Monday, December 24, 2007

New Programs from GaDOE

The Georgia Department of Education in collaboration with Georgia Public Broadcasting bring two new video-training modules to school-based leadership teams, advisors, counselors, graduation coaches, middle school teachers, and high school teachers: Graduation Counts! Readiness to Results in Grades 6-12 and Teachers as Advisors.

Graduation Counts! is a six-episode series with topics ranging from Adult Culture, Utilizing Data, Rigor & Relevance, Relationships, Pyramids of Intervention, and Standards-Based Teaching. Each episode is introduced by Kathy Cox and is broken down into segments. This video-training module is designed for school-based leadership teams and provides a deeper understanding of the practices outlined in the Graduation Counts! guide.

Middle and high school teachers will be able to use Teachers as Advisors to assume responsibilities as student advisors and as members of graduation teams. The material in the series is also appropriate for advisors, counselors and graduation coaches. This informative program has ten modules including Establishing Need and Gaining Awareness of Data, The Educational and Career Planning Process, Articulating a Statement of Purpose, Strategic Planning for Parent/Family Involvement, Achieving Consensus on Organization and Logistics, Designing Framework-Based Content for Delivery, Understanding and Fully Utilizing Assessment Results, Determining the Level of Leader Involvement and Support, Professional Learning and On-going Support, and Assessing the Effectiveness of a TAA Program.

Watch Graduation Counts! and Teachers as Advisors in the GPB Digital Library. Look for these programs to air on GPB Education’s Satellite Network in the beginning of 2008!

Call for Early Childhood Trainers

Georgia Public Broadcasting’s Adult and Family Literacy Program is seeking state-approved Early Childhood trainers to join the GPB Training Team. We’re looking for trainers located in all areas of Georgia. Trainers in all counties of the state are encouraged to inquire.

1. Requirements: Must be a state approved trainer.
2. Must be proficient in Early Childhood content.
3. Must be willing to travel to Atlanta for “train-the-trainer” training sessions.

Spanish-speaking trainers are also encouraged to apply.

For more information about this exciting opportunity, please contact Carol Veatch at cveatch@gpb.org

Nominations for Child Care Providers of the Week

Georgia Public Broadcasting airs two outstanding shows Monday through Friday. Program your VCR!!

* Los Niños en Su Casa (4:30 am – 5:00 am)
* A Place of Our Own (5:00 am – 5:30 am)

The shows share ways for us all to help children acquire academic, social, emotional and physical skills, as well as nurture language and literacy development.

A Place of Our Own and Los Niños en Su Casa (in Spanish) will highlight a child care provider from a different community every week. Georgia Public Broadcasting is searching for providers who offer exemplary child care in their community and really go above and beyond what is expected of them. All nominees will be celebrated at special events throughout the state.

A half page nomination letter explaining who the provider is and why they should be considered for A Place of Our Own/Los Niños en Su Casa “Child Care Provider of the Week” is required.

You may send in a nomination for yourself by explaining who you are and why you should be considered for A Place of Our Own/Los Niños en Su Casa “Child Care Provider of the Week”

Requirements are:

* Must care for children between the ages of Birth-5 years.
* The provider can be licensed, registered or exempt (non licensed).
* Family, friend or neighbor providers (including nannies) that care for one or more children are encouraged to apply.
* We are looking for culturally diverse providers, who will allow us to represent all parts of the community.
* Providers do not have to be English speaking.

Visit the websites.

* www.aplaceofourown.org
* www.losninosensucasa.org

Nominations can be made on these websites
OR
You May Email Nominations To:
ccnominations@gpb.org
OR
Mail Nominations To:
Carol Veatch
260 14th Street, NW
Atlanta, Georgia 30318
Major funding for A Place of Our Own/ Los Niños en Su Casa is provided by BP, First 5 California, and The Corporation for Public Broadcasting. A Place of Our Own/Los Niños en Su Casa is a production of KCET/Los Angeles in association with Sesame Workshop and 44 Blue Productions, Inc.

Spectacular Saturday

Join Georgia Public Broadcasting, A Place of Our Own and Los Niños en Su Casa for a Spectacular Saturday in February 2008! This free, informative, fun-filled day is designed for Early Childhood Child Care Providers and includes sessions providing valuable information that will help you work with children to gain academic, social, emotional and physical skills. Sessions will also provide and include information that will help you nurture language and literacy development for pre-K children.

English and Spanish sessions and materials will be provided.

Select sessions at Spectacular Saturday will provide state credit. A complimentary breakfast and lunch will be served.

Family, Friend & Neighbor Home Child Care Providers, Center Providers and Nannies are all encouraged to attend!

For more information, please e-mail spectacularsaturday@gpb.org

Georgia Public Broadcasting And GaCSI: An Awareness & Action Campaign

Growing incidences of cybercrimes against children and teens provided undeniable evidence that there was a need for a comprehensive, culture-changing program that empowers children and teens with the knowledge, skills and ability to stay safe online. This need brought on the Georgia CyberSafety Initiative: An Awareness and Action Campaign (GaCSI), which provides the state of Georgia with the resources needed to battle cybercrimes and help keep children safe online. GPB is collaborating with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI), the Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA) and Richard Hull Middle School PTA (RHMS) of Gwinnett County Public Schools (GCPS) to fully develop the community education component of the GaCSI. Verizon’s philanthropic arm, the Verizon Foundation, awarded GPB a grant which will help with the completion of this component of GaCSI. The community education component of this grant, will follow a two-pronged approach:

1. A series of educational and informative 3 – 5 minute podcasts featuring experts on Internet safety, cyberbullying, and child/adolescent growth and development interviewed via telephone to discuss and offer solutions on Internet safety.
2. A series of 7 webcasts to be used by GEMA as a prerequisite to their two-day community presenter certification class on Internet safety, enabling enrollees to do guided pre-class preparation.

This component of GaCSI will be rolled out statewide with online dissemination by GPB. Ultimately, as GaCSI has access to more funding, the entire GaCSI program will be fully developed and will have national impact as a replicable, model program of best practices. With its statewide broadcast coverage and commitment to using Internet and other emerging information technologies for the benefit of K-12 education, GPB is the logical choice to take the lead on protecting children by utilizing cybersafety information and education through the Georgia CyberSafety Initiative: An Awareness and Action Campaign program. Watch video segments of the Governor’s Town Hall Meeting on Internet Safety:

* Partnership for a Child-Safe Internet: Michele Robinson
* Partnership for a Child-Safe Internet: Governor Perdue
* Partnership for a Child-Safe Internet: Panel Introductions
* Partnership for a Child-Safe Internet: David Nahmias
* Partnership for a Child-Safe Internet: Sue Dowling
* Partnership for a Child-Safe Internet: Tod Keys
* Partnership for a Child-Safe Internet: Garry McGiboney, PH.D.
* Partnership for a Child-Safe Internet: Kelley Bradshaw
* Partnership for a Child-Safe Internet: Michael Mckeehan
* Partnership for a Child-Safe Internet: Q & A
* Partnership for Child-Safe Internet

The C-47 Legend

You probably have heard about C-47 by now and know that around GPB it is our Georgia Short Film Showcase, but you probably have wondered what exactly a C-47 is and why we chose to call our stellar showcase a C-47. To get this answer, we will need to take a little glimpse into the world of filmmaking.

Filmmakers rely on many factors to create a desired effect and mood to a scene, but one in particular is very important: lighting. Since Shakespearean times, lighting has been one of the single most important aspect of a set or scene. As you can probably imagine, lighting a scene in those times were quit different than today. The difference between the times is wine glasses and color correction gel or diffusion that is used in today’s filmmaking.

These color correction gels or diffusions used in modern times are simply transparent colored materials placed over a light on a film set. There’s one small catch – the lights on a set tend to get extremely hot and something durable that can withstand the heat of the light is needed to hold the color correction gel in place. What would this durable, outstanding material be? It would have to be the one and only, ever so heat-resistant wooden clothespins that are known by filmmakers and the film industry as C-47s.

These handy, non-heat transferring C-47s make changing a color correction gel much safer than touching the light directly. They are used so often on the set that some in the industry refer to them as “bullets” because crew members have them pinned everywhere including their belts for use at any given moment.

For why the filmmakers decided to call wooden clothespins a C-47 is really up to debate. Some believe it was for budgeting purposes to make the tool sound more exclusive than it really is, and some believe it came from a box label. Either way, the clothespin with a humble beginning as just a device used for hanging clothes on a clothesline is now as famous as some of the filmmakers themselves – stage name and all.

Without C-47s, lighting just wouldn’t be the same on a set. We decided this tool represented exactly what we think short films represent – something filmmakers can’t live without.

To learn more about C-47: Georgia Short Film Showcase, visit www.cforty7.com. The next deadline for submissions is December 31.

Saturday, November 24, 2007

TIE Members Master Technology in Augusta

GPB Education's TIE Network "kicked off the school year with technology" in Augusta on Monday, September 24 with a successful football-themed event! Members of the TIE Network from the Department of Education, Columbia County, Glascock County, the NSC ETTC and the First District ETTC were all in attendance.

During the event, members were shown all of the great features of the TIE website, PowerPoint presentations with a dash of animation tricks, and all of the cool Google resources (Google Earth, Google Docs, Picasa). Members also received a great presentation by Jeff Giddens, TIE Network advisory board leader from the First District ETTC, on how to edit audio files using Audacity.

