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clip studio paint
Announcements/Important DatesSTEM/STEAM

This Powerful Design Program Can Be Yours for Free

by Andrew Roush
written by Andrew Roush

The ability to create, design, illustrate, and even animate images is a useful learning tool. Doing so digitally can also help students build digital literacy alongside an understanding of math, design, art, and more. But educators looking to integrate such tools face a mountain of choices — and some of them can be pricey.

Finding a Solution

We’re here to make this daunting task a little easier.

TCEA is happy to announce that it has been granted the exclusive rights in the state of Texas to provide free, six-month licenses of CLIP STUDIO PAINT DEBUT for school-owned computers to all TCEA members of public and private K-12 schools.

With over five million worldwide creators, CLIP STUDIO PAINT is one of the leading illustration, design, animation, comic, and manga-creation software applications worldwide. CLIP STUDIO PAINT allows for a completely digital creative process.

About CLIP STUDIO PAINT DEBUT

Here are a few features of CLIP STUDIO PAINT DEBUT:

  1. Smooth lines with a realistic drawing experience
  2. A huge array of brushes to paint and draw with
  3. Ability to import 3D drawings, characters, accessories, and backgrounds
  4. Text, gradients, and filters
  5. Drawing that uses the latest in AI technology (internet connection required)
  6. DEBUT also supports scanner input and .psd file importing/exporting for creators who want to draw on paper and import/export files when necessary
  7. Ability to create short animations
  8. Thousands of default materials including pens, brushes, and 3D models, or add materials made by other users
  9. Timely user support

Getting Started

Want to get your license and start getting creative? Just fill out and submit the form found here and you’re on your way!

Once you have completed the form, you will be emailed information on how to download and install the software. Please note that we will validate educators who fill out the sign-up form in order to receive a free license of CLIP STUDIO PAINT DEBUT. Check below to ensure your computers meet the minimum requirements, then get drawing!

System Requirements:
  • Microsoft Windows 7, 8.1 and 10 (32bit/64bit) or Apple Mac OS 10.10, 10.11, 10.12, 10.13, 10.14, and 10.15
  • 300 MB space for application
  • 2.5 GB space for materials and assets (optional)
  • Pen tablet or tablet monitor that supports a pressure sensitive stylus. Wacom devices are recommended.
  • Internet connection for license authentication and access to download links
  • For the latest requirements, refer to the following links:
    Windows
    Mac
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free software
FundingTechnology Applications

Free Software for Students

by Lori Gracey
written by Lori Gracey

While the adage “You get what you pay for” is definitely true, I am still a fan of free. And for cash-strapped school districts, free software may make the difference in whether a student has access to tech tools or not. With that in mind, here are some software programs that are so good, students will definitely find them useful. Most of them are available on a variety of computer platforms. And, as of today, they are all free. (By the way, I did not include more well-known free software such as the Google Suite, OneNote, etc.)

2D/3D/Art/Drawing/Creating

Flowchart/Diagram Creator

  • Draw.io (online diagram software)

Foreign Language

  • Duolingo (learn a wide variety of foreign languages)

Game Design

  • Unity (game design software)

Math/Science

  • Cymath (online math problem solver)
  • Desmos (online graphing calculator)
  • GeoGebra (online graphing calculator)
  • Mathway (online help for basic math, algebra, pre-algebra, calculus, pre-calculus, trigonometry, statistics, linear algebra, chemistry, and graphing)
  • Solar System 3D Simulator (as the name says; only available for Windows)
  • Space Engine (space exploration simulator)

Music Creation/Audio Recording

Utility

  • Cold Turkey Blocker (free version runs in your browser and helps you focus on your work with no online distractions)
  • f.lux (day/night cycle on the monitor’s brightness and color)
  • KeePass (password manager)

Video Creation/Editing

Writing/Citation Creation

  • LaTex (document preparation for scientific and technical writing; great for math and science papers)
  • Zotero (reference manager)

What other free software programs or online tools would you recommend for students? Please add them to the comments section below.

