Advance excellent teaching with Annenberg Media.

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*** In the Spotlight for September ***

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  -  Linking to Current Events

  -  Distance Learning

  -  Connect Learning with Special Days

      o Labor Day

      o Constitution Day

      o Banned Books Week

      o National Hispanic Heritage Month

      o National Rice Month

      o National Sickle Cell Awareness Month

      o National Alcohol & Drug Addiction Prevention Month

  -  Join the Journey South

  -  Signature and Fokus Deutsch Series Retiring

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*** LINKING TO CURRENT EVENTS ***

New Emphasis on Testing

As a new administration in the White House takes over, continued emphasis is being placed on teacher and student performance and assessment.

 > School Testing--Behind the Numbers

http://www.learner.org/resources/series186.html is an hour-long panel discussion in which administrators, experts, journalists, policymakers, teachers, parents, and students offer competing interpretations of test scores in the imaginary state of "Idyllia."

 > An interesting discussion comparing American students' performance in math and science with that of other countries -- and offering insights into causes and solutions for lagging performance -- can be found in "The International Picture," Workshop 8 of our series, Looking at Learning...Again, Part 1. http://www.learner.org/workshops/lala/  The series Web site includes a list of background readings.

---

Influenza

According to a recent estimate by the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology, up to half of the U.S. population could become infected with the H1N1 influenza virus, or "swine flu," over the coming season. A new vaccine is being developed to help minimize the impact of the virus.

 > To better understand how influenza infects its host, see this animation http://www.learner.org/courses/biology/archive/animations/hires/a_infect8_h.html

from our Rediscovering Biology series. This animation http://www.learner.org/courses/biology/archive/animations/hires/a_hiv1_h.html

from the same series gives a general overview of the human immune response.

 > Primary Sources: Workshops in American History offers an historical view of public health policy and infectious disease in America in Program 7, "Disease and History: Typhoid Mary and the Search for the Perfect Control."

http://www.learner.org/workshops/primarysources/disease/introduction.html

---

Success of Online Courses

A study conducted on behalf of the U.S. Department of Education has found that online classes yield superior results to face-to-face instruction. A copy of the report can be downloaded in PDF format:

http://www.ed.gov/rschstat/eval/tech/evidence-based-practices/finalreport.pdf

 > For information about our instructional video series that can be used as distance learning courses, see our Distance Learning FAQ:

http://www.learner.org/telecourses/

 > To embark on your own course of online learning, see our teacher professional development workshops and courses:

http://www.learner.org/channel/chnnl_workshops.html

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*** DISTANCE LEARNING ***

The fall 2009 semester is here! The new school year brings new

beginnings that should include using Annenberg Media video and related

materials as offerings for distance learners. News and reminders noted

below:

//What's New//

Coming fall 2009. (Available for licensing spring 2010) Art Through

Time: A Global View, a new 13-part series that includes a free online

text, guide, and coordinated Web site. Call 1-800-LEARNER (532-7637) or

email distancelearning@learner.org for a free preview.

Video on Demand. Users no longer need to enter a user name and password

to view video on learner.org. Using our online streaming service has

never been easier! And coming soon, we'll be moving to Flash video which

will improve access for both our PC and Mac users.

//Important Reminders//

- We would like to remind colleges that a licenses fee is required for

the use of Annenberg Media video courses for distance learning.

- The following distance learning courses are each supported by an

in-depth coordinated Web site -- complete with an accompanying guide or

textbook -- to enhance teaching and your students' learning experience:

American Passages, Bridging World History, Democracy in America, Ethics

in America and Ethics in America II, The Habitable Planet, The Learning

Classroom, Mathematics Illuminated, and Rediscovering Biology.

- Our DVDs and online VoD are closed captioned. Audio-described DVDs for

your visually impaired students are available upon request.

- Fall 2009 is the last semester to license our German language course

Fokus Deutsch. As of December 31, 2009 we will no longer be able to

offer this course as an option to you or your students.

