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<title>The Modern Pen RSS Feed</title><link>http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/index.html</link><description>School District 21&#x27;s Professional Development Blog</description><dc:language>en</dc:language><dc:creator>jason.klein@ccsd21.org</dc:creator><dc:rights>Copyright 2007-Present CCSD21-Wheeling&#x2c; Illinois</dc:rights><dc:date>2010-07-28T12:12:33-05:00</dc:date><admin:generatorAgent rdf:resource="http://www.realmacsoftware.com/" />
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<lastBuildDate>Thu, 29 Jul 2010 11:23:26 -0500</lastBuildDate><item><title>Podcasting for Literacy</title><dc:creator>jason.klein@ccsd21.org</dc:creator><category>Workshops</category><category>Instruction</category><dc:date>2010-07-28T12:12:33-05:00</dc:date><link>http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/d828a148965f62de971bd11c81469301-130.html#unique-entry-id-130</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/d828a148965f62de971bd11c81469301-130.html#unique-entry-id-130</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Over the years, there has been significant effort on the part of students and teachers throughout School District 21 to create authentic instructional opportunities for students, and in many cases recently, these have come in the form of student podcasts. 

...For teachers wanting to learn more about podcasting, here is another useful podcast to listen to as a resource for learning more about what can be done during a podcast--including the use of sound effects!
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Creating Calendars for Students &#x26; Parents</title><dc:creator>jason.klein@ccsd21.org</dc:creator><category>Tech Tips</category><dc:date>2010-07-28T11:54:10-05:00</dc:date><link>http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/73d087c3798ba8fceeedc69d1b9aac70-129.html#unique-entry-id-129</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/73d087c3798ba8fceeedc69d1b9aac70-129.html#unique-entry-id-129</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Staff members with laptop or desktop computers assigned to them individually can benefit from using Entourage or Outlook as their Exchange applications, and all staff members can also access their Exchange accounts via webmail.ccsd21.org. 

...While the calendars in Entourage and Outlook are great for productivity and keeping organized as a professional, these calendars are not designed for specific publication in newsletters or for distribution to parents and students.
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Spreadsheets--AutoFilter</title><dc:creator>jason.klein@ccsd21.org</dc:creator><category>Tech Tips</category><category>Workshops</category><category>Assessment</category><dc:date>2010-07-18T08:39:10-05:00</dc:date><link>http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/508f47f01a7c3fecdb95f557c607e748-128.html#unique-entry-id-128</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/508f47f01a7c3fecdb95f557c607e748-128.html#unique-entry-id-128</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[To unfilter, simply choose the Select All option from the pull-down at the top of that column, and all of your data will re-appear.


Simply by following our steps for entering data using Excel best practices and by using the AutoFilter, you can uncover all kinds of very important information about your students!
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Spreadsheets--The Basics</title><dc:creator>jason.klein@ccsd21.org</dc:creator><category>Tech Tips</category><category>Workshops</category><category>Assessment</category><dc:date>2010-07-20T21:51:19-05:00</dc:date><link>http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/f742018f4a608f329bb7e2b35de59a72-127.html#unique-entry-id-127</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/f742018f4a608f329bb7e2b35de59a72-127.html#unique-entry-id-127</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[It&rsquo;s not to say that we never print spreadsheets because we do at times, but 99% of the time, we work with a spreadsheet in the most efficient manner on the computer rather than for how it will look for printing.


...	&bull;	Separate Distinct Data--It&rsquo;s not difficult to split data in to separate columns from a single column (i.e., split &ldquo;last, first&rdquo; to two columns--&ldquo;last name&rdquo; and &ldquo;first name&rdquo;), but it&rsquo;s even easier to push data together from separate columns in to a single column (i.e., from &ldquo;last name&rdquo; and &ldquo;first name&rdquo; to &ldquo;last, first&rdquo;.) ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Excel 2008--Online Support</title><dc:creator>jason.klein@ccsd21.org</dc:creator><category>Tech Tips</category><category>Workshops</category><category>Assessment</category><dc:date>2010-07-19T21:28:51-05:00</dc:date><link>http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/845132335e85cf17e279b3bab4e2ba9d-126.html#unique-entry-id-126</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/845132335e85cf17e279b3bab4e2ba9d-126.html#unique-entry-id-126</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Whether we are collecting data before uploading it to Inform or we are exporting it from the Gradebook to graph, spreadsheets are used to systematically collect, sort, manipulate, and analyze data. 

...Microsoft, like Apple, has included a lot of information to provide help and support to end users right on the desktop from within the application itself. ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>A New Look?</title><dc:creator>jason.klein@ccsd21.org</dc:creator><category>Tech Tips</category><dc:date>2010-07-12T23:59:16-05:00</dc:date><link>http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/2526cea92c3ed03589c6636f405d8f9e-125.html#unique-entry-id-125</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/2526cea92c3ed03589c6636f405d8f9e-125.html#unique-entry-id-125</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[An update to the software used to compose and publish The Modern Pen left the entry for each header too small to read, and correcting it in code was not having any impact in any of the three browsers tested. 

...While the new theme may satisfy the tastes of some and leave others desiring an improvement, we hope it serves to allow users to access the content until we can find a more permanent, and completely web-based, solution for posting to The Modern Pen.
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Smartphones--A Delay</title><dc:creator>jason.klein@ccsd21.org</dc:creator><category>Tech Tips</category><dc:date>2010-07-12T22:38:19-05:00</dc:date><link>http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/82d9518fdc96fabef4f6a88c5d2282e4-124.html#unique-entry-id-124</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/82d9518fdc96fabef4f6a88c5d2282e4-124.html#unique-entry-id-124</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[As we move through our summer projects, we are continuing to re-evaluate how best to accomplish all of them in an efficient and timely manner while continuing to provide training and resources to staff in order to accomplish these projects.   As soon as we are ready and able to begin scheduling appointments with staff regarding signing up to access your District 21 email, calendar, and contacts on a personal smartphone, we will communicate that to all staff via email. ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>It&#x27;s Summer. Got a Problem?</title><dc:creator>jason.klein@ccsd21.org</dc:creator><category>Tech Tips</category><dc:date>2010-07-12T22:24:59-05:00</dc:date><link>http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/a1b34f7eb47f99e7a5b373cf4b47a84c-123.html#unique-entry-id-123</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/a1b34f7eb47f99e7a5b373cf4b47a84c-123.html#unique-entry-id-123</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Especially during the summer, if the computer is operational, it is critical that the user logs in and logs out of the computer inside of the District 21 network to ensure that another home sync takes place, thereby securing their Documents and Desktop folders. 

...Finally, please do remember that summer is actually the busiest time of year as we try to take care of projects when students (mostly) and teachers (mostly) are not around as much, so our field engineers are not sitting and waiting for individuals to come in and address tickets. ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>An Update on Updates&#x21;</title><dc:creator>jason.klein@ccsd21.org</dc:creator><category>Tech Tips</category><dc:date>2010-07-12T22:04:56-05:00</dc:date><link>http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/f01812ececf82610f4b1b333e4364dd8-122.html#unique-entry-id-122</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/f01812ececf82610f4b1b333e4364dd8-122.html#unique-entry-id-122</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[At this time, we also set-up two dedicated wiki and blog servers--one that is designed to serve the public (teacher blogs for parents, classroom projects with students, etc.) and one that is designed to be used collaboratively by teams (to support teaming).


...We have already upgraded the iChat, wiki, and teams servers, yet there is additional work that has been required on each of these before we can be fully up and running. ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Setting the Desktop Image</title><dc:creator>jason.klein@ccsd21.org</dc:creator><category>Tech Tips</category><dc:date>2010-05-23T21:26:06-05:00</dc:date><link>http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/a16b4f02c8209ff5376995e2d36c165f-121.html#unique-entry-id-121</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/a16b4f02c8209ff5376995e2d36c165f-121.html#unique-entry-id-121</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Right-click on the picture (see Managing Your Trackpad for more information on learning how to right-click on your MacBook), and choose Set Desktop Picture. 

...First, you can only use a picture if the copyright allows you to do so--either because it is open source under something like Creative Commons or a picture that is now in the public domain. ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Checking Email without the MacBook</title><dc:creator>jason.klein@ccsd21.org</dc:creator><category>Tech Tips</category><dc:date>2010-05-23T20:50:23-05:00</dc:date><link>http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/affae95647b34a85de57f9820298d3bd-120.html#unique-entry-id-120</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/affae95647b34a85de57f9820298d3bd-120.html#unique-entry-id-120</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[If you are without your laptop and want to check your email, calendar, and contacts, simply go to Outlook Web App (OWA), also known as Exchange Webmail. 

...To access this document, which is on the CCSD21 Exchange Support page, you will need to enter your Active Directory Username and Password.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Transitioning to the New Wireless Network</title><dc:creator>jason.klein@ccsd21.org</dc:creator><category>Tech Tips</category><dc:date>2010-05-19T09:53:13-05:00</dc:date><link>http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/d6f7d92ae8943bf9060dc5d49c425b0d-119.html#unique-entry-id-119</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/d6f7d92ae8943bf9060dc5d49c425b0d-119.html#unique-entry-id-119</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[For those computers that are Staff MacBooks, the computers will just automatically see and connect to the CCSD21 network (as pictured in the image below).


For existing laptops, such as student laptops and administrator laptops, the Tech Office will need to connect your laptop to this new network. ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Trimester III Report Card Timeline</title><dc:creator>jason.klein@ccsd21.org</dc:creator><category>Assessment</category><category>PowerSchool</category><dc:date>2010-05-15T21:38:10-05:00</dc:date><link>http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/2540611c87b8327aca685fc20a29b50f-118.html#unique-entry-id-118</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/2540611c87b8327aca685fc20a29b50f-118.html#unique-entry-id-118</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[While instruction and assessment should continue through the last day of school, the reality of sending report cards home with students on June 7th, the final day of school, requires that we &ldquo;close our gradebooks&rdquo; prior to the last day of the trimester at the end of the school year.


Beginning with Trimester 3 of the 2009-2010 school year, students in grades 3-5 will receive their report card, which includes Academic Grades, Learner Qualities, and Comments, and a separate Power Standards Summary Report. ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Remotely Accessing Staff Computers</title><dc:creator>jason.klein@ccsd21.org</dc:creator><category>Tech Tips</category><dc:date>2010-05-09T21:06:49-05:00</dc:date><link>http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/51f6e0e39d334451edeca09552664e5c-117.html#unique-entry-id-117</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/51f6e0e39d334451edeca09552664e5c-117.html#unique-entry-id-117</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[The only ways that the Technology Office can access your computer outside the District is with the IP address of your computer and knowing that the appropriate ports are open in your firewall or through an iChat conversation.   In either case, you would have to provide information or accept the iChat invitation, and we will not access your computer remotely without your permission unless some type of investigation or process required us to do so.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Adding Additional School Printers</title><dc:creator>jason.klein@ccsd21.org</dc:creator><category>Tech Tips</category><dc:date>2010-05-09T20:19:22-05:00</dc:date><link>http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/54d7313f47d271f91a5039c2ae187db0-116.html#unique-entry-id-116</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/54d7313f47d271f91a5039c2ae187db0-116.html#unique-entry-id-116</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[The first thing you want to do, is open System Preferences, which is found in the menu underneath the Apple icon in the upper left corner of your screen on the left side of the Menu Bar (the white bar that runs across the top of the screen).