 

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customer service
STEM/STEAMTechnology Applications

TCEA Responds: Teaching Digital Media

by Miguel Guhlin
written by Miguel Guhlin

Dear TCEA Responds:

Earlier this week, my high school principal told me I would be teaching digital media. School is starting and I’m not sure what to do next. Can you get me started? This is an area I have little or no experience in.

-Jan

Dear Jan:

“Breaking your own mold can only make you stronger and more confident to reach higher levels in your professional and personal life,” says Dr. Elizabeth Lombardo, psychologist and author of “Better Than Perfect” as cited by Thomas Oppong. Thomas suggests that the only time you are actually growing is when you are uncomfortable. Certainly, your situation qualifies as an opportunity to break your own mold. “Seek out discomfort. Be deliberate about doing things that push your limits magnificently. Difficulty helps you to grow,” advises Thomas.

Pushing your limits does not mean you have to be alone. You can push your limits in collaboration with a vast network of fellow educators. Let’s explore some tips and ideas to get you started.

tcea responds

Tip #1 – Grow Your Network

If you are not using Twitter as a professional learning network (PLN), then begin now to follow teachers who are concerned with teaching digital media in high school. To get you started, I have compiled a list of twenty-three folks on Twitter you can follow and connect with. Or, if you prefer, just view the Twitter list “HSDigitalMedia” that I have prepared for you. I will add to this list over time, and you are encouraged to contact people on Twitter to grow your network to facilitate just-in-time professional learning.

Tip #2 – Champion the Value of Teaching Digital Media

Teaching digital media and video in a classroom is important for several reasons. Here are a few from Brown University:

  • Increase student engagement: Students working on digital media assignments feel a deeper sense of empowerment as they act as producers–rather than just consumers–of meaning and knowledge.
  • Help students work through difficult concepts: If students are making media, digital tools help them express concepts using multimodal representations.
  • Promote critical awareness: Students must be prepared to critically understand and interpret meaning presented in various forms.

“Research has shown that connecting educational experiences to real-life opportunities is an effective way to get students excited about tcea respondswhat they’re learning,” say Kristin Houser and Karla Lant (Futurism). Digital media combined with project-based learning and STEM topics can engage students. Engaged students learn more and do more in class. In addition to PBL activities, Stephen Solomon urges you to consider these strategies:

  • Adopt inquiry-based strategies. One example includes Genius Hour , which encourage students to engage in passion-based learning aligned to specific learning goals.
  • Adapt service-based learning for class projects: Foster a service mentality and a sense for real-world effectiveness by building service learning into lesson plans and units.

These three strategies (PBL, Inquiry-based Strategies, and Service-Based Learning) offer great learning opportunities. They provide fodder for creative digital media projects.

Tip #3 – Use a Range of Technologies

While you may be tempted to embrace expensive technologies to teach digital media, aim small. You can model the use of mobile device technologies (e.g. green screen apps) that can have a big impact. These small creations can get your class started, then be incorporated into more expensive production tools.

Online curriculum

Software Resources

  • Free Adobe Alternatives
    • Scribus: Create great-looking, print-ready posters, newsletters, and magazines
    • GIMP: Refine your photos or create your own artwork from scratch; includes support for Photoshop plugins
    • LightZone: A digital darkroom for converting, editing, and managing photos in batches or individually
    • Inkscape: A versatile open source vector editor that’s ideal for hobbyist illustrators and web designers
    • Unsplash: Professional-quality stock photos in the public domain – totally free to download and use

Some more audio and video editing tools:

Image Editing Tools

Worried that you have too much to learn? Remember that there are many resources available online for free. Your job is to curate those resources, create situations that engage student learners, and assess growth. You do not have to be the expert in everything! Let the students learn from each other as they grow.

