Spring Courses
Whether you're forging the forefront of educational technology with tools like the Apple iPad and netbooks, or mastering staples like interactive whiteboards and Google tools, ITSCO's Spring Courses offer a variety of professional development opportunities to help educators enhance their curriculum with the use of technology.
To register for a class, click the date/location links found above the course description. You may also visit the Course Schedule where you may view our courses and sort them by course title, date, and location.
Navigation Guide:
Face to Face, One Day Trainings
21C: QUICK START
FREE for ATS, $125 Basic
Date & Location (pick one): Friday’s 10:00 - 3:00: 5/7@Buckeye Valley,
5/14@ITSCO, or 5/21@Huntington
Are you looking to tackle 21st Century Skills in your classroom? Why not jump right in with a thorough framework for 21st Century skills, outcomes and examples. Participants will learn the fundamentals of 21st century learning, characteristics of integrated lessons, and technology tools to get you started. Hands on activities will be emphasized!
iPOD TOUCH*
$399 ATS, $424 Basic
Date & Location (pick one): Friday’s 10:00 - 3:00: 3/26 Buckeye Valley, 4/16@Huntington
or 4/23@ITSCO
Put exciting educational audio, video and games right into their hands with one of the coolest products on the market – Apple’s iPod Touch. We’ll explore podcasts (both audio and video podcasts) that will supplement, enrich, or remediate your curriculum in Science, Math, Social Studies and Language Arts. Participants will be introduced to the iPod Touch and the features of the handheld device. They will learn how to use iTunes to find and subscribe to podcasts, video podcasts and educational games and apps, and then sync those to the iPod Touch.
CAPTURE, UPLOAD & SHARE WITH THE FLIP CAMERA*
$250 ATS, $275 Basic
Date & Location (pick one): 10:00 - 3:00: Friday 3/26@ITSCO, Friday 4/9@Huntington, Friday 4/23 Buckeye Valley, or Tuesday 5/25@Westfall
Learn innovative ways to create and use digital video in your classroom or learning environment. Participants will receive a Flip Video Camera and gain the knowledge needed to capture, edit and create their own video. We will discuss and ponder ideas of how to share and distribute these brilliantly created videos. What better way to ignite learner interest while enhancing and accelerating comprehension?
GREAT POWERPOINTS
$100 ATS, $125 Basic
Date & Location (pick one): Friday’s 10:00 - 3:00: 3/26@Huntington or
4/9@Buckeye Valley
You’ve probably witnessed a bad one…you may have even made a questionable one. In this workshop learn to make creative, informative and effective PowerPoints. Learn the top dos and don’ts for PowerPoints that will leave the room interested, engaged and envious of your fabulous presentation skills. We’ll also look at techniques for turning presentations into movies, copyright laws, and where to get copyright free materials.
SMART BOARDS FOR BEGINNERS
$100 ATS, $125 Basic
Date & Location: 10:00 - 3:00 Friday 4/16@Buckeye Valley
An ordinary whiteboard comes to life! SMART Boards are a hands-on tool that can take any standard lesson or presentation to the next level! A touch sensitive surface that is connected to your computer can make something as easy as a finger touch as useful as using a mouse. But don’t let SMART Boards fool you! They’re so much more than just an interactive surface. We will begin with the basics of your board; orienting, trouble shooting, and the tray tools. Participants will then be introduced to the software and begin exploring the toolbar, Internet resources, the Gallery, and its many exciting applications!
MICROSCOPES, SCIENCE AND SMARTBOARDS*
$200 ATS, $225 Basic
Date & Location: 10:00 - 3:00 Friday 4/23@Huntington
Want to add more interactivity to your SMART Board? Explore the world of digital microscopes! Digital microscopes allow you to take your microscopic world to the next level. Now you have the capability to project images for the entire class to see while still allowing the use of all the SMART Board Tools. Imagine projecting the image of a cell on your SMART Board and then using the Capture Tool to import the image into your Notebook Page. Plus, the digital microscope is yours to keep and use on your SMART Board.