//Special Incentives//

- Our Summer 2009 special incentive on math and science courses is

coming to an end as of September 30th, so act now to take advantage of

this special offer. For schools currently licensing Against All Odds:

Inside Statistics or College Algebra/Algebra: In Simplest Terms, we are

offering a 20% discount on your license fee to adopt our new course,

Mathematics Illuminated. For schools currently licensing Earth Revealed

or Planet Earth, we are offering a 20% discount on your license fee to

adopt our new course, The Habitable Planet: A Systems Approach to

Environmental Science.

- Ethics in America. We have combined the licensing for the original

Ethics in America and Ethics in America II. This will allow you to use

any of the hypothetical cases from either series to create an exciting

course highlighting new and historical debates from eminent leaders in

government, business, science, and academia.

- In view of the current economic situation facing everyone this year,

there will be no price increase for licenses. Also, if you have not

already done so, don't forget to order your DVDs in time for the

2009/2010 school year to get our special pricing for students enrolled

in a distance learning course.

//Talk to Us//

- We look forward to hearing from you and receiving your enrollment

numbers for the fall semester. You can send them via email directly to

Nancy Williams at nwilliams.learner@gmail.com .

- Visit us! We will be at The 31st National Media Market, October 4-8,

2009 in Lexington, Kentucky http://www.nmm.net and The 15th Annual

Sloan-C Conference on Online Learning, October 28-30 in Orlando, Florida

http://www.sloan-c.org/conference/index.asp where we will focus our

presentation on the past, present, and future of distance learning with

the inclusion of video as a key component. If you are unable to attend

either event, email us distancelearning@learner.org and we will be happy

to coordinate a session with your school.

-------------------------------------------------------

*** CONNECT LEARNING WITH SPECIAL DAYS ***

Labor Day (September 7)

The first Labor Day was celebrated on Tuesday, September 5, 1882. The

observance, organized by the Central Labor Union in New York as a day of

rest for working persons, was later moved to the first Monday in September.

While most other countries celebrate labor day on May 1 of each year,

U.S. President Grover Cleveland supported a September date to avoid

associations with the Chicago Haymarket riot in May of 1886. He signed a

bill into law making the September Labor Day observance a federal

holiday in 1894.

 > "Industrializing America,"

http://www.learner.org/courses/amerhistory/units/14/ Unit 14 of

America's History in the Making, looks at how industrialization required

new labor markets and spawned the rise of the labor movement.

 > A Biography of America, Unit 17, "Capital and Labor"

http://www.learner.org/biographyofamerica/prog17/ takes a look at

historic labor developments in the U.S.

 > For a look at how industrialization changed society -- drawing women

into the labor force and, later, the labor movement -- see "The Lowell

System: Women in a New Industrial Society,"

http://www.learner.org/workshops/primarysources/lowell/introduction.html

Program 3 of Primary Sources.

 > See how larger economic issues drive labor migrations in Europe and

America in Program 5 of Inside the Global Economy.

http://www.learner.org/resources/series86.html

 > Get a better understanding of the development and role of labor

unions with Economics U$A http://www.learner.org/resources/series79.html

Program 22, "Labor and Management."

 > Consider the impact of employment and labor issues on a more personal

level with Growing Old in a New Age

http://www.learner.org/resources/series84.html Program 9, "Work,

Retirement, and Economic Status."

 > See how labor issues have impacted literature in American Passages: A

Literary Survey, Unit 12, "Migrant Struggle."

http://www.learner.org/amerpass/unit12/  Also see context activities for

Unit 11, "Modernist Portraits,"

http://www.learner.org/amerpass/unit11/context_activ-2.html which

address the impact of industrialization on the lives of workers.

Constitution Day (September 17)

Observe Constitution Day -- both as a means of raising your students'

interest in constitutional issues and to fulfill the requirement of all

educational institutions receiving funding through the U.S. Department

of Education. Find the original announcement of Constitution Day in the

Federal Register http://www.gpoaccess.gov/fr/retrieve.html (volume 70,

page 29727).

The following resources pertaining to the Constitution can be

incorporated into your school's program:

 >   Our Emmy Award-winning series The Constitution: That Delicate

Balance: http://www.learner.org/resources/series72.html features panel

discussion on constitutional issues by distinguished personalities in

government, media, and law.

