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# Point A to Point B

Growing is Job #1

## Sitemaps

- [XML Sitemap](https://www.pointatopointb.org/sitemap.xml): Contains all public & indexable URLs for this website.

## Posts

- [Buffalo to Anaheim](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2020/04/30/namm-2020/) - I had the opportunity to attend the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) annual convention in Anaheim, California in January 2020. A shout out to Williamsville alumni whose donations helped to make the trip possible. The NAMM Show brings together the entire music industry from around the globe. It is a massive event. The NAMM
- [Buffalo to Toronto](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2022/11/19/back-in-toronto/) - Buffalo to Toronto Point A to Point B Growing is Job #1
- [Buffalo to Shanghai](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2026/04/17/buffalo-to-shanghai/) - We had an amazing trip to visit Anna while she is studying in Shanghai, China. Visited old gardens, the city center (old & new), and even Shanghai Disney. The hotel was great, getting around the city was easy (especially with Anna as a guide), and saw lots of great sights. My favorite part was probably
- ["Without the time machine, all choices have the possibility of being wrong."](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2015/09/06/without-the-time-machine-all-choices-have-the-possibility-of-being-wrong/) - I recently read Scott Berkun's book, "The Year Without Pants." It is an informative and entertaining book about his more-than-a-year working for Wordpress.com, reporting on what it is like to work in a remote-only environment. He offers insights into the daily life of managing a team across the globe, and compares them to his own
- [Thanks, Crew](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2009/06/17/thanks-crew/) - We had a great year with video announcements. Many of the crew are 8th graders, and have been involved for 3 or 4 years. It's always exciting for our graduates to move on to high school, but its also sad b/c they'll be gone. Here is a little tribute to Aaron, Brianna, Caroline, Chris, David,
- [Off to Word11](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2011/08/26/off-to-word11/) - I am excited to be going to Word11 in Toronto this Saturday, which is affectionately titled the blogging event of the century. It is a 24-hour  venue for bloggers to listen to speakers during the day, and get into serious writing/sharing/geeking out overnight. I'm only doing the day gig, but the whole thing sounds cool.
- [How the iPad Can Change Students' Game](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2010/06/13/how-the-ipad-can-change-students-game/) - At the end of last week's post, How the iPad has Changed my Game, I wondered what it would be like for students to have an iPad for school. I did some very informal research and sent my iPad off with different students this week for a day and asked them to use it however
- [Or, It WON'T Happen Just Yet!](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2015/08/30/or-it-wont-happen-just-yet/) - So after my post last week about the announced shutdown of IQTell, here is what came through this week: The feedback about the shutdown fueled a renewed drive for the company to secure funding, and was successful. This is awesome news for the IQTell community. I participated in a thread on the Evernote forums about the
- [It WILL Happen!](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2015/08/20/it-will-happen/) - In my inbox the other day I received the following email, from a service I had used for a while: IQTell is (was) a productivity system designed to implement the GTD (Getting Things Done) system by David Allen. It was not affiliated with the GTD company, but had a very good handle on what GTD is
- [Cloudy Video](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2015/03/29/cloudy-video/) - I successfully created a video using all cloud tools. Recently we held the Williamsville District Art Show at the Buffalo Niagara Heritage Village, and I took numerous pictures and videos of the event with my  phone. I am used to downloading photos and editing in either iMovie or MovieMaker, both of which do a nice
- [This Finally In...](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2015/03/01/this-finally-in/) - I just posted a video I created back in 2008. I am proud of the work and final product and wanted to add it to the blog as I think it is an important piece of work to be here. Click here to transport back to January, 2008: Farewell, Mr. Kramer
- [Farewell Mr. Kramer](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2008/01/31/farewell-mr-kramer/) - This video was created in January of 2008, but not posted to this site until March of 2015. This is one of my creations, a tribute to the principal of Heim Middle School who was retiring. The video represents so much of what I enjoy about video, and the power it has to tell stories.
- [Tech Fix](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2015/02/28/tech-fix/) - A Chromebook followed me home from the store...here are my first impressions.
- [My Answers](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2015/02/19/my-answers/) - Taking the questions from the previous post, Questions for Thought, I am going to turn the tables and take a turn as if the questions were posed to me. The framework for my answers sometimes relates to how technology supports learning, since that is the focus on this site. Here we go... 1. What do I need
- [Questions for Thought](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2014/08/16/questions-for-thought/) - I recently was introduced to a great post written by Terry Heick last year around this time, 26 Questions Every Student Should Be Able to Answer. The questions are terrific, and get to the essence of what the teacher/student relationship should be about. Moreover, they are the same exact questions to be used in an administrator/teacher
- [Tink, Tink, Tink](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2013/07/07/tink-tink-tink/) - That is the sound of me tinkering with my blog. I've missed the writing and thinking it makes me do. You'll notice the new look (Twenty Twelve by WordPress) - it is supposed to be more mobile-friendly. There are lots of things to learn about how Wordpress behaves on devices that have arrived in the
- [Welcome](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2012/02/19/welcome-3/) - Welcome to Point A to Point B, a place I am proud of. It represents my thoughts and ideas over a span of seven years (2004-2011) while I was a technology integration specialist. I have moved into a different position, and am concentrating my efforts in different ways. The hiatus is over (see post below).
- [Taking a Hiatus](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2011/09/18/taking-a-hiatus/) - I'm going to take a break from writing/updating here at Point A to Point B. As I move into my new role as an administrator for both the Arts and Career and Technical Education (CTE), I continue to enjoy the writing and reflecting I do, as well as providing useful information to those I work
- [Arts in Amherst, New York](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2011/09/04/arts-in-amherst-new-york/) - I have been thinking about the many opportunities for experiencing the arts. Since I am the arts administrator for the Williamsville schools, I started looking around for the places within the Town of Amherst one could go to find arts performances and/or installations (artwork, museums, etc.). With the help of Google Maps, here is what
- [A Space is Worth a Thousand Ideas: Word11 at the CSI Annex Toronto](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2011/08/29/a-space-is-worth-a-thousand-ideas-word11-at-the-csi-annex-toronto/) - Imagine walking into the space above to learn. That is what I had the opportunity to do at Word11 in Toronto this weekend. Word11 was an event for bloggers to get together to learn and share about the purpose and business of blogging. The space is the Center for Social Innovation (CSI) Annex, one of
- [Albany's Educational Alphabet Soup](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2011/07/17/albanys-educational-alphabet-soup/) - I believe one of my strengths is understanding structure in organizations. I have to admit it has taken me a while to begin to understand the structure of the New York State Education Department (NYSED). I used to think that NYSED was the main educational system in the state - it is the main educational
- [The Arts in Education - A Look at the Next Few Years](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2011/07/04/the-arts-in-education-a-look-at-the-next-few-years/) - I am a firm believer in the core role the Arts play in developing critical thinking and problem solving, communication, collaboration, and creativity and innovation (see this report from the Partnership for 21st Century Skills organization). In light of the impending changes due to budgetary issues in New York, a new teacher appraisal process, and
- [New Tagline](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2011/07/03/new-tagline/) - As I mentioned in a recent post, with my new position, I have been wondering about the tagline for the blog. The tagline is what appears just under the title of the blog, which is Point A to Point B (see the top of the page). I have decided since my new role expands beyond
- [Thank You Heim Middle](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2011/06/19/thank-you-heim-middle/) - As I finish up this week at Heim Middle and get ready to begin my new position at district office, I wholeheartedly say thank you to all of the great people at Heim. It is hard to believe that I have been here nine years - wow did the time fly! Part of the reason
- [New Technology Integrator Position](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2011/06/05/new-technology-integrator-position/) - As part of the reorganization of the district for next year, the building-based middle school technology facilitators are going to become district-based technology integration specialists. It will be a similar role to what was going on in one building, but in the new design, the integrators will be able to help teachers across the district.
- [Moving On](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2011/05/29/moving-on/) - I am delighted to report that the work to get my administration certificates has paid off. This past week I was appointed to an administrative position within my district, Williamsville. Effective July 1st, I will be the Instructional Specialist for Fine and Performing Arts, Business Education, and Home and Careers. That is a long and
- [Fast and Furious - Keeping Up with Changes at NYSED](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2011/05/15/fast-and-furious-keeping-up-with-changes-at-nysed/) - The New York State Education Department (NYSED), like many other states educational agencies, is undergoing massive restructuring due to the Race to the Top (RTTT) funding initiative. There are many arguments to be made about whether the RTTT program is worth it or just another national political toy. It does not matter which side one
- [Cogito Ergo Blog](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2011/05/01/cogito-ergo-blog/) - I reflect, therefore I blog. A tweet came through last week that caught my attention. I retweeted it, favorited it, and now have spent some time looking back, reading, reflecting, and now writing: As is the case with social media, the path to the origin of the thinking took a bit. Shelly Terrell sent this
- [Collaboration, Coaching and Reflection](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2011/04/03/collaboration-coaching-and-reflection/) - Professional development is a key component in helping students learn. When teachers are focused on improving student learning, they need support (i.e. professional development) for themselves to continue to learn. Some of the most inspiring colleagues I have worked with are those who, even after a long career, continue to seek out opportunities to improve
- [Staff Development Day March 2011](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2011/03/20/staff-development-day-march-2011/) - Design Team Day on Prezi On Friday the district held a staff development day where we split up by curriculum area K-12. The focus for the day was on design questions from Robert Marzano's The Art & Science of Teaching. Facilitators for each curriculum area were formed into what were called design teams, and included
- [Technology Integration in the New NYS Teaching Standards](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2011/02/27/technology-integration-in-the-new-nys-teaching-standards/) - New York is a winner of the Race to the Top funding initiative sponsored by the federal government. There is a whole host of passionate conversation about what RTTT means for education. I'm going to skip that part of the dialogue for now and focus on what has been going on in New York, and
- [There's an App for That](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2011/01/30/theres-an-app-for-that/) - We just received 4 iPads to use in the building. My initial thought is to put them in the library since that is one place that all students have easy access to, and would get them the most exposure. In order to maximize the potential for their use, we are going to start with a
- [Farewell, Friend](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2010/12/19/farewell-friend/) - This post is a tribute to a fantastic educator and colleague, Earle Holt. Earle is retiring from Heim Middle School after a 43 year career. His last day is December 23, 2010. Earle has touched so many lives in so many ways. Most importantly, as an art teacher he has had a great impact on
- [Web Literacy 101: Look Up!](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2010/12/12/web-literacy-101-look-up/) - I have a geeky habit that I would like to admit...I prefer to type out web addresses, rather than bookmarking them. Why? Because it forces me to think about how websites are organized, and it tunes me into the browser address bar and what site I'm at. I completely understand that using the search box
- [One Pipe](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2010/12/05/one-pipe/) - I have been tinkering around with my Google Voice account after a colleague, @MrWarnes, showed me what he was trying with it. Then, speaking with our assistant principal, we got to talking about how tools like Google Voice and Skype are making traditional land lines obsolete. Wouldn't it be great if everything you need for
- [Do You Want Me To Make That Harder For You?](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2010/11/28/do-you-want-me-to-make-that-harder-for-you/) - This week I'd like to share with you a personal screen-play about the power of technology, creativity, and children... Cast: Father and son (yes, me and mine) Setting: family room on a weekend afternoon Props: couch, iPad, desktop computer Background: Remember the cool wooden maze game, Labyrinth? It is a wooden box with knobs on
- [Glogging NYSCATE 2010](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2010/11/20/glogging-nyscate-2010/) - NYSCATE 2010 has begun in Rochester. I am going to try a different approach to posting snippets of my experiences (rather than a stream of tweets). Here is a Glog of workshops, ideas, blurbs, etc. that are coming out of NYSCATE. I'm putting this up on Saturday afternoon, and will hopefully add as the conference
- [Three Great Conferences and Change in the Air](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2010/11/14/three-great-conferences-and-change-in-the-air/) - This week is shaping up to be very adult-learner centered. I'll jump to the end of the week when next Saturday begins NYSCATE's Annual Conference in Rochester, NY. NYSCATE always puts together a great program that combines visionary leaders, enriching presentations and hands-on training. This year the program looks to do that again. What has
- [Where the People Are](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2010/11/07/where-the-people-are/) - I really disliked Twitter when it first came out. I looked at it and thought I had no desire to know when someone ate a sandwich or went to the bathroom (still don't). I did not like the fact that thoughts or ideas had to be stunted to 140 characters (still don't). It struck me
- [A Zillion Ways to Use Technology in the Classroom](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2010/10/24/a-zillion-ways-to-use-technology-in-the-classroom/) - I am a big fan of new technologies for the classroom. I am not a big fan of taking a new technology tool and coming up with ways to use it for learning. As much as I am a fan of mechanical tools, I do not dream up 1000 ways to use a screwdriver. When
- [Superman is Already Here](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2010/10/17/superman-is-already-here/) - Before you read this post, please take a moment to go on a field trip to do the following: Walk to the nearest mirror you can find, look at yourself in the eyes for about 30 seconds, then come back. Hello Superman, it's nice to meet you. Please understand that I use Superman in the
- [Momentum](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2010/10/03/momentum/) - This coming Friday, October 8th, our district will be holding a staff development day focuesd on technology. It is going to be an exciting day, as there are many events planned. A quick overview: Keynote by the ever-inspiring Alan November Content-area breakout session (focused on instruction that incorporates technology) Elective breakout session (focused on a
- [A Look at Ray Kurzweil's Education Predictions for 2009](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2010/10/10/a-look-at-ray-kurzweils-education-predictions-for-2009/) - I'm reading Ray Kurzweil's The Age of Spiritual Machines now, which was written in 1999. In the book, Kurzweil makes predictions for the future in 2009, 2019, 2029 and beyond. In the predictions chapter for 2009, there is a section on education. I'd like to try a little experiment and present the section from the
- [I Do Not Want Free Web Tools](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2010/09/12/i-do-not-want-free-web-tools/) - Might this post title have your attention? It has mine too, as I consider and struggle with how to manage both my, my family's, and my school's web presence. Don't get me wrong - I'm an educator and I love free as much as the next person. But it comes back to the old saying:
- [A Clear and Easy Web Presence](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2010/09/05/a-clear-and-easy-web-presence/) - We are very used to interacting with many businesses through their website. When you call a company on the phone, you often hear, "Please visit our website..." Airlines even offer incentives if you book flights online instead of through a real person on the phone. For example, check out JetBlue's Contact Us page and how
- [Struggling with Chaos](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2010/08/08/struggling-with-chaos/) - My friend Steve O'Connor, whom I met by chance when we were presenting in the same room at NYSCATE a few years back, just tweeted about a poster titled, "The Internet Will Not Be Another TV". Here is the poster: There are many things I like about the poster. It is an argument for Net
- [On Space and Learning](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2010/07/25/on-space-and-learning/) - One of my favorite hobbies is architecture. I am a huge fan of spaces that evoke meaning and emotion by their design. Living in Buffalo we have many such spaces including Frank Lloyd Wright's Darwin D. Martin House Complex. I had the opportunity to visit a new space yesterday in Frank Gehry's recent addition to
- [Linking Design Questions, Instructional Strategies and Technology Tools](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2010/07/18/linking-design-questions-instructional-strategies-and-technology-tools/) - This coming school year our professional development program is focused on Marzano's Art & Science of Teaching. Cross-district teams organized by grade or subject area ("Design Teams") will be meeting to focus on design questions brought up in the book. Over the course of the next 3-4 years we will undergo district-wide conversations around the
- [Educational Administration vs. Educational Leadership](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2010/07/11/educational-administration-vs-educational-leadership/) - As I finish the first couple of weeks of my first administrative job (assistant principal for our summer high school), it is very clear that there is a distinct difference between being an administrator and a leader. A principal needs to be both, but it can be easy to favor the former over the latter.
