California DEN

Thanks to DEN member Tom Lau… I had the opportunity to attend yet another field trip to a place I have wanted to go for years…. A GRUNION RUN!  It only happens here in CA… we are soo lucky?  Have you ever been on one?

Tom and his highschool students piled in the bus at 8:30 on a Saturday night and headed down to Cabrillo Beach.  The Grunion actually don’t come out til about 10 pm… but these students didn’t seem to mind hanging out with their teacher on a Saturday night!

Cabrillo has an incredible aquarium next door with some terrific exhibits and they even allow you to hatch your own fish eggs! (I’ll pass on the caviar) After the aquarium to head down to the beach where you sit VERY patiently and wait and wait and wait.  Then to our delight a few fish came to shore.

Tom explained that the females bury their bodies, with only their heads sticking out and lay their eggs.  The males do their "special" thing by just laying next to the hole that they dug.  The next wave that comes she jumps out and flops back to the water.  Quite amazing!  If you are lucky enough you can actually see the eggs left behind. (let me emphasize once more that I’ll pass on the caviar)  Within minutes, to our pure AMAZEMENT the beach filled with hundreds of silvery grunion.  Poor guys… all of our flashlights aimed at them. 

So if you haven’t done so yet… you absolutely MUST do a Grunion Run.  I’d love to make a  DEN Family event out of it. Tom mentioned that he would like to set up a trip to the tide pools also… Imagine going to the tide pool with experts to explain what everything actually is! If you are interested post a comment and let me know.  We’ll plan a day!

My hubby and I had so much fun we took our nieces the next night.. Check out these pictures…

I have wanted to go the Museum of Tolerance for well over a year… but you know how it goes… one thing then another.  But when DEN member Char Gould emailed and asked if I wanted to tag-a-long, I didn’t let this opportunity pass.  So off I went with a bunch of high school students.  I have to add that she works in a highly ELL population zone.  When I saw them pile off the bus, I thought to myself this should be interesting.  We of course took that "special" group… actually those rambunctious ones are the ones I love the most… but I wondered how they would handle a place such as the Museum of Tolerance.

Worry no longer… in walks Eddie… a little old man with white hair and a sense of humor to boot. Yikes I thought… hope they behave.  When we arrived in the 1st room Eddie showed us a wall full of photos of children all under the age of about 10.  He let the kids know that all were dead… but one… and asked the kids to point out which one they believed it was.  AMAZING the first guy he called on got it correct!  Eddie let us know that the photo was of him!  With that said and already a somber moment we proceeded through the rest of the museum.  Eddie guided them through with whispers… all the kids were TERRIFIC!

It was such a touching day… I won’t fill in all the details cuz I would love to take some of you on a field trip to tour the facility with Eddie.  So who would like to go? Post a comment and let me know.

The new unitedstreaming will include innovative teacher tools, such as the Assignment Builder and Quiz Center, allowing educators to select content for student access.  The new Writing Prompt Generator tool will work with any image on unitedstreaming allowing you to create your own writing prompts.

Teacher-Managed Student Access

Students will be able to access and explore teacher-selected assignments, quizzes and media published to the Student Center and accessable from anyplace.  Student usernames and logins will allow easier tracking of student activity.

Professional Development Enhancements

The Video Library of Best Practices will include topics such as differentiated instruction, technology integration, classroom management, and parental involvement.  In addition, new Live curriculum-based Web Seminars on science, language arts, social studies and literacy will be led by visionaries in education technology.  The technology integration demonstrations will provide weekly teaching tips and “classroom quick start” ideas as well as “how-to’s” on using leading educational software including: Inspiration, iMovie, Adobe Premiere Elements, Microsoft Office and PowerPoint.

New Upgrades to Administration Tools

The new Server Manager and Network Manager will allow for easier management of server storage space, content downloads and auto-updating of software application to give greater content control.

Take the lead and share what you have learned thus far about the new unitedstreaming.  To learn more, go to http://www5.unitedstreaming.com/comingsoon/

Where would the next generation of Discovery Education unitedstreaming be without next generation Professional Development tools? We understand that state-of-the art Professional Development that offers differentiated instructional approaches, practical classroom application, staff development credit and on-demand access is critical as the world of digital media evolves. With the next generation of Discovery Education unitedstreaming, we’ve got you and your staff covered.

Beginning June 5, you and your team will have FREE access to a myriad of exciting professional development opportunities including:

Teaching Tips — Quick practical suggestions for a classroom boost or link to instructional animations on the use of digital media.

