News

As a result of year long work and discussions led by the School's Information Technology Policy Advisory Committee, information technology services in the School have been reorganized to better meet the needs of faculty, staff, and students. Staff from the CIMC, IMDC, and SoE IT services are now part of a single organization-Education Technology Center (etc). [Please note: the Administrative Council will be asked to approve this new name at their meeting on September 3].

These three technology service areas were reorganized in order to streamline service provision to faculty, staff, and students as well as to foster greater collaboration with WCER Technical Services which provides IT support for much of the School's work in research. Members of the School of Education community will be invited to serve on Advisory Groups for specific service areas.

The Education Technology Center is organized into distinct service areas.

Jo Ann Carr will serve as Director of the new organization and oversee the service areas of IT Consulting and Instructional Technology Services.

IT Consulting Services: Zach Buehl and Jason Erdmann will provide IT support to the academic departments and service units in the School. They will work in coordination with technology staff resident in these departments and units. As part of this service provision, an IT Help Desk will be developed on the third floor of the Teacher Education Building.

Instructional Technology Services: Catherine Stephens and Barb Smith will continue to work with faculty and instructional staff on the identification of strategies and services that can support teaching and learning. Jesse Winters will coordinate teaching and learning spaces in ETC and provide assistance to departments in the design and development of spaces for teaching and learning.

Technology Services: Brenda Spychalla is Assistant Director for Technology Services including Web Applications and Development; Video and Graphics Production; and Infrastructure Services. The Web Application and Development team includes John Graham, Ryan Kirk, and Scott Rozman. Video and Graphics Production staff are Linda Endlich, Dick Geier, Clark Thompson, and Barb Smith, Project Coordinator. Infrastructure Services staff are Chris Dowling and Dean Winger. Rod McCoy will provide technical assistance to IT Consulting Services, Instructional Technology Services, and Infrastructure Services.

Anna Lewis is Assistant Director for Library and Information Services. She will work with Jim Jonas, Reference and Instruction Coordinator; Vince Jenkins, Collection Development and Cataloging; Donna Meicher, Course Reserves, and Amanda Manteufel, Research Intern for Library Services. The work of Library and Information Services will also be supported by Matt Jabailley and Cat Phan, Information and Technology Literacy T.A.'s.

Please contact me at carr@education.wisc.edu with questions or comments.

--
Jo Ann Carr
Director
Education Technology Center
UW Madison School of Education
Phone: 608-263-4755
Fax: 608-262-6050

Posted by Catherine Stephens on August 3, 2008

The ETC is pleased to announce the Fall 2008 workshop schedule. Topics include:

Introduction to RefWorks, with Jim Jonas
Introduction to Dreamweaver, with Chris Dowling
EndNote in a Nutshell, with Jim Jonas
Introduction to Transana, with David Woods
Who put a Game in my Learning?!, with Seann Dikkers
Using Google for Academic Research, with Jim Jonas
Finding Education Articles, with Jim Jonas
Introduction to Data Analysis with SPSS, with Chris Dowling
Dreamweaver Web Site Management, with Chris Dowling

Registration for workshops is strongly encouraged. Steps to register are found on the workshops web page.

As the fall semester begins, we invite faculty and staff to contact our instruction team to request "course related instruction sessions". Sample sessions are listed online.

We look forward to working with you!

Posted by Jim Jonas on August 3, 2008

We are pleased to announce revised guidelines for reserving teaching space coordinated by the Education Technology Center.

Technology enabled teaching spaces available for SoE class use include:

Four teaching labs at the CIMC
Two classroom spaces at the CIMC
Four technology equipped classrooms coordinated by the IMDC

Faculty and staff are encouraged to check guidelines for space reservations and submit reservations online.

In an effort to streamline space reservations coordinated by the ETC, Jesse Winters will take responsibility for reserving all teaching spaces on September 1st. Please share any questions about reserving space with Jesse Winters.

Posted by Catherine Stephens on August 3, 2008

The fall semester will be here soon! If you would like your reserves ready at the start of the semester, please submit your reserves requests by August 12th. (Early requests are always appreciated!)

You may print the Reserve List request form at http://cimc.education.wisc.edu/services/reserves/reserve_list.pdf.
Please fill it out and return to Donna Meicher at 368 Teacher Education Building or you may submit your request electronically to http://cimc.education.wisc.edu/about/contact_forms/place_reserve.html.

