Session G (Tuesday, November 25, 8:45-9:45)

Death by a Thousand Bullets:  Killing Me Slowly with PowerPoint - (Tags:  nyscate08g07, nyscate08)
Presenter: Frank Sobierajski
NYSCATE should be showcasing the best Power Points ever seen but it doesn’t always.  How's yours?  This session will focus on making better presentations using PowerPoint.  Ever thought about a bullet-less PP or interplay with images and sounds?  This session will help you and your students create better presentations!

Tell It Like It Is! Creating Digital Stories - (Tags:  nyscate08g14, nyscate08)
Presenter: Denise Mac Devette
Learn how to use digital storytelling to involve students in classroom content, providing a relevant platform for them to showcase their learning.  Participants will view cross curriculum samples, learn the process for digital storytelling and be ready to implement digital storytelling into their current classroom curriculum.

SMARTBoards for the Primary Classroom - (Tags:  nyscate08g08, nyscate08)
Presenter: Barbara Goldman & Jamie Mancuso
Instructional Technology Teacher, Jamie Mancuso, and Kindergarten Teacher, Barbara Goldman, will share how they effectively provide on-going professional development. Examples of lessons and activities successfully used in grades K-3 will be explored, with participants learning how to: -Interact with a SMARTBoard -Integrate SMARTBoards across primary curriculum-Access online resources-Explore Toolkit in Notebook Software-Navigate and use Essentials for Educators within SMART Notebook Software

Video in the Classroom to Captivate and Motivate - (Tags:  nyscate08g09, nyscate08)
Presenter: Michael Russo
Video engages learners, and technology has made it easy to incorporate video projects into any curriculum. Time devoted to a video project can vary, depending on learning needs and time constraints. This session will provide guidance as to how you can bring video to your classroom.

Exploring the Growth Model - (Tags:  nyscate08g10, nyscate08)
Presenter: Barbara Tomasso
This session will present the current status of the Growth Model. Issues of the flow of data, what it means for districts and how to prepare for it will be discussed.

The (Almost Entirely) Paperless ELA Class - (Tags:  nyscate08g11, nyscate08)
Presenter: Brad Velcoff
The digital English class was conceived to provide a forum for sharing, learning, collaborating and communicating within the entire educational community, including students, parents, teachers, administrators and the public. Teachers create webpages that include curriculum, standards and rubrics, lessons, materials, homework and other course-related resources. Students create digital portfolios, or Webfolios, with links to each of their classes. They post their classwork and homework online. This provides our students with an authentic audience for presenting their scholarly work, helps them develop their information literacy skills, and prepares them to be effective global communicators and collaborators, skills that are required for this changing world. Our goal is to make them self-directed learners. Note: This session is a bring your own laptop session.

Using Student Response System Clickers with Web-based Assessment Preparation Tools - (Tags:  nyscate08g12, nyscate08)
Presenter: Maggie Jensen & Laurie MacVittie
Explore the use of clickers (student response pads) with a web-based assessment preparation program.  As an active participant in this presentation you will discover a way to achieve student engagement in the classroom and a way to differentiate instruction through teacher-led sessions or student-paced instruction incorporating e-Instruction clickers and Studyisland.com.  The data retrieved will inform your instruction and free you from worrying about student performance on mandated tests.

Integrating Technology Using the Slam Dunk Lessons Model (Jamie McKenzie) - (Tags:  nyscate08g13, nyscate08)
Presenter: Todd Lindbloom
Getting students engaged and keeping them interested is a challenge all educators face. Finding the time to make high-quality and motivating activities is often difficult. This lecture will provide examples of five simple lesson types that are sure to entice most students; and focus on higher order thinking skills that can be developed using content and technology already available.

Technology as a Culture - (Tags:  nyscate08g03, nyscate08)
Presenter: James Yap
During this session, participants will be exposed to multiple initiatives that Ramapo Central has undertaken in the last year or two. This will include SIF, Second Life, interactive whiteboards, and data-driven decision making and more.

Personal Learning Network - Is it Your Ticket to 21st Century Professional Development? - (Tags:  nyscate08g04, nyscate08)
Presenter: Michael Dionne & Robert Hansen
How do you stay in the loop professionally?  How do you manage all of that information?  These are all questions that will be answered in this PLN presentation.  Web 2.0 tools such as podcasts, blogs, twitter, deli.cio.us, digg, and more will be discussed in relationship to your professional learning.

Integrating the NETS with Classroom Projects - (Tags:  nyscate08g01, nyscate08)
Presenter: Jeanne Klein & Amy Fiorito
We will show participants how we have incorporated the new NETS into curriculum areas K-12. We will show them specific projects teachers have used to integrate technology using podcasts, digital video, animations, Web 2.0 tools, web conferencing, digital stories, and much more. Participants will have many ideas to try when they return to their schools.