...Once this process is complete, you will notice that your printer has been added to the list of printers for the computer.  
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Managing Your Trackpad</title><dc:creator>jason.klein@ccsd21.org</dc:creator><category>Tech Tips</category><dc:date>2010-05-09T20:05:11-05:00</dc:date><link>http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/ede48619df9736d5ee37e2551d5944c8-115.html#unique-entry-id-115</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/ede48619df9736d5ee37e2551d5944c8-115.html#unique-entry-id-115</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[The trackpad below your keyboard on your staff MacBook is made out of glass and is similar to the screen of an iPhone or iPod Touch, supporting a variety of different hand movements as types of computer inputs. 

...To learn more about what your trackpad can do and to set specific preferences yourself, first, go to System Preferences by choosing it from under the Apple icon in the white menu bar at the top of the screen.
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Software Upgrades</title><dc:creator>jason.klein@ccsd21.org</dc:creator><category>Tech Tips</category><dc:date>2010-05-09T19:58:24-05:00</dc:date><link>http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/01aac1122b2ebd93c26202e40ce56e19-114.html#unique-entry-id-114</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/01aac1122b2ebd93c26202e40ce56e19-114.html#unique-entry-id-114</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[You should not allow it, but even if you did, you do not have the technological permissions to do software upgrades. 

...All software upgrades will typically be performed remotely and on a schedule to all computers in a school and/or across the District at the same time after we have tested the software upgrade to be certain that it does not create and/or cause new problems with our staff laptops.
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Bookmarking Websites</title><dc:creator>jason.klein@ccsd21.org</dc:creator><category>Tech Tips</category><dc:date>2010-05-01T07:10:53-05:00</dc:date><link>http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/8af723d8a2a0b7c0551ffef2be418cad-113.html#unique-entry-id-113</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/8af723d8a2a0b7c0551ffef2be418cad-113.html#unique-entry-id-113</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[If you find a website that you would like to go back and visit and would like to bookmark it, when in Safari, simply go to the Bookmarks Menu option in the white Menu Bar at the top of the screen.


...Or if you think you&rsquo;ll use your bookmark frequently, you can add it to the Bookmarks Toolbar in the browser, which is pictured below.
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Adding Software to Staff MacBooks</title><dc:creator>jason.klein@ccsd21.org</dc:creator><category>Tech Tips</category><dc:date>2010-05-01T07:03:58-05:00</dc:date><link>http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/4a20b7b137494020958a9ad243f13e28-112.html#unique-entry-id-112</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/4a20b7b137494020958a9ad243f13e28-112.html#unique-entry-id-112</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[The software provided in the base image for the MacBooks provides the vast majority of software for nearly everything that they need to do, yet we realize that some teachers have very specialized needs in terms of specific software.


Beginning during Fall 2010, we will be able to plan projects with schools or central office departments to install needed software for which we have licensing on specific groups of computers. ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Video Cameras &#x26; Staff MacBooks</title><dc:creator>jason.klein@ccsd21.org</dc:creator><category>Tech Tips</category><dc:date>2010-05-01T06:38:56-05:00</dc:date><link>http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/f42021eb537d88f1d7fef2d0ea18bed1-111.html#unique-entry-id-111</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/f42021eb537d88f1d7fef2d0ea18bed1-111.html#unique-entry-id-111</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[With tools like USB microphones, iPods with voice recording capabilities, and Garage Band, students can create a podcast in no time, and instead of spending lots of time working on the computer producing, they can move on to learning new concepts and content and skills.


...One of the changes that has taken place in the video cameras in recent years has been the shift from recording on tape to recording on hard drives (not so good for a school environment) or flash memory (ideal for tapeless cameras). ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Chatting it Up--iChat on Staff MacBooks</title><dc:creator>jason.klein@ccsd21.org</dc:creator><category>Tech Tips</category><dc:date>2010-04-26T07:43:40-05:00</dc:date><link>http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/07deb5f56c86718ca07a3c971c5591e5-110.html#unique-entry-id-110</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/07deb5f56c86718ca07a3c971c5591e5-110.html#unique-entry-id-110</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[The one topic that has been hit-or-miss in terms of coverage during opening trainings with Staff MacBooks has been iChat. iChat is a program installed on the Mac that allows users to conduct text and video chats as well as do screensharing.   As part of our server work during the Summer of 2009, we set-up an iChat server in the District, and with that, we are launching iChat as a service to support our Professional Learning Community Goals as we distribute the Staff MacBooks.
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>More Office 2008 How-To Videos</title><dc:creator>jason.klein@ccsd21.org</dc:creator><category>Tech Tips</category><dc:date>2010-04-25T20:00:11-05:00</dc:date><link>http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/3bc7fdc951ae83d2da4fcf4aed08bc9f-109.html#unique-entry-id-109</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/3bc7fdc951ae83d2da4fcf4aed08bc9f-109.html#unique-entry-id-109</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Featuring short, specific How-To videos, staff members can be well-versed in learning the features that they want and need to learn when they want and need to learn them. 

...In addition to AtomicLearning.com, there is another great resource for learning more about Office 2008, the Mac Business Unit at Microsoft. ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Buying Music &#x26; Movies on Your Laptops</title><dc:creator>jason.klein@ccsd21.org</dc:creator><category>Tech Tips</category><dc:date>2010-04-25T18:35:01-05:00</dc:date><link>http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/07e0b843702d5a495067695a73fad11a-108.html#unique-entry-id-108</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/07e0b843702d5a495067695a73fad11a-108.html#unique-entry-id-108</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Remember, that due to bandwidth and server space limitations, these items do not sync to the server, so they should be backed up separately, using DVDs or CDs or an external hard drive. ...  If these items are purchased for school use, and the staff member is reimbursed by the District, these are property of the School District, and a copy should be made to left with the appropriate individuals--i.e., the LMC Specialist, the iTech teacher, etc.
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Adding a Home Printer to Your Laptop</title><dc:creator>jason.klein@ccsd21.org</dc:creator><category>Tech Tips</category><dc:date>2010-04-25T19:26:43-05:00</dc:date><link>http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/eb27fb7acaa64a326bb951334b0d1b29-107.html#unique-entry-id-107</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/eb27fb7acaa64a326bb951334b0d1b29-107.html#unique-entry-id-107</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[If your printer is wireless, you want to make sure that both the printer and the computer are on the same wireless network and that they both can &ldquo;see&rdquo; the network with no apparent problem. 

...Many printer drivers come packaged with Snow Leopard (this Mac Operating System on your computer at the time we distributed the machines, which is also known as 10.6), so it is often unnecessary to add drivers. ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Knowing MY MacBook</title><dc:creator>jason.klein@ccsd21.org</dc:creator><category>Tech Tips</category><dc:date>2010-04-25T17:24:53-05:00</dc:date><link>http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/38dac47b60577b9754321493c3009c86-106.html#unique-entry-id-106</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/38dac47b60577b9754321493c3009c86-106.html#unique-entry-id-106</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[With over 600 white Apple MacBooks being distributed to certified staff in School District 21, staff members continue to ask what they can do to tell their laptop apart from others. ...  Typically, organizations will deploy similar or identical laptops to all staff, and the same question/issue would be true in those cases.
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Personal Smartphones &#x26; CCSD21</title><dc:creator>jason.klein@ccsd21.org</dc:creator><category>Tech Tips</category><dc:date>2010-04-25T17:08:42-05:00</dc:date><link>http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/5f4a9ff89d15bdffc26e23db4c9912ef-105.html#unique-entry-id-105</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/5f4a9ff89d15bdffc26e23db4c9912ef-105.html#unique-entry-id-105</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[As we move all District 21 staff members over to Exchange 2010 from CommuniGate during the closing months of the 2009-2010 school year, many staff members are interested in being able to access their email, calendar, and contacts on their personal smartphones. 

...Beginning July 12, 2010, staff members can begin to contact the Tech Office to make an appointment (approximately 15 minutes) to get their phone enabled in the iPhone Management Software. ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Using the MacBook as the Classroom Computer</title><dc:creator>jason.klein@ccsd21.org</dc:creator><category>Instruction</category><category>Tech Tips</category><dc:date>2010-04-25T15:43:41-05:00</dc:date><link>http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/3ae99fd9e6833cffa54191003242423d-103.html#unique-entry-id-103</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/3ae99fd9e6833cffa54191003242423d-103.html#unique-entry-id-103</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Of course, we do not want students (or other staff members) to be able to access an individual&rsquo;s email nor files that are not being shared collaboratively via a team wiki or email. 

...When you want students to use your computer, to share their documents from the server, to create a new document, or to use the Internet, you first need to log-out of the computer. ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Converting Appleworks Documents</title><dc:creator>jason.klein@ccsd21.org</dc:creator><category>Tech Tips</category><dc:date>2010-04-25T15:07:42-05:00</dc:date><link>http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/73f709e0357fac07494fe9eb796f3c8c-102.html#unique-entry-id-102</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/73f709e0357fac07494fe9eb796f3c8c-102.html#unique-entry-id-102</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[When you want to open one of these files, first you need to click the document so that it is highlighted in your Documents folder (or the folder within your Documents folder in which the file resides). 

...Once you have the file open in Numbers or Pages, you can re-save it as an Excel file (.xls) for spreadsheets or a Word file (.doc) for word processing documents. ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Prolong Laptop Battery Life</title><dc:creator>jason.klein@ccsd21.org</dc:creator><category>Tech Tips</category><dc:date>2010-04-25T07:24:23-05:00</dc:date><link>http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/acc9ff3dfcefcbb894220f7ed3d38b89-101.html#unique-entry-id-101</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/acc9ff3dfcefcbb894220f7ed3d38b89-101.html#unique-entry-id-101</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[We have left the Bluetooth radio in the computer open to use, though, so staff members can take advantage of it when they are outside the District or if it should be needed in the future for a specific accessory at school.   When your Bluetooth setting is on, which it is by default, the computer is constantly using power to search for other Bluetooth devices that might be in range to connect to. ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Staff Laptops &#x26; Personal Insurance</title><dc:creator>jason.klein@ccsd21.org</dc:creator><category>Tech Tips</category><dc:date>2010-04-25T07:13:12-05:00</dc:date><link>http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/acd953487a22a01f9abd0cf6fef6107c-100.html#unique-entry-id-100</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/acd953487a22a01f9abd0cf6fef6107c-100.html#unique-entry-id-100</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[While we have only had a small amount of experience with lost or stolen laptops up until this point, we have seen personal homeowners/renters insurance used to reimburse the value of the laptop.   Finally, in the event that a staff member does need to utilize her or his insurance to provide reimbursement for the laptop, the District will provide a proof of the model and value of the laptop assigned to the staff member.
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>The Microsoft User Data Folder</title><dc:creator>jason.klein@ccsd21.org</dc:creator><category>Tech Tips</category><dc:date>2010-04-18T23:48:31-05:00</dc:date><link>http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/cd0b3b36596ff61ce241538ef9af4be7-99.html#unique-entry-id-99</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/cd0b3b36596ff61ce241538ef9af4be7-99.html#unique-entry-id-99</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[This folder is auto-created by Microsoft Office and holds important user data related to the applications in Office 2008.