Best Practices – Short video segments profile model teachers as they demonstrate sound teaching strategies to enhance student learning

Webinars and Digital Connections — Customized WebEx workshops combine online facilitation by a DE certified instructor with onsite hands-on project creation. (Click the links to view the a Webinar Overview and the June calendar)

unitedstreaming in Action– Downloadable PDF’s with easy "how-to" steps on using unitedstreaming. See samples on Embedding, Digital Storytelling.

Project Demonstrations — Curriculum-based lesson plans demonstrate integration of unitedstreaming with a variety of popular software applications. 

Interactive Training — Self-directed, web-based lessons on Differentiated Instruction, Integration Strategies, and Teacher Training offer downloadable certificates for CEU credit. 

Courses for Credit — Distance learning courses focus on effective instructional strategies using unitedstreaming. Graduate credit offered by higher education partners. Professional Development

To prepare your staff for the next generation of unitedstreaming, visit http://www.unitedstreaming.com/comingsoon/ to download and distribute brand new training resources such as a QuickStart card, a PowerPoint which previews the new features launching this summer, an overview of Professional Development options, and much more!

To celebrate the NEW unitedstreaming being released, the Discovery Educator Network is going to be hosting our very first 12 hour Streamathon! 

On Monday, June 5th, from 8:00am EST until 8:00pm EST we are going to be hosting a massive webinar that will be your opportunity to get the inside scoop on all the new features of unitedstreaming.  Every hour on the hour, we’ll spend 30 minutes reviewing all the changes that you’ll find in the new version.  Then, in the bottom half of the hour, you’ll have the opportunity to get an in depth look at one of the new areas of the site.  If you miss one, don’t worry.  Each presentation will be repeated three times throughout the day. You’ll have plenty of opportunities to get all of your questions answered.

You don’t need to pre-register for this webinar, just follow the link below and jump in anytime throughout the day!  Don’t forget to tell your friends and co-workers!

Webinar Info:
Meeting number: 553 465 963
Meeting password: webinar

Teleconference: Call in tollfree phone number (US/Canada): 866-469-3239
Call in phone number (US/Canada): 650-429-3300

On Monday, June 5th, you can click here to join the Streamathon!

Schedule:
8:00-8:30am EST Overview of NEW unitedstreaming
8:30-9:00am EST Teacher Center
9:00-9:30am EST Overview of NEW unitedstreaming
9:30-10:00am EST unitedstreaming in Action / My Home Page
10:00-10:30am EST Overview of NEW unitedstreaming
10:30-11:00am EST My Content
11:00-11:30am EST Overview of NEW unitedstreaming
11:30-12:00pm EST Digital Media Integration
12:00-12:30pm EST Overview of NEW unitedstreaming
12:30-1:00pm EST Teacher Center
1:00-1:30pm EST Overview of NEW unitedstreaming
1:30-2:00pm EST unitedstreaming in Action  / My Home Page
2:00-2:30pm EST Overview of NEW unitedstreaming
2:30-3:00pm EST My Content
3:00-3:30pm EST Overview of NEW unitedstreaming
3:30-4:00pm EST Digital Media Integration
4:00-4:30pm EST Overview of NEW unitedstreaming
4:30-5:00pm EST Teacher Center
5:00-5:30pm EST Overview of NEW unitedstreaming
5:30-6:00pm EST unitedstreaming in Action  / My Home Page
6:00-6:30pm EST Overview of NEW unitedstreaming
6:30-7:00pm EST My Content
7:00-7:30pm EST Overview of NEW unitedstreaming
7:30-8:00pm EST Digital Media Integration

Besides an enhanced site design, the new unitedstreaming will include improved search functionality for more accurate results, faster.  A dynamic drill-down navigation menu will drive targeted search results. In addition, you will continue to have the ability to search by keyword, subject, grade or curriculum standard.

New Video Content

More than 1,000 new titles will be added over the course of the Summer and

2006, including: Foreign Language, Secondary Math, Science and Language Arts Current events videos.  High-quality videos from leading educational publishers will include: Discovery Channel, Channel 4, BBC, and Math Mastery.

New Media

The new unitedstreaming will appeal to different learning styles with our expansive audio library of sound effects, songs and animations, searchable by keyword.  Animated textbook diagrams will help add dimension and intrigue to key concepts.  A new library of primary images of shapes, colors and objects will appeal to elementary teachers. New images of historical events and cultural figures will also add value to the collection.

