MC Newsletter A New Beginning January, 2009

Atomic Learning	Black History Month	Equipment Return	Exam Week
Inspiration	MC New Look	MC Store	New Equipment
Order	Orientation	Registration	Smartboard Resources
Student ID Badges	Tech Tips	Titlepeek	Trials

Grant Money

Congratulations Linda! Linda Meckes received the Read 2 Succeed grant for $1,000.00. Way to go Linda. This money will be used for pre-reading activities for the next summer reading books. Titles will be chosen by the end of February. Title suggestions are welcome and should be sent to Ms. Meckes or Ms. Arant. .

Inspiration

Inspiration Software’s Free Webcasts

Inspiration Software offers a free Webcast on Jan. 29 titled "Using Visual Learning Techniques to Improve Academic Performance with Inspiration." The 45-minute Webcast begins at noon, Pacific Time. The session is designed for teachers working with students in grades 6-12.

Inspiration Software plans to offer two Webcast workshops per month during the 2009 school year.

Previously-broadcast Webcasts are archived for future viewing opportunities.

Orders:

The second increment of our 2008-2009 is in and processed. Click here to view the entire list by call number. (Mostly AV)

To view by subject click on one of the following subjects:

computer science, information, and general works

Philosophy and psychology | Social sciences

Foreign Languages | Science and Mathematics

TEchnology and Applied Science

Arts and recreation | Literature

History Geography Biography | FICTION

AUDIOBOOKS

Click this
book cover.

TitlePeek: So Cool! Click on the book cover. Almost all of the titles in Destiny have this feature. Destiny is our online card catalog.

Trials:

Please remember to keep using our trials. They can be found by clicking here.

A new trial has been added: Global Issues:
Global Issues in Context provides the tools information-seekers need to develop the ability to think critically about current world events and issues of international importance.

Great News:

One of our parents has agreed fund the subscription to Atomic learning for the second semester and first semester of next year. I am so excited because I know you will love it. You will find this resource on our Trials Page.
I will let you know when we have our own username and password.

Registration:

All computers and computer labs will be used for registration Feb. 2nd to Feb. 13th. Laptops will be available. Please schedule early.

Student ID's:

Starting the first day of second semester, all students will be required to scan into the Media Center using their student ID's. They will also need a pass unless they are with a class.

Library Store:

Second Semester the Media Center will open a School Store containing essentials for students such a note cards, poster paper, head phones, flash drives and much more. Our PTSO gave us permission to sell items during the hours they are not open. If you have suggestions for our store, please let us know.

PC Carts

PC Carts: We now have two carts of 26 laptops each and one cart of 30 in addition to the MAC cart of 20. We will soon have a "Hotspot in the Media Center". This should make the wireless connection smoother.

Smartboard

Smartboard Resources: Don't reinvent the wheel, there are oodles of pre-made notebooks for your smartboard. Check out the following:

Smartboard Exchange

Smart Lesson Activity Toolkit

Smartboard Lessons from Center School District

Interactive Sites for Smartboard Use

Smartboard Lessons created by Longwood Staff

Witchita Public Schools

The best, free Interactive Whiteboard Resources

Return Equipment

Please return all Media Center Equipment during exam week. Also examine your room for extra cords and parts that you may have forgotten to return to the Media Center with borrowed equipment. We will be cleaning equipment and trying to get all pieces/parts back where they belong this week. (THANKS)

Tablets:

17 Qomo Wireless Tablets have been ordered with our PTSO money. This wireless pad gives the teacher the ability to use the pen like a mouse to annotate and highlight any computer image. Click here for additional information. We will notify you as soon as they are available.

Tech Tips:

Tech Tips: Using the Calendar in Outlook:

Creating an Event

From one of the tabbed calendar views, click the plus-sign icon next to the date or time when you want to schedule the event. The Add Event page appears.
Enter the details of the event, such as date, times, and description.
If you want to add attendees, click the Edit Attendees button. You can add contacts from your Address Book, or manually enter e-mail addresses for invitees. Check the Send updates/invitations to all attendees when saving this event checkbox if you want the invitees to receive e-mail invitations to the event.
Click the Save Event button to save the scheduled appointment or meeting and return to the calendar month view. The new event displays in the scheduled date on the calendar month page.
If you want to know more Click Here.

Outlook Shortcuts
Did you know that there are some unique CTRL options in each Microsoft program.
For example, below are some things you could try the next time you’re using Outlook for your email:

Ctrl + R	Reply to an e-mail.
Ctrl + F	Forward an e-mail.
Ctrl + N	Create a new e-mail.
ALT + S	Send e-mail

GOOG-411

Free Directory Assistance!!! Yes, Free! (It works, I tried it to order pizza this week end.)
Find and connect with businesses from your phone, for free!!!!

Dial 1-800-GOOG-411 from any phone

State the location and business type

Connect to the business for free (They connect you)

Ninth Grade Orientation

Ninth Grade Orientation: Second semester ninth grade orientation will take place the week of February 16th.

Black History Month:

Check out our Black History Month resources: Click here.

Media Center Ambiance

Come see the Picturing America display in the Media Center. Mr. Cook wrote and received this grant for our school. The pictures are amazing. Thanks Mr. Cook.

Check out our office. We finally got desks and plan to purchase additional items to make you comfortable while you preview books from our Professional Collection. With our fund raising money we plan to purchase a small sofa, some chairs, a lamp, and a TV VCR/DVD set up so you can preview your videos and DVD's in comfort.