- [Fear of Google Docs](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2010/07/04/fear-of-google-docs/) - This fall we will be rolling out Google Apps for Edcuation district-wide. With the snap of a finger, all 12,000 students and staff will have access to Google's cloud services. OK, so it's more than the snap of a finger, but with the skillful work of our dedicated IT technicians and developers, it will appear
- [Transforming](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2010/06/27/transforming/) - Typically my last post in June relates to how it is time to power down the blog, do some updates, tinker with the theme, and move into summer mode. This year this won't happen for a couple of reasons. First, I'm very happy with how the blog has developed and become part of what I
- [MUVEs Finally Make Sense in Education](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2010/06/20/muves-finally-make-sense/) - Multi-User Virtual Enrionments (MUVEs) have been around for a number of years. Second Life is by far the most well known. For at least a couple of years I have had a Second Life avatar (Coffee Roffo), and participated in a number of different events "in world". As hard as I have tried, I have
- [How the iPad has Changed My Game](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2010/06/06/how-the-ipad-has-changed-my-game/) - Since I purchased an iPad a couple of months ago, I have been really enjoying using it and seeing how it fits into my work and play flow. My kids really enjoy using it to see how it fits into their game playing flow. Students in school enjoy seeing how it fits into their before-school,
- [21st Century Classroom](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2010/04/19/21st-century-classroom/) - As part of a class I am taking at Canisius College right now, we had to create a presentation on building a 21st century classroom. Here is my project, done in VoiceThread. Its about 15 minutes long - enjoy it if you like!
- [Touch This - Tactile Learning and Technology](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2010/04/05/touch-this-tactile-learning-and-technology/) - A few weeks back when the iPad became available for pre-order, I investigated and decided not to order since my current OS does not support it. Getting the iPad would send me into that unforgiving and expensive upgrade loop where I would have to get a new OS, and hence a new computer, etc. just
- [Teaching and Connecting with Students](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2010/03/21/teaching-and-connecting-with-students/) - For our staff development day on Friday March 19th, I had the opportunity to present to the faculty alongside Mr. Jachlewski, our Assistant Principal, on the topic of teaching and connecting with students. The idea for the topic (and the day overall) was generated by Mrs. Keipper, our Principal, after viewing the video Did You
- [Why are organizing and brainstorming tools hard to integrate?](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2010/03/13/why-are-organizing-and-brainstorming-tools-hard-to-integrate/) - The research is pretty clear. Organizing and brainstorming tools provide students with support to structure their thoughts and learning. I'm thinking specifically about Inspiration software since that is something we have had for years. It continues to be one of the most useful and least used tools we have. I count myself number one in
- [Communicating with Prezi](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2010/03/08/communicating-with-prezi/) - Prezi is a web 2.0 presentation tool that allow for much more control of how material can be presented visually. The easy-to-use interface lets you create interesting dynamic content very quickly. Courtesy of Twitter, I just learned of this short slide show demonstrating how Prezi can be used in the classroom: http://www.ideastoinspire.co.uk/prezi.htm My initial reaction
- [The Research Process: Simple Wikipedia](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2010/02/27/the-research-process-simple-wikipedia/) - February begins a big push for research projects at school. 6th grade students learn about the Middle Ages, while 5th graders are researching a famous person. With all the great new tools for research and inquiry, I sometimes long for the days of index cards, an encyclopedia, and a few books. (not really...don't worry) When
- [Resistance IS Futile!](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2010/02/21/resistance-is-futile/) - A little over two years ago I wrote a post titled, Is Google Big Brother, right after attending the NYS educational technology conference, NYSCATE. Basically I was concerned about how a for-profit company may use personal data in ways we are unaware of. Now, looking at my Google Dashboard to check out the Google services
- [This One Got My Attention...the XO-3](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2010/01/03/this-one-got-my-attention-the-xo-3/) - Soak in this image for a few moments... and now this one... This is the next-generation concept design from the One Laptop Per Child team. This device does not exist yet, but the XO-3 as it is called simply looks awesome. I'm not sure what is the most appealing part - the slim design? The
- [Where in the World is Santa?](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2009/12/28/even-santa-uses-some-tech-resources/) - Forget about simply imagining where Santa is on his busy night delivering presents. Thanks to the folks at NORAD, in partnership with Google, you can track Santa in Google Maps and/or Google Earth. NORAD has been tracking Santa for over 50 years now. Check out this article at CNN on how the government's primary missile
- [On Conferences and Thanksgiving](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2009/11/28/on-conferences-and-thanksgiving/) - On a certain Thursday in November, the tradition goes that one must stuff oneself with as much food as possible and spend the next three days going through withdrawal and recovering from such a fun endeavor. The weekend immediately prior to that day, in New York, one goes through a very similar experience at the
- [Online Learning is Big Business](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2009/11/11/online-learning-is-big-business/) - I recently attended a presentation by online learning vendors who have been awarded a contract by our local BOCES. They offer online courses for students who need to make up missed or failed classes (credit recovery) or want to get ahead or take a low-enrollment class (credit accrual). The vendors offered to us through this
- [Flashback Friday: Making the Connection](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2009/10/30/flashback-friday-making-the-connection/) - In a year-long review of items I wrote in this blog 5 years ago, this installment of Flashback Friday looks back to October 2004 and the post, Making the Connection. What I wrote: Kids today are connected. When they go home, they do not pick up the phone anymore. They get on the computer and
- [A Refreshing Look at a Hot Topic](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2009/10/19/a-refreshing-look-at-a-hot-topic/) - We have certainly heard a lot about the H1N1 virus and what we should do to help prevent its spread. When I first read the email from BrainPOP that they had resources about H1N1 (swine flu), my first reaction was, "Oh, great, even Tim & Moby are talking about it." I must say that I
- [Flashback Friday: WITS for Kids](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2009/09/25/flashback-friday-wits-for-kids/) - In the last year or two many districts have been opening a web portal for parents and students to access information about what is going on in school (grades, etc.). For this month's flashback, I wrote back in September 2004 about how our internal website, WITS (Williamsville Information Tracking System) was being opened for student
- [Flashback Friday: Goals for this Blog](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2009/07/31/flashback-friday-goals-for-this-blog/) - Point A to Point B is celebrating what I think is a reasonable milestone - the five year mark. I began this blog immediately after attending the National Educational Computing Conference (NECC) in 2004 in New Orleans. The sessions that stand out in my mind from then are Bernie Dodge's spotlight session on wikis (at
- [The Writing Process](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2009/10/08/the-writing-process/) - Clear, articulate, concise writing is important for our students. The mind of a middle schooler may often be anything but clear, articulate and concise :-) (and that is OK). What strategies can we use to help students acquire and integrate learning of the writing process? Better Answers is a writing program we are working on
- [Worksheets and the Internet](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2009/09/16/worksheets-and-the-internet/) - Content Tech Ideas for Technology Use in the Classroom Using a worksheet to research information on the Internet and fill in the blanks is a popular activity. In its most fundamental state, this is a form of the strategy cues, questions, and advance organizers. Students use questions on the worksheet to (hopefully) guide them through
- [Flashback Friday: What Matters?](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2009/08/28/flashback-friday-what-matters/) - In this month's flashback, one of the posts I wrote in August 2004 is What Matters? The two questions I posed regarding if using technology in a lesson are appropriate were: Does the technology allow for new and unique learning experiences that are not possible without it? Does the technology allow for increased, more efficient
- [Unplugged & Unwound](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2009/08/23/unplugged-unwound/) - A little music to accompany this post... Clear Waters Music: Clear Waters by Kevin MacLeod We just returned from a family vacation in Lake George. I purposely did not bring the laptop, iPod touch, or any other gadget. I considered not bringing the cellphone, but it does prove helpful on occasion. A week without email,
- [A School is People Learning](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2006/11/19/a-school-is-people-learning/) - Having just finished the morning portion of a full day with Peter Reynolds (www.fablevision.com), the title above summarizes the inspiring morning I had. Albeit simple and basic, it sums up why we are here, in priority order. The fist priority in school is (should be) people. People (students, staff) need to be cared about first
- [PowerPointlessness is Everywhere](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2008/08/22/powerpointlessness-is-everywhere/) - Thankfully (tongue-in-cheek), the education realm is not the only place PowerPoint is abused...here is today's Dilbert-enjoy! Note that you may have to click on the comic to see the last frame - you will be taken to the Dilbert site.
- [What should our model classroom look like?](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2007/02/13/what-should-our-model-classroom-look-like/) - This is a question we ponder regularly, and is a question we should ponder regularly. Its been on my mind again recently as we (district technology facilitators and IT staff) think about major upgrades to our computer technology hardware. So, what should our classrooms have in them as far as computer technology? We have started
- [flibbertigibbet](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2006/12/30/flibbertigibbet/) - How fun is that word??? It was the Dictionary.com Word of the Day for December 22nd. It means a silly, flighty, talkative person, and the word certainly matches the definition. Regardless of its meaning, its just plain fun to say - try it - you'll see what I mean. I subscribe to the Dictionary.com Word
- [Let the Fun Begin!](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2006/11/29/let-the-fun-begin/) - We just received word that it is time to update our 5 year technology plan, formulate the 2007-08 wish list, and also identify any building needs that would have a major financial/structural impact (wiring rooms, etc.). I really enjoy this part of the process - this is where we ask what should we be doing,
- [RSS, anyone?](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2006/11/20/rss-anyone/) - There are lots of great new tools on the Internet today: blogs, wikis, podcasts, XML, RSS, social networks, social bookmarks, and more. Making sense of them can be a daunting task. The one key new technology that can help to put all the rest into perspective is RSS. You don't have to know anything technical
- [Epic 2014](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2006/11/14/epic-2014-2/) - Epic 2014 is a video I was introduced to more than a year ago. It is a summary of recent happenings in the world of technology and media, and goes on to predict what happens by the year 2014. It is certainly just one view, that of the creators of the video, but it is
- [Welcome!](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2006/09/11/welcome-2/) - The computer lab opens for business tomorrow morning - its been a busy start to the year, but we are ready to go (for the most part - seems like there are always "loose ends" to take care of!). New question - now that we have settled in for a few days, what are you
- [Summer Haiku](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2006/09/04/summer-haiku/) - Welcome back, everyone! I'd love to hear how your summer was - so let's try it in the form of a haiku. I've read up on haiku a little, and the "rules" for them are not set in stone - but typically one is set with 5 syllables, 7 syllables, and then 5 syllables in
- [Internet Safety: Student Version](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2006/04/05/internet-safety-student-version/) - Hey gang - start by reading the post below which has the adult version of this. Done? Good - now here it is again, but changed just a bit for you... There is a lot of scary information about what could (and has) happened to kids because of their behavior on the Internet. There is
- [Internet Safety: Adult Version](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2006/04/05/internet-safety-adult-version/) - I attended the presentation tonight by FBI Agent Holly Hubert on Internet Safety. I have seen her speak before - she is excellent, and scary at the same time. Following up on what she said, here is an excerpt of the article Mr. Kramer & I wrote in the April 2006 PTSA Newsletter: There is
- [All it Takes is Money...](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2006/03/06/all-it-takes-is-money/) - We submitted an update to our 5-year Technology Plan today, along with our wishlist for technology purchases for next year. The wishlist shows exactly what we need now to meet all our technology goals, as outlined in the Technology Plan. The pricetag on the wishlist is a little over $200,000. It is not very likely
- [Student Showcase](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2005/12/16/student-showcase/) - If you have not checked out the Student Showcase in WITS recently, you should now. Quite a few recent projects have been posted - new Wall Tiles, PhotoShop collages, Colony Advertisements, and more!
