Communicate+Relevant+Information


 * ====** Communicating with Students **====
 * ==== Microsoft Power Point provides the opportunity to create visual aids supporting lesson concepts. A tutorial on how to use Microsoft Power Point can be found [|here] . Ideas, templates, and examples on how to use Microsoft Power Point in the classroom can be found [|here] .  ====
 * ==== S mart Board Interactive Whiteboards are available in many schools and provide an invaluable tool in education. As with Power Point, one can use the Smart Board to create visual aids to support lessons. Smart Board has the unique ability to interact with the user. Teachers can create presentations through Smart Notebook Software including virtual manipulatives, links to websites, and record the presentation for later use. These presentations are typically visually stimulating and include student interaction. Smart Technologies provides examples of presentations and lesson ideas on the [|Educator Resources] section of their website.  ====
 * ==== Television, VHS, and DVDs found in local libraries can be an excellent source for introducing or summarizing concepts. ====
 * ==== Digital Media Sites, such as [|Safari Montage] or [|United Streaming] provide pre-made lessons including videos, correlated standards, student activities, and teacher’s guides.  ====
 * ==== Other great places to find educational videos are [|YouTube] and [| TeacherTube] . View videos of lessons being taught in other classrooms or create and upload a video of your own classroom.  ====
 * ==== A document camera, such as the [|Elmo], has the ability to display any type of document on a large screen. Student work can be immediately displayed for presentations or discussions. An overhead projector provides similar benefits, but will only display information on transparent paper.  ====
 * ==== The [|Renzuli Learning System] website creates a link between teachers and students. First, the system creates a learning profile for each student that includes student interests and abilities. Using these profiles, teachers can create and assign projects to individual students or entire classes. Students are notified of an assignment when they log in to the Renzuli web site. Students can also email teachers from the student site. A similar website, [|Moodle], also provides teachers with the ability to communicate with students via the Internet. Teachers can create assignments, assess learning, post grades, and more from this site.  ====
 * ==== Concept Mapping Software, such as [|Inspiration], can be used to create graphic organizers. These are especially useful for helping students to understand processes or complex concepts.  ====
 * ==== A wiki created for free at Wikispaces can provide a place for your students to ask questions, contribute to discussions, and view class news.  ====
 * ==== There are an enormous number of Podcasts on the Internet that can be an excellent educational resource. Many can be found on [|Apple’s iTunes] which is free to download and do not require an iPod to play. Podcasts can also be created for use in the classroom. Some tips on how to create a Podcast can be found [|here.]  ====
 * ==== Internet resources- lessons, quizzes, and rubrics are already made and available for reference or use. ====
 * ==== A digital camera can be a useful tool in education. Check out [|100 Ways to use a Digital Camera in a Classroom] . Be sure to speak to your school administrator regarding policies on photographing students.  ====
 * ==== Students with special needs may require speech recognition software, books on tape, or tape recorders. ====
 * ==== ** Communicating with Parents **====
 * ==== In the past ten years, technology has improved our ability to communicate ten-fold. Even so, a great way to communicate with parents is through the old-fashioned telephone. ====
 * ==== Email is often a quick and easy way to communicate with parents. Create a [|distribution list] using Microsoft Outlook or other email provider to send emails to groups of parents to email all of them at the same time.  ====
 * ==== Create a website for free with [|Webs] . Class assignments, links for practice and tutoring, important dates, and classroom news could be made available to parents in one place.  ====
 * ====<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> A wiki could also be used to communicate with parents. Post classroom news to keep parents informed. ====
 * ====<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> Newsletters or eNewsletters is an excellent way to provide parents with information regarding what their child is learning. Include vocabulary terms, Web pages they can go to for help, and activities they can do at home to support classroom learning. A newsletter can be created using a Microsoft Office [|Template] .  ====
 * ==== Use an online grade book so parents can keep track of their child's progress. Many school systems provide a medium to do this and encourage or require you to do so. If not, you can create your own using [|My Gradebook]. ====
 * ==== ** Communicating with Peers **====
 * ====<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> Power Point or Smart Board Presentations can be used to disseminate information in faculty meetings. ====
 * ====<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) is commonly used to provide telephone service in classrooms. In schools that use this system, any teacher can be contacted using a directory on the telephone. ====
 * ====<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> In many schools, the easiest way to communicate with colleges is via email. ====
 * ====<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> Save shared documents on a network drive, an online storage space accessible to entire groups of employees. ====
 * ====<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> Use an online lesson planner provided by the school system or a free online lesson planner, such as [|teAchnology] . These plans can be used to share lesson ideas or to plan connections across the curriculum.  ====