For guidelines on placing items on reserve at the ETC, go to http://cimc.education.wisc.edu/services/reserves/info_faculty.html.

Questions? Contact Donna Meicher at dmeicher@education.wisc.edu.

Posted by Donna Meicher on August 3, 2008

You may have heard that Microsoft Office 2007 is not compatible with earlier versions of Office. This newest version of the popular Microsoft Office suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access) uses different file formats than prior versions of Office. The advantage of the new formats is that they are moving towards a common standard, XML. The disadvantage is that Office 2000, XP, and 2003 cannot open these files.

There are alternatives if you cannot upgrade immediately to Office 2007. An alternative for owners of Office 2000, XP, and 2003 is to install the "Microsoft Office Compatibility Pack for Word, Excel, and PowerPoint 2007 File Formats". The Microsoft folks created the compatibility pack to permit earlier versions of Office to open, edit, and save files in Office 2007 file formats. The compatibility pack installer, named "FileFormatConverters.exe", can be downloaded for free from the Microsoft Office web site. Point a browser at "http://www.microsoft.com/office", type "compatibility" in the search tool, and a link to the compatibility pack should be at the top of the hit list.

Another alternative that permits users of Office 2007 and earlier version to share files is to standardize on a compatible file format. This generally means using an older Office format. For example, if more colleagues use Office 2003, that file format would be the sensible choice. Most would simply choose "Save" to save in the standard format. Office 2007 users would choose "Save As..." and then select "2003" from the optional file formats.

Office 2007 will be available in all ETC's teaching labs on the third floor of TEB for the Fall 2008 semester. Please contact Catherine Stephens with questions about help and assistance with Office 2007 for class use. In addition, School of Education IT staff will be testing this new version for compatibility issues with other desktop software.

Additional web resources are pasted below:

Library Technology Group's FAQ:
http://staff.library.wisc.edu/dept/ltg/help/office2007.html

DoIT's many pages on Office 2007
http://kb.wisc.edu/helpdesk/search.php?q=office+2007&cat=0

Microsoft's overview page
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/products/HA101686561033.aspx

An overview from Univ of Michigan Libraries
http://www.lib.umich.edu/exploratory/pdfs/office2007.pdf

Office 2007: The Compatibility Pack for Office 2003 is available at:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/

Watch for more news about this new Office suite in the coming months.

Posted by Chris Dowling on August 3, 2008

Thinking and Learning about Mathematics in the Early Years, by Linda Pound.
Routledge, 2008
Prof QA 135.6 .P67 2008

Results and Interpretations of the 2003 Mathematics Assessment of the National Assessment of Educational Progress, edited by Peter Kloosterman and Frank K. Lester, Jr.
National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, 2007
Prof QA13 .R4686 2007

Teaching Foundation Mathematics: A Guide for Teachers of Older Students with Learning Disabilities, by Nadia Naggar-Smith.
Routledge, 2008
Prof QA 11.2 .N34 2008

Jump into Math: Active Learning for Preschool Children, by Rae Pica.
Gryphon House, 2008
Prof QA 135.6 .P53 2008

Meeting the Needs of Your Most Able Pupils [in] Mathematics, by Lynne McClure and Jennifer Piggott.
Routledge, 2007
Prof LC 3997.G7 M33 2007

Differentiated Instruction for the Middle School Math Teacher: Activities and Strategies for an Inclusive Classroom, by Joan D'Amico and Kate Gallaway ; foreword by Gloria Sanok.
1st ed.
Jossey-Bass, 2008
Prof QA 11.2 .D327 2008

Posted by Vince Jenkins on August 3, 2008

Faculty and instructional staff are encouraged to check out the new Learn@UW tools and features included in the Spring 2008 version upgrade. New features include:

o Reminder icon displayed next to course list to indicate the course is not activated for student access. Click this icon to activate the course.
o Simpler interface to create groups. Groups tools include a discussion board, shared locker for files, and drop box for assignments.
o Revised interface for adding and editing course content
o Redesigned HTML editor toolbar.
o New gradebook interface which includes a spreadsheet view for entering scores for assignments outside of Learn@UW (for example, writing assignments).
o Ability to tie participation in online discussions to the gradebook.
o Ability to rename multiple dropbox folders on one screen.
o Ability to rename multiple content modules on one screen.
o Ability for students to collapse/expand content modules.
o Ability for instructors to change participant roles, and remove participants.
o Improved accessibility; improved screen reader navigation.
o Improved browser support for Windows, Firefox, and Safari.

