Streaming A to Z

Man oh man - have I been out and about! My suitcase and I have become best friends as I have had the pleasure of traveling to meet one-on-one with teachers, administrators, and everyone in-between from School Districts up and down the East Coast.

I feel like that Johnny Cash song (or is it the Comfort Inn commercial?), “I’ve Been Everywhere” in fact…

Well, I’ve been to
Long Island, New York,
Arlington, Virginia,
Boston, Massachusetts (that’s where I learned about Google Lit Trips)
Nashua, New Hampshire,
Philly, Pennsylvania,
Bradenton, Florida (and I could name more-in the…)
But I’ve been everywhere man - you get the idea

My most recent trip had me in Broward County and Manatee County school districts delivering training sessions on things like 50 Ways to use Discovery Education streaming

And Differentiated Instruction and DE Streaming (click on link to download presentation)

Finally, a million thanks to Super Star, Carole Gooden from St. Lucie County and Karen Seddon, Super Star from Osceola County, FL for sharing their time and expertise with me and our good friends in Manatee County, FL!

Ok so here we are on Friday and, as promised, here is the third of three postings on The Builders (Assignment, Quiz and Writing Prompt).

Today we’re going to tackle the Writing Prompt Builder.

The Writing Prompt Builder is a tool that allows you to tie together any image that you find on unitedstreaming with a caption they you create. 

Just like the other two builders, you can copy from the unitedstreaming Writing Prompt Builder question bank.  Once you’ve copied them you can customize them to make them your own!

And, like the Assignment Builder and Quiz Builder, your content is stored on the web so your students can access your quiz from any computer that has Internet access - even at home!

The over 500 unitedstreaming writing prompts are based on the national English/Language Arts standards for writing by the NCTE—National Council of Teachers of English.

These prompts also feature:

• Difficulty levels that cover students from those beginning the writing process to those who are in AP courses
• Descriptive, Narrative, Expository, and Persuasive prompts for grades 3-12
• Analysis prompts for grades 9-12

Each prompt includes images that relate to content taught across the country—both literary and non-literary, i.e., social studies, science, philosophy, cultural, community, and more.

To access the Writing Prompt library, log into unitedstreaming and click on the Teacher Center.  Then click on the Writing Prompt Icon.

To search the entire Writing Prompt Library, look inside the Search Writing Prompt Library box and uncheck the top three boxes - leaving only the unitedstreaming Writing Prompts box checked.   And in no time you’ll see the 500+ writing prompts appear on your screen.

I have attached a small PowerPoint presentation to this e-mail.  It includes step-by-step instructions for creating a Writing Prompt.  Feel free to download and customize it to meet your needs! Download writing_prompt_builder.ppt

Talk to you soon,
Matt Monjan
Discovery Education, unitedstreaming

True or False - within unitedstreaming you can find three great tools to help you integrate technology into the classroom?

True of course!  Way to go you passed the Pop Quiz!

And speaking of Pop Quizzes - let’s dive a little deeper into unitedstreaming’s Quiz Builder.

The Quiz Builder is a tool that allows you to tie together videos and video segments to questions that you design.  You can create Multiple Choice (Single Answer), Multiple Choice (Multiple Answer), True and False, and even Essay questions (unitedstreaming won’t grade essay answers). 

You can even copy entire quizzes and/or questions from the unitedstreaming Quiz Builder question bank.  Once you’ve copied them you can customize them to make them your own!

And, like the Assignment Builder,  your content is stored on the web so your students can access your quiz from any computer that has Internet access - even at home!

You can find the Quiz Builder by going to the Teacher Center. Once there, click on the blue Go To arrow and let your imagination loose! 

I have attached a small PowerPoint presentation to this e-mail.  It includes step-by-step instructions for building a Quiz and viewing a grade report.  Download the_quiz_builder.ppt

NOTE: I recommend that you use the online grade report to view your students grades.  If you choose to have them sent to you by e-mail you will receive individual reports for each of your students - which can add up to lots of e-mails!

Make sure to check back on Friday when we review the final builder in this series, the Writing Prompt Builder.

