October 5, 2001

Teacher Sites Posted

October marks the half way point for The IMMEX Project's general technology workshops brought to southern California teachers in collaboration with California State University's Educational Technology Professional Development Program (ETPDP). Over 100 in-service teachers have received hands-on technology training with software such as Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, Word, IMMEX, Grade Machine, and Macromedia's Dreamweaver. Each session focuses on the functionality of each program as well as how to effectively integrate these technologies into the classroom. The final three days of the workshop center around assembling a dynamic, classroom-focused website which includes syllabi, assignments, pictures of student work, on line lessons and information pertinent to parents.

Throughout the year attendees will update and maintain their online presence to reflect classroom activities and events. This not only encourages ongoing learning and implementation of technology by the teacher, but facilitates ongoing communication with students, parents and their communities.

"I love using my web site," wrote one workshop teacher, "I am communicating with parents through it. I am hosting a big drama festival in October, and I have been posting and updating needs that I have, and parents have been e-mailing me with information. My beginning drama students have used my link to the LA Times under my technical category to read reviews of plays and movies and report on them. Last Friday, I cast our first production of the year, and instead of posting it on paper and sticking to my door, and then running for my car, I told the kids to go online and look under "productions" to see the cast list! It served well. One girl said a group of them ran home and waited, and they saw the name of the play light up when I linked the information."