Welcome to your number one source for all things tech! Providing high-quality, standards-based instructional materials at affordable prices.
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For 2008 we are creating a new look for our newsletter - if there are items that you would like to see in the new newsletter - please email Bonnie at bmohnsen@pesoftware.com.
Upcoming Seminars
Take the time to learn! Sign up now for Using Technology in Physical Education Seminars - click here for more information and to sign up for our two-day seminars (you can attend just one day if you like):
- November 12-13, 2007- Newark, NJ (new 2-day seminar) - New Jersey Professional Development hours. Walk ons accepted for this seminar.
- March 17-18, 2008 - Chicago, IL (new 2-day seminar) - Illinois Professional Development hours
- March 20-21, 2008 - Milwaukee, WI (new 2-day seminar)
Sign up now for our Teaching Standards-Based Middle School Physical Education one day seminars - click here for more information and to sign up for our standards seminar :
- December 4, 2007 - Buena Park, CA
- December 6, 2007 - Burbank, CA
Professional growth hours certificate - check with your district regarding acceptance.
Here is what participants are saying about these seminars:
"This course has given us a lot of the 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.
You can also visit with Bonnie at the following upcoming conferences and events:
PA AHPERD - 2007
California AHPERD - 2008
AAHPERD - 2008
Becoming a certified trainer for Bonnie's Fitware - attend our training in Kona Hawaii. Note the date has been changed from June 23 to June 22, 2008. Click here for information regarding certification.
Featured Articles
Response System
Student response systems allow teachers to conduct instant polling: a quick check for understanding or a quiz. Each student is provided with a device similar to a television remote control that they use to answer your questions. A receiver connected to your computer tallies the answers automatically and nearly instantly. A typical response system has at least five buttons for multiple choice responses; however the more sophisticated models can handle short answers as well. When selecting a response system pay special attention to the support software that comes with hardware. Some of the software is very elementary while others are quite sophisticated. Another important component to look at is the type of communication (infrared or radio frequency). Radio frequency is more expensive, but it doesn't require line-of-sight for operation. Radio frequency works better in most physical education situations.
Popular systems include:
eInstruction - http://www.einstruction.com
iClicker - http://www.iclicker.com
Qwizdom - http://www.quizdom.com
Click logo for more info on curriculum!
Using electronic portfolios
I am often asked about how electronic portfolios can be used in physical education. My answer is that it depends on the number of computers you have available. Ideally every student should have access to a computer in order for electronic portfolios to work well, since students need to enter their own data. Electronic portfolios really take off in laptop schools where every students has their own computer. In these situations, data entry can take place outside the physical education class, since the students always have access to their computers.
Electronic portfolios can also be used in other situations. Some teachers simply print out assignments from the electronic portfolios and students actually use the material in a hard-copy format. However, most teachers have access to a few computers. In these situations teachers rotate students through computer stations where the students enter their data or demonstrate their learning. Obviously, fewer assessment tasks are completed in this scenario.
Click on the icon below for more information about Physical Education Planners.
Vocabulary
In an effort to bring folks up-to-date with new terminology we will be including a few new vocabulary words in each issue. This month we will conclude our definitions for Web 2 and Wireless Phone Terms.
Web 2
Web 2 : A "new" web that includes Wikipedia, social bookmarking sites, and tons of video.
MySpace: (www.myspace.com) - the largest social network on the Web. You create a profile, throw together a template page, and share with others.
Photo Sharing Sites : (www.flickr.com) - lets you upload and share your photos.
Wikipedia.org : (www.wikipedia.org) - a massive online encyclopedia that's created and maintained by the users.
Wireless Phone Terms
3G: Third generation phones. These phones support digital data along with the digital digital voice signals handled by 2G systems at faster transmission speeds and supporting more simultaneous users.
CDMA2000: The evolution of Qualcomm's cdmaOne, CDMA2000 uses CDMA over more, narrower channels than W-CDMA. CDMA2000 is used by Verizon Wireless, Spring PCS, Metro PCS, and others.
WiMAX: Based on a standard called Wireless MAN, WiMax is wireless, citywide broadband. It is designed to replace DSL and cable internet service. WiMAX also supports high-speed data and voice for mobile phones.
Book of the Month
Movement Concepts and Game Tactics
 This 110-page training manual is used with the Institute for Educational Development's popular one-day seminar. It contains all the information you need to train your staff on teaching to national standard 2, including information regarding biomechanics, motor learning, critical features, and game tactics. Click here for more information.
University Professors
For those of you who use Using Technology in Physical Education as a textbook for one or more of your classes - we will be updating the book this (6th edition). If you have suggestions for content or features, please email bmohnsen@pesoftware.com.
Office Tips
PowerPoint Themes 2007
PowerPoint Themes lets PowerPoint adjust every aspect of a presentation's look, including background color, fonts, tables, and even the style of bullet points. Any additional items added to the slides automatically look like your chosen theme. This provides you with a sharp and professional looking presentation.
Excel: How can I make my chart's key point stand out?
You can use Callouts available under the AutoShapes button on the Drawing toolbar. They look sort of like dialogue bubbles. Just drag the Callout onto the chart and then use the tail's handle to drag the tail down to the item you are highlighting. Click in the Callout to enter your text.
Browsers
Internet Explorer 7: Where did my menu bar go?
The menu bar in Internet Explorer 7 is turned off by default. You can make the menu bar reappear by pressing the ALT key. Then you can use your mouse to navigate to the menu you wish to access. If you want the menu bar to stay visible all the time, then click the Tools button in IE7 and click to select Menu Bar.
Firefox ScrapBook
ScrapBook is a free extension for the Firefox browser. You can pick it up at amb.vis.ne.jp/mozilla/scrapbook. The scrapbook features allows you to collect web pages for viewing off-line. Select the Capture Page As command and you are presented with a dialog box with several options. You can choose to capture a page without the embedded graphics, style sheets, or JavaScript code. ScrapBook can also automatically follow hyperlinks on the target page and automatically capture all of those linked pages. The Depth setting specifies how far ScrapBook will go in following links and capturing pages.
Hot Spots
How to Know if Your Wireless Connection is Secure
Wireless network devices typically install a monitor application that reports on link speed and quality. To check the security of the connection, locate the monitor applet usually in your system tray. Open the monitor and view your link information.
Click logo for more info on curriculum!
Quick Reviews
Scanners
Epson Perfection V200 Photo - score 83 (very good) from PC World - $100
Budget Notebooks
Compaq 6720s - staff pick from Smart Computing - $799
Inkjet Printers
Pixma iP6700D - staff pick from Smart Computer - $180
Laser Printer
HP 3600n - staff pick from Smart Computer - $700
Digital Camcorder
Sony HDR-CX7 - staff pick from Smart Computer - $1200
Click the logo for more information.
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