- [WITS from Home](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2005/09/19/wits-from-home/) - Don't forget - if you want to get access to WITS from home - put in the following address: wits.williamsvillek12.org (there is not www in the address). If you have the correct address typed in, you should see a box to enter your username and password. There is also a link to WITS on the
- [Lab Opens Tuesday](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2005/09/10/lab-opens-tuesday/) - The Computer Lab opens for business on Tuesday 9/13. The lab opens at 8am every day. Students can come in early to work without signing up in advance - just come in. During the day, students can use the lab during studyhall or other classs as long as there is room. Students should ask their
- [ThinkBright](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2005/06/28/thinkbright/) - This morning I was reminded again about a HUGE resource available to teacheres around the country for free - PBS. The national PBS websites have many resources available, and our very own WNED here in WNY has its own website that acts as a portal (entry page) to these resources. The WNED site, called ThinkBright,
- [If All Goes As Planned...](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2005/06/03/if-all-goes-as-planned/) - Our technology plan for the next 5 years, titled (appropriately) Heim 2010, is in place. In the first phase, next year we will be replacing classroom instructional computers. We have not replaced computers in a number of years, so this is the focus for next year. In addition to that, we will begin 2 other
- [Worldwide Conferences at Your Computer](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2005/05/25/worldwide-conferences-at-your-computer/) - I had the opportunity to participate in a web seminar (web-inar) today regarding 1 to 1 computing. There are a number of schools and states that are starting a program to equip every student with some form of computing device (laptop, PDA, tablet) in order to promote better learning. I hope this concept is one
- [Which Printer?](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2005/04/18/which-printer/) - Here is a question that comes up all the time. "I just printed - which printer will my stuff come out on?" At home, with one printer, the answer is simple. In school we are networked, which means you can print to just about any printer from any computer. So the question becomes, "which printer
- [Wireless...So Close, Yet So Far](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2005/05/09/wirelessso-close-yet-so-far/) - Wireless acccess to the network from anywhere in the building is still spotty. If you are close enough to an access point, it is great. If you are not close enough, it is not so great. IT has made a committment to get the wireless overlay network totally fixed during next school year. When that
- [iSafe](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2005/04/12/isafe/) - In the last couple of days I have heard about a program called iSafe. In the online world it is increasingly important for students (and adults) to be careful of who they interact with and how much of their real identity they share. iSafe is a program that teaches students how to stay safe while
- [The First Full Week - A Full Week!](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2007/09/15/the-first-full-week-a-full-week/) - The first full week of classes included a very full week of activity in the lab. The district has initiated a keyboarding program in 5th grade. In addition to the many startup activities (classes registering for electronic textbooks, WITS orientations, etc.) all the 5th graders have begun their keyboarding classes. One of the nice side-benefits
- [In your words...](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2006/10/03/in-your-words/) - ...what is a podcast? They are everywhere, but I'm curious how you define what one is. Do you use them/watch them/listen to them? Post your reply here (by clicking on the comment link above, just under the title of this post) and describe as best you can what a podcast is. Image citation: Weave. �Podcast
- [Coming to the Lab in the AM](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2006/03/22/coming-to-the-lab-in-the-am/) - The computer lab is a busy place in the mornings. So I'm wondering, what makes you come into school early to use the lab, rather than doing your work at home on your own computer? Is it because the work you are doing is in your server folder? Does something not work on your computer
- [Middle Ages Project Rocks!](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2006/03/17/middle-ages-project-rocks/) - Hi everyone! So my blog is an example of a website where the web address is not the same as the title of the site. It can sometimes be difficult to determine all the details from a website, but with a little detective work you can do it! From a website, you want to try
- [Knee Surgery, Anyone?](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2006/01/21/knee-surgery-anyone/) - Edheads (www.edheads.org) is a cool site where you can learn some stuff about weather, simple machines, and yes, knee surgery. Check it out to try your hand at being a surgeon!
- [Music Notation Software](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2006/01/16/music-notation-software/) - Mr. Marinaccio's classes just started coming into the lab to notate their rhythmic speech compositions. We are using the free version of the notation program Finale, called Finale NotePad. You can download and use this program at home as well. To get the download, click here Happy composing!
- [Keyboarding](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2005/12/28/keyboarding/) - There is a lot of talk right now about when keyboarding should be taught in school. Historically it has been done at the high school, but since computers and keyboards are ssuch an integral part of our daily lives, it appears that keyboarding instruction should come earlier. Research shows that early keyboarding classes will help
- [Essays: By hand or computer?](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2005/12/09/essays-by-hand-or-computer/) - Hey Mr. Nocek's classes - you just took a test and had the option of handwriting or word processing the essay. Which do you prefer? Why? Do you find that you write more/better when using the computer? Please comment back on this - thanks! Mr. R.
- [Password Changes](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2005/09/08/password-changes/) - It is time for student passwords to change. PLEASE portect your password even more carefully than your locker combination. Do not share it with anyone, and if you ever think someone knows it, ask a staff member in the computer lab to help you change it. Also remember that you should use a password that
- [Printed Directions?](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2005/05/13/printed-directions/) - Hey kids, How do you figure out how to do things on the computer? Do you prefer printed step-by-step directions, or do you just keep trying until you get it (and ask for help along the way)? Post a comment here with your thoughts - thanks!
- [Password Changes](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2004/09/09/password-changes-2/) - This September it is time for students to change passwords. IT has begun a rotating schedule where students must change passwords at the beginning of the school year, and staff must do so halfway through the school year. Why change passwords? Not to drive you crazy in trying to remember the new password, but for
- ["WITS for Kids"](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2004/09/08/wits-for-kids/) - We are going to be rolling out a new web interface for students this fall in the form of WITS. It is the same WITS that staff has used for a few years now, but focused on information that students need. When a student logs into WITS (using the same web address - wits.williamsvillek12.org), he/she
- [Protection on the Internet](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2004/08/05/protection-on-the-internet/) - Our senior network engineer in the district, Bob Rossi, said recently that in the past year, the amount of bad & nasty viruses, worms, etc. on the Internet has increased far more than in any previous period. Michael Dell, chariman of Dell Computer Corporation, recently sent out a letter to all Dell customers regarding this
- [2008 Education Blogoshpere Survey](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2008/01/21/2008-education-blogoshpere-survey/) - Courtesy of Dr. Scott McLeod, the 2008 Education Blogosphere Survey is open until Jan. 26th. If you participate in blogging (reading and/or writing), take 10 minutes and help Scott gather valuable data on the state of the blogosphere. And if you have some time, check out his blog - Dangerously Irrelevant. Click on the button
- [What Makes a Web Site "2.0"](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2007/08/29/what-makes-a-web-site-20/) - So "Web 2.0" is the term for the second generation of web sites. What exactly are the characteristics of a site that make it 2.0? Sites that are "Web 2.0" typically include most of the following: publishing (writing, pictures, videos...) networking (link and group with other users on the site) tagging (keywording) RSS feed (for
- [The Machine is Us/ing Us](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2007/08/20/208/) - This video, created by Michael Wesch and posted at YouTube, is great to show how Web 2.0 has changed our world. The one here is a repost of the video at TeacherTube, a much more educational friendly site. It is not clear if this repost is has permission granted to do so, however. I've been
- [The Best Free Software](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2008/02/20/the-best-free-software/) - The current issue (March 2008) of PC Magazine features an article, The Best Free Software: 157 Apps for Work and Play (p.78). This got my attention not only due to the attractive price, but more since its getting close to the time where we determine what software we want installed on our computers for next
- [Embedding a Google Docs Presentation File](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2008/03/10/embedding-a-google-docs-presentation-file/) - I'm in a meeting where Chris Shively from Alden is doing a presentation on open source software tools. His Google Docs presentation file is embedded in his blog. Here is a test to see how the embedding feature works, using a presentation file some of the tech facilitators created after NYSCATE in November...
- [Video is Hot](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2006/11/25/video-is-hot/) - Reflecting back on one of my predictions for this year, video IS hot. As NYSCATE continued, I heard from many different people about how excellent projects involved video. In a session I attended presented by Apple Distinguished Educator Carol LaRow titled Exemplary Student Technology Projects, ALL of the projects had video as the product. Video
- [The answer...TeacherTube](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2007/05/29/the-answerteachertube/) - Perhaps this is the answer to being able to have kids produce and upload videos to a public site that does not also contain the stuff we don't want kids to see...TeacherTube. Launched in March, TeacherTube has the look & feel of YouTube, w/o the worry of the bad stuff. I just created an account,
- [The Second Full Week - Just as Full](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2007/09/22/the-second-full-week-just-as-full/) - So here it is a week since the last post, and the second full week is done. Were we ever on summer break? I can't remember it at all now... Open house was Wednesday night, and I'm very pleased with how our feature video went. We have changed the format of open house a little
- [Digital Storytelling](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2007/04/13/digital-storytelling/) - I'm just finishing up with some of my required extra work hours for school. While these hours are a ridiculous paperwork nightmare for everyone, the purpose and focus allows for good study and reflection time. In a post earlier this year, Video is Hot, I talked about how video captures the minds of students. I
- [Oh, and the Other Thing Today...](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2007/10/05/oh-and-the-other-thing-today/) - So today was one of those "sneaker days" as I call them. Running from project to project and room to room. These days are awesome... Mrs. Leone's 8th grade spanish class finished the first digital storytelling project for the year today. Students had to be filmed in an interview situation with a partner. The content
- [Just around the bend...](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2007/11/11/just-around-the-bend/) - ...is the 2007 installment of the state educational computing conference, sponsored by NYSCATE. I've been browsing the program, and there are many interesting sessions to choose from. My favorite part about the conference is getting time to spend with national (and international) experts in educational technology. I'm signed up to spend a pre-conference day with
- [Reflecting on Our Digital Storytelling Project](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2007/12/04/reflecting-on-our-digital-storytelling-project/) - Now that we have finished the personal narrative piece in ELA incorporating digital storytelling, please take a few minutes to answer the following questions. Do you think your writing improved as a result of this project? Give at least two reasons why or why not. How was this project different than if we simply wrote
- [Reflecting on our French Video Project](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2007/12/21/reflecting-on-our-french-video-project/) - Now that you have finished your French video project on shopping, take a few mintues to reflect and respond to the following questions. Did your French speaking get significantly better by doing this project? Was it easier or harder than if we just did a speaking piece in class? Was there more value doing this
- [Cyberbullying: Theory to Action](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2006/08/06/cyberbullying-theory-to-action/) - I just finished Nancy Willard's book titled Cyberbullying and Cyberthreats: Responding to the Challenge of Online Social Cruelty, Threats, and Distress. It is full of good information on this important topic. I think the strength of the book is in the final chapters that talk about legal considerations for individuals, families and schools. There are
- [Harsh - But Gets the Ball Rolling...](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2007/09/24/harsh-but-gets-the-ball-rolling/) - In David Warlick's book Raw Materials for the Mind (4th ed.), he has the following quote in the introduction: "IT Departments do not work for the technology. They work for the teachers, to make sure that teachers can use the technology to produce the learning experiences that they know need to happen in their classrooms.
- [Delete Cyberbullying](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2008/02/10/delete-cyberbullying/) - At a regional technology integrators meeting on Friday I was introduced to some new (to me) materials to help make the point of what cyberbullying can look and feel like. Click below to hear a brief, direct, audio message from The National Crime Prevention Council and the AdCouncil: In the Kitchen with Megan You can
- [Copyright Confusion](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2008/01/06/copyright-confusion/) - Thanks to an article in a recent issue of eSchool News I was introduced to an outstanding new report, The Cost of Copyright Confusion for Media Literacy. The report is co-authored by researchers from Temple University and American University (American U. happens to be our librarian Mr. Saia's alma mater). I found the report to
- [Aaack! Can Anyone Recommend a Good Web Host?](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2008/06/03/aaack-can-anyone-recommend-a-good-web-host/) - Flash back to 2004, at the NECC Conference in New Orleans. I think it was during David Thornburg's spotlight session that I decided to jump into blogging. I did not do a ton of research; rather I wanted to get going quickly. One of the blogging services I took note of (and which happened to
- [On Making Software Accessible](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2008/07/27/on-making-software-accessible/) - I've been listening to the NECC (National Educational Computing Conference) podcasts available free via iTunes. David Thornburg, leading thinker and educator, spoke in a presentation titled, "Open Minds, Open Education, and a View of Open Culture." The focus was on 1:1 programs for students and open source software. The quote that jumped out at me
- [Am I a Dinosaur?](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2007/07/08/am-i-a-dinosaur/) - Attending NECC virtually has been fascinating. Not the same as being there for sure, but reading and watching what I can, I do feel a connection to what happened. There is still a long list of videos/podcasts to catch up on, but I'm brining my official attendance to a close. The twitter-skype chat-live blog thing
- [Its Gotta Be Good...](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2005/06/27/its-gotta-be-good/) - Upon arriving at the Philadelphia Convention Center for the first workshop at NECC (National Educational Computing Conference) I was greeted by this artwork which consists of thousands of coffee cups massed together. Lots of computers and lots of coffee in one place - this is definitely going to be a good time...