While typically your Documents folders is a place that you should put what you want, move items around, etc., the Microsoft User Data folder should never be touched if you want your Office applications to most consistently work!]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Syncing Your Home Directory</title><dc:creator>jason.klein@ccsd21.org</dc:creator><category>Tech Tips</category><dc:date>2010-04-18T23:09:25-05:00</dc:date><link>http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/b3bbc4e83d47f06c4f468eb04b577b9b-98.html#unique-entry-id-98</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/b3bbc4e83d47f06c4f468eb04b577b9b-98.html#unique-entry-id-98</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[If you forget to log out before leaving the district, the computer will be looking for the District server once you open your computer at home, and it will not be able to find it. ...  You may notice some sync errors when you log out, so it is best to get in the habit of logging out at the end of the day--each and every day!
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Using Sync Home Now Manually</title><dc:creator>jason.klein@ccsd21.org</dc:creator><category>Tech Tips</category><dc:date>2010-04-18T22:55:07-05:00</dc:date><link>http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/2c791fc4c3dbd5956136d1bd4ad27885-97.html#unique-entry-id-97</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/2c791fc4c3dbd5956136d1bd4ad27885-97.html#unique-entry-id-97</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[If you look in the upper-right-hand corner of the menu bar, and click on the Portable Home Directory icon, you will see an option labeled &ldquo;Sync Home Now&rdquo;. 


...However, underneath this same option, you can ease your mind and verify this fact because it will tell you the time of the last home sync.
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Staff MacBooks and Summer</title><dc:creator>jason.klein@ccsd21.org</dc:creator><category>Tech Tips</category><dc:date>2010-04-18T22:53:40-05:00</dc:date><link>http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/c90851b94389ad66a5b78cf986ca77bc-96.html#unique-entry-id-96</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/c90851b94389ad66a5b78cf986ca77bc-96.html#unique-entry-id-96</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Since the initial Staff MacBooks are being distributed late in the 2009-2010 school year, you will keep them through the summer of 2010.   However, in future years, we will most likely require the computers to be brought back for short windows of time (i.e., three weeks) during the summer in order to do updates and maintenance. ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Storing Pictures on Your Staff MacBook</title><dc:creator>jason.klein@ccsd21.org</dc:creator><category>Tech Tips</category><dc:date>2010-04-18T22:10:21-05:00</dc:date><link>http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/55883c4cca7d720c56644dc1b2cdf6ad-95.html#unique-entry-id-95</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/55883c4cca7d720c56644dc1b2cdf6ad-95.html#unique-entry-id-95</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Now your photos are saved in iPhoto and you may remove the connection to your device by clicking the eject icon next to where your camera is listed in the left column of iPhoto.


...If you already have photos in your Documents or on your Desktop, you can--and should--move these photos to iPhoto by simply dragging the picture over the iPhoto icon in the dock (pictured below). ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Use of Flashdrives</title><dc:creator>jason.klein@ccsd21.org</dc:creator><category>Tech Tips</category><dc:date>2010-04-18T22:01:21-05:00</dc:date><link>http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/94d3fb981c6bdd31a1036a4e2b5759e1-94.html#unique-entry-id-94</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/94d3fb981c6bdd31a1036a4e2b5759e1-94.html#unique-entry-id-94</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[If you are using your staff laptop as intended, there really should be no reason to use flashdrives. ...  If you do find yourself needing to transfer or archive data (perhaps movies, music, or pictures), your best option is to burn these onto disks, such as CD or DVD.  ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Changing Email Fonts &#x26; Colors in Entourage 2008</title><dc:creator>jason.klein@ccsd21.org</dc:creator><category>Tech Tips</category><dc:date>2010-04-18T19:59:13-05:00</dc:date><link>http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/ff1a4f0c78c52c867e790178eca7b037-93.html#unique-entry-id-93</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/ff1a4f0c78c52c867e790178eca7b037-93.html#unique-entry-id-93</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[On the right-hand side, you can choose how to set different parts of your message to different font sizes and styles by using the drop-down menus.  

...When choosing fonts, colors, and styles, please remember that your text communicates voice and tone in an email, so when choosing to use bold characters, all uppercase letters, and/or specific colors, you are communicating non-verbal cues via email. ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Printing at School from Staff MacBooks</title><dc:creator>jason.klein@ccsd21.org</dc:creator><category>Tech Tips</category><dc:date>2010-04-18T18:54:53-05:00</dc:date><link>http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/420e9431b501181bfd61c8ff4a6ba416-92.html#unique-entry-id-92</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/420e9431b501181bfd61c8ff4a6ba416-92.html#unique-entry-id-92</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[If you find that you need a printer that is not included in the list, you can add it yourself by following the directions labeled Adding a District Printer (to be published shortly and linked here!).   These instructions will work anywhere within the District, so if you go to a different building within the District and would like to add the printer, you can, and it will stick in your list of preferred printers on your Staff MacBook.
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Using Active Directory Contacts in Entourage from Home</title><dc:creator>jason.klein@ccsd21.org</dc:creator><category>Tech Tips</category><dc:date>2010-04-18T18:34:42-05:00</dc:date><link>http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/1e2b452f16888de7f331c68bf2b799ba-91.html#unique-entry-id-91</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/1e2b452f16888de7f331c68bf2b799ba-91.html#unique-entry-id-91</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[If you are using Entourage 2008 from home, when you begin to enter an email address, Entourage 2008 will remember the email addresses of people you&rsquo;ve recently emailed or who have recently emailed you as well as the users that will pop up from Active Directory.  

...If/when you use Outlook Web App (OWA/Exchange Webmail) feature through your web browser, only the users that you&rsquo;ve written to before will be stored.
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Preparing Your Home Directory</title><dc:creator>jason.klein@ccsd21.org</dc:creator><category>Tech Tips</category><dc:date>2010-03-14T12:20:06-05:00</dc:date><link>http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/42d58f071b80195417b2295b2069de77-90.html#unique-entry-id-90</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/42d58f071b80195417b2295b2069de77-90.html#unique-entry-id-90</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Now, with the MacBooks, they will exist on the laptop, and that home directory will sync to the server when the user is in the District.


...For staff members who are assigned an individual computer for their use, such as a Staff MacBook, this home directory will automatically sync from the server to your computer when the Technology Office team sets up your computer. ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Moving from CommuniGate to Exchange</title><dc:creator>jason.klein@ccsd21.org</dc:creator><category>Tech Tips</category><dc:date>2010-03-14T11:52:47-05:00</dc:date><link>http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/c1ca7c1c90299e064e520f01c2e658ba-89.html#unique-entry-id-89</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/c1ca7c1c90299e064e520f01c2e658ba-89.html#unique-entry-id-89</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[(Central Office staff in the Business Office, Human Resources, and Operations will use Outlook 2007 as the client through which they will use to access their Exchange 2010 email, calendar, contacts, tasks, and notes. 

...Rather, it is recommended that if you would like to archive certain emails, you should do so by saving them as PDFs and filing them as documents in your home directory. ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Administrators&#x27; Ideas about Relevant Schools</title><dc:creator>jason.klein@ccsd21.org</dc:creator><category>Instruction</category><dc:date>2009-09-06T08:02:02-05:00</dc:date><link>http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/4011750b2db30c11fe5165d393f499e8-88.html#unique-entry-id-88</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/4011750b2db30c11fe5165d393f499e8-88.html#unique-entry-id-88</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[After the staff members new to District 21 completed their podcast with their thoughts regarding how to make school relevant for our students in the 21st Century, school administrators throughout District 21 were able to participate in the same workshop during the second week of school.   They have also recorded their thoughts about how they can and will make schools relevant in their own podcast.
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>New Staff Members Commit to Relevance</title><dc:creator>jason.klein@ccsd21.org</dc:creator><category>Instruction</category><dc:date>2009-08-20T07:56:54-05:00</dc:date><link>http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/2081f9a47ae37eebcc3ae0573efec6a6-87.html#unique-entry-id-87</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/2081f9a47ae37eebcc3ae0573efec6a6-87.html#unique-entry-id-87</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[At this year&rsquo;s School District 21 New Teacher Orientation, staff members new to School District 21 learned about all facets of School District 21 from assessment and curriculum to special education and the instruction of English language learners.


New certified staff members also spent time considering the impact of the dramatic changes that the world has witnessed over the past two decades in the areas of technology and economics; changes which have effectively decreased the size of our world and increased the interdependence of all people on one another.
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Accessing New Servers</title><dc:creator>jason.klein@ccsd21.org</dc:creator><category>Tech Tips</category><dc:date>2009-08-08T01:29:04-05:00</dc:date><link>http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/418a09a8afbca0e9316c344c2f72e9d4-86.html#unique-entry-id-86</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/418a09a8afbca0e9316c344c2f72e9d4-86.html#unique-entry-id-86</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[With the addition of staff laptops and the move of all staff members over to the Exchange Email, Calendar, Contacts, and Tasks Productivity Server, we are instituting a new consistent username standard that will minimize the number of conflicts between District 21 students and staff members who have similar (or the same) names. 

...Please note: Assuming you were not already in Active Directory* at the end of the 2008-2009 school year**, the first time you login to the new server, you will need to do so from a computer running OS 10.4 or 10.5 that has already been connected to Active Directory. ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Web Link--Tools for 21st Century Learning</title><dc:creator>jason.klein@ccsd21.org</dc:creator><category>Instruction</category><dc:date>2009-02-21T09:00:11-06:00</dc:date><link>http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/030e2fce9c9bfa33360b301102611b8b-85.html#unique-entry-id-85</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/030e2fce9c9bfa33360b301102611b8b-85.html#unique-entry-id-85</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Learning in Hand is a website devoted to the tools of 21st Century Learning--Podcasts, Blogs, Wikis, Netbooks, and more.


...For more information on 21st Century Skills, visit the Partnership for 21st Century Skills.
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>More Space in the Web Gradebook</title><dc:creator>jason.klein@ccsd21.org</dc:creator><category>PowerSchool</category><dc:date>2009-01-25T07:03:44-06:00</dc:date><link>http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/2e0d81c5a12446036911016a881494bf-84.html#unique-entry-id-84</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/2e0d81c5a12446036911016a881494bf-84.html#unique-entry-id-84</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Throughout our professional development with the Web Gradebook, we have learned that we can re-size column width and the size of sub-windows within the main window by clicking on the borders between columns or sections of the Gradebook and dragging.


...It will eliminate the icons, and you will see just the names of the tabs giving you more vertical space within the screen!
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Quick Entry with the Reporting Term Filter</title><dc:creator>jason.klein@ccsd21.org</dc:creator><category>PowerSchool</category><dc:date>2009-01-25T06:57:32-06:00</dc:date><link>http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/d3c6d05078f9e2ee967d7878b3f8bf21-83.html#unique-entry-id-83</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/d3c6d05078f9e2ee967d7878b3f8bf21-83.html#unique-entry-id-83</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[When you add a new assessment at this point, it is placed in chronological order--typically all the way over to the right side of the screen if it is the newest assessment.


