October 24, 2007

Posted by Andrew Paulson, NSBA Staff, at 9:42 AM | Podcasts | Twenty to Watch | Comments (0)

Shawn Wheeler is Director of Technology Services and Training at Peoria Unified School District in Arizona
Shawn Wheeler built a variety of outstanding technology professional development offerings, including the Blackboard e-learning environment; online Small Learning Objects, an impressive collection of single-topic training documentation supported by multi-media materials; and podcasting and RSS (Really Simple Syndication) technology. Wheeler also coordinated the design of the district portal used for instruction as well as district business operations.

Listen to the interview.

Posted by Andrew Paulson, NSBA Staff, at 9:39 AM | Podcasts | Twenty to Watch | Comments (0)

Karl Fisch is Director of Technology at Arapahoe High School in Centennial, Colorado
A king of the technology grants process, Karl Fisch has received many grants over the last couple of years allowing him to pioneer educational technology and theory at Arapahoe High School. The largest of these grant awards funded a 1:1 laptop initiative that has students actively engaged with technology while creating blogs about Macbeth, producing podcasts on personal values, and writing interactive, web-based “textbooks” for their sciences courses. His professional development for his staff makes him stand out. He has taken a leadership role in guiding teachers to reflect on and improve their instructional practices, and continually introduces new instructional and technological tools.

Listen to the intervew.

Posted by Andrew Paulson, NSBA Staff, at 9:28 AM | Podcasts | Twenty to Watch | Comments (0)

Erin E. Reilly is co-founder of Platform Shoes Forum.
Platform Shoes Forum (PSF), co-founded by Erin Reilly, designs web-based, interactive educational programs in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM subjects) for preteens. Zoey's Room (ZR), PSF's model program, stimulates girls' interest in the sciences by providing a web portal where they can learn more about the sciences through learning modules called Tec-Treks™, PSF’s trademarked curriculum modules that present an on-line educational problem that is resolved through off-line application. Zoey, an avatar created to stimulate interest in these challenges, meets with the girls in an after-school chat room where they discuss issues that interest them and are introduced to Fab Femmes, career women scientists. Evaluations in 2006 show that ZR participation increases girls’ self confidence, interest, and proficiency in STEM subjects.

Listen to the interview.

Posted by Andrew Paulson, NSBA Staff, at 9:22 AM | Podcasts | Twenty to Watch | Comments (0)

David Sevier is Founder of the Open Source Teaching Project (OST).
OST is founded on the belief that the knowledge of award-winning scholars, researchers, and others in the top of their field should be made available to inspire and inform students across the globe. At present, OST has secured interview commitments from nearly 200 Nobel Laureates, Guggenheim Fellows, Alfred P. Sloan Research Fellows, and MacArthur Fellows. Each will contribute to what is quickly becoming the world's largest repository of focused knowledge on discrete topics of high interest to learners at all ages and stages. Specifically, this knowledge relates to current research that is ongoing and groundbreaking. OST is not limited to areas of scholarly endeavor. OST conducts outreach to Academic All-Americans, Academy Award winners, Grammy winners and others who can donate time to share their experiences related to their careers and successes. This database of knowledge is interactive, keyword searchable, and has the potential to engage all learners at the highest levels of cognition.

Listen to the interview.

October 21, 2007

Posted by Shawn Wheeler, Blog Team, at 12:22 PM | 2007 Conference | Comments (0)

This top ten list came from Dave Mirra’s of Stafford County Public Schools round table discussion (with 60 people in attendance) at the 2007 T + L conference in Nashville Tennessee.
I would have loved to have captured the audio as the discussion was great. In the end, most of this seems like common sense. Even if common sense isn’t that common. Whatever you call it, the list is worth reading and incorporating into your environment.

Top Ten List Legend
Bold Italic = Dave’s list.
Standard text = my commentary from notes and memory of the discussion.

1. Why
- Is it part of an overall plan or strategy? Don’t buy it just because it is cool or new!

2. How MUCH?
- What is the total cost of ownership? Hardware and software is just the tip of the cost. Consider professional development and ongoing support!

3. Who are the cheerleaders?- Who is the primary advocate?

4. Who is the owner?
- Who will provide support? Example: Who owns the Human Resources Systems? The tongue in cheek answer is… If it is working, HR. If it is broke, IT. Just because it runs on the network doesn’t mean IT is the owner but this needs to be worked out before hand.