Tip #4 – Build Towards Certification

In a TCEA interview with Mark Simmons (Sabine Pass ISD Director of Technology), he advocates a continuum of learning opportunities that lead towards certification. It’s not enough for your students to learn digital media tools. They need to be able to make a living with these tools.

Graduates should qualify for employment as web designers, graphic artists/designers, multimedia specialists, web developers, web content specialists, media specialists, information specialists, digital media specialists, animation specialists, interface designers, and many new jobs yet to be defined in this expanding field. (Source)

Consider establishing a partnership with a local college/university. Begin with the end in mind and then build your digital media course with assistance. Here are some examples:

And, finally…

Tip #5 – Embrace Digital Media as a Tool for Digital Storytelling

Learning to use digital media tools is only one aspect. Another component, perhaps more important than technical expertise, is learning how to tell a compelling story using digital media. Rely on resources like these below to have your students start telling and showing their own powerful stories.

It can be daunting to begin a new class. Remember that you will need to start with relevant TEKS and design a syllabus. Then, set up specific projects that solve an overarching problem or are service-based learning oriented. You’ve got this!

 

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PowToon
Educational TrendsGood Teaching

Create Animated Videos and Presentations with PowToon

by Lori Gracey
written by Lori Gracey

PowToon is a fantastic program that’s great for both teachers and students. With an account, you can very easily and quickly create mesmerizing videos and presentations that are truly engaging. It includes beautiful templates that are drag and drop ready. And there’s an extensive help center and community support for new users.

PowToon

PowToon is great to use for flipped classroom lessons because it is so very active and engaging. It also works well as a tool to have students share what they’ve learned about a particular topic or unit of study. Because it’s so easy to use (the hardest thing about it is logging in!), even elementary students can benefit from it, especially if you have them work in pairs to create their animations.

The software is so easy that it’s almost intuitive to use. But if you want to try a few tutorials to amp up your skills or those of your students, here are some good resources:

An update to Powtoon is coming soon and will include HTML5. That means that it will now be smoother and even easier to use, and you will be able to use it on a tablet. It will also include new functions that will make your classroom come even more alive (like live-action video!).

Try it for yourself and then watch the fun and learning really begin!

 

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SketchUp Pro
Special NeedsSTEM/STEAM

Redesign That: SketchUp in Schools

by Miguel Guhlin
written by Miguel Guhlin

“We’re going to redesign our Spot’s dog house this holiday break!”
“What do you have so far?” I asked. My colleague held out a legal pad, crude drawings marring the perfect yellow pages. If you’re going to be re-arranging a dog house or your living room to fit a Christmas tree, take a look at SketchUp Make and SketchUp Pro, available for free to K-12 public schools.

Get SketchUp

With a Google account, you can do the interior design work using the newly-released My.SketchUp.com. And if you want the full power of SketchUp Pro (a $695 value), fill out a short form through TCEA. Private schools can obtain SketchUp Pro EDU licenses for as low as $15 per seat per year.

Use SketchUp on Chromebooks, Windows, and Mac

Available for Mac and Windows computers, SketchUp Pro now comes as a web version usable on Chromebooks. What’s more, SketchUp Mobile Viewer ($13.99) allows SketchUp models to be viewed on the iPad.

As my colleague put it, “Google SketchUp is 3D modeling software that lets you create anything you can imagine. It’s powerful enough to build complex projects, yet is easy to learn and use.” Their work appears in SketchUp’s 3D Warehouse, which houses millions of models. Simple enough to use that grade 3 through adult learners rely on SketchUp for a variety of tasks. SketchUp can be integrated into different classes.

Make Creative TEKS Connections

Classes such as, art, science, history, geography, and math are just some of the perfect venues for learning with this free software. Some ideas of how you might want to use it in your classroom are available at TCEA’s SketchUp Resources. Curriculum projects can align to the Technology Applications:TEKS in Grade 6, such as defined below:

Creativity and Innovation: The student uses creative thinking and innovative processes to construct knowledge, generate new ideas, and create products. The student is expected to…
(C) explore complex systems or issues using models, simulations, and new technologies to make predictions, modify input, and review results

You can find teacher guides that provide specific models.

