Suzie Flentie, an 8th grade science teacher at Lewistown Junior High School, Lewistown, Montana is the 1999 Montana Technology Using Educator of the Year. Suzie has been teaching for 20 years with 18 years in elementary and 2 years in 8th Grade Science. In addition to her classroom duties she has also taught 4th - 6th grade computer lab and has been one of the computer liaisons for her school for several years.
Suzie recently completed a three-year "Reach for the Sky" project which enabled her to integrate telecommunications into her curriculum. She was one of the 20 core teachers in this project centered at Western Montana College of the University of Montana. As a core teacher she also became a mentor-teacher for many of the 350 participants.
In addition to her outstanding participation and leadership in the Reach for the Sky Project, Suzie Flentie is one of 14 teachers in the United States who is an Annenberg Teacher Helper on the Science and Math Initiatives Website. As an Annenberg Teacher Helper, Suzie assists teachers throughout the country in solving problems and giving them guidance in implementing technology in their science and mathematics classrooms. Suzie is also a facilitator for the Teachers Forum for the Journey North Project, and was a science curriculum writer for the Earth Science Systems portion of the Network Montana Project. Recently, Suzie has been corresponding with college math students who want to learn about her ideas and philosophy on teaching math. They contacted Suzie through the web site that she created for Garfield School when she was teaching there. http://www.lewistown.net/~sflentie
Suzie has made presentations and led workshops at the International Conference for Technology and Education in Oslo, Norway and Santa Fe, NM, and at Ed Media in Frieberg, Germany. She has also done inservice training for several school districts in Montana and has taught adult technology classes.
Suzie and a group of colleagues received a USWEST foundation grant award for the Big Spring Creek Technology project that they developed. This project integrated technology and research skills with science, language, and math in a cooperative effort between school and community. This project and others are highlighted on the web site mentioned above. Since moving to the Junior High School, Suzie has implemented technology into her physical science classroom and is looking forward to creating a physical science page to add to the Junior High website. One example of what will be included on that page is the interdisciplinary chemical element t-shirt project that her students did incorporating use of telecommunications, a scanner, digital camera, Microsoft Image Composer, Word, and Power Point. This project was carried out in cooperation with a group of other teachers at the Junior High. Suzie has been instrumental in technology reform for the Lewistown School district as well. She has worked on committees and helped to write grant applications in an effort to provide technology training, networking, and equipment for the district. She also worked on a committee to revise the district’s technology curriculum. She feels that it’s important for all teachers to become involved with technology because students need a consistent, sustained technology curriculum that is implemented in each classroom and at every grade level.
When asked to state her philosophy about technology in the classroom, she replied: "My philosophy can be summed up in a quote from Socrates. He said 'The wisest man is the man who knows that he knows nothing.' In the rapidly changing world of technology, we are constantly learning and relearning. Anyone who stops advancing because they think they know all they need to is quickly left in the dust. In order to help our students prepare for a technological future that will be totally different than what we know today, we need to pass on the wise philosophy of Socrates and realize that we will all be constantly striving to remain technologically literate."
Congratulations, Suzie!!!!
Hello and welcome! In October over 3,000 teachers and administrators from Montana attended the Montana Education Association conference in Missoula, Montana. Wow! What a major planning event that is! Debbie Hanna, of OPI, is the "head honcho" and does a wonderful job of organizing and coordinating the event! Thanks, Debbie, for another successful conference.
As all MEA conferences go, the various organizations had a "changing of the guards," and the Montana Council for Computers and Technology in Education (MCCE) is no exception. Hats off to Sally Brewer, who was the 1998-99 president of MCCE. Sally did a great job for the organization last yearùwhich leaves me with some l-a-r-g-e shoes to fill.
Barbara Mandrell had a song about "being country before country was cool." Following along those lines, that somewhat describes me. I’ve been surfin’ [the Internet] before surfin’ was cool. You see, back in the early 90s I was surfin’ the net, but it wasn’t nearly as easy as it is now. There were no pretty pictures, neat sounds, or click here and go somewhere else. You had to know where you were going and type all that information in. Then, when you got to where you wanted to go, it was all text. No pictures. No sound. No arrow that turned into a hand or any of the things we’re used to today. I would use things like "archie," "gopher," "veronica," etc. to find things rather than Infoseek, Yahoo, HotBot, etc. Today we use the World Wide Web's graphical representation of some of the information available on the Internet. The two are not synonymous.
So, what does that have to do with anything, you ask? Well, let’s just say I thought you needed to know.
Seriously, though, I’d like to share some sites I find useful when trying to incorporate technology into various curriculum areas. We all know this information is out there but simply don’t have the time to look for it ourselves.
http://www.microsoft.com/education -- Provides resources for you, the teacher, as well as lesson plans for your courses. All information is free and quite relevant.
http://www.bluewebn.com -- This is a collection of information for K-12 educators. You can also get on a list where they send you updates e-bulletins (electronic bulletins) weekly.
http://www.netsquirrel.com/hunt/teachers/index.htm -- This is another resource that looks promising.