5. Who is the teacher?- What is the training plan? Often professional development is the first thing to be removed from the budget. This is a mistake. More money should be spent on training than equipment and software.

6. Plastic my boy plastics
- Public Relations for the schools and community. Put on a Technology Expo for your community. Do it on a Saturday and demonstrate what technology is available and how it is being used and have students demonstrating whenever possible.

7. Traffic light management- Simple data management for school leaders. Technology equipment needs to be refreshed (replaced based on a recycle or replacement plan). Having an easy to read database, or list will help school leaders, Governing Boards and the community understand what equipment is available, the age and when it should be replaced. Red, Green and Yellow was recommend to help make the process more visual.

8. Field of dreams- Infrastructure considerations are vital! Before you buy and implement the technology, consider the network requirements and its ramifications on the network.

9. Give assigned seats- Organizational structure must support the operations

10. I’m Sorry Dave, I’m afraid I can’t do that.
- Infrastructure limitation (Human and Technical) IT shops don’t like to say no but they have to be careful of overloading their resources. Can it be done with what is available or can staff in the schools be trained to help support themselves?

The best statement was from a school board member sitting in the room who said we all needed to pay attention to what Dave was saying and make sure this information is made available to our communities because we can’t do it without funding and we can’t get funding without their support. I believe she hit the nail on the head!

October 18, 2007

Posted by Barbara Hunter, NSBA Staff, at 5:10 PM | Education Technology Issues | Comments (0)

Strolling through the blogosphere today, I noticed some good chatter about the T+L Conference. Check out this posting at the Totally Wired blog, a resource for parents, aunts, uncles, teachers, librarians, youth workers, and others trying to decode what teens are doing online and with technology. Here's another tidbit from Hokanson's Intructional Technology blog, which helps educators on how to seamlessly integrate technology in the classroom. Also, check out the musings of Tracy Weeks, director of instructional technology and media for the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools on PargoNet.

Posted by Therese Laux, Blog Team, at 3:55 PM | Breakfast Sessions | Comments (0)

“What are the skills that are relevant in today’s rapidly changing environment?” “What shifts will we have to make in order to increase options for our students?” These are but a few of the questions we need to ask ourselves according to Jim Brazell, from Texas State Technical College System.

Even the Army has embraced the change regarding the perception of the value of gaming in the educational process (Check out Army.com). In our “mixed reality” world, the blending of the physical, imaginary, and virtual planes offer us opportunities to see games as the next tool of educational technology.

If you’re thinking why, just check out Whyville.net. The Texas Workforce Commission is banking on its power to capture the attention of students, but especially females in the 11 – 15 years age range. If you’re a more “old school” learner, go to Ventureramp.com to get the free book download, Gaming: A Technology Forecast.

Being a huge fan of the works by Ray Kurzweil, I was excited to hear Brazell reference the futurist in our breakfast session. From mechatronics to micro-mechatronics and nano-mechatronics, our future may be so many years away, but it is truly just around the corner. A future where our students’ success depends upon a broad, deep, interconnected knowledge as opposed to specialized knowledge.

For a visual picture, think of the traditional “blue collar” becoming the new “gold collar.” Schools must have the educational pathways to produce tomorrow’s workers, and those workers are going to be coming out of our technical colleges. It’s not your grandpa’s community college anymore. It’s the integration of academics, career and tech ed, and the Arts that are going to propel our top performing students and schools.

It’s time to shift our thoughts from why this is happening to let’s make it happen now. Our futures and our country, depends on all of us providing our Millennial generation students with the real-world skills. Let’s get at it!

Posted by Therese Laux, Blog Team, at 12:02 PM | General Session Keynotes | Comments (0)

If you are of the generation where Saturday mornings included watching "The Monkees" and an Apollo lift off, Peter Diamandis is your guy. Scratch that, Houston. Diamandis is a man for all of us. What person in education would not appreciate his philosophy of changing our thought process from thinking "we can't do it," to "make it happen?"