 > America's History in the Making:

http://www.learner.org/courses/amerhistory/ looks at the early

development of the U.S. system of government. See Unit 4, "Revolutionary

Perspectives," and click on OAH Talking History to listen to the radio

programs "Revolutionary Mothers" and "Washington's Slaves." Then see

Unit 20, Egalitarian America, for a look at more recent constitutional

issues.

 > See how key figures in law, media, government, religion, military,

health care, and business puzzle through controversies introduced using

hypothetical cases and the Socratic method. Watch Ethics in America

http://www.learner.org/resources/series81.html and Ethics in America II.

http://www.learner.org/series/ethics2/

 > Listen to lectures while watching historical footage in Democracy in

America. http://www.learner.org/courses/democracyinamerica/  The series

Web site has downloadable readings that include the writings of

Frederick Douglass, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, Niccolo

Machiavelli, Thomas Paine, and Alexis de Tocqueville.

 > Making Civics Real: A Workshop for Teachers:

http://www.learner.org/workshops/civics/ presents effective high school

lessons and access Web-based materials including student and teacher

perspectives, essential readings, and primary source documents.

 > Learn about the beginnings of the U.S. Constitution in "A New System

of Government," Program 5 of A Biography of America.

http://www.learner.org/biographyofamerica/

 > Programs in The Western Tradition

http://www.learner.org/resources/series58.html relevant to the

Constitution include Program 5, "The Rise of Greek Civilization,"

Program 6, "Greek Thought," Program 37, "The American Revolution," and

38, "The American Republic."

 > Search for historical artifacts -- images, documents -- related to

the Constitution in the American Passages archive.

http://www.learner.org/amerpass/slideshow/archive_search.php  Our

special slideshow tool also allows you to create one or more

presentations using items from the archive.

More free video programs and other materials for your Constitution Day

events can be found on the Annenberg Classroom Web site.

http://www.annenbergclassroom.org/  Video programs are closed captioned

in several languages including Arabic, French, Japanese, Korean,

Mandarin Chinese, Russian, and Spanish.

Banned Books Week (September 26-October 3)

 > In Search of the Novel http://www.learner.org/workshops/isonovel/

enlivens the teaching of ten commonly taught novels, some of which have

been banned for one reason or another. The series also features J.K.

Rowling and several other famous authors.

 > Celebrate freedom of speech, as guaranteed in the First Amendment to

the Constitution, by broadening the range of voices your students read.

Teaching Multicultural Literature: A Workshop for the Middle Grades

http://www.learner.org/workshops/tml/ introduces teachers and their

students to 25 authors of different backgrounds and perspectives.

 > Discover new ways to encourage an early interest in diverse

literature with our "envisionment-building" series based on the research

of Dr. Judith Langer -- the Engaging With Literature workshop

http://www.learner.org/workshops/engagingliterature/ and video library

http://www.learner.org/libraries/engagingliterature/ for grades 3-5, and

the Making Meaning in Literature workshop

http://www.learner.org/workshops/makingmeaning/ and video library

http://www.learner.org/libraries/makingmeaning/ for the middle grades.

The workshops offer teachers' views on the best ways of presenting

literature to their students, while the video libraries are rich in

classroom footage.

 > The Expanding Canon: Teaching Multicultural Literature in High School

http://www.learner.org/workshops/tml/ introduces the writing of diverse

authors according to four approaches to teaching, outlined on the series

Web site.

National Hispanic Heritage Month

September 15 to October 15 is National Hispanic Heritage Month,

established to coincide with seven Latin American countries'

anniversaries of independence. As you prepare your lessons for the

month, draw on our resources related to the unique history, experience,

and cultural heritage of Hispanic Americans.

Social studies:

 > Who is considered Hispanic? Read a document from the 2000 census

http://www.learner.org/workshops/primarysources/census/docs/c2000.html

explaining the Hispanic category and how it interacts with "race."

 > The first two units of America's History in the Making,

http://www.learner.org/courses/amerhistory/ "Pre-Columbian America" and

"Mapping Initial Encounters," provide history of the Native people of

North and Central America.

