton sessions, Shift Happens! Common Core, ELA and Digital Literacy and Connecting the Humanities Jigsaw using Geographic Tools are NOT on the same date.

• Shift Happens! - Feb 28
• Connecting the Humanities - Feb 27

Upcoming MLTI Workshops for January and February in Northern Maine

January 28, 2013: Madawaska Middle/High School
Connecting the Humanities Jigsaw using Geographic Tools
Geography is the study of spatial patterns, processes and relationships, and can act as the background for all humanities study: all historical events have a location, literature can be studied through its setting and economics is bound to the land. Therefore, teaching students how to use digital geographic tools can give them the grounding needed for studying the humanities. This session will focus on the use of online geographic information systems and Google Earth, and will present strategies for research, writing and presentation in all areas of the humanities with these digital tools.This is a new session for this spring. Your attendance at the MLTI Fall Social Studies session is not a pre-requisite for this session.
This is a new session for this spring. Your attendance at the MLTI Fall Social Studies session is not a pre-requisite for this session.

January 29, 2013: Madawaska Middle/High School
Supporting Students with Special Needs Using MLTI and Universal Design for Learning
This hands-on workshop will begin by exploring accessibility options and adjusting preference settings on the MLTI device to meet the needs of the learner. Participants will also learn to create lessons that target Response to Intervention and incorporate different learning styles to increase universal access for classroom activities. We’ll also examine exciting ways to “provide multiple means of engagement” for students through creating social stories and learning how to socially navigate the world around them. Participants will explore ways to apply these skills to creating Digital Portfolios. Students will ultimately be able to showcase projects that target their Individualized Education Plan benchmarks and goals as well as self-assess their work.
This is a repeat of the Fall 2012 session but we encourage you to join us again to review and spend more time on applications on your own.

February 4, 2013: Houlton High School
Instructional Design with Tech & Next Gen Science Standards

With the publication of Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) early next year, science teachers face the challenge of adapting and aligning their teaching to "keep up." We will look at the 8 Practices, and the other dimensions of Disciplinary Core Ideas, and Crosscutting Concepts from the Framework to see how applications on the MLTI image and from the web can be part of reworking lessons and units for science instruction.

This workshop will provide the time and assistance necessary for hands-on instructional design to folks who attended the Fall MLTI science workshops, as well as introducing the new standards to folks who will be participating for the first time. Careful attention will be paid to how the NGSS align with the ELA and Math Common Core State Standards.

February 28, 2013: Houlton High School

Shift Happens! Common Core, ELA and Digital Literacy

This session is designed for middle and high school teachers who are using the MLTI device and is flexible to meet the diverse levels of knowledge/use of technology and of the CCSS. We will approach the ELA/Literacy standards from the perspective of "Six Shifts" in pedagogy and instruction required for a standards-based approach to be successful. We will explore applications on the MLTI device (as well as other web-based tools) that support teaching with the Six Shifts in mind, including Preview Annotation Tools, Britannica Ultimate Reference Suite, and OmniGraffle-- and more! Since the ELA/Literacy standards are intended to address literacy across content areas, all are welcome to attend!

This is a repeat of the Fall 2012 session but we encourage you to join us again.

February 28, 2013: Houlton High School

Connecting the Humanities Jigsaw using Geographic Tools

Geography is the study of spatial patterns, processes and relationships, and can act as the background for all humanities study: all historical events have a location, literature can be studied through its setting and economics is bound to the land. Therefore, teaching students how to use digital geographic tools can give them the grounding needed for studying the humanities. This session will focus on the use of online geographic information systems and Google Earth, and will present strategies for research, writing and presentation in all areas of the humanities with these digital tools.

This is a new session for this spring. Your attendance at the MLTI Fall Social Studies session is not a pre-requisite for this session.

For more information and to register for any of these workshops, please visit MLTI's PD site.

Getting Best Performance Out of Laptop Series: Intro

Have you caught your self day dreaming about doing something like this, because your computer just is not working properly or running too slow?

I often come across frustrated teachers who tell me how that their Macbook is not operating right, or there is a large amount of delay when typing an email, or their laptop is just plain slow.

This issue will even effect the performance of your interactive whiteboard.  Some teachers will experience long delay when trying to move an object or write with their pen (or finger) and think it is a problem with their interactive whiteboard.

In this series I would like to help with understanding how to minimize these issues and maximize your ability to make the most of your main Teacher Tool, your MLTI laptop.  I will be posting little snippets in the future, each discussing ways that effect laptop performance.  There are a couple of simple steps that can effect the performance of your Macbook laptop.  I hope this series is helpful.  Be looking for upcoming posts in this series.

Also, be sure to find the links to this blog series located in the right column of this blog.

Organize Your Files and Folders; and Your Life

Recently from MLTI

MLTIMinute is always posting new video tutorials pertaining to your MLTI laptop.  For more video go to:

MLTI Minute - Adjusting Display Preferences

Did you ever wonder why your computer screen and the projector display sometimes do not match when you plug in to the projector, or why they change in size or resolution?

Last year I featured MLTI's MLTI Minute and their video tutorials how to make the most of your Stickies application on your MacBook device.  MLTI Minute now has over 200 mini-tutorials posted on their site.

Today I would like to feature another one that came out last April.  This one talks about your display settings on your computer when you plug into a projector and how you can adjust them to suit your needs.  Tim Hart, Apple Rep and MLTI Integration Mentor, does a great job and making this process simple and easy to understand.

I would like to point out, also, that all of their video is downloadable.  You could store it in your iTunes app if you like.

If you have any questions concerning the use of your displays when projecting, please do not hesitate to contact me.