Young Peter dreamed of being an Astronaunt. He thought his best shot at realizing that dream was through a medical degree. Possibilities and probabilities set in, and after seeing the odds of him making the NBA were better than getting in the elite crew of NASA space cowboys, Diamandis went about getting his own ride to the stars.

Don't let me ruin the story for you. Get your kids turned on to science and space travel. Check it out for yourself at http://www.goZeroG.com. While you're out surfing, Google these big ideas: X Prize Foundation, SpaceShipOne and Lunar Xprize.

Don't forget, breakthroughs always start as crazy ideas.

Posted by Christina Gordon, NSBA Staff, at 10:26 AM | Education Technology Issues | Comments (0)

We'd like to remind you one more time to log in today to the online discussion, "Navigating the Legal Landmines Around New Technologies," featuring NSBA Senior Staff Attorney,Thomas Hutton. The discussion will take place live from NSBA's T+L Conference in Nashville at 12 noon Central Time.

New technologies such as cell camera phones and online teen hangouts are prompting serious discussions about their use and abuse. Recent examples, such as students posting surreptitiously taken teacher videos onto YouTube, have ignited concern about the presence of these technologies in and out of the classroom. What are the legal issues emerging from these new technologies? How schools can balance First Amendment protections with student safety? How should school board policies adapt to these technological advances?

We invite you to join the discussion during the live hour or post your questions now. (Note: The discussion will begin at 1 p.m. Eastern/11 a.m. Mountain/10 a.m. Pacific.)

And while you're at it, be sure to check out the archive of yesterday's online discussion with Will Richardson. He examined the educational benefits of social networking for students and teachers.

Posted by Shawn Wheeler, Blog Team, at 9:16 AM | Comments (0)

Keynotes are often interesting at best said with a smirk on my face. You never quite know what you are going to hear and worse, you are not sure you will like it. Not the case today as I listened to Lyn Heward from famed Cirque Du Soleil. Now, I must confess, I love the Cirque shows but I did wonder what her keynote would have to do with education. What I walked away with was nothing short of Cirque Du Soleil. You see, one of the most enjoyable aspects of a Cirque show is the wow factor. Not from the point of view of the performers who are spectacular, but show, as they are designed completely out of the box. Personally, this is what I took away from Lyn’s speech today. Note: As I editorialize, I was not able to hear her closing remarks.

5 Doors…
Door Number 1. Great expectation
Door Number 2. Surrender to your senses, develop your intuitive instincts.
Door Number 3. Treasure hunting and creative transformation
Door Number 4. The nurturing environment
Door Number 5. How constraints challenge differences and consumer expectations become creation catalysts.

Looking at this list, some of the items make perfect sense while others, make you wish you were there so you could have heard it first ear.

Great Expectations… Of course, we all strive to meet our goals. Why would anyone create a goal which is low? But what about surrendering to your senses and developing your intuitive instincts? If you are reading this, chances are you do this daily. Think about how many times you hear that little voice or have that gut feeling. Don’t force it down, free it, listen to it. There is no greatness without risk.

Treasure hunting and creative transformation. Who are you? Who is around us? What are our talents as well as theirs? As a leader, you need to seek out talented people and some of those people are in our current organization. But don’t tell them what they are good at, make opportunities for their talent to shine through on its own.
Of course Door number 3 will never work without a nurturing environment. Create opportunities for staff and students to take risk. Maintain an environment where failure is nothing more than an opportunity to try something again in a different way. Just ask the creator of the Post it Note!

Finally Door number 5, how constraints challenge differences and consumer expectations become creation catalysts. We are all faced with funding challenges and these challenges are all the more reason to think outside of the box and find a way to achieve our goals and meet the expectations of our communities.

Unfortunately, I had to go setup at my presentation at this point but I walked out of that hall smiling and thinking this is just the type of environment I want to work in and when I get home, I am going to work to create that environment.

Posted by Shawn Wheeler, Blog Team, at 9:13 AM | 2007 Conference | Comments (0)

The day is quickly coming to a close as I put its events on my digital paper. Looking at my notes, I can’t help but smile as I recall the Superintendent of the Carrollton-Farmers Branch Independent School District talk about the great things going on in CFB ISD. Last year I had the opportunity to attend the NSBA site visit at CFB ISD and I was inspired. In fact I went back to my school district with my new found knowledge and implemented what I learned from them.

