ISTE Learning Lab Online Courses

The International Society for Technology in Education offers a series of facilitated stand-alone courses along with courses you can do on your own using the ISTE self-paced Learning Lab. Learning Lab explorations include Project-Based Learning for Grades PK-2, Project –Based Learning for Grades 3-5, and Web 2.0 for Grades PK-2 and 3-5. Facilitated courses feature titles such as: Digital Citizenship, Universal Learning Design & Assistive Technology, Digital Storytelling, EduTrek Project-Based Learning, and NETS Leadership Academies. Courses range from $45 to $200 for ISTE members and $60 to $260 for non-members. You’ll want to check the start dates for the courses and when materials will be posted online.

The Nerdy Teacher Wants You to Reflect

Nick Provenzano, the Nerdy Teacher, offers his Year-End Tech Reflections in Edutopia. He suggests that those of us in education should take time to think about the tech tools and lessons we used with our students this year in order to determine how to make our use of technologies even better next year.  As summer vacation approaches and with our school-year memories fresh in mind, we should ask ourselves questions such as:

What tools did I use and how did I use them?

What tools helped me accomplish what I wanted with my students?

What wouldn’t I use in the coming school year?

What are my goals for my students and for me for the future?

ISTE Online Courses

The International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) offers online courses to help you keep up with the latest in educational technologies. Available for the second semester of 2012, the courses include project-based learning, digital citizenship, leadership and advocacy, assistive technology, and learning labs for Grades 3-5. Fees vary from $45 to $200 for ISTE members and $60 to $260 for non-members. Check the ISTE professional development store for details and course dates.

Real-Time Security form M86

All of us worry about the security of our digital systems through malware attacks by cybercriminals. According to M86 Security, our use of Web 2.0 technology in schools means that we need “multilayered protection” for our networks and students. M86 says that “84% of malware attacks are from legitimate Web 2.0 sites”, sites that educators consider safe. With the number of malware attacks on the rise, school districts have experienced significant problems with suspected viruses that allow criminals to access bank account information and to instigate network disabling cyber attacks on school systems. M86, along with Sophos, the Google Security Team, Kaspersky Bulletin, and Websense Security Labs all show huge growth in malware. Details are available on the M86 site about the problems schools and districts are encountering. To learn about the dangers of malware and how to avoid these attacks in your school system, go to the M86 site, where you can find information on threats such as Trojans, spyware, scareware, botnets, blended threats, and others.