There are many bright, highly-motivated high school students in Georgia who want to study Japanese, either because they are interested in that fascinating culture or because they recognize Japan's considerable influence in the international business community. Trouble is, there is a shortage of teachers certified to teach Japanese, and the language is not offered at many Georgia high schools. Now every student attending a Georgia high school can enroll in a full-credit, two-year Japanese foreign language course. And it's free!
For years students in Georgia and other states have been learning Japanese - and receiving two years of high school foreign language credit - by participating in Irasshai. This PeachStar program is a comprehensive curricula consisting of 138 30-minute video lessons, supplemented by twice-weekly conversation practice with native speakers of Japanese, textbook materials, and a highly developed interactive web site.
Schools in other states pay for Irasshai at a rate of several hundred dollars per student. Until this school year, Georgia schools also paid a slightly reduced fee. But no more! Irasshai is now offered to Georgia schools at absolutely no cost! This applies to all high school students attending a Georgia public, private or home school.
Schools are responsible for providing a classroom teacher to act as course facilitator. The facilitator takes attendance, collects homework, monitors tests and provides a positive instructional environment. Actual instruction, conversation practice and the grading of most tests are provided by Irasshai staff. Best of all, the facilitator does not have to be certified to teach Japanese. In fact, many facilitators learn Japanese right along with their students. Facilitators also may become PeachStar representatives and receive special perks and bonuses.
In March, PeachStar mailed a letter and other Irasshai informational materials to every public high school in Georgia. In the letter, we invited principals and foreign language department heads to request Irasshai registration and student recruitment packets. If you know of students at your school who would be interested in taking Japanese, contact your school office to make sure that a registration packet has been ordered. If your school did not receive the March mailing, please contact PeachStar directly at 1-800-883-7444.
Sunday, April 1, 2001
Thursday, March 8, 2001
PeachStar Partnership to Provide Teacher Training
An innovative distance-learning program will allow teachers in the state s 181st school district to study for add-on certification in special education without ever setting foot on a college campus. The school district, which comprises the residential schools of the Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ), and PeachStar have partnered to create the course in an effort to meet the DJJ s growing demand for certified special education teachers.
The course is designed for teachers employed by the DJJ who currently hold teaching certificates in areas other than special education. A series of 10 self-paced course modules delivers instruction via the Internet, CD-ROM and video. Participants access and complete course assignments in their own work place or in their homes. The flexible format minimizes disruption to teachers work and personal lives, and makes it more convenient to advance professionally without compromising one s current work status.
The DJJ conceived the idea as an efficient way to meet critical staffing shortages. The DJJ, recognizing the value of a well-trained, supported work force, assumes the financial responsibility for the teacher s enrollment. The DJJ also provides computer workstations, resource libraries, instructors and mentors for those enrolled in the course. The GAPSC has granted the DJJ the authority to issue certification to those who satisfy all requirements.
PeachStar will produce the course modules with the assistance of Denzil Edge, Ph.D. and Cindy Mercer, Ph.D., nationally recognized experts in special education teacher training and distance education from the University of Louisville. Clayton College & State University will host the online content.
PeachStar and the DJJ hope this pioneering program will pave the way for similar educational opportunities for all of Georgia s teachers.
The course is designed for teachers employed by the DJJ who currently hold teaching certificates in areas other than special education. A series of 10 self-paced course modules delivers instruction via the Internet, CD-ROM and video. Participants access and complete course assignments in their own work place or in their homes. The flexible format minimizes disruption to teachers work and personal lives, and makes it more convenient to advance professionally without compromising one s current work status.
The DJJ conceived the idea as an efficient way to meet critical staffing shortages. The DJJ, recognizing the value of a well-trained, supported work force, assumes the financial responsibility for the teacher s enrollment. The DJJ also provides computer workstations, resource libraries, instructors and mentors for those enrolled in the course. The GAPSC has granted the DJJ the authority to issue certification to those who satisfy all requirements.
PeachStar will produce the course modules with the assistance of Denzil Edge, Ph.D. and Cindy Mercer, Ph.D., nationally recognized experts in special education teacher training and distance education from the University of Louisville. Clayton College & State University will host the online content.
PeachStar and the DJJ hope this pioneering program will pave the way for similar educational opportunities for all of Georgia s teachers.
Wednesday, March 7, 2001
PBS Kids Ready To Learn at GPB
PBS KIDS Ready to Learn created especially for families and child care providers - helps those who care for young children encourage a child's natural curiosity and love of learning.