Explore More Features

For children with autism, Project Spectrum shares powerful examples of student creativity made possible. SketchUp Pro can also be used for 3D modeling and printing. Students can create designs in SketchUp, then save them as OBJ files. These can then be opened in your 3D printer’s software (e.g. Makerbot) and printed. Talk about authentic learning!

SketchUp Pro also supports design templates for 3D printing, making it a simple matter to create to scale. You can also export designs in 3D Warehouse to STL file format for 3D printing. Doing so helps clean up your design before beginning to print. Another neat feature involves interacting with holograms. Visualize design data and collaborate with others using SketchUp Pro with Microsoft Hololens.

Conclusion

SketchUp makes creating models for sharing, and printing. Prepare your children for the future and introduce them to it today!

Special thanks to Taylor and Brian Wright for sharing their use of SketchUp to create real structures via their blog.

 

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technical support
Technical Support

Working with Your Technical Support Staff

by Lori Gracey
written by Lori Gracey

“Matt, my computer’s doing weird things again. Can you take a look at it?” I asked my Director of IT and Communications recently. “Have you tried rebooting it yet?” he responded, as he always does. That typical response immediately launched me into a standing joke about how, as an IT professional, he didn’t really know how to fix any computer system at all, but only knew how to tell users to restart them.

That’s just one of many common misconceptions about the folks who keep our hardware, software, and networks running in spite of what we as users do to them. It’s sometimes hard for us “normals” to know how to work with these gifted individuals. Below are some common myths and ways to work better with these critically important people in our educational system.

Myth #1: Like bats in a cave, system administrators and network experts prefer to work in the dark in small, enclosed spaces. Surprising as it may sound, those of a technical bend have been seen in sunlight and do enjoy being outside sometimes. Try to include them once in a while in a staff outing or event. And let the light of your gratitude help to keep them out of the dark.

Myth #2: Working alone with a bunch of machines is their idea of heaven. Those who have a technical brain really enjoy working with other people, including those whose brains are not technical. They do love sharing the latest geeky tidbit that they’ve learned with their peers, but also like to talk about non-technology topics, too. Include them in the latest gab about new movies, politics, or great restaurants.

Myth #3: All they need to be happy is pizza, Red Bull, and junk food. While technicians have been known to make do with bad food during high-stress times (like the start of school), they will eat vegetables like everyone else. They really appreciate home-made food and will happily keep all of your technology working for a make-from-scratch dump cake or casserole.

Myth #4: Those individuals who keep everything working for us are really aliens from another planet and don’t think like the rest of us do. While it is true that technicians tend to think more logically and perform better in problem-solving scenarios that anyone else, they are not aliens. They are just different! They may sometimes have difficulty understanding what we are saying or what we as educators are trying to accomplish. But it’s our job to explain things to them and make it clear why we need a certain website unblocked or a new app added.

Myth #5: Technology geeks are born knowing everything there is to know about any technology, from the copier machine to the wireless router to the newest drone. While I’m sure they wish this were true, the fact is that technical support members spend long hours in professional training and learning on their own. They are constantly updating their skills and knowledge bank. Thank them for the dedicated time they spend on keeping up in an ever-changing field.

Myth #6: Technical experts are only good at talking to their technology; they can’t communicate with humans at all. The truth is that IT pros can talk to normal people. However, they often prefer different modes of communication. They are better at asynchronous methods, like email, instant messaging, and group chat systems, than they are at talking face to face, especially in front of a group. So don’t get upset when they email you instead of dropping by to answer a question or update you on a repair.

Myth #7: IT guys (and gals) often use work time to play with their gadgets instead of solving problems. If you see one of the technicians busy on his phone instead of repairing your printer, keep in mind that he may be watching a YouTube video on how to fix the problem. And it’s important to know that the geek seeks inspiration, or at least something to occupy the lizard brain, while his higher thinking chews on tougher problems.

