Local District 4 Instructional Technology News

Welcome to the October newsletter for Local District 4.

Table of Contents

1. Local District 4 Tech Meetings
2. Professional Development
3. News and Events
4. Grants and Funding
5. Tech Tools

Local District 4 Tech Meetings

Thanks to the Tech Coordinators that took the time to attend our first meeting. We had a hands on workshop using Google Docs and discussed its educational uses. Google Docs is a great tool for everyone regardless of Operating System. Because it is web based, users can access it from anywhere in the world, as long as they have Internet access.

Hopefully we can have a better turn out for our second meeting scheduled for November 15th. I realize that it is hard to attend meetings after school hours, but these meetings serve as a great way to learn and share with other professionals in your field. I am trying to get a school site to host our next meeting. If you would like to host the meeting, let me know so that we can make arrangements. You can post a comment here if you would like to host a meeting.

Our next meeting will focus on Google Groups and Google Calendar. If you do not have a Google account, please register for one using your district issued email account. This is a free account. Please use your district email account since it will be for educational use with adults and children. This is for your protection as well as our students.

I have set up a Google Group for us. Once you have an account with Google, use this link to access the Group. http://groups.google.com/group/ld4tech You will need to request an invitation to the group. You will be asked for your name, a nickname and school. Only your nickname will be shared with others.

Professional Development

These are only a few of the classes offered through our U.P.D.A.T.E. Program. Go to http://lz.lausd.net and use your single sign on account to log in. Click on the tab for Courses, then click on Class Offerings. Change the Program to U.P.D.A.T.E. and do a search for the available classes being offered. These are all free to LAUSD Teachers. Classes are offered Face-to-Face or Online and you can earn Salary points for completing the course.

Just like any other course, there is homework involved, but you have qualified instructors that will guide you along the way. Classes are available in the evenings, usually from 4 – 8 pm, and on Saturdays. Each class runs for about 16 hours broken up into four days or two Saturdays.

News and Events

Every year, teachers and administrators are asked to update their EdTech Profile. The EdTech Profile is a personal technology proficiency survey. It is used for various reasons. It provides proficiency levels of a school’s staff on the use of technology, it can be used when applying for grants, and it helps us to develop technology courses and professional development opportunities for individuals to improve their technology skills.

The survey has been reduced in length. In the past, it would take approximately 30 minutes to complete. Now, it can be done in less than half the time. Every teacher and administrator should update his or her profile at least once a year. For schools that are participating in the EETT (iMaST) grant, they are required to update the survey twice a year. We recommend completing the survey during the months of October to November and during the months of April to June.

As I mentioned, you are only required to complete the survey once a year, but I personally recommend updating it at the beginning of the year and at the end of the year. This way you can see for yourself how you are improving and becoming proficient in the use of technology. www.edtechprofile.org

InfoTech 2008

InfoTech will be late in the year this time. We are looking at June 7, 2008 as the date for this school year. This years theme is “Excellence Through Innovation.” We will be partnering up with the Parent Collaborative Conference at the LA Convention Center. Last years event was a big success and we look forward to having another great event. Start planning and get those projects going. I know you are doing lots of great things in your class using technology. Info Tech is your opportunity to show off and network with other students, teachers, and administrators from all 8 Local Districts. I look forward to seeing you at InfoTech this year.

Grants and Funding

• A possible funding source is the Motorola Innovation Grant, an award for technology that is from $5,000-$250,000 that is due June 2008. (http://www.motorola.com/content.jsp?globalObjectId=8153)
• Knowledge Adventure’s Schools in Need competition will award 10 schools needing reading assistance for their students software packages valued at $12,000. www.knowledgeadventureschool.com Deadline is December 15, 2007
• Tool Factory and Olympus invite K-12 educators to apply for a Digital Wish Grant, awarded each month and totaling up to $10,350. www.toolfactory.com Deadline is June 28, 2008
• Adobe Digital Kids Club is having a digital photo contest for students. Adobe is looking for the best digitally enhanced photo. Prizes include digital cameras, Adobe Photoshop Elements software, and more. www.techlearning.com/portraits/
• Be a Video All-Star! Film a Public Service Announcement that showcases why digital learning tools are critical to your school curriculum. If you are the winner, you will receive a Digital Package which will include a Laptop and software to help you continue making videos. More details are at www.21centuryconnections.com/videocontest

Tech Tools

Google Docs is a great way to share and collaborate with others across the internet. All you need is a free Google account. I recommend using your district email when creating your account. Since Google Docs can be used with students, using your district email will identify you as an educator and ensure your safety and that of your students.

So what can you do with Google Docs? Basically, everything you can do with MS Office. Google Docs offers word documents, spreadsheets, and just recently added, presentations (similar to power point). It doesn’t matter if you are on a PC or a Mac. Google Docs is web based and can be accessed from any computer with an internet connection. Isn’t Web 2.0 wonderful!

It is great way for groups to collaborate on a document at the same time from anywhere in the world. Everyone shares one document and eliminates the need to email, fax, or print out multiple documents for others to proofread and edit. Google Docs also keeps track of all of your revisions. This is great if you want to keep track of your students participation in a group. If you want to learn more about Google Docs or are interested in a Professional Development at your school, email me to set up an appointment.

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