- [Epic 2014](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2005/06/27/epic-2014/) - At the Technology Coordinators forum, David Warlick spoke about telling compelling stories. He showed us the following site. Want to spend a few minutes thinking about the future? Check out this compelling account of what happens by the year 2014. Its about 8 minutes long, and worth it - a very thought-provoking show. Epic 2014
- [Day 1 Theme](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2005/06/27/day-1-theme/) - The theme that came out of today (based on my participation in the Tech Coordinators forum and Keynote) is: Knowledge is a conversation, not a destination. We know this, but we don't always practice it. Schools are still entrenched in "disbursing" information for the purpose of testing. Technology in the hands of kids at home
- [Wiki - mania](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2005/06/27/wiki-mania/) - Wikis are websites that anyone can edit. It is another unique product of the online revolution. One of the neatest projects that has come out of this is Wikipedia - an online, community-created and edited encyclopedia. In concept it is just like traditional encylopedias. The primary difference is that the authors are anyone who chooses
- [Internet2](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2005/06/27/internet2/) - If a dial-up modem connection is the size of a soda straw (in terms of how much data can travel through it), and a cable modem is the size of a water main pipe, then Internet2 is built on pipes the size of the water intakes in Niagara Falls. Internet2 is a new portion of
- [QuestGarden !](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2005/06/28/questgarden/) - I was just in Bernie Dodge's session on "Obstacles to Faster Webquest Creation." If you have ever done a webquest, you know that they are great, but take time to create and manage. Bernie unveiled a new webqeust generating (and hosting) tool called QuestGarden that will be available Sept. 1st. It takes many of the
- [Day 2 Theme](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2005/06/29/day-2-theme/) - Contructivism From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia: In education, constructivism is a learning theory which holds that knowledge is not transmitted unchanged from teacher to student, but instead that learning is an active process of recreating knowledge. Constructivists teach techniques that place emphasis on the role of learning activities in a good curriculum. See constructivism (learning
- [Sweet](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2005/06/29/sweet/) - One of my hobbies is architecture - I'm a sucker for an awesome building, and the PA Convention Center is one. The entry building you see above is the old railroad train shed (the oldest surviving single-span arched train shed in the world). Upon entering and going upstairs, you are greeted by the grand hall
- [Face to Face Finally](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2005/06/30/face-to-face-finally/) - I got to meet face to face for the first time last night with lots of people from MarcoPolo whom I have known virtually for the last few years. The MarcoPolo partners did an overview of upcoming developments for the site, and wow, there are some neat things coming online soon. Xpeditions alone covered 7
- [Day 3 Theme](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2005/06/30/day-3-theme/) - A lot went on for me in day 3, but if I have to boil it down into a theme, it would be: The Future The day started with a keynote by futurist & author Joel Baker, who spoke on his book (and theory) Five Regions of the Future. I then spent some time looking
- [Day 4 Theme](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2005/07/03/day-4-theme/) - This one was easier to come up with as I spent my last half day at the Technology Leadership Forum sponsored by ISTE. The theme for day 4 was: Vision There are 11 essential conditions a district must have for successful technology implementation. Those 11 conditions are: -Shared Vision -Equitable Access -Skilled Personnel -Professional Development
- [eThemes](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2005/07/05/ethemes/) - Looking for quality web resources for your classroom? I was introduced to another free online resource called eThemes. It is teacher-reviewed, kid-appropriate web content based around over 900 different themes, or topics. The site, and themes, are maintained by an outstanding program called eMINTS, based in Missouri. This is a site for teachers to go
- [Off to NYSCATE 2008](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2008/11/21/off-to-nyscate-2008/) - The annual state conference for educational technology, sponsored by NYSCATE, is this weekend. Just a few of the things I'm really looking forward to are... ...weekend workshops with David Jakes. David does incredible work in his district, and is very motivating to work with. He's doing the Sunday keynote as well. ...a ton of sessions
- [Who Moved My Tools?](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2008/11/24/who-moved-my-tools/) - With credit to Spencer Johnson and his book, Who Moved My Cheese?, who moved my tools? The tools I'm referring to are the software tools that we rely on every day. I've had a great time at NYSCATE so far, in the hands-on workshops that precede the regular conference. I spent two rewarding days with
- [Reflections on Monday at NYSCATE](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2008/11/24/reflections-on-monday-at-nyscate/) - So for a new twist, I've taken the notes from the sessions I attended on Monday at NYSCATE (from scraps of paper, my iPod touch, etc.) and dumped them into Wordle to see if there are any over-arching ideas I heard (or more likely, focused on). Here is the result: I think it's too soon
- [Reflections on Tuesday at NYSCATE](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2008/11/29/reflections-on-tuesday-at-nyscate/) - Conferences can be fun, educational, and tiring. When I woke up Tuesday morning at NYSCATE, all of this was in play. My session, Video in the Classroom to Captivate and Motivate (nyscate08g09), was scheduled for the first slot, and I was excited about it. I thought that after that, I could cruise through the last couple
- [Why I Come (revisited)](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2006/11/20/why-i-come-revisited/) - In my post from yesterday, I talked about why I come to conferences - to hopefully see and hear from the leaders and visionaries I would not normally get the opprotunity to see. Today I had the opportunity to be in with Will Richardson for 3 different presentations. One of the great things about blogging
- [School 2.0](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2006/11/20/school-20/) - Tim Magner, Director of the Office of Educational Technology at the US Department of Education spoke today about the recenlty released vision for ed tech, titled School 2.0. It is a fascinating, detailed map about the direction that schools should take to meet the needs of society in this time of rapid technology change. This
- [Why I Come](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2006/11/20/why-i-come/) - Going to conferences can be a challenge from the standpoint of there being so much to do or learn. I have always tried to focus on going to sessions or workshops that are run by national leaders or visionaries – the types of people you don’t get to interact with everyday. Peter Reynolds is just
- [NYSCATE 2006](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2006/11/18/nyscate-2006/) - The annual state computer technology conference begins today in Rochester. Sponsored by NYSCATE (New York State Association for Computers and Technologies in Education), this years theme is Learning & Leading - Enhanced Through Technology. Tomorrow (Sunday) I am spending the day with the creator of Fablevision.com, Peter Reynolds. The title of his workshop is The
- [Way too fun!](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2008/10/16/way-too-fun/) - So this is the first post from my iPod touch. A trip to the App Store & I downloaded the free Wordpress app. After a few configuration settings, I can post and manage the blog from my shirt pocket! This device is a game changer in portable computing...
- [(pat, pat, pat)...Still Here!](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2008/07/01/pat-pat-patstill-here/) - Well, July 1st has come and the blog is still here - woo-hoo! The transition from Teacherhosting to DreamHost is complete. One of the reasons I like to do the extra work of registering and hosting my own blog is so I can understand and learn about it. The move was not so bad but
- [Has the Tablet PC Finally Arrived?](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2008/03/20/has-the-tablet-pc-finally-arrived/) - A very fun piece of marketing mail arrived yesterday - from Dell. They have announced the first Dell-branded tablet PC, called the Lattitude XT Tablet. For a number of years I've been a huge fan of the tablet PC format - I played with a top rated Motion Computing model at NECC in 2005. Currently,
- [Staff Development Focus for Next Year](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2009/06/26/staff-development-focus-for-next-year/) - Thanks to the staff who responded to the brief survey I sent out (it was easy & slick to do using a Google form :-) ). While response wasn't huge (25%), it is the end of the year and there are a million things to get done. I think the sample is big enough to
- [SMART Board Sweetness](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2007/01/07/smart-board-sweetness/) - So with the current focus on updating our 5-year Technology Plan, I've been thinking about new hardware. In the area of interactive whiteboards, the newest thing is an all-in-one solution that includes the whiteboard, a projector, speakers and all necessary computer hookups in one wall-mountable system. The version from SMART Technologies, our district's standardized brand,
- [On SMART Boards and other Interactive Whiteboards...](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2007/05/27/on-smart-boards-and-other-interactive-whiteboards/) - A comment I posted at the site for the SMART Board Lessons Podcast was discussed on the episode that followed. Ben Hazzard and Joan Badger are the hosts of this excellent weekly show that focuses on using SMART Boards in the classroom. The discussion (during episode 74) that caused my comment was about the differences
- [Bravo, Ladies!](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2008/06/29/bravo-ladies/) - Three students from Heim recently won the Generation YES Go Green video contest. In the contest, students were directed to produce a video about how our school is Green and/or how it could be better at it. In the GenYES spirit, all aspects had to be student-driven. I can tell you without a doubt it
- [10 Most Powerful Women in IT](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2007/08/31/10-most-powerful-women-in-it/) - Following in the series of article on leaders in IT (see my previous post, The 100 Most Influential *People* in IT) eWeek just released the 10 Most Powerful Women in IT. While I continue to struggle with the genderizing of the technology world (in other words, it's only an issue if we make it one),
- [Data](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2008/05/19/data/) - Data can be awesome - as long as it is meaningful. The Dilbert comic below came out recently, and it hit home with me only because we are right now trying to determine if the data we collect for Fitnessgram is telling us what we want it to.
- [Some Need 30 Minutes, Some Need 30 Years](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2009/07/08/some-need-30-minutes-some-need-30-years/) - Not too long ago, I was with my son in the local toy store helping him pick something he could spend some gift money on. Rather quickly he decided on a Rubik's Cube. The flashbacks started rolling in... The first time Rubik's Cube was all the craze (circa 1980), I had one like everyone did.
- [Content Tech: Google Lit Trips Followup](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2009/06/04/content-tech-google-lit-trips-followup/) - Content Tech Ideas for Technology Use in the Classroom A few weeks back in Content Tech we looked at Google Lit Trips as unique way to study literature through geography. In Mrs. Calandra's English 9R class, we used the Lit Trip as part of their study of The Odyssey by Homer. Reading this book can
- [TTT: Return to Editing Point in Word](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2009/06/09/ttt-return-to-editing-point-in-word/) - Tuesday’s Technology Tip Little ‘bytes’ of information to hopefully make your computing life easier. When you open a Word document, it opens at the beginning of the document. If you want to get back to the spot in the document where you last edited: Press Shift + F5 to return to the last editing point
- [TTT: Outlook Quick Permanent Delete](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2009/06/02/ttt-outlook-quick-permanent-delete/) - Tuesday’s Technology Tip Little ‘bytes’ of information to hopefully make your computing life easier. In Outlook, when you delete a message, it goes to your deleted items folder. You then have to empty the deleted items to free up space for mail. You can delete mail items permanently without having to do this 2-step process.
- [Content Tech: Google Search and the Wonder Wheel](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2009/05/20/content-tech-google-search-and-the-wonder-wheel/) - Content Tech Ideas for Technology Use in the Classroom You may be noticing a Google theme to Content Tech recently...I've been attending a BOCES workshop on the multitude of Google tools available, and the list continues to grow. There is a new search tool recently released titled Wonder Wheel, that provides a visual representation of
- [Content Tech: Google Advanced Image Search](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2009/05/13/content-tech-google-advanced-image-search/) - Content Tech Ideas for Technology Use in the Classroom Following up on the advanced Google search tip last week, an advanced image search in Google presents some very useful filters. Today we'll look at one way to do an advanced image search to find copyright-free images. Items produced by the U.S. Government are free from
- [TTT: Quick PowerPoint Slideshows](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2009/05/12/ttt-quick-powerpoint-slideshows/) - Tuesday’s Technology Tip Little ‘bytes’ of information to hopefully make your computing life easier. With PowerPoint's Photo Album tool, you can create a quick slide show from a group of digital pictures. To do this: In PowerPoint, select Insert | Picture | New Photo Album... Browse to the folder with the pictures you wish to
- [Content Tech: Google Advanced Search](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2009/05/06/content-tech-google-advanced-search/) - Content Tech Ideas for Technology Use in the Classroom We all use Google to search for information to help us teach. Have you tried an advanced search to get more of what you are looking for? For example, do you want to find PowerPoint files related to an upcoming unit? What about flash video clips
- [TTT: Automatic Spell Check in Outlook](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2009/04/21/ttt-automatic-spell-check-in-outlook/) - Tuesday’s Technology Tip Little ‘bytes’ of information to hopefully make your computing life easier. For this week's TTT, here is a brief video demonstrating how to activate automatic spell checking in Outlook. Click below to play , and once playing there is a full-screen option in the lower right corner of the video. ∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞ This
- [Content Tech: Google Lit Trips](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2009/04/22/content-tech-google-lit-trips/) - Content Tech Ideas for Technology Use in the Classroom Mrs. Calandra's English 9R class is about to embark on a journey in Google Earth as they read The Odyssey by Homer. Google Lit Trips are very interesting and a new way to teach literature, incorporating the geography of the book. We're planning to have students
- [Content Tech: Summary of Using Technology with Classroom Instruction that Works](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2009/04/08/content-tech-summary-of-using-technology-with-classroom-instruction-that-works/) - "Using technology for technology's sake isn't a good application of instructional time or funding, and it is unlikely to improve student achievement." (p.217) Over the past few months we've taken a look at how technology can support research-proven instructional strategies. Let's take a few minutes to summarize the ideas presented by Pitler et al in
- [Content Tech: Identifying Similarities and Differences](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2009/03/05/content-tech-identifying-similarities-and-differences/) - Content Tech Ideas for Technology Use in the Classroom In an ongoing look at the book, Using Technology with Classroom Instruction that Works, the next strategy is identifying similaritities and differences. Graphic organizers, including venn diagrams, are once again are great tools to use for this strategy. However, I'm going to focus on how spreadsheet
- [Content Tech: Riding the Digital Wave Conference 2009](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2009/04/01/content-tech-riding-the-digital-wave-2009-conference/) - Content Tech Ideas for Technology Use in the Classroom Erie 1 BOCES hosted the 5th Annual Riding the Digital Wave Conference at the Harlem Rd. Education Campus. Below is my under-5-minute wrap up of my experience. Click to play, and mouse over the lower right corner of the video to find the full-screen button. Here
- [TTT: Quick Tabs in Internet Explorer](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2009/03/31/ttt-quick-tabs-in-internet-explorer/) - Tuesday’s Technology Tip Little ‘bytes’ of information to hopefully make your computing life easier. When you have multiple web pages open at once, each one can be displayed on a separate tab, rather than in a separate window. These tabs make it easy for you to switch between open websites without having to manage multiple
- [Content Tech: Generating and Testing Hypotheses](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2009/03/25/content-tech-generating-and-testing-hypotheses/) - Content Tech Ideas for Technology Use in the Classroom In an ongoing look at the book, Using Technology with Classroom Instruction that Works, the next strategy is generating and testing hypotheses. Technology advances including probeware, interactive simulations, and spreadsheets, allow classroom time to be devote classroom time to interpreting data, rather than collecting data. In
- [TTT: Jumping PowerPoint Slides](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2009/03/24/ttt-jumping-powerpoint-slides/) - Tuesday’s Technology Tip Little ‘bytes’ of information to hopefully make your computing life easier. When presenting, you can easily jump around in your PowerPoint slides out of order. Simply type the number of the slide you wish to jump to and tap the Enter key. You can also right-click the current slide and choose Go
- [Content Tech: Homework and Practice](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2009/03/11/content-tech-homework-and-practice/) - Content Tech Ideas for Technology Use in the Classroom In an ongoing look at the book, Using Technology with Classroom Instruction that Works, the next strategy is homework and practice. Marzano's research indicates that typically, students need approximately 24 repetitions of a skill in order to achieve 80 percent competency. There are many web resources
- [TTT: Indenting Paragraphs](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2009/03/10/ttt-indenting-paragraphs/) - Tuesday’s Technology Tip Little ‘bytes’ of information to hopefully make your computing life easier. There are two ways to set up indenting in Word. First, by using the menus: Choose Format | Paragraph... Set the left and right indents under Indentation The second way is to use the Ruler: If the ruler is not visible,
- [Content Tech: Reinforcing Effort](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2009/02/27/content-tech-reinforcing-effort/) - Content Tech Ideas for Technology Use in the Classroom In an ongoing look at the book, Using Technology with Classroom Instruction that Works, the next strategy is reinforcing effort. Probably the single biggest factor affecting student performance is the ability to "stick with it" until successful. Technology can be a tough one to incorporate into
- [Content Tech: Cooperative Learning](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2009/02/11/content-tech-cooperative-learning/) - Content Tech Ideas for Technology Use in the Classroom In an ongoing look at the book, Using Technology with Classroom Instruction that Works, the next strategy is cooperative learning. The research indicates that when technology is used collaboratively, there is a modest increase in effect size (learning). Multimeda, and specifically creating a video, is a
- [TTT: Printing Gridlines in Excel](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2009/02/24/ttt-printing-gridlines-in-excel/) - Tuesday’s Technology Tip Little ‘bytes’ of information to hopefully make your computing life easier. In Microsoft Excel, the lines between every row and column are called gridlines. Gridlines do not print by default, and there may be times when you want the gridlines on your printout. If you want gridlines to show when you print
- [The Children's Machine](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2009/02/18/the-childrens-machine/) - Here is an audio track to accompany this post, if you like: luminous-rain Music courtesy of Kevin MacLeod My recent purchase of an XO laptop moved me to finally dip into the writing of Seymour Papert and his often-referenced book, The Children's Machine: Rethinking School In The Age Of The Computer. Being in the midst
- [TTT: The Shift Key](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2009/02/10/ttt-the-shift-key/) - Tuesday’s Technology Tip Little ‘bytes’ of information to hopefully make your computing life easier. Drawing lines and shapes is easy to do in Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and many other programs. If you want to draw straight lines, or perfect circles, squares, etc., use the shift key. When you click and drag while holding down the
- [Content Tech: Summarizing and Note Taking](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2009/01/28/content-tech-summarizing-and-note-taking/) - Content Tech Ideas for Technology Use in the Classroom In an ongoing look at the book, Using Technology With Classroom Instruction That Works, the next strategy for improving instruction is summarizing and note taking. As adults and educators, these techniques have become second nature to what we do. Students who are not used to pulling
- [Content Tech: Nonlinguistic Representation](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2009/01/14/content-tech-nonlinguistic-representation/) - Content Tech Ideas for Technology Use in the Classroom In an ongoing review of the book Using Technology with Classroom Instruction that Works, we will look at the strategy of nonlinguistic representation. A part of the introduction to this chapter grabbed my attention, so I'm going to take a slightly different approach to discussing this
- [TTT: Default Printer](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2009/01/13/ttt-default-printer/) - Tuesday's Technology Tip Little "bytes" of information to help make your computing life easier. You can have every printer in the building set up in your profile, and print to any one when you need to. If there is one printer you use the most, it is easy to set it as your default printer.
