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Georgia Partnership Announces 2009 Top 10 Education Issues List

2009-02-12T06:34:00.000-08:00

ATLANTA -- The Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education has released the fifth edition of its annual “Top Ten Issues to Watch” report. The 2009 list covers a variety of topics:

• Federal Education Landscape: Is Change Coming?
• In Dire Straits: Education Funding and Economic Crisis
• The Resurfacing Debate on School Vouchers
• Growing Our Supply of Effective Teachers
• Striving for School Board Excellence
• Early Learning: Our Work Must Continue
• The Vanishing Middle
• Grave Disparities in Student Achievement
• Five Georgias: Connecting Education and Community
• The Future of Public Education

Each subject area is broken down into three sections – an issue overview, the political context of the issue, and what’s next for Georgia. According to the report’s author, the Partnership’s Policy and Research Director Susan Walker, the value of the report is in its analysis of the issues and how they impact the state. “The report is based on thorough research of various state and national sources and provides non-partisan analysis of topics that will undoubtedly impact our schools and students in the coming year.”

This is the fifth edition of the “Top Ten” report. Georgia Partnership President Dr. Steve Dolinger says it has gained in popularity each year. “We distributed more than 4,000 copies last year and there were thousands of downloads from our Web site.” He added, “This is a document that can be used by every education stakeholder in Georgia as they inform themselves on the key issues facing us.” Legislators, college professors, educational leaders and businessmen and women regularly use the report as they do their parts to improve education in our state.

PARTNERSHIP’S 2009 TOP TEN REPORT 2-2-2

Dolinger stressed the value of the report to the general public. “Whether we have children in school or not, we are all education stakeholders. Education directly impacts the economic prosperity of each and every community in our state. We must be better informed and do all we can to make Georgia’s school system the best in the nation.” He continued, “We want to get this into the hands of as many Georgians as we can.”

The report is available on the Web site at www.gpee.org. The Partnership will provide up to two copies for free upon request. Postage costs will be charged for orders of more than two. Contact the Partnership at 404-223-2280 or by E-mail at bmaddox@gpee.org.

Founded in 1990 by the Georgia Chamber of Commerce and the Georgia Economic Developers Association, the Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education consists of business, education, community and government leaders who share a vision of improved education. Working to be Georgia’s foremost change agent in education, the non-partisan, non-profit organization takes lead roles in efforts to impact education policies and practices for the improvement of student achievement. More information is available at www.gpee.org.

Georgia Student Media Festival 2009

2008-12-18T08:29:00.000-08:00

Georgia Student Media Festival 2009

It's time to start planning for the Georgia Student Media Festival 2009! This is an amazing event that is designed to stimulate student interest and involvement in all types of media production. All students and schools K-12 are encouraged to participate!

Festival activities progress through three successive levels: building, system and state. Entries must be evaluated at each level and receive a superior rating in order to proceed to the next level. Private schools are responsible for contacting the public school system in their geographic area for information on system or state level judging.

Building and system festival locations will be determined by the schools and counties. The state student media festival will be held at Georgia Public Broadcasting on Friday, May 1, 2009.

Dates and Times Recommended for Festivals:

· Building (school) festival - recommended to be held prior to Friday, February 28, 2009 in order to have time to send winners on to the system festival.

· System (county) festival - recommended to be held prior to Friday, March 29, 2009 in order to have time to send winners on to the state festival.

· State festival - Registration database and contact information must be submitted to Joni Jones, Rockdale County Schools, by e-mail before April 10, 2009 (jonibjones@rockdale.k12.ga.us) (770) 860-4213.

· Projects must arrive at the Clayton State University Library on or before April 17, 2009.

It's never too early to begin planning your media festival projects!
Find tips for great projects, GSMF 2009 forms, previous festival projects and further information about GSMF 2009 here.

For information about the Media Festival or if you have questions about conducting a local Media Festival contact:

Deborah Gray (678) 301-6428
Michelle Lenderman (478) 779-2296

Gordon Baker (678)466-4325

Teachers' Domain News - September 2008

2008-09-09T08:42:00.000-07:00

Click to view this email in a browser

Teachers' Domain News - September 2008

Teachers' Domain Has Expanded!
Just in time for back to school, Teachers' Domain has expanded resources in Science, Math, Social Studies, Art, & English Language Arts for grades K-12. We have also added a Teachers' Domain College Edition, which includes resources in science and engineering for higher education, and VITAL New York, K-12 resources for NY state educators. Click here to read the full story press release.
Let Teachers' Domain help supplement your lesson plans this school year! Browse our expanded collection now.
OR
Recommend Teachers' Domain to a friend
____________________________________________

Online Science Professional Development for K-12 Teachers!Check out our graduate-level online science courses that feature digital media from public broadcasting shows such as ZOOM, NOVA, A Science Odyssey, and more.
Online - access anytime, anywhere
Graduate credit available
Discussion Boards connect you with your colleagues
Trained Facilitators lead the way
For information or to enroll in a course in your area, visit our course catalog at http://cts.vresp.com/c/?WGBH/67df1f8d5e/3ac4c25250/e52d653d06. Click “Science” in left bar, input your zip code, then click “Scheduled Courses” directly above the “Key Words” window on the left.Questions? Call (617) 300-3631.
_______________________________________
Attention New England Elementary Teachers!
Earn three graduate credits October 1st – December 17, 2008. Dr. Christopher Cratsley facilitates “Science and the Living World”, a Teachers’ Domain online course offered in collaboration with Fitchburg State College and Merrimack Education Center. For further information and to enroll contact Isabelle Kunselman at 978-528-7800 x238 or ikunselman@meccorp.mec.edu.
_______________________________________
NSDL K-6 Science Refreshers
Whether you want to build your content knowledge or need a quick refresher just in time to teach a topic, NSDL K-6 Science Refreshers provide quick and easy access to high-quality science content. Includes interactive tutorials, diagrams, and articles that are selected and organized by grade level and subject area.http://cts.vresp.com/c/?WGBH/67df1f8d5e/3ac4c25250/1f54835e41
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Teachers' Domain @ MTA Conference

Last month we visited the Massachusetts Teachers Association (MTA) conference in Williamstown, MA. Thanks to all of you who stopped by our booth and shared your stories about Teachers' Domain in the classroom.

Our featured teacher of the month is Brockton High School Science Teacher Eleri Merrikin (pictured below) who said:

"When I teach a topic like the nitrogen cycle, I supplement the textbook with a Teachers' Domain video segment, diagram or Flash interactive, and the resources often become the centerpiece of our class lesson. They are invaluable because they support about 45% of my students who have a visual learning preference and have difficulty reading science text. My students directly benefit from the resources and I know for sure that without them, they would continue to struggle."

Science Teacher & TD Fan, Eleri Merrikin, stops by our booth at the MTA Conference.
Top 5 New Resources
You Can't Miss
A Science Odyssey - Bubonic Plague
From The Top - Young Musician Joshua Jones
Wide Angle - Neeraj
CyberChase - Solving the Sphinx's Fraction Problem
NOVA ScienceNOW - Geneticist Pardis Sabeti

New Featured Special Collection: From The Top at Carnegie Hall

Meet America's most extraordinary young musicians aged 8 to 18, and witness the excitement of their debut performances at Carnegie Hall! To access background essays, discussion questions for the classroom, and more, click here.

Teachers' Domain users now receive 10% off Shop WGBH

Take advantage of this special discount on media for your classroom by simply clicking on the shop logo from any Teachers' Domain resource page. This will direct you to the Shop WGBH homepage. At checkout, type in the Promo Code WEBTD. You will see automatic savings appear in your shopping cart! Also, from now until September 30th, save 15% on all NOVA DVDs.
Teachers' Domain Comes To YOU!
Look for a Teachers' Domain representative in your area at any one of the following conferences this fall:
MAST/ MSELA Fall Conference
NHSTA Fall Conference
Connecticut Science Educators Professional Development Day
Selected Partner Organizations:

WGBH enriches people's lives through programs and services that educate, inspire, and entertain, fostering citizenship and culture, the joy of learning and the power of diverse perspectives.

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2008-07-16T05:30:00.000-07:00

Youngshin Gittings will be the featured "Child Care Provider of the Week" on the Emmy nominated programs, A Place of Our Own and Los Niños En Su Casa on July 18, 2008.

The episode will air on a Friday which always features the “Week in Review.” Communicable Diseases will also be a topic covered on the July 18^th show entitled:

Week in Review (Preventing Communicable Diseases) – A Place of Our Own

5:00AM on GPB

www.aplaceofourown.org

Recuento Semanal (Enfermedades Contagiosas) – Los Niños en Su Casa

4:30 AM on GPB

www.losninosensucasa.org

“Child Care Provider of the Week” is a national recognition featuring:

Child Care Providers nominated by someone through a PBS station (in this case, GPB) or the program’s website.
Youngshin Gittings was chosen after a careful review of all nominations received nationwide.
A television crew traveled from KCET in Los Angeles to Youngshin’s house to capture her nurturing environment and record her marvelous work with children.
In addition to being featured on the July 18^th program, Youngshin will travel to Washington, DC to receive further recognition by members of the legislature.
GPB and all of Georgia are proud and honored to have Youngshin Gittings recognized for her excellent work as a Child Care Provider.