New Teacher Preferences

The new unitedstreaming will allow select content to be personalized to grade and subject.  Create a customized homepage to view weekly updates of new and most viewed videos.  Archive created assignments, quizzes and writing prompts in personal folders.

To learn more, go to http://www5.unitedstreaming.com/comingsoon/

  Let’s end the school year with splash and a big wave of relief.… Pack your beach towels, chairs, and family and head down to the beach.

1st Annual WAMI DEN Family Beach Party.

(I stole this one from my old district… WAMI means We All Made It!)

Join us at Bolsa Chica State Beach

Friday, June 30th from 5:00 pm - ???

Near Life Guard Stand 26

BBQ, Networking, Games, and Fun.

Here’s how it works…

**You will need to provide your own transportation. You can park behind Jack and the Box on the corner PCH and Warner for free parking, but a short walk. If you would like you enter the beach area and pay $10 for up-close parking.

**If your first name begins with A-N bring a side dish and O-Z bring a dessert to share.

**Please bring drinks for your family

**I’ll bring the hotdogs and hamburgers

You definitely don’t want to snooze this one and get burned soo… make your RSVP today by posting a comment to the blog. Please include how many will be attending in your group, including yourself. If you are bringing your children please list their ages.

Hope to SEA you there!!!!

** Bolsa Chica Beach Web Page: http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=642

Special thanks to Ray Waller for these great pics of our location!

Check out our Google File

Download WCDEN.kmz

Besides an enhanced site design, the new unitedstreaming will include improved search functionality for more accurate results, faster.  A dynamic drill-down navigation menu will drive targeted search results. In addition, you will continue to have the ability to search by keyword, subject, grade or curriculum standard.

New Video Content

More than 1,000 new titles will be added over the course of the Summer and 2006, including: Foreign Language, Secondary Math, Science and Language Arts Current events videos.  High-quality videos from leading educational publishers will include: Discovery Channel, Channel 4, BBC, and Math Mastery.

New Media

The new unitedstreaming will appeal to different learning styles with our expansive audio library of sound effects, songs and animations, searchable by keyword.  Animated textbook diagrams will help add dimension and intrigue to key concepts.  A new library of primary images of shapes, colors and objects will appeal to elementary teachers. New images of historical events and cultural figures will also add value to the collection.

New Teacher Preferences

The new unitedstreaming will allow select content to be personalized to grade and subject.  Create a customized homepage to view weekly updates of new and most viewed videos.  Archive created assignments, quizzes and writing prompts in personal folders.

To learn more, go to http://www5.unitedstreaming.com/comingsoon/

  YIPPEEEE!!! The CA DEN is lucky to have the LARGEST NATIONAL EDUCATION COMPUTING CONFERENCE right here in San Diego this year, July 5-7th.  I HIGHLY RECOMMEND that you beg your administrators to SIGN YOU UP!!! Every year this conference shifts to another state, so now is the time to go.  Hotels fill fast so make sure you make your reservations and check out the NECC website by going to http://web.uoregon.edu/ISTE/NECC2006/

The theme of this year’s NECC is Explore… Dream… Discover.  Almost sounds like it was written for our dynamic DEN members who have taken an incredible journey this year through technology. Many of you have asked if we will be hosting a DEN event at NECC and we are currently trying to get something in the works… but we need to know who will be there.

So, here’s your chance… POST A COMMENT and let us know WILL YOU BE AT NECC?

As a Discovery Educator and leader in digital media, you are one of the first to learn about the new unitedstreaming.   Discovery Education unitedstreaming—the largest and most up-to-date library of video content and teacher resources—is getting even better. Coming early this summer, the new unitedstreaming will deliver new and enhanced features, as well as additional content titles and tools, through a redesigned, even easier-to-use website.

Why change it?

Because you asked and we listened. As educators become more savvy and innovative in using multimedia in their lessons, unitedstreaming continues to grow and support your efforts. We did extensive research and incorporated feedback from focus groups, surveys, school visits, usability testing and more, to ensure the new unitedstreaming is exactly what you need.

How will it affect me?

The new unitedstreaming will put the power of classroom multimedia in your hands by giving you more tools and more control. It will be customized to you and your preferences, saving you even more time and making you more effective. Additionally, the ever-expanding content library will ensure you can get the most relevant and up-to-date content to support all of your lessons and initiatives.

Stay tuned for more details on the new unitedstreaming.