- [A Crayola Bomb for Christmas](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2008/12/28/a-crayola-bomb-for-christmas/) - Having a kindergarten child has prompted me to (finally) read Robert Fulghum's entertaining and enlightening book, All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten. Since I'm so late to the book, its actually the 15th anniversary edition I'm exploring. I'm going to skip the bullet points of the rules of kindergarten, and instead,
- [Content Tech: Cues, Questions and Advance Organizers](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2008/12/17/content-tech-cues-questions-and-advance-organizers/) - Content Tech Ideas for Technology Use in the Classroom In our ongoing look at the book, Using Technology with Classroom Instruction that Works, the next planning question is, "Which strategies will help students acquire and integrate learning?" This question obviously has the most strategies since this is where most learning takes place. Cues, questions and
- [TTT: My Computer vs. My Documents](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2008/12/16/ttt-my-computer-vs-my-documents/) - Tuesday's Technology Tip Little 'bytes' of information to hopefully make your computing life easier The safest way to open and save documents in school is through My Computer and your H: drive, not through My Documents. Because of the way our system is designed, there are occasional (and not consistent) times when opening or saving
- [Gave One Got One](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2008/12/11/gave-one-got-one/) - Thanks to a presentation by Brian Smith, Gary Stager and Sylvia Martinez at NYSCATE a couple of weeks ago, I get what the OLPC (one laptop per child) laptop is about. Its not about technology. Its not about schools. Its about kids, learning, and opportunity. I watched and considered last year while the Give 1
- [TTT: The Insert Key](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2008/12/09/ttt-the-insert-key/) - Tuesday's Technology Tip Little 'bytes' of information to hopefully make your computing life easier If you have ever found yourself typing, and suddenly realized that what you were typing was replacing the text in your document, the culprit is most likely the Insert key. This happens most frequently in email or Word, and happens if
- [Content Tech: Providing Recognition](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2008/12/03/content-tech-providing-recognition/) - Content Tech Ideas for Technology Use in the Classroom In the ongoing review of Using Technology with Classroom Instruction that Works, the next strategy is providing recognition. Recognition is the most enjoyable part of learning, as it is the way we get to show off what we know and are able to do. Of the
- [TTT: Network Drives](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2008/12/02/ttt-network-drives/) - Tuesday's Technology Tip Little 'bytes' of information to hopefully make your computing life easier When you login in school, you automatically connect to a series of network drives, which are available for various purposes. To see what drives you connect to, double-click My Computer on the desktop, and look for the following: Here is what
- [Content Tech: Providing Feedback](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2008/11/19/content-tech-providing-feedback/) - Content Tech Ideas for Technology Use in the Classroom Continuing our exploration of Using Technology with Classroom Instruction that Works, the next global question addressed is, "Which strategies will provide evidence of student learning?" The first strategy for this question is providing feedback. "...feedback is 'the most powerful single innovation that enhances achievement.'" (p.41) This
- [TTT: File Extensions](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2008/11/18/ttt-file-extensions/) - Tuesday's Technology Tip Little "bytes" of information to help make your computing life easier. All computer files use a 3-letter suffix to help the computer figure out what type of file it is. When saving, the file extension should be created automatically for you. It is a good habit to make sure your files have
- [Content Tech: Setting Objectives](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2008/11/12/content-tech-setting-objectives/) - Content Tech Ideas for Technology Use in the Classroom Carrying on with a focus on the book Using Technology with Classroom Instruction that Works, the first planning question is: What will students learn? There is one instructional strategy associated with this question, setting objectives. "...when students are allowed to set some of their own learning
- [Content Tech: Using Technology with Classroom Instruction that Works](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2008/11/06/content-tech-using-technology-with-classroom-instruction-that-works/) - Content Tech Ideas for Technology Use in the Classroom We are familiar with Marzano's research in Classroom Instruction that Works. In 2007, MCREL released a supporting book, Using Technology with Classroom Instruction that Works. What is terrific about this book is that it puts technology in the proper place - as a tool to support
- [TTT: Quick Launch Bar](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2008/11/04/ttt-quick-launch-bar/) - Tuesday's Technology Tip Little Tips to Hopefully Help Make Your Computing Life Easier On District computers, you do not have control over the desktop or Start menu. You can create and mange icons in the Quick Launch Bar, found right next to the Start menu: You can drag a shortcut for a program, a folder
- [Content Tech: Discovery Education Streaming](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2008/10/29/content-tech-discovery-education-streaming/) - Content Tech Ideas for Technology Tools in the Classroom Our video streaming service, Discovery Education Streaming, has a wide array of media available to support every content area. One way to view available media is by browsing by New York State standard. After logging into your DE Streaming account, scroll down on the left side
- [TTT: WITS Locker](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2008/10/28/ttt-wits-locker/) - Tuesday's Technology Tip Little Tips to Hopefully Help Make Your Computing Life Easier Staff has access to the same locker that students do in WITS. To attach something to your WITS Locker, do the following: a1: Click the "Personal" tab a2: Click "My Documents" on the left B: Click on "Add Document" C: Click "Browse"
- [Content Tech: LOTE Proficiency](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2008/10/15/content-tech-lote-proficiency/) - En 2007 el examen de idioma español tiene la siguiente pregunta (click para ampliar): The distractor for this type of question format is different in that the answers are pictures. Students have to translate/visualize the target language they hear, rather than seeing English answers which would provide clues. Marzano's Building Academic Vocabulary comes into play
- [TTT: Tabbed Browsing](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2008/10/14/ttt-tabbed-browsing/) - Tuesday's Technology Tip Little Tips to Hopefully Help Make Your Computing Life Easier You've used the Internet for a long time - but have you used tabs to keep your browsing less window-messy? Whether you are using Firefox (which started the idea of tabbed browsing) or Internet Explorer, you can open new web pages in
- [Content Tech: 7th Grade Math](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2008/10/08/content-tech-7th-grade-math/) - Gone are the days of math problems where you just write your answer. Showing work and explaining your answer are key components in math, as the process of solving is as important as the product. Below is a question from Book 2 of the 2007 7th grade exam (click to enlarge): How technology might help...
- [WordCamp & the Gallery](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2008/10/05/wordcamp-the-gallery/) - So I'm trying out the gallery feature for the first time, something I learned from Rannie's presentation on Saturday. Hat tip to verneho's flickr photo set for the images! Photos: WordCamp Toronto Logo, Swag, Matt Mullenweg (founding developer of WordPress)
- [WordCamp Toronto 2008](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2008/10/02/336/) - I'm excited about attending a geeky opportunity this weekend - WordCamp Toronto. WordCamp is a gathering of WordPress users held regionally around the world throughout the year (see this page for other WordCamps). Over two years ago I switched to using WordPress to power this blog, and never looked back. :-) One of the main
- [Content Tech: 8th Grade Science](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2008/10/01/content-tech-8th-grade-science/) - Science exams are full of diagrams and models, and terminology associated with them. Following are 2 examples from the 2008 8th grade science exam (click each image to enlarge): Marzano's work in Building Academic Vocabulary certainly would be helpful in these examples, as the distractors are set up to trick students who might confuse circulation/respiration
- [TTT: Windows Key](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2008/09/30/ttt-windows-key/) - Keyboard shortcuts are nifty ways to get things done quickly on the computer. On any keyboard with the Windows key (just to the left of the Alt key, with the Windows logo), here are a few shortcuts you may find helpful: Press To Display or hide the Start menu. Windows key + D Show the
- [TTT: Windows Task Manager](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2008/09/23/ttt-windows-task-manager/) - Sometimes a program will stop responding (such as Internet Explorer), while you have work open in other programs. The Windows Task Manager lets you choose a specific program to end, while leaving other programs alone. To use the Windows Task Manager: Press Ctrl-Alt-Delete while logged in Click on Task Manager In the window that appears,
- [Content Tech: 5th Grade ELA](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2008/09/17/content-tech-5th-grade-ela/) - The 2007 5th Grade listening section had a very cute story about a photographer who encountered a rare lioness: Lion Story After 2 readings, the following questions were asked: Lion Questions Two of the questions have reasonably tricky distractors, and the question asking for supporting details from the story could be a stumper if not
- [TTT: Creating a PDF of a Document](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2008/09/16/ttt-creating-a-pdf-of-a-document/) - You can create a PDF (Portable Document Format) file of any computer file. PDF files are easier to share with other computer users as there is less worry if they have the same software you do. Click on the link below to see how to create a PDF file. Hat tip once again to Nancy
- [Content Tech: 8th Grade Social Studies](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2008/09/10/content-tech-8th-grade-social-studies/) - In what I plan to be a new regular feature, Content Tech, we'll look at examples in various content areas of what students are to know, and how tech may (or may not) help. For the first stop in this endeavor, we take a look at Social Studies. Here is a set of questions from
- [TTT: Reading Pane in Outlook 2003](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2008/09/09/ttt-reading-pane-in-outlook-2003/) - Welcome to the 2008-09 TTT (Tuesday's Technology Tip)! This tip is designed to give a quick "how-to" to hopefully make your computing life easier. Nancy Wilhelm, our district trainer, has created many helpful documents about using Office and other programs. Here is her tip on the reading pane in Outlook 2003: Reading Pane The Reading
- [First Day of Kindergarten](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2008/09/03/first-day-of-kindergarten/) - My son started his school learning journey today. He was very excited when he woke up, hopped on the bus (yes I was a doting dad with the video camera) and had a great day. We had a bit of extra excitement at the end of the day when he did not get off the
- [A Short List of Favorite Books](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2008/08/10/a-short-list-of-favorite-books/) - My favorite books of all time have three things in common - two of those things are more relevant than the third: They are short in length The information/story presented is right on They are all blue (like I said, not as relevant) (at least I do not think so) On this list for a
- [What in the Wordle Does This Mean?](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2008/08/01/what-in-the-wordle-does-this-mean/) - Thanks to Doug Johnson and his Blue Skunk Blog, I just learned of a neat tool, Wordle. You can paste a blob of text, or enter a URL, RSS feed, or Del.icio.us user, and see a word cloud created based on the content provided. The resulting image can be customized by color and shape. When
- [Podcasting in Science Class](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2008/06/08/podcasting-in-science-class/) - One of the best technology conferences recently was one I did not go to. Rather, it was one I was supposed to go to, but due to a very busy schedule in the labs, could not. So at the last minute I approached a science teacher to go in my place. It was the best
- [Hello Crew!](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2008/07/17/hello-crew/) - Hello video announcements crew! I just finished a workshop at Amherst Middle with Mr. Z. on using Visual Communicator. Click on the video below to see some of what I learned. [flashvideo filename=wp-content/uploads/2008/07/Michael_-_Heim_Update.flv /] Let me know what you think, and see you in August!
- [Under Construction - Please Excuse the Mess](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2008/07/04/under-construction-please-excuse-the-mess/) - I'm tinkering with a new theme, and as a result, lots of things are moving around and are "works-in-progress." Please excuse the dust - I figure it will take a couple of weeks as I learn how to customize the WordPress templates.
