It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

       One of my favorite television commercials is the Staples commercial where the exuberant mother is shopping for school supplies while her less than enthusiastic kids are tagging along – all to the holiday favorite “It’s the most wonderful time of the year”.  Yes another school year is upon us, and what a summer it has been.

       From record flooding in June to record oil prices this summer has certainly presented many challenges.  Unfortunately this trend has impacted many technology budgets, with many schools having to scale back technology initiatives, training and even the possibility of a 4-day week to save money. 

       But despite the doom and gloom, there are many opportunities and areas where technology can play a key role in our schools.  Video field trips can help reduce transportation costs, virtual desktops and servers can help extend hardware replacement cycles, and open source software can help reduce software costs while also providing many of the Web 2.0 tools for our classrooms. 

       Most importantly whether your role in technology is instructional, media, technical, network, or all of the above we can no longer be an “island”.   Each of us possesses knowledge, talents and expertise that we can share and learn from each other.  Whether it is how do I digitize and stream my existing materials to how do I implement a Voice over IP phone system over my network – as technology leaders we need to provide the most effective and cost-efficient resources for our students and communities. 

       This December we will once again have the opportunity to learn and share from each other.  The NAMTC Summit “Weaving a Tapestry of Success” will be held in conjunction with the annual AESA conference in Phoenix.   If you have never attended a NAMTC Summit I urge you not to miss this one.   The theme of this year’s conference is weaving a tapestry of success and really represents what NAMTC and the Summit is all about.  Each of us represents a single strand of yarn – as a single strand we don’t offer much strength – but when you “weave” these single strands into something they become stronger and provide more comfort.    

       As NAMTC members we can no longer afford to be that single strand of yarn – we need to weave ourselves together as a group and share our knowledge, expertise, successes and challenges.  Best wishes for a successful school year and see you at the Summit, J.W. Mariott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa, Phoenix, AZ.

Geoff Craven, Central Susquehanna IU #16, gcraven@csiu.org

The Herb Braselman Award:

Recognize the exemplary work of a colleague or peer by nominating them for the Braselman Award!  NAMTC’s highest honor, the Braselman Award is named for the late Herb Braselman, the first president of our organization.  It is awarded in recognition of exemplary service and leadership for regional media centers and for outstanding contributions to the field of educational media and technology. To be nominated, an individual must be a member in good standing of the National Association of Media and Technology Centers, and should exemplify Herb’s legacy... Full Article >>

AESA Welcomes NAMTC Members

Weaving a Tapestry for Student Success: 10th NAMTC Leadership Summit

Leadership Summit Program

Mike Starner & Jim Seibert, Access Fiber Solutions, Inc.

In 1991, Microsoft Corp. became one of the first software companies to create its own computer science research organization. Microsoft Research has developed into a unique entity among corporate research labs, balancing an open academic model with an effective process for transferring its research to product development teams. Today Microsoft Research has more than 800 researchers, including some of the world’s finest computer scientists, sociologists, psychologists,  mathematicians, physicists and engineers, working across more than 55 areas of research. Come learn about the latest developments from Microsoft and how they will impact our daily lives.

Integration of Technology into the Curriculum:

Technology, Education and Change

Virtual Field Trips Provided by the New York State Historical Association

Many virtual fieldtrips are available through the New York State Historical Association. They utilize the collections of the Fenimore Art Museum and The Farmer’s Museum and the New York State Historical Associations Research Library located in Cooperstown, NY .

These programs bring early American history to life.  The following virtual field trips would benefit students across North America, not just New York State .  Our historical associations are rich resources of primary sources; many have research libraries and offer special programs for schools.  These associations are under- utilized resources available in local communities and are often overlooked.  We have also found that many schools have successfully  funded virtual field trips by appealing to parent-teacher groups, local businesses and franchises.

http://distance.nysha.org

1-888-547-1450 ex. 410

Email schoolprograms@nysha.org

 They come complete with U. S. National Curriculum Standards and Michigan State Curriculum Correlations.

“Where in Native America?  Geography”  Students will learn about maps and their uses, through a series of activities involving North American geographic regions and Native American cultures.  They will do this by studying political and physical maps, and by viewing objects in the Eugene and Clare Thaw Gallery of American Indian Art at Fenimore Art Museum located in Cooperstown, NY .  Grades 3-8

 “The Peppermint King and the Erie Canal ”  Tells the story of the Hotchkiss family in 19^th century Lyon, NY who benefited and flourished by transporting their peppermint products via the Erie Canal .  Students will be introduced to Hiram Hotchkiss, played in authentic clothing by a museum educator.  The educator will use the Hotchkiss family’s experiences, as well as many primary sources from the museum’s collection, to illustrate how the canal affected trade, commerce, population growth, material culture, and industry in towns along the canal.  Grades 4-8

“Presidential Folk Art”  Students will learn about the political process of choosing a new United States President, some interesting facts about former Presidents and political parties; and understand how art can help to teach us about our nation’s history.  Students will view the Fenimore Art Museum ’s extensive collection of American folk art, focusing on pieces which depict former Presidents and political symbols.  Students will learn about the artworks while playing a fun Presidential trivia game with a museum teacher, and they will be led step-by-step through the process of elections, from primaries to the Electoral College.  Grades 5-8

 "Meanings of the Mask”  Students will take a virtual tour of the Thaw Collection of American Indian Art, especially its series of Yup’ik ceremonial masks.  While learning about these Alaskan masks, a museum educator will play an interactive game with students geared toward teaching important facts about a Native American culture and the importance of natural resources to these groups.  Grades 3-5

“President Theodore Roosevelt Looks Back”  President Theodore Roosevelt—presented by Bob Hodder.  Using his enjoyment of Theodore Roosevelt, Mr. Hodder, veteran teacher, has found out by becoming former President Roosevelt, he commands the respect of students much more easily.  Students will learn how the sickly, rich New York boy became a family man, a reformer, a Rough Rider and President, among other things. 

1. Introduction of Theodore Roosevelt by “Theordore Roosevelt.”
2.  Interacting with students about the influence and events leading him to become Governor of New York, vice president and the the 26^th Presdident of the .
3. Questions from students during and after the presentation.

Grades 3-12

“Seek and Search”  Learn about the art of scientific illustration in this distance learning lesson.  Students explore the history of this process as they study famous illustrators like John Audubon and Henry David Thoreau.  They practice their observation of various specimens by drawing composite sketches and producing an enlarged final project using the grid transfer method.  Grades 3-6

Sylvia Sallustio, Oneida BOCES, ssallustio@oneida-boces.org

NAMTC Corporate Members