Explore .. Learn .. Connect .. and Build with NT101
- Are you new to netTrekker Search?
- Do you want to connect with other netTrekker teachers?
- Are you looking to deepen your understanding of netTrekker Search?
- Do you have limited time to devote to professional development?
If you answered YES to any of these questions, consider enrolling in NT101.
NT101 is one of the Online Learning offerings from netTrekker. NT101 is a facilitated online course to explore netTrekker Search features and tools, to share best practices for implementation into teaching and learning, and to create standards-based projects, all in the context of differentiated instruction. Discussion boards, an interactive webinar, and a variety of 21st Century learning resources are included in this collaborative learning community. The course work is completed within 7-one week periods at the participants own pace while fostering collaboration and by building a learning network among netTrekker users that continues past the end of class.
Professional development enriches teaching and improves learning for all students. It is an essential link to higher student achievement. Our NT101 Alumnus’s testify to the effectiveness of the class:
“Using NT101 to develop units that were immediately usable was a big plus. However, the reason I could develop them to the degree I did was because of the steps we were taken through, week by week, in incorporating more and more tools as we considered various educational issues/formats. As I moved on from this to begin my ISTE Capstone certification, I continually referred back to ideas learned from nT101. I sincerely wonder how I could have handled starting the Capstone without the background we gained from nT101. If I ever find myself in a teaching situation without access to netTrekker, I am going to have to write grants until I can obtain funding for it! Period.” Alice Sather, Teacher, St. Bernard’s School, Theif River Falls, MN
“I liked taking one feature every week and going into depth with learning the feature. I will recommend this class in the future.” Barb Wagers, Technology Training Specialist, Aurora Public Schools
“netTrekker 101 was definitely worth the time. I’d heard about netTrekker for years, but never knew all of the possibilities that exist and probably still wouldn’t know if I hadn’t taken the course. The aspect of the course that has been most meaningful to me were the opportunities available via differentiation. I was truly impressed with the wide array of tools that meet the needs of diverse learning styles, levels, and languages. Differentiation can often be challenging and time consuming. netTrekker makes it easy” Ryan Evans, Technology Teacher, Wanaque School district, NJ
“NT101 has been amazing! I have learned so many great features of Nettrekker and how to use them to improve student achievement. The most valuable resources to me are the Multicultural Pavillion and the 21st Century Learning Channel. Both of these tools offer hard to find resources that are so helpful in planning instruction. These also will be great tools for my students to use!” Charlotte Wheeless, Teacher Center Educator, NE Arkansas Ed Co-Op
“My experience with this training has left me feeling confident to use netTrekker to enhance my teaching and to also help other teachers at our school get excited about using this tool.” Maxine Schmidt, Teacher, Los Alamos Public School, NM
“The reason you learn more with this course is because it is ‘inter-twined’ with your everyday teaching. You learn a lesson, you complete the homework and you can USE the lesson immediately with your class(es). I found myself teaching teachers as I was learning, especially the ESE/ELL teachers. Being a Technology Teacher on the Fine Arts Wheel, I see every teacher/class over a 7 day rotation. NT101 is the only place to be!! I feel like I am in a classroom environment not an on-line course! As I am learning, I am opening another ‘window’ and creating folders, classes, saved searches and so much more for my school on our netTrekker subscription!!” Ellen Budish, Technology Teacher, Palm Beach SD, FL
“As a computer lab teacher I was highly motivated to see all the benefits of Nettrekker through this course. I have had no formal training and have been wading my way through the site with simple searches. In the last 8 weeks of learning I feel like a pro getting around the Nettrekker site. I have been able to write lesson plans, create classes and gather materials beyond the average search. I particularly like the 21st century learner. I will be able to take simple classroom projects that require searching in my lab and teach students transform them into creative digital projects that will encourage students to share work with enthusiasm. My students can transform a simple biography into a timeline tour with EarthTrekker lit-trips! I would say 21st Century Learning Skills is the highlight for my job as a computer lab teacher.” Missy Sepulvada, Technology Specialist, Carmel Unified SD, CA
“The activities we engaged in helped me get into the details of how all Nettrekker components work which is what most teachers won’t or can’t take time to do. I now feel equipped to develop Nettrekker professional learning courses for teachers in our district.” Gregory Odel, e-Learning Specialist, Hall County Schools
“Before taking this class I would wander around Nettrekker murmuring “Oh, nice!” but never really grasped the many possibilities, particularly for differentiating instruction. Also as a librarian, I know that instructional materials are difficult to come by. Midway through the class, my response is now “WOW!” I know our subscription will get much better use as a result of the district paying for a few of us to take this course.” Holly Adams, Library Team Leader, Los Alamos Public Schools, NM
NT101 Alumni – your Personal Learning Network (PLN) for netTrekker!
