University of Wisconsin - Stout

Feature:
Building Relationships with Parents

January 27, 2006
School of Education
Editor: Karen Franker

Tech Tips
    ~ Keep Notebook Computers Out of the Cold
    ~ Previewing PowerPoint 2003 Slides in Black and White
Feature: Building Relationships with Parents
Hot News about e-Learning
Final Call for Online Classes
What Our Students Are Saying...
For More Information

Thanks for sharing the URL for this newsletter with your colleagues. Our newsletter keeps you up to date with helpful technology hints, teaching strategies, and sites of the week.

TECH TIPS

TIP #1 Keep Notebook Computers Out of the Cold

It's not a good idea to leave your notebook computer outdoors or in a vehicle when outside temperatures approach freezing. Reason: if the computer gets cold enough, the liquid crystals in the display can expand and rupture, ruining the screen. Worse yet, the hard drive may fail and destroy your data.

TIP #2 Previewing PowerPoint 2003 Slides in Black and White

Why would you want to view your Power Point slides in black and white?

  • It will enable you to preview how your slides will look when printed in black and white.
  • It will provide clues about problems that a color blind person may have when viewing your presentation.  For more about designing for color blindness, see Can Color Blind Users See Your Site?
To view Power Point slides in black and white:
Go to the View menu and select Color, then slide over to select Pure Black and White.

FEATURE: Building Relationships with Parents

Communicating with Parents and Families
Linda Shalaway provides some excellent tips for communicating like a professional with all parents, including those who seem to be more challenging.

Dealing with Difficult Parents
Gary Hopkins presents new perspectives about difficult parents and suggests strategies for better communication.

Getting Along with the Grown-Ups
Cheli Cerra and Ruth Jacoby describe some typical conflicts with parents and how to resolve them, including the parent who wants to tell you how to teach, and the parent who always brings his/her kid late.

The Difficult Parent-Teacher Conference
Mary Rose provides some excellent tips on how to keep your sanity and have a productive conference with the parents of your more challenging students.

Preventing and Resolving Parent-Teacher Differences
Lillian Katz provides tips for preventing and resolving differences between parents, teachers, and children through the use of effective communication, respect, grace, and good humor.

NEWS:
E-Learning

Hot Ed-Tech Trends Of 2005 (free registration Philadelphia Inquirer required)
Philadelphia Inquirer ed-tech columnist Joyce Kasman Valenza consults Dave Cormier, host of the Web's Ed Tech Talk Show, to develop her list of the top ten educational technology trends. Among her picks are wikis, blogs, podcasts and browser-based applications, all of which, she says, "enrich the educational landscape."

Final Call Online Courses

Registration closes soon for the following classes to provide time for assigning user name, password, university email address, and online orientation. Sign up today!

Additional courses begin in February, March and April. Reserve your spot soon!
List of spring and summer online classes

REGISTER ONLINE OR BY FAX (PDF FORM)
Payment plan option available. Tuition is the same fee for in-state and out-of-state participants. You may participate from your home or school computer.

Call University of Wisconsin-Stout Online Professional Development (715-642-0209) if you have questions.

WHAT OUR STUDENTS ARE SAYING...

About the Bullying in Schools online course:

"This was certainly one of the best courses I've ever taken! I think my principal should require teams of teachers at each grade level to take this course so they can become more aware of problems associated with bullying and cyber-bullying and not be afraid to handle them. The surveys were relevant and valuable tools that can be adapted for any grade level. You will leave this course with a wealth of information and ideas to utilize in your classroom. 
~ Elementary Teacher
Clinton, Massachusetts

Online Reading Certification Courses

Gain your certification in teaching reading through a sequence of six courses. Apply soon to begin June courses.

Master of Science in Education - Online Program

Join the fall 2006 cohort! University of Wisconsin-Stout's two-year, 30-credit MS Ed degree program is offered online, and no travel to campus is required. For additional information, email Amy Gullixson at gullixsona@uwstout.edu or call Amy at 715-232-5167.

Financial Aid is available for degree-seeking students.  You can apply online at www.fafsa.ed.gov , or to speak with a financial aid advisor, call UW-Stout's Financial Aid Office at 715-232-1363 or email finaid@uwstout.edu .

FOR MORE INFORMATION...

Request for Information Form
Email: Joan Vandervelde
Online Professional Development Program Coordinator
University of Wisconsin - Stout
Online Courses and Dates
Archive of Past Newsletters
Call University of Wisconsin-Stout Online Professional Development (715) 642-0209 if you have questions.

The next issue of Infobytes newsletter will feature: Motivating 21st Century Students

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