FOSS Tech Corner

Exciting Changes Coming to FOSSweb!

Next fall, FOSSweb will have a brand new site design! We are redesigning the site to make it easier for teachers, parents, and students to find and use all of the valuable FOSS resources found on FOSSweb.

Some of the planned changes include:

• Easy access to eBooks and eGuides,
• Resources for each module available on the same page,
• Interactive whiteboard resources, and
• Class notes and assignments.

In order to take advantage of the new and enhanced resources, FOSSweb users will register for an account and log in to the site. Therefore we are encouraging our existing users to sign up now to receive important FOSSweb updates. By signing up, we’ll keep you informed about when the new site will launch and send you important information on how to register for an account.

Please go to FOSSweb.com, FOSSweb.com/CA, or FOSSweb.com/NYC to sign up to receive important FOSSweb updates!

NEW FOSS eBooks and eGuides Available Now!

Electronic versions of the FOSS Teacher Guides and student Science Stories and Science Resources books are now available for purchase. The eGuides are complete FOSS Teacher Guides, including all investigations, in an electronic web-based format, allowing 24/7 access from any Internet-enabled computer. Teachers can do their preparation at home or school; no binder is required! If your district rotates modules or courses among several teachers, this option allows all teachers easy access to the all-important Teacher Guide at all times.

The student eBooks provide access to the FOSS Science Stories and FOSS Science Resources books from any Internet-enabled computer. The eBooks look identical to print resources, with easy to turn pages and a chapter menu for easy navigation. The student eBooks include audio clips of the book text on every page and highlighted vocabulary words with pop-up definitions. The student eBooks ensure all students receive extra reading support.

Please contact your Delta Education sales representative for more information about the FOSS eGuides and eBooks, including pricing and ordering. Spanish* and California edition eGuides and eBooks are also available.

*Spanish student eBooks are available, but do not include audio.

New Taking FOSS Outdoors Video and Folio available on FOSSweb

As a part of our outdoor initiative, we recently added a Taking FOSS Outdoors folio and the Science in the SchoolyardTM video, a work produced by the Boston Schoolyard Initiative, to all modules on FOSSweb and FOSSweb/CA. The folio gives you general guidance for taking your students outdoors, including choosing a study site; managing time, space, students, and materials; and general teaching strategies. The video has footage of teachers and students taking science outdoors, and demonstrates both practical tips for taking your class outdoors and strategies for managing time outside.

To access the folio or video, navigate to the FOSS module you are using, click the For Teachers and Parents icon, and then choose Teacher Resources. Click the ladybug icon to see all the Taking FOSS Outdoors resources for that module.

FOSS on Facebook and Twitter!

Do you use Twitter or Facebook? Follow or be a fan of FOSS online. The FOSS social media networks are an easy way for FOSS users to get the latest news from FOSS, including teaching tips, FOSSweb updates, professional development opportunities, articles about good educational practices, and science news articles relevant to FOSS modules. Join in conversations with FOSS developers and FOSS teachers from across the country. Provide updates about what’s working in your FOSS classroom. And let everyone know what’s caught your attention in the latest FOSS Newsletter!

If you are a Facebook user, you can become a fan of FOSS at http://www.facebook.com/FOSSscience.

Twitter users can follow FOSS updates at http://www.twitter.com/FOSSscience.