Talk to you soon,
Matt Monjan
Discovery Education, unitedstreaming

We posted these 13 page works of wonder within the Professional Development section of unitedstreaming. 

To access and print these booklets out you can either click on this link: Get More Booklet.

Or you can fill out the form below. Please note - The Get More Booklets are shipped in packs of 10. So if you order 20 - you’ll receive 200 booklets. You can request as many and as often as you want - for as long as we have them in stock.

With about one month to go, many of you reading this post may already be dreaming of those picture perfect days at the beach, relaxing in the garden, or spending joyous summer day after summer day outside in the sun -blissfully free of password requests or technical worries.

But before you fall full into a summer trance, I wanted to highlight a few key unitedstreaming resources.  That way when you plan your in-services, professional development days, and set your tech agenda’s you’ll know just where to look!

1. Interactive Training. These go-at-your-own pace modules are available 24/7 and cover everything from navigating unitedstreaming to in-depth instructional strategies.  You can take these modules in any order and unitedstreaming even remembers where you stop.  That way you can resume right where you left off!  To access these modules, simply click on the Professional Development link within your navigation bar and then click on the Interactive Training  icon.
2. PowerPoint presentation.  We’ve uploaded a great PowerPoint to help you present unitedstreaming to your staff.  Once you download it you can edit it to meet your needs - after all its yours!   Check it out by clicking on Professional Development , then  Trainer’s Toolkit,  and then the Full Training Presentation  (under the Getting Started  column).
3. Passcode flyer. The flyer includes step-by-step instruction for getting started with unitedstreaming.  Print it out, insert your school’s code and distribute! You can get to the flyer by clicking on Professional Development , then  Trainer’s Toolkit,  and then the Passcode Flyer (under the Getting Started  column).
4. The unitedstreaming Training Guide is a great resource for staff developers and trainers. This document addresses training strategies, troubleshooting, training set up, and more. You can get to the flyer by clicking on Professional Development , then  Trainer’s Toolkit,  and then the Training Guide (under the Staff Development Resources column).
5. I’ve put together a quick, fun and easy unitedstreaming Scavenger Hunt.  Feel free to download and customize - it is your for the taking. Download unitedstreaming_scavenger_hunt.ppt

Hopefully these resources will save you time, and maybe, just maybe, prolong that grass-between-the toes, sun-on-the-back, pass-me-another-hot dog summer time fun.

Talk to you soon,
Matt Monjan
Discovery Education, unitedstreaming

What are Webinars?
Webinars are Web-based seminars facilitated by a live Discovery Education instructor.  Thousands of educators have participated in these on-line sessions. 

Webinars have covered everything from an overview of unitedstreaming, to integrating its resources into programs like Google Earth, Inspiration, Photostory, and more.

But this is pretty common knowledge.  Chances are that you have already participated in a Webinar…or maybe two.

However, did you know that we’ve posted our most popular presentations on line?  Yep they’re yours for the taking, or downloading, as the case may be.

To access ten of our most frequently requested Webinar Presentations, log into unitedstreaming, click on the Professional Development link, and then click on the blue words, Webinar Workshops in the lower right-hand corner (click on image)

After clicking on Webinar Workshops, click on the link "Click here to download Sample Presentations" (click on second image)

Once there, you’ll find presentations for both Mac and PC that you can download, customize and make your own.

The topics cover everything from Digital Story Telling to Primary Sources and everything in between. 

Take a few moments to check them out and make them yours!

Talk to you soon,

Matt Monjan
Discovery Education, unitedstreaming

Ok we have a few more weeks of 2006 and then its time to usher in a new year. 

And like a blank chalkboard and a new classroom the potential for learning new things is limitless!

With that in mind…why not learn the MORE part of unitedstreaming?

The MORE part you ask?  Absolutely!

unitedstreaming is MORE than video, it has thousands of images to embed into PowerPoint, create a digital story, or use as a primary source. 

unitedstreaming is also MORE than video because it full of technical and professional resources for you, the educator.

In fact, I encourage you to start the new year off with a refresher course of unitedstreaming. 

