IN Group

The IN (Integrate Now) Group met this week and had a great discussion on "Where's the Information - Then and Now" - basically how has access to information changed in recent history. We talked about accessing a variety of information such as contact information, info and/or viewing of television shows, content available on the web - videos, audio and print, interactive sites, how people take classes, and how "experts" can now enter schools via video conferencing.

This was the first of three classes the IN Group is holding around the topic of the Digital Immigrant versus the Digital Native.

For more information on the IN Group - see the IN Website

Starting to see the Light

I am happy to write that the technology department is starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel! We have finished setup of equipment for both new sites opened recently - Maricopa Elementary and Maricopa Wells - so we can finally get focused on catching up. We are busy planning for our next elementary site - Santa Cruz. However, work isn't too involved yet since we are so early in the construction process.

During February and March, we will be holding four different training classes around the theme of the "digital immigrant" versus the "digital native" and just what it means to be a 21st century learner. One training will be a Tech Academy held on Saturday, February 24th where the keynote speaker will be delivered via video conferencing. The other three classes will be held after school.

We are also gearing up for "Read Across the Planet", which is a national event connecting classrooms together from different states or difference countries. We currently have 21 planned sessions during the month of March. If you are interested in more information, please check out Amy's ITv blog at http://maricopa-itv.blogspot.com/

Upon other plans, we are working on confirming inventory of all workstations in the district. This is a big task - but it really helps us to keep connected with the workstations in use and plan for future replacements/upgrades. We expect to have the inventory completed by the end of February.

During March, Amy and I will attend the MEC (Microcomputers in Education) conference at ASU. We love this conference and always gain valuable information on what is happening in the field of educational technology. This year, we have the opportunity (along with Jack Wallbrecht - CTE Director) to host a poster session around the topic of video conferencing. We look forward to sharing our experiences with others.

In addition to work at MUSD - I continue to work after hours teaching online classes (currently teaching a class on Excel) and right now I am also taking an online class on Dreamweaver. So...I am never bored!