BERENDO’S TECHNOLOGY CONTINUES TO GROW!
Mr. J. Buckner is the Technology Coordinator for Berendo Middle School. He has been instrumental in providing Berendo with the best in technology.  He has taught here for 15 years in the subjects of Math and Technology. He has also participated in the design of the new LAUSD Technology Plan.  Mr. Buckner is located in the in room G201 and is always available to teachers and students when it comes to technology.  He also heads the IMaST Program which is summarized below.

This year, 7th and 8th grade science and mathematics classrooms at Berendo MS are participating in an exciting Los Angeles Unified School District learning study that includes using wireless laptop computers, electronic presentation boards and tools, and Internet-based resources to promote student achievement in algebra.
These classroom technologies have been placed at Berendo MS as part of the LAUSD Integrating Mathematics and Science through Technology (IMaST) project - a program supported by a No Child Left Behind (NCLB) grant. The purpose of the program is to study the impact that classroom use of technology will have on student achievement in algebra.
Mathematics and science classrooms at nine middle schools across LAUSD were selected for the program.  Each of the nine schools has been assigned a lead coach to work with the on-site coaches and teachers at each school.
To help students succeed in their schoolwork, 7th and 8th grade students at Berendo MS will have access to many exciting computer and Internet-based resources to reinforce learning in the classroom and at home. In addition, every teacher and student at Berendo MS will have an E-mail account for communication with each other and with experts in the field.
With the introduction of this equipment into their classrooms, teachers will be exploring and implementing new ways to make school more exciting and meaningful for your child. We hope you will join us in our enthusiasm for this project and support our efforts to increase your child’s success in school.



IMAST Resources »

Media Services
Media Services is a source for Internet based programs as well as a place to order physical media (such as CDs, DVDs, or VHS) to be delivered to the school site. You can browse the catalog as a guest but need a user name and password to order items (see Emad Elias for a user name). Once you've signed in, search for an item of interest and notice the tabs on the top of the page to help your navigation.

California Streaming
California Streaming is an Internet resource for Audio, Video, Images, Print Resources, and Podcasts. Many of the items can be downloaded. This site also has lesson plans, assignments, and assessments. Search as a non member; but to get the resource you will need a user name and password (see Emad Elias for a user name).

Futures Channel
More digital video stuff especially for IMaST teachers.

Click here to access IMaST tie-in to standards

Explore Learning
This site is "Gizmo Central" for all you Gizmo lovers. 

What is a Gizmo?
1: Interactive simulation that makes key concepts easier to understand and fun to learn.
2: A mechanical device or part whose name is forgotten or unknown; a gadget.

What Makes a Gizmo a Gizmo?

• Brings research-proven instructional strategies to life
• Targets higher-order thinking skills and lasting conceptual understanding.
• Correlates to state and national standards.
• Works easily with all major textbooks.
• Includes assessment and real-time reporting.
• Web-delivered and successful in many settings, e.g., instructor-led demonstrations, individual or group work in computer labs, library, or from home.
• Easy to use - requires no special training.

Why Do We Call Them Gizmos?

We call them Gizmos because virtual manipulatives is too difficult to say! All kidding aside, the use of the word Gizmo to describe our multimedia activities goes back to the origins of ExploreLearning. Dr. Raman Pfaff first coined the term "gizmo" to describe the new learning tool he created while he was a graduate student in nuclear physics. When Dr. Pfaff joined ExploreLearning Team (employee number 2), the name Gizmos came with him and it stuck. We like the name Gizmo because not only does it sound fun, which the Gizmos are, but also because it implies that the Gizmo is a piece in a larger machine, if you will, the machine being the whole of the teaching and learning process of which a Gizmo is one part.

CTAP Home
The LACOE (Los Angeles County Office of Education) home page offers a number of links to resources already listed here. The menu on the left hand side has helpful shortcuts.

SMART Board
Tools and software to support the use of the SMART Board. SMART Board interactive whiteboard engages students and audiences around the world. The touch-sensitive display connects to your computer and digital projector to show your computer image. You can then control computer applications directly from the display, write notes in digital ink and save your work to share later.

Click here for lesson plans »
Click here for software »