That should "wet your whistle," as the saying goes, and get you started on some surfin’ of your own. I encourage all of you to use the technology available to you to the best of your ability. And don’t be afraid if you don’t know how to do something because, more than likely, one of your kids will know! What a great boost it is for our kids when they can show us something!
Until next time . . .
General Membership Meeting
October 16, 1998
CMR School
Great Falls
1. The meeting was called to order at 7:05
2. Minutes from last year’s meeting were approved as read.
Motion by: Randa Siegle
Second by: Janet Cole
Carried
3. Treasurer’s Report - Karen Johnson
See attached
Motion by: Maureen Watt
Second by: Jerry Ismay
Carried
Invested funds $3000 in New Dimensions Fund. Invested funds $6000 in Cash Management Fund to earn interest for the first time. Account will accept checks over $100. Karen is keeping a minimum balance in the Bozeman checking account.
4. Membership Report - Karen Johnson
Update - 37 paid memberships through ’99. 100 members which includes members paid through ’98. Total current membership not available due to convention registrations. Membership runs approximately 80.
Motion by: Bill Lee
Second by: Maureen Watt
Carried
5. Newsletter Report - Vince Long
Mails approximately 80 membership letters/mailing. Mails approximately 225 and mails 200 to get bulk mail rate Remaining newsletters are passed out at convention. Deadlines for submissions are in the newsletter. Advertisers receive a newsletter. Karen suggested that the billing for advertisers be sent with the newsletter Vince sends. Requests for mailing.
Motion by: Sally Brewer
Second by: David Thompson
Carried
6. Montana’s Outstanding Technology Using Educator for 1998-1999 Randa Siegle. Last year’s MCCE Outstanding Technology Using Educator, Bill Lee, was selected as ISTE’s National Outstanding Technology Using Educator for 1997-1998. Bill reported on his National Award. Quite a few "freebies" come with this award. He encouraged us to nominate deserving individuals for MCCE’s Outstanding Technology Using Educator. Nominations go out sometime in January or February.
7. Elections
President Elect- Three year term - Need 1
Secretary- Two year term - Need 1
Board Members- Three year term - Need to elect 3
Nominating Committee Report
President Elect Candidates - Ann Stenberg
Secretary Candidate - Ron Gebhardt
Board of Trustee Candidates - John Kuglin, Cynthia Denton, Dennis Monson, Tava Smathers, Bob Gunderson, Carol Robinson
Motion by Maureen Watt: Move to close nominations and declare the President Elect and Secretary Nominees be elected by declaration
Second by: David Thompson
Motion carried.
Election Results for three (3) Board of Trustee Positions
John Kuglin, Cynthia Denton, Bob Gunderson
8. Convention ’99
Nominations Committee Chair - Vince Long
Program - Sally Brewer
Membership Table - David Thompson
T-Shirts & Hats - Bob Gunderson; profit per hat is about $6 sold 93 shirts & 55 hats.
Profit about $740 from this convention.
Booth - Selling T-shirts this year and mouse pads ($1 each - three colors)
Need headphones again! - Julie will work on this!
Otis Thompson will chair the booth.
9. Computer Science Education Certification Standards
Jerry Esmay Report
Five year review of Teacher standards for certification.
Met with MCCE Board after Wednesday nights Board Meeting. Have some new, logical changes for recommendation to the membership of MCCE for a second review.
Request for Mailing labels approved by President Otis. Karen Johnson will send Jerry a set of mailing labels when the membership list is updated following the convention.
10. Other Business
Bob & Karen lead discussion to submit Bill Lee and Randa Siegle’s name and awards to MEA today for publication.
Door prize drawn by Ann Stenberg. Winner, Ron Gebhardt won the iMac T-shirt Door prize drawn by Kathy Sindt. Karen Johnson won the $50 gift certificate. Will donate the $50 back to MCCE.
Audit committee formed - Chair Maureen Watt. Assisted by Ann Stenberg. Audit report due at Spring Board Meeting, March 27, in Great Falls.
Membership Committee - To renew and recruit new members: Chair Ron Gebhardt - will contact past members about renewal. Janet Cole will contact the Leslie College students.
Otis introduced Sally Brewer as the new President. Sally discussed her plans for the upcoming year.
11. Adjournment
Montana Council for Computers & Technology in Education Annual Membership Meeting
Date: Friday, October 22, 1999
Place: College of Technology, AD 11, Missoula, MT
President Sally Brewer called the meeting to order at 8:06.
