ITSCO Summer Courses Announced!

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 Summer 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.  Registrations are due two weeks prior to the start of class.

Navigation Guide

Course Descriptions

Geocaching with GPS*, $330 ATS; $380 Basic
Date & Location:  8:30-4:00, 6/3 AND 6/4 @ ITSCO
Everyone loves a treasure hunt! Use the technology of GPS units and the fun of hide and seek to teach about satellites, directions, map skills, natural wonders and more. We will learn how to incorporate GPS into every lesson imaginable, how to use the unit, and to actually go on a Geocaching adventure. Participants will receive a Garmond GPS to keep! <<back to top>>

Blogs and Wikis for the Classroom, $200 ATS; $250 Basic
Date & Location:  8:30-4:00, 6/3 AND 6/4 @ ITSCO
Blogs and Wikis are free online writing spaces that can be viewed and edited by multiple authors. These tools can enhance your classroom materials, help engage parents, and provide a fun way for students to communicate with you. In this class, we will look at examples of blogs and wikis created by teachers and students, discuss integration ideas and go through the simple steps of creating a blog and a wiki for your classroom use. <<back to top>>

SMART Boards for Beginners, $200 ATS; $250 Basic
Date & Location:  8:30-4:00, 6/7 AND 6/8 @ 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 begin exploring the toolbar, Internet resources, the Gallery, and its many exciting applications! <<back to top>>

SMART Boards for the Intermediate User, $200 ATS; $250 Basic
Date & Location:  8:30-4:00, 6/14 AND 6/15 @ 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. Plenty of time will be spent creating personal lessons. What is better than learning new content and walking away with a completed lesson? <<back to top>>

Computer 101, $100 ATS; 125 Basic
Date & Location:  8:30-4:00, 6/11 @ ITSCO
“PC.” “CPU.” “Tower.” “Peripherals.” “Storage” versus “memory.” What do they all mean? Whether you’re just starting out or need a little boost, this is the class for you! Learn the very basics of how the computer works and what lingo to use when “speaking computers.” From knowing software from hardware to knowing a USB flash drive, this class is the foundation you need. <<back to top>>

Google Boot Camp Part 1, $200 ATS, $250 Basic
Date & Location:  8:30-4:00, 6/9 AND 6/10 @ ITSCO
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. This course will focus on iGoogle (organizing the Internet), Gmail, and Google applications: Docs, Calendar, Reader. Participants will create an iGoogle page, customizing it with gadgets, resources, and tabs for sharing with students.  We will also look at ways to use Google Apps for professional productivity and for classroom projects with students. <<back to top>>

Google Boot Camp Part 2, $200 ATS, $250 Basic
Date & Location:  8:30-4:00, 6/16 AND 6/17 @ ITSCO
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. This course will focus on Google Sites (creating your own web page), Picasa (photo organization and editing), and Picassa Web.  Participants will create a classroom website and learn how easy Google makes it to insert many components into your pages, such as: photos, movies, calendars, documents, and gadgets. <<back to top>>

Excel Part 1, $130 ATS, $155 Basic*
Date & Location:  8:30-4:00, 6/18 @ ITSCO
Spreadsheets provide an organized approach to the creation of charts, graphs and forms.  Participants in this class will be given basic skills of operation to create simple spreadsheets they can use in their classrooms.  Participants will receive an Excel book to keep. <<back to top>>

Excel Part 2, $130 ATS, $155 Basic*; $100 ATS, $125 Basic w/out book
Date & Location:  8:30-4:00, 6/25 @ ITSCO
Take Excel even further with filtering, sorting, creating and using formulas. Participants will explore a wealth of internet resources for using Excel in the classroom and gather great cumulative project and activity ideas.  Participants will receive an Excel book to keep.  Participants who have already taken Part 1 may sign up at the without book price. <<back to top>>

Excel Part 3, $130 ATS, $155 Basic*; $100 ATS, $125 Basic w/out book    Date & Location:  8:30-4:00, 7/2 @ ITSCO
Use Excel at an advanced level by learning to use pivot tables, advanced graphs, macros and more.  Participants in this class will combine prior and new Excel skills into useful classroom applications.  Participants will receive an Excel book to keep.  Participants who have already taken Part 1 or 2 may sign up at the without book price. <<back to top>>

