The document provides information about various technology topics at Virginia School for the Deaf and Blind: 1) It warns about a phishing scam claiming to be from the Department of Justice and clarifies the differences between ITRTs and IT staff. 2) It announces that four teachers have passed the first part of NETS-T certification and provides information about Clicker 5 writing software. 3) It shares resources from the Big Deal Book of Technology including guides on project-based learning and copyright law.

1. VIRGINIA SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF AND BLIND
February, 2008
News from Technology
BEWARE OF PHISHING SCAMS
How many of us have re- ITRT? IT? What are they?
ceived the phishing scam
involving the banks in Nige- Just the other day, I was asked and service all the computers here
ria? Well, here is another what is the difference between on campus. They also own and ser-
one. In a recent e-mail from an ITRT (Instructional Technology vice the servers in Byrd Hall and all
VITA security; we were all Resource Teacher) and an IT network printers. IT also deals with
warned of the most recent (Information Technologist). The the installation of software on the
scam that claims to be from ITRT positions were set up by the network or individual computers but
the Department of Justice. In State of Virginia in the effort to do not handle software program
a response to this newest help teachers. According to VA issues. So in a nutshell, ITRTs handle
scam, the DOJ issued this DOE, “ITRTs provide on-site and the training, support and implement-
statement, “The DOJ did not on-demand assistance for fellow ing of technology in the classroom.
send these unsolicited e-mail teachers to create different ITs deal with the equipment.
messages and would not forms of learning and teaching
send them via e-mail...the with the help of technologies.
message contains a mali- The intent...for ITRT ...is to assist
cious attachment as well as teachers with the integration of
random text used to defeat technology in the classroom, to
spam filters.” If you receive train teachers to use technology
this hoax e-mail, do not open in an effective manner and to
it. Delete it immediately. assist with curriculum develop-
ment as it relates to educational
technology.” On the flip side
VITA and their ITs work mostly
with the hardware. They own
Closet in Strader
Lab
 Check out the closet in
Strader Computer lab. National Educational Technology Standards for
There are many resource
materials for teacher and Teachers
student use.
Marian Hackney, Harry plans that integrate tech- this group for being our first
 Each resource is separated Wood, Kristin Quinn and my- nology into the classroom. group at VSDB to go through
by subject area. self have made it through There are 23 standards. this national certification!
the first hurdle for passing Each standard then has 2
 Check with me for a key and
our NETS-T certification. All 4 to 5 sub-areas. It is hard
we can wade through the
closet together of us must submit artifacts but rewarding work. It
such as lesson plans, tech- really makes you think how
nology integration plans technology is integrated
and personal development into our lessons. Kudos to

2. Page 2
In Strader Computer Lab– Clicker 5
Clicker 5 is a writing support and animation to make writing come to
multimedia program for children life. Clicker is also good for creating
of all abilities. You can use presentations, especially school
Clicker to support teaching and field trips, if you’ve taken the digital
learning in any subject area. You camera with you. The potential for
can use full-screen Clicker Grids Clicker 5 is endless. It can adapted
for talking books, multimedia and modified for the Deaf as well
presentations and labeling ac- as the Blind. Come take a look at
tivities. Clicker has highly de- Clicker 5. Training will be held later
tailed pictures to illustrate com- this month or you can schedule 1:1
mon words. You can also use training at your convenience.
On the Web: VSTE Big Deal Book of Technology
“Big Deal Books are resources of interest to various audiences within the education market”. The Big Deal Book of
Technology is a free bi-weekly publication offered to anyone interested in technology in education. The following infor-
mation is provided in partnership with VSTE (Virginia Society of Technology in Education.) Enjoy!
Incorporate Project-Based Learning into the Curriculum
A new book from the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE), Reinventing Project-Based Learning: Your Field Guide to
Real-World Projects in the Digital Age, offers educators a practical guide for maximizing the benefits of project-based learning in to-
day’s technology-rich learning environment. http://www.iste.org/AM/Template.cfm?
Section=Leadership_and_Skills_Development&Template=/CM/HTMLDisplay.cfm&ContentID=17265
Maximizing Technology Learning
The Encyclopedia of Educational Technology provides a comprehensive collection of short, multimedia articles on a variety of topics
in the field of educational technology. Many include links to supporting resources. Topics include “Active Learning”; “Brain-based
Learning”; “Cooperative Learning”; “Metacognition”; “Multiple Intelligences”; “Using Simulations to Facilitate Learning”; “Visual
Perception”—and much more. The online encyclopedia is a publication of San Diego State University’s Department of
Educational Technology. http://coe.sdsu.edu/eet/Admin/TOC/index.htm
Listen to the Diversity of Music in the U.S.
Complementing the WGBH radio show of the same name, the Art of the States Web site streams hard-to-find musical
pieces in their entirety, showcasing often-challenging examples of contemporary American music. Art of the States
provides access to hundreds of compositions and will eventually house an archive of more than 500 pieces. Search
contents by composer, performer, time period, instrumentation and genre. http://www.artofthestates.org
What’s Legal and What’s Not
cialist with WVPT and will help us
Mark your calendars! John Neuman wade through the legal red tape of
with WVPT will be in the Blind De- copyright issues in the classroom. For
partment to discuss copyright law in those working towards NETS-T certifi-
the educational setting on February cation, this workshop supports stan-
22 at 1:30. A similar workshop will be dards VIA, VID.
presented to the Deaf Department
in March. John is an Education Spe-

3. Page 3
SharePoint
Don’t forget to check out the puter. Simply go to VSDB’s word is the same password you
VSDB SharePoint. You will find homepage at use here at school. Try it out!
information from the Business www.vsdbs.virginia.gov . On the
Office, Human Resources, Poli- left side of the page towards the
cies, Forms and many more. In bottom, you will see the VSDB
the future, Curriculum will be up- SharePoint icon. Simply click on
dated and placed on Share- that. You will then be prompted
Point as well. The best thing to log-in. This is a little different.
about SharePoint is that you can Here you will have to use the for-
access this from home! It is easy mat: VSDBfirstinitial + last name
to access from your home com- (ex. VSDBkstinson). The pass-
Classroom Ideas from WVPT and Shenandoah Valley Technology Consortium
Are you struggling to find a les-
son that captures your student’s
attention but don’t have the
time to wade through countless
internet sites.? Check out the
lesson plans at WVPT! Lesson
plans are clear, well organized,
SOL driven and incorporate a
technology component. You
can search for lessons by grade
or subject area. Each lesson
plan has been written by actual
teachers here in Virginia. The
best part is that many of the
plans can be adapted for our
students. Try them out at
www.wvpt4learning.org