As the minutes of last year's meeting are stored on Otis Thompson's laptop computer and unavailable for review, their contents along with these minutes are to be published in the newsletter. Otis is to email them to Ron who will then email both sets of minutes to Vince Long for publication.
Treasurer Karen Johnson was unavailable to make her report. President-elect Anne Stenberg made the report:
Total Income for last year -$45.65
Checking Account Balance end of fiscal year - $104.98
Cash Management Account - $6259.73
Mutual Fund Account - $3575.78
Total Cash Available $9940.49
An audit showed the books to be excellent condition.
Secretary Ron indicated that membership remained steady at 72. Information from Karen Johnson's report at the Board Meeting Held Wednesday evening.
Newsletter Editor/Publisher Vince Long indicated that the newsletter is "going strong" and that he ALWAYS needs article submissions!
Cynthia Denton introduced our Technology Using Educator of the Year 1999-2000 as Suzie Flentie.
Suzie was presented with a plaque from the organization. Her credentials will now be forwarded to ISTE for consideration in their national competition.
Election Results
Elected to three year terms on the Board of Directors were:
Jim Gregg - Cut Bank
Cathy Stone - Helena
Dennis Monson - Glasgow
Elected to President-Elect
Suzie Flentie - Lewistown
Elected to Treasurer
Randa Siegle - Missoula
At this point, President Sally Brewer turned over the gavel to incoming President - Anne Stenberg.
Anne discussed Convention 2000 Assignments. As the convention will be in Billings the board made the following appointments:
Program - Sally Brewer, Anne Stenberg, Suzie Flentie
Membership Table - Julie Schopp, Vince Long
Nominations - Vince Long
T-Shirts - Bob Gunderson
Booth - Vince Long, Bob Gunderson, Desiree Baiden
Past President - Sally Brewer recognized Vince Long as one of 4 Milken Family Foundation Teachers of the Year for Montana.
In new business, $50 Gift Certificates from Learning Services door prizes for this meeting were awarded to Jim Gregg & Suzie Flentie.
Ron Gebhardt moved that new membership cards be printed showing the new Treasurer's Name and address. Seconded by Bob Gunderson. Motion Carried. Ron will order new cards from Elk River printing showing the Treasurer's information as follows:
Randa Siegle, 6480 Linda Vista, Missoula, MT 59803
President Anne indicated that the Missoula Science and Computer Fair will be held April 9, 10, 11, 2000 and that they are always looking for assistance.
Meeting Adjourned at 9:52.
Respectfully submitted,
Ron Gebhardt, Secretary.
MCCE Newsletter editor, Vince Long, is recipient of one of four Milken Family Foundation National Educator Awards presented in Montana. The honor was announced during a surprise assembly in October at Billings Senior High by Nancy Keenan, Superintendent of Public Instruction. Keenan described Long as "a person of enormous vision who believes in students as individuals."
The honor includes an unrestricted cash award of $25,000 to be presented at the National Education Conference to be held in June of 2000 in Los Angeles.
Long teaches drafting, computer programming, and Technology Education at Billings Senior High where he has been since 1991. Prior to teaching he had a career in the engineering and construction industry where he worked as a designer and project manager in the petro-chemical industry.
The other award winners for Montana were Godfrey Saunders, principal of Bozeman High, Maureen Thomas, health enhancement teacher at Big Sky High School in Missoula, and Judy Wolfe who teaches science and social studies at Havre Middle School.
Question: I want to set up a web page that has links for my students to use in a class assignment. The problem is that I don’t know where to start. Any ideas?
Answer: Web pages allow us to not only move away from paper handouts but also provide a way to create a pre-screened list of sites that we want our students to use while accessing the Internet.
To create a web page to accomplish this you have two tasks: 1) creating the page and 2) making the page accessible to the web browser.
Task 1 - Creating the Page
The Techie Way
You can do this by using a text editor like Windows Notepad, Macintosh Simple Text, or any word processor that will let you save your documents in a text format. You write up the web page, embedding the HTML (HyperText Markup Language) tags as required. Save the document with a name like "index.htm" and you have a web page. The learning curve here can be steep, however, you have the ultimate control over your results.
The Half-Techie Way
You can create your web page using an authoring program like Claris Home Page, Microsoft Front Page, Adobe Page Mill, or recent editions of Word. These programs let you set up a web page in a word processing- or desktop publishing-like environment without your needing to know anything about the HTML tagging language. The learning curve of these products varies but the results can be quite good as most feature wizards and templates that walk you through the page layout process.
The Non-Techie Way
Use a free hosting service like Geocities (www.geocities.com) and their online Page Builder. If you can mouse click your way through a few forms you can have your own web site set up in 30 minutes.