One very easy tip that can help &ldquo;clean up&rdquo; your Scoresheet screen while you enter is to use the &ldquo;Reporting Term&rdquo; filter pull-down menu near the top of the Web Gradebook window.
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Select Multiple Menu Items</title><dc:creator>jason.klein@ccsd21.org</dc:creator><category>Tech Tips</category><category>PowerSchool</category><dc:date>2009-01-19T20:46:41-06:00</dc:date><link>http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/3e8e038a95a146da2e006c027b84811a-82.html#unique-entry-id-82</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/3e8e038a95a146da2e006c027b84811a-82.html#unique-entry-id-82</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[When working with lists on a computer, including in PowerSchool and the PowerTeacher Web Gradebook, you may want to select multiple items from that list at one time. 

...While holding down either the command (Mac) or control (Windows/Linux) key, click on the other items you want selected.
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Avoid Phishing Scams&#x21;</title><dc:creator>jason.klein@ccsd21.org</dc:creator><category>Tech Tips</category><dc:date>2009-01-14T09:43:28-06:00</dc:date><link>http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/15a1ee97d60976dfd8d43557a8be58c6-81.html#unique-entry-id-81</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/15a1ee97d60976dfd8d43557a8be58c6-81.html#unique-entry-id-81</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Today, email is often used, and much of the world&rsquo;s problem with viruses and identity theft is the result, not of computer or technological issues, but of us actually clicking on something that we should not.


...In spite of this being more professional than most spam, it is still pretty easy to detect that there is nothing to worry about and that the email should simply be deleted. ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Tips for Good Slideshows &#x26; Presentations</title><dc:creator>jason.klein@ccsd21.org</dc:creator><category>Tech Tips</category><category>Workshops</category><dc:date>2008-12-13T12:47:13-06:00</dc:date><link>http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/4dbfa03452b3301fd56b780606a7919b-80.html#unique-entry-id-80</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/4dbfa03452b3301fd56b780606a7919b-80.html#unique-entry-id-80</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Over the past year, on multiple occasions, we have offered a workshop helping CCSD21 staff members develop more effective presentations than those traditionally that have been developed, particularly professional presentations given to other adults, such as for a workshop or a Curriculum Night.   Many of the important tips, which are also captured in this Modern Pen post, are also well defined by these two older blog posts that were identified on the web by Longfellow Learning Coach Catherine Joy and Tarkington Learning Coach Tracy Crowley. ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Where&#x27;s the Final Grade?</title><dc:creator>jason.klein@ccsd21.org</dc:creator><category>PowerSchool</category><dc:date>2008-11-25T20:20:03-06:00</dc:date><link>http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/b64e109b234d7268351b224b3bef4468-79.html#unique-entry-id-79</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/b64e109b234d7268351b224b3bef4468-79.html#unique-entry-id-79</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[When you do this, the mouse will change from being a single, big arrow to being a small line with arrows coming out from it in both directions (right and left).


...Another way to see your final grades (and all of a student&rsquo;s final grades) is by going in to Quick Lookup for a particular student. ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Suggested Learner Quality Categories</title><dc:creator>jason.klein@ccsd21.org</dc:creator><category>PowerSchool</category><dc:date>2008-11-19T09:27:05-06:00</dc:date><link>http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/2096ed21a21a49d60ffa935846ceaa09-78.html#unique-entry-id-78</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/2096ed21a21a49d60ffa935846ceaa09-78.html#unique-entry-id-78</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Categories marked with an asterisk or two asterisks are categories that make sense and represent an important component of the Learner Quality but which we do not believe most of us are prepared to assess at this time.   It is not recommended that teams create these categories as of yet, but it is recommended that as teams continue discussing student assessment, they consider these aspects of the Learner Qualities.
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Final Grade = N/A</title><dc:creator>jason.klein@ccsd21.org</dc:creator><category>PowerSchool</category><dc:date>2008-11-17T20:26:40-06:00</dc:date><link>http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/acea5fdbc5ce226bb2ddbbafcd6d198d-77.html#unique-entry-id-77</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/acea5fdbc5ce226bb2ddbbafcd6d198d-77.html#unique-entry-id-77</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[The final grade column is a calculation that is done at the server level, and due to how Java works as a platform for application development, this is only calculated when the data is stored (and sent back to the server). 

...What you are entering is going to change the students grade--just click &ldquo;Save&rdquo; to see the results...]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>&#x22;Instructional&#x22; Categories</title><dc:creator>jason.klein@ccsd21.org</dc:creator><category>PowerSchool</category><dc:date>2008-11-16T07:05:14-06:00</dc:date><link>http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/e599dc74d9f7858fc3362f9afcc5c6b4-76.html#unique-entry-id-76</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/e599dc74d9f7858fc3362f9afcc5c6b4-76.html#unique-entry-id-76</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[These categories can be used for all kinds of analysis, but the nature of the information that we receive back from the aforementioned categories is not that useful to us as teachers. 

...Well, if you have three or more assignments that are similar and do not fit, create a category for them that defines them based on the content/concepts or skills assessed. ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Middle School Learner Quality Entry</title><dc:creator>jason.klein@ccsd21.org</dc:creator><category>PowerSchool</category><dc:date>2008-11-15T10:13:02-06:00</dc:date><link>http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/6564798c6b790ede60236ae194a705ad-75.html#unique-entry-id-75</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/6564798c6b790ede60236ae194a705ad-75.html#unique-entry-id-75</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[In cases where Learner Quality grades have not been collected throughout the trimester and where the teacher or team is going to identify that students overall final grade for each Learner Quality and then enter, the process of entering these grades should literally take less than five minutes to enter each LQ for an entire team (i.e., all of the kids)!


...Since most students will, hopefully, earn a 3 in each Learner Quality, the teacher entering the Learner Qualities can use the Fill Scores feature (page 38 in the manual) to help him or her by filling a &ldquo;3&rdquo; for all of the students first. ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Some Web Gradebook Category Questions</title><dc:creator>jason.klein@ccsd21.org</dc:creator><category>PowerSchool</category><dc:date>2008-11-15T09:37:43-06:00</dc:date><link>http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/8d3330a99fb24a162c44f96206e9a87d-74.html#unique-entry-id-74</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/8d3330a99fb24a162c44f96206e9a87d-74.html#unique-entry-id-74</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[As we&rsquo;ve discussed, though, they do not provide us with any additional significant information that we can use to guide instruction and to do analysis of students' work. 

...&ldquo;Also, if a team adds or renames a category (to a power standard, skill, unit like VTM, etc.) and then needs to change it down the line because it is no longer applicable - power standards change, topics change, etc. - will those categories now be permanent and not able to be deleted like the defaults?&rdquo;
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Full Screen Thin Client (RDC)</title><dc:creator>jason.klein@ccsd21.org</dc:creator><category>Tech Tips</category><dc:date>2008-11-10T08:38:43-06:00</dc:date><link>http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/c632b3921b7fe9c75944c2f8bb5c3740-73.html#unique-entry-id-73</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/c632b3921b7fe9c75944c2f8bb5c3740-73.html#unique-entry-id-73</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[	&bull;	While in Full Screen, you CAN still see your Mac&rsquo;s dock and menu bar by dragging your mouse all the way to that part of the screen and holding it there. 

...In full screen on the PC, you will see a little bar at the top of the screen that features a minimize (_), maximize, and close (X) buttons. ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Sort assignments by category?</title><dc:creator>jason.klein@ccsd21.org</dc:creator><category>PowerSchool</category><dc:date>2008-11-10T08:28:58-06:00</dc:date><link>http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/8f78d55148f43c48fd4dec84c638aed6-72.html#unique-entry-id-72</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/8f78d55148f43c48fd4dec84c638aed6-72.html#unique-entry-id-72</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[As we have discussed in round 2 of the PowerTeacher Web Gradebook professional development sessions, this is a great, great way (and one of two really easy, meaningful ways) to analyze student performance within that particular Concept/Content/Skill. 

...To see this in action, participate in the Categories lesson (Lesson 4) in the PowerTeacher Web Gradebook course in SchoolTown.net.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Bad Request &#x21;?&#x21;</title><dc:creator>jason.klein@ccsd21.org</dc:creator><category>PowerSchool</category><category>Tech Tips</category><dc:date>2008-11-09T21:24:17-06:00</dc:date><link>http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/b8b85bd396513790dbdf38dd887836e7-71.html#unique-entry-id-71</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/b8b85bd396513790dbdf38dd887836e7-71.html#unique-entry-id-71</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[So, you have sat down at one of the shiny new iMacs to log on to use PowerTeacher and the PowerTeacher Web Gradebook. 

...While we are, and have been for months, investigating this issue with Apple, Mozilla, and PowerSchool, here is the quick fix thanks to Kevin at Poe:
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>First Online Course Debuts</title><dc:creator>jason.klein@ccsd21.org</dc:creator><category>Instruction</category><category>PowerSchool</category><dc:date>2008-10-27T23:15:40-05:00</dc:date><link>http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/bf8e45085d21c01ac40fe8c10722557b-70.html#unique-entry-id-70</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/bf8e45085d21c01ac40fe8c10722557b-70.html#unique-entry-id-70</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[As I have mentioned publicly and personally to 3rd through 8th grade teachers, future online courses will likely look slightly different as this one as approximately 450 students enrolled, including all 3rd through 8th grade teachers, administrators, Learning Coaches, and iTech teachers. 

...We have been working closely with SchoolTown&rsquo;s leadership team since last spring, and they have made significant changes to their product as a result of our conversations and suggestions&mdash;right up through today. ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Printing ALL of a Student&#x27;s Grades</title><dc:creator>jason.klein@ccsd21.org</dc:creator><category>PowerSchool</category><dc:date>2008-10-27T22:00:14-05:00</dc:date><link>http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/f9f774ee729a9e321a210b6a0603b07d-69.html#unique-entry-id-69</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/f9f774ee729a9e321a210b6a0603b07d-69.html#unique-entry-id-69</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[While this will print a multi-page report for each student, if you simply go in the Math class, and run this report for all of the kids, you should only have two minutes of work while the computer and the printer do all of the worker as you do other things!


(When they're done printing, you will probably need to staple them, and you may want to sort them by homeroom--or whatever groups you are meeting with for conferences.)
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>The Presidential Election</title><dc:creator>jason.klein@ccsd21.org</dc:creator><category>Instruction</category><dc:date>2008-10-27T10:40:18-05:00</dc:date><link>http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/24851ac0e81fd58dc1adc999f9ef2763-68.html#unique-entry-id-68</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/24851ac0e81fd58dc1adc999f9ef2763-68.html#unique-entry-id-68</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[With Election Day looming, there are a couple of great websites that can be used with  students as you consider what may occur on Election Day. 

...*Special thanks to retired District 21 staff member Hugh Brady for pointing us in the direction of these websites.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Mobile Phones--Everywhere&#x21;?&#x21;</title><dc:creator>jason.klein@ccsd21.org</dc:creator><category>Global Tech</category><dc:date>2008-10-05T12:45:05-05:00</dc:date><link>http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/2328fcdd0bcc6ae62f1ba03c66914172-67.html#unique-entry-id-67</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/2328fcdd0bcc6ae62f1ba03c66914172-67.html#unique-entry-id-67</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[We even know that Internet access is only related in a minor way to income--meaning that there are many low income families that have Internet access as well as families not classified as low income that do not have Internet access. 