TeacherLine Online Professional Development

2008-06-09T11:10:00.000-07:00

PBS TeacherLine online courses offer the standards-based professional development opportunities that teachers need, in an accessible, online format that makes learning fun, flexible, and collaborative.

Why TeacherLine?

► Online Course Delivery is Convenient and Flexible

§ Learning online is as easy as sending and retrieving email

§ No scheduled login requirements for weekly assignments

§ No travel or books to buy!

► Courses Directly Impact Your Classroom and Student Outcomes

§ Courses incorporate assignments and activities to use in your classroom right away

§ Learners acquire new technological tools and strategies ready to integrate into their lessons

► Collaborative Learning Environment

§ Learners benefit from the best practices and practical knowledge of course peers

§ Trained facilitators guide discussions, encourage participation, and provide ongoing feedback

► Professional Development Credit Available

§ Approved for re-certification PLU credit by GA State Department of Education

§ Graduate credit is available

§ Ask your administrators for reimbursement!

Regional Courses Running June 18 – July 29, 2008

RDLA157.23 Teaching Phonemic Awareness and Phonics (PK-3) – 45hr

Bring the ideal balance of oral language, phonological awareness, phonemic awareness, phonics, and written language to your language arts instruction. Study the stages of literacy development and practice assessing the performance of budding young readers. Learn to design instructional activities that strengthen students' skills in phonemic and phonological awareness.

TECH160.156 Putting Technology to Work in the Classroom: Where to Start (K-12) – 30hr

Gain a better understanding of key issues surrounding technology integration, such as how to meet technology standards and choose the most suitable technology for a specific purpose. Identify lessons or concepts in your classroom that may benefit from technological enhancement. Learn to devise a strategy for integrating technology into your lesson plans.

RDLA152.18 An Intro. to the Underlying Principles and Research for Effective Literacy Instruction (K-8) - 45hr

Meet NCLB's requirements for research-based literacy and reading instruction by analyzing in-depth studies of the use of phonemic awareness, phonics, and word recognition to develop the skills required for students in kindergarten through eighth grade to expand vocabulary, improve comprehension and fluency, and gain independence.

SCIE520.8 Teaching High School Biology (9-12) 45hr

Learn inquiry-based approaches to teaching standards-based science topics, including genetics, evolution, and cell biology. Gain practice using multimedia to explore novel learning environments and methodologies that foster student interest, involve them in the research process, advance their critical thinking skills, and develop their conceptual understanding.

www.teacherlinesoutheast.org 1-800-277-0829

Online Professional Development for K-12 Educators

Cost and Credit Information

Course Hours	Regional Course Cost	National Course Cost		GA PLUCredits	Graduate Credit
Course Hours	Regional Course Cost	After using $100 discount promo code	Regular price	GA PLUCredits	Graduate Credit
15	$169	$169	$269	1	1 credit for additional $65
30	$199	$199	$299	3	2 credits for additional $130
45	$249	$249	$349	4	3 credits for additional $195

* Regional courses are for SC, NC and GA learners; national courses are open to anyone. The course content is the same from both providers, however the courses offered regionally by TeacherLine Southeast feature a regional facilitator and allow for a more regional emphasis.

National Courses Running June 25 – August 5, 2008

SC, NC & GA Educators: Save $100 off the nationally offered courses listed below!

Enroll using this promo code: “ZP8TLSE”

* All courses listed below are 30hr courses, except as noted.

Instructional Strategies Courses:

▪ Differentiated Instruction ▪ Using Assessment and Evaluation

▪ Curriculum Mapping I by Heidi Hayes Jacobs ▪ Improving Learning Through Collaboration

▪ Curriculum Mapping II by Heidi Hayes Jacobs ▪ Connecting Family, Community and Schools

▪ Utilizing Technology in Creating a Problem-Based Curriculum

Reading/Language Courses:

▪ Integrating the Internet into the K-2 Language Arts Curriculum ▪ Teaching Reading in Science

▪ Children's Authors on the Web: Online Sites that Motivate Students to Write ▪ Teaching Writing in the Content Areas

▪ Teaching Phonics and Spelling for Beginning and Transitional Readers, 45hr ▪ Teaching Reading in the Content Areas

▪ An Intro to Underlying Principles & Research for Effective Literacy Instruction ▪ Teaching Phonemic Awareness and Phonics, 45hr

Math Courses:

▪ Making Comparisons with Data Analysis for Grades 6-8 ▪ The Concept of Function for Grades 9-12, 15hr

▪ Enabling Students with Special Needs to Succeed in Math Class ▪ Math in Everyday Life for Grades 6-8, 15hr

▪ Rational Numbers, Fractions, Decimals, and Percents in Grades 6-8, 15hr ▪ Developing Algebraic Thinking in Grades 3-5

▪ Understanding Numbers & Operations: Addition & Subtraction in Grades PK-3 ▪ Seeing Math™: Linear Functions

▪ Seeing Math™: Linear Equations ▪ Seeing Math™: Quadratic Equations

Technology Courses:
▪ Putting Technology to Use in the Classroom: Where to Start ▪ Teaching with WebQuests for Grades K-12

▪ Teaching and Learning with Graphic Organizers: Featuring Inspiration ▪ The Computer for Personal Productivity

▪ Using the Computer for Cooperative Experiences ▪ Publishing on the Web

▪ Evaluating and Organizing Internet Resources and Content ▪ Capstone Introduction, 6hr, $25 (no discount)

▪ Collab. on the Internet:Keypal Projects that Promote Cultural Awareness (4-8)
▪ Contemporary Issues - Using Technology for Discussion, Debate, & Problem Solving in the Middle School Curriculum
▪ Online Fac.Trng I: Mastering the Skills of OnlineTeaching, 45hr, $525 (no discount)

Science Courses:
▪ Science and the Living World ▪ Designing Effective Lessons

▪ Motion and Forces in Your World ▪ Understanding Waves

▪ Structure and Function ▪ Structure of the Earth System
▪ Fostering Collaboration, Inquiry, and Critical Thinking in Middle School Science

www.teacherlinesoutheast.org 1-800-277-0829

Arts Integration Workshop for Educators

2008-06-05T07:19:00.000-07:00

The Museum of Contemporary Art of Georgia (MOCA GA)
Across the Disciplines: The Permanent Collection of MOCA GA

MOCA GA is pleased to offer an Arts Integration Workshop for educators.

Available Course: Visual Journaling: Creating, Exploring, Reflecting, through the creative process of visual journaling.

Visual Journaling is turning written word into visual imagery through the technique of collage, printmaking, photography, and artifact exploring. Facilitators and participants will work together to explore various approaches for infusing visual journaling into the classrooms, to create a stimulating and challenging learning environment. Georgia artists will share their artwork to stimulate, and reinforce creative ideas with high school educators. Participants will develop lesson plans based on the permanent collection of MOCA GA as well as the visual, biographical, and historical materials housed in the Museum's Education/Resource Center.

* 3 PLUs will be awarded.

Location: The Museum of Contemporary Art of Georgia
75 Bennett Street, Atlanta, GA 30309

Dates: June 9-13, 2008

Time: 9:30-3:30

Cost: $100.00

To register, or for more information, please contact Jo-ann Lawrence at jlawrence@mocaga.org or call (404) 367-4542.

Summer TeacherLine Courses

2008-05-27T04:57:00.000-07:00

Ready for summer fun and relaxation? Perhaps you're planning a vacation at the beach or looking forward to more time in your garden. Did you know that you can have your fun and still make progress on your professional development goals this summer? It's true, with PBS TeacherLine summer courses.
Our online courses are flexible so you can garden in the morning and do your coursework in the hot afternoons. Or maybe you're spending your days at the pool, no problem - you can do your coursework in the evenings and/or weekends.
As long as you complete your weekly assignment and participate regularly in the discussion board, when you do your coursework is up to you! You can even go on a week-long vacation and still participate in your course if you have internet access during your trip (hello beach, mountains, Italy??).
Don't forget to ask your school or the district if they'll reimburse you for your course fees; those year-end funds need to be spent somehow - hurry!
Courses running June 18 - July 29, 2008:
* RDLA152.18 [This course qualifies for NC reading credits & the SC PACE program.]
An Introduction to Underlying Principles and Research for Effective Literacy Instruction
* RDLA157.23 [This course qualifies for NC reading credits.]
Teaching Phonemic Awareness and Phonics
* MATH160.28
Gender Equity in the Mathematics Classroom
* TECH160.156
Putting Technology to Use in the Classroom: Where to Start
* SCIE520.8 (Ends August 26th) [This course qualifies for the SC PACE program.]
Teaching High School Biology

Plus, we have 42 courses running from June 25 - August 5, 2008!!