"At the end of the day, we uploaded projects to the TIE Network Resource Center and we agreed that time flew while we were having fun," said Katherine Aiken, TIE Network Manager.

This engaging event is just one of the many that go on throughout the year in the TIE Network. Please check the TIE Network calendar for more upcoming regional events and webinars for TIE Network members.

Upcoming TIE Network Regional Events:

Thursday, November 15, 2007
7:00 PM - 9:30 PM
TIE Network dinner in Atlanta during GaETC

Old Spaghetti Factory
249 Ponce de Leon Ave.
Atlanta, GA 30308
TIE Network members must RSVP online to reserve a seat since space is limited.

Thursday, December 6, 2007
Columbus TIE Network All-day Event

The location has not been confirmed yet, but you can go ahead and reserve your space now. Please check the TIE Network calendar for more updates. TIE Network members must RSVP online to reserve a seat since space is limited.

Please take a moment to look at the opportunities above and RSVP only if you will be able to attend the event. Since these regional get-togethers are for TIE Network members, please apply for TIE Network membership before RSVPing for events. When you RSVP for an event, we are counting on your attendance and we have allocated funds for your participation.

Step 1
Apply for TIE Network Membership:
1. Visit www.tienetwork.org.
2. Click on the Register link on the right-hand side of the page.
3. Enter the following information into the template provided:
First Name, Last Name, Username, E-mail, Password and Verified Password.
4. Click on the Zoomerang link at the bottom of the template to access the online TIE Network membership application.
5. After you submit your Zoomerang survey, you will receive a Zoomerang Code that you will enter into the website template in the Zoomerang Code field.
6. Submit your information by clicking on the Send Registration button.

You will be notified via e-mail when your TIE Network website account has been activated.

Step 2
RSVP for TIE Network events:
1. Log into the TIE Network website at www.tienetwork.org.
2. Click on the "Links" tab in the green toolbar towards the top of the page.
3. Click on the "TIE Network Event RSVPs" link.
4. Locate the TIE Network Event link listed at the bottom of the page.
5. Click on the link you plan to attend.
6. Complete and submit the event RSVP online survey.

Join GPB at the Georgia Educational Technology Conference

The Georgia Educational Technology Conference (GaETC) is celebrating its 20th year November 14 -16 in Atlanta! For two decades, GaETC has been providing invaluable information to educators for integrating technology in the classroom. During the conference, educators have the opportunity to network, attend a number of engaging concurrent sessions, listen to nationally known speakers and presenters, attend workshops on the latest technology and software, and explore endless amounts of technology in the exhibit hall. Attendees also have the chance to receive PLU credit through the Educational Technology Training Center at Kennesaw State University. The Georgia Educational Technology Conference (GaETC) is sponsored by the Georgia Educational Technology Consortium, Inc., with the support of the Georgia Department of Education.

Remember to stop by GPB Education's booth at GaETC!

FREE Family Literacy Training Sessions

Learn how to use everyday family activities to help children become better learners and readers using stories from the rich Latino cultures and traditions in Lee y serás: Family Album's FREE two-day training sessions available the beginning of 2008. These training sessions are brought to you by GPB Education and the Department of Technical and Adult Education's Office of Adult Literacy in partnership with Scholastic, the National Council of La Raza (NCLR) and Verizon.

Lee y serás® is a national Latino early literacy initiative that empowers and engages families and communities to foster children's literacy development. By providing research-based, in-culture, and bilingual curricula and materials for families, childcare providers and leaders, the program's goal is to create long-term attitudinal and behavioral change in an effort to help close the education achievement gap.

If you are interested in attending these training sessions, please contact Carol Veatch at CVeatch@gpb.org. Seating is limited.

For more information visit www.leeyseras.net.

Tuesday, November 20, 2007

Georgia's F3 Program Keeping Children Safe Online

We live in a fast-paced world where it seems as though everyone is multitasking while they are multitasking. Most of this can be credited to the fact that technology and the way and how we communicate - social networking sites, blogging, texting, video phones, etc. - just keeps on changing and growing at a pace that none of us, not even the tech-savvy ones among us, can really keep up with.

This is a big concern when it comes to how to keep children and students safe from the threats that can come along with the technology. This harm is in the form of predators and not-so-child-friendly websites that are lurking out on the internet - just waiting to find them.

"Before the issue was getting schools connected to technology and now it is cybersafety," said Claudia Huff, Principal Research Associate for Foundations for the Future at the Georgia Tech Research Institute.

Foundations for the Future (F3), a collaboration of Georgia Tech researchers working with government and industry support to ensure universal K-12 technology access and effective use in Georgia, has been around since 1996 helping schools and school districts around Georgia acquire technology and use technology through technical assistance, professional development workshops, proposal writing assistance, technology demonstrations, conference sponsorship and strategic planning.

With all of this information and technology know-how, F3 is now on the forefront of cybersafety research. To date, F3's research has concluded that there has been a significant rise in cyber crimes against children within the last decade. Some of the findings include that the rise in cyber crimes may come from the fact that 39% of youth have given out personal information online; only one in four youth who received a sexual solicitation online reported the incident to an adult; and more than 1/3 of students in grades five through eight say their parents would disapprove if they know what they did online.

F3 has also identified common threats for children online, including online child predators, access to inappropriate materials, cyberbulling and harassment, identity theft, and the list goes on.

These overwhelming statistics and threats brought on an initiative by F3 focused on cybersafety for K-12. This initiative is a holistic approach which focuses on awareness and prevention among teachers, parents and community organizations. According to F3, one of the main issues with cybersafety is that children just aren't taught how to be safe and what precautions to take.

"Adults today really aren't teaching children how to be safe on the net," says Jessica Pater, Cyber Security Researcher for Foundations for the Future. "It's not about taking technology away, it's about grooming children to be responsible," Pater adds.

F3 believes that preventive measures for cybersafety need to be taken beyond just common awareness-building levels. and on to comprehensive knowledge applications that aim towards altering behaviors of children while on the internet and using all types of communications technology. As a result of these proposed preventive measures, F3 is confident that children will be able to better protect themselves while using the internet and other forms of communications technology.

This cybersafety initiative is a collaborative effort between F3 at the Georgia Tech Research Institute, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI), the DeKalb County School System, the Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA) and GPB Education.

F3 and its partners have created a 5-year plan for reaching its goal of prevention by raising awareness and taking action in the state of Georgia. F3 believes this initiative could be implemented nationwide.

Claudia Huff, Principal Research Associate at F3, may have summed everything up best by saying "Keep up, keep ahead and keep informed."

More information about F3 and the Cybersafety Initiative.

Check out F3's monthly newsletter that lists safe websites for the whole family to enjoy.

Sunday, November 4, 2007

Irasshai a Success at JapanFest

On September 29 and 30, GPB's Irasshai enjoyed its presence at the annual JapanFest held this year at the Gwinnett Center in Duluth, Ga. This year marked the 21st anniversary of this exciting event, organized by The Japan-America Society of Georgia, and The Japanese Chamber of Commerce of Georgia, and supported by the Consulate General of Japan. The festival had historically been held at Stone Mountain, where Irasshai has been an active participant since the event was moved there in 1996.

JapanFest attendees made their way through the convention hall to watch and sometimes take part in demonstrations, performances, and various workshops including bonsai, ikebana, and kimono-wearing. In addition, there were many Japanese companies who are based in Georgia displaying their products in the Made in Georgia exhibition. More serious shoppers browsed the vast array of Japanese household goods, books, masks, toys, ceramics, traditional clothing and more.

The Irasshai booth was center of the popular trivia bowl, where participants challenged three rounds of Japanese language and culture related questions. Everyone walked away a winner, with the top prize being the highly-treasured Irasshai T-shirt for the more than 40 participants who were able to answer all three questions correctly.

The event was also an opportunity for Irasshai students to meet their A.I. (telephone) teachers, and to practice their Japanese. Host and TV teacher, Tim Cook, was also on site for a photo opportunity with Irasshai students. Program facilitators from Georgia high schools who were also able to attend got the chance to meet and chat with the Irasshaistaff. JapanFest was once again an excellent opportunity for people to experience first-hand the many wonderful aspects of Japanese culture.

Irasshai will be present at the ACTFL (American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages) conference in San Antonio, TX on November 16-18, 2007!

Wednesday, October 24, 2007

Introduction...Alliance of Education Agency Heads

Many observers agree Georgia's public education system is improving. Gov. Sonny Perdue last summer (2006) saw the positive trend but looked for a way to turn that into lasting, long-term outcomes. As a result, the Alliance of Education Agency Heads (AEAH) was born.

You will be hearing more about this group as they bring their combined resources together to better focus and coordinate their efforts in making systemic changes to public education in Georgia. The Alliance is composed of the leaders of seven state agencies -Department of Education, Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia, Georgia Student Finance Commission, Department of Early Care and Learning, Professional Standards Commission, Department of Adult and Technical Education, Office of Student Achievement - and is chaired by State Superintendent of Schools Kathy Cox.

Individually, they are responsible for almost every part of the public education system. But now collectively they are "teaming for Georgia's children" in an orchestrated effort to bring more assets to the table to get things done. The Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education and the Metropolitan Atlanta Chamber of Commerce are serving as advisory members to bring the voice of the business community to the table and then to advise business leaders on the Alliance's work.