… Join the ever-growing population of NT101 Teachers, Technology Coordinators, Librarians, and Educational Specialists.
• EXPLORE netTrekker Search features and tools
• LEARN to differentiate digital resources to meet students learning needs
• CONNECT with other netTrekker teachers to share best practices
• BUILD projects and lessons for use with your students
Upcoming Sessions:
For more information, contact Marci Campbell, Manager Professional Development Solutions, Amy Ellisor, NT101 Facilitator, or your Account Manager to purchase and register for NT101.
ISTE Winner – Roderick Hames, Gwinnett County Public Schools
At the ISTE 2010 conference in Denver a couple of weeks ago, there was a lot of excitement in the netTrekker booth. Booth visitors got sneak peak at the exciting changes coming to netTrekker for back-to-school. We had a full line-up of great customers presenters sharing their own best practices for using netTrekker in their classrooms. And we had over 125 educators participate in our Explore a New World of Personalized Learning passport game. The game required educators to learn about the new enhancements coming to netTrekker, find out how netTrekker helps personalize learning, and attend one of the many customer-presented workshops.
The lucky winner of the passport game was Roderick Hames, Business Education Instructor at Crews Middle School in Gwinnett County Public Schools, in the metro-Atlanta area. Roderick won the grand prize of a brand new Apple iPad and a one year netTrekker subscription for his school. We asked Roderick to share a little bit about himself, and it sounds like the netTrekker subscription and the iPad will fit perfectly into what he’s already doing to engage students with technology in his classroom. He shares some great examples below of how he’s made the print-to-digital transition with digital content and project-based learning activities. Thanks to all who stopped by to see us at ISTE, and congratulations, Roderick!
About Our Winner
My name is Roderick Hames and for the past 19 years I have taught computer applications, keyboarding, programming, entrepreneurship, and web design using both Mac and IBM to middle school students. I hold an Ed.S degree in Business Education from the University of West Georgia. In addition to my teaching assignments, I also serve as Program Specialist which is a leadership position at the county level to help facilitate staff development and other needs for a group of 25 other middle school computer teachers.
My website: http://www.crews.org/curriculum/ex/compsci/ is widely regarded as a hub of resources for not only my own students but teachers around the country as innovative and engaging relevant lessons. I also work after school coaching an intramural sports program. I have presented at numerous national, regional, state, and local conferences. This was my third time presenting at ISTE (formerly NECC).
I do not use any text books, my entire curriculum can be found online. My activities are project based and student centered. I work my units around a theme for each grade level. For 6th grade it is city planning and urban development. For 7th grade students learn about leadership character qualities and for 8th grade students focus on financial literacy and entrepreneurship. I work hard to create my lessons as realistic and engaging as possible. I also strive to make harder lessons video based so student can learn at their own pace. My passion is to see kids who can successfully use technology as a tool to accomplish a project that would otherwise lack creativity and skill. Since one of my passions is seeing young adults prosper and reach their full potential, using technology is a great tool to bring out hidden talents in children. I love to see kids who problem solve and can express themselves in creative professional ways using technology.
I am excited about winning the subscription to netTrekker and an Apple iPad. I fully expect to see kids who would have struggled presenting in class fight to use the iPad to present.