...It is now predicted that by 2012 nearly every adult in the world (and many adolescents) will have his or her own mobile phone, which, of course, will also include some form of Internet access.
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Missing a Student?</title><dc:creator>jason.klein@ccsd21.org</dc:creator><category>PowerSchool</category><dc:date>2008-10-05T11:23:17-05:00</dc:date><link>http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/8b090537cbaacb3357df0b6af90bd4d5-66.html#unique-entry-id-66</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/8b090537cbaacb3357df0b6af90bd4d5-66.html#unique-entry-id-66</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Students who are classified as Tier A or B based on their reading, writing, listening, and speaking proficiencies in English and are enrolled in a Bilingual program (Spanish, Russian, or Polish) are enrolled in L1 Reading & Language Arts and ESL Reading & Language Arts in place of Reading and Writing/Language Arts.   Students who are in a Bilingual program and are classified as Tier C or ESL program students are enrolled in ESL Reading & Language Arts in place of Reading and Writing/Language Arts. ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Where can I use the Web Gradebook?</title><dc:creator>jason.klein@ccsd21.org</dc:creator><category>PowerSchool</category><dc:date>2008-10-01T22:03:27-05:00</dc:date><link>http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/44c153d92a4142fe4c95ead4d23f5e37-65.html#unique-entry-id-65</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/44c153d92a4142fe4c95ead4d23f5e37-65.html#unique-entry-id-65</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[In addition, in the elementary schools, there are about 10 iBook G4 laptop computers that can be used with the Web Gradebook.   In the middle schools, the PCs in the Tech Lab can also be used if the correct version of Java is loaded on to to them (like those below).
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>PowerTeacher Worked Before&#x21;?&#x21;</title><dc:creator>jason.klein@ccsd21.org</dc:creator><category>PowerSchool</category><dc:date>2008-09-27T11:05:14-05:00</dc:date><link>http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/04e4947f538ed6737dc70a8e426b976b-64.html#unique-entry-id-64</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/04e4947f538ed6737dc70a8e426b976b-64.html#unique-entry-id-64</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[If you are still connected (i.e., you can visit other websites in your web browser.), then this was not likely the problem. 

...From Pearson, the makers of PowerSchool and PowerTeacher, here are directions for clearing your Java Cache, if you should need to do so.
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Printing in Thin Client (RDC)</title><dc:creator>jason.klein@ccsd21.org</dc:creator><category>Tech Tips</category><dc:date>2008-09-24T19:27:31-05:00</dc:date><link>http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/a6ecd9aa509120b34c15e337ad4e6294-63.html#unique-entry-id-63</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/a6ecd9aa509120b34c15e337ad4e6294-63.html#unique-entry-id-63</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[So, if you are on a Mac at school or a PC or a Mac at home, it needs to be set to print to a printer from its regular programs, such as a word processor or the web browser. 

...Then, when you go to print in Thin Client (File > Print), you can choose from among the same printers that are available on your local machine as you can see in the picture below.
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Correctly Quitting the Web Gradebook</title><dc:creator>jason.klein@ccsd21.org</dc:creator><category>PowerSchool</category><dc:date>2008-09-23T09:39:40-05:00</dc:date><link>http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/43444dea644f78151b4b6114619c1636-62.html#unique-entry-id-62</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/43444dea644f78151b4b6114619c1636-62.html#unique-entry-id-62</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[If you do not quit out of the Web Gradebook correctly, you and/or your teammates will see the dialog box upon your next login that asks if you want to &ldquo;Terminate Other Users Session&rdquo;. 

...When you are done with your Web Gradebook session, go to PowerTeacher Gradebook in the menu bar at the top of the screen. ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Want to move a student&#x27;s group?</title><dc:creator>jason.klein@ccsd21.org</dc:creator><category>PowerSchool</category><dc:date>2008-09-23T09:17:09-05:00</dc:date><link>http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/0fcd474f59dcc647afcf06dca4e13359-61.html#unique-entry-id-61</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/0fcd474f59dcc647afcf06dca4e13359-61.html#unique-entry-id-61</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[On the left column in the Student Groups section, click on the triangles next to the groups to expand the groups so you can see the names of all of the kids in the groups.


...While still holding the mouse button down, drag the student&rsquo;s name over the name of the group TO which you want to move that student. ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Slow Gradebook on 10.4?</title><dc:creator>jason.klein@ccsd21.org</dc:creator><category>PowerSchool</category><dc:date>2008-09-12T19:30:43-05:00</dc:date><link>http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/722a0d8f107ed8e2494bc5322fec61ac-60.html#unique-entry-id-60</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/722a0d8f107ed8e2494bc5322fec61ac-60.html#unique-entry-id-60</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Our friends and colleagues in nearby Prospect Heights School District 23 have discovered that performance is significantly improved if you have completed all of the OS 10.4 system updates to OS 10.4.11. 

...If you have not installed these system updates, simply click on the Apple icon in the upper left corner of your screen and click on Software Update.
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Exempt One Student&#x27;s Score from Final Grade</title><dc:creator>jason.klein@ccsd21.org</dc:creator><category>PowerSchool</category><dc:date>2008-09-08T21:33:18-05:00</dc:date><link>http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/b7cb886bca12780e8fc0bd43452c1aa7-59.html#unique-entry-id-59</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/b7cb886bca12780e8fc0bd43452c1aa7-59.html#unique-entry-id-59</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[One of the coolest features currently included in the PowerTeacher Web Gradebook is the ability to eliminate an assignment/assessment or an entire category from the Final Grade of all of the students&rsquo; grades. 

...(You actually could do this in PowerGrade, too, but in the Web Gradebook, you can also include the student&rsquo;s score on the assessment in the Gradebook, and you can still exempt it.)
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Student Record Error</title><dc:creator>jason.klein@ccsd21.org</dc:creator><category>PowerSchool</category><dc:date>2008-09-08T21:17:24-05:00</dc:date><link>http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/69e775231e6b7fbc8412ed5f204f09b1-58.html#unique-entry-id-58</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/69e775231e6b7fbc8412ed5f204f09b1-58.html#unique-entry-id-58</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Have you clicked in the backpack to get more information about a student, such as a phone number, historical grades, or to look at Quick Lookup? 

...After you have submitted this new default student screen, you can re-choose your preferred default student screen, and click &ldquo;Submit&rdquo; (again).
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Assignment Entry Error</title><dc:creator>jason.klein@ccsd21.org</dc:creator><category>PowerSchool</category><dc:date>2008-09-08T07:33:15-05:00</dc:date><link>http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/6b2e36ea83f610d2a3a5e4f2eced78e5-57.html#unique-entry-id-57</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/6b2e36ea83f610d2a3a5e4f2eced78e5-57.html#unique-entry-id-57</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[You may have entered more than 15 characters in the abbreviation field--particularly, if you let PowerTeacher auto-fill the abbreviation for you.


...The abbreviation field auto-fills the name of your assignment, so you must be sure to shorten the name, if necessary. ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Smartphones &#x26; District 21 Email</title><dc:creator>jason.klein@ccsd21.org</dc:creator><category>Tech Tips</category><dc:date>2008-08-20T20:33:44-05:00</dc:date><link>http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/fad4b7d12f95caa383c40264bbb6094b-56.html#unique-entry-id-56</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/fad4b7d12f95caa383c40264bbb6094b-56.html#unique-entry-id-56</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Unfortunately, due to the configuration of our firewall and the CommuniGate email server, you can only access it outside of School District 21 using webmail via a web browser, such as Firefox, Safari, Flock, or Internet Explorer. 

...At the same time, please be aware that over the next year and a half, we will be migrating all of District 21&rsquo;s employees to our new e-mail, calendar, and contacts server--which uses Microsoft&rsquo;s Exchange server solution. ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Summer Project? Appleworks to Word</title><dc:creator>jason.klein@ccsd21.org</dc:creator><category>Tech Tips</category><dc:date>2008-05-28T21:01:38-05:00</dc:date><link>http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/7947e62168a9c5f005eee488fb2eb222-55.html#unique-entry-id-55</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/7947e62168a9c5f005eee488fb2eb222-55.html#unique-entry-id-55</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Converting to .doc format documents, the basic format of Microsoft Word until recently will allow you to open your documents for a long time in lots of different software, including Microsoft Word on a Mac or on Windows, Apple's Pages on a Mac, OpenOffice on Linux, Mac, or Windows, or NeoOffice on a Mac, among others.


There are lots of ways to convert your documents, and in most cases, you will need to do a little fine-tuning of the new Word document. ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>A Day with Dr. Heidi Hayes Jacobs</title><dc:creator>jason.klein@ccsd21.org</dc:creator><category>Instruction</category><category>Assessment</category><category>Teaming</category><dc:date>2008-05-02T09:17:55-05:00</dc:date><link>http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/fbdd2df60dd8adc5e24d134c2497e341-54.html#unique-entry-id-54</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/fbdd2df60dd8adc5e24d134c2497e341-54.html#unique-entry-id-54</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[(If it were based on an agricultural society, the kids would be off in September and October to help with the harvest and in school during the summer when there's not much to do except hope you have the right mix of rain and sun for your crops!)


...You do need to be a reading specialist and use other assessment tools, too, in order to determine if she is "where we want her to be" with her reading and if she has shown "as much growth as she should have shown".
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Right Click on a Mac</title><dc:creator>jason.klein@ccsd21.org</dc:creator><category>Tech Tips</category><dc:date>2008-04-29T19:25:38-05:00</dc:date><link>http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/4fc48e00efa05ad57430ed1d431fad67-53.html#unique-entry-id-53</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/4fc48e00efa05ad57430ed1d431fad67-53.html#unique-entry-id-53</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[If you have a USB, two-button mouse, that can be plugged in to the Mac and used as we do throughout our schools. ...  If you have a one-button mouse or are using a Mac laptop, you can hold down the control key (ctrl) and then click the mouse button. ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Spam</title><dc:creator>jason.klein@ccsd21.org</dc:creator><category>Tech Tips</category><dc:date>2008-04-21T19:55:26-05:00</dc:date><link>http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/0d0b2d6b9b6a2f58519a846fe45f63ba-52.html#unique-entry-id-52</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/0d0b2d6b9b6a2f58519a846fe45f63ba-52.html#unique-entry-id-52</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[While we ought not yet be convinced that Wikipedia, the Internet's communal and editable encyclopedia is the best source of students to gather information, it is the perfect place to find general technology definitions of something like spam. 

...Second, when you receive e-mails from people you do not know, delete them--particularly if there is an attachment or if the subject tells you that you've just won some money! ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Extensions--An important surname for files&#x21;</title><dc:creator>jason.klein@ccsd21.org</dc:creator><category>Tech Tips</category><dc:date>2008-04-17T19:31:04-05:00</dc:date><link>http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/bf1197d75ae12600c60f8b2b1fadf4d8-51.html#unique-entry-id-51</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/bf1197d75ae12600c60f8b2b1fadf4d8-51.html#unique-entry-id-51</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[There are converters for both Windows and Mac computers that allow one to convert a file from the XML format (i.e., .docx) to a standard Office file (.doc). ...  So, if you are working at home on a computer with a newer version of Office or if your students are doing so, learn and teach everyone to use the standard file to make collaborating and sharing such files easier!
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Professional Presentations</title><dc:creator>jason.klein@ccsd21.org</dc:creator><category>Workshops</category><dc:date>2008-04-10T13:50:00-05:00</dc:date><link>http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/70f4f1c72ab250734553e14f534b72ab-50.html#unique-entry-id-50</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/70f4f1c72ab250734553e14f534b72ab-50.html#unique-entry-id-50</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[A longer, work-focused version of this workshop will be held in August 2008 prior to the start of the 2008-2009 school year.