Please contact Catherine Stephens (263-5949) for help with SoE course sites, or for a closer look at the new Learn@UW.

Posted by Catherine Stephens on August 3, 2008

Alternative Cars, by Jill C. Wheeler.
Series: Eye on energy
ABDO, 2008
LTy TL 216.5 W485 2008
Summary: Where does energy come from, and for how much longer? Alternative Cars digs into one of today's most critical issues-- the pros, cons, and future of automotive energy resources and conservation methods.

How We Know What We Know About Our Changing Climate: Scientists and Kids Explore Global Warming, by Lynne Cherry and Gary Braasch ; with a foreword by Prof. David Sobel.
1st ed.
Dawn Publications, 2008
LTy QC 981.8 .C5 C475 2008
Summary: "Describes where scientists look to find evidence of climate change--from changes in bird migration patterns and fruit blossom dates, to obtaining tree rings and mud cores--and especially how students and other citizen-scientists are assisting to monitor climate change, as well as what can be done to mitigate global warming."

Ting and the Possible Futures, writer, Carole Douglis; illustrator Adrienne Kennaway.
Series: Tunza environmental series for children
United Nations Environment Programme, 2008
LTy PZ 3 .D748 Tin 2009
Summary: "Ting and her friends travel to two different futures using a time machine. The first future Ting explores is one of drought, submerged coastal cities, and refugee shantytowns. In the second possible future, Ting sees a huge change in attitude as well as landscape because people acted in time and averted the worst effects of climate change. Ting sees creative sources of energy, the power of planting trees and urban gardens, and a transport system that relies on trains, trams, bikes, and walking."

Tracking Trash: Flotsam, Jetsam, and the Science of Ocean Motion, by Loree Griffin Burns.
Series: Scientists in the field
Houghton Mifflin, 2007
LTy GC 232 .B87 2007
Summary: Describes the work of a man who tracks trash as it travels great distances by way of ocean currents.

Posted by Vince Jenkins on August 3, 2008

In recognition of the important role gaming has in education, the ETC has acquired a Nintendo Wii. The console is available for check-out to students, staff and faculty in the School of Education. The console comes with two Wii remotes, two nun-chucks, and the games Wii Sports and Wii Play. The ETC also offers Guitar Hero (the guitar itself, plus the game), as well as the newly released Wii fit. In addition to understanding what is commonplace technology for today's youth, we hope that some users might explore the possibility of adaptive lessons plays for physical education and/or music. It's very popular, so call ahead to the circulation desk, 608-263-4750, to reserve the Wii today.

Posted by Anna Lewis on August 3, 2008

Amanda Manteufel, recent graduate of the UW-Madison School of Library and Information Studies, has re-joined the CIMC ranks as a full-time staff member. Previously a TA for reference and instruction, Amanda returns in a professional role working in both reference and technical service. Amanda brings a wealth of experience including extensive work at College Library's reference desk and with Inter-library loan as a part of the WiLS staff. Welcome Back Amanda!

Posted by Anna Lewis on August 3, 2008

The ETC's library services PreK-12 collection has not been accessible to users since a water leak on Monday, July 28. Shortly before library services was scheduled to close, Jen Champoux, circulation desk student employee noticed a small water leak above the science education materials. Within the next twenty minutes this one small leak multiplied to leaks above all areas of the PreK-12 stacks on the south and west walls of the fourth floor. The water leak resulted in the destruction of 52 ceiling tiles yet less than 50 titles sustained water damage, thanks to Jen's quick actions and the assistance of other ETC.

An amazingly energetic crew of employees moved approximately 20,000 books and materials away from the leaking water in the ninety minutes. At an average cost of $50 per replacement title, these actions saved the School $1,000,000 in replacement costs. Damage from the water leaks, caused by a broken cold water pipe in the fifth floor cooling system, extended to communications closets on the third floor of the Teacher Education Building where two network switches were destroyed.

ETC staff members cleaned the affected shelves and prepared the 20,000 materials for reshelving. Assistance with recovering from this incident was provided by the Preservation Staff of the General Library System, by John Paine who provided the Rec Sports truck to obtain extra shelving carts, and by Chemistry, Wendt, and Memorial Libraries. Following a tremendous by ETC staff and volunteers, access to the collection reopened on August 14th.

July 28th disaster!

Emily dives in.

-By Jo Ann Carr

Posted by Anna Lewis on August 3, 2008