The best way to support your technical staff is to provide them the opportunities to get together with their peers and learn how best to keep your hardware, software, and network running. Send them to the two-day System Administrator and Technical Support Conference held October 27-28 in Austin. This learning opportunity offers useful and practical sessions on a variety of topics of interest to those managing technology in schools and universities, including:

  • Network Security
    technical support
  • Emerging Technologies
  • GAfE Implementation
  • iOS Device Management
  • Windows
  • End User Support
  • Network/Wireless Optimization
  • Chromebook Support
  • BYOD Best Practices

In addition, there will be lunch provided, vendors with solutions for their problems, time for them to discuss relevant issues with their colleagues, and techy door prizes. Keep your geek happy and productive and register him or her today!

 

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TCEA Contest EV3 Robot ready to compete
Coding/Computer ScienceRobotics

LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3 Software Gets an Update

by Peggy Reimers
written by Peggy Reimers

The LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3 software has a new addition. If you have not updated your EV3 software lately, now is the time to do it. Drum roll, please. The Lobby now has a new section called Teacher’s Support that is divided into four sections:

  • Teacher’s Information
  • Lesson Plan
  • Assessment
  • Element Survey

Available under the first section, Teacher’s Information, is a 17-page PDF that gives you a rundown of EV3 in the classroom. Topics include How Do I Get Started?, Classroom Management Tips, and Suggested Lesson Planning Routes. My favorite part in this section is the explanation of the Robot Educator. The Robot Educator has always been the hidden gem of both EV3 and NXT software. This jewel contains 48 tutorials which, through building and programming activities, guide and support teachers and students from basic to more advanced skills. As an added bonus, the tutorials are divided into lesson planning routes through the STEM subjects.

Next up is the Lesson Plan section with two main topics: lesson plans and rubrics. The Introduction to Robotics Lesson Plan has seven lesson plans, two master challenges, and four design brief challenges. Each lesson includes the build, programming examples, challenge design, and discussion questions. If you are looking for a student self-reflection form or teacher assessment for the lesson plans and master challenges, check out the matching rubrics PDF.

The third section, Assessment, is, surprisingly, all about creativity. Several behavioral indicators are covered and creativity self-report templates have been created for grades K-2, 3-5, and 6-8. Scientific research by Dr. Mark Runco provides the foundation for all of the procedure and concepts described in this section. My first impression was “Why include a whole piece on creativity?” But it is definitely worth the read and can be used outside of robotics in other subject areas where creativity and innovation comes into play.

Part 4 is the Element Survey. This section gives you easy access to the Language of LEGO (names of the LEGO pieces and parts). You can also find the five-page list of LEGO elements in the User Guide.

BIG BIG NEWS!! Most teachers in the LEGO robotics world know about the EV3 hardware and software. But did you know LEGO Education offers the following curriculum bundles:

  1. EV3 Design Engineering Curriculum ($379.95)
  2. EV3 Science Curriculum ($199.95)
  3. EV3 Space Challenge Curriculum ($349.95)  
  4. EV3 Coding Activities (?)

Hold the fort or in this case, hold the robot! THE BEST NEWS is LEGO has taken away the price tag for these curriculum pieces. You can download each one here for free. In order to use these, the LEGO MINDSTORMS Education EV3 software must be installed on your computer. These resources focus on students aged 10-16 with links to national curriculum standards. Includes student-ready resources, full teacher support, assessment tools, sample programs, and building instructions.

One caveat:

If you are using the EV3 Science Curriculum you will need:

+ Renewable Energy Add-on Set ($109.95)

+Temperature Sensor ($39.95)

If you are using the EV3 Space Challenge Curriculum you will need:

+EV3 Space Challenge Set ($189.95)
These 4 pieces released by LEGO are such a bonus for robotics teachers. If you are looking for curriculum, I would certainly start here. Go Bot Go! (Additional resources for this blog were added on March 10, 2017.)