The Alliance has five goals:

* Increase high school graduation rate, decrease high school dropout rate, and
* increase post secondary enrollment rate.
* Strengthen teacher quality, recruitment and retention.
* Improve workforce readiness skills.
* Develop strong education leaders, particularly at the building level.
* Improve the SAT/ACT scores of Georgia students.

These goals will guide efforts to improve Georgia's education system and will result in higher student achievement rates well into the future. Improvements in education will lead to improvements in the state's economic development as well. Having a well-educated and easily trainable workforce draws commerce and provides opportunity.

Join the TIE Network at Upcoming Events!

Now that the 2007-2008 school year is in full swing, we want to encourage TIE Network members to attend at least one regional event between now and the end of December 2007. These regional get-togethers are a wonderful way to network with members who are outside of your district while also learning new technology skills for your classroom, district or region.
If you haven't joined the growing TIE Network, then now is the time! The GPB Education Technology in Education Network (TIE Network) has plenty of events planned for fall and winter! If you are already a TIE Member, then get signed-up and be prepared to mingle with your fellow TIE members!

Upcoming TIE Network Events:
Monday, September 24, 2007 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Augusta TIE Network All-day Event CSRA RESA/ETTC at the National Science Center's Fort Discovery One Seventh Street, Fifth Floor Augusta, Ga. 30901 TIE Network members must RSVP online to reserve a seat since space is limited.

Thursday, October 18, 2007 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM TIE Network dinner on St. Simons Island during the COMO Conference Gnat's Landing 310 Redfern Village St. Simons Island, Ga. 31522 TIE Network members must RSVP online to reserve a seat since space is limited.

Saturday, October 20, 2007 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Savannah ETTC All-day Event Armstrong Atlantic ETTC 11935 Abercorn Street Savannah, Ga. 31419 TIE Network members must RSVP online to reserve a seat since space is limited.

Thursday, November 15, 2007 7:00 PM - 9:30 PM TIE Network dinner in Atlanta during GaETC Old Spaghetti Factory 249 Ponce de Leon Ave. Atlanta, Ga. 30308 TIE Network members must RSVP online to reserve a seat since space is limited.

Thursday, December 6, 2007 Columbus TIE Network All-day Event The location has not been confirmed yet, but you can go ahead and reserve your space now. Please check the TIE Network calendar for more updates. TIE Network members must RSVP online to reserve a seat since space is limited.

Please take a moment to look at the opportunities above and RSVP only if you will be able to attend the event. Since these regional get-togethers are for TIE Network members, please apply for TIE Network membership before you RSVP for events. When you RSVP for an event, we are counting on your attendance and we have allocated funds for your participation.

Step 1 Apply for TIE Network membership: 1. Visit the TIE Network website 2. Click on the Register link on the right-hand side of the page. 3. Enter the following information into the template provided: First Name, Last Name, Username, E-mail, Password and Verified Password. 4. Click on the Zoomerang link at the bottom of the template to access the online TIE Network membership application. 5. After you submit your Zoomerang survey, you will receive a Zoomerang Code that you will enter into the website template in the Zoomerang Code field. 6. Submit your information by clicking on the Send Registration button.
You will be notified via e-mail when your TIE Network website account has been activated.

Step 2 RSVP for TIE Network events: 1. Log into the TIE Network website. 2. Click on the "Links" tab in the green toolbar towards the top of the page. 3. Click on the "TIE Network Event RSVPs" link. 4. Locate the TIE Network Event link listed at the bottom of the page. 5. Click on the link you plan to attend. 6. Complete and submit the event RSVP online survey.

Child Care Provider Nominations

GPB Education is on the search for Georgia child care providers who offer exemplary child care in their community and really go above and beyond what is expected of them. These nominations are a part of KCET's A Place of Our Own and Los Niños en Su Casa (in Spanish) "Child Care Provider of the Week" program. Nominated child care providers have an opportunity to be recognized on the outstanding national television series and on its website as the "Child Care Provider of the Week."

Produced by KCET, A Place of Our Own and Los Niños en Su Casa are award-winning shows made specifically for the individuals who care for children. In fun and engaging half-hour episodes, parents and caregivers receive insight on how to raise smart, healthy and happy children. The series also illustrates superior childcare, with segments shot in homes and pre-school centers.

Being recognized as a "Child Care Provider of the Week" is a wonderful opportunity, and we believe Georgia has plenty of child care providers to nominate! To nominate a Georgia child care provider to be a "Child Care Provider of the Week," a half page nomination letter explaining who they are and why they should be considered for "Child Care Provider of the Week" is required. You may send in a nomination for yourself by explaining who you are and why you should be considered.

Requirements are:

* MUST provide home-based child care. No caregivers from childcare centers are eligible.
* Must care for children between the ages of 0-5.
* The provider can be licensed, registered or exempt (non-licensed). Family, friend or neighbor providers that care for only one child are also eligible.
* We are looking for culturally diverse providers who will allow us to represent all parts of the community. They do not have to be English speaking.

Please send your nominations to:
Carol Veatch, M.Ed.
Family Literacy Coordinator
Georgia Public Broadcasting
404-685-2555 (Phone)
404-685-2556 (FAX)
cveatch@gbp.org

GPB Education airs A Place of Our Own (5:00 am - 5:30 am) and Los Niños en Su Casa (4:30 am - 5:00 am) Monday through Friday.

For more information about A Place of Our Own and Los Niños en Su Casa, visit www.aplaceofourown.org www.losninosensucasa.org/index.php

Tuesday, October 2, 2007

C-47's New Show and Winner!

C-47: Georgia Short Film Showcase's program will return on October 23 with an all new episode featuring the winner of the Spring 2007 Showcase Andrew Shipsides and his film Bottleneck. Shipsides is no stranger to winning awards, he has already been honored as a finalist for the student Academy Awards, is a winner of HBO Films Student Competition Award, is a winner of Panavision Student Cinematographer Award, and has received a nomination for mtvUs Best Filmmaker on Campus Award. C-47 will be talking with Shipsides and other Bottleneck filmmakers about their winning film. Look for new segments "History of Georgia Cinema" and find out the latest news about the Georgia film industry.

Please visit the C-47 website at www.Cforty7.com for the IMAGE Salons where industry professionals and aspiring filmmakers gather to discuss various topics. October's salon will be held at Georgia Public Broadcasting and will focus on the CECIL Project (Committee on Entertainment, Capital, Investment & Legislation) educating investors about entertainment projects in Georgia. These Salons are free and open to the public.

C-47's website will be undergoing a redesign this fall. If you have any questions or comments, please e-mail C-47 at c47info@gpb.org.

Monday, September 24, 2007

GPB's Irasshai at JapanFest!

GPB's Japanese distance learning program, Irasshai, will be in attendance at the annual JapanFest, a weekend festival that concludes a month-long series of events designed to promote understanding between Japanese and Americans in the Southeast. After 10 wonderful years at Stone Mountain Park, JapanFest is moving indoors to the Gwinnett Center, and will be held on September 29-30 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. (see www.japanfest.org for directions, schedules and more).

The cultural aspect highlighted in this year's JapanFest is Japanese cuisine. The Japanese food culture will be explored through lectures by a renowned nutritionist, cooking and tea ceremony demonstrations, a display of the art of Japanese plastic food, workshops, and much more.

Also featured will be performances by taiko drummers, street performers, a candy artist, and a variety of singers. JapanFest has been elected as a Top 20 Event in the region by the Southeast Tourism Society in previous years. Last year, JapanFest Weekend attracted approximately 17,500 visitors.

Please come by the Irasshai booth, where you can sign up to purchase our new DVD media set. This set contains all 138 video lessons, retails at $299.00, and can be purchased at the special discounted price of $149.00! We hope you take advantage of this special offer, and are looking forward to seeing you at the Irasshai booth this year!

Road Trip Continues

The award-winning series Road Trip continues this fall with all new episodes! This engaging series showcases the unique educational opportunities offered by the 34 colleges that make up the Technical College System of Georgia.

Each episode features a story line that follows two career counselors at the fictitious Callaway High School. They show their students the rewards of staying in school by taking them on visits to Georgia's technical colleges and highlighting some of technical education's most popular, ground-breaking programs.

The Georgia Department of Technical and Adult Education and Georgia Public Broadcasting partnered to create Road Trip. You can watch the series on GPB's satellite education network channels 420 and 430 and on the GPB website (www.gpb.org/public/education/roadtrip).

Don't miss this popular, award-winning series!

108 "A Thing for NASCAR" SPOTLIGHTING: Motorsports Programs

109 "Grounds for Success" SPOTLIGHTING: Twenty-first Century Agriculture

110 "Give Us Patients" SPOTLIGHTING: Careers in Medicine

111 "All That Matters" SPOTLIGHTING: Modern Career Opportunities

112 "Home Again" SPOTLIGHTING: Digital Video Production

Check out the new Georgia Department of Technical and Adult Education's website at www.technicalcollegesystemofgeorgia.org

Literary Festival in the North Georgia Mountains

If you enjoy the writing created by the fine men and women that call Georgia home, then you won't want to miss the annual Georgia Literary Festival on September 28 - 30 in Blue Ridge, Ga. Free and open to the public, this "moveable feast" celebrates Georgia's rich literary heritage with fun activities for all ages. While enjoying the North Georgia mountains, attendees will have the opportunity to listen to award-winning poets and authors, including Bettie Sellers, Philip Lee Williams, Amy Blackmarr, Joe Dabney, Dr. Helen Lewis, Dana Wildsmith, and Ethelene Jones. The late Appalachian poet and novelist Byron Herbert Reece will be the honored writer at this year's festival. Guests will also enjoy a children's character provided by GPB.