Ready to Learn combines television designed to teach with community outreach and innovative educational materials. This exciting blend of television services builds on wonderful PBS programs families know and trust - such as Sesame Street, Mister Rogers Neighborhood and Reading Rainbow through
* A daily broadcast of 6.5 hours of quality children's educational television per day on Georgia Public Television;
* Breaks between the shows to deliver non-commercial, educational messages to help young people build the skills they need to become successful learners;
* Educational outreach, such as workshops and newsletters throughout the State of Georgia;
* Partnerships with national and local community organizations such as child care centers, schools, colleges, libraries, resource and referral agencies, family childcare organizations, and governmental agencies.
Together, these resources help families, teachers and caregivers across the state use public television to help meet the national education goal that all children will begin school "Ready to Learn."
What's on GPTV Ready to Learn Programming
GPTV is television parents trust, and quality children s programming is at the heart of Ready to Learn. Each day, PBS offers a great variety of award-winning television for children ages 2-12. Each show on GPTV is built around a curriculum ? TV that entertains and teaches, too!
Ready to Learn Outreach
We develop and deliver local workshops, special events, curriculum guides and newsletters to take the learning from the TV set into homes, family child care settings, schools, after-school programs and child care centers. Ready to Learn teaches families and caregivers how to get the most from the TV they watch.
In collaboration with community partners, GPTV distributes high-quality children's books each month to families and early childhood organizations who might not otherwise have access to them, enabling them to build a library of selected children's literature.
For further information about Ready to Learn, contact:
Kathy McCollister
Ready to Learn Coordinator
770-277-5726
Ready to Learn combines television designed to teach with community outreach and innovative educational materials. This exciting blend of television services builds on wonderful PBS programs families know and trust - such as Sesame Street, Mister Rogers Neighborhood and Reading Rainbow through
* A daily broadcast of 6.5 hours of quality children's educational television per day on Georgia Public Television;
* Breaks between the shows to deliver non-commercial, educational messages to help young people build the skills they need to become successful learners;
* Educational outreach, such as workshops and newsletters throughout the State of Georgia;
* Partnerships with national and local community organizations such as child care centers, schools, colleges, libraries, resource and referral agencies, family childcare organizations, and governmental agencies.
Together, these resources help families, teachers and caregivers across the state use public television to help meet the national education goal that all children will begin school "Ready to Learn."
What's on GPTV Ready to Learn Programming
GPTV is television parents trust, and quality children s programming is at the heart of Ready to Learn. Each day, PBS offers a great variety of award-winning television for children ages 2-12. Each show on GPTV is built around a curriculum ? TV that entertains and teaches, too!
Ready to Learn Outreach
We develop and deliver local workshops, special events, curriculum guides and newsletters to take the learning from the TV set into homes, family child care settings, schools, after-school programs and child care centers. Ready to Learn teaches families and caregivers how to get the most from the TV they watch.
In collaboration with community partners, GPTV distributes high-quality children's books each month to families and early childhood organizations who might not otherwise have access to them, enabling them to build a library of selected children's literature.
For further information about Ready to Learn, contact:
Kathy McCollister
Ready to Learn Coordinator
770-277-5726
The Fourth Year of ICLE at GPB
PeachStar Education Services once again is producing and broadcasting continuing education seminars for the Institute for Continuing Legal Education (ICLE) in Georgia. The PeachStar/ICLE partnership began in 1996. This partnership allows ICLE to provide the State Bar of Georgia required courses over a statewide satellite link. Since its inception, more than 5,000 Bar members have attended this distance-learning program. By using the teleconference format, all participants receive the same information simultaneously. Participants can phone in questions to the presenters and receive answers on air during the program. This type of interaction between presenter and participants is vital to engaging the attendees and providing them with a useful experience.
When ICLE changed to the teleconference format, they chose 31 sites around Georgia to host participants. This is a significant increase over the old style conference offered at only a few of the larger cities around the state. ICLE selected these sites so that no Bar member would travel more than 30 minutes to participate in the training. Because of the close proximity of the sites, participants in rural areas receive training with minimal time away from their practices, which means less lost revenue.
In addition to the satellite-based conference, ICLE contracted with Georgia Net to provide conference web casting beginning in January 2001. PeachStar provides the satellite signal to Georgia Net which then broadcasts the proceeding electronically over the Internet. With this new format, ICLE will reach even more participants, and further decrease time away from the office for attorneys.
PeachStar provides similar services to governmental and business groups. If your school or agency is interested in learning more about how PeachStar can serve your distance learning needs, please call us at (404) 685-2550.
When ICLE changed to the teleconference format, they chose 31 sites around Georgia to host participants. This is a significant increase over the old style conference offered at only a few of the larger cities around the state. ICLE selected these sites so that no Bar member would travel more than 30 minutes to participate in the training. Because of the close proximity of the sites, participants in rural areas receive training with minimal time away from their practices, which means less lost revenue.