Task 2 - Getting your page online
If you use the Geocities model, your page is online as soon as you are done building it. If you build the page yourself, offline, then you need to "upload" it to a webserver. The method that you use at this point depends on who runs your server. If it is your school district's server, contact the person in charge for instructions. If you use your personal Internet Service Provider to house the page, they generally have instruction on their website for how to send them your page.
Generally, to send your page to a webserver you use an FTP client, a program like Fetch for the Macintosh or WS-FTP for Windows. With them you connect to your webserver, using your name and password, and you are presented with two windows, one that shows your hard drive and one that shows your space on the server’s hard drive. Using a few mouse clicks, files are copied from one drive to the other.
With all of that said, here’s another way that can give you complete control over the web page you build and not have to deal with uploading and maintaining it on a server somewhere. Build your webpage and save it on the hard drive of the computer that the students will be using. Using your web browser, open that page right from the hard drive and it will open just as it was coming in from the Internet. As long as you have an Internet connection on that computer, links on the "local" page will take you right to the World Wide Web.
Want to try it? Here’s a simple web page that contains a link that will take you to Yahoo. Copy the code into Simple Text or Notepad and save it with the name "index.htm" on your hard drive. You can put it in any folder you wish or right on your desktop. After you save it, open your web browser and pull down the File Menu. Then select "Open File in Browser." or something like that depending on your browser, and find your way to the "index.htm" file you just created. Open it and you should see the page that shows a link to Yahoo. You could also just double-click on the icon for your page to open it.
Here’s the code for the page. Copy what appears in the box:
<HTML>
<HEAD>
<TITLE>My Links</TITLE>
</HEAD>
<BODY>
<B>This is my links page</B><BR><BR>
<A HREF="http://www.yahoo.com">Click here to go to Yahoo</A><BR>
</BODY>
</HTML>
To add more links to the page, copy this line:
<A HREF="http://www.yahoo.com">Click here to go to Yahoo</A><BR>
and change the reference to "www.yahoo.com" to another site and the reference to Yahoo just before the </A> in that line.
If all of this sounds like too much, here’s another possibility. I have my students create an e-mail account for themselves through Yahoo, Hotmail, or some other web-based e-mail service. They send me e-mail letting me know that their account has been created and I, in return, send them a list of web sites to visit. The sites will appear as links in their e-mail so there is no need to create a web page to list the sites. By return e-mail they send me their comments or assignments.
It’s the price of progress, some say. According to a recent article in the Denver Post (October 11, 1999) about 750,000 old computers are thrown out each year in the United States. Two of the forces driving this obsolescence are the Y2K problem, which renders many older machines vulnerable to date-sensitive applications, and the growth of the Internet with its demand for at least 486-class machines to do basic e-mail and web browsing.
Most of these abandoned machines, the 286s and 386s that were so desirable just a few short years ago, now contribute lead solder and other heavy metals to the waste in the landfills. By the year 2005 there may be as many as 325 million computers filling our dumps.
Recycling is the key to slowing this trend and several companies have opened their doors to deal with the problem in hopes of making a profit. Some of these upstarts are disassembling the computers and reclaiming the gold, copper, and tin found binding the machines together while others charge a fee to take the computer off your hands.
However, junking out the old machine might not be the best solution to the this growing problem. After all, if the computer is still working, chances are it still runs the applications that it was designed to, including word processing and even a few games. The issue of obsolescence is only encountered as you attempt to find new software that will run on these relics. Most new applications require the new processors and operating systems but there is still plenty of software available for these legacy systems on the Internet.
In my computer programming class, we still use some 286 and 386 computers. The programming language that we use in our first semester course, QuickBasic, does not require much more than that level of sophistication and computers that run in the old DOS environment are also uniquely suited for use as robotics controllers. Using the computer’s printer port, students are able to control robots and learn about simple networking using classroom-built components. In fact, old 5-1/4 inch disk drives are a treasure throve of parts that can be used to build a roving robot. These dinosaurs of mass storage include stepper motors, controller chips and, occasionally, power supplies making them inexpensive organ donors.
For students who do not have a computer at home, we also scrounge around for these older machines, running or not, so we can swap around parts to get an operational computer that can be used for basic programming tasks at home. While these machines will not be up and running on the web, a student can certainly use them to develop software into the wee hours of the morning.
While the upgrade path for these older machines is somewhat limited, a new product from Vega Technologies called the Buddy allows you to jettison your old computer, keeping just the VGA monitor, keyboard, and mouse, and connect them to an existing Pentium computer. The components from the old computer connect to a box which in turn is connected to the Pentium. Two users can surf separately from the same Internet connection as well as share all of the main computer’s resources including the printer and applications. The cost of the basic setup is $140.00.
So, as we move into the world of blinding speeds on the Internet and computers on our desktops that handle full-motion video editing, remember that one person’s junk is another person’s gold mine. Judge a computer by its application, not its speed.
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