Education Today for Tomorrow
Sep 11th, 2008 by epaxton
Seven years later…
you are remembered, my dear friend.
Timothy Aaron Haviland
Software Developer, Marsh & McLennan, Inc 96th Floor of the World Trade Center (North Tower)
On December 18, 2001 Congress designated September 11th as Patriot Day.
This day honors the innocent victims whose lives were taken as a result of the terrorist attacks September 11, 2001.
Click here to learn more about Tim.
May 6th, 2008 by PLB
Today, May 6, 2008, is National Teacher Day and Professional Learning Board thanks you for your dedication to the profession and student learners. We acknowledge and appreciate your incredibly hard work and determination to make a difference in the world of education.
Teaching is a challenging profession and as educators ourselves, we know how difficult it can be. Our role at Professional Learning Board is to make things just a little bit easier for teachers by bringing professional development right to you, allowing you to access online courses in a convenient manner that doesn’t take you away from your students and classroom.
To show our appreciation for your hard work, we’re giving away 100 FREE online courses from Professional Learning Board. Please take advantage of this opportunity for yourself or pass the information on to 1 close colleague who may benefit from this.
Be one of the first 100 teachers to enroll and get a FREE online course. When you’ve successfully completed this course, you’ll earn 1 Clock Hour/CPDU while experiencing online learning and discovering how Professional Learning Board can help in your quest for quality professional development opportunities. See below for course information and registration instructions:
COURSE TITLE: Recognizing Child Abuse
“I completed the online [Recognizing Child Abuse] program as part of my employment requirements. I found the program to be comprehensive and detailed yet not overwhelming to the average individual. The important descriptions and expectations are clearly outlined.”
This one clock hour course empowers each of us with the ability to recognize types, signs, characteristics, scenarios, and in general, indicators of suspected child abuse. We know this is a difficult subject to discuss. For that reason, we think you will find this course to be respectful of the topic while giving a solid foundation in understanding the key information about child abuse.
- What is Child Abuse
- Physical Abuse
- Sexual Abuse
- Neglect
- Emotional Abuse
- Resources
Enter coupon code CAB3FEC6D5 in the Optional Code box during enrollment to get the course for free. Click here to enroll.
Thank you for all that you do!
Apr 26th, 2008 by PLB
This brand new self-directed course is available now!
“This course covers many familiar and emerging technology tools that changed the way I teach and learn. The resources available are astounding!”
This interactive course introduces teachers to technology tools with one goal in mind: increasing teacher comfort level in using the Internet and today’s technology tools for teaching and learning. Teachers will learn new ways of using tools they are familiar with and be exposed to brand-new tools and applications for use both in professional development and with students in the classroom. Topics covered in this course:
Course updated regularly to include the most up-to-date tools available
Clock Hours/CPDUs: 5
Author: Kate Olson
Access: 90 days
Price: $29
Apr 17th, 2008 by epaxton
I’m excited about judging in the ThinkQuest International 2008! I’ve been missing the excitement that comes from working directly with K-12 student learners and look forward to exploring the work of innovative and very tech-savvy student teams.
Thanks to n2teaching for making me aware of this opportunity. She writes,
“Yes, it is a blast…I like to look at the fantastic websites. Here is the webpage that explains the judging process and application: http://thinkquest.org/judge/tq_volunteer_judge.pdfThinkQuest organizers like to have judges from all over the world. The judging starts on April 14, 2008 , and they give you almost a month (ends on May 5, 2008) to look them over 24/7 at your leisure. There is no required amount of websites to judge.”
ThinkQuest inspires students to think, connect, create, and share. Students work in teams to build innovative and educational websites to share with the world. Along the way, they learn research, writing, teamwork, and technology skills and compete for exciting prizes.
Sponsored by the Oracle Education Foundation, the competition offers a unique project-based learning experience to students and teachers across the globe. Everybody wins by having their completed websites published in the ThinkQuest Library, a rich online resource visited by millions monthly.
Off to judge some entries now. Please let me know if you’re doing this too.
Apr 5th, 2008 by PLB
Spring is upon us and summer is right around the corner - a perfect time to start thinking about expanding your professional development portfolio!
