New York DEN

Exciting NY DEN LC news to announce.  Technology helps us stay better connected, save time, and become more efficient.  The NY DEN Leadership Council is always looking for better ways to reach this goal.  One new way is to converse in the Twitterverse.  Our new Twitter page can be found at http://twitter.com/NYDENLC.  Here the members of the NY DEN LC will be able to share information with our colleagues.  Upcoming events, DEN reminders, Discovery News and more from the NY DEN will  be able to be shared in this wonderful virtual format.  But Twitter is more than just a web page.  It is a virtual collaborative space that is merely concise.  The main idea is to answer the question “What are you doing?” in 140 characters or less.  Of course we will be telling you what is going on in the NY DEN on our Twitter page.  But Twitter has become much more than that.  It is rapidly developing into a social site that allows people to communicate on the fly.  Using mobile technologies instant feedback and be received.  From time to time we may ask your feedback on ideas, or pose a topic for discussion.  Please feel free to join the fun.

Do you Twitter?  If so consider following us (http://twitter.com/NYDENLC)  to connect to our tweets.  If you don’t twitter yet consider finding out what all the Twitter buzz is about (http://twitter.com).

Perhaps you joined the NY DEN Event in New York City earlier this month.  Perhaps you were there in person.  Perhaps you were behind your computer joining Christine in the virtual conversation.  Perhaps you were just with us in spirit.  What ever the case may be, care to feel like a fly on the wall?  Here is a video recap of the event:

http://www.teachertube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=af13665b48c1a592ffc7

Are you connected with the NY DEN?

email: ny.den.leaders@gmail.com

blog:  http://blog.discoveryeducation.com/newyork/

This past Saturday, October 25th was the second annual Discovery Educator Network Virtual Conference.  Educators gathered behind computers and in person to connect with other educators.  Connections were made in RL and cyberspace.  Distance learning presentations from Steve Dembo, Jannita Demian, Matt Monjan, Hall Davidson, Jen Dorman, Scott Kinney, and more were so wonderful to “attend”.  Two in person events were hosted in New York by the NY DEN Leadership Council.  Prizes delighted, Panera delights, delightful people, and distance learning… what a combo!  We would love to hear your feedback if you “attended” either in-person or online.

Mark your calendars for the NY DEN events this week!

Friday, October 24^th -

Come socialize at Panera Bread in Northvale, NJ. Why this Panera? It’s only 6 minutes away from Tech Forum Northeast if you’re attending.  269 Livingston Street, Northvale, NJ 07647.  Need more information about Tech Forum Northeast, visit http://www.techlearning.com/events/techforum/northeast08/. An exciting day of networking and learning at the Palisades Executive Center in Palisades, New York. Then let’s meetup at Panera for some more fun. An entertaining evening to help us Cultivate our Personal and Professional Networks awaits. Please RSVP at https://den.dabbledb.com/page/newyorkoctoberdeneventsregistration/vCjhVoLp

Saturday, October 25th-

The DEN Virtual Conference

http://blog.discoveryeducation.com/files/2008/10/den-vc-oct-08.pdf

Members of the DEN virtually connecting from all over. NY will be hosting two in person events that day too. Bring your laptop and headphones if you have them. If you don’t come share with the NY DEN team. Panera Bread’s have free Wi-Fi. Let’s connect while we’re connecting.

Where can you join us live?

Poughkeepsie, NY
Panera Bread
2020 South Street (across from the Galleria)
11:00 am to 2:00 PM
Join us for the webinars, food, prizes, and more galore!

OR

Scarsdale, NY
Panera Bread
915 Central Park Avenue (Annie Sez/Red Lobster shopping center)
8:30 AM to 11:30 AM
Breakfast, lunch, prizes, games, webinars, and more!

Soon, more to come too. So many events, so little time. Don’t miss out! Come on out!