 > Bridging World History

http://www.learner.org/courses/worldhistory/units.html traces ancient

Mesoamerican trade routes and the civilizations of the Maya and Inka.

Search the archive to find images by region and/or time period.

 > "Latin America"

http://www.learner.org/workshops/geography/wkp2intr.html considers

population issues and factors in migration, and then shows a classroom

lesson on the topic. The series Web site includes lesson plans, program

transcripts, National Geographic standards, and a Guatemala slide show.

 > The sophisticated civilizations of the Aztecs, Incas, and Maya are

explored in Out of the Past,

http://www.learner.org/resources/series45.html narrated by actor Stacy

Keach.

Literature and art:

 > Learn from first-hand author insights in Teaching Multicultural

Literature: A Workshop for the Middle Grades.

http://www.learner.org/workshops/tml/  The series features Alma Flor

Ada, Judith Ortiz Cofer, and other distinguished writers, as well as

footage of accomplished teachers interacting with students in the classroom.

 > The Expanding Canon: Teaching Multicultural Literature in High School

http://www.learner.org/workshops/hslit/ offers high school lessons

focusing on the works of Rudolfo Anaya, Graciela Limón, Pat Mora, and

Tomás Rivera.

 > American Passages: A Literary Survey http://www.learner.org/amerpass/

discusses the work and influences of several Latino and Chicano authors.

In particular, see Units 1, 2, 12, and 16.

 > Read an essay about race, culture, identity, and American academia by

Professor Victor Villanueva

http://www.learner.org/workshops/hswriting/workshops/workshop2/bootstraps.html

and Judith Ortiz Cofer's poem "Hispanic Barbie With Accessories"

http://www.learner.org/workshops/hswriting/interactives/notebook/workshop8/read.html

on the Developing Writers Web site.

 > The provocative, political works of painter/activist Judy Baca and

performance artist Guillermo Gómez-Peña (program intended for older

students and adults) are showcased in A World of Art: Works in Progress.

http://www.learner.org/resources/series64.html

Language and culture:

 > Destinos: An Introduction to Spanish

http://www.learner.org/resources/series75.html introduces the lands and

cultural practices of Spanish-speaking countries while immersing viewers

in the language.

 > Teaching Foreign Languages K-12: A Library of Classroom Practices

http://www.learner.org/libraries/tfl/ offers eight programs on teaching

Spanish language and Latin American culture.

National Rice Month

 > In The Power of Place: Geography for the 21st Century,

http://www.learner.org/powerofplace/ the first half of Program 12 shows

how Japanese rice farmers battle harsh weather to save their crops. The

second half of Program 13 shows how Vietnam has enhanced its rice

growing system to become one of the world's largest rice exporters.

 > Agricultural entomologist Peter Kenmore discusses the importance of

rice production, the use of pesticides and integrated pest management,

farmer field schools, and the role of science in rice farming in this

interview

http://www.learner.org/courses/envsci/scientist/transcripts/kenmore.html

 > This brief clip

http://www.learner.org/courses/envsci/visual/animation.php?shortname=anm_rice_yields

shows that a dramatic decrease of pesticide use by Indonesian rice

farmers did not decrease yield. For an extended discussion of natural

pest control in rice production in the U.S. and abroad, watch the full

program:

http://www.learner.org/courses/envsci/unit/text.php?unit=7&secNum=0#

 > See three different rice varieties here,

http://www.learner.org/courses/envsci/unit/text.php?unit=7&secNum=4#rice_varieties

along with an explanation of how their structure can affect yield. Also

see this picture of conventional and golden rice side by side.

http://www.learner.org/courses/envsci/visual/visual.php?shortname=rice

 From the Habitable Planet Web site.

 > Can nature's rice be improved through genetic manipulation? Read

about the idea behind genetically modified "golden rice" in this

interview

http://www.learner.org/courses/biology/units/gmo/experts/toenniessen.html

with Dr. Gary H. Toenniessen of the Rockefeller Foundation Rice

Biotechnology Research Program. For a different view of golden rice,

read this interview

http://www.learner.org/courses/biology/units/gmo/experts/nestle.html

with New York University professor Marion Nestle.