We’re listening. More classes is your #1 request and they’ll be coming soon to PLB.
In our efforts to continually improve our services to meet your professional development needs, we are proud to inform you that we have recruited new instructors to share their knowledge with you. Over the next few months we will spotlighting and introducing folks in informal interviews and giving you previews of the courses in which you can learn and teach together.
Look for new courses coming soon in our PLB renowned self-study format as well as instructor led versions.
Professional Learning Board is proud to welcome a new teacher-facilitator - Kate Olson. Kate is facilitating the NEW Web Technology for Teachers (Facilitated) course and designed the NEW Introduction to Technology (Self-Directed) course. Kate is an educator who does an amazing job integrating technology into all classrooms. We did a brief interview with Kate so you can get to know her better:
PLB: What draws you to online learning and teaching?
Kate: I really love the fact that online learning breaks down all geographical and time barriers to learning. Teachers have such busy lives and it’s wonderful to be able to make professional development fit in an already full schedule.
PLB: What’s your favorite thing about all of the new web tools and technology available today?
Kate: The numerous tools for collaboration are at the top of my list - they allow students and teachers alike to work together so much more efficiently.
PLB: When you aren’t glued to your laptop, what do you enjoy doing?
Kate: I love spending time with my 2 children and my husband, reading, and enjoying outdoor life on our farm. The best thing about a laptop is that I can take it outside with me!
Web Technology for Teachers (FACILITATED by Kate Olson)
Discover exciting web-based tools to enhance your instruction and transform your classroom into a 21st Century learning environment. Explore blogs, wikis, and social bookmarking (to name just a few) in a quest to understand how the internet is changing the lives of students and teachers alike. At the end of the course you’ll have resources that you can put to work immediately. The tips, tricks and techniques in this course are must-knows!
(15 clock hours/CPDUs)
“I have just completed a course I recently took from Professional Learning Board called Web Technology for Teachers. I never knew there was so much out there! I am getting excited just thinking about the possibilities. I have found all of their courses to be useful and user friendly.” - Amy (Illinois)
Introduction to Technology for Teachers (Available May 1 - SELF-STUDY)
Beginner computer user? This course is for you.
Technology Expert? Uncover the latest web tools…you’ll love this course too!
From the fundamentals of computer-based technology basic hardware to web tools and computer lab classroom management you’ll come away with tons of easy, quick and effective ways to use the tools already available to you in your classroom!
(5 clock hours/CPDUs)
New Core Teaching Package
includes all four Minnesota relicensure topics and a bonus free course for only $100!
Diigo
Diigo is HOT! In fact, these days this social bookmarking tool is creating a lot of buzz in the online education technology world. For the latest and greatest in Web 2.0, join our Ellen Paxton’s rapidly growing CoolTools and EdTech group at Diigo.com.
ClassTools.net
Create your own games for education - a great tool for all teachers!
Spectorsoft
Computer and Internet monitoring software for families and schools
If your school is interested in this software, contact safeschools@professionallearningboard.com
New resources are added weekly to the FREE Teacher Toolbar!
Download it here: http://professionallearningboard.ourtoolbar.com
Just added over 50 safety resources!
Thank you for your continued support of Professional Learning Board - we look forward to hearing from you!
Feb 15th, 2008 by PLB
NEWSLETTER: February 2008
As the temperature dropped to nearly 30 degrees below zero I thought: Why write “NEARLY 30 degrees below” as if it’s not quite cold enough? Will folks know this is Fahrenheit and not Celcius and does it really matter? How do I make that little degree symbol? The moonlight against ice crystals in the sky creates a stunning halo (click to see images).
The good news is that Spring magazines are starting to arrive promising blooming flowers and green covered fields! Warm weather cannot be too far behind.
Please tell your friends and colleagues about these important updates:
Scroll down for info on these resources in which I think you might be interested:
Thank you for your continued support of Professional Learning Board.
Best regards,
Ellen Paxton, MEd, NBCT
A free, public website for high school and college students that offers multimedia correlated to most major textbooks and in the following areas:
To Be Released: March 13th
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0803731957?ie=UTF8&tag=everyonisat06-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0803731957
Lulu’s older brother says she is too little to play with him. Her mama and papa are busy too, so Lulu has to make her own fun. This is a situation for Ladybug Girl!