Visit our Professional Development section of the site to learn more. Start with our Interactive Training:

Interactive Training is a self-paced, easy-to-use program that helps you learn to use unitedstreaming.  From basic site features to in-depth instructional strategies, this engaging series of lessons is a comprehensive instructional tool.

Lesson 1: Features & Navigation

Lesson 2: Integration Strategies

Lesson 3: Differentiated Instruction

Lesson 4: Teacher Training and Technical Considerations

We also have dozens of one-page unitedstreaming in Action tutorials located under the Trainer’s Toolkit on topics such as:

• Embedding videos in PowerPoint
• Using videos and images in Inspiration
• Creating WebQuests for your classroom
• Creating lessons in Assignment Builder
• Using MovieMaker to create your own movie

No matter what your skill level is, there are countless new ways to use unitedstreaming.  Log in today and get a jump start on your new years resolution!

Over the past few years your school/school district has purchased lots of different technology components; interactive Whiteboards, digital editing software, graphic organizing software, not to mention unitedstreaming. And then they said "Ok go use it!"

These are all great tools to have in your classroom, but how do you combine their utility into a lesson plan that fits your curriculum?

Have no fear, we’ve put together some handy-dandy lesson plans for you to use.

Log into www.unitedstreaming.com and then click on the words Professional Development located in the blue bar at the top of your screen.

Once there, click on the Project Demonstrations to not only see how to tie together your interactive white board with unitedstreaming, but download lesson plans too.

Once there you can:

• Download lesson plans and activities for your Promethean or Smart Board - Language Arts teacher check out the lesson plan on Vowels!
• Develop a Digital Story Telling project with your students with lesson plans from the Digital Editing section.
• Explore the great monuments around the globe or chart Santa’s progress using Google Earth and unitedstreaming
• Find interactive activities that incorporate Timeliner and Inspiration.

Of course your Implementation Representative is only a phone call away.  Give us a buzz at 1-800-323-9084 to help you incorporate these tools and more into your classroom.

Talk to you soon,
Matt Monjan
Discovery Education, Implementation

Report cards are going out… parent conferences… more professional development to help you in the classroom.  What… another helping of state testing statistics and “housekeeping” rather than technology-integration development sessions?  I know that state testing is very important, but it is a shame that some schools just focus on the results and not how to help teachers get to those results.  I was recently at the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) Regional Conference in Baltimore, and sadly this is what I repeatedly heard from teachers at our workshops. 

I know that I don’t have to focus on the fact that technology is constantly changing and teachers need support to:

• Keep up with all of the new technology coming out
• Learn how to effectively integrate technology into their curriculum to meet the needs of all of their students
• Receive more assistance/resources from their district—planning time, “true” development workshops, money (or grant writing help) to purchase scan converters, projectors, computers, trainers, etc.

What I can offer you is the reassurance that the folks here at Discovery Education are ready and willing to offer as much help as needed to save time and feel comfortable with the digital resources your school currently has.  If you haven’t already, check out the Professional Development section in unitedstreaming to see what I’m rambling about.  To highlight a few things you will find:

• Interactive Training—I’m a big fan of this feature, because teachers can go through the lessons at any time (even at home) and the lessons are to the point and extremely helpful (everything from basic unitedstreaming use to differentiated instruction)
• Free Online Webinars—did you catch that?  Webinars are FREE and hosted by our trainers on a variety of topics (basic unitedstreaming overview, Assignment Builder/Student center, Inspiration, PowerPoint, Quiz Builder, WebQuests, Digital Storytelling, digital editing, Google Earth, Storyboards & animation, Google SketchUp, and more)
• Customized Webinars for your school or district (1 hour to half day workshops)
• Best practices video segments
• Trainer’s toolkit (great resources for teachers in here as well)
• Project demonstrations (samples!!)
• Teaching tips—technology “how-tos”, integration ideas, etc
• Courses for credit (if you’re doing the work… why not earn some credit and recognition?)

This week I thought it best to emphasize Professional Development, since this is truly the basis of effective technology-integration in your classroom.  Next week, I’ll be back with a few cross-curricular integration ideas that will make your classroom the Interactive and Student-Focused envy of all!

~Monika Davis, Discovery Education