Featured Image: Photo taken by TCEA Staff

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open source
Educational TrendsFundingLeadership

Filling the Gap with Open Source Software

by Dr. Bruce Ellis
written by Dr. Bruce Ellis

This blog was updated on October 19, 2016 with additional resources.

According to a webinar provided by BlackDuck, 78% of companies use open source software to some extent, and an increasing number are considering open source software. While they don’t reference school districts, many districts do incorporate open source software to help meet the demands of teachers and students while staying within limited budgets.

While many people think open source software is another term for “free,” open source software is code that is available for review and tweaking by the users. Allowing consumers to make edits and updates allows for the software to progress at much faster rates than common name-brand applications you and/or your district may purchase already. And, because there is buy-in by its users, updates and features that are most helpful are typically promoted and reinforced, leading to more quick developments and enhancements. Because there are different types of licenses that can accompany an open source software application, be sure to inspect the code to read the details, especially if you are interested in tweaking the code and redistributing it.

Popular open source titles for teachers and students include:

  • MoodleCloud – A hosted learning management service (LMS) provided by Moodle that allows teachers to create a virtual classroom for up to 50 students. If you are looking to move into blended learning and have no budget, this is a great way to start. For those with more students, consider using Moodle, which is comparable to Blackboard, Instructure Canvas, or Edmodo.
  • BigBlueButton – An open source webinar tool that allows you to connect up to 50 people (more if you host it on your server with upgraded hardware). While hosting your own webinars, you can annotate your presentation, see your students (if webcams are on their devices), chat with others, and record your session.
  • OwnCloud – A secure, cloud-based storage area for all your files. While many folks use Dropbox, Google Drive, or Office OneDrive, this open source application allows you to set up your own secure storage area and share as needed. You can even use Raspberry Pi to create your own storage area for your classroom as shown on Instructables.
  • RedNotebook – A modern journal that lets you format, tag, and search your entries. You can also add pictures, links, and customizable templates, spell check your notes, and export to plain text, HTML, Latex, or PDF.
  • Musescore – Allows you to create, play, and print beautiful sheet music! This may be a great alternative depending on your musical needs, especially if you cannot afford more robust and well-known notation software such as Sibelius.
  • Though not mentioned above, schools/districts can find open source software to help with scheduling, student information systems, and more. You can look through these search results to find specifics that might meet your needs.
  • This is an excellent list of OER resources divided by content area, along with guides and an explanation.

If you are interested in finding possible open source software alternatives to popular software applications, consider going to AlternativeTo and entering in the name of your application. Your search results will provide titles, reviews, and details, including the licensing of each application. This is a great way to search for new titles if you are needing to move away from a current subscription or cannot afford additional purchases and need to change course in what you are providing.

Because users are able to access/view the software application code, it’s a great way to help students get an inside look at how an application was designed and programmed. Since the expectation is that good coders comment their code (explain what they are doing within the code), you can inspect different sections and learn from their work. If you want to use open source software as a way get students more involved with coding, take a look at Nicole C. Engard’s presentation from our TCEA 2016 convention titled Teaching Students Open Source, opensource.com for several ideas, The Pencil Code Team, or the ebook titled Getting Youth Involved in Open Source.

Finally, as you look at different open source software applications to see which might best meet your needs, consider using one of the following rubrics to help you evaluate each application: TCEA App Evaluation Rubric, Albrecht & Dixon Software Evaluation Rubric, or the Academic Software Evaluation Rubric.

 

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SketchUp Pro
Online Tools and Apps

Eight Reasons Why We Love SketchUp Pro (And You Should, Too!)

by Dr. Bruce Ellis
written by Dr. Bruce Ellis

Sure, TCEA offers SketchUp Pro absolutely FREE to all students and teachers in public K-12 schools in Texas. Yes, we offer big discounts on SketchUp Pro for private schools as well. But free and cheap don’t always equal love. Here are our reasons for absolutely loving SketchUp Pro, the amazing 3D drawing and design program you and your students should be using.