Ladybug Girl saves ants in distress, jumps through shark-infested puddles, and even skips along the great dark twisty tree trunk—all by herself. It doesn’t matter what her brother says, Ladybug Girl is definitely not too little!
In this sweet and cheerful story by husband and wife team Jacky Davis and David Soman, one not-so-little girl discovers how to make some fun that is just her size, right in her own backyard.
Reading level: Ages 4-8
Hardcover: 40 pages
Publisher: Dial
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0803731957
ISBN-13: 978-0803731950
Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 9.3 x 0.4 inches
YackPack http://www.yackpack.comThey say, “We help people use the power of human voice to build relationships.“KnightCite http://www.calvin.edu/library/knightcite/index.phpThey say, “Maintained by the Hekman Library at Calvin College, Grand Rapids, MI. Questions about Citations and Styles? Try the fantastic resources available at DianaHacker.com. “
I say, “An incredible tool for citing resources (books, anthologies, periodicals, multimedia and communications) in MLA, APA and/or Chicago style.”
I say, “The voice quality sounds top-notch. I’ve sent questions to their posted email addresses and receive bounce-backs every time. Why can’t they hear me?”
Doodle 4 Google is giving U.S. students in grades K-12 the opportunity to design a doodle (see samples here) for the Google homepage. Students will be asked to draw a doodle that best represents the theme “What if…?” We ask ourselves this question every day when we build our products, so we thought we would ask the same of the future doodlers.
Check out www.google.com/doodle4google for more details. All that’s needed to get started is a teacher or principal to register the school. Registration closes on 3/28/08, and entries must be postmarked by 4/12/2008.
Jan 12th, 2008 by PLB
Dear Friends and Colleagues,
‘Tis the season. Yes, that’s right. It’s the time of year for teacher workshops, meeting professional development goals and continuing education licensing requirements. Here’s how we’ve been preparing:
Thank you for your continued support of Professional Learning Board.
I hope your 2008 is off to a great start!
Ellen Paxton, MEd, NBCT
A PEEK INSIDE
How many senses do human beings have?
You’re correct if you said, “as many as two dozen.”
Some of them (for example, sensory awareness of hunger and thirst) are still questionable. And, common sense did not make any of the resource lists we consulted. We tend to focus on the five commonly understood senses—seeing, hearing, smell, taste, and touch plus a few others.
From the Accommodating All Learners course
I say, “Imagine up to 250 people all talking and text chatting at the same time. Impossible to listen.“
Dec 21st, 2007 by PLB
There are so many ways in which we are both teachers and learners.
Discover, learn and share more about well, lots of stuff with the Teacher Toolbar.
Here’s a sample of the robust resources we hand-pick, scouring the Internet for you, and those we get from people like you, members of our professional learning community:
http://www.quietbay.net/Science/astronomy/nightsky/ A quicky (15 minute) lesson to impress a loved one during this holiday season as you gaze up into the stars together.
Nov 20th, 2007 by PLB
Here are some free teaching resources in which I think you might be interested:
Happy Holidays and thank you for your continued support of Professional Learning Board.
Ellen Paxton, MEd, NBCT
Bring MIT into your classroom and school with free online courses and resources for high school teachers and students in the following topics:
Classroom 2.0: Social Networking Site for Teachers!
(http://classroom20.ning.com/)
We like Classroom 2.0 because it is a rapidly growing social networking site for teachers that is an easy place to get started using the tools of Web 2.0. The site has attracted a lot of teachers of all levels of experience using web technology in their classroom. We think once you check out the site you will agree that it is a worthwhile resource for teaching and learning today. If you agree, please vote for Classroom 2.0 at the 2007 Edublog Awards by clicking on the following link: http://edublogawards.com/2007/best-educational-use-of-a-social-networking-service-2007/.
Our most recent tech endeavor has resulted in the creation of a Teacher Toolbar that connects you to professional development, news, classroom materials, resources, ed tech, online tools, Q&A, radio stations and much more! Please feel free to download, take a look, try it out, pass it along and by all means, let me know your thoughts. Thanks!