No Talking Heads - A Overview of Effective Video Conferencing. - (Tags:  nyscate08g02, nyscate08)
Presenter: Steve Brooks & Derek LaLonde
The presentation will be an overview of collaborative, no-cost, content driven, videoconferencing in a wide spectrum of curriculum areas including social studies, science, and language arts in a k-12 environment. Demonstrations will include international video conferences that we have conducted.

One Budget, Many Activities:  The Montgomery County Experience - (Tags:  nyscate08g06, nyscate08)
Presenter: Jose Seda
In his presentation, Mr. Seda will describe his single-budget approach to fund a single program with such discrete components as: How to begin to save money and increase productivity by finding “The One” project that will achieve these goals; Troubleshooting and solving complex problems; Making solutions as easy as possible for the users; Finding the correct volunteer group and providing technical training to school-based staffs; Developing a no-manuals attitude (It can be done!);           Using proper tools and technologies to assist in the deployment of a solution in a network environment; Fighting negativity and ending with positive results.

How to Make Better Decisions Using Your District Data - (Tags:  nyscate08g15, nyscate08)
Presenter: Eileen Buckley
At Performance Pathways, it is our goal to provide educators with the tools to put curriculum and assessment data to work. With curriculum and assessment data all in one place, educators are in a better position to make informed decisions designed to improve student achievement.

Session H (Tuesday, November 25, 10:30-11:30)

iLife ‘08 - A Suite of Integrated Applications That Offer Digital Tools for Digital Learning. - (Tags:  nyscate08h06, nyscate08)
Presenter: Carol LaRow
Today’s students require a different set of learning tools for our digital age. See uses of iLife in the classroom -iMovie, iPhoto, iTunes, Garage Band, iWeb, & iDVD. Students create digital projects and Podcasts with images, movies, music, and text. Curriculum comes to life as students make visual records of science experiments, produce historical documentaries, create digital stories. Students practice key technology skills as they creatively demonstrate what they have learned.   Some new features are expanded format support, multi-take recordings, widgets for adding content, faster movie making, animated themes and more.

National Educational Technology Standards – Part I (The New NETS for Students and Teachers) - (Tags:  nyscate08h13, nyscate08)
Presenter: Don Knezek & Angelo Urrico
The International Society for Technology in Education released the new NETS for Students in June 2007 and the new NETS for Teachers in June 2008. This session will present the Essential Conditions, Standards, Performance Indicators, and Profiles for Technology Literate Students as well as the recently released NETS for Teachers.

Across the Hall and Around the Globe - (Tags:  nyscate08h07, nyscate08)
Presenter: Dana Koch & Andrea Tejedor
New distance education initiatives are being designed purposefully to address the values of global community and citizenship.  Learn how Orange Ulster BOCES in partnership with Virtual High School Global Consortium is leveraging these technologies to bring middle and high school students together - across the country and around the globe. This session will include a panel of teachers and administrators discussing the global impact of this program on students who participate, as well as information about steps to get started in your own school and district.

The XO and Its Implication For Education - (Tags:  nyscate08h08, nyscate08)
Presenter: Brian C. Smith & Dr. Gary Stager
The XO low cost laptop was designed to revolutionize education in the developing world. The panel will discuss the lessons we can gain from this learning initiative and the implications for the future of education. We will also explore why such a simple idea has created such controversy.

Bringing Technologi-Zing! to Your Classroom - (Tags:  nyscate08h09, nyscate08)
Presenter: Michael Connet
Learn how to jumpstart your efforts to infuse technology in meaningful ways … also known as adding Technologi-Zing! … into your classroom. Since today's students are considered Millennial Learners, 21st century teachers are expected to incorporate technology into their lessons, however, many are uncertain of the implementation process. Participants in this session will discover how easy it is create their own -Zing activity and how to use it in any grade or subject. Participants will also be introduced to a new free, online course where teachers can deepen their skills and understanding of 21st century e-teaching and learning. Participants will leave this session ready to put their new skills to work and use technology to assist in adding technologi-Zing to their classrooms.   

Participants in this session will be entered into a raffle for a digital camera.

Learning Without Borders - (Tags:  nyscate08h10, nyscate08)
Presenter: Donna Farren & Laura Skolny
21st century technologies allow you to reach classrooms in other regions, states and even countries.  Learn about existing projects that your class can easily join. Also explore where to find, create or advertise your own classroom project.  Discover ways to integrate collaborative projects into your curriculum. Several online resources will be provided. Note: This session is a bring your own laptop session.

