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Today I was using a visualizer and it was soooooo fuzzy. I just couldn’t get it to focus. Then I noticed one little cable curving its way in and then out of the visualizer’s view… that was it. Once I moved it out of the way and pressed AF (auto focus) again, it worked!

If you do get a fuzzy visualizer and that doesn’t work, check the cables. Press each cable in place on the visualizer, computer and projector.

Finally unplug the power from the base and then plug it in again. That should do it. Right?

AplusMath

Here’s a site that contains worksheets that give immediate feedback to students. This could be used in an interactive way. Students can demonstrate to the class how to solve problems. Using a promethean board, split the screen so that one side shows the website and the other side has a blank flipchart. Students can use the blank flipchart to demonstrate how to solve the problem and then check their answers immediately for instant feed back. Using the camera tool, the screen can be captured for later use.

If you have the new SPC300 visualizer (document imaging camera) by Avermedia, here is a diagram that you can use for setting up the cables. When the visualizer is set up this way, you can switch between your computer and the visualizer by using the buttons on the visualizer. Press camera to project the visualizer. Press source to project the computer. Set up this way you can leave your projector alone. This is especially helpful if you have a projector mounted on the ceiling. diagram_spc300.jpg ( TO PRINT: Save picture to desktop. Go to desktop. Double-Click on image. When “Windows Picture and Fax Viewer” opens up, click on the print icon below.) This will ensure that the picture is resized so that it fits on a single sheet of paper.

Before break, I was talking to a teacher that was frustrated with her computer center. The students would go to the computer during centers time and then would go immediately back to her to ask which icon they need to click on. No matter whether she showed them on the projector, used sticky notes, or elaborate directions, a large portion of students needed more assistance when it was time to begin their activity. Icons can be confusing to students. Icons are small and many have similar graphics.So… here are four things you can do to make your computer more student-friendly for centers. Give your student computers a “5 Minute Makeover.” – use purposeful wallpaper – delete (or folder) extra icons – increase the font size– make One Place the home page for explorerThese wallpapers were created to make centers easier for students to comprehend which resource they should access first, or which resources they can choose from. If you see wallpaper that works for you, click on it, then right-click on the image and “set as wallpaper.” Also, feel free to download an image and edit it to meet your needs.This wallpaper will be much more useful if the majority of shortcuts and desktop icons are deleted. This will make it very obvious to students where they should begin. Have only the icons students should be accessing that day/week on the desktop. If you aren’t comfortable deleting the icons, just make a new folder and slip them into it. If the icons are snapping to the grid and aren’t lining up the way you’d like, you can turn the function off. Just right-click on the desktop, click on ” Arrange Icons by” and then uncheck “snap to grid.”Another great way to make the computer more student-friendly is to increase the font size on the computer (Thanks Kim!). You can do that by right-clicking on the desktop, choosing “properties,” clicking on the “appearance” tab and adjusting the font size.Finally, make One Place the home page for Internet Explorer. All of the online resources that they will need to access can be found on this page. To set it as the home page, do this. Open Internet Explorer, click on “Internet Options,” and the “General” tab. Type in http://discovery.aps.k12.co.us into the box. All set, click, “ok.”In just 5 minutes you can turn your classroom student computers into fun and focused centers.

If you haven’t had a chance to check out the Internet resources that are offered by the Aurora Public Library, check them out. They offer several great search engines and activities.

When you go to their main page, you’ll see Picture-It! | Type-It! | Book Lists | E-Reader | Homework Help | Fun Sites.

Picture-It! enables students to narrow their search for media by providing pictures clues along the way. This is a great support for beginning readers and English Language Learners.

Type-It! provides the standard search features for finding media. It includes clear examples of how to initiate a search.

Book Lists provides a concise listing of some of the best books available. The list is even arranged by reading level. This is a perfect page for students, parents and teachers alike.

E-Reader this is THE site! It contains hundreds of books that students can read in lots of languages. So for example if you happen to have new student from Croatia and you’re thinking, “Now where can I get some books for my students that are written in Croatian?” Well this is the place. But wait. There’s more. There are also actors reading stories aloud.

Here’s the breakdown:

Tumble Books: Listen to a story in English, Spanish, or French.

International Children’s Library: Enjoy books from all over the world.

BookPALS Storyline Online: See and hear famous actresses and actors read great stories.

StoryPlace: Hear stories in English or Spanish

These brief descriptions do no justice to these great sites. Be sure to check them out. While you are exploring these sites be sure to explore Homework Help and Fun Sites too.