- [Video Poems](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2008/05/01/video-poems/) - We just finished a video poem project with Mrs. Calandra's classes. The idea came from a Creative Educator article I have on my digital storytelling page. The twist we added was to have the students put imagery to their own original poetry. I have to say I was very excited by the level of work
- [Moving Day - See You Soon (Hopefully!)](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2008/06/23/moving-day-see-you-soon-hopefully/) - Moving day is upon me. I have to say that in the real world, I do not like moving, and in the virtual world of moving web hosts, I like it equally as little! After receiving word that my hosting service, Teacherhosting.com, is discontinuing service as of June 30th, I've been a bit stressed about
- [A True Buffalo Hero](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2008/06/14/a-true-buffalo-hero/) - Students, please take note: we lost a Buffalonian yesterday that is worthy of the title "hero." He was not an amazing athlete. He was not a wizard with business dealings or money. He was a smart, straight forward, honest, hard working journalist, and at the top of his game. Tim Russert is the type of
- [Performing Knowledge](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2008/05/29/performing-knowledge/) - We recently completed a video project with one of our social studies teachers. This 7th grade project involved students picking one topic from the curriculum, and interpreting it with video in some form. We showed the students some samples from TeacherTube, including some done locally in a Buffalo high school. We then set them loose
- [Twitter: Stop the Insanity!](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2008/03/31/twitter-stop-the-insanity/) - I just can't keep up. Sorry. I love following the blogs of the top names in ed tech. Then along comes Twitter, where you can post what you are up to in 140 characters or less from a cell phone, constantly, and its the new rage. Honestly, when one person generates an average of 10-20
- [Where is the Middle Ground?](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2008/04/07/where-is-the-middle-ground/) - Somewhere between Twitter in the Classroom and old school lecture-till-you-drop teaching is a middle ground that begs to help move our classrooms forward. The majority of K-12 classrooms today are f2f. How do we acknowledge and incorporate that underlying fact? The online, global, always connected network is incredible, valuable, necessary and worthwhile, but how do
- [Ten Year Plan: One-to-One Programs Are Not Worth It](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2008/03/24/ten-year-plan-one-to-one-programs-are-not-worth-it/) - Perhaps I've gotten your attention with the title. Please take the time to think about what's on my mind here. If I look out over the next ten years, pushing and prodding toward better learning, dedicating time and resources to implementing a one-to-one computing program is not worth it. That is not to say that
- [Sweet Camcorder](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2008/03/09/sweet-camcorder/) - I was at a friend's house over the weekend for a suprise party. They have a brand new HD camcorder that I noticed on the counter. You know how sometimes you see something, pick it up, and get that OH WOW feeling? Well that's just what I got with this baby...it's a JVC Everio GZ-HD3,
- [A Quick Mashup of Some Reading](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2008/02/23/a-quick-mashup-of-some-reading/) - I've just been reading Jim Collins' book, Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap...and Others Don't. At the same time, just the other day a colleague forwarded a link to the Cisco/Metiri Group report, Technology in School: What the Research Says. I'm going to throw out a quote or two from each, to
- [A Webkinz World](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2008/02/18/a-webkinz-world/) - Meet the newest members of our household. Thanks to a Christmas present from a neighbor, we are officially a Webkinz household. They are darn cute, I must say. Having 2 preschoolers, we (my wife and I) are on the brink of truly experiencing what the next generation is going to grow up with. There is
- [TechYES](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2008/02/07/techyes/) - We introduced the TechYES program to a pilot group of students today. The Gifted Programming teacher and myself are taking a group of 12 students through the certification process this semester to get a full understanding of how this can work. The initial reaction from the students was very positive. When they understood that THEY
- [Anything fun for the holidays?](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2008/01/01/anything-fun-for-the-holidays/) - I hope you had a great holiday, and got some cool gifts, too. One of my newer interests is plane spotting, thanks to my son who loves airplanes. The old Flying Tigers restaurant by the airport is an awesome place to watch planes, and since Mercy Flight has taken over the building, they have maintained
- [Frank Lloyd Wright in Buffalo](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2007/12/29/frank-lloyd-wright-in-buffalo/) - One of my hobbies/interests is architecture, and Frank Lloyd Wright is one of my favorite architects. Buffalo has the second highest concentration of FLW designs standing (Chicago has the most). I went on what is probably my 3rd or 4th tour of the premiere Buffalo FLW installation, the Darwin D. Martin House. It is undergoing
- [Sage Advice](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2007/12/10/sage-advice/) - During our Monday morning school reading period, I like to read through the pile of educational technology magazines that normally stack up (and until we began this reading time were often ignored...). Top on the pile this week was Edutopia (one of my favorites). In the monthly feature, Sage Advice, the question put to readers
- [Raw Materials for the Mind](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2007/12/04/raw-materials-for-the-mind/) - I just finished David Warlick's book, Raw Materials for the Mind. David is a terrific writer (and speaker) and lays out how the digital age has transformed how we can (and should) learn. Two of his summary points stand out: Citing Sources (p.192): Always cite your sources Seek permission when possible Seek Professional Development (p.288-9):
- [A School is People Learning: Revisited](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2007/11/30/a-school-is-people-learning-revisited/) - Forgive me for waxing a bit philosophical here, but I want to spend a bit of time revisiting my mantra for education...A School is People Learning. I first wrote about it here during NYSCATE last year, and reaffirmed it here just before this school year started. This year's NYSCATE brought it back again. At Milton
- [Various Sessions at NYSCATE](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2007/11/20/various-sessions-at-nyscate/) - Playing a bit of catch up here - there is so much to see/do/learn that time flies by. I'm going to reflect on a few different sessions from yesterday/today. Sunday Keynote w/Marco Torres: Marco is a wonderful and inspirational person. Its easy to see why he is so successful with his students. It was a
- [Synthesizing NYSCATE #2 - Is Google Big Brother?](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2007/11/24/synthesizing-nyscate-2-is-google-big-brother/) - Let me begin by saying that Google is awesome. The breadth and depth of tools coming out of Google each day is unreal. This post is not meant to be a "paranoia" reaction. Its just something nagging in the back of my mind. I'll try to voice it and see if it makes sense. At
- [Hey - I'm In This Video!](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2007/11/23/hey-im-in-this-video/) - Some "party crashers" (aka learners from another workshop) dropped into our Web 2.0 workshop with David Jakes on Sunday. They were learning movie making and took the opportunity to interview Dave. There are audio issues where the camera person is heard more than the subjects, but here is the product of their learning, posted as
- [Synthesizing NYSCATE #1 - Personal Learning Environments](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2007/11/22/synthesizing-nyscate-1-personal-learning-environments/) - There was no specific session on the topic of personal learning environments (PLEs), but the concept came up many times throughout the conference as what we need to do to move forward with the new, connected, world of learning. Basically, a PLE is a learner-centered starting point, or gathering place, for an individual to create
- [Connecting the Classroom: Helping Student Build Global Learning Networks w/Will Richardson - NYSCATE](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2007/11/20/connecting-the-classroom-helping-student-build-global-learning-networks-wwill-richardson-nyscate/) - While the title of this session was clear, Will started by inviting the conversation to go in any desired direction. We traversed many topics during the hour with some interesting points and conversations. Of note: Will linked the session into usstream.tv and broadcast video/audio live via the Internet. He "advertised" the session stream via Twitter,
- [Digital Storytelling 2.0 with David Jakes - NYSCATE](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2007/11/19/digital-storytelling-20-with-david-jakes-nyscate/) - The presentation resources can be found on David's wiki page. One of the reasons I've followed David's work for a while is his focus on digital storytelling. In this session he talked about the fundamentals of good stories, and about his influence and work with the Center for Digital Storytelling. The key to developing good
- [Welcome to the Human Network - An Introduction to Web 2.0 with David Jakes - NYSCATE](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2007/11/19/welcome-to-the-human-network-an-introduction-to-web-20-with-david-jakes-nyscate/) - Presentation resources can be found here. The first part of the day David spent providing an overview of Web 2.0, focusing on its place in the classroom and how it "changes the game" of learning. Some of the key points as takeaways for me: The key to bringing people on board and understanding Web 2.0
- [Constructivist Celebration - NYSCATE Preconference](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2007/11/17/constructivist-celebration-nyscate-preconference/) - The Constructivist Celebration came to NYSCATE today. The first celebration took place at NECC back in July, and its great that we had the opportunity in New York to come together. Gary Stager, Executive Director of the Constructivist Consortium, and Melinda Kolk, of Tech4Learning, started the day speaking about the value and need for constructivist
- [Learning is Everywhere](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2007/10/23/learning-is-everywhere-2/) - I continue to be amazed at how learning opportunities are all around, and sneak up when you least expect it. Tonight I was co-teaching an inservice class, and while watching my colleague demonstrate something, I was learning many new insights and ideas for a topic I was already familiar with. One of the great joys
- [While We're on the Topic of Science](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2007/10/05/while-were-on-the-topic-of-science/) - Following up immediately on the previous post, and speaking of great science teachers... Another lesson today was with Mr. Trombley and Mrs. Krieger (current gifted programming teacher and former science teacher). The three of us and another teacher are working together on our Professional Study Plans. We are in year 3 , which means we
- [An Answer to the "Copy and Paste" World](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2007/10/05/an-answer-to-the-copy-and-paste-world/) - Just finished a lesson today with our excellent science teacher, Mrs. Merlino. She is starting a unit on photosynthesis, and we introduced the students to the notecard tool within NoodleBib. The notecard tool allows the students to copy and paste direct quotations from a source, and then provides scaffolding for them to put what they
- [The Beginning](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2007/09/05/the-beginning/) - My summer reading list did not get too long, but the books I read were awesome! See the recently read list in the sidebar at right for my book list. Interestingly, two of the books, totally different in nature, ended the same way. Each had as the closing, "The Beginning," instead of, "The End." Peter
- [The Rules](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2007/08/14/the-rules/) - Following up on the previous post about what matters, where does technology fit in? Schools are about people and learning, regardless of technology. That being said, obviously technology plays a huge role in where we are going, so how do we keep on the best path? Its very easy to get sucked in by technology
- [What Matters](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2007/08/10/what-matters-2/) - As I form the foundation of the work for the new school year, what crystallized for me during the 3 day Bea McGarvey workshop on What Works in Schools, continues to be what I posted about last November: A school is people learning. (click on the sentence to go to the original post - still
- [What Works in Schools](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2007/08/04/what-works-in-schools/) - I just finished a 3 day workshop sponsored by the school on the research of Robert Marzano and Debra Pickering. The workshop was lead by another of the Marzano group, Bea McGarvey. Bea is an entertaining speaker and shared many insights on the current state of education, and what we could/should do, based on research,
- [Great Questions - Do Anyone's Tech Standards Adress These?](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2007/07/07/great-questions-do-anyones-tech-standards-adress-these/) - Courtesy of Barbara and her Dare to dream - Classroom technology Blog, the following questions appeared on a t-shirt being given out by Nettrekker: 21 Skills for 21st century learning! Can your students.... Make complex choices? Benchmark a process? manage a negotiation? Communicate clearly? Motivate others? Connect globally? Organize information? Cope with change? Read a
- [Another "Jump Out"](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2007/07/07/another-jump-out/) - Browsing through the blog postings from NECC, this one-liner shared during Andrew Zolli's keynote panel discussion jumped out at me: (thanks to Jorge on his Desert Dew blog) In the new paradigm, the Principal is now called "The Chief Learner." Pow. Why? It comes down to learning. Great teachers since the beginning of time know
- [Technology is Still Just a Tool, Right?](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2007/07/03/technology-is-still-just-a-tool-right/) - One of the things ed-tech-ers have to watch out for is being swayed by the "cool new tool" syndrome. Interestingly, Twitter, as an example, was all the rage at NECC. Its just a tool, but post after post talked about the tool, rather than the learning. At NECC there were folks live blogging, twittering, and
- [Virtual Attendance Still Requires Planning Ahead](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2007/07/03/virtual-attendance-still-requires-planning-ahead/) - In my virtual attendance of NECC, the first thing I have learned is that to keep on top of the flood of information coming out of NECC via blogs, etc., you have to have to know what is going on so you can key into those sessions. Since I was not attending, I did not
- [The Constructivist Consortium](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2007/06/26/the-constructivist-consortium/) - Just reading all the blogging coming out of NECC is a time-consuming task. One post that just jumped out at me to look into comes courtesy of Slyvia Martinez's Generation YES blog. The Constructivist Consortium hosted a daylong Constructivist Celebration at NECC, as part of their launch. Gen YES is a major sponsor along with
- [Getting Busy in Atlanta](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2007/06/23/getting-busy-in-atlanta/) - The RSS feeds are starting to hum with activity in Atlanta, and NECC really has not started yet. Today was the EduBlogger Con, a 1 day pre-conference involving many of the big names in blogging. The picture posts in Flickr are also starting to flow in. One that jumped out at me, and is really
- [NECC 2007](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2007/06/19/necc-2007/) - The National Educational Computing Conference (NECC) is about to launch in Atlanta this weekend. I was almost able to pull off attending this year - but various reasons are preventing me. I'm severely bummed, as the last time I went was in Philadelphia in 2005, but I'm going to capitalize on this by seeing just
- [Bringing it Together...](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2007/05/21/bringing-it-together/) - Last November I posted about where to start with teaching Web 2.0 tools (RSS, Anyone?). Today I finished the first attempt at introducing these tools to our teachers - the title of the workshop was Web 2.0 Tools for Learning: RSS. There was a small but enthusiastic group that was ready to jump in with
- [ETC 2007](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2007/05/19/etc-2007/) - Last week I attended the second Buffalo State College Educational Technology Conference, held at Erie 1 BOCES. The conference is organized and run by students in the master's degree program in educational computing at Buff State. It was a fabulous day, offering a wide range of sessions covering many current trends in educational technology. Here
- [The Top 100 Most Influential *People* in IT](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2007/05/12/the-top-100-most-influential-people-in-it/) - The title of this article published by eWeek should really be, "The Top 100 Most Influential Men, with a couple of women tossed in, in IT. By my count there were a total of seven women in this list. Seven??? I guess its no suprise that men dominate the IT industry, given the stereotypical image
- [Visual Thesaurus](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2007/04/14/visual-thesaurus/) - I just completed the final set of extra work hours for my school - they are still a ridiculous paperwork nightmare for everyone, but they continue to provide focused time for study and reflection. I spent today with the work of Robert Marzano, specifically on his research into building adacademic backround knowlege and academic vocabulary.