Get Moving with Wii*, $504 ATS, $534 Basic
Date & Location:  8:30-4:00, 6/30 @ ITSCO (NEW DATE)
The Wii is a fast growing trend in Physical Education for exercisers of all age levels - from preschoolers to senior citizens. Find out how it works and how you could use the Wii in your school. Emphasis will be placed on movement to aid in instruction across the curriculum. Examples and statistics of success will be provided. Participants will receive the Wii console, 4 remotes, 4 nunchucks, and Wii Sport game. Let’s get moving! <<back to top>>

COURSE CANCELEDWeb 2.0 Tools for Educators, $200 ATS, $250 Basic
Date & Location:  8:30-4:00, 6/23 AND 6/24 @ ITSCO
Heard of Web 2.0 but don’t really know what it is? In this class, participants will gain a broad understanding of Web 2.0 and explore Web 2.0 applications such as blogs, wikis, RSS and more. We will look at examples of how teachers and students are using Web 2.0 applications, discuss integration ideas and learn how to get started with these cool, collaborative and free applications! <<back to top>>

Colorful Classrooms – Using the Cricut Expressions Machine*, $600 ATS, $650  Basic
Date & Location:  8:30-4:00, 6/24 AND 6/25 @ ITSCO (NEW DATE)
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 Expressions Cutter, Design Studio Software, starter cartridges, a 12 by 12 and a 12 by 24 inch cutting matt.   <<back to top>>

The iPod Touch for the Classroom*, $495  ATS, $545 Basic
Date & Location:  8:30-4:00, 6/28 AND 6/29 @ 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.  Participants will receive a 32 GB iPod Touch and a $25 gift card to begin downloading apps. <<back to top>>

Using Digital Cameras to Support Language and Social Development*, $380 ATS, $405 Basic
Date & Location:  8:30-4:00, 6/30 AND 7/1 @ ITSCO
Digital Cameras can be a great way to teach students who are struggling with Language and Behavior in the school environment. Participants will be introduced to the digital camera and the basics of its use and then we will build  sample photo projects to help you bring your students up to grade level.  Participants will receive a Cannon Powershot digital camera. <<back to top>>
 
PowerPoint Part 1, $100 ATS, $125 Basic
Date & Location:  8:30-4:00, 7/2 @ ITSCO
If you haven’t used PowerPoint before, now is the time to try this presentation software. We will learn all the basics to creating and showing a fabulous slide show as well as integration ideas to take this software beyond presentation and to some great classroom applications. <<back to top>>

PowerPoint Part 2, $100 ATS, $125 Basic
Date & Location:  8:30-4:00, 7/8 @ ITSCO
Take the power of this software further with advanced skills like adding custom animations, narrations and timing your slides. We will also discuss integration ideas to fully “wow” and engage your students across the curriculum. <<back to top>>

PowerPoint Part 3, $100 ATS, $125 Basic
Date & Location:  8:30-4:00, 7/16 @ ITSCO
Do you want to become a power user of this software?  We will go into great depth with each of the effects, transitions, animations and narrations and talk at length about PowerPoint dos and don’ts and how to avoid copyright snafus.  You will have plenty of work time and a critical audience to help you hone your presentation and integration skills. <<back to top>>

RSS and Social Bookmarking, $100 ATS, $125 Basic
Date & Location:  8:30-4:00, 7/7 @ ITSCO
Have you heard the term RSS and wondered what it is? In this workshop you’ll be introduced to RSS and how to subscribe to RSS feeds so that they can be sent directly to you with one click of a mouse! Think of all the websites you visit every day; now the new content from those sites will be delivered to directly to you, saving time and energy! Do you still bookmark your favorite web sites to your computer? With Social Bookmarking you can save your favorite bookmarks to the Internet, build a community of users, search, and share bookmarks with others. Participants will have the opportunity to subscribe to a free Social Bookmarking service, begin creating and sharing bookmarks and create a community of users for future collaboration. <<back to top>>

SMART Student Response Systems, $100 ATS, $125 Basic
Date & Location:  8:30-4:00, 7/8 @ ITSCO
Greater participation, higher test scores, and improved assessment are just some of the benefits of using student response systems in the classroom. This easy to use system works with the SMART Notebook software to allow you to quickly gauge your students’ comprehension. Create a collaborative classroom in minutes and engage your students in an entirely new way.  It is recommended that participants have access to a SMART SRS at their school. <<back to top>>

Turning Point Student Response Systems, $100 ATS, $125 Basic
Date & Location:  8:30-4:00, 7/12 @ ITSCO
Greater participation, higher test scores, and improved assessment are just some of the benefits of using student response systems in the classroom. This easy to use system works with PowerPoint to allow you to quickly gauge your students’ comprehension. Create a collaborative classroom in minutes and engage your students in an entirely new way.  It is recommended that participants have access to a Turning Point SRS at their school. <<back to top>>