In addition to the satellite-based conference, ICLE contracted with Georgia Net to provide conference web casting beginning in January 2001. PeachStar provides the satellite signal to Georgia Net which then broadcasts the proceeding electronically over the Internet. With this new format, ICLE will reach even more participants, and further decrease time away from the office for attorneys.
PeachStar provides similar services to governmental and business groups. If your school or agency is interested in learning more about how PeachStar can serve your distance learning needs, please call us at (404) 685-2550.
Thursday, March 1, 2001
PeachStar to Help Train School Councils
Georgia s schools will have well-trained councils to guide them in their school improvement efforts, thanks to an exciting new partnership between PeachStar and the Georgia School Council Institute.
The Georgia School Council Institute and PeachStar are developing a comprehensive training program that will be delivered into local schools via the PeachStar Satellite Network during the month of July 2001. The training covers everything a council member needs to know to serve effectively, from the proper way to conduct a meeting and the legal requirements of a council, to understanding statistical measures of school performance and developing plans that address issues.
The A+ Education Reform Act of 2000 mandated the creation of school councils to "bring communities and schools closer together in the spirit of cooperation to solve difficult education problems, improve academic achievement, provide support for teachers and administrators, and bring parents into the school-based decision-making process." Every public school in Georgia must form a school counsel comprising the school principal, 2 parents, 2 teachers, and 2 local business professionals. The law also requires each council member to complete a training program prior to commencing service.
PeachStar is proud to play such an important role in transforming all Georgia schools into outstanding centers of learning. To learn more about this project or the Georgia School Council Institute, please call Shelia G. King, executive director of the Institute, at 678-560-1301, or visit their web site at www.gaschoolcouncil.org.
The Georgia School Council Institute and PeachStar are developing a comprehensive training program that will be delivered into local schools via the PeachStar Satellite Network during the month of July 2001. The training covers everything a council member needs to know to serve effectively, from the proper way to conduct a meeting and the legal requirements of a council, to understanding statistical measures of school performance and developing plans that address issues.
The A+ Education Reform Act of 2000 mandated the creation of school councils to "bring communities and schools closer together in the spirit of cooperation to solve difficult education problems, improve academic achievement, provide support for teachers and administrators, and bring parents into the school-based decision-making process." Every public school in Georgia must form a school counsel comprising the school principal, 2 parents, 2 teachers, and 2 local business professionals. The law also requires each council member to complete a training program prior to commencing service.
PeachStar is proud to play such an important role in transforming all Georgia schools into outstanding centers of learning. To learn more about this project or the Georgia School Council Institute, please call Shelia G. King, executive director of the Institute, at 678-560-1301, or visit their web site at www.gaschoolcouncil.org.
Tuesday, February 6, 2001
PeachStar Celebrates African American Heritage
In February, PeachStar will observe Black History Month with a variety of programming showcasing the significant contributions African Americans have made, not only here in the United States, but also around the world.
The selections will include episodes from PeachStar's awarding-winning Georgia Stories series that focus on African American history, culture and the Civil Rights Movement. The Civil Rights unit will be enhanced by video excerpts from the GPTV documentary Hosea Williams: In His Own Words. Before the Reverend Williams passed away, GPTV conducted one of the last full-length interviews with the Civil Rights leader. From his home in East Lake, Williams recounts his extraordinary life, from his childhood in South Georgia and his later alliance with the Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. to his work with the needy. This fascinating journey emphasizes the importance of education and of standing up for your beliefs, regardless of the consequences. With odds stacked against him throughout his life, Williams rose to the challenge of finishing high school in his 20s, completing college, and becoming one of the wealthiest African Americans in Savannah, but gave up his wealth to join the Civil Rights Movement. Under his leadership, both Savannah and St. Augustine became racially integrated. Williams later became a political leader, serving in the Georgia House of Representatives, the Atlanta City Council and the DeKalb County Commission. Williams' poignant observations about the current state of racial relations in Atlanta provide the context for further classroom discussion.
Teachers: GPTV will rebroadcast this hour-long documentary in February. Teachers who tape this program should preview the interview prior to class viewing as it contains mature content and language.
See the next page for a comprehensive listing of programming PeachStar will air in February in observance of Black History Month.