Today, I was so excited to see them being honored for their work with technology in education and they were even presenting at 10:30. Yahoo… Then it dawned on me, I am presenting at 10:30. Bummer, (insert sad face here) but that is okay, great things will be there tomorrow and people who do great things in education love to share. One of the reasons, we stay in our noble profession.

October 17, 2007

Posted by Diane Ross, Blog Team, at 1:55 PM | 21st Century Skills | Sessions | Comments (0)

I attended a very interesting, informative and enlightening session at the T&L Conference this morning. The session was directed by three people from the Broward County, Florida School System. Included in the discussion was the Director of Technology Integration (who pointed out is in the curriculum department), the Technology Director and a Board Member.

Broward County, Florida decided to move its entire 258,000 student population into a learning environment more conducive to meeting their learning needs. 21st Century literacy skills are the new 'buzz' words for this year, as more schools and districts are being asked to ready students for a more digital workforce of the future. But, for many school districts, they don't provide the right infrastructure to schools to make efforts successful for students.

To me, the key points in this presentation were:
1- Prepare teachers through modeled delivery of instructional strategies demonstrating the appropriate use of technology for learning needs. Broward designed their own DIGITAL EDUCATION TEACHER ACADEMY in three proficiency levels that gives teachers master's level college credit and pays for the class that is delivered through a college campus.
2-Engage students in their learning by using comfortable means of taking in and demonstrating their learning (pod casts, video streaming, etc).
3-Allocate the money to buy the technology and oversee that technology from a district's perspective. This district created grants (really budgets) for schools to purchase the equipment and to receive professional development.
4-Align the needs of schools with teacher prep. programs so that colleges are producing 'digital ready' teachers upon graduation. This alignment occurs through the partnership between the school district and the college that delivers the professional development (and teacher prep).

IF there is a secret ingredient to the success of this type reform, it is moving the entire district toward project-based learning. IT was evidenced through the presentation that students were subjected to critical thinking skills and higher order learning. They learned more and more deeply.

The presentation is posted on the T&L site.

Posted by Barbara Hunter, NSBA Staff, at 1:00 PM | Breakfast Sessions | Education Technology Issues | Tools for the Classroom | Comments (0)

Say what? Being one of those old people, I found that insight rather startling coming from one of this morning's breakfast session speakers, Will Richardson. But he made a rather convincing argument that it was true. Sigh.

Here's the deal. Richardson says that educators and school leaders have got to get beyond our comfort zone and into our kids' world where networking reigns supreme. Kids have this amazing ability to connect online to learn just about anything. For example, check out this page from Qatar Academy that has a blog and a Flat Classroom so kids can share what they've learned and collaborate on projects.

And that's precisely where learning is taking place among kids. Another example Richardson showed is a site called Fan Fiction where students can write their own chapters to add on to existing books. Then, their peers comment on their stories. Imagine the possibilities for a classroom!

So our challenge is to rethink what a classroom can be and open the world up to connect learners around topics that are important. For a really cool overview of these thoughts and more, check out Richardson's wiki. And join him in today's online discussion on the same topic.

Posted by Christina Gordon, NSBA Staff, at 11:45 AM | Education Technology Issues | Press Releases | Comments (0)

According to an NSBA survey released this morning at the T+L Conference in Nashville, school districts across the country are revising their academic curriculum to give students more 21st century learning opportunities.

The press release points out,

More than 50 percent of responding school districts reported that they have revamped their curricula to include higher math, science, and technology standards; and nearly 50 percent have indicated they are now using new assessment measures for 21st century learning skills, such as problem-solving, teamwork, and critical thinking. Many districts are also reporting that they are offering more Advanced Placement courses and tests (nearly 42 percent), and revamping their workforce readiness programs (35 percent).

The survey, which was conducted via e-mail during the week of October 1, queried approximately 1,400 registrants of the T+L Conference and members of NSBA's Technology Leadership Network. The group includes technology directors and specialists, teachers, administrators, and school board members.

“We believe this is a good indication that school districts are moving beyond the basic requirements of No Child Left Behind and really looking at the advanced skills that students are going to need to perform well in the workplaces of the future,” said NSBA Executive Anne L. Bryant.