For more information, please visit GPB Education's Family Literacy

Tuesday, September 4, 2007

Epic Documentary Premieres on GPB

GPB is proud to present the new PBS seven-part documentary series The War, beginning Sunday, September 23 at 8 PM. Directed and produced by renowned filmmaker Ken Burns, the series explores the history and horror of the Second World War from an American perspective by following the fortunes of ordinary men and women who get caught up in an extraordinary time.

Six years in the making, this epic 14-hour film, focuses on the stories of citizens from four geographically distributed American towns - Waterbury, Connecticut; Mobile, Alabama; Sacramento, California; and the tiny farming town of Luverne, Minnesota. These four communities stand in for - and could represent - any town in the United States that went through the war's four devastating years.

Be sure to tune in after the broadcast of The War for specially-produced segments that share the personal experiences of Georgians in WWII. The segments were produced by GPB and include participants from GPB's World War II Veterans Oral History Project.

America Goes To War - Georgians share their stories of Pearl Harbor and its aftermath.

An Unequal War - Georgians reflect on their experiences of segregation and racism during World War II.

D-Day - The events of D-Day are seared in the memories of Georgians who lived through it on the battlefront and the homefront.

Battlefield Memories - Georgia veterans share their stories of peril, courage and survival as they fought on land, in the air and at sea.

For more information about GPB's World War II Veterans Oral History Project, please visit www.WWIIVets.org, call 1-888-685-0304, or e-mail WarVets@gpb.org.

Sunday, September 2, 2007

GPEE Bus Trip Set for September, October Runs

The Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education will soon be visiting the 13 schools that make up the 2007 Bus Trip Across Georgia. Approximately 200 education, business, government and community leaders from around the state will participate in the two separate tours set for Sept. 25 - 27 and Oct. 23 - 25.

More than 200 stops have been made since the annual tour began in 1993. Schools selected as stops have a proven track record of academic excellence, educational innovation and sustained performance. This year's tour focuses on math and science achievement.

Traditionally, the tour attempts to provide a wide range of educational programs for riders to experience. This year will be no different as participants will experience primary through high school levels and will see innovative approaches to education.

"The schools we select and visit represent what is right in Georgia's public education system. They have all set high standards and goals and are preparing their students for the next level in their education careers," said Dr. Stephen Dolinger, president of the Partnership.

He added, "Our visits accomplish two things. While we are bringing much deserved recognition to these schools and their school systems, we are also showcasing best practices to influencers who might adopt some of these great ideas for use in their own communities."

Dolinger also explained another objective is to provide decision makers with an opportunity to see how policy impacts the classroom. "Education decisions made at the state level will ultimately reach the grassroots level. It is important for these leaders to see firsthand the results of their actions." He added that the annual trip helps highlight where and how Georgia needs to be focusing its efforts in improving student achievement.

More details, including application information, are available on the Partnership website.

Friday, August 24, 2007

The 2007 - 2008 Irasshai School Year Begins!

The Irasshai office is smoking hot as the dog days of summer quickly approach. That's because GPB's Japanese language and culture distance learning program is gearing up for its 12th season of operation. Early registrations for 2007-2008 have reached a record high; more than triple the enrollment from this time last year. Read about Emmy-award winning distance educator, Tim Cook-sensei and more about the program at www.gpb.org/irasshai. Registration materials are available on the website under "how to register" and can also be completed online or printed out and faxed to the Irasshai office.

Irasshai will also have a presence once again at JapanFest, which will be held at the Gwinnett Center Convention Center on September 29-30 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. (see www.japanfest.org for directions, schedules and more). Join the ten thousand-some-odd other guests and experience the excitement of Japanese culture firsthand. Get into the festival spirit and stop by the Irasshai booth!

New and exciting changes are also in the works for Irasshai this year. DVD sets and hardcover bound textbooks are just two examples of upcoming additions to the program.

PBS TeacherLine Fall Courses

Start the 2007-2008 school year with PBS TeacherLine, the premier resource offering professional development courses online to individual PreK-12 teachers and districts. Find over 100 top-quality, standards-based courses that span the entire curriculum: Mathematics, Reading/Language Arts, Science, Instructional Technology and Instructional Strategies.

Coursework can cover a complete sequence of study or address a specific requirement, depending on a teacher's or district's needs. The courses can be used for re-certification, pay upgrades and Professional Learning Units. Graduate credit can also be earned for an additional fee.

PBS TeacherLine's courses are developed in collaboration with the following leading national educational organizations: International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE), National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) and The Concord Consortium.

Why Choose PBS TeacherLine Courses?

* Convenient, Flexible, Affordable and Easy to Use
* Direct Classroom Applications
* Collaborative Learning Environment
* Engaging, Top-quality Content
* Lead to professional recognition

To enroll in a PBS TeacherLine course, visit the Course Catalog main page on the PBS TeacherLine website, find a course that fits your needs and click 'View Details / Enroll.'

Current Courses Offered:

Instructional Technology:

TECH522 Online Facilitator Training I: Mastering the Skills of Online Teaching - 45hr
TECH400 Capstone Introduction - 6hr
TECH325 Searching and Researching on the Internet - 30hr
TECH145 Teaching with WebQuests for Grades K-12 - 30hr
TECH160 Putting Technology to Use in the Classroom: Where to Start - 30hr
TECH195 Teaching and Learning with Graphic Organizers: Featuring Inspiration - 30hr
TECH300 The Computer for Personal Productivity - 30hr
TECH320 Introduction to a One-Computer Classroom - 30hr
TECH335 Publishing on the Web - 30hr
TECH410 PBS TeacherLine / ISTE Capstone Certificate Program / Capstone I - 45hr
TECH415 PBS TeacherLine / ISTE Capstone Certificate Program / Capstone II - 45hr

Reading/Language Arts:

RDLA125 Children's Authors on the Web: Online Sites that Motivate Students to Write (Grades K-6) - 30hr
RDLA152 An Introduction to Underlying Principles and Research for Effective Literacy Instruction (Grades K-8) - 45hr
RDLA200 Facilitating Oral Language Development (Grades PreK-3) - 30hr
RDLA130 Teaching Reading in Science - 30hr
RDLA135 Teaching Reading in Mathematics - 30hr
RDLA150 An Introduction to Underlying Principles and Research for Effective Literacy Instruction (Grades K-8) - 30hr
RDLA155 Teaching Phonemic Awareness and Phonics (Grades PreK-3) - 30hr
RDLA162 Teaching Phonics and Spelling for Emergent Readers (Grades PreK-K) - 45hr
RDLA170 Teaching Vocabulary: Word Meanings and Word Knowledge (Grades PreK-2) - 30hr
RDLA210 Effective Writing Instruction (Grades 1-3) - 30hr
RDLA220 Teaching Writing in the Content Areas (Grades 6?12) - 30hr
RDLA340 Teaching Reading in the Content Areas - 30hr
RDLA345 Early Literacy Learning (K-2) - Part 1 - 30hr
RDLA363 Supporting English Language Learners: Oral Language Development (Grades PreK-3) - 10hr

Instructional Strategies:

INST320 Connecting Family, Community and Schools - 30hr
INST120 Creating Units to Support Differing Learning Styles - 30hr
INST180 Differentiated Instruction (Grades 6-8) - 30hr
INST300 Curriculum Mapping I by Heidi Hayes Jacobs - 30hr
INST325 Using Assessment and Evaluation - 30hr
INST335 Constructing Learning Centered Environments - 30hr

Mathematics:

MATH120 Fostering Cooperative Learning, Discussion, and Critical Thinking in Elementary Math (Grades 1-5) - 30hr
MATH160 Gender Equity in the Mathematics Classroom (Grades 4-8) - 30hr
MATH165 Enabling Students with Special Needs to Succeed in Math Class (Grades 4-8) - 30hr
MATH181 Math in Everyday Life for Grades K-5 - 15hr
MATH196 Shaping Up: Teaching Geometry Using Technology in Grades 3-5 - 15hr
MATH216 The Odds Are Good: Probability for Grades 6-8 - 15hr
MATH221 Count on It: Number Sense for Grades K-5 - 15hr
MATH250 Understanding Numbers and Operations: Addition and Subtraction in Grades PreK-3 - 30hr
MATH280 Understanding Counting and Numbers (Grades K-2) - 30hr
MATH415 Seeing Math?: Transformations of Linear Functions - 30hr
MATH440 Seeing Math?: Transformations of Quadratic Functions - 30hr
MATH455 Seeing Math?: Data Analysis - 30hr


Science:
SCIE120 Scientific Inquiry and Field Work: Discovering with Technology for Grades 6-8 - 30hr
SCIE125 Fostering Cooperative Learning, Inquiry, and Critical Thinking in Elementary Science (Grades 1-4) - 30hr
SCIE504 Plants and Animals - Special Collection: Teachers' Domain, produced by WGBH Boston - Grades K-5 - 30hr
SCIE514 Regulation and Behavior - Special Collection: Teachers' Domain, produced by WGBH Boston - Grades 6-8 - 30hr
SCIE522 Inquiry in Science Education - Special Collection: Teachers' Domain, produced by WGBH Boston - Grades 9-12 - 30hr
SCIE546 Understanding Heat Transfer - Special Collection: Teachers' Domain, produced by WGBH Boston - Grades 6-8 - 30hr
SCIE556 Building Understanding - Special Collection: Teachers' Domain, produced by WGBH Boston - Grades 9-12 - 30hr
SCIE566 Earth in Time and Space - Special Collection: Teachers' Domain, produced by WGBH Boston - Grades 6-12 - 30hr

TIE Network Updates

GPB Education's Technology in Education (TIE) Network kept busy and grew significantly during the summer months! If you were at NECC, then you probably saw the bright green TIE Network t-shirts everywhere! This field of brightly colored t-shirts could only mean one thing - TIE Network had plenty of events and activities happening during NECC. Events included a gathering at the Braves game, an Advisory Board dinner, a "Birds of a Feather" session, and several presentations by TIE Network members.

