News Releases
School District 15 Invites Parents to Learn More About Technology
Community Consolidated School District 15 will host a “Technology Night for Parents,” created to teach parents about the various types of technology their children are using in the classroom.
The session will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, November 27, at Winston Campus, 900 E. Palatine Rd. Parents of students who attend any District 15 school are invited. Members of the district’s technology staff will be on hand to answer questions, demonstrate the use of technology, and provide useful guidance for using technology at home.
Among the topics to be covered are (see below for complete descriptions):
- DSL and cable modems
- Voice recognition
- Using computers to make presentations
- Safe websites for children
- Digital cameras
- Scanners
- Networking your home
- PDAs
- Popular software for children
- Video editing
- Wireless
Reservations are not required, and there is no cost for this informative seminar. For more information, e-mail bensonb@ccsd15.k12.il.us
TOPIC DESCRIPTIONS
The Basics of Digital Cameras
Presenter: Paul Dombrowski
Willow Bend School
This presentation will cover the digital camera features and what to look for when making a purchase. Participants will learn what megapixels are and the difference between a 2x and 4x lens. Examples of picture quality and the difference between good quality on a web page and good quality in print will be shown. Storage media and transfer methods also will be discussed.
Lego Mindstorm Robotics
Presenters: Barb Figlewicz, Melissa Finn, and Jackie Kravitz
Gray M. Sanborn School
Lego Mindstorms equipment provides a rich cognitive experience for students, linking hands-on science and engineering with computer technology and logic. Participants will meet the students who participated in last year’s Sanborn “Techno Pop Invention Convention,” funded by a grant from the District Fifteen Educational Foundation and Motorola. The students and their teachers will demonstrate some new robots and show how the Lego Mindstorms software is used to transfer static programs to moving machines.
Using the Web to Spark Kids’ Interest in Their Future
Presenter: Sally Griffith
Northwest Suburban Education to Careers Partnership
Parents nurture a sense of hope and excitement about many opportunities their children have in future careers. A wealth of Internet sites provide career videos, short surveys, job profiles, etc. to help develop children’s goals, dreams, and hopes for the future. This session will provide an overview of those sites plus provide parents with valuable tips on how to help children fulfill those dreams.
Educational Software for Home Use
Presenter: Tom Haight
Classroom Technology
Want to be exposed to some excellent software used in schools that cannot be found in retail stores? Many of these programs are used in District 15 and adjoining districts. Several programs will be available for parents to review. A detailed listing, pricing information, and how to buy these software titles will be provided.
Windows XP and Office XP
Presenter: Mary Paulson
Microsoft Corporation
This session will demonstrate the newest operating system from Microsoft; Windows XP and Office XP. See how you can increase your productivity and collaborate more effectively with others using these new Microsoft products.
Network Your Home in the New Millennium
Presenter: Allan Waln
Panduit Corporation
Thinking of building a new home or rewiring an existing one? Why not use the latest technology for an in-house LAN. Learn how to connect multiple computers to one printer, DSL line, or cable modem. Participants will also learn tips and techniques on installing category 5 or 5E cabling and creating connectivity in the home.
Data Projectors – The Heart of Computerized Presentations
Presenter: Ken Davies
Sharp Electronics
This session will provide an overview and update of how LCD projectors can be used effectively to make presentations. Features and benefits of the newest projectors for computer and video will be demonstrated. Participants will also learn about related emerging technology such as networking projectors and possible wireless uses for business and home.
Going Wireless at Home
Presenter: Ken Wiseman
Township High School District 214
Wireless Internet connectivity has become very popular in the schools but is it viable in the home? YES, for a minimal investment, homeowners can connect computers wirelessly at home, eliminating computer wiring. Technical and practical aspects of going wireless for computer networking in the home will be explained.
3D Animation for Everyone
Presenter: John Colgren
Plum Grove Junior High School
3D animation has become a dominant tool in Hollywood and broadcast television. We can’t watch a movie or commercial without being exposed to this art form. Just a few years ago only those with access to costly computer systems could work on 3D animations. Now anyone can buy software for their home computer and learn to work in this exciting and powerful medium. This presentation will demonstrate the capabilities of 3D animation software.
Dial-up, cable modem and DSL; What’s the difference?
Presenter: Ricardo Tostado
Illinois State Board of Education
If you are thinking of getting Internet access or changing from dial-up to another type of access, this session is for you. The presenter will discuss the pluses and minuses of all options to help participants understand and make an informed choice.
Basic Video Editing on Your Computer with Avid Cinema
Presenter: Jake Chung
Thomas Jefferson School
Participants will learn how to edit raw video footage and turn it into a video masterpiece just like the professionals. Basics of video editing, how to incorporate sounds, transitions, and text into projects will be explained. Avid Cinema software will be highlighted during this session.
Using the Alpha Smart 3000
Presenter: Cherie Laufenberg
CCSD 15 Assistive Technology
The Alpha Smart 3000 connects to any computer and any application for use in writing stories, making outlines, composing electronic mail, and taking notes. Learn about this portable keyboard and discover its unique features. Special keyboards for people with disabilities will be displayed at this session.
Speech Recognition with Dragon Naturally Speaking 5.0
Presenter: Trish Swank
CCSD 15
An overview of this software will be provided. This program allows the opportunity to talk to the computer instead of typing! Participants will be able to observe someone “train” the computer to understand their voice.
Safe Internet Resources – KidsKonnect
Presenter: Jan Belzer
Willow Bend School
The Internet can be an extremely valuable but frustrating tool for accessing information. It is very important for students to be information literate. They must be able to locate, organize, evaluate, and use information. The Internet offers an incredible amount of timely and valuable information and can be used as a wonderful resource and teaching tool. Children also must be able to use the Internet safely. One way to ensure this is through continuous adult supervision, and another is for them to work within a safe portal containing links to the best Internet sites. KidsKonnect was created as a safe was for children to obtain information, work on information literacy skills, and have fun.
The Undiscovered Secrets of Academic Discounts
Presenter: Jeff Weber
Technology Resource Center (TRC)
Each year students become more and more technology savvy and each year there are more requirements for them to know and use technology in their daily work. Did you know that most of the popular software and hardware items used today in the classroom are available to students/parents at dramatic discounts? Microsoft Office XP sells for $500 in retail stores but is available through TRC for $149 to students and teachers. Find out how to save hundreds of dollars on technology purchases.
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