Educational Tools

Educational Tools created by or supported by ESD 105

	SHARE provides teachers with classroom websites and tools that support the effective use of technology in the classroom to improve student learning. A host of excellent and easy-to-use tools are provide for curriculum development, posting your class syllabus, newsletter, calendar, guestbook, posting student projects, creating online communities, WWW page creation/management, etc. Check it out and join today!
	ST.A.R.S. provides teachers with easy access to WASL, ITBS and school district assessment results for classrooms and individual students. Access for parents/guardians to individual student information can also be provided. Administrative/Curriculum staff can analyze assessment results in a wide variety of methods.
	The Survey Service provides districts, schools and ESD departments the ability to create and conduct surveys online. The results are easily disaggregated, graphed and stored for future analysis. Results are always displayed by totals/averages - never by individual response.
Free Resources
	Thinkfinity, formerly known as MarcoPolo, is a free, non-commercial site of educational resources for teachers and students. The resources are created by the leading educational organizations in the USA. An outstanding resource!
	The headquarters for information about Thinkfinity training efforts in Washington. Also, this site coordinates the effort to align all Thinkfinity lessons with Washington EALRs so that teachers will be able to search by EALR/Component and find Thinkfinity content.
	PILOT provides teachers with a tool to self-identify skill levels in technology use and practice. Results can be anonymously compiled by building and district for use in School Improvement Planning. Appropriate professional development opportunities are displayed based on level.
	The goal of the Teaching and Technology Coaching Initiative is to foster the systematic integration of technology into classrooms by training and supporting teachers to be effective coaches with their peers. ESD 105 will again be offering this program during the summer and school year - 2005/2006. Sign-up Now! - How do I sign up? (Quicktime movie) Coaches assist other teachers in identifying ways that technology can strengthen the individual classroom curriculum and enhance students’ academic achievement. They also help their colleagues develop the necessary technology skills and instructional strategies needed to effectively integrate technology into instruction and improve student learning. Articles from some of our coaches! Other articles from our coaches!