The TIE Network, which empowers Georgia's educators by connecting them with other educators throughout the region, holds events and sessions throughout the year. If you would like to become a member of this growing network of educators, then please visit TIE Network

Below you will find details of TIE Network events during NECC and a TIE Network Recap.

TIE Network Events during NECC

TIE Network Birds of a Feather session at NECC: TIE Network recapped the first 6 months of the TIE Network and used MP3 recorders to document our experiences with TIE and the importance of integrating technology into the classroom.

TIE Network Advisory Board Dinner: Planned for next year. Our focus will be on creating user-generated content and spotlighting student-created work.

TIE Network statewide event at the Braves Game: Networked and used MP3 recorders to share our NECC experiences.

Seven TIE Network members presented at NECC: Holly Boykin, Jeff Giddens, Amber Hoke, Helen Maddox, Brent McBride, Shaun Owen and Daniel Rivera

TIE Network 6-month Recap

Regional events: Georgia Southern University in March, Dalton State ETTC in April, Albany State ETTC in May, Pioneer ETTC in June and Valdosta State ETTC in July

Membership: 368

Participating districts: 72

Participating ETTCs and RESAs: 13

Uploaded Content in the Resource Center: 151 items

What is Datacasting?

GPB Education is pleased to announce that we are moving to a more efficient and effective distribution model for our educational content. During the 2007-2008 school year, we will begin transitioning to a statewide datacasting model in order to expand the distribution of education, training and emergency management information to every corner of the state.

Datacasting, also known as "data broadcasting," is the broadcasting of data over a wide area via radio waves. While we will continue to distribute our content via satellite during this school year, we will have the datacasting solution in place for the 2008-2009 school year. This change will not impact the content GPB Education delivers. You will continue to receive updates so that you are prepared to make a seamless transition to the new model.

Wednesday, August 22, 2007

Understanding Early Learning

If you have been looking for the gap to be closed between scientific research and how to use that information in everyday situations - look no further! Georgia Public Broadcasting has partnered with KCTS Television and the Talaris Research Institute to offer families and early learning educators in Georgia Parenting Counts: A Focus on Early Learning.

With the knowledge obtained from years of research and recognizing the existing gap between what scientists know and what is being practiced in early learning and brain development, the Talaris Research Institute developed the Parenting Counts education program to deliver messages and understandings of how children think, feel and learn to the people who could use this information the most - parents and all who have a role in the development of a child. The Talaris Research Institute believes that once the basis of a child's development is understood, a child's opportunities to live a fulfilling life are significantly improved.

The Parenting Counts program can be found in the form of "video prompts,"printed materials and in-depth workshops. "Video prompts" sharing real life parenting moments focused around the topics of parent/child communication, emotions, exploring and emergent literacy will air on GPB television spots beginning this Fall. In-depth workshops conducted throughout the year provide a better understanding of early childhood social, emotional and cognitive development, as well as supportive, practical tips for enhancing the parent-child relationship.

To schedule a Parenting Counts workshop, contact Carol Veatch at CVeatch@gpb.org or Laura Miller at LMiller@gpb.org.

For more information about Parenting Counts, please visit GPB's Family Literacy webpage or the Talaris Research Institute website.

Thursday, August 2, 2007

GPB Education Resources Available for Download from unitedstreaming

GPB Education is currently in the process of making resources available on unitedstreaming, a digital video-based learning resource that has been scientifically proven to increase academic achievement. Currently, The Green Tree Frog: How a Bill becomes a Law, GPB Education's animated short film intended to be used as supplemental material for eighth grade social studies (Georgia Performance Standard SS8CG2c), is available for educators to download from unitedstreaming. Look for the following content in the fall: GPB Classroom: Chemistry and Physics.

Wednesday, August 1, 2007

ATTENTION: NEW PROGRAM DELETION LIST!!!

GPB Education has made a new edition to Pipeline - the Program Deletion List. It is a listing of expiration dates for our satellite delivered programming. Programming needs to be deleted from your media centers as soon as the expiration date passes because our rights to air those programs have expired. The list starts from June 2006 and goes into 2008.

The Program Deletion List can be found in the Broadcast Schedule section of Pipeline. Simply click on the Program Deletion List link and you'll find a spreadsheet of all of the programs that have expired.

Programs to Look for in August

French in Action

This series uses active participation to increase fluency in French, while introducing French culture. Pierre Capretz's proven language-immersion method is presented within a humorous teleplay with native speakers of all ages and backgrounds. The storyline of an American student and a young Frenchwoman's adventures in Paris and the French countryside is reinforced by Dr. Capretz's on-camera instruction. The series is also appropriate for teacher professional development.

Check the GPB Education Schedule for air dates and times.


Arts in Every Classroom: A Workshop for Elementary School Teachers

This video workshop is comprised of eight one-hour programs that provide new ideas about working with the arts for K-5 classroom and arts specialist teachers. During the programs, Learner Teams - teachers, principals and arts specialists - work through a curriculum unit based on a multi-arts performance piece by Cirque du Soleil. Classroom segments show students engaged in the same lessons.

Check the GPB Education Schedule for air dates and times.

Where We'll Be

GPB Education will be at the following conferences. Stop by our exhibit booth and learn about all of our educational resources!

September 29 - 30
JapanFest
Gwinnett Center
Duluth, GA

October 17 - 19
COMO Conference
Jekyll Island Convention Center
Jekyll Island, GA

October 18 - 19
GCSS Conference
Classic Center
Athens, GA

October 24 - 26
Family Connection Conference
Classic Center
Athens, GA

November 14 - 16
GAETC
Georgia International Convention Center
Atlanta, GA

November 16 - 18
ACTFL
Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center
San Antonio, TX

Meet the Staff

Since we began serving the Georgia learning community in 1994, the Education division of Georgia Public Broadcasting has continued to expand the programs and services we provide. We have grown from a small department operating a single ITV channel to a resource-rich organization providing programming and training through multiple satellite channels, open air television, and the Internet. In order to ensure that we are meeting the needs of teachers and students, GPB has assembled a team of professionals with the experience and expertise required to understand those needs and provide solutions. Take a moment to read about each member of our staff below and learn who can assist you with specific questions you may have about GPB programs and services.

The Leadership

Mike Nixon - Director GPB Education
Mike served as the Director of GPB's Information Technology Division for four years before assuming the directorship of GPB Education. His background in information systems and distance learning technology enables him to develop unique solutions for Georgia educators that maximize GPB's technological infrastructure while providing high quality resources for use in the classroom. Under his leadership, GPB Education has continued to expand our video streaming and webcasting capabilities, which provide video resources to schools via the Internet without the need for a television or VCR. Additionally, he has solidified partnerships with the Georgia Department of Education and a number of other education entities that have resulted in the development of programs and resources that impact not only classroom teaching, but also professional development for educators. You may contact Mike at mnixon@gpb.org or 404-685-2256.

Patrice Weaver - Manager, Education Services
Patrice came to GPB after 15 years in the classroom. Before getting her master's degree in Instructional Design and becoming an award winning social studies teacher, Patrice worked as a Chief Executive Officer and Fiduciary Accountant for 10 years. Both of these skill sets serve her well as the Manager of GPB Education Services, where she is responsible for overseeing the daily operations of the division including the budget, broadcast and streaming services, client services, and supervising the other Education Project Managers. She has been Executive Producer on a variety of education multimedia projects and continues to conduct professional development trainings statewide. Patrice actively cultivates partnerships with other state organizations in order to serve the needs of Georgia educators. You may contact Patrice at pweaver@gpb.org or 404-685-2563.

The Administrative Staff

Markisha Gray- Unit Service Financial Analyst
Before joining GPB, Markisha worked in many different industries as an accountant for five years. She holds a bachelor's degree in Accounting from Livingstone College. Markisha's current role with GPB Education is the Unit Service Financial Analyst where she tracks, develops and analyzes budgets and statistical reports to show the department's financial position. In addition, she reviews and approves accounts payable and procurement transactions. She also monitors income and expenses for all GPB Education activities and Revenue Funded Production projects. Overall, she serves as the financial liaison for the department. If you should need any financial assistance, you may contact Markisha at mgray@gpb.org or 404-685-2558.