Visit us at TeacherLineSoutheast.org (http://www.teacherlinesoutheast.org)

June 2008 Satellite Schedules

2008-05-19T12:32:00.000-07:00

Click to view the schedule for GPB Education's Satellite Network -- Channels 410, 420 and 430.

Program Deletion List

Students in Atlanta Defying the Odds

2008-05-19T10:17:00.001-07:00

Defying the Odds tells the story of 5 inner-city students in Atlanta that were given a chance to receive a full scholarship to the college of their choice! All they had to do was graduate and get accepted into college. This may sound simple, but during this honest, candid look into the lives of these students, you will learn that the intervening years were anything but simple.

This documentary will air on GPB, Sunday, May 25 @ 4 PM.

Download a complete Resource Guide for Defying the Odds.

2009 Georgia Teacher of the Year Named

2008-05-14T15:15:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to Leanne Maule, English teacher from Cartersville High School, for being selected as the 2009 Georgia Teacher of the Year! Her selection was announced by State Superintendent of Schools Kathy Cox at the Georgia Teacher of the Year banquet held Friday, May 9 at the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta. Maule will spend the 2008-2009 school year serving as an ambassador and advocate for the teaching profession. She will also be

Georgia

's entry in the 2009 National Teacher of the Year competition.

Free 5-12th Grade Lesson Plans and Educational Resources Offered With New Touring Exhibition

2008-05-14T12:27:00.000-07:00

In connection with its touring exhibit, Innovation: American Masterpieces of Southern Craft and Traditional Art, the Southern Arts Federation is offering free educational resources developed by the exhibit's education curators Martin Rollins, Isaac Shelby Elementary School, Louisville, KY, and Judy Sizemore, Kentucky Arts Council.

Educators can select from a variety of resources to suit their needs. From one-off presentation slides and classroom activities to complete lesson plans that span an entire semester, these education resources connect to national arts standards and provide cross-curricular connections to vocabulary, math, geography, science, history and social studies as well as an exploration of particular media such as fiber arts, book arts, baskets, wood, clay, glass and metal. Materials can be used in conjunction with an in-person or online gallery visit, or as a stand-alone activity.

Click here to access the Free Educational Resources

Click here to access the Virtual Galleries

Click here to view the Exhibition Tour Schedule
(Georgia Exhibition is March 1- May 18, 2008 at the Atlanta History Center)

Featuring more than 100 artworks created by masters living and working in the South today, Tradition/Innovation will tour to nine museums throughout the Southeast, January 2008 – Spring 2010. American Masterpieces, an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts, is a major initiative to acquaint Americans with the best of their cultural and artistic legacy.

Watch the Future of Teaching in Georgia Forum!

2008-05-13T13:38:00.000-07:00

As you may have read in a blog posted earlier this week, the National Commission on Teaching and America’s Future (NCTAF) convened at Georgia Public Broadcasting on Friday, May 9 for an education leadership forum, “The Future of Teaching in Georgia,” to discuss how transforming teaching can meet the learning needs of 21^st century students.

You can now watch this forum online!

Emmy Nominee at GPB Education!

2008-05-12T08:00:00.001-07:00

Congratulations to GPB Education’s Emmy nominee Barbara O’Brien for State of the Arts - José Limón: A Chance to Dance with the Best. Barbara shares this nomination with Pamela Roberts, Jennifer Houston Wood, and Dan Hodlick of Georgia Public Broadcasting. The nomination is in the Category of News and Program Specialty Excellence: Arts & Entertainment. There are 3 programs competing in this category and the final announcement of the Emmy winners will be made June 21 at the 2008 Southeast Regional EMMY® Awards 34th Annual Black Tie Gala in Atlanta, Ga.

You can check this link to stream José Limón: A Chance to Dance with the Best. http://www.gpb.org/stateofthearts/2007/05

Good Luck to Barbara and all of the GPB Nominees!

GPB’s Emmy Nominees:

Daryl Wattley
Television Crafts Achievement Excellence
Category: 49
Lighting

Brandon Arnold, Keely Walker Muse
Television Programing Excellence
Category: 31
Informational/Instructional
Georgia Outdoors: Suwanee Watershed

Pamela Roberts, Jennifer Houston Wood, Barbara O'Brien, Dan Hodlick
Television News and Program Specialty Excellence
Category: 13
Arts/Entertainment
State of the Arts: José Limón: A Chance to Dance with the Best

Brandon Arnold, Keely Walker Muse
Television News and Program Specialty Excellence
Category: 19DE
Health/Science Program
Georgia Outdoors: Citizen Science

Pamela Roberts, Charlene Fisk, Rickey Bevington, Mitchell Zastrow
Television News and Program Specialty Excellence
Category: 20
Historic/Cultural
State of the Arts: Flannery O'Connor

About State of the Arts:

State of the Arts is an award-winning program that takes viewers on a journey into the vibrant world of art produced in Georgia. In every show, State of the Arts goes behind the scenes to meet artists and performers - from painters and poets to dancers and dramatists – who tell their stories of what it takes to make art. State of the Arts also brings viewers the latest and greatest art exhibits, performances and cultural happenings.

About José Limón: A Chance to Dance with the Best:

One of the pioneers of modern dance was a Mexican American named José Limón. A contemporary of Martha Graham, Limón was the first official cultural ambassador sent by the U.S. State Department around the world to share his knowledge and passion for the art of dance. Before his death in 1972, Limón was famous not only as a dancer but as an innovative choreographer, and “the Limón Technique” became known far and wide for its unique contribution to modern dance.

The José Limón Dance Company survived the death of its illustrious founder and today is under the guidance of artistic director Carla Maxwell in New York City. Recently, members of the José Limón Dance Company came to Emory University, where they shared secrets of the Limón technique with some of Atlanta's best dancers. Working alongside those who had once danced with the great José Limón, the Atlanta dancers were challenged to learn and then perform one of Limón's original masterpieces, Missa Brevis in Tempore Belli, or "Brief Mass in Time of War." To learn more about José Limón, visit his website.

Watch State of the Arts upcoming program:

Wed. May 14, 2008 at 9pm
Fri. May 16, 2008 at 7pm
Sun. May 18, 2008 at 4pm
Mon. May 19, 2008 at 1am

Education Leadership Forum Focuses on the Future of Teaching in Georgia

2008-05-12T07:32:00.000-07:00

Preparing all students to participate in a knowledge-based economy is a demanding challenge. As pressure is continually placed on teachers to meet this challenge alone, the National Commission on Teaching and America’s Future (NCTAF) convened at Georgia Public Broadcasting on Friday, May 9 for an education leadership forum, “The Future of Teaching in Georgia,” to discuss how transforming teaching can meet the learning needs of 21st century students.

This forum, sponsored by MetLife Foundation, is the first in a series of conversations that NCTAF is holding across the country to call attention to the fact that quality teaching should not be looked at as an individual accomplishment. Instead, there is a need to bring the spirit and power of teamwork to schools – teamwork that builds the capacity to improve performance, increase teaching effectiveness, and close achievement gaps.

“No teacher should be expected to do this job alone,” said NCTAF President Tom Carroll. “Quality teaching results from the collective effort of teachers who join forces to improve performance beyond what any of them can accomplish on their own.”

At the forum, two panels addressed existing challenges and highlighted initiatives and strategies that offer better support for new teachers. And a range of topics were covered, including pathways to teaching, mentoring and induction, coaches and instructional leaders, collaborative teaching and learning, higher education/K-12 partnerships, strong principal leadership, math and science instruction, closing achievement gaps, teacher compensation, teacher preparation and certification, and workforce pipeline issues.

Donna Lowry, Education Reporter, WXIA-TV 11Alive (NBC Affiliate), moderated both panels. Panelists included: Wheda Acolatse, Teacher, Alonzo F. Herndon Elementary School; Andrew Broy, Assoc. Superintendent, GA Department of Education; Ann Cramer, Director North America, IBM Corporate Citizenship and Corporate Affairs; Beverly Hall, Superintendent, Atlanta Public Schools; Carolyn Hall, Principal, Kimberly Elementary School; Bill Haskin, Teacher, Hahira Middle School; Patricia Paterson, Executive Director for the P-16 Office of the University System of Georgia; Jennifer Rippner Buck, Executive Director, The Governor's Office of Student Achievement; and Steve Smith, Superintendent, Lowndes County Schools.

For more information about NCTAF, please visit www.nctaf.org

Join GPB Education at the Fernbank Museum!