The release goes on to point out,

For the fourth straight year, survey respondents said by a wide margin – 92 percent – that technology in the classroom increases educational opportunities for students. And when asked how technology helped, nearly 95 percent said it helps students become more engaged in learning.

Home access to the Internet for low-income students continues to be a serious issue with nearly 80 percent of respondents saying it was a problem in their districts, which was about the same reported as last year. Districts are improving Internet access for low-income students by providing opportunities in before- or after-school programs (nearly 54 percent), and supporting access for students at community centers or libraries (48 percent).

A new question about the speed of connectivity to the Internet revealed that the majority of school districts rate their speed as a 4 or 5, on a scale from 1 (very slow) to 5 (very fast).

For more information and to read the complete release, visit NSBA's Web site here.

Posted by Christina Gordon, NSBA Staff, at 11:30 AM | Site Visit | Comments (0)

Yesterday's site visit to Rutherford County Schools caught the eye of some local media. This article in The Daily News Journal chronicles the visit and notes the outstanding use of technology in the district.

Stewarts Creek Elementary Principal Richard Zago said his school and the neighboring middle school are leading the way in technology as both schools are wireless. Two years ago, Rutherford County Schools completed a 15-year plan that put computers in each classroom. A breakdown of instructional technology spending for the current and the last two years was not available from the school system Tuesday afternoon.

When the system learned the conference would be held in Nashville, Zago said he and middle school Principal Larry Creasy volunteered to show off what's happening at their schools.

Stewarts Creek offers a variety of technology innovations for students to explore. "In addition to a 32-inch television and DVD/VCR combo, each classroom in the Stewarts Creek complex is equipped with a ceiling-mounted projector, remote mouse, iPod and at least five computers. Each grade level has access to a Classroom Performance System (CPS), which allows students to answer questions with the use of a remote control."

Having this technology available to students and teachers offers a rich and varied experience. "'A teacher will also do their job with what they have, but it's nice because it provides so many more opportunities for the student,' [teacher Trey Duke] said, shortly after guiding his fifth-graders through a writing exercise using Reading for Meaning software. The on-screen tutorial showed students how to find the main ideas and supporting details in a story."

What innovative approach is your district taking? Did you attend the site visit yesterday? Leave us a comment and tell us all about it.

Posted by Christina Gordon, NSBA Staff, at 10:21 AM | Twenty to Watch | Comments (0)

At last year's T+L Conference, NSBA announced its list of 20 emerging technology leaders, the 20 to Watch. The tradition is continued with this year's list of leaders.

Christopher Brown, District Technology Coordinator, Avoca School District #37, Illinois
Chris Brown is the visionary, champion and implementer for the district's pioneering 1:1 student laptop initiative. He is also responsible for integrating new technologies into all classrooms/academic content areas; and developing necessary staff development/training opportunities to support and sustain those ground-breaking tech initiatives. Brown has been instrumental in bringing new, creative, and innovative technologies into the district--ones that have truly enhanced efficiency and communication.

Jon Carl, Social Studies Teacher, Evansville-Vanderburgh School Corporation, Indiana
Throughout Jon Carl’s teaching career, he has used the catch phrase, “Feel the History.” This year, he sought out a way to enable his students to embrace his love of history and feel the history through technology. Carl created an historical documentary class where students research, write, film, edit, and produce historical documentaries based on stories that appear on the local PBS station. Carl’s work in this class has been recognized by the Indiana Department of Education, Superintendent Sue Ellen Reed and the Indiana Historical Society. Carl's work has had an impact beyond the school doors. He is sought out by other teachers and educators for his historical knowledge and his innovative approaches to teaching.

Jana Craig Hare, Associate Director, ALTEC-Center for Research on Learning, University of Kansas, Kansas
Jana Craig Hare works with administrators, teachers, and students to make technology an integral part of the teaching and learning process. She is currently the project leader for the Technology Rich Classroom program, an $8 million initiative supporting the Title IID competitive awards in Kansas. Through this program, Hare is responsible for the management, design, and delivery of professional development, in addition to assisting schools with local- and program-evaluation efforts.