WELCOME TO COLUMBUS NEIGHBORHOODS!*
$130 ATS, $155 Basic
Date & Location (pick one): Friday’s 10:00 - 3:00: 4/9@ITSCO or
4/30@Huntington
Columbus Neighborhoods is rich in content for social studies particularly history—daily life, heritage, growth of communities. The vision takes life with the launch in March of the Columbus Neighborhoods website and the broadcast on March 8 of Columbus Neighborhoods: The Short North, the first of six documentaries exploring the culture and history of local communities. The Short North documentary offers insight into the decline of railway transportation in central Ohio in the story of the rise and fall of the Columbus Union Station; and it details the emergence of local festivals and traditions that have become hallmarks of the district. Even more exciting, the documentary lends itself as a starting point of inquiry-based projects urging students to investigate and map areas of interest in their own localities and to create video and audio vignettes as records of their research. This leads us to the other major part of Columbus Neighborhoods—the online gallery. The educational applications involving the documentary and the website go beyond Columbus Neighborhoods and are easily adaptable to other communities. Join ITSCO for popcorn and a movie! We’ll watch the documentary, explore the online resources, and then learn how to make your own podcasts. Participants will receive a DVD of WOSU’s Columbus Neighborhoods and a headset.
NETBOOKS*
$499ATS, $524 Basic
Date & Location (pick one): Friday’s 10:00 - 3:00: 4/30@ITSCO, 5/7@Huntington or 5/21@Buckeye Valley
Love the portability of a laptop? It just got better with Netbooks! All the functions you need, but smaller and easier to carry. Participants will receive an Acer Aspire One Netbook PC, a fully functional mini laptop running on Microsoft Windows 7. Once participants become comfortable using the functions of their laptop we will then begin exploring the wonderful world of open source software (free!). Each laptop comes equipped with 1GB installed memory, a 160GB hard drive, webcam, built-in speakers, and external microphone. All of this and it only weighs 2 1/2 lbs!
SANDBOX CREATIONS
$100 ATS, $125 Basic
Date & Location (pick one): 10:00 - 3:00: Wednesday 3/31@ITSCO or Tuesday, 5/18@ITSCO
There’s never enough time dedicated for self guided discovery so we are giving it its own day. Join us for a day in the Sandbox, a self-paced exploration of high quality, online resources supporting the 21st Century Classroom. Participants may work independentaly or in groups, in which ever direction best suits their curricular interest.
TEST DRIVE 21C TECHNOLOGY
$100 ATS, $125 Basic
Date & Location: 10:00 - 3:00 Friday, 4/16@ITSCO
With so many new technologies available for today’s classroom, how do you choose? What should receive the highest priorities and what will best meet the needs of your school? Spend a day with us as we provide overviews of 21st Century Technologies, including: interactive whiteboards, video conferencing equipment, student response systems, digital camcorders, digital cameras, hand held computers, mp3 players.
iPAD* INNOVATIONS
$695 ATS, $720 Basic
Date & Location: 10:00 - 3:00 Thursday 5/6@ITSCO, Thursday 5/20@ITSCO
Be the first to test drive the iPad! Participants will be introduced to the iPad and the features of the handheld device. They will learn how to use iTunes to find and subscribe to podcasts, video podcasts and educational games and apps, as well as syncing these resources with the iPad. Participants will receive a 16GB WiFi iPad, case, screen protector, and iTunes gift card.
TOOLS FOR THE CLASSROOM
$100 ATS, $125 Basic
Date & Location (pick one): Friday’s 10:00 - 3:00: 4/30@Buckeye Valley, 5/7@ITSCO, or 5/14@Huntington
Google loves educators! Join us as we explore Google tools that focus on the core areas of 21st century learning skills: communicate, collaborate and create. Google has created applications that help teachers and students organize information as well as communicate more efficiently and effectively. In this workshop, we will look at what these applications are and how they can be used in the classroom.
