We're almost there!

We're set to launch the totally redesigned Atomic Learning within the next few days. Our team tells me that August is booked solid with customer demonstrations. People are excited! We are, too. We're really proud of where this takes Atomic Learning and all of you.

Please contact cs@atomiclearning.com or call 866-259-6890 to schedule your walkthrough. We don't want anyone to have to wander around the new site without some initial guidance. It's easy to use, but it is completely new. While the front page will show the new layout, customers who haven't had the personal demonstration will be taken to the old version of the site after login.

We've gotten some inquiries about what's coming. Here's a document that outlines new and existing features of the new Atomic Learning. If there's something you'd like to know more about, please call us or leave a comment below.

We look forward to meeting the challenges of 21st century learning with you!

Fame Alert: Heidi Thielen onstage!

According to the Brainerd Dispatch, our very own Heidi Thielen has made a name for herself onstage.

As the actress playing the title role, Heidi Thielen reunites with CLC after being employed for three years as a college lab assistant in the writing lab of the college's ACE Center. At that time she was known as Heidi Stumpf. Now married to Joe, she leads an active life serving as regional manager for Atomic Learning, an educational training software company, and tending to Jackson, her 15-month old son.

This is Thielen's first CLC show, returning to the stage for the first time since attending high school at Pierz. "My biggest role in high school was also a Neil Simon play, 'Fools,'" recalls Thielen. "I played the daughter. I've wanted to get back into acting for a long time, but just couldn't find something that appealed to me."

Break a leg, Heidi! We'll be there in the audience, so show us your stuff!

Directed funding may change the way technology is used in the classroom

The Wall Street Journal reports that President Obama has restored $650 Million in funding to the NCLB program over two years, bringing totals nearly to 2002 levels. This money must be applied to technology in the classroom, and provides a bright spot in otherwise tough economic climates.

Many districts receiving these funds are looking beyond simply equipping classrooms with the latest gadgetry, such as Smart Boards and video equipment, in favor of rethinking the way education is delivered. In some tech-equipped schools, teachers are playing a less-dominant role in the classroom, group work and problem-solving are emphasized, and technology is infused into every lesson, whether that means dissecting a frog with a software program or predicting the weather using real-time information.

Read more.

Countdown to the New AL: 10 Days

The new AL is coming...

What's in it for me?
The new AL offers features that you, our customers, have been asking for. You’ll see a change in the way you find answers. You’ll see brand new training assignment capability. You’ll see customization way beyond what’s available now. The new look is pretty great, too!

How do I get it?
We have been working to contact all customers and provide an online demonstration of the new site. If you or your tech administrator hasn't attended a walk-through, please contact cs@atomiclearning.com to schedule one.

It’s still AL, only better. Make the move today!

New 21CS Project Alert: Myth & Lore We Share

We're happy to announce our newest 21st Century Skills Project, "Myth & Lore We Share". A 21st Century Skills Project includes:

• Step-by-step tutorials that walk you through the project
• Project Activity Guide - includes how the project infuses 21st Century Skills into the classroom, students assessment rubrics and discussion questions
• Copy of the finished example project
• All the resources needed to recreate the example project
• A Professional Development Workbook – including clear steps on how to adapt the project, a self-assessment rubric, reflection worksheets, and more!

Learn more about 21st century skills concepts here.

This project examines common themes and archetypes found in folklore and myth, as one way to illustrate cross-cultural similarities and promote global awareness. The example project demonstrates how students might conduct a research project that explores common themes found in folk stories or mythologies that originate in different parts of the world and at different points in history.

The tutorials provide instruction for using a word processing program to record and organize information that is gathered, including how to properly cite sources using the MLA Citation Style. The final project report will be prepared in a presentation program for sharing with the class or others outside the classroom.

Discussion questions, assessment rubrics, and information about adapting and extending the example project are included in the resource materials available for download with this project.

http://www.atomiclearning.com/21st_mythlore_mac

eSchool News: Schools understaffed for IT support and integration

Schools are struggling not just to maintain the technology they have in the classroom, but to train instructors how to use and implement it.

Given that most school IT departments already are working in reactive mode most of the time, "that's a recipe for disaster," said Betsy Graham, K-12 IT marketing manager for SchoolDude.

But "technician" wasn't even the most popular response when we asked where school leaders could use more IT help.

Topping the list was instructional technologist, which was cited by 85 percent of respondents. And that speaks to a key area where IT staffing shortfalls really hurt schools: If keeping technology systems up and running is a challenge, helping teachers use the technology to improve their instruction is an even taller hurdle.

Only 28 percent of respondents said they have enough IT staff to integrate technology into their classrooms effectively.

Click here to read more.

Atomic Learning provides flexible, on-demand training and tech integration for teachers, students, and administrators. We can be an invaluable part of your school's IT department, providing substantial cost savings and freeing your IT staff to focus on keeping hardware and software systems humming.

Congratulations, Deb!

We wish to congratulate Deb Meester, our Eastern Region Higher Ed Sales Manager, on the birth of her son. We're very happy for her!

New Atomic Learning Website Introduced at NECC

Atomic Learning is working to bring much exciting new functionality to its users. At NECC 2009, the team introduced a new website to visitors for the first time. While not yet available to everyone, the new site is being experienced by several districts for testing and evaluation. It will make Atomic Learning even easier to use, share, and explore.

Along with a new look, Atomic Learning has enhanced focus on professional development, technology integration, and assistive technology. We're going from "How do I do that?" to "How do I apply that?".

Feedback from all has been tremendously positive. Look for a worldwide launch August 1, 2009. We can't wait to show it to you!

Recent addition: Google Earth 5

We've added a large collection of great tutorials on Google Earth 5. As usual, the first two are free!

Google™ Earth version 5 lets you fly anywhere on Earth to view satellite imagery, maps, terrain, 3D buildings, from galaxies in outer space to the canyons of the ocean. You can explore rich geographical content, save your toured places, and share with others.

http://www.atomiclearning.com/gglearth5

Atomic Learning on The Hill

A group from Minnesota, including three from Atomic Learning, visited with one of Amy Klobuchar's staffers during the NECC 2009 conference.

The group hoped to encourage education technology in Minnesota. Included were visitors from Duluth, Bloomington, and the Minnesota school districts education technology collaborative TIES.
Photo courtesy Vicki Sell

New Product Alert: iDVD '09

Atomic Learning has just launched a new tutorial series on the popular Mac iLife component iDVD.

iDVD™ ‘09 allows you to combine video and photos in your slideshows, customize your menus, add fun themes, and much more. Learn how to use the many great features of iDVD ‘09 in this tutorial series.

Check out the free intro tutorials. Here's Apple's iDVD page.

Big names at NECC

Our group is having a great time in Washington D.C., and they've met with some folks you may recognize. Here's Vicki Davis, "Cool Cat Teacher", presenting at the Atomic Learning booth.

Here's our group with Minnesota governor Tim Pawlenty.

From left:

• Kathy Schroeder, Director of Marketing
  
• Lisa Barnett, VP of Product Development
• Governor Pawlenty
• Dan Meyer, CEO