Heather Cruz, Assistant Superintendent for Educational Services, Litchfield Elementary School District #79, Arizona
Empowering students to become leaders and better citizens through the use of technology, Heather Cruz has formed a team of students to help teachers in learning and supporting technology in the classroom. These same students also update web pages, blogs, online calendars, and work with digital video production. Cruz has also been instrumental in getting parents and community members to foster the use of technology.

Travis East, Technology Education Teacher, Nineveh-Hensley-Jackson United School Corporation, Indiana
Travis East champions a content area that is not easily understood by many in the educational technology community. As an industrial and engineering technology education teacher, he works to provide his students with growth, experiences, applications, and exciting opportunities in technology that are unique. Examples of his work include setting up a 3D holography lab, learning 3D CAD to train his students for careers related to engineering, beginning to participate in the F1 in Schools program, beginning to incorporate rapid prototyping and machining technology using Pro/Engineer software, mold making to help students learn about injection molding/plastics technologies, and working with the Indiana chapter of the International Electrical and Electronics Engineers to advance his offerings for students.

Matt Federoff, Director of Technology, Vail School District, Arizona
Through Matt Federoff’s leadership, his district was one of the first to connect schools with wireless technology and then provide wireless access at the schools themselves. Federoff led the opening of Empire High School three years ago, a school that encourages students to become self-directed learners. Students at Empire receive a laptop computer in place of textbooks and teachers use technology as a tool in class and for homework. Federoff wanted to educate students for the work world that they will soon be entering, where technology is integrated into most jobs and careers.

Karl Fisch, Director of Technology, Arapahoe High School, Centennial, Colorado
A king of the technology grants process, Karl Fisch has received many grants over the last couple of years allowing him to pioneer educational technology and theory at Arapahoe High School. The largest of these grant awards funded a 1:1 laptop initiative that has students actively engaged with technology while creating blogs about Macbeth, producing podcasts on personal values, and writing interactive, web-based “textbooks” for their sciences courses. His professional development for his staff makes him stand out. He has taken a leadership role in guiding teachers to reflect on and improve their instructional practices, and continually introduces new instructional and technological tools.

Janene K. Gorham, Instructional Technology Coordinator, Virginia Beach City Public Schools, Virginia
Janene Gorham, in her first year serving as a central office administrator, had the foresight to look for a better way to provide training to the district’s school-based technology integration teachers. By staying current with instructional technology trends and, more importantly, student learners, Gorham saw the need to provide training in 21st century technology skills. She built enthusiasm for the upcoming school and showed educators how to foster communication with parents and the school community.

Laurie King, Technology Coordinator, Dysart Unified School District, ArizonaLaurie King’s area of expertise is in forming cadres of teachers to work together to develop their instructional practices, using technology as a tool for teaching and learning. This year, King worked with the staff development and instructional technology departments to build a cohesive professional development plan focused on the instructional strategies identified in Classroom Instruction That Works. King has also provided leadership in the area of podcasting and blogging as tools for teaching and learning, and as professional development models.

Debby Martin, Business Teacher, Hampton City Schools, Virginia
Debby Martin "Builds Bridges to the Community" through her student program by the same name. Her Advanced Web Page Design students enter into projects with community organizations, non-profits or small businesses and either create or enhance a web presence for them. Through her class, students gain a sense of empowerment that they possess skills that are valuable to the community. Martin has also been instrumental in working with her local community college to increase the number of technology courses for which dual enrollment is available. She is currently working on developing a technology curriculum to offer to parents within the community.

Scott McLeod, Director, CASTLE, Iowa State University, Iowa
Scott McLeod has been called the leader in learning at the intersection of school leadership and educational technology. He co-developed an extensive curriculum designed around the National Educational Technology Standards for Administrators (NETS-A) that he and his partners at the UCEA Center for the Advanced Study of Technology Leadership in Education (CASTLE) (http://www.schooltechleadership.org/) have disseminated and shared with partner universities engaged in the preparation of school leaders. McLeod has been tireless in his efforts to assist the faculties of educational leadership programs around the country as they work with sitting administrators and prepare future administrators for schooling in the 21st century.