Netbooks*, $499 ATS, $524 Basic
Date & Location:  8:30-4:00, 7/13 @ ITSCO
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 Asus EEE PC Netbook, 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! <<back to top>>

Digital Imaging with Photoshop*, $287 ATS, $337 Basic
Date & Location:  8:30-4:00, 7/13 AND 7/14 @ ITSCO
Whiten teeth, smooth away the wrinkles, and remove blemishes – all from the comfort of your computer!  Join us as we learn techniques to restore old photographs and alter the ones we wish were never taken.  Additional topics covered in this course include: resizing images for various formats such as printing and email, special effects, and cropping.  Participants will receive a copy of Photoshop Elements 8.  <<back to top>>

Virtual Pen Pals, $200 ATS, $250 Basic
Date & Location:  8:30-4:00, 7/14 AND 7/15 @ ITSCO
When you think of a pen pal, a paper and pencil initially come to mind. This is the Web 2.0 version of sharing. No paper and pencil are needed! All the excitement is still there, but digitally. Pen pals can be a great way to learn about geography, culture, language and history. In this class, participants will discover and explore resources to find digital pen pals, create lesson plans and collaborative projects, and even connect face to face with classes from across the state to across the world. With virtual pen pals, it can be almost instant to hear feedback. No more weeks of waiting for the postal service! <<back to top>>

Writing Across the Curriculum through Digital Scrapbooking*, $287 ATS, $337 Basic
Date & Location:  8:30-4:00, 7/21 AND 7/22 @ ITSCO
It’s all the fun of scrapbooking with an educational twist! Combine journaling with digital images and the possibilities are endless for classroom activities. Scrapbooking offers a way to use standard curriculum to allow students to create a personal relationship with the material. Information is gathered and transformed into meaningful learning as students find their own voice and present it in a way that others can understand. Scrapbooking can be an excellent motivator while providing a tool for organizing, analyzing and sharing information. This course serves as an introduction to writing across the curriculum and digital scrapbooking using Photoshop Elements (PSE). Skills covered include navigating the PSE work area, inserting and manipulating images and photo restoration. The PSE software is included for you to keep! <<back to top>>

Wikis for Book Studies, $200 ATS, $250 Basic
Date & Location:  8:30-4:00, 7/21 AND 7/22 @ ITSCO
Each semester, participants can choose their own book for our class to study and develop materials to use within the classroom. Focus will be placed on creating and using Wikis, Internet research, literary elements, emerging technologies, and assessment. Participants are responsible for obtaining the book or unabridged audio file. This course may be repeated for graduate credit (as long as you are studying a new book).  Please note that no software is included with this class. <<back to top>>

Digital Storytelling, $100 ATS, $125 Basic
Date & Location:  8:30-4:00, 7/23 @ ITSCO
Digital Storytelling helps students to find their own voices and foster a sense of individuality through images, sound, narration, and strong emotional content. In this series, participants will learn how to plan and assess a digital story project; how to use the 7 elements of digital storytelling to enhance reading, writing, speaking and listening; and how to work with a variety of technology tools to plan and present material in digital format that will capture the interest and enthusiasm of many types of learners. <<back to top>>

Capture, Upload and Share with the Flip Camera*, $200 ATS, $225 Basic
Date & Location:  8:30-4:00, 7/23 @ ITSCO
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 explore ideas of how to share and distribute these brilliantly created videos. What better way to ignite learner interest while enhancing and accelerating comprehension? A Flip Camera is included for you to keep! <<back to top>>

Promethean Interactive Whiteboards, $200 ATS; $250 Basic
Date & Location:  8:30-4:00, 7/26 AND 7/27 @ ITSCO
An ordinary whiteboard comes to life! Promethean 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 Promethean 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, and its many exciting applications! <<back to top>>

Google For Administrators, $100 ATS; $125 Basic
Date & Location:  8:30-4:00, 7/28 @ ITSCO
Google has created applications that help administrators organize information as well as communicate more efficiently and effectively. In this class, we will look at what these applications are and how they can be used in the educational environment. <<back to top>>

Building a Classroom Wiki, $100 ATS; $125 Basic
Date & Location:   8:30-4:00, 7/30 @ ITSCO
A wiki is a free online writing space that is created and edited by multiple authors. The process of building a wiki and contributing to it is fun, quick and encourages collaborative practices within the classroom. In this workshop we will look at examples of wikis created by teachers and students, discuss integration ideas as well as go through the simple steps of creating a wiki. <<back to top>>

iPad Innovations*, $695 ATS, $720 Basic
Date & Location:  8:30-4:00, 7/30 @ ITSCO
Be one of 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.  <<back to top>>