- [Ride the Digital Wave 2007](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2007/04/02/ride-the-digital-wave-2007/) - I attended the Erie 1 BOCES Ride the Digital Wave Conferene on Staff Development Day, March 30th. The sessions I attended were as follows, along with some commentary and interesting pieces: Keynote by Dr. Ron Owsten, York Universtiy, Toronto. Dr. Owston spoke about how we need to rethink learning in the context that the students
- [Learning Toolbox](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2007/04/01/learning-toolbox/) - Everyone has a toolbox in the garage/basement/kitchen/wherever. It contains key tools to perform necessary tasks around the house. The digital learning toolbox is the equivalent in the realm of schools. What tools do we have access to right now that will perform the necessary tasks to "build" learning? WITS (classroom communication) NoodleTools (citation creation/management and
- [When will state exams be word processed?](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2007/01/18/when-will-state-exams-be-word-processed/) - Its ELA testing time - all of our 6th, 7th and 8th grade students are busy writing furiously in their test books. In the era we are entering, where the web is our medium of choice, kids spend far more time keyboarding (correctly or incorrectly) than writing. In the work force the same is true
- [Time's Person of the Year 2006 - You, me, him, her...everyone (almost...)](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2006/12/26/times-person-of-the-year-2006-you-me-him-hereveryone-almost/) - So Time Magazine announced that anyone who contributes to/uses the Internet in the current Web 2.0 sphere to be the Person of the Year for 2006. It's an intriguing concept, but I'm not sold on this being the most news-worthy "person" this year. Reading the introduction piece to the story, it is absoluteley optimistic about
- [A Friend, A Colleague, and A Good Time](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2006/12/08/a-friend-a-colleague-and-a-good-time/) - Today Heim Middle says farewell to a good person - Mr. Talarico. Since the beginning of the school year he has been with us for his student teaching experience. He is not your typical out-of-college youngster - he is young at heart, but brings a lifetime of experience to his teaching career. I believe more
- [If I were stuck on a desert island with one piece of technology...](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2006/11/11/if-i-were-stuck-on-a-desert-island-with-one-piece-of-technology/) - Suddenly this week, CPS ("the clickers") became the hot-ticket item. Their use goes in spurts - for a while noone uses them, then all of a sudden everyone wants them. At the Erie 1 BOCES Technology Integrators Forum (TIF) thiis week, 2 teachers presented about their use of CPS. At Heim, quite a few teachers
- [A Good Track Record So Far](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2006/11/01/a-good-track-record-so-far/) - We had our first technical error today that prevented us from broadcasting video announcements. It became clear right afterward that the issue was not enough disk space on the hard drive of the computer. These video files eat A LOT of space, and the show was not saved as we expected. The crew (especially Amy
- [And then October flew by also...](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2006/10/28/and-then-october-flew-by-also/) - But this time, we have a reasonable excuse! Dubbed the October Suprise, we in WNY spent almost 2 weeks recovering from a snowstorm that caused havoc by snapping major branches off of almost every tree in the area. The Russo household fared about the same as most - we lost power for 6 days, had
- [Where Did September Go?](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2006/09/28/where-did-september-go/) - So the last post was the day before the computer lab opened, and now *blink* and its the end of September already - yikes! Its been an awesome couple of weeks - the labs are humming with business, Open House went well, and some of our Staff Development initiatives are under way. Wow, what a
- [Hey you mouse potato - you wanna supersize that !?!?!?](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2006/08/24/hey-you-mouse-potato-you-wanna-supersize-that/) - Merriam-Webster has updated its 2006 Collegiate Dictionary, and added approximately 100 new words. In the technology category, mouse potato is a newcomer, and the definition is exactly what you would expect. Like its cousin the couch potato who spends too much time in front of the TV, such is the case with the mouse potato
- [Predictions for the New Year](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2006/08/17/predictions-for-the-new-year/) - Happy New Year!!! Well, almost...still a couple of weeks before we start...sorry to our southern neighbors who are already back :-) Andy Carvin posted his Back to School: Five Predictions... today, and encouraged others to do the same, so here we go. I'll start by briefly commenting on his five predictions: 1. The Cell Phone
- [What's the Beef?](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2006/08/14/whats-the-beef/) - Blogs! Wikis! Podcasts! Aggregators! Web 2.0! In a salute to the great Wendy's slogan of the 80's, the "beef" of current trends in technology are NOT those things listed above. Those items (except for Web 2.0 which is a general label for all of the latest technology trends on the web) are awesome products of
- [Open Source Sweetness](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2006/08/12/open-source-sweetness/) - So in the land of pesonal learning, I have been working with open source software to learn how this type of software can be beneficial. What is open souce software? For the most part it is FREE software that does all the things pay-for software does. People write code for this software in the interest
- [Whew!](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2006/07/28/whew-2/) - This is a test post to make sure the transfer of my WordPress data made it into the new domain. It appears that the new home, www.pointatopointb.org, is happy & healthy! Onto the more important work of building the site...
- [Super-Learners](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2006/07/18/super-learners/) - PC Magazine's August 8, 2006 issue features articles on the future of technology. A comment that jumped out at me is in Mark Anderson's predictions (p.75). In talking about how one-to-one computing is the key goal in education, one of the things he points out is that it will create "super-learners." I love the term
- [Revisiting an Old Friend](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2006/07/13/revisiting-an-old-friend/) - A number of years ago I saw a quote on the cover of an educational periodical. It jumped out at me and resonated with what I have always felt. To this day I have that cover, albeit a bit beat up, taped to my desk. It is a quote from T.H. White in The Once
- [Learning is Everywhere](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2006/07/12/learning-is-everywhere/) - I love going to workshops. I don't necessarily find huge new ideas, but there are always great little tips and tricks to hear, and you can observe different ways to teach particular concepts. It is very refreshing to not be in the driver's seat, and soak up how someone else presents. It is invaluable in
- [Homerun](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2006/06/28/homerun/) - I just finished the last presentation of the year - woo-hoo! I convinced my very talented colleague Pam Lombardo to present with me about our first year of having SMART Boards full-time in classrooms. We had a full house in the session, and I think the message of what can be done with interactive whiteboards
- [DON'T (!) Use the Computer](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2006/04/24/dont-use-the-computer/) - When you are researching something, don't always go to the computer first. Ask yourself who/what/where might the best place be to find what you need? There are still TONS of great resources of information that don't involve the Internet. BOOKS still have information, and can get you what you need very quickly. PEOPLE have information,
- [Technology Be Gone!](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2006/04/23/technology-be-gone/) - One of my focuses now moves to talking about what makes learning better - not the technology tool, but rather the situation/experience for the learning to happen. Sure technology can take it to a new level, but the focus has to remain on the learning. I just finished an introductory workshop on Marzano's What Works
- [Storytelling](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2006/03/12/storytelling/) - Any teacher has said it - if you really want to learn something - teach it. Exactly the same for kids. If they really need to get a handle on something - they need to teach (share) it. Video production is an awesome and approachable way to tell stories. Kids love video - give them
- [Terms Tip](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2006/03/07/terms-tip/) - Tuesday's Technology Tip... (little bits of information to hopefully make your computing life easier) Computer technology is full of terms and acronyms that you may not be familiar with. One website that serves as a dictionary of technology-related terms is Netlingo (www.netlingo.com). The site keeps up with chat room terms and acronyms also - so
- [File Tip](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2006/03/07/file-tip/) - Tuesday's Technology Tip... (little bits of information to hopefully make your computing life easier) With everyone cleaning out their server folders, questions have come up again about file extensions. All computer files use a 3-letter suffix to help the computer figure out what type of file it is. When saving, the file extension should be
- [What makes a teacher move?](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2006/03/06/what-makes-a-teacher-move/) - The key to going from point A to point B is knowing where you are, where you want to go, and wanting to make the journey. What is it about technology that makes some people want to run towards it, while others away from it? Personal reasons? Professional reasons? A mix of both? The answer
- [Create](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2006/02/24/create/) - A number of years ago, I took a Canter course titled "Helping Students Become Self-Directed Learners." One of the items from that course that has always stayed with me is the topic of questions, discussed by Art Costa. He talks about 3 levels of questioning - the first level are facutal questions - recalling information,
- [Podcasting "Behind the Scenes"](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2006/02/21/podcasting-behind-the-scenes/) - I had the pleasure of getting a behind-the-scenes look at producing a podcast today. My brother works at a local radio station. Each night they produce a podcast of the daily call-in show. I got a personal tour of trimming the audio file, converting it to m4a format, adding podcast chapters, and updating the xml
- [Firefox Fun](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2006/02/20/firefox-fun/) - So, having a little time this week, I've been playing around with Firefox themes. I usually don't mess around with these (meaning no time...) but it's kinda cool to change things around. I found and really like the Noia 2.0 eXtreme - click on the image to enlarge.
- [Service](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2006/02/18/service/) - Education is (should be?) a service industry. The cool thing, though, is that the service, learning, is rich and rewarding for everyone. Our business is learning, and our clients are the students. I love days where I'm helping to put technology tools in the hands of students, and guiding them towards their goal. I find
- [Naming Tip](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2006/02/14/naming-tip/) - Tuesday's Technology Tip (Little bits of information to hopefully make your computing life easier) On Dells, there are certain characters that should not be used in folder or file names. If you have a file that seems not to work, check to see if it contains one of these characters: \ / : * ?
- [Moving Up & On](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2006/02/10/hello-world/) - This is the beginning of what I plan to be my mission. As I work with people (teachers, students, community members) I always take them for where they are at. No one can grow, no one can learn, unless you take them from wherever they are (point A) and help them get to where they
- [A New Appreciation...](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2006/02/10/a-new-appreciation/) - Great news - the electricians have determined what the issue is has caused the power problems we have had. I have a new and renewed appreciation for electricity that we depend on every day. Not only for how it powers everything we do, but for how powerful it is. Check out this BrainPOP movie for
- [If I had this in college...](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2006/02/07/if-i-had-this-in-college/) - This year we have started using an awesome new online citation assistant called NoodleTools. With it, you can plug in the information about each source for a project, and get a properly formatted works cited list to print or download. All 7th and 8th graders have created their personal folders at NoodleTools, and are already
- [Online Classroom "Comes of Age"](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2006/02/02/online-classroom-comes-of-age/) - For quite a few years now WITS (Williamsville Information Tracking System) has been growing in the amount of information it stores and provides. In the last year it has become the starting point for most teacher and student work. It acheived a milestone recently, I believe, in its ability to be the online virtual classroom
- [The Point of PowerPoint](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2006/01/30/the-point-of-powerpoint/) - "There is an ever present danger that the excitement of creating multimedia slides and presentations will distract students from the very real and difficult challenge of addressing a human audience, face-to-face, eye-to-eye." - McKenzie, Jamie. "Scoring Power Points." From Now On 10.1 (Sept. 2000). 30 Jan. 2006 http://www.fno.org/sept00/powerpoints.html. The point of PowerPoint is to be
- [Keeping Up](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2006/01/25/keeping-up/) - I was teaching an inservice with Mr. Saia today about Internet search strategies. He made a comment that resonated with me - he said, "...the things we are showing you now about searching will all be different in 6 months..." Well, it was something along those lines - maybe not exactly. The point is, the
- [Search Tip](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2006/01/17/search-tip/) - Tuesday's Technology Tip (Little bits of information to hopefully make your computing life easier) Google is by far the most popular search engine, but certainly not the only one. Each search engine has its own "formula" for finding results. Google provide results based on how many sites link to the result sites. Teoma (www.teoma.com) provides
- [Backup Tip](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2006/01/10/backup-tip/) - Tuesday's Technology Tip (Little bits of information to hopefully make your computing life easier) Backing up files for permanent storage is best done with CDs. All new Dells purchased this year, along with all eMacs in the lab (plus some other Macs in the building) have CD burners. On Dells, use Roxio Easy CD Creator
- [Happy New Year!](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2006/01/01/happy-new-year/) - PC Magazine has posted The 50 Greatest Gadgets of the Past 50 Years. Without showing my age TOO much, let's just say I own/owned at least 4 or 5 of the goodies on the list. While the box on the right may look like a dinosaur (and if you saw the graphics on it you
- [Word Processor tip](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2005/12/13/word-processor-tip/) - Tuesday's Technology Tip (Little bits of information to hopefully make your computing life easier) There are many different word processors available for computers. The most common one is Microsoft Word, which is on all District computers. AppleWorks is another program that includes a word processor (as well as a spreadsheet, database and more). AppleWorks is
- [Sony PSP - WAY Cool](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2005/12/13/sony-psp-way-cool/) - I just had my first opportunity to try a Sony PSP - sweet! Now I'm not a gamer, but the size of this, along with the controls and the ability to hit the Internet make this one cool device. I may just have to change my Christmas list...