The New York DEN may be from New York State but we try to support, grow with, and learn from other educators and DEN members.  Our colleagues in New Jersey are asking for our help.  One of their leadership council members, Bev Plein is in the middle of an election project with her students.  They are plotting data based on an online survey.  If you have a moment please pop on over and take their survey.

Election Survey part 1

Election Survey part 2

 I just read a great idea, “Back to School Back Pack” from A to Z Teacher Stuff.

http://www.atozteacherstuff.com/pages/837.shtml.  The poster suggests bringing in their own back pack to show students a little bit about themselves.  We all carry so much stuff.  But can you really tell something/anything/a lot about someone from what’s in their back pack?  I’d love to see what you carry in your briefcase or back pack.  Here’s mine.  I did not add or subtract anything from my day.

http://www.slideroll.com/player.php?s=889g7n8f 

So here’s my list:

2 new books from our meeting

The packet of Funding Factory brochures from our meeting

Assorted cat5e cables (you never know what size you’ll need)

Assorted chargers

Memory sticks

Nokia tablet

Work laptop

Tech kit (data cables, hub, minimouse, etc)

 Two of my necklaces (Betty Boop and Angel wings)

Well I guess that does give you a pretty accurate picture of me.  Techie equipment, books to further my learning, and two necklaces which give a snapshot into my personality.

 So, what do you have in your backpack/tote/briefcase?

Are you looking for a way to bring new technology equipment to your school or classroom? Having trouble figuring out a way to get the school to pay for it? Try Funding Factory. I have been using them for several years and love them. Here’s the deal. Ask people to donate old cell phones and used ink cartridges. You ship them in on behalf of your class or school. You earn free points for technology. Yes, shop off the CDG website. I got free scanners for my school one year. Yes, 8 for free. Can’t get much better than that.

The reason I’m blogging this is I just got a memory card for the latest Cannon digital camera we earned in June at a sale recently. I realized other DEN members might be interested in this if you haven’t already signed up. So I figured I’d take a minute to share. Maybe you are like me and looking for ideas for September while it is still August and I have “free time”. God, I love that term…

Check out: http://www.fundingfactory.com/fundraiser-2200.aspx for more information.

~Jeannine

Standup and be counted. Someone recently shared that they feel disconnected from the
DEN at times because they are an administrator and not a teacher. The New York DEN
would like to recognize the administrators in our midst. April 25th is Administrative Day.
The New York DEN Leadership Council would greatly appreciate it if the administrators
in our group would stand up to be counted. You will find a poll on the NY DEN website.
Or you can email us at ny.den.leaders@gmail.com.

You know… every now and then it is a good idea to check your Spam Email folder. After the DEN NY visit to the Computer Show and the IMAX theater we collected spare change to donate on behalf of school children. We sent an email requesting that our donation go towards school children in the United States. I was just cleaning house and found a response ecard in my Spam folder. Guess it pays to check that. To those who came out to our recent events thanks for donating your spare change to our collection. The money was sent to Oprah’s Angel Network. Here is our ecard:

Okay so Winter Buddies was a good idea for networking. Anyone game for trying Spring Buddies? We’d love to hear about it if you made a successful connection with your Winter Buddy. Here’s the deal… Just like this Winter only new buddies and new theme:

Would you be interested in making a Spring Buddy? It’s a bit like pen pals, virtual friends, etc but it lasts all Spring. As you find an interesting Springtime joke, online game, adorable photo, etc. you pass it on via email to your Spring Buddy. I’ve done this with online friends before with great success. If you would like to participate please send an email to ny.den.leaders@gmail.com. You will be paired with a Spring Buddy shortly. To get the ball rolling here is a Spring Buddy greeting for everyone. http://www.primarygames.com/seasons/spring/games/sliders/spring_slide.htm Enjoy this spring puzzle. It’s harder than it looks.

Don’t forget to email us (ny.den.leaders@gmail.com) if you would like a Spring Buddy.