Podcasting for Ohio on iTunes U*, $215 ATS; $265 Basic
Date & Location:  8:30-4:00, 8/4 AND 8/5 @ 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 co-workers? <<back to top>>

Microsoft Office 2007, $100 ATS; $125 Basic
Date & Location:  8:30-4:00, 8/5 @ ITSCO
Ribbons…Buttons…Banners…What’s all this about? Come learn the basics of Microsoft’s newest productivity suite. We will explore the new look and layout of Microsoft Office 2007 and learn how to create powerful presentations, superb spreadsheets, and dynamic documents all using the tools and templates included in this redesigned software package. <<back to top>>

Creating a Classroom Website with Google Sites, $100 ATS; $125 Basic
Date & Location:  8:30-4:00, 8/6 @ ITSCO
Google Sites is a great way to create a functional, attractive, web site in just minutes, no knowledge of HTML needed. Participants will be introduced to Google Sites and then we will create a Classroom Website that will be up and ready for the beginning of your school year. <<back to top>>

Google Earth: Exploring (and SHARING!) Your World, $100 ATS; $125 Basic
Date & Location:  8:30-4:00, 8/6 @ 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. Participants will work with Picasa (photo management software -it’s free too!), geotagging, and writing skills to create projects to share. This project-based learning class will model strategies for using these amazing tools in the classroom. And the best part - all the tools are free! <<back to top>>

SMART Document Cameras, $100 ATS; $125 Basic
Date & Location:  8:30-4:00, 8/9 @ ITSCO
Instantly transform any object into digital content! The SMART Document Camera allows you to create a spontaneous and dynamic learning environment in your classroom. Attendees will learn how to use the document camera as well as ways it can enrich your lessons.  It is recommended that participants have access to a SMART Document Camera at their school. <<back to top>>

ELMO Document Cameras, $100 ATS; $125 Basic
Date & Location:  8:30-4:00, 8/13 @ ITSCO
Instantly transform any object into digital content! The ELMO Document Camera allows you to create a spontaneous and dynamic learning environment in your classroom. Attendees will learn how to use the document camera as well as ways it can enrich your lessons.  It is recommended that participants have access to an ELMO Document Camera at their school. <<back to top>>

Microscopes, Science and SMART Boards*, $215 ATS; $240 Basic
Date & Location:  8:30-4:00, 8/10 @ ITSCO
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. <<back to top>>

Google Sketchup, $200 ATS; $250 Basic
Date & Location:  8:30-4:00, 8/11 AND 8/12 @ ITSCO
Ever dreamed of being an architect?  Re-create or design innovative new buildings and scenes inside of Google Sketchup!  Participants will learn the drawing tools, how to create scenes and look at applications with Google Earth. Classroom applications will be made by looking at how Google Sketchup uses geometry, architecture, design and history. <<back to top>>

Internet 101, $100 ATS; $125 Basic
Date & Location:  8:30-4:00, 8/14 @ ITSCO
Do you ever search the ‘net and find everything but what you want?  This class will help you learn ways to improve and refine your search results using category searching as well as advanced search features.  We will also talk about other features such as bookmarks, fun websites, and helping your build a list of sites to use in your teaching. <<back to top>>


Online Classes

Colorful Classrooms – Using the Cricut Expressions Machine*, $600 ATS, $650 Basic
Date & Location:  on your own computer  6/1-7/9 (an extra week has been added for the July 4th holiday)
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 Expressions Cutter, Design Studio Software, starter cartridges, a 12 by 12 and a 12 by 24 inch cutting matt.   15 contact hours may be applied to a Certificate of Attendance or one semester hour of graduate credit. <<back to top>>

Excel 2007*, $230 ATS, $255 Basic
Date & Location:  On your own computer  6/7-7/16 (an extra week has been added for the July 4th holiday)
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. <<back to top>>

Google Sketchup, $200 ATS; $250 Basic
Date & Location:  On your own computer  7/19-8/20
Ever dreamed of being an architect?  Re-create or design innovative new buildings and scenes inside of Google Sketchup!  Participants will learn the drawing tools, how to create scenes and look at applications with Google Earth. Classroom applications will be made by looking at how Google Sketchup uses geometry, architecture, design and history. <<back to top>>