2008-05-07T09:35:00.000-07:00

Georgia Public Broadcasting, the Fernbank Museum of Natural History, and the Georgia Tech K.I.D.S. Club invite you to a day full of fun and adventure at the Fernbank Museum on Saturday, May 10, 10 AM - 2PM! Enjoy screenings of Design Squad, a hot new engineering show for kids from PBS, meet cast members of the show, and participate in cool hands-on activities! For more information and an admission discount coupon, CLICK HERE.

RSVP Today!

2008-05-01T10:09:00.000-07:00

The National Commission on Teaching and America's Future, MetLife Foundation and Georgia Public Broadcasting invite you to participate in a discussion focusing on strengthening teaching quality in ways that directly impact and address the student dropout rate.

Don't miss your chance to RSVP -- there are only a few spaces left!

WHAT: The Future of Teaching in Georgia

WHEN: May 9, 2008

Continental Breakfast at 8:30 a.m.

Forum begins promptly at 9:00 a.m.

WHERE: Georgia Public Broadcasting

260 14th Street NW

Atlanta, GA 30318

RSVP: astanley@nctaf.org or 202-429-2570

May Satellite Schedules

2008-04-21T10:47:00.000-07:00

Click to view the schedule for GPB Education's Satellite Network -- Channels 410, 420 and 430.

Program Deletion List

Georgia Stories Now Available on DVD!

2008-04-18T12:51:00.000-07:00

That’s right – we’ve upgraded our award-winning series on the history of Georgia into sleek, easy-to-use DVDs! A favorite among educators throughout the state, Georgia Stories is correlated to Georgia Performance Standards and takes viewers on a journey through Georgia’s past with dramatic recreations of events, archival film and photographs, current documentary footage, and interviews with Georgia residents, historians and authors.

Order your copy today! Download the order form and fax it to 404-685-2556, or call 404-685-2550 (Atlanta area) / 1-888-501-8960, ext. 2550 (Toll free).

Looking to Earn PLUs this Summer . . . While Strengthening Your Theater Skills?

2008-04-15T15:00:00.000-07:00

Look no further! The Alliance Theatre is offering two courses for Summer PLU credit:

PUPPETRY IN THE CLASSROOM

June 16-20, 2008

3 PLU Credits * 30 contact hours

9:30am -3:30pm * Woodruff Arts Center * $250.00

Puppetry is an excellent art form for meeting performance learning standards while creating joyous and meaningful lessons.

Learn how to integrate puppetry with language arts, social studies and science. During the week-long workshop, participants will learn how to make a variety of puppets and create units and lessons for them.

Each teacher will also build a classroom character puppet of their own design, and puppets will be built for a culminating performance.

Students remember lessons that they are fully involved in, and the hands-on ideas learned during this week will strengthen and deepen existing classroom lessons.

All supplies are provided.

STORYTELLING, IN & OUT OF THE CLASSROOM

July 21-25, 2008

3 PLU Credits * 30 contact hours

9:30 am- 3:30 pm * Woodruff Arts Center * $250.00

Interactive class, with study and performance of folktales & myths, fairy tales, literary stories, and personal narrative.

Explore the history and significance of story in the development of human culture and experiment with ways of telling the stories that have come down through the oral tradition, as well as modern stories that reflect current society.

No prior storytelling experience required.

The Future of Teaching in Georgia Forum

2008-04-09T10:29:00.000-07:00

The National Commission on Teaching and America’s Future, MetLife Foundation and Georgia Public Broadcasting invite you to participate in a stimulating discussion about the future of teaching in Georgia. The forum discussion will focus on ways to strengthen teaching quality in ways that directly impact and address the student dropout rate.

Please join us on May 9, 2008 for a moderated two-panel discussion featuring: Andrew Broy, Assoc. Superintendent, GA Department of Education; Ann Cramer, Director North America, IBM Corporate Citizenship and Corporate Affairs; Dr. Beverly Hall, Superintendent, Atlanta Public Schools; Carolyn Hall, Principal, Kimberly Elementary School; Jennifer Rippner (invited), Executive Director, The Governor's Office of Student Achievement; Dr. Steve Smith, Superintendent, Lowndes County Schools.

WHAT: “The Future of Teaching in Georgia”

WHEN: May 9, 20008

Continental Breakfast at 8:30 a.m.

Forum begins promptly at 9:00 a.m.

WHERE: Georgia Public Broadcasting

260 14th Street NW

Atlanta, GA 30318

RSVP: April 26; astanley@nctaf.org or 202-429-2570

TeacherLine Wins Awards!

2008-04-09T04:55:00.000-07:00

PBS TeacherLine Wins Two Prestigious Awards

PBS TeacherLine is the winner of:

	the prestigious 2007 CODiE Award for "Best Online Instruction Solution" presented by the Software and Information Industry Association (SIIA); view the press release
	the 2007 21st Century Best Practice Distance Learning Awards by the USDLA; view the press release

New Science Courses

PBS TeacherLine is now offering a special collection of science courses designed to give teachers what they need to inspire as well as educate students. The courses, available in Physical, Life and Earth Sciences and at the elementary, middle school and high school levels, are Teachers' Domain Professional Development courses produced by WGBH Educational Foundation and developed by educators and advisors specializing in science teaching and curriculum.

Teachers' Domain Professional Development courses support K-12 science teachers in their quest to engage students with media-rich resources incorporating practical real world applications, using their free collections of nearly 1,000 resources developed from high-quality, critically-acclaimed and trusted information sources such as the award-winning PBS science programs NOVA, ZOOM, and A Science Odyssey.

Courses are available in two formats to best meet specific science learning needs:

45-hour Courses, 10-weeks
Provide a comprehensive understanding of a subject and of the inquiry method, leading to a systemic change in approach to curriculum design and teaching strategies. The 45-hour courses are equivalent to 3 graduate-level credits.
30-hour Courses, 6-weeks
Offer a quick immersion into teaching a particular topic. The courses are derived from the 45-hour courses but adapted to stand on their own with a special final assignment. Courses focus on science content in the context of teaching strategies and inquiry. The 30-hour courses are equivalent to 2 graduate-level credits.

All course content corresponds to the National Science Education Standards and the McREL Compendium of K-12 Standards. Elementary and middle school courses focus on three elements – content knowledge, inquiry methodology, and using technology in the classroom. High school courses assume a basic knowledge of subject matter, and emphasize inquiry methodology and the use of technology in lessons.

Life Science Courses
- Teaching Elementary Life Science - 45-hours
- Science and the Living World - 30-hours
- Plants and Animals 30-hours
- Heredity and Adaptation - 30-hours
- Ecosystems and Human Impact - 30-hours
- Teaching Middle School Life Science - 45-hours
- Structure and Function - 30-hours
- Regulation and Behavior - 30-hours
- Reproduction and Genetics - 30-hours
- Natural Selection and Applied Genetics - 30-hours
- Teaching High School Biology - 45-hours
- Inquiry in Science Education - 30-hours
- Teaching About Genetics - 30-hours
- Teaching About Evolution - 30-hours
- Designing Effective Lessons - 30-hours

Physical Science Courses
- Teaching Elementary Physical Science - 45-hours
- Motion and Forces in Your World - 30-hours
- Understanding Motion and Force - 30-hours
- Understanding Properties and Structures 30-hours
- Teaching Middle School Physical Science 45-hours
- Understanding Energy Transfer - 30-hours
- Understanding Waves - 30-hours
- Understanding Heat Transfer - 30-hours
- Understanding Solubility and Density - 30-hours
- Teaching High School Physical Science - 45-hours
- Inquiry in Physical Science Education - 30-hours
- Assessing Understanding - 30-hours
- Building Understanding - 30-hours
- Teaching Effective Lessons - 30-hours
Earth and Space Science Courses
- Teaching Earth and Space Science - 45-hours
- Introduction to the Earth System - 30-hours
- Structure of the Earth System - 30-hours
- Earth in Time and Space - 30-hours
- Weather and Climate - 30-hours

Georgia Improves on National Writing Test

2008-04-08T11:36:00.000-07:00

Georgia

's 8th graders are scoring at the national average in writing, according to the 2007 National Assessment for Educational Progress (NAEP) results. Released last week, the results showed that 88 percent of Georgia 8th graders scored at or above basic proficiency levels, one point higher than the nation. This was a six-point jump for Georgia since 2002, the last time the NAEP writing test was given.

The NAEP is given to a representative sample of students in every state. Scores are on a scale of 0 to 300 and are broken into four categories -- below basic, basic, proficient and advanced. Georgia students in grade 8 took the NAEP writing exam last year. The students who were tested had been taught using the state's new Reading/English Language Arts curriculum for two years.

"These NAEP results offer further proof that our new curriculum is making a big difference," said State Superintendent of Schools Kathy Cox. "There is no doubt in my mind that the rigor and focus of our new standards is having a positive impact in the classroom."

Superintendent Cox said Georgia has a strong commitment to building students' writing skills. For instance, Georgia is one of few states that tests students in writing at every level of education -- elementary (grades 3 & 5), middle (grade 8) and high school (grade 11).