PODCASTING FOR OHIO ON ITUNES U*
$110 ATS, $135 Basic
Date & Location (pick one): 10:00 - 3:00: Monday 4/26@Westfall, Friday 5/14@Buckeye Valley, or Friday 5/21@ITSCO
Do you enjoy podcasting? or Have you heard the term and wanted to learn how to create your own podcast? We are offering a workshop that walks you through step by step to create your very own podcast. Once finished and all criteria has been met, you will be given the option to have your podcast featured on ITSCO’s Ohio on iTunes U as a Featured Educator! The podcast you created will be available for download and placement on an iPod or Mp3 device. What better way to spread knowledge to students, parents or coworkers? Each participant will receive a headset to keep!
After School Courses
GOOGLE MAIL
$50 ATS, $75 Basic
Date & Location: 4:00 - 6:00 Tuesday, 3/30@ITSCO
Gmail, Google Mail, is a fantastic, FREE email provider that can be access through the Internet. This class will guide you through setting up an account (if you don’t already have one) and using gmail features including; organizing email through tags, account settings, and labs.
GOOGLE DOCS
$50 ATS, $75 Basic
Date & Location: 4:00 - 6:00: Tuesday, 4/6@ITSCO or Tuesday, 3/30@Westfall
Google Docs is a FREE resource that allows users to create word processing documents, spreadsheets, and presentations. The documents are all created, saved, and organized online. Multiple users can collaborate on a document simultaneously and documents can be shared with whomever you choose.
GOOGLE EARTH
$50 ATS, $75 Basic
Date & Location: 4:00 - 6:00: Tuesday, 4/13@ITSCO
Dive into project-based learning using Google Earth as a tool for exploring topics from measurement and geometry to early American explorers or local environmental issues - the possibilities are endless! Participants will learn how find and use existing KML/KMZ files in their curriculum, as well as how to create KML/KMZ files to be shared with the local community, other classrooms and the public in general.
iGOOGLE and GOOGLE SEARCHES
$50 ATS, $75 Basic
Date & Location: 4:00 - 6:00 Tuesday 4/20@ITSCO
Refine your search skills and learn of tools to aid in effective, efficient Internet searching. Participants will also create their own iGoogle page and learn how to customize it to bring needed information directly to you.
GOOGLE SITES
$50 ATS, $75 Basic
Date & Location: 4:00 - 6:00: Tuesday 4/27@ITSCO or
Wednesday 5/26@Westfall
Thinking of creating a website? Google Sites is a free and easy way to create and share web pages. Google Sites is the easiest way to make information accessible to people who need quick, up-to-date access. People can work together on a Site to add file attachments, information from other Google applications (like Google Docs, Google Calendar, YouTube and Picasa), and new free-form content. Creating a site together is as easy as editing a document, and you always control who has access, whether it’s just yourself, your team, or your whole organization. You can even publish Sites to the world.
GOOGLE OPEN LAB
$50 ATS, $75 Basic
Date & Location: 4:00 - 6:00 Thursday 5/6@ITSCO
Bring your projects and your questions! Our open lab will give you the opportunity to work on your Google project, create lesson plans, or work with an ITSCO consultant to answer questions.
SMART BOARDS 101
$50 ATS, $75 Basic
Date & Location: 4:00 - 6:00: Thursday 4/1@Westfall or
Monday 4/12@ITSCO
An ordinary whiteboard comes to life! SMART Boards are a hands-on tool that can take any standard lesson or presentation to the next level! A touch sensitive surface that is connected to your computer can make something as easy as a finger touch as useful as using a mouse. But don’t let SMART Boards fool you! They’re so much more than just an interactive surface. We will begin with the basics of your board; orienting, trouble shooting, and the tray tools. Participants will then be introduced to the software and its many exciting applications!