In addition to the materials that were shared during the presentation, the following links provide useful information about creating the best possible professional presentations for parents and other educators. ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>&#xa1;Typing in Espa&#xf1;ol&#x21;</title><dc:creator>jason.klein@ccsd21.org</dc:creator><category>Tech Tips</category><dc:date>2008-03-15T22:58:35-05:00</dc:date><link>http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/fe9b3034d6d284ad4947240af2ca253d-49.html#unique-entry-id-49</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/fe9b3034d6d284ad4947240af2ca253d-49.html#unique-entry-id-49</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Of course, when writing in Spanish, there are additional characters that do not exist in English, and while it is no problem to include accents or punctuation marks when using handwriting, it is necessary to know how to create these same symbols in the computer--especially since leaving an accent out can dramatically change the meaning of a word or sentence and negatively impact communication with parents and/or students.


...A shortcut is when you typically use multiple keys at more-or-less the same time to quickly accomplish a task that otherwise must be down by using the menu bar at the top of the screen.
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Vocabulary Resources for English Language Learners</title><dc:creator>jason.klein@ccsd21.org</dc:creator><category>Instruction</category><dc:date>2008-03-06T21:27:43-06:00</dc:date><link>http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/3e5d72344909adfdd02beb635aef822c-48.html#unique-entry-id-48</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/3e5d72344909adfdd02beb635aef822c-48.html#unique-entry-id-48</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[From Rosemarie Meyer, our Assistant Superintendent of Bilingual and English-as-a-Second Language Programs, here are some PDFs that can provide useful support for providing all-important English-language vocabulary instruction for our students who are learning English.


...While explicit and consistent high-level academic content vocabulary instruction is important for all students in School District 21, such instruction is particularly important for students who are learning English.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Literature--Virtually On Tour</title><dc:creator>jason.klein@ccsd21.org</dc:creator><category>Instruction</category><dc:date>2008-01-18T19:13:37-06:00</dc:date><link>http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/3670514428778686bd85c3d2c611cd09-47.html#unique-entry-id-47</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/3670514428778686bd85c3d2c611cd09-47.html#unique-entry-id-47</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Even better, engage your students in creating virtual trips that not only follow the characters of a novel but that also provide critical commentary on the novel to demonstrate higher-level thinking. 

...In some of these projects additional information has been added by the students that they have created as links while in other projects the links simply take one to off-site content, such as Wikipedia entries. ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Managing E-mail</title><dc:creator>jason.klein@ccsd21.org</dc:creator><category>Tech Tips</category><dc:date>2008-01-17T17:16:27-06:00</dc:date><link>http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/b860dd257ba0d881ca2d5801223c00fc-46.html#unique-entry-id-46</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/b860dd257ba0d881ca2d5801223c00fc-46.html#unique-entry-id-46</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[While these are great tips, and they do really work, they also require tools that are not available currently to all District 21 staff members at this point through the CommuniGate webmail interface we use.


...Exchange is fully functional with Microsoft's Outlook e-mail/calendar/contacts/tasks software as well as "mostly" functional, and fully compatible, with Microsoft's Entourage 2008 for Mac, part of Microsoft's Office for Mac suite. ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Working Safely at the Coffee Shop</title><dc:creator>jason.klein@ccsd21.org</dc:creator><category>Tech Tips</category><dc:date>2008-01-17T17:08:39-06:00</dc:date><link>http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/15b9013241af3acb23c993e44863e576-45.html#unique-entry-id-45</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/15b9013241af3acb23c993e44863e576-45.html#unique-entry-id-45</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[With more District 21 laptops employed now than ever before, and with more and more District 21 employees owning their own laptops, they can take their work "on the go"--to the public library, a friend's house, or the local coffee shop.   While using wireless connections can be really exciting and very easy-to-use, it can also include increased risks to both your computer and the data with which you are working. ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Typing &#x22;Hidden&#x22; Characters</title><dc:creator>jason.klein@ccsd21.org</dc:creator><category>Tech Tips</category><dc:date>2008-01-17T16:29:11-06:00</dc:date><link>http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/0d4ada654644729ff8d55c858f2da115-44.html#unique-entry-id-44</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/0d4ada654644729ff8d55c858f2da115-44.html#unique-entry-id-44</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[A picture of the keyboard can be seen below, and it shows you what all of the keys will produce when holding down the option key.


...Below, you can see the handy list of keys and what each key produces when used in conjunction with the option key. ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Wikia--A New Collaborative Search Engine</title><dc:creator>jason.klein@ccsd21.org</dc:creator><category>Global Tech</category><dc:date>2008-01-08T09:51:00-06:00</dc:date><link>http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/b54231070b7ec9b2361caedf1897773f-43.html#unique-entry-id-43</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/b54231070b7ec9b2361caedf1897773f-43.html#unique-entry-id-43</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[It has initially been created by the founder of Wikipedia, and like Wikipedia, the idea is that it will be managed by everyone who uses it (and has the know-how to manage it and has the desire to do something to it). ...  They are based on a model of generating advertising revenue, and they keep very secret the formulas that are used to determine the order that web pages appear in the search listings. ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>The Listserv--A Tool for Communicating</title><dc:creator>jason.klein@ccsd21.org</dc:creator><category>Tech Tips</category><category>Instruction</category><dc:date>2008-01-17T09:39:48-06:00</dc:date><link>http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/c20e9612f7cba8a0be5da08b2c3848e6-42.html#unique-entry-id-42</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/c20e9612f7cba8a0be5da08b2c3848e6-42.html#unique-entry-id-42</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[At the school level, electronic subscription services for parents are great for sending out reminders about upcoming school events as well as for getting the word out quickly about last minute changes, such as a meeting or event cancellation due to weather. 

...Fifth, if you initiate or are part of a staff listserv, there should be clear rules communicated to everyone on the listserv about how it is to be used, and these rules do need to comply with our Acceptable Use Policy.
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>1 Link = Lots of Great Education Links</title><dc:creator>jason.klein@ccsd21.org</dc:creator><category>Instruction</category><category>Global Tech</category><dc:date>2007-11-26T23:21:29-06:00</dc:date><link>http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/b7fee1bed4e61a3d39df9f3310146177-41.html#unique-entry-id-41</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/b7fee1bed4e61a3d39df9f3310146177-41.html#unique-entry-id-41</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[While the process of supporting everyone through the successful implementation and distribution of report cards can be extraordinarily time consuming, upon doing a little bit of "web-surfing," it did seem necessary to share one important link that can take you out to all kinds of other really interesting and useful education links, The 2007 Edublog Awards website, a site which gives awards to education-related websites in number of different categories.    With second trimester underway, take a few moments from some professional learning of your own, and see how it can inspire you to create units and lessons that challenge even more students in even more effective ways!]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Exciting New Posts Coming</title><dc:creator>jason.klein@ccsd21.org</dc:creator><dc:subject>The Modern Pen</dc:subject><dc:date>2007-11-26T23:09:50-06:00</dc:date><link>http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/bd0c17e2ef5ab9e5934212b2998199d6-40.html#unique-entry-id-40</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/bd0c17e2ef5ab9e5934212b2998199d6-40.html#unique-entry-id-40</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Once report cards have been successfully distributed to School District 21's third through eighth grade students, there will be a series of new posts here on The Modern Pen.   These posts feature exciting instructional and assessment topics from the podcasts that are being created in elementary and middle school classrooms to a video which poses difficult questions and frames the challenges of educating our students' for their difficult-to-predict futures. ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Report Cards--What Prints?</title><dc:creator>jason.klein@ccsd21.org</dc:creator><category>Assessment</category><category>PowerSchool</category><dc:date>2007-11-26T23:05:11-06:00</dc:date><link>http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/d5d041379da859d1de18a63e67997803-39.html#unique-entry-id-39</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/d5d041379da859d1de18a63e67997803-39.html#unique-entry-id-39</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[As the hours count down until we begin to print the new intermediate report cards, one of the consistent questions that has arisen among teachers is, "What prints from PowerGrade and PowerSchool as a student's academic grade on the report card?" ...  This traditional "90, 80, 70, 60" scale is depicted in another post with an indication of the pluses and minuses that also exist in the scale. ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Elementary School Comments in Other Languages</title><dc:creator>jason.klein@ccsd21.org</dc:creator><category>PowerSchool</category><dc:date>2007-11-14T03:05:31-06:00</dc:date><link>http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/a2e7306a8c4210769a872b5752128484-38.html#unique-entry-id-38</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/a2e7306a8c4210769a872b5752128484-38.html#unique-entry-id-38</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[During this time, we have developed a number of creative solutions, and we are proud to say that we are in the final moments of successfully being the first known PowerSchool School District to produce report cards in four languages according to both PowerSchool and Phoenix Learning Systems.


...We believe that the following steps will allow comments to work without becoming garbled with other symbols as the accents and punctuation in Spanish are &ldquo;foreign&rdquo; to PowerSchool&rsquo;s programming and can corrupt&mdash;looking like a bunch of &ldquo;mumbo jumbo&rdquo; (the technical term!).
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Another Source for Help-PowerSchool &#x26; PowerGrade Themselves</title><dc:creator>jason.klein@ccsd21.org</dc:creator><category>PowerSchool</category><dc:date>2007-11-12T12:33:52-06:00</dc:date><link>http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/caf76f8d005eb70329dd97708e7c3a1c-37.html#unique-entry-id-37</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/caf76f8d005eb70329dd97708e7c3a1c-37.html#unique-entry-id-37</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Often times, this information is not as helpful for teachers as the materials that we have created from scratch that specifically explain our "situation" in District 21.   Nevertheless, if you have a question, this is another source that may provide your answer in either PowerSchool or PowerGrade!
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>If you wait to use PowerGrade until Thanksgiving&#x2c; read this&#x21;</title><dc:creator>jason.klein@ccsd21.org</dc:creator><category>PowerSchool</category><dc:date>2007-11-12T10:15:02-06:00</dc:date><link>http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/c31236abbc14148902139e51ceed035c-36.html#unique-entry-id-36</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/c31236abbc14148902139e51ceed035c-36.html#unique-entry-id-36</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[So, obviously, if you are entering your "one assignment" for the trimester on Thanksgiving morning (November 22nd), it will not show up unless you change the Preference setting.