 > This historical image

http://www.learner.org/amerpass/slideshow/archive_search.php?number=4112&fullsize=1

shows two African American women hulling rice with a mortar and pestle.

 > Read how the adoption of Champa rice in the 11th century transformed

Chinese agronomy in this article in PDF format.

http://www.learner.org/courses/worldhistory/support/reading_7_3.pdf

 From Bridging World History.

 > This work of art

http://www.learner.org/courses/worldhistory/archive.html?f_itemNumber=3895&return=16-3

depicts transplanting and irrigating of rice in China.

National Sickle Cell Awareness Month

 > Learn about the genetics of sickle cell anemia in the online text for

Rediscovering Biology: Molecular to Global Perspectives, Unit 9.

http://www.learner.org/courses/biology/textbook/humev/humev_8.html  Find

a description of what happens at the cellular level in Unit 2.

http://www.learner.org/courses/biology/textbook/proteo/proteo_4.html

 > The statistics of sickle cell are discussed through the cases of two

families in "Binomial Distributions," Program 17 of Against All Odds:

Inside Statistics. http://www.learner.org/resources/series65.html

Advance to 16:45 into the program to watch the segment.

National Alcohol & Drug Addiction Prevention Month

 > The biology of drugs, neurotransmitters, and addiction are discussed

in the online textbook for Rediscovering Biology, Unit 10:

http://www.learner.org/courses/biology/textbook/neuro/neuro_8.html

Watch the associated program

http://www.learner.org/courses/biology/units/neuro/index.html# for

additional information.

 > Learn about different approaches in clinical psychology with this

interactive

http://www.learner.org/discoveringpsychology/therapeutic/practice.html

on alcoholism. From the Discovering Psychology Web site.

 > The Mind: Teaching Modules

http://www.learner.org/resources/series150.html includes several video

clips about brain mechanisms involved in addiction and treatment.

 > For a look at addiction from a psychopathology perspective, watch

"Substance Abuse Disorders," Program 6 of The World of Abnormal

Psychology. http://www.learner.org/resources/series60.html

---

Learn about our free Video on Demand:

http://www.learner.org/view_programs/view.programs.html

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*** JOIN THE JOURNEY SOUTH ***

Give your students hands-on experience with nature by participating in

Journey South, the fall portion of our Journey North program

http://www.learner.org/resources/series127.html for K-12 students and

teachers -- just in time to track southward migrations. The Journey

North portion of the program begins in the spring, as flowers bloom and

birds and other animals move north for the summer.

This unique international program puts students in touch with students

in other countries as together they track wildlife migrations and

seasonal growth and change. The series Web site

http://www.learner.org/jnorth/ explains this season's projects and how

your class can participate.

-------------------------------------------------------

*** SIGNATURE AND FOKUS DEUTSCH SERIES RETIRING ***

Please note that the rights to the series Signature: Contemporary

Writers have expired and could not be renewed. The series will therefore

no longer be available at Learner.org, effective immediately.

We would also like to remind you that after December 31, 2009, Annenberg

Media will no longer distribute Fokus Deutsch: An Introduction to German

Language and Culture, http://www.learner.org/resources/series104.html

either on DVD or as a video stream. Those who wish to purchase a copy of

the series can now do so at a 30% discount. Series can be ordered

through 1-800-LEARNER or through this page on our site:

http://www.learner.org/catalog/series104.html .

******************************

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Posted by draweiner at 2:36 PM EDT

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Shelfari is the premier social network for people who love books.

Create a virtual shelf to show off your books, see what your friends are reading and discover new books - all for free!

http://www.shelfari.com/

Posted by draweiner at 3:33 PM EDT

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Sign up now to receive the twice-monthly Digital Directions e-newsletter | If you have problems with this e-mail, please view the online version | Viewing on a mobile device? Click here.