Terry Pilitzer, Supervisor of Technology, Keyport Public Schools, New Jersey
Terry Pilitzer wrote and received funding for the Students Using Technology to Achieve Reading and Writing; Math Achievement to Realize Individual Excellence (MATRIX) grants and then conducted workshops for teachers on how to effectively implement these grants. She also co-authored a district curriculum for integrating technology to improve reading/writing in grades 3 and 4, developed partnerships with Rutgers University and Brookdale Community College to provide workshops that encourage creative and independent use of instructional technology in the K-12 classroom , initiated the first partnership with Verizon to fund the installation of ISDN lines to the economically disadvantaged school districts in Monmouth County, NJ, and initiated a distance learning partnership with Keyport Public Schools and four other Monmouth County School Districts for the purpose of promoting cross-curricular use of technology and distance learning.

Erin E. Reilly, Co-founder, Platform Shoes Forum, Maine
Platform Shoes Forum (PSF), co-founded by Erin Reilly, designs web-based, interactive educational programs in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM subjects) for preteens. Zoey's Room (ZR), PSF's model program, stimulates girls' interest in the sciences by providing a web portal where they can learn more about the sciences through learning modules called Tec-Treks™, PSF’s trademarked curriculum modules that present an on-line educational problem that is resolved through off-line application. Zoey, an avatar created to stimulate interest in these challenges, meets with the girls in an after-school chat room where they discuss issues that interest them and are introduced to Fab Femmes, career women scientists. Evaluations in 2006 show that ZR participation increases girls’ self confidence, interest, and proficiency in STEM subjects.

Derek S. Roh, Director of IT Services, Baldwin County Board of Education, Alabama
When Roh arrived, few Baldwin County schools had web sites, and the ones that did had no consistency among them. Roh created a new district web site (www.bcbe.org) housing valuable information and helped design and implement a web site template provided for all 46 schools, thus greatly improving communication to parents and the public. Roh also used EETT grant funds to initiate a pilot program, now in year two and at two schools, to provide a full-time school technology coach.

John Rose, Instructor, Department Chair, Moreno Valley Unified School District, California
Rose was instrumental in establishing the rigorous Pathways to Learning in the areas of engineering, business, allied health and animation. He also implemented the first eighth grade career exploration day in which approximately 475 students came to his high school over a three-day period to participate in classes in each of the four pathways. Students helped a robot sort marbles using a computer program in the Engineering Pathway. Students viewed a dissected cat and used blood pressure cuffs in the Allied Health Pathway. They viewed and participated in drawing software in the Animation Pathway. Students also had the opportunity to work on their personal finances in Computerized Accounting in the Business Pathway.

David Sevier, Founder, The Open Source Teaching Project (OST), Tennessee
OST is founded on the belief that the knowledge of award-winning scholars, researchers, and others in the top of their field should be made available to inspire and inform students across the globe. At present, OST has secured interview commitments from nearly 200 Nobel Laureates, Guggenheim Fellows, Alfred P. Sloan Research Fellows, and MacArthur Fellows. Each will contribute to what is quickly becoming the world's largest repository of focused knowledge on discrete topics of high interest to learners at all ages and stages. Specifically, this knowledge relates to current research that is ongoing and groundbreaking. OST is not limited to areas of scholarly endeavor. OST conducts outreach to Academic All-Americans, Academy Award winners, Grammy winners and others who can donate time to share their experiences related to their careers and successes. This database of knowledge is interactive, keyword searchable, and has the potential to engage all learners at the highest levels of cognition.

Gary Stager, Executive Director, Constructivist Consortium, California
Gary Stager has been a pioneer in classroom robotics, online learning, at-risk education and has been a champion of laptops in education since 1990. He has brought the power of technology-rich project-based learning to public and private schools, plus home-schooling communities all over the world. Countless educators have been inspired to embrace computing and raise their game after attending one of Stager’s provocative conference sessions. His journalism speaks truth to power and holds the ed tech field accountable for its actions. He recently founded the Constructivist Consortium, a collaborative of six leading ed tech publishers, as a way of raising the visibility of companies committed to creativity, children, computing, and constructivism.

Ronald P. Walker, Superintendent, Geary County USD 475, Kansas
Ronald Walker implemented a comprehensive technology plan that included overall bandwidth for network connectivity, a program to train teachers based on a system of differentiated technology-related professional development, hardware and software and technology in classrooms, offices, and for parents. The district uses technology to bring clarity to ideas, efficiency to educators, learning tools that motivate children and adults, and parent access to grades, attendance, behavior records, and teacher comments.

