All district workshops, including technology, are listed on the CourseWhere registration system. Sessions are usually held after school, beginning at 3:45 in the IT Training Lab, Room 4, Lee Junior High School. All workshops are hands-on. Due to the limited number of computers available, pre-registration is required. To attend any workshop, go to CourseWhere and register by the stated deadline.

Please note: A minimum of 10 people must be enrolled in a class in order for it to be held as scheduled.  Also, anyone registering after a class is full will be placed on a waiting list and contacted should space become available.

Basic PC Housekeeping and Maintenance (1.5 hours)
Computer care and maintenance is often overlooked by the average user. Yet, taking a few precautions as you work, and learning to use the computer and its file system properly, can save you trouble in the long run.

CPS - Classroom Performance Systems (2 hours)
Also known as "The Clickers," CPS provides instant feedback by allowing all students to answer questions at once and generate reports to help you customize instruction. Participants who complete the training can check-out a classroom set of 30 units from the school library.

CPS II - Classroom Performance Systems (2 hours)
Take it one step further and learn how to create interactive games, integrate PowerPoint presentations, and design detailed assessments.

Digital Cameras (1.5 hours)
Just point, center the subject in the view window, and click.  It really is that simple to take good digital pictures. Project-based lesson ideas that utilize the digital camera are also presented.  Each MCS school library has digital cameras available for checkout.  Teachers completing the workshop can check out class sets of digital cameras to use with their students in the classroom.

Document Cameras (1.5 hours)
Do you have one copy of a document you need the whole class to see or be able to work on?  With an ELMO Document Camera you can do just that. This workshop introduces you to the basics of using an ELMO including connections to the computer, SmartBoard, and switching from document camera to computer images.

Document Cameras: Classroom Projects (1.5 hours)
Now that you have mastered the basics, learn about the different ways to connect the document camera to the curriculum. For example, would you like to show the differences between a beetle and a butterfly? Perhaps you would like to add a little dimension to cones, pyramids, or cylinders. Explore the many possibilities to use the document camera in this session.

Easiteach Software* (2 hours)
RM Easiteach is content-rich software which is designed for interactive whiteboards however the software can be used in a lab setting or with a presentation computer. This introductory session is designed so that teachers can explore the many teaching tools, resources and teaching strategies which this software affords the classroom. 

Easiteach Lesson Design (2 hours)
Creating an interactive lesson is exciting and rewarding when using Easiteach Software. In this session the teacher will come with curriculum content in mind to develop a lesson that can be used in the classroom.  Each participant will receive the software for their classroom.

Easiteach Dance Mat (2 hours)
Add movement and music to the curriculum and the rest is sure to come. The Easiteach Dance Mat does just this and in this session teachers will explore the possibilities of lesson design along with reviewing lessons that have been created for Language Arts, Math, Science, Social Studies, Social Studies, etc.

EBSCO*(2 hours)
A fully integrated database containing thousands of curriculum-targeted primary documents, biographies, topical essays, background information, critical analyses, full-text coverage of 800 magazines, and over 10,000 photographs. Learn how to navigate the Student Research Center, Kids Search, Literary Reference, and Novelist databases.

Email Basics* (1.5 hours)
Email is a snap with the district web-based program, Outlook Web Access. Learn how to send, receive, and reply to messages.

Email 2 (1.5 hours)
A continuation of the basics class that shows you how to set up a list, create and organize mailboxes, and use other program functions.

GPS (2 hours)
Basic knowledge and skills needed to use geographic information system (GIS) and Global Positioning System (GPS) in the classroom will be provided. Participants will be eligible to check-out a classroom set of 30 from the IT office.

Google Earth (2 hours)
Take a trip anywhere using Google Earth. Explore faraway places through satellite imagery, maps, and more.  Why stop there? Explore galaxies in the Sky and participate in some Back Yard Astronomy plus much more.  In this session teachers will be introduced to the many educational possibilities of using Google Earth.

Google Earth: Creating Tours (4 hours)
Now that you have explored the possibilities of using Google Earth, let's create a tour.  In this session teachers will create a tour using content rich information. Teachers will learn to save and share the tour.

Google Documents (2 hours)
Do you need tools which would allow you to collaborate online with fellow colleagues? Google documents will do just this. In this session teachers will explore how to create documents, spreadsheets, presentations and forms and then invite others to share the products.

Inspiration: Creating Thinking Maps (2 hours)
Thinking Maps integrate thinking skills and mapping techniques by allowing students to organize information and develop concepts. Learn how to make all eight types of maps with Inspiration, an easy to use graphic organizer application.