...To ensure that this is the case, please be certain to date your assignment in the "Assignments" window, so it falls NO LATER THAN the last day of the trimester. ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Considering Extra Credit</title><dc:creator>jason.klein@ccsd21.org</dc:creator><category>Assessment</category><dc:date>2007-11-09T09:41:00-06:00</dc:date><link>http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/3e0a1d9b9df2e95e94a104610abb743f-35.html#unique-entry-id-35</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/3e0a1d9b9df2e95e94a104610abb743f-35.html#unique-entry-id-35</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Extra credit is a very interesting assessment topic that, while part of the "unquestioned" fabric of education culture and history in the United States, ought to be re-explored within the framework of assessment for learning.   Let's say, for example, that a teacher gives a weekly ten question geography quiz based on what the students have studied relating to geography from social science, science, and/or reading and literature. ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Grade Entry &#x26; Verification</title><dc:creator>jason.klein@ccsd21.org</dc:creator><category>PowerSchool</category><dc:date>2007-11-09T05:29:00-06:00</dc:date><link>http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/6aa7eb60f1997719bbe3dd3e28fd7cb7-34.html#unique-entry-id-34</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/6aa7eb60f1997719bbe3dd3e28fd7cb7-34.html#unique-entry-id-34</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[A district-wide timeline has been developed for the entry of grades, the verification of grades, and the printing of report cards for all three trimesters. 

...	&bull;	If there are changes that need to be made to an Academic grade, Learner Quality mark, and/or Comment, the teacher will make those changes in PowerGrade or PowerSchool by 9 AM on November 28th.
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Elementary Report Card Comments</title><dc:creator>jason.klein@ccsd21.org</dc:creator><category>PowerSchool</category><dc:date>2007-11-07T22:54:52-06:00</dc:date><link>http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/06b5e93eca61d9a5a87ea32b3c34ee21-33.html#unique-entry-id-33</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/06b5e93eca61d9a5a87ea32b3c34ee21-33.html#unique-entry-id-33</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[If you are a special area teacher, and you have a comment that you would like included on the report card, please pass that along to the student's homeroom teacher. ...  The homeroom teachers will need to have these comments entered by 9 AM on November 26th, the Monday that students and teachers return from Thanksgiving Break, so please provide this information to homeroom teachers well in advance of Thanksgiving weekend.
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>The RSS Feed--Bring the Web to You</title><dc:creator>jason.klein@ccsd21.org</dc:creator><category>Tech Tips</category><category>Instruction</category><dc:date>2007-11-07T22:13:08-06:00</dc:date><link>http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/7d807c25e6d17f5c38faa300673c1239-32.html#unique-entry-id-32</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/7d807c25e6d17f5c38faa300673c1239-32.html#unique-entry-id-32</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[During professional development activities over the course of this week, principals and teachers have been encouraged to begin getting in to the habit of taking a few minutes two-to-three times per week to look at the most recent postings on The Modern Pen. 

...So, if you would like The Modern Pen's RSS Feed to be placed right in to your Bookmarks Bar, just click the RSS feed icon in the website address (URL) bar at the top of your browser window. ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>The Modern Pen--Improved to Move Forward</title><dc:creator>jason.klein@ccsd21.org</dc:creator><category>Tech Tips</category><dc:date>2007-11-07T21:54:12-06:00</dc:date><link>http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/d1f86415e72b1a6ef7140743c60b4ec5-31.html#unique-entry-id-31</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/d1f86415e72b1a6ef7140743c60b4ec5-31.html#unique-entry-id-31</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[While it is still a blog, a website which publishes individual entries--using categories to help organize them and putting the most recent entries first, the color scheme has changed and a category navigation bar has been added.


...While so far, The Modern Pen has primarily focused on all-things PowerSchool, over time, it will become a central hub for up-to-date professional development information and links on all of the most important topics in School District 21's Professional Learning Community.
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>PowerTeacher is Coming&#x21;</title><dc:creator>jason.klein@ccsd21.org</dc:creator><category>PowerSchool</category><dc:date>2007-10-31T23:55:35-05:00</dc:date><link>http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/893cd0bc11df5e0c356a9278a1c34c05-30.html#unique-entry-id-30</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/893cd0bc11df5e0c356a9278a1c34c05-30.html#unique-entry-id-30</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[PowerTeacher is web-based, meaning that it can be used throughout our school buildings, at the library, and at home on up-to-date web browsers on a Mac, a Windows-based machine, or even a computer running Linux!


...While there will be a limited number of slots as "pilots" available for PowerTeacher's pilot this year, there is no time like now to begin reading about the potential it holds for classroom instruction and the management of other important elements of teaching. ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>If most students have the same score on an assignment (like on a rubric)&#x2c; is there a quick way to enter those scores?</title><dc:creator>jason.klein@ccsd21.org</dc:creator><category>PowerSchool</category><dc:date>2007-11-07T11:15:45-06:00</dc:date><link>http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/b5f5fdafc6f784da341c1772f64af2d8-29.html#unique-entry-id-29</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/b5f5fdafc6f784da341c1772f64af2d8-29.html#unique-entry-id-29</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[There is a quick way to fill in the same score for all students in PowerGrade.   This is particularly useful, for example, when you have assessed students using a rubric, and most students have earned a "3". ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>When my academic grades are done in PowerGrade&#x2c; what else do I need to do?</title><dc:creator>jason.klein@ccsd21.org</dc:creator><category>PowerSchool</category><dc:date>2007-11-07T11:10:32-06:00</dc:date><link>http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/b13a430c961fd1825cbe06c993c72fea-28.html#unique-entry-id-28</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/b13a430c961fd1825cbe06c993c72fea-28.html#unique-entry-id-28</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[If you have entered one or more grades in PowerGrade, the final trimester grade is what will be placed on the report card.


...Within PowerSchool, the Report Card template will pull all of the necessary data to fill the fields--student name, attendance information, academic grades, Learner Quality marks, Power Standard marks (2nd & 3rd Trimester), and comments.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>How do I print my grades in PowerGrade?</title><dc:creator>jason.klein@ccsd21.org</dc:creator><category>PowerSchool</category><dc:date>2007-11-07T08:33:26-06:00</dc:date><link>http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/b976c30993f5e9e28ad0f73f389d8e6c-26.html#unique-entry-id-26</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/b976c30993f5e9e28ad0f73f389d8e6c-26.html#unique-entry-id-26</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[So, you want to print the main "spreadsheet" screen from PowerGrade to see all of your students and all of their grades in a particular assessment area, or class, such as Math, Science, or Physical Education. 

...Depending on how many assignments you have  (and whether they go off the screen on the right), you can also take a picture of the screen and then print that. ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>PowerGrade Installed&#x21;</title><dc:creator>jason.klein@ccsd21.org</dc:creator><category>PowerSchool</category><dc:date>2007-10-31T23:51:01-05:00</dc:date><link>http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/a92d3db242b88e6de01b7f9fa11c6d86-24.html#unique-entry-id-24</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/a92d3db242b88e6de01b7f9fa11c6d86-24.html#unique-entry-id-24</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Thanks to the hard work of our field engineers, Jay, Rob, and Sami, PowerGrade has now been installed on classroom computers in third through eighth grade classrooms. ...  In the meantime, PowerGrade is also located in your Mac Mini computer labs as well as on the LMC computers and, in some buildings, on a number of laptops, too! ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>A laptop for every child in Uruguay</title><dc:creator>jason.klein@ccsd21.org</dc:creator><category>Global Tech</category><dc:date>2007-10-29T23:48:09-05:00</dc:date><link>http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/acaf41063934e08deb8524b34de47357-23.html#unique-entry-id-23</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/acaf41063934e08deb8524b34de47357-23.html#unique-entry-id-23</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[When one considers an initiative such as this, it does raise questions about how soon alternative machines, which are just beginning to be released even in suburban Chicagoland, how long it will be until inexpensive laptops have become as common as the textbook.   When they do, what does that mean for student learning in a world in which 24 out of every 25 students that have Internet access have some type of web presence like a MySpace or Facebook page?]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>How do new students get added or old students deleted?</title><dc:creator>jason.klein@ccsd21.org</dc:creator><category>PowerSchool</category><dc:date>2007-10-29T23:02:58-05:00</dc:date><link>http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/6234aebb3feae0713b39080e5146d43f-22.html#unique-entry-id-22</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/6234aebb3feae0713b39080e5146d43f-22.html#unique-entry-id-22</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Likewise, when a student leaves the school (or, for whatever reason, the class), PowerGrade will remove that student from your class roster, but it will also tell you beforehand that Johnny or Mar&iacute;a has left your classroom.


If a new student is in your classroom, but he or she has not appeared on your flashdrive (since the student began in class, not since the last time you looked at your flashdrive, which may have been before the student started in your classroom), then, you should check with your secretary to make sure that the student was &ldquo;scheduled&rdquo; for the class. ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>What if I don&#x27;t see the right classes?</title><dc:creator>jason.klein@ccsd21.org</dc:creator><category>PowerSchool</category><dc:date>2007-10-29T22:52:53-05:00</dc:date><link>http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/7ae6f6c1bf68e859d3845f75153ccbbb-21.html#unique-entry-id-21</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/7ae6f6c1bf68e859d3845f75153ccbbb-21.html#unique-entry-id-21</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Some special area and exploratory teachers have questioned what they ought to do if they do not see the correct classes under the classes menu on their flashdrive.


...looks at the student schedule and everything is there with the correct courses and techers at the correct times, then you can update your flashdrive by "rebuilding the data from the server". ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Very Important Reminder-Flashdrive Updates (Core 3-5)</title><dc:creator>jason.klein@ccsd21.org</dc:creator><category>PowerSchool</category><dc:date>2007-10-27T14:39:42-05:00</dc:date><link>http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/6967126d16327166e5f0629554270ad7-20.html#unique-entry-id-20</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/6967126d16327166e5f0629554270ad7-20.html#unique-entry-id-20</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[If you are a 3rd through 5th grade core academic teacher and you have not "updated your flashdrive" to reflect changes that were made to courses and the schedules of our English Language Learners at the end of September, you must go through that process. 

...- Directions for "updating" the flashdrives of Core Academic Teachers in Grades 3-5 (PDF) (10.04.2007)
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>What if I have not been using PowerGrade?</title><dc:creator>jason.klein@ccsd21.org</dc:creator><category>PowerSchool</category><dc:date>2007-10-27T11:30:55-05:00</dc:date><link>http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/b288292740b1628a0e494c7d1a272210-19.html#unique-entry-id-19</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/b288292740b1628a0e494c7d1a272210-19.html#unique-entry-id-19</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[If you have not been using PowerGrade throughout the trimester, you will still need to enter one assignment in PowerGrade in order to give a grade. 

...(Of course, when differentiating and giving students different assignments adding up to different totals over the course of the trimester, the computer can save a boatload of cumbersome and tedious work that is a distraction from focusing on instruction.)
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>New PowerSchool Teacher Support Materials for 3-5 Report Cards</title><dc:creator>jason.klein@ccsd21.org</dc:creator><category>PowerSchool</category><dc:date>2007-10-27T10:22:13-05:00</dc:date><link>http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/cd5210f6848368051e0a4ea0b1a57d37-18.html#unique-entry-id-18</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/cd5210f6848368051e0a4ea0b1a57d37-18.html#unique-entry-id-18</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[If you do not know the User Name and Password required to enter the School District 21 PowerSchool Support Site, then please check with your school's iTech teacher. 