For more information about NAEP results, CLICK HERE.

How well do you know economics? Challenge yourself!

2008-04-07T11:32:00.000-07:00

High school students throughout the state challenged their knowledge in economics on Saturday, March 22 at Georgia Public Broadcasting in the Georgia Championships of the National Economics Challenge. The competition highlights the strong economic education program in Georgia and winners move on to compete in the regional competition and winners of the regional competition move on to the national finals in New York City.

The competition has four rounds – three rounds of rigorous written questions and a final Quiz Bowl round – and is divided into two divisions – the Adam Smith Division is students currently taking an Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, honors, college level, or two-semester class, and the David Ricardo Division for students enrolled in all other general economics or one-semester economics classes.

Winners of this year’s Georgia Championships include Starr’s Mill High School in the David Ricardo Division and Davidson Fine Arts Magnet in the Adam Smith Division. Congratulations!

View the Georgia Economics Challenge 2008 Quiz Bowl.

For more information about the National Economics Challenge, please click here.

New Irasshai textbooks and workbooks will soon be available!

2008-04-02T14:00:00.000-07:00

Georgia Public Broadcasting is pleased to offer you the same high quality distance learning program you have enjoyed for the past 12 years in a fresher looking, exciting package! Available this spring, the student textbooks and workbooks will consist of two volumes each and can be purchased online from Amazon.com or BookSurge.com. The textbooks come in both hardcover and paperback and will contain mainly the explanatory sections of the lessons with interactive activities. Volume 1 covers JPN I, Lessons 1-73, while Volume 2 covers two preliminary lessons and JPN II Lessons 1-63. The workbooks are consumables (available in paperback only) that contain assignments, reading and writing practices, and particle practices. All textbook and workbook lesson numbers correspond to the video lesson numbers.

Online Games You Can Trust!

2008-03-26T07:30:00.000-07:00

Your favorite educational games for GPB Education Original Productions, including Count On It, SALSA, and Irasshai, are now available!!! Perfect for use in the classroom and at home, these interactive learning tools are only a click away!

Before you begin, make sure you have the most current version of Flash installed. Flash can be easily installed at http://www.adobe.com.

April Satellite Schedules

2008-03-25T12:00:00.000-07:00

Click to view the schedule for GPB Education's Satellite Network -- Channels 410, 420 and 430.

Program Deletion List

Workshop Application Deadlines Extended -- Apply Today!

2008-03-24T14:30:00.000-07:00

Sponsored by the Georgia Humanities Council, the Jimmy Carter Education Program, and the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum, “From Plains to Pennsylvania Avenue: Georgia People and Places and the Making of a President” offer teachers an opportunity to learn more about American history in the 20^th Century through exploring the places and people associated with the lives of President and Mrs. Jimmy Carter. Participants will gain content knowledge, as well as awareness of resources for enhancing student learning. They will also earn 3 PLUs for their participation.

The workshop includes instruction, field experiences, books, materials, lodging in Plains and Atlanta, and most meals. There is a $75 registration fee.

When: June 8-12

Where: Plains and Atlanta

Open To: 2nd, 5th, 8th, and 11th Grade Teachers and Media Specialists

25 Teachers will be selected to participate.

For more information, or to apply, contact Laura McCarty at ltmc@georgiahumanities.org

DEADLINE to apply is April 15, 2008

“Slaves, Slavery, and the Individual in America’s Past” is sponsored by the Georgia Humanities Council and National History Day. This national workshop offers teachers an opportunity to learn more about American history in the 18th and 19th Centuries through tracing the institution of slavery and its social, political, and economic impact. Participants will gain content knowledge, as well as awareness of resources for enhancing student learning through National History Day participation. They will also earn 3 PLUs for their participation.

The workshop includes instruction, field experiences, books, materials, lodging in Savannah, and most meals. There is a $75 registration fee.

When: July 13-18

Where: Savannah

Open to: Middle and High School Teachers and Media Specialists

10 Georgia teachers will be selected to participate.

For more information, or to apply, contact Laura McCarty at ltmc@georgiahumanities.org

DEADLINE to apply is April 15, 2008

Graduation Coaches -- Register for a Special TIE Network Event!

2008-03-22T07:35:00.000-07:00

Georgia Public Broadcasting’s (GPB) Technology in Education (TIE) Network is hosting a special regional event to recruit Metro-Atlanta Graduation Coaches to become members of the statewide network on Thursday, March 27 at the DeVry University Decatur Campus in Decatur, Ga.

Joining the TIE Network enables graduation coaches to share digital resources with their peers while also tapping into the expertise of existing TIE Network members. Targeted districts for the event are Atlanta Public Schools, Cherokee County, Clayton County, Cobb County, Coweta County, Decatur City Schools, DeKalb County, Douglas County, Fayette County, Forsyth County, Fulton County, Gwinnett County, Henry County, Marietta City Schools and Rockdale County.

Attendees have the opportunity to register for and explore free resources located on the TIE Network Web site, which includes a community blog and calendar, forum discussions, digitally-enhanced projects uploaded to the resource center, and the TIE Network wiki.

In addition to gaining knowledge about the TIE Network and its vast resources, attendees have the opportunity to learn about the DeVry University Scholarship, a yearly scholarship available to Georgia high schools; and Georgia Graduation Stories, a GPB project in collaboration with the Georgia Department of Education and Communities In Schools of Georgia.

Participants also receive the chance to win a FLIP Digital Video Camera for their school. This technology resource enables the lucky recipient to begin capturing video to document Georgia Graduation Stories as well as sharing original video footage with other members of the TIE Network.

To reserve a space, attendees must RSVP by 5:00 PM on Monday, March 24, 2008 to Scott Hennessy at jscotthennessy@gpb.org. Attendees should include first name, last name, school district and school in the RSVP email.

Are you getting the most up-to-date information???

2008-03-17T23:15:00.000-07:00

By subscribing to RSS feeds for GPB Education blogs, new content will be distributed to you as soon as it is posted. Depending upon the web browser used, you may need to download a feed reader before you are able to begin using RSS feeds. If your browser has a built-in feed reader, simply click on the RSS icon in the URL address box when you are on the blog’s homepage to add the blog to your feed reader. If your browser does not have a feed reader, you can find suggestions on which feed reader to download at www.gpb.org/rss.

Enroll in a TeacherLine Course Today!

2008-03-17T07:44:00.000-07:00

Did you know that teachers from more than 70 Georgia districts have taken one of our online courses? With more than 40 courses beginning March 26, now is a great time to start a TeacherLine course! Enroll today for the best availability!

Sample courses running March 26 - May 6:

Instructional Strategies Courses:

Differentiated Instruction
Connecting Family, Community and Schools
Creating Units to Support Differing Learning Styles

Science Courses:

Teaching Middle School Life Science
Teaching Elementary Physical Science
Natural Selection and Applied Genetics

Technology Courses:

Putting Technology to Use in the Classroom: Where to Start
The Computer for Personal Productivity
Publishing on the Web

Math Courses:

Enabling Students with Special Needs to Succeed in Math Class
Seeing Math™: Systems of Linear Equations
Patterns and Relations: Algebra Concepts for Grades 1-5

RDLA Courses:

Teaching Phonemic Awareness and Phonics
Supporting ELLs: Vocabulary Development in Grades PreK-3
Effective Writing Instruction

Visit www.teacherlinesoutheast.org for complete course listings.

March Satellite Broadcast Schedule

2008-02-29T13:00:00.000-08:00

Click the links below to view the schedule for GPB Education's Satellite Network: Channels 410, 420 and 430.

Program Deletion List

2009 Georgia Teacher of the Year Finalists Named

2008-02-29T08:04:00.000-08:00

Congratulations to all of the Georgia Teacher of the Year finalists!!! State Superintendent of Schools Kathy Cox announced the 10 finalists for 2009 Georgia Teacher of the Year this month. The finalists were chosen from a pool of 141 applicants that were selected as the Teachers of the Year in their school districts. The 10 finalists were chosen based on the scores of the essays on their applications and will be interviewed and observed at their schools over the next month. The winner will be announced at the Georgia Teacher of the Year Banquet on May 9, 2008 at the Georgia Aquarium.

The 2008 Georgia Teacher of the Year is Ms. Emily Jennette, Sawyer Road Elementary School. Learn more about Ms. Jennette and the Georgia Teacher of the Year program at
http://www.gadoe.org/tss_learning.aspx?PageReq=TSSLearningTOTY

Announcing a New Resource for Educators from GPB Education

2008-02-20T08:57:00.001-08:00

GPB Education is proud to announce the new educational materials available to you on our website. We partnered with Atlanta’s Fernbank Science Center, known statewide for K–12 excellence in science education, to produce hands-on training workshops for high school science teachers that accompany the latest installment of the National Public Radio award-winning series The DNA Files. Lesson plans, lab protocols and much more are available along with the workshops. Take a look at them today!