Inspiration: Graphic Organizers for the Comprehensive Curriculum (2 hours)
Many of the Comprehensive Curriculum activities call for the use of graphic organizers.  Let Inspiration help you create the templates you need to complete the activities. Participants will receive a variety of templates.

Inspiration: Project-based Activities (2 hours)
Designed for INTECH attendees who may need a little reminder about some of the program features and functions as well as additional integration ideas and activities.

Internet Explorer Basics (1.5 hours)
Surfing the World Wide Web is as simple as "point and click" with the super friendly web browser, Internet Explorer. Topics include selecting links, entering URL's, setting Favorites, searching for information, saving pages, etc.

Internet Explorer II (1.5 hours)
A continuation of the basics class that covers additional program features, including program preferences, downloading files, organizing Favorites, etc. Prerequisite: IE Basics (or knowledge of IE functions)

IrfanView (2 hours)
IrfanView is a very fast, small, compact and innovative freeware graphic viewer for Windows that allows you to edit your digital photos and graphics. Learn how to download the program and use its basic functions. IrfanView is available on all district lab computers.

KidPix: Project-based Activities (2 hours)
Designed for INTECH attendees who may need a little reminder about some of the program features and functions as well as additional integration ideas and activities.

LPB Cyberchannel* (2 hours)
LPB Cyberchannel is a digital video-on-demand service designed for the teacher who wants to enhance lessons with video. Learn how to stream or download over 22,000 video content clips and 2,200 full video titles from Discovery School and other award-winning producers. All the video content is correlated to the state standards, and an average of 300-400 new video titles are added annually.

Moodle (2 hours)
Moodle is the district's online Learning Management System.  This introductory workshop will show you the basics of working in Moodle so you can create assignments and create an online learning community for your students!

MS Excel (2 hours)
Create a spreadsheet, set up a budget, input data, and then graphically display the information in a bar chart, line chart, or pie chart.

MS Excel: Interactive Projects (2 hours)
Learn to create interactive puzzles, maps and drawings which you and your students can configure to inform and instruct. What a great way to point out geographical features on a map or to teach the parts of the digestive system or to review information in a crossword puzzle....

MS Excel: Project-based Activities (2 hours)
Yes, your students can engage in higher-order activities that require the manipulation and presentation of data with MS Excel. Simple projects that utilize graphs, charts, flashcards, etc. will be presented.

MS PowerPoint (2 hours)
It's so easy to make a professional-looking presentation with Microsoft PowerPoint. Learn how to use the Wizard and basic program features.

MS PowerPoint II (2 hours)
Learn the more advanced features of PowerPoint such as animation, transitions, inserting audio and video, etc.

MS PowerPoint: Project-based Activities (2 hours)
It is not just a presentation program - MS PowerPoint and CPS Clickers can be used across the curriculum to create project-based activities correlated to the LA Content Standards.  Participants will learn how to create interactive reports, puzzles and informational kiosks.

MS Publisher Basics (2 hours)
What a painless way to create flyers, brochures, invitations, banners, letterheads, etc! All of your desktop publishing needs can be met with one easy to use program. Learn how to use the wizard to create an assortment of professional-looking documents.

MS Publisher: Creating Newsletters (2 hours)
Keep your colleagues, administration, and parents informed with a classroom or school newsletter. You will be amazed at how easy it is to create one using Publisher.

MS Word: Introduction to Word Processing* (2 hours)
Designed for the new user, the workshop covers basic word processing functions of Microsoft WORD such as text selection and editing; word wrap; copy, cut, and paste functions; document formatting; and saving a file. A must workshop for those new to the computer regardless of platform or the word processing program being used! Prerequisite: Keyboarding Skills

MS Word: Creating a Calendar and a Certificate (2 hours)
No need to buy expensive calendars or achievement certificates as you can create your own using MS Word Templates. This workshop will teach you how. Prerequisite: Keyboarding skills and MS Word workshop (or basic knowledge of word processing functions).

MS Word: Creating Forms (2 hours)
Don't you just hate those lines that move when you have to complete a form? Learn how to create interactive forms that look professional and function properly. This workshop will focus on creating tables and forms with "user-fillable" fields.

MS Word: Creating Tables (2 hours)
Confused about tables - what they can be used for and how to create one? Learn how to create, size, sort, customize, and utilize this Microsoft Word function. Prerequisite: Keyboarding skills and MS Word workshop (or basic knowledge of word processing functions).

MS Word: Project-based Activities (2 hours)
MS Word can be used across the curriculum to create project-based activities correlated to the LA Content Standards. From iconic story writing to creating personal and historical timelines, Word is a versatile program that can transform routine paper/pencil activities into engaging, interactive ones.