...Click on that and you will be prompted for the site's user name and password, and then, the School District 21 PowerSchool Support Site will open in a new window.
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Mac OS 10.5 Leopard &#x26; District 21</title><dc:creator>jason.klein@ccsd21.org</dc:creator><category>Global Tech</category><dc:date>2007-10-27T00:08:00-05:00</dc:date><link>http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/09263c0ae53e5287006a8373ae3f1e1b-17.html#unique-entry-id-17</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/09263c0ae53e5287006a8373ae3f1e1b-17.html#unique-entry-id-17</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Some of our more tech-savvy staff members have wondered when they'll get their hands on it in the classroom.   Well, in short, for a variety of reasons, School District 21 will not be rushing to be the first ones to load the new operating system on to our computers. ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>PowerSchool &#x26; PowerGrade-A Reminder</title><dc:creator>jason.klein@ccsd21.org</dc:creator><category>PowerSchool</category><dc:date>2007-10-22T09:43:50-05:00</dc:date><link>http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/e1beb3c7fd712a87c4b6e746dc6032ca-15.html#unique-entry-id-15</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/e1beb3c7fd712a87c4b6e746dc6032ca-15.html#unique-entry-id-15</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[PowerGrade must be able to "see" and "read" your data, which resides on your flashdrive, so you have to have your flashdrive with you to use PowerGrade.   You also must be at a computer with PowerGrade loaded on to the machine, and you must know your password. ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>K-2 Report Card Support</title><dc:creator>jason.klein@ccsd21.org</dc:creator><category>Assessment</category><dc:date>2007-10-05T15:18:59-05:00</dc:date><link>http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/bd5d46f5dd7d4eef6e1988e3f0b0e695-14.html#unique-entry-id-14</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/bd5d46f5dd7d4eef6e1988e3f0b0e695-14.html#unique-entry-id-14</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Unlike third through fifth grades, which have a new report card and have made the switch to PowerGrade and PowerSchool, no changes were in store for Kindergarten through second grade report cards. ...  So, schools continue to have the same range of options for Primary Grade report cards that they have had in the past and that everyone had assumed that they would have for the 2007-2008 school year. ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Tips for Viewing Online Videos</title><dc:creator>jason.klein@ccsd21.org</dc:creator><category>Tech Tips</category><dc:date>2007-10-03T21:23:31-05:00</dc:date><link>http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/5117c5737c61bc0bec1d4062635ebf3e-13.html#unique-entry-id-13</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/5117c5737c61bc0bec1d4062635ebf3e-13.html#unique-entry-id-13</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Realize that Internet-based video is watched on the small screen and is designed to enhance your understanding of a topic, concept, or process. 

...This allows us to communicate more quickly and in a manner that can be more easily digested by anyone at any time--even over and over if you'd like! ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Updating Our Flashdrives</title><dc:creator>jason.klein@ccsd21.org</dc:creator><category>PowerSchool</category><dc:date>2007-10-03T20:55:48-05:00</dc:date><link>http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/bdcbf66c0b0ae333cf041b5131bdc218-12.html#unique-entry-id-12</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/bdcbf66c0b0ae333cf041b5131bdc218-12.html#unique-entry-id-12</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[We have completed with scheduling students in our Bilingual and ESL programs and as a result, it is now time to run a very quick update to your flashdrive. ...  The iTech teachers have learned how to do this, but we are also providing you with a short, AtomicLearning.com-style video as well as a PDF document to walk you through the few steps it takes to complete this update. ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Collaborating &#x26; Our Professional Learning Community</title><dc:creator>jason.klein@ccsd21.org</dc:creator><category>Teaming</category><dc:date>2007-10-02T10:24:20-05:00</dc:date><link>http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/f82e7485b753ff341017e4663ef48dc6-11.html#unique-entry-id-11</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/f82e7485b753ff341017e4663ef48dc6-11.html#unique-entry-id-11</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[If you do a Google (or other Internet) search on "teaming" or "team" related to "teachers" or "schools," you will be disappointed to discover that you will not find countless websites filled with really useful tools for teaming.   One really interesting website, which includes lots of teaming information--though not necessarily tools--and information on other important instructional topics, too, is: www.allthingsplc.info. ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>PowerGrade on YOUR Mac</title><dc:creator>jason.klein@ccsd21.org</dc:creator><category>PowerSchool</category><dc:date>2007-10-01T12:45:46-05:00</dc:date><link>http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/4f0cbbfe5b04cb24ff01ca0d4263f99c-10.html#unique-entry-id-10</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/4f0cbbfe5b04cb24ff01ca0d4263f99c-10.html#unique-entry-id-10</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Did you know that if you have a Mac running OS 10.3.9 or 10.4 at home, you can load PowerGrade on to that machine for free? 

...Follow these directions to load PowerGrade on to your machine, and begin using it to allow you to be as efficient as possible!]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>New Report Cards--Grades 3-5</title><dc:creator>jason.klein@ccsd21.org</dc:creator><category>PowerSchool</category><dc:date>2007-09-26T11:37:25-05:00</dc:date><link>http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/873be1d7cf9ec7661e044918c3f61301-8.html#unique-entry-id-8</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/873be1d7cf9ec7661e044918c3f61301-8.html#unique-entry-id-8</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[The new third through fifth grade report cards will be issued for the first time at the end of this trimester, and with the mid-trimester nearly upon us, here is a video explaining the "nearly" final draft of these report cards.


Watch the Intermediate Grades Report Card video here.]]></content:encoded><enclosure url="http://www.ccsd21.org/assessment/intermediate_rc0708/inter_reportcards.html" length="30723276" type="video/quicktime"/></item><item><title>What&#x27;s a podcast?</title><dc:creator>jason.klein@ccsd21.org</dc:creator><category>Workshops</category><dc:date>2007-08-14T06:08:25-05:00</dc:date><link>http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/ffcde6a196a27a0c3b44c3ea50acd4fb-7.html#unique-entry-id-7</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/ffcde6a196a27a0c3b44c3ea50acd4fb-7.html#unique-entry-id-7</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[With Apple's GarageBand software, on all of the white Mac Minis in our computer labs, it is very, very easy to make a podcast.   Yet, many of us wonder what a podcast is and what better way to learn more about podcasting then to listen to a podcast!?!
]]></content:encoded><enclosure url="http://blog.ccsd21.org/profdev/casts_profdev/cast1_podcasting_0807.m4a" length="21705523" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Community Consolidated School District 21</itunes:author><itunes:category text="Education"/><itunes:keywords>Professional Development</itunes:keywords><itunes:summary>A podcast about podcasting--for teachers and administrators. Learn about how podcasting fits in the classroom as a tool for learning and assessment of student growth&#x2c; knowledge&#x2c; and skills.</itunes:summary></item><item><title>Add a &#x22;Sent&#x22; Mailbox</title><dc:creator>jason.klein@ccsd21.org</dc:creator><category>Tech Tips</category><dc:date>2007-09-26T20:55:27-05:00</dc:date><link>http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/d3736587ca179f3594f5aff2037427b4-6.html#unique-entry-id-6</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/d3736587ca179f3594f5aff2037427b4-6.html#unique-entry-id-6</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Recently, there have been a number of requests from people wanting to know how they can archive sent mail using the District&rsquo;s CommuniGate Pro webmail system.   If you want to do this, please remember that you are still limited to only 50 MB of space in all of your mailboxes (and that includes attachments). ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>AtomicLearning.com</title><dc:creator>jason.klein@ccsd21.org</dc:creator><category>Instruction</category><category>Tech Tips</category><dc:date>2007-08-12T13:50:32-05:00</dc:date><link>http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/b9420afa7f7e85a0ca12670cc415ba58-5.html#unique-entry-id-5</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/b9420afa7f7e85a0ca12670cc415ba58-5.html#unique-entry-id-5</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[It is a subscription service that is available at low cost to the District, and 24 hours-a-day and 7-days-per-week, their topical videos on demand showing how to do a wide variety of tips and tricks!   The videos actually show the computer screen, and as one watches, the mouse moves around while the narrator describes exactly what is happening and why!]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>A Whole New World of Laptops--11.12.07</title><dc:creator>jason.klein@ccsd21.org</dc:creator><category>Global Tech</category><dc:date>2007-09-25T21:47:24-05:00</dc:date><link>http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/e188f91f698f142a5b52d506cbe841f6-4.html#unique-entry-id-4</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/e188f91f698f142a5b52d506cbe841f6-4.html#unique-entry-id-4</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Over the last few years, a combination of do-gooders, computer science professors, and major corporations have combined to develop and begin producing an expensive laptop computer that would actually function in the real life conditions of rural life in the world&rsquo;s &ldquo;least developed countries.&rdquo;   Dubbed the $100 laptop, this machine would could not rely on constant electricity, and it had to be extremely rugged, all while costing a fraction of what the least expensive portable computers cost at big box retailers. ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>New Web Server</title><dc:creator>jason.klein@ccsd21.org</dc:creator><category>Tech Tips</category><dc:date>2007-09-20T10:38:27-05:00</dc:date><link>http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/fb6ad51f7198ca693d159149abf61e51-3.html#unique-entry-id-3</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/fb6ad51f7198ca693d159149abf61e51-3.html#unique-entry-id-3</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Support for Future Website Improvements, which will allow us to enhance our websites with future components that require infrastructure and support that we are unable to provide on our own as a school district


While we will not be engaging in any type of overhaul of the District 21 website during the 2007-2008 school year, we will  begin to update certain pages more frequently as well as begin the process of eliminating outdated pages. ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Podcasting</title><dc:creator>jason.klein@ccsd21.org</dc:creator><category>Workshops</category><dc:date>2007-08-14T08:09:19-05:00</dc:date><link>http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/62453524cd867f11d9ef219ff2edbcf9-2.html#unique-entry-id-2</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/62453524cd867f11d9ef219ff2edbcf9-2.html#unique-entry-id-2</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Some useful websites to gain further insights in to what others are doing with podcasts in schools near and far...


...Also, please make sure you know a bit about Copyright law and Fair Use in the United States and in Illinois.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Fair Use &#x26; Copyright</title><dc:creator>jason.klein@ccsd21.org</dc:creator><category>Workshops</category><category>Instruction</category><dc:date>2007-08-13T07:36:15-05:00</dc:date><link>http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/0455788fff436c842547f3fa12c499a9-1.html#unique-entry-id-1</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/0455788fff436c842547f3fa12c499a9-1.html#unique-entry-id-1</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Of course, should be taught to cite this material, and likewise, this also provides a teachable moment to help students understand that they cannot take the same liberties for most purposes throughout the rest of their lives--an important lesson in a world in which intellectual property is sacred due to its value in our Information Age. 

...Often times, people are given rules of thumb, such as &ldquo;x number of lines can be used from an author&rsquo;s work&rdquo; or that one can &ldquo;use x number of seconds from a song.&rdquo; ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Digital Media for Enhanced Learning</title><dc:creator>jason.klein@ccsd21.org</dc:creator><category>Workshops</category><dc:date>2007-08-13T07:35:18-05:00</dc:date><link>http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/9be14dc90cb59cc0c1cec740eaf33a62-0.html#unique-entry-id-0</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://blog.ccsd21.org/modernpen/files/9be14dc90cb59cc0c1cec740eaf33a62-0.html#unique-entry-id-0</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[iTunes--Learning about iTunes and the iTunes Store, putting music into iTunes, using music from iTunes in other applications


...http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/6938461.stm
]]></content:encoded></item></channel>
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