Shawn Wheeler, Director of Technology Services and Training, Peoria Unified School District, Arizona
Shawn Wheeler built a variety of outstanding technology professional development offerings, including the Blackboard e-learning environment; online Small Learning Objects, an impressive collection of single-topic training documentation supported by multi-media materials; and podcasting and RSS (Really Simple Syndication) technology. Wheeler also coordinated the design of the district portal used for instruction as well as district business operations.

Todd Whitlock, Technology Coordinator, North Daviess Community Schools, Indiana
Todd Whitlock is actively involved in educational technology advocacy at the local, state, and national levels. His 1:1 laptop initiative has brought more than 250 laptops computers to the homes of students. This saturation and use in the community has allowed the students to teach siblings, parents, neighbors, and businesses how technology can be used for presentations and personal productivity. Since 2000, Whitlock has written competitive grants that have earned North Daviess more than $1.3 million for educational technology.

You can learn about last year's group and see where they are now by clicking here.

Posted by Christina Gordon, NSBA Staff, at 9:32 AM | Luncheon Speakers | Sessions | Comments (0)

Wondering what to do for lunch today? Why not check out Dave Master's session "Connecting Classrooms to Prepare the 'Millennial' Generation for the Conceptual Age Economy?" Master, of The ACME Network, will examine ways to tap into the world of "anywhere-anytime access" and prepare students to succeed in the conceptual age economy.

Using the internet, teachers can harness the outside world and bring it into the classroom, including: professionals; experts; and aspiring college students and college educators. Learn how to take the My Space/YouTube generation from empty chat time to aspiration-building, meaningful skill development and principled interaction.

The session will be held from 12:00-1:30 p.m. in Tennessee Ballroom A/B. Sound good? Visit the NSBA Registration Desk in Delta Lobby B for more information or to purchase your tickets ($32 in advance).

If you want to follow up with even more information about how to reach this group of highly connected students, you can check out Douglas Levin's roundtable session, "Educating the MySpace Generation: Internet Safety and Literacy for the Web 2.0 World" from 3:00-4:00 in Delta C. The session will examine the quandry of "to block or not to block," as well as how to effectively use laptops, cellphones, digital cameras, and digital audio recorders in schools.

October 16, 2007

Posted by Therese Laux, Blog Team, at 6:55 PM | General Session Keynotes | Comments (0)

If this was a movie set we'd be hearing "Lights! Camera! Action!" The Opryland Convention Center is just glowing with the excitement generated through educators, administrators, school board members, and others coming together. It's all about making a difference for our students through how and what we teach.

Don't miss tomorrow morning's keynote with Lyn Heward. Her book is one you must have in your library. To hear her speak live is going to be great!

Have a great time!

October 11, 2007

Posted by Barbara Hunter, NSBA Staff, at 2:45 PM | Education Technology Issues | Comments (0)

Wanna get your two cents in? Then post a comment or question in advance for our two experts who will be ready to respond during their respective online chat hours live from the T+L Conference in Nashville.

First, Will Richardson, author of Weblogg-ed blog and Learner-in-Chief at Connective Learning, will be discussing the educational benefits of social networking for students and teachers on Wednesday, October 17, from 12 noon to 1 p.m. Central Time here.

Then, NSBA's Senior Staff Attorney Tom Hutton, will be helping school leaders to navigate the legal landmines around new technologies on Thursday, October 18, 12 noon to 1 p.m. Central Time here.

Check out both sites now to learn more about what they will be covering. And don't forget to leave a question or comment for them!

Posted by Christina Gordon, NSBA Staff, at 12:19 PM | 2007 Conference | Comments (0)

Feeling a little overwhelmed by the wealth of information at the conference? Wondering how to manage your time and maximize your conference experience?

The best way to do this is to take advantage of the online conference planner. This handy, online tool allows you to search an up-to-date database of speakers, educational sessions, networking events, and vendors by name, area of interest, or date/time, and select those most interesting to you; create a username and password to save your schedule so you can make updates any time you wish, or just browse if you don't want to create an account; and when your schedule is finalized, print it out to take along to Nashville so you won't miss anything important.

You can't beat that! Get the most out of the T+L Conference by using the interactive online conference planner.

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