MS Word: WordArt and Draw (2 hours)
Learn how to use WordArt and Draw to spice up documents or to create works of art. No artistic skills are needed as the program will do it all! Prerequisite: Keyboarding skills and MS Word workshop (or basic knowledge of word processing functions).

OnCourse Web Based Lesson Manager* (2 hours)
In this session teachers will learn how to construct, share and edit lesson plans online. Everything that a teacher needs for effective planning from the Comprehensive Curriculum to collaborative planning will be taught in this class.

OnCourse Web Pages for Teachers* (2 hours)
Teachers will learn how to create a web page which will be used for communicating with administration, faculty, parents and students. Just imagine...no more failed assignments because your students forgot their homework assignment.

PASCO Probeware (4 hours)
Hands-on, minds-on science that will excite students and engage them in authentic experiences is explored through the use of probeware. Bundles include Noodling with Newton, Force and Motion, Electrifying Energy, and Measuring Matter. Einstein COW, which contains all the software and hardware need to conduct activities, is available for checkout from Instructional Technology.

Photostory  (2 hours)
Use this free program to create videos that will excite your students and prepare them for learning.  In this workshop, you will learn how to download the program, insert pictures, add music and narration, and save your project.

Picture This! (4 hours)
Pair the digital camera with writing across the curriculum to have a winning combination that will add magic to your classroom. In this workshop teachers will glean ideas for using the digital camera to enhance writing skills in all areas of the curriculum. Teachers will create several projects using Microsoft Word, Microsoft PowerPoint, KidPix, and Timeliner. To add further magic to the classroom, Windows Movie Maker and Irfanview will be introduced.

SmartBoard I - Beginners (6 hours)
Make your classroom interactive with a SmartBoard!  This basic workshop introduces new users to the basic commands and functions of a SmartBoard.  Learn all the basic tools you need to begin using your SmartBoard now.

SmartBoard II - Intermediate (6 hours)
Okay, so you have the basics.  Now what do you do?  Attend this workshop that will begin to show you how to create lesson plans and activities using the SmartBoard software.  Also, learn how to find previously-created lessons that you can adapt for your classroom.  Prerequisite: SmartBoard I for Beginners

SmartBoard III - Advanced Projects (4 hours)
Use your SmartBoard to create projects for the class to use.  Add animation and sounds to the project to make learning come to life!  Prerequisite:  SmartBoard I for Beginners and SmartBoard II - Intermediate

Thinkfinity* (2 hours)
Thinkfinity offers the highest quality, standards-based and research-based educational and literacy resources to teachers, parents and students. Participants will learn to navigate this site, which is adopted by the SDE, to utilize its wealth of information.

TrackStar (2 hours)
TrackStar is your starting point for online lessons and activities. Simply collect Web sites, enter them into TrackStar, add annotations for your students, and you have an interactive, online lesson called a Track. Create your own Track or use one of the hundreds of thousands already made by other educators. Search the database by subject, grade, or theme and standard for a quick and easy activity.

Windows Movie Maker (2.5 hours)
Windows Movie Maker is a free video-editing tool included with Microsoft Windows XP. With Movie Maker, you can make fun, educational videos that can be shared across the Internet or burned to a CD or DVD. Movie Maker is easy for anyone to use, so don't be afraid to dive in, even if you're not a computer expert.

WorldBook Online* (1.5 hours)
The online version of the encyclopedia set contains all of the print version text and illustrations plus many multi-media additions. Curriculum correlation guides will assist you with integration ideas. Attention foreign language teachers! The Spanish language version is also included in the online package.

WorldBook Advanced (1.5 hours)
Tailored for the needs and skills of students in grades 8 and up, World Book Advanced includes a customizable interface, a streamlined design, and personalized homepage content features.  Research tools, including dictionary, atlas, and local and country research guides, help users compile the data and information they need to complete their assignments and background research.

World Book Discover (1.5 hours)
All students need reliable reference tools and World Book has introduced World Book Discover, a new resource designed specifically to meet the needs of students who read below the level of their peers.  This latest addition to the World Book Web provides content, tools, and features to help bridge the achievement gap and support differentiated instruction.

World Book Kids (1.5 hours)
The site starts with content from World Book's award-winning Student Discovery Encyclopedia and adds activities that apply to the thousands of informative, easy-to-read and visually-appealing articles to provide students with the active learning environment they need to best absorb and retain information. Its colorful, dynamic interface is just right for younger students.

*Must-know workshop. What is Must-know? These resources have been identified as ones that every teacher in the district should know and use in the classroom on a regular basis.

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