To view the educational videos and resources, please visit http://www.gpb.org/the-dna-files-iii

Pictured: Chris Showalter, Ornithologist, Fenbank Science Center during one of three workshops for high school schience teachers.

GPB Education at GSTA: A Success!!!

2008-02-20T07:36:00.000-08:00

GPB Education headed to Athens, GA for the Annual Georgia Science Teachers Association Conference February 13 -16. We exhibited and Joan McMullan (our Science guru) presented GPB Classroom: Chemistry and Physics series and resources to conference attendees. We also unveiled a new resource for educators -- The DNA Files III workshops and resources made in partnership with the Fernbank Science Center, which is all available online at http://www.gpb.org/the-dna-files-iii. We are delighted to say GPB Education had another successful conference!

(Pictured is Joan McMullan with GPB Classroom: Chemistry and Physics flyer and CD -- both were a huge hit! (photo credit: Barbara O'Brien)

Share Your Successes and Challenges with GPB Education

2008-02-20T07:03:00.000-08:00

Georgia Public Broadcasting is gathering stories, interviews, as well as video and audio clips that reflect the journey that middle and high school students make towards the goal of high school graduation. We know that one story may not look like another and all are welcome.

The final product will be available to all educators, students and parents in a variety of new media formats, including the GPB Education Blog.

If you have a completed media project, story to share, or if you have questions contact: Barbara O’Brien at bobrien@gpb.org or 404.685.2545

GEORGIA PARTNERSHIP ANNOUNCES 2008 TOP 10 EDUCATION ISSUES LIST

2008-02-12T06:33:00.000-08:00

The Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education has released its annual “Top Ten (Education) Issues to Watch” for 2008. The official release of the report came at the organization’s second annual Media Symposium held at GPB on January 23.

This year’s list covers a variety of topics:

Poverty, Diversity, and the Reality of Georgia’s Demographic Changes
Zero to Five: Critical Needs for Critical Years
Georgia’s Still Unfinished Business in Teacher Quality
Charter Schools and Vouchers: Weighing Georgia’s “Options”
The Turbulent Debate Over School Funding in Georgia
No Child Left Behind:The Federal Landscape and Georgia’s Lingering Achievement Gaps
Great Expectations: Increasing the Rigor of High School Education
The Crisis of High School Dropouts and Unskilled Graduates
Measuring What Matters:Building a Better Information System
Replacing Random Acts with a Deliberate Educational Plan

Each subject area is broken down into three sections – an issue overview, the political context of the issue, and what’s next for Georgia.

“As well as presenting the topic,” explains Susan Walker, the Partnership’s Policy and Research director and the author of the report, “we present analysis based upon our thorough research which makes the report even more valuable to education stakeholders across Georgia.”

This is the fourth year for the report that continues to grow in popularity. Georgia Partnership President Dr. Steve Dolinger says, “The Top Ten Issues to Watch in 2008 provides a unique and compact look at areas of focus that Georgia’s educational, business, and community leaders as well as citizens are addressing or will address in the coming months.”

The report is available on the Partnership website at www.gpee.org. Hard copies are available by e-mail request to bmaddox@gpee.org or by calling 404-223-2280.

Free Workshops from The Georgia Historical Society!

2008-01-28T08:11:00.000-08:00

The Georgia Historical Society has announced its upcoming Landmarks in American History and Culture Workshop for Community College Faculty, entitled "African-American History & Culture in the Georgia Lowcountry: Savannah & The Coastal Islands, 1750-1950." Two week-long workshop sessions are available: July 13-18, 2008 and July 20-25, 2008. The workshops are free of charge and participants will receive a $500 stipend for lodging and travel. These workshops are part of the National Endowment for the Humanities' We the People initiative. Full-time and adjunct Community College Humanities faculty may apply.

For more information about the workshop, please visit www.georgiahistory.com and follow the Landmarks link, or contact the Program Assistant, Charles Snyder, by phone at 912.651.2125 x.40, or by e-mail at csnyder@georgiahistory.com.

February Broadcast Schedule

2008-01-24T12:23:00.000-08:00

Click the links below to view the schedule for GPB Education's Satellite Network -- Channels 410, 420 and 430.

Program Deletion List

African American Lives 2

2008-01-24T12:00:00.000-08:00

African American Lives 2, produced by PBS station WNET (New York City, NY) and presented in Georgia by Georgia Public Broadcasting, builds on the original African American Lives to bring your students a broader, deeper perspective on the lives and contributions of a broad spectrum of African Americans.

Like the original series, African American Lives 2 will profile some of the nation’s most intriguing and well-known African Americans in a fascinating and revealing way. Combining personal interviews, historical research, and cutting-edge technology, host Dr. Henry Louis Gates, Jr. (pictured) and a team of genealogical experts will set out to tell the unique and powerful histories of the celebrity guests. Utilizing family lore, historic records, and a DNA sample from each guest, the series will explore the mysteries and surprises of the guests’ origin and heritage. The powerhouse guest list for African American Lives 2 includes Tina Turner, Morgan Freeman, Chris Rock, Jackie Joyner Kersee, Don Cheadle, Bliss Broyard, Tom Joyner, Linda Johnson Rice, Peter Gomes, and Maya Angelou. Also featured in the series is Kathleen Henderson, an “ordinary citizen” selected from over 2,000 nationwide applicants for genealogical examination.

Lesson plans and related educational materials designed to support use of the broadcast program, Web site, and print materials in standards-based classroom instruction have been developed by WNET. To enable the successful use of these materials in Georgia classrooms, Georgia Public Broadcasting is having all African American Lives 2 instructional materials correlated to the new Georgia Performance Standards for social studies.

Additionally, GPB, with a grant from WNET, is producing a training webcast, to be available to all teachers on demand via the Internet. The webcast will include representatives from WNET demonstrating one of three instructional modules prepared to accompany the African American Lives 2 broadcast. It will also include lesson plans and reproducible related educational materials that may be downloaded from the webcast and copied in quantity for classroom use. The webcast should be available online and on demand by February 22. Please check the education section of GPB’s website (www.gpb.org) for an announcement of availability.

African American Lives 2 will be presented on Georgia Public Broadcasting from 9:00 PM until 11:00 PM on February 6 and February 13. There will be multiple repeats.

Major corporate funding for this new production and its outreach initiatives is provided by The Coca-Cola Company and Johnson & Johnson. Additional funding is provided by Buick. Funding is also provided by public television viewers and PBS. Additional resources and materials for the teacher training workshops are provided by Ancestry.com.

High School Graduation Initiative

2008-01-24T11:46:00.000-08:00

As a part of GPB Education’s new High School Graduation Initiative, existing programs and organizations focusing on the critical issue of Georgia’s High School Graduation Rates will be identified and partnered with for various projects. The Youth Art Connection (YAC), a program of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta, is one of the first groups that GPB Education is collaborating with in this developing initiative.

Working with the Boys & Girls Club/YAC gives GPB Education a unique opportunity to follow the adventures of individual high school students while they participate in the Beijing Project, a pioneering endeavor that will take students to Beijing, Xian and many other areas of China this summer.

In the preliminary meeting for the project held in January, GPB Education captured the initial reactions of the students selected to participate. These interviews will be used along with feedback collected from the students during the course of their experience to build a framework on how the project is impacting their views and goals.

GPB Education will also play a significant role in this program by aiding in the development of a method for participants to digitally transmit their impressions, feelings, questions and overall view about their encounters, while in China, to other youth in Georgia.

YAC Director, Rebecca DesMarias, describes the three components of the Beijing Project: 1 – five monthly meetings at YAC to prepare for the Trip; 2 – the Trip to Beijing, Xian and other areas of China; 3 – outreach to Boys & Girls Club members about China and the Xian Terracotta Warriors during fall 2008/winter 2009 in conjunction with the exhibition of the Terracotta Warriors at the High Museum of Art.

The Metropolitan Opera Education Project

2008-01-24T10:52:00.000-08:00

In a groundbreaking series, the Metropolitan Opera offers live, high-definition performance transmissions to movie theaters throughout the world. This opportunity initiated a collaboration between GPB’s Education & Radio Divisions and the Georgia Music Educators Association (GMEA). A component of this partnership includes music educators and their students attending performances of the Metropolitan Opera broadcast in HD at selected theaters in Athens, Augusta and Valdosta. The season runs through April, 2008. Renee Wicker-Wilson, GMEA Choral Chair reports on the January 1 performance of Hansel and Gretel: “The production was absolutely incredible and the education department at The Met really outdid themselves by showing lots of interesting ‘behind the scenes’ items.”