1. It’s so easy to learn. If this is your first time with SketchUp Pro, be amazed at how fast you can get started designing in 3D. With tips and hints popping up and guiding you through, you’ll be sure to create something interesting, beautiful, and useful.

2. It’s authentic. SketchUp Pro is used by architects, designers, builders, and more in the “real world.” Give your students an edge by having them use the same software they’ll experience once they are employed.

3. It’s not just about buildings. With the free software, students can draw an accurate picture of the human heart, a new type of engine, or a better wheelbarrow.

4. It offers a full warehouse of starting ideas. Think you can’t design with SketchUp Pro? Why not try the Warehouse, a website that lets you download thousands of user-created designs from ancient monuments to mythological creatures? Add the Mexican army around the Alamo or create a home for the 22nd century along with its family. Place multiple designs in one project to create a spectacular mash-up.

5. It’s free. Let me say again that SketchUp Pro is free to public K-12 schools and deeply discounted for private schools. You can receive one license for every PC or Mac computer you have in your district at no cost. The software normally is $495 per license!

6. It can be aligned to all content areas. We can see clear correlations to the standards for 3D design and animation. But the program can also be used in every other subject area. Interact with a digital environment, create amazing works of self expression, or use simulated models in the classroom. Discover real-world geometry and math as you design complex structures. Create and label the parts of a cell. Draw famous buildings from literature. SketchUp Pro really does provide a wide range of applications for your classroom.

7. It can grow with your students. For students who are already knowledgeable about 3D drawing and design, they can expand the program with the many free extensions available. From animation to productivity to 3D printing tools, there are lots of additional resources to choose from.

8. It comes with assistance. Still a little worried about diving into SketchUp Pro? TCEA provides free online training several times a year, as well as digital resources and tutorials to make you an expert.

What are you waiting for? Get your free SketchUp Pro licenses by completing this simple form.

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ed tech appreciation day
Announcements/Important Dates

Celebrate Ed Tech Appreciation Day

by Alexis Cline
written by Alexis Cline

December 9, 2015 has been designated Educational Technology Appreciation Day by the Texas legislature. After supporting technology staff at all levels for over thirty-five years, we at TCEA were delighted to see hard-working technology professionals recognized for their contributions.

In order to help districts across the state honor their technology staff and celebrate technology in education, we’ve put together some great ideas and planning tools that can help. A press release template is available for download and can be easily tailored to announce your district’s plan. You can also browse a categorized list of twenty-eight celebration ideas offered by our members. These and other information are available here.

Education Technology Appreciation Day is important for two reasons. First, our technology teams play a critical role in providing rich learning opportunities for our students. Long hours of work and planning go into the set up and maintenance of networks, hardware, software, and other elements necessary for digital learning. The establishment of a day honoring technology staff communicates our appreciation of their efforts and their importance in our schools.

Second, recognizing the work of technology experts helps spread the word about the use of technology in our schools. Districts often struggle to provide the best possible tools for teaching and learning with limited budgets. Additional support, especially with broadband and other infrastructure challenges, is needed in order to help schools contend with the increasing demands and expenses associated with digital learning. Both for appreciating the professionals who support our teachers and students and for raising awareness about the need for more technology dollars, Education Technology Appreciation Day is a perfect opportunity to celebrate the amazing things happening on campuses all of Texas.

The Proclamation
Representative John Kuempel of Seguin offered the resolution for Education Technology Appreciation Day during the last legislative session. TCEA President David Jacobson, Area 13 Director Randy Rodgers, and Executive Director Lori Gracey were present for the reading of the proclamation, which specifically honors hardware and software technicians, network administrators, webmasters, database and lab managers, instructional technologists, technology administrators, and other technology staff.

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