SMART BOARDS FOR THE INTERMEDIATE USER
$50 ATS, $75 Basic
Date & Location: 4:00 - 6:00 Monday 4/26@ITSCO
Do you understand the basic functions of your interactive whiteboard but want to take your lesson a step further and add more interactivity? We will begin by exploring the various tools in the toolbar, the Gallery and its many exciting applications, internet tools, and many more! Participants will then be taught how to build their own pull tab and/or create an interactive crossword puzzle.
SMART BOARD NOTEBOOK SOFTWARE PART 1
$50 ATS, $75 Basic
Date & Location (pick one): 4:00 - 6:00: Monday 5/3@ITSCO or
Thursday 5/20@Westfall
SMART Notebook Software training for your SMARTBoard interactive whiteboard. Do you understand the basic functions of your interactive whiteboard but want to take your lesson a step further and add more interactivity? This is an introductory level session for the Notebook Software beginners. Participants will be introduced to the software and begin exploring the various tools in the toolbar, the Gallery and its many exciting applications, internet tools available, and many more!
SMART BOARD NOTEBOOK SOFTWARE PART 2
$50 ATS, $75 Basic
Date & Location: 4:00 - 6:00 Monday 5/17@ITSCO
SMART Notebook Software training for your SMARTBoard interactive whiteboard. Have you used the software and become familiar? But would like to learn to use it at a more intermediate level? This is the workshop for you! Participants will learn how to find lessons that support their curriculum and customize them to fit their needs. We will explore and utilize the page templates and content from the Gallery collections to produce interactive lessons to reuse every time you teach the same unit. How will you choose to begin filling your “Notebook?” To better utilize our time, participants are asked to please bring lesson plans, lesson plan ideas, worksheet(s) in digital format, and any others materials necessary for building a lesson.
Online Courses
Colorful Classrooms - Using Cricut Personal Cutting Machines*
$467 ATS, $492 Basic
Date & Location: on your own computer 4/5-5/23 (an extra week has been included to allow for spring break schedules); optional open lab at ITSCO on Saturday, 4/17 from 9-2.
Create beautiful designs and alphabets for card making, classroom decor, scrapbooking, paper crafting, and much more! During the course, participants will learn about the introductory and advanced features of the Cricut and complete several projects they can put to use directly in their classroom. Each participant will receive a Cricut Personal Electronic Cutter, Design Studio Software, Color Inks, a 2pk of deep cut blades, color paper and foam board. 15 contact hours may be applied to a Certificate of Attendance or one semester hour of graduate credit.
Upgrade to the Cricut Expression® machine for an additional cost of $200. Contact ITSCO for details.
Excel 2007*
$230 ATS, $255 Basic
Date & Location: on your own computer 4/12-5/23; optional open lab at ITSCO on Saturday, 4/24 from 9-2.
Learn Excel 2007 in a supportive, self-paced, online environment. Participants will learn how to create and edit spreadsheets, format their data for more professional looking results, use time-saving formulas, and analyze data using data sorting and pivot tables. An Excel workbook is included for you to keep! 15 contact hours may be applied to a Certificate of Attendance or one semester hour of graduate credit.
Interactive Video Converence/ IVC
Literature Lounge
In collaboration with Worthington Libraries, Worthington City Schools, Upper Arlington Library and Columbus Metropolitan Library, ITSCO is excited to continue the Literature Lounge, a professional development series for K-12 teachers, to our members. Through the Literature Lounge, teachers are able to take part in a series of literature talks offered via interactive video conferencing (IVC). Each Book Talk presented by the participating libraries will be approximately one hour long and will introduce and review noteworthy books for students. Visit the Literature Lounge webpage for details and upcoming Book Talks.
EdTechConnects
Take part in this exciting professional development opportunity brought to you by the Ohio Educational Technology Agencies. All conferences will be hosted at ITSCO and will utilize the power of interactive videoconferencing to present ideas and success stories focusing on educational topics for the classroom. Visit the EdTechConnects webpage for details.