Bringing STEM to Life With LEGO Robotics - (Tags:  nyscate08h11, nyscate08)
Presenter: Laurie Yager & Susan Bell
Join us to learn how LEGO Mindstorms NXT Robotics kits and LEGO Mindstorms Education software can be used to bring Science, Technology, Engineering and Math to life with your students. They build and program their own autonomous LEGO NXT robots!

Creating ePortfolios with Adobe Acrobat 9 - (Tags:  nyscate08h12, nyscate08)
Presenter: Bob Long
Electronic portfolios serve as an ideal way for students to gather and showcase their work. Learn how to use the PDF portfolio capabilities in Acrobat to help students create media-rich portfolios and share their work with teachers, peers, and prospective employers.

Virtualization on the PC Desktop - (Tags:  nyscate08h03, nyscate08)
Presenter: Richard Harlin
Using Virtualization on the Desktop, users can create multiple independently operating, self-contained virtual machines on a single PC. Without rebooting, virtual machines can run a wide range of popular operating systems, including the entire Windows family, Linux, and OS/2.  Open Source and Free products will be examined and distributed to all participants.

Using NYSTART to Identify Shortcomings in Your District - (Tags:  nyscate08h04, nyscate08)
Presenter: Daryl Janus & Barbara Battaglia
Although NYSTART is a vehicle for school districts to report data to State Education, it can also be effectively used to identify (and prevent) deficits related to programming, assessment and reporting practices. Proactive identification allows professionals to develop best practices to prevent them from impacting school/district standings with NYSED. Best practices will be shared.

Technology In The Social Studies Classroom:  The Use of Video Story as a Teaching Tool - (Tags:  nyscate08h01, nyscate08)
Presenter: Rebecca LaRose & Joe Worm
Would you like history to come alive in your classroom?  Learn about an exciting new technological experience that integrates primary sources and technology in the classroom.  This presentation will walk participants through the gathering of primary sources and the use of Adobe Premier and other technology to create a video story.

Digital Citizenship: The Responsible Use of Technology (Inside and Outside School) - (Tags:  nyscate08h02, nyscate08)
Presenter: Jamie Mancuso
Follow one district’s journey to educate their students, teachers, parents and community about the responsible use of technology in a digital society. Grand Island Central, a K-12 district in Western NY, will share their experiences, plans and goals for teaching Digital Citizenship; including Internet Safety, Information Literacy and Intellectual Property.

Research Paper Presentation - (Tags:  nyscate08h05, nyscate08)
Presenter: Sarah McPerson
Sarah McPherson, New York Institute of Technology, ICTSs for Global Connections

The Reading Brain - (Tags:  nyscate08h14, nyscate08)
Presenter: Beth Greer
In this workshop we will explore the latest research on what the brain needs in order to read successfully. With fMRI technology, we can now see the neuro- networking systems in the brain employed by successful readers. This research is vital in informing instruction and remediation.

Internet Safety:  Cybersecurity, Cyberbullying, and Social Networking - (Tags:  nyscate08i06, nyscate08)
Presenter: Tina Groff & Sue Martin
Ways to keep your students, children safe while on the internet.  We will delve into cyberbullying, and social networking sites and safety while on wireless devices. Note: This session is a bring your own laptop session.

National Educational Technology Standards – Part II (Refreshing the NETS for Administrators) - (Tags:  nyscate08i13, nyscate08)
Presenter: Don Knezek & Angelo Urrico
As we transition from the Industrial Age to the Digital Age, administrators will need to have the knowledge, skills, and disposition to prepare students for future success.  This interactive roundtable discussion will provide valuable input on updating the NETS for Administrators. Pre-requisite: National Educational Technology Standards – part I.

Engaging Your Audience - (Tags:  nyscate08i07, nyscate08)
Presenter: Bonnie Nizamis
Years of experience in teaching and training will provide attendees with tips and tools to engage, motivate and inspire learning in both the classroom and professional development setting. Learning is “change in behavior as the result of experience”. Here YOU will experience new ideas and approaches to help others learn!

The Anytime Anywhere Classroom - (Tags:  nyscate08i08, nyscate08)
Presenter: Evhen Tupis
Carpe Futuris. This session merges several supporting "World Flattening" strategies (including Thin-Client, Web-2.0 and cellular mobile router Wi-Fi hotspots in buses/vans) to produce a "world flattening" strategy  can securely engage students during bus travel-time, provide "off-hour" instruction at almost no cost, serve as a 2-way mobile video-news/field-trip away-team, reduce bus operating/tracking costs and offer higher student safety. Come see how other districts have done it in parts and you could to it, in whole!