	June 2009 [Email Us] [Update Preferences]
Featured Story   + Managing Instruction in a Virtual World At NECC this week in Washington, experts are providing strategies and advice on managing the challenges that can come with instruction in a virtual world. (Digital Directions) Related Upcoming Panels at NECC • Managing Mayhem: Strategies for K-12 Distance Virtual Classrooms • Making the Case: Virtual Worlds as Safe, Compelling Learning Environments • The Answer to NCLB Tech Literacy: Web-based Technology Literacy Projects Feature: Video Interview   Susan Patrick: The E-Learning Challenge The president and chief executive officer of the International Association for K-12 Online Learning talks at NECC '09 about the drive to improve virtual learning in K-12 schools. • View all NECC ’09 related videos. Digital Education Bloggers at NECC   Digital Education The Digital Education reporters are covering NECC from every angle. Check daily for news from the event and insights and reaction to some of the most useful panels, liveliest presenters, and new resources. • Don Knezek: Battle Over EETT Money Isn't Over Yet • A Glimpse at 21st Century Learning Stations • Field Trip Goes High Tech on National Mall • Exploring Open-Source for Schools • The Hollywood Treatment at NECC Education Week Leadership Forum   Smart Ed-Tech Strategies for Tough Times September 17, 2009: Chicago, Illinois September 25, 2009: Jersey City, New Jersey Join us at one of the one-day Education Week Leadership Forums to learn about the ed-tech strategies that will make a difference to your district RIGHT NOW. Click here for the full agenda. Your Super-Early-Bird registration saves you 50% – you pay only $245! Register as soon as possible to lock in the greatest savings. Bring a colleague and save even more! You get $50 off each additional registration in your group!	Advertisement Digital Directions Summer 2009 Issue TOP The new issue of Digital Directions is available now. Find out what characterizes "highly qualified" online teachers, discover how the stimulus could help boost your district's bandwidth, and learn more about electronic gradebooks.   Advertisement Forum: DD Innovators Network TOP How should educators balance the need for technological innovation with the realities of running schools? Join the forum, have your say. Live Chat: Today @ 3 p.m. EST TOP Exploring Online Professional Development Join experts to discuss recent developments in the field and to take your questions on getting the most out of Web-based learning. Sign up now for an e-mail reminder. Guests: Tom Blanford, associate director, National Education Association Academy Barbara Treacy, director, EdTech Leaders Online at the Education Development Center
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This message was intended for aweiner@mcny.edu. You are receiving this free e-newsletter because you requested it when you registered on edweek.org or teachermagazine.org. To change your e-newsletter subscriptions or other email preferences, please click here. This free e-newsletter is a service of Editorial Projects in Education, Inc., 6935 Arlington Road, Suite 100, Bethesda, MD 20814. EPE is the publisher of Education Week, Digital Directions, Teacher Professional Development Sourcebook, edweek.org, teachermagazine.org, DigitalDirections.org and TopSchoolJobs.org. Copyright © 2009 Editorial Projects in Education.
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Posted by draweiner at 1:12 PM EDT

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Introducing PBworks Summer Camp

Want to build the ultimate classroom wiki and have it ready for the start of the fall semester? Join us for our annual PBwiki Summer Camp (it's free!)

We know that a lot of educators have heard about wikis but just aren’t sure how to use them in the classroom. In PBworks Summer Camp you will learn the best way to structure your classroom site, engage your students with audio and video and connect with experienced mentors.

At the end of the program, Campers who have followed the program receive a free premium workspace for the school year and some fun swag along the way.  

Training is from June 22 - July 21st and consists of live weekly lessons, homework and hands on help from our mentors.  This training is limited, so sign up now!

Here's what people had to say about Summer Camp:

"This course is incredible and the amount of info is overwhelming :) not in a bad way”

“I want to learn as much as I can about the “free” tools available to educators. This weeks resources page is amazing! I’ve heard and used some of the tools but will make use of many more by they end of the camp. This is awesome!”

“Thank you for all the tools and information you are providing. It is a tremendous help and is saving me a plethora of hours trying to find Internet tools to use in the classroom. I so appreciate what you’re doing.” -p.c.ames

Sign up for PBworks Summer Camp

Posted by draweiner at 8:44 AM EDT

Updated: Tuesday, 9 June 2009 8:45 AM EDT

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