DLC Newsletter: August/September 2008

The DLC is thrilled to partner with you for the 2008-2009 school year. Here are some updates on our current offerings.

NEW: Our resources are better than ever

Check out the new resources and tools available to you this school year:

• Explore Learning Gizmos: http://www.learningcommons.org/educators/tr/explorelearning
  Math and science come to life with these award-winning, interactive games and lessons.
• Facts on File’s Issues and Controversies in American History: http://www.learningcommons.org/educators/library/facts_on_file.php
  The Facts on File format you love is now available for students of American history.
• Mathcasts:
  http://www.learningcommons.org/educators/tr/mathcasts.php
  Preparing for the WASL and studying mathematics has never been easier! These video tutorials are short and substantive.
• Clock hours:
  Earn clock hours by participating in select online training sessions. Attend at least three hours of clock hours-eligible online sessions on a variety of DLC resources throughout the school year for the low cost of $2/clock hour. Clock hour documentation will be processed by the Digital Learning Commons after June 15, 2009. Questions? Contact us: http://www.learningcommons.org/about/contact/

NEW: QuickStart Guides get you going fast

Five new QuickStart guides assist you as you start your implementation of the DLC’s resources and tools. In addition to the in-person, telephone, or web-based sessions recommended for all new schools, these QuickStarts target resources you can use to get going now and dig deeper later.

Learn more: http://www.learningcommons.org/educators/schoolsupport/toolkits/quickstart-guides/

NEW: Free homework help is now live online

Beginning September 9, 2008, students at all Digital Learning Commons member schools may access tutors online every Monday through Thursday evenings from 5:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. by visiting http://www.learningcommons.org/tutors.

From foreign languages to science, math to WASL prep, college planning to help finding the right source for a paper, the DLC Tutors are accessible to everyone, one-on-one, leveling the playing field for all students in your school. The platform for the DLC’s tutorial system is a secure form of instant messaging that permits students and tutors to communicate in real time and use a digital white board to work in unison. In addition to our live support, you may still access our tutors for help anytime of day by emailing them with a request or question.

Learn more: http://www.learningcommons.org/tutors

Three DLC professional development options start the year off right—register now

The following conferences are free for participants!

Teacher2Teacher, held on September 26-28, 2008 in the Greater Seattle area, is a professional development opportunity for Western Washington educators. Using the concepts of peer coaching, Teacher2Teacher provides educators with the skills and support needed to use DLC resources in meaningful ways and to share their knowledge with others.

Learn more: http://www.learningcommons.org/t2t

The Third Annual Innovative Practices for Student Achievement Conference will be held in Port Ludlow, Washington on October 21 – 22, 2008. DLC member-schools focus on integrating online resources into classroom curriculum to support students’ academic success and to create and sustain school-based professional development. Participants are eligible for reimbursement of their lodging costs (with receipt). Attendance is limited to 60 educators with priority given to those schools in Western Washington that have not previously attended.

A pre-conference for math and science teachers is scheduled for October 20, and is limited to 25 educators. You may sign up for this workshop without attending the whole conference, but you must be sure to register for both the pre-conference and conference if you wish to attend both.

Learn more: http://www.learningcommons.org/conference/
Explore Port Ludlow: http://www.portludlowresort.com/

Train the Trainer Workshops provide an introduction to the training needs of DLC resources. These two-day tutorials round out our professional development offerings for the first half of the school year. Eastern Washington educators may register now for our Spokane training on November 6 – 7, 2008. Western Washington educators may register now for our Seattle training on January 6 – 7, 2009.

Learn more: http://www.learningcommons.org/educators/schoolsupport/ttt/

The best way to learn the inner workings of the DLC

Our ongoing trainings take place in-person, over the telephone or via the web. Choose which vehicle works best for you and your staff, and we’ll accommodate you at no cost to you.

1. Check the calendar: http://www.learningcommons.org/calendar
2. Request a training: http://www.learningcommons.org/request

If you’re a returning school, DLC staff will be contacting you about a fall check-in to see how things are going.

Have a wonderful year!