Google Docs in Education - (Tags:  nyscate08i09, nyscate08)
Presenter: Nicole Giambra
Most teenage students are already familiar with online communities. The day has come when they can log in, share ideas, and be part of an educational collaborative community in school using Web Applications.This hour presentation will include a quick overview of Google Docs but more importantly show ideas on how each application can be used in a middle or high school classroom, with a teachers' website, and managed with Firefox Web Browser. Learning methods integrated with Google Docs will be roleplays, on-line notebooks, wikis, blogged presentation, and shared spreadsheet templates.

Field Trip or Virtual Field Trip? - (Tags:  nyscate08i10, nyscate08)
Presenter: Timothy Johnson & Monica Burgio
With the cost of travel going up there is a need to develop alternative means of giving students meaningful cultural experiences.  One solution is to develop virtual experiences that can replace or enhance the real thing.  This presentation will address how to identify and create high quality remote access learning experiences at low cost to schools.

Movie Making for the Elementary Library and Classroom - (Tags:  nyscate08i11, nyscate08)
Presenter: Heather Bouck & Julie Valentine
Participants will be introduced to using Movie Making software to create Vodcasts, present research projects, and integrate literature and creative writing with technology.  Example projects will be given using free programs such as Photo Story, Movie Maker, and Google Earth.

Formatively Assess with a Blog! - (Tags:  nyscate08i12, nyscate08)
Presenter: Christopher Shively
Designing Constructed Response and Document Based Questions with Technology has become easier with blogging software.  When students are able to see 20+ different responses to a CRQ or DBQ, their understanding of the answering process and knowledge of content is increased. Learn how to leverage Firefox tools and blogging to create powerful learning experiences.

802.11n Wireless Infrastructure Deployment - (Tags:  nyscate08i03, nyscate08)
Presenter: Brian Hogan
802.11n is now ready for prime time deployment in schools districts.   With speeds 10 Times that of  traditional wireless, 802.11n is now ready to move to the next level in terms of being a realistic replacement for wired devices.  With the improved range and design advancements, the number of access points can be decreased by up to two thirds. This does not come without an additional level of planning and design.  Issues that will be discussed include, central vs distributed management, antenna design AP’s without LAN connections.  Performance under different loads including Video and Voice will also be discussed.

From the Holocaust to Darfur: Reinventing Technology To Make A Difference - (Tags:  nyscate08i04, nyscate08)
Presenter: Andrew Beiter & Ben Higgins
This workshop analyzes the impact of the major genocides that have occurred in the past hundred years, what the reaction of the United States has been, and how schools / student are using 21st century skills/tools to respond to the atrocities. Our mission: Repairing the World!

Using Gizmos to Support Inquiry Based Lessons in Math and Science - (Tags:  nyscate08i01, nyscate08)
Presenter: Anthony Montoro & Eric Frenchak
Have problems teaching visual learners abstract math or science concepts? Completing labs in 40 minutes? Obtaining lab materials? The solution is Explorelearning’s catalog of math and science interactive simulations (Gizmos) for grades 3 -12. We have integrated Gizmos as supplemental curriculum materials supporting state curriculum standards using research-proven instructional strategies.

A,B,C and 1,2,3 - Pixie 2 in the Elementary Classroom - (Tags:  nyscate08i02, nyscate08)
Presenter: JoAnn Campbell
Add excitement to your classroom curriculum! Explore original student-created activities made with Tech4Learning's new Pixie 2. This new creativity tool has an array of paint and easy-to-use editing tools and cross curricular stickers. Accessibility preferences make this software ideal for all ages and learning skills.

Web 2.0 Open Source Server Based Apps - (Tags:  nyscate08i05, nyscate08)
Presenter: Stephen O'Connor
An overview of open-source, server based web 2.0 applications that are free alternatives for popular hosted services such as Ning, Edublogs, etc. Self hosted solutions provide greater control over student privacy and content of the site, as well as access. We will overview necessary resources, installation, customization, and administration of these apps to maximize their suitability for an educational environment and the needs of individual school communities in terms of privacy, content, and access. Some applications discussed will be: Elgg, WordPress, WordPressMU, MediaWiki, Pligg, and Posh.

Infinite Campus: The Solution to Standard-based Grading, Differentiated Instruction and Standardized Class Curriculum - (Tags:  nyscate08i14, nyscate08)
Presenter: Richard Spina & Herb Grubman
Infinite Campus SMS enables teachers and supervisors to use linked support of curriculum to create template courses to accommodate standards based grading and differentiated instruction. Things are going to change. Ready? We are!