Jascenda Pasley - Administrative Assistant
Jascenda has been with GPB Education for four years, during which time she has become an indispensable part of our team. She is the person you speak with when you call the main GPB Education phone number, and she can assist you with placing orders for GPB original programs, finding the technical assistance you need for your satellite or video streaming equipment, and locating the appropriate GPB staff person to answer your content-specific questions. Jascenda also inputs all of the program information you find in our online program guide and assists the project managers in preparation for conferences and trainings. You may contact Jascenda at jpasley@gpb.org or 404-685-2413.

Communications


Meghan Morris - Digital Communications
Meghan earned her bachelor's degree in Journalism with a concentration in Public Relations from Georgia State University. While attending Georgia State University, she also received a certificate in Tradeshow and Event Planning. After graduating, Meghan joined the GPB Education team as an Apprentice and is now the Digital Communications Coordinator. Currently, she produces the monthly Pipeline e-zine, web highlights, marketing materials and many other communication materials. She also helps to create awareness among Georgia's educational community about GPB's products and services. You may contact Meghan at mmorris@gpb.org or 404-685-2534.

Content Development

Barbara O'Brien - Senior Education Project Manager
Barbara works with members of the Content team to create curriculum-based resources for educators, students and parents. Additionally, she facilitates partnerships between GPB and other organizations to support the learning community in Georgia. Achieving Excellence: Inside Georgia Schools, C-47: Georgia Short Film Showcase, Graduation Counts! and Road Trip are the results of recent partnerships. Barbara is also the point of contact for Fine Arts Projects. In addition to a wealth of personal experience as a dancer and choreographer, Barbara has a M.Ed. in education with an emphasis in dance. She has taught fine arts in classrooms from the pre-K through postsecondary levels, served as an artist-in-residence for various educational programs, and worked with such noteworthy Georgia organizations as the Fulton County Arts Council, the High Museum of Art, and Young Audiences Woodruff Arts Center. You may contact Barbara at bobrien@gpb.org or 404-685-2545.

Deborah R. Grayson - Social Sciences
Deborah comes to GPB with a Ph.D. in American Studies and over 15 years of classroom experience at the college level where her areas of expertise included Biomedical Ethics and African-American Literature and Culture. She has received awards for excellence and achievement for her work as an educator and literacy volunteer in various church and community organizations. Deborah is also a painter, quilter and doll maker who regularly exhibits her work. A recent addition to the GPB family, Deborah serves as an Education Project Manager with a concentration in social sciences. Her current projects include overseeing programming and evaluating content for the social sciences. She also is developing and maintaining the extensive Georgia Stories website. Further, Deborah facilitates partnerships between GPB and other organizations throughout the state to serve Georgia educators and learners. You may contact Deborah at dgrayson@gpb.org or 404-685-2418.

Digital Content

Katherine Aiken - Digital Distribution and TIE Network Manager
For seven years, Katherine taught middle and high school language arts in metro-Atlanta. Outside of the classroom, she also worked with educators by facilitating workshops, developing educational broadcast programming, and working with school districts across the country to deliver community-based initiatives. Katherine recently rejoined the GPB Education team after leaving Discovery Education where she managed the Georgia and Alabama DEN. Katherine's combination of teaching background and events planning experience enable her to collaborate with Georgia's ETTCs and RESAs to offer unique networking and professional development opportunities for Georgia educators. Katherine also coordinates the datacasting distribution project for K-12 schools across the state. You may contact Katherine at kaiken@gpb.org or 404-685-2338.

Rod Berry - Programming
Rod came to GPB Education from the world of database maintenance, where he worked to keep track of GPB's membership database for five years. Now that he's part of the Education team, Rod serves the crucial function of scheduling the programming that airs on Channels 410, 420 and 430. Rod is also in charge of seeking out new programming from vendors across the nation. If you have questions or concerns about the broadcast schedule, you can contact Rod. Also, if you would like to see more programming in a particular subject area, please let Rod know and he will do his best to acquire it for broadcast. You may contact Rod at rberry@gpb.org or 404-685-2649.

Family Literacy

Carol Veatch - Coordinator
Carol comes to GPB with over 30 years experience in the education field. She earned a dual bachelor's degree from Ohio State University, in Elementary Education and Special Education and a M.Ed. from Georgia State University in Interrelated Special Education. Carol's educational experience includes classroom teacher, curriculum developer, grant writer and manager, teacher trainer, program developer, and researcher. In addition, Carol has partnered with universities to develop adult literacy programs. As Family Literacy Coordinator at GPB, Carol is dedicated to initiating and supporting quality children and adult literacy programs through literacy events, partnerships, production and Ready To Learn. If you have questions or would like more information regarding GPB Family Literacy, you can contact Carol at cveatch@gpb.org or 404-685-2555.

Laura Miller - Ready to Learn
Laura came to GPB from WGBH in Boston, where she served as a member of the team that piloted Ready To Learn (RTL), public broadcasting's answer to the call for all children to begin school ready to learn. Laura has a master's degree in Education, with an emphasis in English, and experience working in various educational settings within the K-12 arena. Since joining GPB, Laura has served the Ready To Learn needs of the entire state through workshops for educators, parents and caregivers. Additionally, she evaluates programming and oversees professional development in the areas of early childhood education, adult literacy and family literacy. Laura further serves the needs of these communities through the facilitation of partnerships with other organizations to develop initiatives such as the Department of Education's Reading First project. You may contact her at lmiller@gpb.org or 404-685-2521.

Irasshai

Lisa Hannabach - Administrative Assistant for Irasshai
When you call the Irasshai Hotline (1-800-883-7444 or 404-685-2811 in the Atlanta area), chances are Lisa's will be the first voice you hear. Although she has a bachelor's degree in Japanese Language and Culture from the University of Hawaii and has lived in Japan for ten years, she promises to answer your Irasshai-related questions in English. As the Administrative Assistant for GPB's Japanese language and culture distance learning program, Lisa provides support to the Irasshai staff, acts as liaison between staff and enrolled schools, and facilitates the day to day operations of the Irasshai office.

Kathy Negrelli - Program Manager
Kathy comes to GPB with a Ph.D. in Foreign Language Education from the University of Georgia and more than 20 years of teaching experience in Japan and in the United States ranging from elementary to university level. She has served on the team of Irasshai - GPB's high school distance learning course in Japanese language and culture - since its inception in 1995. She was an integral member in helping develop the Audio Interaction component of the course, as well as playing critical roles in the creation of Irasshai Explorer, the middle school course and i-irasshai, an interactive CD-ROM supplement to Irasshai. She currently acts as liaison between GPB and Irasshai subscribers across the nation, and is the editor of the Irasshai Shinbun, a newsletter devoted to providing information and activities to facilitators and students of Irasshai.

Katsumi Suzuki- Program Coordinator of Irasshai
Katsumi came to the United States as a college student to major in English at Shorter College in Rome, Ga. Her original plan was to stay in the United States for a few years until she graduated. During her last year of college, she went to visit a Japanese class at the University of Georgia. She was so excited to see American students learning Japanese, and she dreamed about becoming a teacher herself. She was encouraged to go to graduate school at UGA, where she studied Foreign Language Education and taught Japanese in undergraduate classes for six years. She is one of the original staff who has been working for the Japanese distance course, Irasshai, since it piloted in 1996. She completed her Ph.D. in 2001 and is still enjoying teaching Japanese and coordinating the Irasshai program.

Sakiko Suzuki- Program Coordinator of Irasshai
Sakiko is originally from Kyoto, Japan and moved to the United States in 1997. She earned her master's degree in Languages and Cultures from Kansai Gaidai University and in Comparative Literature from the University of Georgia. She has been serving as a Program Coordinator of Irasshai since 2000 after having taught elementary school, middle school, and university both in Japan and in the United States. Since 2000, she has been helping high school students across the nation learn Japanese language and culture. Her 13 years of teaching experience in a variety of settings make her unique in her role as Distance Education Specialist in GPB's Education and Technology division. She hopes that more students in the United States will broaden their worldview through learning the Japanese language and culture.

Production

Bix Doughty - Coordinator
Bix has been with GPB since 1987 and has been a part of GPB Education since the division was formed. While at GPB, Bix has played an important role in numerous projects, including initiating GPB's first online service, the installation of satellite dishes in K-16 schools throughout Georgia, and streaming educational content online. He has also been involved with the production of Salsa, Irasshai, Georgia Stories and many other GPB Education original productions. Currently, Bix focuses on GPB Education production projects for satellite and internet delivery, building the Apprentice Program, and coordinating the activities of the Apprentices at GPB. You may contact Bix at bdoughty@gpb.org or 404-685-2566.

Jonathan Harris - Apprentice Program
Georgia Public Broadcasting's Apprentice Program Coordinator, Jonathan Harris, is an industry professional who has taught film and video production and post-production within the Department of Communication at Georgia State University for the last three years. Jonathan holds a Master of Fine Arts in Digital Filmmaking and Art from Georgia State University and a bachelor's degree in English Literature from Davidson College. He is the Director of the documentary, Treasure Hunters, which screened at more than a dozen film festivals nationwide, won Best Documentary Short at the F4 Film Festival in Massachusetts, and received three other nominations. He was most recently the Writer and Co-director of the feature-length musical, Last Ride, which also appeared at film festivals nationwide. He worked as Post-Production Supervisor on The Adventures of Ociee Nash (distributed by Twentieth Century Fox) and has appeared as a panelist at the Atlanta Film Festival. Jonathan currently oversees all of the Apprentice Program's activities. You may contact him at jharris@gpb.org or 404-685-2589.