The Metropolitan Opera’s high-definition simulcast to movie theaters is an event open to the general public. The following website lists participating theaters. Contact the theaters directly for viewing times and costs.

http://www.fathomevents.com/files/METLISTING/met_live.html

Super Saturday

2008-01-24T07:19:00.001-08:00

GPB Education and A Place of Our Own/Los Niños en Su Casa are excited to host Super Saturday (formerly Spectacular Saturday). Super Saturday will be a one-day conference for child care providers held at Rockbridge Elementary on March 29, 2008 (formerly scheduled for February 2008). Child care providers that work in centers, in registered family care, or as a family, friend and neighbor provider (including informal caregivers, non-registered caregivers and nannies) are encouraged to attend. Training sessions will be offered in both English and Spanish covering topics on the social, emotional, physical, and cognitive growth of young children. Select sessions will provide state credit.

For information, e-mail supersaturday@gpb.org or e-mail Meghan Welch at mwelch@gpb.org.

Child Care Nominations

2008-01-23T11:14:00.000-08:00

Nominate child care providers for local and national recognition! Please submit nominations of child care providers that work in centers, in registered family care, or as a family, friend, and neighbor provider (including informal caregivers, non-registered caregivers, and nannies). See attached forms.

Child Care Provider Nomination Form - English version

Child Care Provider Nomination Form - Spanish version

Where We’ll Be

2008-01-23T11:13:00.000-08:00

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

February 13 -15, 2008
GSTA
Classic Center
Athens, GA

February 25 -26, 2008
GMSA
Marriott Riverfront Hotel
Savannah, GA

Programs to Look for in February

2008-01-23T10:58:00.000-08:00

Sweet Honey in The Rock, Songs for the Children
Channel 420
Friday, February 15 @ 6 AM

Sweet Honey In The Rock possesses a stunning vocal prowess that captures the complex sounds of blues, spirituals, traditional gospel hymns, rap, reggae, African chants, hip-hop, ancient lullabies and jazz improvisation. Sweet Honey’s collective voice, occasionally accompanied by hand percussion instruments, is filled with soulful harmonies and intricate rhythms.

Art in the 21st Century
Channel 420
Friday, February 8 at 1:30 PM - 5:30 PM

Art in the 21st Century is the only series on television to focus exclusively on contemporary visual art and artists in the United States, and it uses the medium of television to provide an experience of the visual arts that goes far beyond a gallery visit. Fascinating and intimate footage allows the viewer to observe the artists at work, watch their process as they transform inspiration into art, and hear their thoughts as they grapple with the physical and visual challenges of achieving their artistic visions.

C-47 Legend

2008-01-13T12:19:00.000-08:00

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 elements to 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 http://www.cforty7.com/. The next deadline for submissions is December 31.

GPB Education Resources Available for Download

2008-01-06T09:20:00.000-08:00

GPB Education is working diligently to make our resources available for download from GPB Education Streaming (formerly known as unitedstreaming), a digital video-based learning resource that has been scientifically proven to increase academic achievement. GPB Classroom Chemistry: A Study of Matter and GPB Classroom Physics Fundamentals full-episodes are now available for download by logging into http://gpb.unitedstreaming.com. For more information on these science-related resources provided by GPB Education, please e-mail us at classroom@gpb.org.

Lee y serás Training Sessions

2008-01-05T09:19:00.000-08:00

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 on January 22 and 23, 2008 at Georgia Public Broadcasting. 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 e-mail Carol Veatch at CVeatch@gpb.org. Seating is limited and will be filled on a first-come, first-serve basis. Future additional training dates may be arranged if we cannot accommodate everyone during this round of training sessions.

For more information visit www.leeyseras.net.

Hands on Literacy

2008-01-04T09:16:00.000-08:00

Georgia educators and teaching artists had the opportunity to experience a storytelling technique called Story Basket Theater as a tool for introducing literacy skills to young learners. Karina Naumer, Master Artist, National Wolf Trap Institute for Early Learning Through the Arts, provided both a master class around the classic tale The Tortoise and the Hair and an interview. In the master class, Karina demonstrates the techniques of developing a Story Basket Theater lesson and works with the group to give them practice. In the interview, Karina answers questions about using drama techniques to foster literacy skills in very young learners. The technique of Story Basket Theater is the particular focus of this interview.
To see this strategy in action, you can view Hands On Literacy and Story Basket Theater. Both of these programs highlight the on-going drama and literacy work being done by Seaborn Lee Elementary School and The Alliance Theater.

Additional resources:

The Center for Education at Wolf Trap

www.wolftrap.org/foundation/center.html

Alliance Theater

www.alliancetheatre.org/

Watch these programs on the GPB Education Satellite Network:

Hands On Literacy

Channel 420:

January 4 at 9:30 AM

January 11 and 18t at 6:30 AM

January 25 at 10 AM

Story Basket Theatre

Channel 420:

January 4 at 11:00 AM

January 11 and 18 at 8:00 AM

January 25 at 11:30 AM

Reading Rainbow Young Writers and Illustrators Contest

2008-01-03T09:13:00.000-08:00

GPB is proud to announce the Fourteenth Annual Reading Rainbow Young Writers and Illustrators Contest taking place January 1 – March 3, 2008. The contest challenges children in kindergarten through third grade to draw upon their verbal and artistic abilities by writing and illustrating their own picture storybooks. First place winners from each grade level will go on to compete in the National contest.

Prizes:

Winners of the national competition shall be awarded the following:

* First Place Winner – The first place winner in each grade level shall receive a laptop computer.

* Second Place Winner – The second place winner in each grade level shall receive a flat panel TV and DVD player.

* Third Place Winner – The third place winner in each grade level shall receive an MP3 player.

* Winners in all of the above categories will also win 3 sets of 5 Reading Rainbow DVDs and matching feature books – one each for their school, community library and home.

Rules:

* Each Kindergarten and First grade participant must submit an original, single authored story (no co-authored stories) with a minimum of 50 words and a maximum of 200 words.

* Each Second and Third grade participant must submit an original, single authored story (no co-authored stories) with a minimum of 100 words and a maximum of 350 words.

* For purposes of counting words, include such words as “a”, “an”, and “the”, but do not include words on non-story pages such as the title page.

* Stories may be fact or fiction, prose or poetry.

* Text must be typed or printed legibly.

* Participants who cannot write may dictate their story to an adult, but the story must be the original work of the child.

* Invented spelling will be accepted.

* Stories must include at least five original, clear and colorful illustrations.

* Text and illustrations (or a combination of both) must appear on one side of each piece of paper and page numbers must appear on the back side of each piece of paper.

* Any failure to adhere to these Contest rules may result in disqualification.

Entry Form

* Each story must be accompanied by a completed entry form signed by the participant’s parent/guardian or teacher.
* Applications can be downloaded by clicking here.

For More Information:

* Contact Education Services at (404) 685-2550 or education@gpb.org.

2007 TIE Network Recap: Look What We Did!

2008-01-02T09:11:00.000-08:00

What a year we had in 2007! The GPB Education TIE Network has grown by leaps and bounds since its inception on January 1, 2007. Now as we celebrate our first birthday, we can proudly boast that our statewide professional network is 675 members strong with over 100 Georgia school districts represented! With help from active members who have shared their favorite technology-enhanced projects, we have over 300 digital resources uploaded to the TIE Network Resource Center.

In our first year, we have also continued to enhance the TIE Network website features and capabilities. Now TIE Network Community bloggers are able to reach a broader audience with selected posts appearing on the TIE Network homepage and feeding into the GPB Education and GPB homepages! Check the TIE Event Calendar for upcoming webinars on how to maximize your TIE Network Community Blog entries.

Not only have we grown significantly in 2007, but we’ve also shared our ideas and resources during regional and statewide events, and we couldn’t have made it happen without the support of the following Educational Technology Training Centers and universities located across the state:

Georgia Southern University in Statesboro (March 2007)

Dalton State ETTC (April 2007)

Albany State ETTC (May 2007)

Pioneer ETTC in Cleveland (June 2007)

Valdosta State ETTC (July 2007)

CSRA RESA/ETTC in Augusta (September 2007)

Armstrong Atlantic State University ETTC in Savannah (October 2007)

Columbus State ETTC (December 2007)

We also “showed our TIE green” at the following conferences:

NECC in Atlanta (June 2007)

COMO Conference on Jekyll Island (October 2007)

GaETC Conference in Atlanta (November 2007)

Some of our event themes included “Go Green with TIE,” “Dive into Technology,” “Kick Off the School Year with Technology,” and “Wrap Up 2007 with Technology.” To view photos from these events, visit our TIE Network Google Web Albums at http://picasaweb.google.com/gpbtienetwork and click on the event album that intrigues you the most.

We have scheduled regional TIE Network events for 2008, and you can view these upcoming opportunities by visiting the TIE Network Calendar. We look forward to seeing current TIE Network members at the First District ETTC event scheduled for Saturday, February 23rd and during the Georgia Middle School Association Conference in Savannah February 26-27.

For more information on the TIE Network, please visit www.tienetwork.org.