- [WITS tip](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2005/12/12/wits-tip/) - Tuesday's Technology Tip (Little bits of information to hopefully make your computing life easier) There is a new feature for teachers in WITS called Terms/Flashcards, found in the teacher notes area. You can put vocabulary terms in for your students to practice in a flashcard format. You can also share your vocabulary words so other
- [makeworksheets.com](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2005/12/12/makeworksheetscom/) - Looking for a quick way to create worksheets? The Williamsville Teaher Center has purchased a district subscription to makeworksheets.com. With the site, you can create printable teacher worksheet makers, rubric makers, math worksheets, graphic organizers, language arts worksheets, puzzle makers, and teacher time savers. See me for the login info. The web address is www.makeworksheets.com
- [Browser Tip](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2005/11/29/browser-tip/) - Tuesday's Technology Tip (Little bits of information to hopefully make your computing life easier) The web browser Firefox is installed on all building computers. Since the WITS programmers use Firefox when they work, you may find some things in WITS behave better. To find Firefox on the Dells, open the HeimM Staff Shortcuts folder on
- [SMART Part 2](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2005/11/15/smart-part-2/) - I attended a SMART Master's Training day here in Buffalo with a bunch of Williamsville people, inlcuding 4 Heim teachers who have SMARTBoards full-time in their classrooms. The day was AWESOME! I picked up lots of tips & tricks on using the boards. The mix of people was cool - there were 4 from Oregon
- [Get SMART](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2005/10/26/get-smart/) - We had an AWESOME inservice today after school on SMARTBoards. Myself and the comptuer teacher from Mill, Judy Labiak, taught a very enthusiastic crowd of teachers. Many creative ideas were shared during the session - we are looking forward to next week's class!
- [WITS Tip](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2005/10/26/wits-tip/) - Tuesday's Technology Tip (Little bits of information to hopefully make your computing life easier) The Help tab is one place where you can find documentation of how to do various things in WITS. It is the last blue tab at the top of the WITS window. Click on it, then click on a topic on
- [Security tip](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2005/09/27/security-tip/) - Tuesday's Technology Tip (Little bits of information to hopefully make your computing life easier) A Dell left unattended and logged in is a security risk - anyone who sits at the computer has access to a lot of confidential information. If you are going to be away from your computer for a few minutes and
- [Printer tip](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2005/09/20/printer-tip/) - Tuesday's Technology Tip (Little bits of information to hopefully make your computing life easier) On Dells, your printers "travel" with you in your profile, regardless of which Dell you login to. For example, if you normally print to the A-wing, but login in and print in the D-wing, your printing will still come out in
- [Server Folder tip](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2005/09/13/server-folder-tip/) - Tuesday's Technology Tip (Little bits of information to hopefully make your computing life easier) On a Dell, My Documents on the desktop is not your real server folder on the network. When you open My Documents, you see all the documents in your server folder, but they are really only shortcuts. Your "true" server folder
- [And away we go...](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2005/09/13/and-away-we-go/) - So we opened today for business, and within the first couple of hours, we were full to the brim! Not so bad - the 5th day of school and we are getting close to being ready across the board (meaning mobile labs, equipment,etc.). Next year, maybe by day 3...
- [Up & Running](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2005/09/06/up-running/) - The second inservice went very well last week (a "cold water" event for those folks as well - see previous entry). Now here we are the day before school starts, and we are ready to go. With all the new equipment that has come in, we will have quite a bit of shuffling and organizing
- [Cold Water, Anyone?](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2005/08/30/cold-water-anyone/) - We had the first inservice today to get teachers "up to speed" on technolgoy upgrades, educational resources, and web communication tools. I think the day went well - I planned to cover many different things since we had a full day, and we made great progress. Since I have been planning this day for a
- [Connected](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2005/06/20/connected/) - For my Additional Professional Hours for this year, I have been participating in an online professional development community titled Tappedin (www.tappedin.org). It is an online campus that has virtual buildings for colleges, teachers and students. In a typical event, there is a live chat among participants on a given topic (ELA, Science, Blogs, Library of
- [WITS Tip](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2005/06/14/wits-tip/) - Tuesday's Technology Tip... (little bits of information to hopefully make your computing life easier) On the WITS homepage there is a link in the left navigation column for the Staff Directory. This is the electronic version of the printed book we receive each year. The two big advantages of the online version are that you
- [Podcasting](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2005/06/12/podcasting/) - No iPod needed, but the lastest craze is audio broadcasting over the internet, or podcasting. If you make an mp3 recording and save it on your computer, you can set up a webpage that broadcasts it for those who want to get it. It can be downloaded by interested people and then put onto a
- [Powerful Projects](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2005/06/09/powerful-projects/) - Video editing on the computer has brought an awesome new level to learning. Some ESL students just finished projects in which their teacher filmed them acting out skits to practice/reinforce common sayings in English. The finished products not only demonstrate the content, but have so much more in that they are finished pieces with audio/video,
- [Error Messages](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2005/05/31/error-messages/) - Tuesday's Technology Tip... (little bits of information to hopefully make your computing life easier) The following was sent to me recently - while I cannot verify if these are actually error messages as stated, there are some pretty good ones. Enjoy! Here are 14 actual error messages seen on the computer screens in Japan, where
- [Library Catalog Tip](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2005/05/24/library-catalog-tip/) - Tuesday's Technology Tip... (little bits of information to hopefully make your computing life easier) Why walk all the way to the library to search the catalog? We have made a connection to the library database that allows you to access the catalog from any computer in the building. Here's how to find it: In WITS,
- [Read a good poem lately?](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2005/05/19/read-a-good-poem-lately/) - If you have not (and I'm the first to admit I have not read poetry in a while...), you should! Check out the following links for some great poetry. Or...maybe better...turn off the computer, go to the library, and get a good book of poetry :-) Poetry 180 - A Poem a Day for America's
- [Supporting ELA with Technology](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2005/05/17/supporting-ela-with-technology/) - We had a fun time tonight with our ELA inservice, Supporting ELA with Technology. We spent some time at ReadWriteThink, a great site for lessons and online activities for ELA. Next we went on to Brainpop to check out the movies there for ELA. We finished the night with a discussion about blogs. After visiting
- [The Writing Project](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2005/05/12/the-writing-project/) - I was just in a cool online forum where I learned about the Writing Project, a national program that focuses on helping teachers improve their own (and their students) writing though summer professional development. WNY has its own chapter of the Writing Project, based at Canisius College. An english teacher from the district, Margie Herberger,
- [Brainpop](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2005/05/11/brainpop/) - We have a computer lab license for brainpop.com, an awesome website for short animated videos on just about any topic in the curriculum. If you are looking for material to introduce, reinforce, or review a topic, Brainpop may be just what you need. Check it out at: www.brainpop.com See someone in the computer lab for
- [Purchasing Tip](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2005/05/10/purchasing-tip/) - Tuesday's Technology Tip... (little bits of information to hopefully make your computing life easier) If you are in the market for a new computer at home, you have access to educator's prices for being affiliated with a school. For Dell computers, the district has a special code (and website) with the employee purchase program. See
- [WITS Tip](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2005/05/06/wits-tip/) - Tuesday's Technology Tip... (little bits of information to hopefully make your computing life easier) On the homepage of WITS in the left column, you should see a blue heading titled Student Intranet. Underneath are links to For Parents and Student Showcase. To see current (or past) PTSA newsletters, other information for parents, or recent work
- [Staff Development Day](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2005/04/29/staff-development-day/) - Thanks to an outstanding staff for a great day today. I feel one of my most important jobs is professional development. The more teachers feel comfortable integrating technology, the more it can benefit the learning process. I hope you found the day as beneficial as we hoped it to be.
- [Are we making a difference?](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2005/04/24/are-we-making-a-difference/) - "...good pedagogy trumps good technology. Bolting technology onto the current industrial model of school, "integrating technology across the curriculum," has the hidden danger of freezing an outdated curriculum in place longer than it deserves. We need a lot of bright people to spend a long time thinkng about what children should learn in order to
- [oneword](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2005/04/22/oneword/) - Ideas are awesome. Thinking out of the box is key to having a unique voice. Oneword.com provides just that - one word - and you have 60 seconds to write the first thing that comes to mind about the word. Very cool. Very fast. Very fun. Go for it - what do you have to
- [Web Tip](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2005/04/20/web-tip/) - Tuesday's Technology Tip.. (little bits of information to hopefully make your computing life easier) Google has added a new service to its map feature which has satellite images of the mapped location. Type in an address, click on the satellite link, and you get a bird's eye view, with decent zoom and resolution. Go to
- [Welcome, SIGTC!](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2005/04/11/welcome-sigtc/) - This entry is in anticipation of the SIGTC event on Tappedin this evening. I started this blog last year after NECC. Bernie Dodge's session on Blogs and Wikis was the catalyst for me. I ended up with teacherhosting.com as the host as that was what the folks at NECC were using last year for the
- [Examview and CPS](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2005/04/07/examview-and-cps/) - Mrs. Petersen got into the swing of CPS today using the CDs that accompany the math textbook. Examview is a test question generating program which also links directly to CPS. With a few clicks, you have access to hundreds of questions that correlate to the textbook. In the case of math, one neat additional feature
- [TTT](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2005/04/05/ttt/) - Tuesday's Technology Tip.. (little bits of information to hopefully make your computing life easier) Web tip: A term you hear regularly related to the internet is "blog." A blog is short for web log. Blogs are websites or web pages that act as an online diary, where the person who maintains it regularly posts thoughts,
- [Ethnomathematics](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2005/04/04/ethnomathematics/) - I was introduced to a cool new conept in an online professional development chat - Ethnomathematics. Simply put, it is the study of math through world cultures. The chat I was in revolved around art and its relation to math. The Ethnomath Digital Library contains links to many sites with world connections to math. Click
- [So it took awhile...](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2005/04/04/so-it-took-awhile/) - You may notice a distinct lapse in entries (the last one being Oct. 24th). It may come as not suprise that our daughter, Anna, was born November 5th. Its been a whirlwind since then, and now its "back to business." When she is old enough, she'll probably be saying "Blogs - what old fashioned technology!"
- [Making the Connection](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2004/10/24/making-the-connection/) - Kids today are connected. When they go home, they do not pick up the phone anymore. They get on the computer and IM eachother. This way, they can have group conversations and keep up with more people and more events at once. If one friend IMs 4 of his buddies about going to the mall,
- [Opportunities Abound](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2004/10/09/opportunities-abound/) - Friday was a really wild day - we had many teachers trying new technologies at the same time, and keeping up was tough, but fun. The day started with a straight forward class - Mrs. Downey came into the lab to use the textbook software, Intrigas y Avenduras. Because of our move to OS X,
- [Start Small](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2004/09/30/start-small/) - Integrating technology into the classroom does not mean that you have to totally redo what or how you teach. There is no need to use the "latest and greatest" tech tool just because it is there. Rather, the best way to integrate is by starting small - find one little piece that will fit nicely
- [Whew!](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2004/09/21/whew/) - Just about everyone's password is now changed, all systems are up & running, and we're back into the swing of things. The start of the school year has gone quite smoothly, and our new initiatives appear to be going well (OS X, wireless access, etc.). The computer lab is already humming with activity - I'm
- [Happy New Year](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2004/09/05/happy-new-year/) - We are about to embark on a new school year, and are full of new and exciting technologies. From the SMARTRoom to outside phone lines in each classroom, teachers, students, and parents are more connected than ever. Great things are going to happen this year, and the winners will be the learners.
- [What Matters?](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2004/08/29/what-matters/) - When it comes to using computer technology in school, it is easy to get sidetracked by the latest "cool" thing. There are 2 key questions to ask before using computer technology in the classroom. 1. Does the technology allow for new and unique learning experiences that are not possible without it? 2. Does the technology
- [Rock 'n Roll](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2004/08/12/rock-n-roll/) - We are ready to Rock 'n Roll, that is. As of today, all new equipment has been received and most is set up and ready to go. The SMARTRoom is being setup, the new mobile lab has arrived, the portable writing tablets are here, and new printers are installed. Wireless connections to the network and
- [SMARTBoards are here!](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2004/07/29/smartboards-are-here/) - The SMARTBoards have arrived. We are most grateful to the PTSA for funding the purchase of these boards. The boards are interactive whiteboards which allow for some really neat possibilities in the classroom. Check out educational applications at this link: http://edcompass.smarttech.com/
- [Maximizing the Potential](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2004/07/28/maximizing-the-potential/) - Over the past couple of years we have introduced quite a bit of new educational technology to Heim, and this fall we will introduce a few more initiatives. It is exciting to have new technologies to incorporate into the classroom. It is also a challenge to know what is availalbe and how to implement it.
- [The Change is On!](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2004/07/16/the-change-is-on/) - The major change we planned for this summer is converting all Macintosh computers to the updated operating system, OS X. Mrs. Mendola has begun the process wih the iBooks on the mobile cart. The conversion process is quite easy, and the new operating system is EXCELLENT! I'm quite sure once everyone learns about the new
- [Welcome](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2004/07/16/welcome/) - Welcome to the Heim Middle Computer Blog. This is the place to check out for what is going on in computer technology!
- [Goals For This Blog](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2004/07/16/goals-for-this-blog/) - There are so many cool things happening in computer technology. Every day I hear of something great that would be super to try in school. It can be hard for everyone to learn about and keep up with what is going on, so this Blog will serve as a diary of what we are doing,
- [Everything You Ever Needed To Know About Me](https://www.pointatopointb.org/2004/07/16/everything-you-ever-needed-to-know-about-me/) - I am a former music geek who turned into a computer geek. When I'm not checing out the latest and greatest trends in technology (such as Blogs), you'll find me hiking in the woods with my family, jogging, or on a really high rollercoaster screaming my lungs out.

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- [UBCFA](https://www.pointatopointb.org/tag/ubcfa/)
- [gallery](https://www.pointatopointb.org/tag/gallery/)
- [learning](https://www.pointatopointb.org/tag/learning-2/)
- [questions](https://www.pointatopointb.org/tag/questions/)
- [chromebook](https://www.pointatopointb.org/tag/chromebook/)
- [Kramer](https://www.pointatopointb.org/tag/kramer/)
- [cloud](https://www.pointatopointb.org/tag/cloud/)
- [googledrive](https://www.pointatopointb.org/tag/googledrive/)
- [Arts](https://www.pointatopointb.org/tag/arts/)
- [IQTell](https://www.pointatopointb.org/tag/iqtell/)
- [GTD](https://www.pointatopointb.org/tag/gtd/)
- [Berkun](https://www.pointatopointb.org/tag/berkun/)
- [Management](https://www.pointatopointb.org/tag/management/)