Jobs at GPB


Click here to check out current job opportunities with GPB.

Broadcast Schedule

Click to view the schedule for GPB's Education Programming Channels 410, 420, and 430.
  • Channel 410 features educational programming appropriate for elementary students and educators
  • Channel 420 features educational programming appropriate for middle and high school students and educators
  • Channel 430 features post-secondary and adult education programming
Program Deletion List

Click here to Access Program Descriptions

Click here to Access the Education Broadcast Schedule

Wednesday, May 9, 2007

End the School Year with Excellence

Summer is often a time for students to relax and catch-up on reading and read books they might not have time for during the school year. Because of this fact, Achieving Excellence: Inside Georgia Schools, GPB's monthly education news program, is ending out the school year with shows about literacy and literacy programs in Georgia schools.

This month's program is all about the process of learning to read and write. It delves into the topic by asking the question of whether literacy begins in the home or school. The show continues with focusing on the science and developmental stages of reading and writing. It then explores who the main influences are when it comes to a child's literacy development and what resources are in place in Georgia to help with the task.

June's program continues the theme by visiting successful literacy programs in Georgia schools, plus a reminder for students to read all summer.

More information about Achieving Excellence.

Georgia Gets an A in Technology Use

Georgia is the leading state when it comes to technology use in education, according to the annual "Technology Counts" report released by Education Week. The report which scores states in three areas - access to technology, use of technology and capacity to use technology - gives Georgia high scores in all categories with an overall grade of an "A."

Highlights of the report include that about 65 percent of Georgia's students have a computer in the classroom, which is much higher than the national average of 49.5 percent; Georgia is one of just four states that has technology standards for students and tests on those standards; and Georgia is one of very few states that have technology requirements for teachers and administrators seeking certification or recertification.

"From the halls of the Capitol to the hallways of our schools, our state knows how important technology is to student achievement," said Kathy Cox, State Superintendent of Schools. "We will continue to look for ways to expand use of technology and access to technology."

Educators looking for support with using technology in the classroom can find it at GPB Education. GPB Education offers trainings, workshops, and statewide technology network for educators.

To learn more about GPB Education's training opportunities or to schedule a training for your district, please call 1-888-501-8960.

Please visit www.tienetwork.org to become a member of the TIE Network. The TIE Network empowers Georgia educators by connecting them with other educators throughout the region.

Wednesday, May 2, 2007

Road Trip Wins Telly Award

GPB is proud to announce that Road Trip's Episode 4, "Call of the Wildlife," has been honored with a Telly Award in the online educational programs category in the 28th Annual Telly Awards. The Telly Awards is the premier award honoring the best of local, regional, and cable TV commercials and programs, as well as the finest video and film productions.

Created by the Georgia Department of Technical and Adult Education (DTAE) in partnership with GPB and in association with the national Stay-in-School initiative, Road Trip is now an official hit in the world of educational programs and is among winners that represent the best work in the industry.

This unique and award-winning program, features a seriocomic story that follows two career counselors at the fictitious Callaway High School as they attempt to slow their county's alarming dropout rate by exposing students to the rewards of staying in school.

"Road Trip is an interesting, fun way for students to not only learn more about what the Technical College System of Georgia has to offer, but also see why it's essential that they stick to their studies," said Mike Light, DTAE's Executive Director of Communications.

In the winning Episode 4, "Call of the Wildlife," the counselors realize a college road trip is needed after hearing a student's concern that her best friend, bored with high school, is leaving just before her graduation. She wants to instead settle for a minimum wage job at the local animal park.

So it's off on a road trip to Athens Technical College where they see and hear from students being trained to work with animals of all types and sizes in the college's veterinary technician program. There's also a look at ATC's biotechnology programs, where students are being prepared to enter the high-paying, much sought after life sciences field that include everything from pharmaceuticals to genetic engineering.

Then it's on to Ogeechee Technical College in Statesboro and a visit to the agribusiness program where students learn to take their love of the outdoors and turn it into profitable careers. The last trip is to Swainsboro Technical College to see first-hand how students in the college's fish and game management program are learning a wide variety of skills that lead to exciting jobs in wildlife conservation. View this episode.

Georgia Foundation Provides Free Books for Childhood Literacy

Georgia Public Broadcasting's Family Literacy program recognizes and supports literacy initiatives in Georgia that provide reading and language development programs for children and adults, and we want to spread the word about a wonderful childhood literacy organization in Georgia called the Ferst Foundation for Childhood Literacy.

The foundation strives to improve early childhood learning for every child regardless of income, race, religion or gender with the philosophy that any child who cannot read is at-risk. After six successful years, the Ferst Foundation has been helping Georgia's youth become better prepared for school by providing one free book a month to children registered with the foundation until they reach the age of five.

This literacy foundation was created after founder, Robin Ferst, read an article about Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, and it continues to move forward with a mission to offer the Imagination Library to all of Georgia's children by 2010. If a child is registered at birth, he/she has the opportunity to receive a total of 60 free books.

Each book provided by the Ferst Foundation is picked by a panel of experts from Dolly Parton's Imagination Library and is accompanied by a monthly communication piece that includes a book guide, a child activity page, and opportunities for local community literacy announcements and sponsor acknowledgements.

"Children who learn to appreciate books at an early age will grow up and become better readers, great learners, and become the successful students that we need for Georgia's future," said the Ferst Foundation's Executive Director, Shauna von Hanstein.

Statistics have shown that many Georgia children do not have books in their home, and this has shown to negatively effect a child's success in school. The Ferst Foundation attacks this problem at the core by providing an array of age-appropriate books to families in participating counties in Georgia. Morgan County Schools Superintendent, Stanley DeJarnett, says since their collaboration with the Ferst Foundation they have seen a significant rise on the kindergarten readiness test, and he believes the most influential factor in this rise were the books arriving in the mail from the Ferst Foundation.

The Ferst Foundation believes providing age-appropriate books to as many Georgia homes as possible will not only contribute to a child's growing mind and success in school, but will also contribute to Georgia's society as a whole.

"A home without age-appropriate books is more than an unfortunate by-product of poverty, it has broad ramifications for Georgia," said the Ferst Foundation's founder, Robin Ferst.

With expectations to expand its presence around the state to include the Georgia counties with the lowest literacy rates, the Foundation currently operates in more than 40 counties and urban communities in Atlanta and has been mailing more than 500,000 books to over 37,000 Georgia children throughout its six years of operation.

Monday, April 9, 2007

Celebrate Earth Day with It's A Big, Big World!

In celebration of Earth Day on April 23, It's a Big, Big World, an innovative science program from PBS designed to encourage students to explore the world around them through problem solving and scientific inquiry, has created an interactive resource kit filled with science activities.

Offering a wealth of resources for parents and educators, It's a Big, Big World is a perfect program to support science, geography, nature and environmentally-themed activities.

To receive a resource kit, please contact Laura Miller at LMiller@gpb.org. Please include your contact information along with how you will use the kit to support your instruction or program.

Sony Electronics, Inc. is a proud sponsor of It's a Big, Big World. Additional outreach funding provided by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

It's a Big, Big World airs as part of PBS Kids programming Monday - Friday at 8:30 a.m., and airs on Channel 410 on Wednesdays from 2 - 4:30 p.m.

For more information about the program and its resources, visit It's a Big, Big World.

GPB Education TIE Network Inaugural Event

GPB Education's Technology in Education Network (TIE Network) hosted its inaugural event at Georgia Southern University's College of Education on March 13 in Statesboro, Ga. The theme of the event was "Show Your Green" in honor of the TIE Network and St. Patrick's Day.

Twenty-two attendees participated in engaging sessions with fellow TIE Network members and educators. Counties represented were Bibb, Savannah-Chatham, Wayne and the First District RESA. Georgia Southern University students from Jordan, Morocco, Egypt, Indonesia and Malaysia were also present.

"I would like to see the TIE Network event become a yearly occurrence at Georgia Southern University," said Dr. Lucindia Chance, Academic Dean of Georgia Southern University's College of Education.

Session topics included editing audio files using Audacity, creating digital stories using Windows Movie Maker, and exploring free Google resources. Featured speakers and presenters that shared their expertise at the inaugural event included Dr. Lucindia Chance, GSU College of Education, Academic Dean; Jeff Giddens, First District RESA; Daniel Rivera, First District RESA; and Katherine Aiken, GPB Education TIE Network Manager.

"I love the way our network ties educators together so that we can learn from each other and develop our technology skills," said Judy Newsome, educator at Massey Heritage Center in Savannah-Chatham County.

The TIE Network empowers Georgia educators who are passionate about incorporating technology into the classroom by connecting them with other educators throughout the region. Once connected, educators share ideas, offer support, network and collaborate with other educators who integrate digital media in their classrooms.

On April 10, Dalton State College ETTC with host a regional TIE Network event for members in north Georgia.

To find out more about the TIE Network, please visit www.tienetwork.org.

Friday, April 6, 2007

Announcing C-47's Fall 2006 Winner

C-47: Georgia Short Film Showcase is proud to announce the Fall 2006 Showcase winning film "Blame Falls" directed by Ly Bolia. This film was selected out of 20 submissions for the Fall 2006 Showcase.

"Blame Falls" was shot on location in a local Atlanta home in high-definition film over three days. The film follows a grieving man after he loses his wife and son. He searches for an answer to why his life has made a turn for the worse, and he finds it in an unsuspecting collections agent.