New Programs from GaDOE

2007-12-24T09:08:00.000-08:00

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

2007-12-24T09:07:00.000-08:00

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

2007-12-24T09:04:00.000-08:00

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

2007-12-24T09:02:00.000-08:00

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

2007-12-24T09:00:00.000-08:00

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

2007-12-24T08:55:00.000-08:00

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.

TIE Members Master Technology in Augusta

2007-11-24T08:51:00.000-08:00

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

2007-11-24T08:49:00.000-08:00

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

2007-11-24T08:47:00.000-08:00

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.

Georgia's F3 Program Keeping Children Safe Online

2007-11-20T08:41:00.000-08:00

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.

Georgia Student Media Festival 2008

2007-11-09T11:33:00.000-08:00

It's time to start planning for the Georgia Student Media Festival 2008! This is an amazing event that is designed to stimulate student interest and involvement in all types of media production. All students and schools K-12 are encouraged to participate!

Festival activities progress through three successive levels: building, system and state. Entries must be evaluated at each level and receive a superior rating in order to proceed to the next level. Private schools are responsible for contacting the public school system in their geographic area for information on system or state level judging.

Building and system festival locations will be determined by the schools and counties. The state student media festival will be held at Georgia Public Broadcasting on Friday, April 25, 2008.

Dates and Times Recommended for Festivals:

Building (school) festival - recommended to be held prior to Friday, February 22, 2008 in order to have time to send winners on to the system festival.

System (county) festival - recommended to be held prior to Friday, March 21, 2008 in order to have time to send winners on to the state festival.

State festival - Registration database and contact information must be submitted to Joni Jones at Shoal Creek Elementary by e-mail before
April 4, 2008 (jonibjones@rockdale.k12.ga.us).
Projects must arrive at the Clayton State University Library on or before April 11, 2008.

It's never too early to begin planning your media festival projects!

There will be three Media Festival related programs at COMO this year.

Friday, October 19 at 8:00-8:50 A.M. - Georgia Student Media Festival Nominee Showcase. Stop by and see projects submitted to the International Student Media Festival.

Friday, October 19 at 10:00-10:50 A.M. - 2008 Georgia Student Media Festival Update. See what's new in this year's festival!

Friday, October 19 at 11:00-11:50 A.M. - 2008 Georgia Student Media Festival Judging Made Easy. Always wanted to judge at the Georgia Student Media Festival, but were afraid to? Stop by this session and learn the ins and outs to being a successful GSMF judge!

Find tips for great projects, GSMF 2008 forms, previous festival projects and further information about GSMF 2008 here.

For information about the Media Festival or if you have questions about conducting a local Media Festival contact:

Deborah Gray (678) 301-6428

Michelle Lenderman (478) 751-6770

Irasshai a Success at JapanFest

2007-11-04T08:45:00.000-08:00

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!

Introduction...Alliance of Education Agency Heads

2007-10-24T08:37:00.000-07:00

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!

2007-10-24T08:24:00.000-07:00

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.

Georgia Student Media Festival 2008

2007-10-24T08:18:00.000-07:00

It's that time again - time to start planning for the Georgia Student Media Festival 2008! This is an amazing event that is designed to stimulate student interest and involvement in all types of media production. All students and schools K-12 are encouraged to participate!

Festival activities progress through three successive levels: building, system and state. Entries must be evaluated at each level and receive a superior rating in order to proceed to the next level. Private schools are responsible for contacting the public school system in their geographic area for information on system or state level judging.

Building and system festival locations will be determined by the schools and counties. The state student media festival will be held at Georgia Public Broadcasting on Friday, April 25, 2008.

Dates and Times Recommended for Festivals:

* Building (school) festival - recommended to be held prior to Friday, February 22, 2008 in order to have time to send winners on to the system festival.
* System (county) festival - recommended to be held prior to Friday, March 21, 2008 in order to have time to send winners on to the state festival.
* State festival -
o Registration database and contact information must be submitted to Joni Jones at Shoal Creek Elementary by e-mail before April 4, 2008. jonibjones@rockdale.k12.ga.us
o Projects must arrive at the Clayton State University Library on or before April 11, 2008.

It's never too early to begin planning your media festival projects!

There will be three Media Festival related programs at COMO this year.

* Friday, October 19 at 8:00-8:50 A.M. - Georgia Student Media Festival Nominee Showcase. Stop by and see projects submitted to the International Student Media Festival.
* Friday, October 19 at 10:00-10:50 A.M. - 2008 Georgia Student Media Festival Update. See what's new in this year's festival!
* Friday, October 19 at 11:00-11:50 A.M. - 2008 Georgia Student Media Festival Judging Made Easy. Always wanted to judge at the Georgia Student Media Festival, but were afraid to? Stop by this session and learn the ins and outs to being a successful GSMF judge!

Visit www.gait-inc.org to find tips for great projects, GSMF 2008 forms, previous festival projects and further information about GSMF 2008.
For information about the Media Festival or if you have questions about conducting a local Media Festival contact:
Deborah Gray (678) 301-6428
Michelle Lenderman (478) 751-6770

Child Care Provider Nominations

2007-10-24T08:14:00.000-07:00

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

C-47's New Show and Winner!

2007-10-02T08:22:00.000-07:00

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.

GPB's Irasshai at JapanFest!

2007-09-24T08:11:00.000-07:00

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

2007-09-24T08:07:00.000-07:00

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

2007-09-24T08:04:00.000-07:00

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

Epic Documentary Premieres on GPB

2007-09-04T07:57:00.000-07:00

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.

GPEE Bus Trip Set for September, October Runs

2007-09-02T08:01:00.000-07:00

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.

The 2007 - 2008 Irasshai School Year Begins!

2007-08-24T07:53:00.000-07:00

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

2007-08-24T07:51:00.000-07:00

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

2007-08-24T07:42:00.000-07:00

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?

2007-08-24T07:34:00.000-07:00

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.

Understanding Early Learning

2007-08-22T07:35:00.000-07:00

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.

GPB Education Resources Available for Download from unitedstreaming

2007-08-02T07:55:00.000-07:00

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.

ATTENTION: NEW PROGRAM DELETION LIST!!!

2007-08-01T07:26:00.000-07:00

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

2007-08-01T07:07:00.000-07:00

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

2007-08-01T07:05:00.000-07:00

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

2007-08-01T06:58:00.000-07:00

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

2007-08-01T06:54:00.000-07:00

Click here to check out current job opportunities with GPB.

Broadcast Schedule

2007-08-01T06:45:00.000-07:00

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

End the School Year with Excellence

2007-05-09T07:34:00.000-07:00

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

2007-05-09T07:33:00.000-07:00

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.

Road Trip Wins Telly Award

2007-05-02T07:30:00.000-07:00

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

2007-05-02T07:27:00.000-07:00

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.

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

2007-04-09T07:45:00.000-07:00

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

2007-04-09T07:37:00.000-07:00

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.

Announcing C-47's Fall 2006 Winner

2007-04-06T07:42:00.000-07:00

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.

Elementary School Students Learn About Filmmaking

2007-04-05T07:45:00.000-07:00

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.

Explore Georgia's Art on the Web

2007-04-02T07:38:00.000-07:00

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.

Celebrate Literacy and the Love of Reading with the Milner Award

2007-03-24T07:54:00.000-07:00

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.

GPB Education's New Resource for Children's Literature

2007-03-09T07:52:00.000-08:00

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"

GPB Education Launches the TIE Network Website

2007-03-07T07:50:00.000-08:00

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.

The 2007 Georgia Student Media Festival

2007-03-02T07:48:00.000-08:00

It is time for the 2007 Georgia Student Media Festival! All students and schools K-12 are encouraged to participate in this annual event.

The Georgia Student Media Festival is designed to stimulate student interest and involvement in all types of media production. This is accomplished by providing an opportunity for students to show their work to an audience and have the work critiqued by a panel of expert judges. Students will also be able to gain inspiration by viewing the work of other students represented at the festival. Project categories include, but are not limited to, 2-D and 3-D animation, electronic picture books, electronic photographic essays, sequential stills and websites.

K-12 festival activities progress through three successive levels: building, system and state. Entries must be evaluated at each level and receive a superior rating in order to proceed to the next level. Private schools are responsible for contacting the public school system in their geographic area for information on system or state level judging.

Building and system festival locations will be determined by the schools and counties. The state student media festival will be held at Georgia Public Broadcasting on April 27, 2007.

The Georgia Student Media Festival is sponsored by Georgia Public Broadcasting, Georgia Association for Instructional Technology and the Georgia Library Association.

To access entry forms and more information, please visit the Georgia Student Media Festival website.
For information about the Media Festival or if you have questions about conducting a local Media Festival, contact:

Gordon Baker (678) 466-4334
Deborah Gray (678) 301-6428
Michelle Lenderman (478) 751-6770

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

2007-03-01T07:48:00.000-08:00

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.

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

2007-02-09T07:59:00.000-08:00

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.