Special Notices
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Upcoming Seminars
Take the time to learn! Sign up now - the seminars fill up quickly - especially in California!
Using Technology in Physical Education Seminars (click on a seminar to get the details):
April 23 - San Jose, CA
May 1 - Burbank, CA
May 2 - Buena Park, CA
May 14 - Kauai, HI
Using Technology in Physical Education Two Day Seminar - attend one or both days - click on one of the dates below for more information:
April 24, Sacramento, CA
April 25 - Sacramento, CA
Here is what participants are saying about the seminars:
"This course has given us a lot of tools and resources we need to bring our current class offerings up to a “distinction” level."
"Thank you for your direction and inspiration."
Can't attend - you can still purchase the presentation on CD to watch at your leisure.
College credit is available for all the above seminars plus our online courses listed below.
Spring 2007 Online Courses
February 1, 2007 - May 1, 2007
Click on the title for more information; click on sign up to register.
Each course is $100 plus an additional $50 for college credit if needed. You may register through March 15, 2007.
Californians: Are you looking for professional development, but don't have the time to attend? Then online courses are for you. Great opportunity to get trained and have it paid for by your district with the state money for physical education.
You can also visit with Bonnie at the following upcoming conferences and events:
AAHPERD National Convention - Baltimore, MD
Los Angeles County Office of Education - Vendors Day
International Symposium on Computer Science in Sport - Alberta, Canada (student discounted registration fees available - check it out!)
Featured Articles
Purchasing a Handheld Computer
 Handheld computers weigh less than a pound, are battery operated, and fit in one hand. A stylus is typically used for input, but mini-keyboards and virtual keyboards also are available. The stylus allows for tapping on various buttons on the screen, tapping on a small keyboard image, or actually writing on the screen.
The two most popular operating systems for the handheld computer are the Palm Operating System and the Windows Mobile Software for Pocket PC.
Palm OS models have a simple user interface. Most have expansion slots that let you add memory or attach separately purchased accessories. Many models come with Documents to Go - word processing and spreadsheet software similar to that used in Pocket PCs but more versatile. If you are a Macintosh user - this is the handheld for you. Windows users can benefit from either Palm OS models or Pocket PCs. At this time the two most popular models for physical educators are the Palm TX and the Tungsten E2. The main difference between the two models, is that the TX works with a wireless network.
Pocket PC models are a little more like miniature computers. They have a processor with extra horsepower and come with word processing and a spreadsheet. There is also a scaled downed version of Internet Explorer. All of the application integrate well with the Windows environment. This is a viable option for Windows users but I don't recommend it for Macintosh users. Popular models for physical educators are HP iPAQ 2495 and HP iPAQ 2795.
Most handheld computers have an expansion slots for some form of removable memory card: CompactFlash, MultiMedia card, SecureDigital cards, or Memory Stick.
Device Of The Month
Casio
The EX-S600 is just slightly larger than a credit card and just .54" at its thinnest point. Packed into the pocket-sized body are 6.0 megapixels and MPEG-4 quality movie recording capabilities, allowing more than one hour of standard video recording when using a 1GB Sd memory card. And, with Casio s EXILIM Engine's Anti-Shake DSP, blurry pictures are nearly a ting of the past.
For more information click here. On sale now!
Software Of The Month
Palm Operating System Package for Physical Education
Includes a handheld computer (currently the Palm T/X or you can request a specific model), Record Book 7 for POS/Pocket PC and Fitness Report for POS/Pocket Pc. Includes both desktop and handheld software. Click here for more information or on one of the specific programs below:
Record Book 7 - This software allows for the collection of attendance and grading information using the Palm Operating System. It also allows for the transfer of data to the computer and the printing of various forms. Includes desktop and palm software.
Fitness Report - This software allows for the collection of fitness scores using the Palm Operating System. Fitness scores include curl ups, push ups, pull-ups, modified pull ups, flexed arm hang, walk/thr, mile run, pacer, shoulder stretch, back saver sit and reach, trunk lift, skinfold, and body mass index.
We also have a specific module for President's Challenge, Missouri State Fitness Test, California State Fitness Test, Virginia State Fitness Test and CT State Fitness Test. All modules are included in the purchase.
Here is what customers are saying:
We have been using the Fitness for POS for years and we are thrilled with how much easier it has made our life. New Jersey Elementary School
College Adoption Time
Using Technology in Physical Education
In its fifth edition, this is the number book used by colleges and universities for their technology courses.
Using Technology in Physical Education is especially for technology novices in language that's free from high-tech jargon. It provides comprehensive information and practical classroom applications for fitness testing equipment, digital video, computers and peripherals, telecommunications, computer-assisted instructional and assessment software, and multimedia systems.
Click here for more information.
Office Tips
Excel Tips: Exporting
It is quite easy to export data from Excel. Select File - Save As
Select the type exported file you would like from the list in the drop down menu:
CSV is the best selection. Most other programs will import data from a CSV file.
Funding! Funding! Funding!
California Block Grants for Arts and Physical Education
The Physical Education and Arts $500 million dollar Block Grant will be distributed directly to public school sites in California based on Average Daily Attendance (ADA) figures. Schools can expect to get an estimate on the amount of money they will receive in December with money to follow in February. This money may be used for Physical Education and Arts supplies, equipment, and professional development. You not need to apply for this money!
Nickelodeon Let's Just Play Give-away
Nickelodeon is accepting applications for its Let's Just Play Giveaway program. The purpose of this program is to support school or after-school community-based organizations that promote play and physical activity. Programs must be nominated by youth ages 6 to 15 years old.
http://www.healthinschools.org
The NEA Foundation’s Learning & Leadership Grants
These grants provide opportunities for teachers, education support professionals and higher education faculty and staff to engage in high-quality professional development and lead their colleagues in professional growth. Grants of $2,000 will be made for individuals; $5,000 for groups engaged in collegial study. U.S. practicing K–12 public school teachers, education support professionals and higher education faculty and staff at public colleges and universities are eligible. Applications may be submitted any time. Review occurs three times a year: February 1, June 1 and October 15 in 2007.
Deadline: Ongoing
Click here for more information
U.S. Department of Education Announces No New PEP Grant Applications to be Accepted in 2007
"There will not be a Carol M. White Physical Education Program competition this year. We received enough high quality applications last year that we decided to use the existing slate to make new awards in FY 2007 for this program. We will begin to develop the FY 2007 slate for potential new awards and review budget requests in the next few weeks. We hope to announce FY 2007 new grant awards for this program late in the spring or early summer."
Additional details are posted at the U.S. Department of Education's website.
Daylight Savings Time
Daylight-saving time will start three weeks earlier than usual this year on March 11. It will also end one week later than usual. The change could confuse your computer.
Your computer may already be updated to reflect the change in daylight-saving time. But, if you’re not sure, visit Microsoft’s Daylight Saving Time Help and Support Center. It will help you determine if you have the patches for Windows and Outlook installed. You can even use it to check your Windows phone or handheld. |
omotor/ Can be used for station teaching and/or peer feedback. Click