The selections will include episodes from PeachStar's awarding-winning Georgia Stories series that focus on African American history, culture and the Civil Rights Movement. The Civil Rights unit will be enhanced by video excerpts from the GPTV documentary Hosea Williams: In His Own Words. Before the Reverend Williams passed away, GPTV conducted one of the last full-length interviews with the Civil Rights leader. From his home in East Lake, Williams recounts his extraordinary life, from his childhood in South Georgia and his later alliance with the Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. to his work with the needy. This fascinating journey emphasizes the importance of education and of standing up for your beliefs, regardless of the consequences. With odds stacked against him throughout his life, Williams rose to the challenge of finishing high school in his 20s, completing college, and becoming one of the wealthiest African Americans in Savannah, but gave up his wealth to join the Civil Rights Movement. Under his leadership, both Savannah and St. Augustine became racially integrated. Williams later became a political leader, serving in the Georgia House of Representatives, the Atlanta City Council and the DeKalb County Commission. Williams' poignant observations about the current state of racial relations in Atlanta provide the context for further classroom discussion.
Teachers: GPTV will rebroadcast this hour-long documentary in February. Teachers who tape this program should preview the interview prior to class viewing as it contains mature content and language.
See the next page for a comprehensive listing of programming PeachStar will air in February in observance of Black History Month.
How Can I Use Technology and the QCC with
Teacher Universe/Galaxy Classroom brings many best practices in teaching and learning together with an extensive array of resources, including hands-on and minds-on investigations, take home extensions, interdisciplinary connections and teacher learning opportunities with ongoing support - all delivered through state-of-the-art telecommunications and quality interactive/inquiry-based video.
Teacher Universe/Galaxy Classroom is proud to announce the inclusion of IntegrateOnline101 into the Galaxy Classroom professional development series. Galaxy teachers will have the opportunity, at no additional charge, to learn and practice effective technology integration through online resources to support their Galaxy standards-based curriculum. In addition, the technology integration skills learned in IntegrateOnline 101 can be applied to all subject areas to enhance their classroom curriculum.
Teacher Universe IntegrateOnline 101
IntegrateOnline 101 is a classroom, scenario-based, online program, incorporating multimedia demonstrations and simulations, narration, and interactive hands-on projects. Based on learning objectives, teachers learn to use technology to support their standards-based classroom to engage students and reinforce learning.
Each IntegrateOnline 101 course includes a pre-and post-assessment that creates a custom learning path for each participant. Progress reports can be instantly generated online. Teachers can work with Integrate Online 101 at their own pace, in their own style, anytime, anywhere, with no lost classroom time.
How do I become a Galaxy Classroom?
Galaxy Classroom is an elementary science and language arts curriculum. Galaxy Classroom integrates all of the QCC requirements with video (via PeachStar!), hands-on investigations, and communication via email. Kids and teachers are using satellite and Internet technologies for a compelling reason! There are 435 registered Galaxy schools in Georgia, with over 2,000 registered teachers, and over 50, 000 kids!
Registering to be a Galaxy Classroom is FREE, through funding from the Georgia General Assembly.
To register for Galaxy Classroom or for the Integration courses,
contact Christine Kane at ckane@galaxy.org or 800-303-9070, Ext. 41.
Check out our family of web sites: www.galaxy.org and www.teacheruniverse.com.
Teacher Universe/Galaxy Classroom is proud to announce the inclusion of IntegrateOnline101 into the Galaxy Classroom professional development series. Galaxy teachers will have the opportunity, at no additional charge, to learn and practice effective technology integration through online resources to support their Galaxy standards-based curriculum. In addition, the technology integration skills learned in IntegrateOnline 101 can be applied to all subject areas to enhance their classroom curriculum.
Teacher Universe IntegrateOnline 101
IntegrateOnline 101 is a classroom, scenario-based, online program, incorporating multimedia demonstrations and simulations, narration, and interactive hands-on projects. Based on learning objectives, teachers learn to use technology to support their standards-based classroom to engage students and reinforce learning.
Each IntegrateOnline 101 course includes a pre-and post-assessment that creates a custom learning path for each participant. Progress reports can be instantly generated online. Teachers can work with Integrate Online 101 at their own pace, in their own style, anytime, anywhere, with no lost classroom time.
How do I become a Galaxy Classroom?
Galaxy Classroom is an elementary science and language arts curriculum. Galaxy Classroom integrates all of the QCC requirements with video (via PeachStar!), hands-on investigations, and communication via email. Kids and teachers are using satellite and Internet technologies for a compelling reason! There are 435 registered Galaxy schools in Georgia, with over 2,000 registered teachers, and over 50, 000 kids!
Registering to be a Galaxy Classroom is FREE, through funding from the Georgia General Assembly.
To register for Galaxy Classroom or for the Integration courses,
contact Christine Kane at ckane@galaxy.org or 800-303-9070, Ext. 41.
Check out our family of web sites: www.galaxy.org and www.teacheruniverse.com.
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