The film's director, Ly Bolia, spent 12 years shooting independent films in New York City. He was educated at New York University's Tisch School of the Arts, and he now resides in Atlanta. As a professor at Georgia State University, he is able to share his expertise with undergraduate and graduate students in film.

If you or someone you know would like to submit a film, please visit the C-47 website.

Thursday, April 5, 2007

Elementary School Students Learn About Filmmaking

Video has become an important tool for communicating in today's world, and students in elementary school are no exception when it comes to communicating and storytelling with the use of video. Students at Peyton Forest Elementary School learned exactly how important video can be at the "Postcards from Buster" workshop.

During the workshop, students in third, fourth and fifth grade learned the basics of filmmaking, received a media literacy lesson, learned how to storyboard their ideas, and created original videos that were about one minute in length. Students also learned how to edit their videos using iMovie.

The submissions created by the students will be submitted to the "Postcards From You Film Festival." Chosen videos from the festival will be shown in late spring 2007 as interstitials between the new season of Arthur.

Videos from the workshop are titled "School of the Tiger" and "Be Creative." Thomas said both of these videos were submitted to the "Postcards From You Film Festival," and students are waiting to hear whether or not their film will be aired during the new season of Arthur.

Cynthia Thomas, Media Specialist at Peyton Forest Elementary, said the workshop really has helped the students learn the fundamentals of operating a video camera.

As a result of the workshop, Peyton Forest now has a Press Club. The newly formed Press Club videotapes all events at the school and is making a school documentary to present to the principal at the end of the year.

Monday, April 2, 2007

Explore Georgia's Art on the Web

The Georgia Council for the Arts (GCA) recently launched a new website dedicated to the Georgia's State Art Collection, an extensive chronicle of work created by Georgia artists from the 1970s to the 1990s. The website is an interactive "Internet home" for anyone who has a connection to the arts.

This website is the first to be hosted by a state arts agency that focuses exclusively on visual artists of the state and offers curriculum-based lesson plans that correlate to national and state standards.

For more than a year, the Georgia Council for the Arts worked with technology partner Georgia Public Broadcasting to photograph, digitize and archive more than six hundred pieces of art created by more than three hundred Georgia artists. Many of these names are easily recognizable by patrons of the arts: Benny Andrews, Ed Moulthrop, Howard Finster and Lamar Dodd. They are just a few of the artists whose roots originated in Georgia but have gained national recognition.

Visitors of the website can view actual footage of many of the artists and listen as they discuss what motivated a particular piece, observe the texture of a piece close-up that details brush strokes or weaving patterns, learn more about the artist through biographical content that includes exhibit locations and educational background, and download lesson plans that connect the art work to relevant curriculum.

Georgia's State Art collection hasn't always been as easily accessible to art lovers and scholars. In the 1960s, the collection existed as two separate collections in the Georgia Art Bus Program and the Georgia Art Acquisition Program, and it could only be viewed on the Art Bus or in state government buildings across the state.

In the early 1990s, the two programs combined and the Georgia State Art Collection was formed. It can now be viewed in person and online, and clients of Georgia Council for the Arts are able to borrow the art work from the State Art Collection.

Visit the Georgia State Art Collection.

Saturday, March 24, 2007

Celebrate Literacy and the Love of Reading with the Milner Award

Laura Numeroff, author of "If You Give a Mouse a Cookie" and many other beloved children's books, was awarded the Milner Award in Atlanta on February 26 at the Atlanta-Fulton Public Central Library. The Milner Award encourages children's literacy and the love of reading by empowering children to vote for their favorite author. The chosen author is brought to Atlanta and presented the Milner Award at the "Children's Favorite Author Series," a free program for school children.

The Milner Award is awarded each year to a new children's author. Throughout the school year, the Milner Ambassador visits elementary schools throughout Georgia to further the purpose of the award - "to foster a lifelong love of reading in children."

For more information, please visit the Milner Award website.

Friday, March 9, 2007

GPB Education's New Resource for Children's Literature

Georgia Public Broadcasting and the Atlanta Public Library System teamed up to bring the work of Ashley Bryan, beloved children's author and illustrator, to the people of Georgia. Organized by the Atlanta Public Library system, the Ashley Bryan Children's Literature Conference highlighted the tremendous contributions Bryan made to the art world and children's literature.

GPB Education has created a six-part program from the Ashley Bryan Children's Literature Conference that captures the renowned artist/illustrator and storyteller. It provides a unique opportunity for viewers to gain insight regarding the importance of literacy and the role it played in Bryan's life. Viewers can also watch highlights from the conference in this engaging program.

To view this production, visit the GPB Digital Library and in the "Basic Search" section, type-in: "Childrens Literature - The Ashley Bryan Conference"

Wednesday, March 7, 2007

GPB Education Launches the TIE Network Website

The GPB Education Technology in Education (TIE) Network website (www.tienetwork.org) officially launched on February 1, 2007.

To apply for membership,

* Visit the website at www.tienetwork.org.
* Click on the Register link on the right-hand side of the page.
* Enter the following information into the template provided: First Name, Last Name, unitedstreaming Username, E-mail, Password (which you can change at any time), and Verified Password. You will need to provide your unitedstreaming username so that we can verify your unitedstreaming account information in the unitedstreaming administration site.
* Click on the Zoomerang link at the bottom of the template to access the actual online TIE Network membership application.
* After you submit your Zoomerang survey, you will receive a Zoomerang code that you will enter into the website template in the Zoomerang Code field.
* Submit your information by clicking on the Send Registration button.

After your registration and application information has been reviewed, you will receive an e-mail notifying you of your TIE Network membership status. You will also be notified via e-mail when your TIE Network website account has been activated.

Please register for the site and begin exploring the forums, blogs and resource centers!

If you have any questions about the TIE Network, please email us at tienetwork@gpb.org.

Thursday, March 1, 2007

Participants Needed for GPB's World War II Veterans Oral History Project

Georgia Public Broadcasting's Education division is looking for participants for GPB's World War II Veterans Oral History Project that documents the life experiences and memories of Georgia's World War II generation.

This project is not only an effort to preserve the firsthand oral history accounts of Georgia's World War II generation, but it is also an opportunity to share their often untold stories with younger generations and generations to come so that their legacy may thrive.

In order for the lessons of this generation to be told, GPB Education will conduct interviews with a diverse group from the World War II generation. All interviews will take place in a convenient location for the interviewee and last an average of 60 minutes.

GPB Education would like to interview Georgia citizens who are WWII veterans and Georgia citizens who supported efforts on the home front, or Georgia citizens who otherwise have firsthand knowledge of Georgia during this time period. This includes, but is not limited to, generals, privates, "Rosie the Riveters," bomber crews, doctors and infantry troops.

Participants will have their life experiences before, during and after World War II documented and archived on the project's website. Mementos significant to each participant's oral history account of World War II will also be archived on GPB's World War II Veterans Oral History Project's website.

Upon the conclusion of the project, GPB Education will provide an unedited version of the participant's interview to the participant.

If you are interested in being interviewed or would like further information, please call 1-888-685-0304 or e-mail WarVets@gpb.org.

Friday, February 9, 2007

PB Education Presents a New Resource for Educators, Students and Parents

GPB Education knows children love to read and write stories. We also know that writing words and drawing pictures is a wonderful way to learn how to read. This is why we have created Unlocking the Writing Process, a new resource featuring author interviews and special highlights from the Decatur Book Festival.

Wednesday, February 7, 2007

All New Line-up for GPB's Achieving Excellence: Inside Georgia Schools

GPB's Achieving Excellence: Inside Georgia Schools, a monthly program that brings educational issues in the state of Georgia to the forefront, has started off the New Year with topics that hit home to schools everywhere. New shows for the beginning of 2007 are Principals as Instructional Leaders, Teacher Preparation and Teacher Retention.

January's episode, Principals as Instructional Leaders, features a well-rounded panel of experts that discuss the role of the modern day Principal as instructional leader in today's schools. Also featured in the show are principals from all three levels of public school education that discuss their experiences as principals and share insights into their keys to professional success.

During this month's episode, Teacher Preparation is discussed with special guests Cynthia Rutledge, Georgia Teacher Alternative Preparation Program (TAPP) Coordinator; Dr. Patricia Paterson, Executive Director of Teacher Quality Initiatives; Kimberly L. Toliver, Reading teacher from TJ Elder Middle School; Cheryl Winsor, 1st grade teacher from Unity Grove Elementary School; and Jayne Duncan, AVID teacher from JJ Daniell Middle School.

Next in line for discussion is Teacher Retention, and how schools keep their key players where they need them most - in the classroom.

This monthly news and information show is available as a broadcast program with a video streaming component and extensive web-based resources.

Watch current and past shows here.

Friday, February 2, 2007

FREE Teaching and Learning Resources!

Federal Resources for Educational Excellence (FREE), a website offering federally supported teaching and learning resources at no cost, has been redesigned. With the new design, navigating throughout the site is easier, and visitors can instantly find an abundance of resources from a variety of federal agencies. Subjects covered in the site include art, music, health, physical education, language arts, math, science, history, and social studies.

The goal of FREE is to make it easier to find more than 1500 teaching and learning resources available from the federal government.

Check out the newly designed site at http://free.ed.gov