Summaries

Summaries
//October 16, 2008// Members present: Allan Engle, Dayna Richardson, Rosemary Miller, Wes Bartlett, Gwen Bartlett, Mary Frazier, Greta Smith, Sheryl Smith, Nancy Burgess, Nancy Bether, Todd Stephenson, Becky Mullins, Craig Williams

Today’s topic: Planning the PLAN

Handouts included: • 21st Century Learner~21s Century Learning Environment • Kansas State Board of Education Approved Motions (February 13, 2008) • 21st Century Skills in Kansas • Education~Technology Assistance for Kansas Educators • Buhler USD 313 District Technology Plan~August 2005 • Elementary Plan • Secondary Plan

Ideas:

1. Look at the old plan. See what we wanted then and how that plan may have changed? changed. What did we accomplish? What didn’t we accomplish and why? 2. Divide into committees to accomplish our goals. 3. Look at other plans. We will “harvest” good ideas. 4. Do research. 5. Talk to people who know the new technologies. 6. Complete a technology inventory. Clarify what the inventory will include. Should there be a separate inventory for technology? Does this mean a numbers count or a general count? This is a simple management issue as is the budget. 7. Should there be a separate team for a primary and another for a secondary plan? 8. Keep in mind these questions: What does a 21st century classroom look like? Feel like? Sound like? 9. How do we start? Mission & Vision & Commitments 10. AUP= Acceptable Use Policy There is an immediate need for it due to TRC grants. 11. Will we communicate via a technology forum? 12. Shall we barcode all things tech to create a district inventory?

AUP people: Rosemary, Mary, Gwen, Melva, Greta, Nancy Bether, Allan, Wes Inventory Development people: Becky, Nancy Burgess, Rosemary, Rachel

Next Meeting: Monday, November 3 @ 3:30 p.m. at the BAC

//September 16, 2008// Members present: Allan Engle, Dayna Richardson, Craig Williams, Rosemary Miller, Wes Bartlett, Gwen Bartlett, Rachel Babcock, Mary Frazier, Vernon Goerl, Greta Smith, Troy Smith, Sheryl Smith, Nancy Burgess, Nancy Bether, Randy Doerksen, Todd Stephenson, Becky Mullins, Mike Bryan

Dayna introduced us to Elsie, the English, Latin, and Home Ec Teacher and then each of us introduced ourselves to Board of Education member, Vernon Goerl, by sharing technology strategies we have used and will be using at each of our buildings.

Review: With the given budget will give priority to technology purchases for secondary education.

New items discussed: • Rosemary provided a HO of Proposal for Initial Tech Purchases. • Allan suggested that replacement bulbs be considered for 20% of the systems. Availability isn’t a problem. We do prefer the Dell Projector and have found the replacement bulbs at a reasonable cost. • Troy suggested we consider the “lifespan” of the projector. • Rosemary questioned how we might provide a team of individuals to wire different projects within the buildings. • Do we want to purchase an extended warranty on the new projectors? Not so much! • It was agreed that 42 projectors and 4 to 8 bulbs would be purchased. Todd and Allan will order these and have them installed. • State Technology Plan is due in the spring. (Why do we want it? A rationale will be provided. It will be realistic, but we will try to dream BIG!) Let the minutes reflect that Dayna will FIND volunteers for the committee on which Wes Bartlett and Allan Engle have agreed to serve. Acceptable Use Policy?? • Sheryl asked about sound systems for the cafetorium at PHMS and the auditorium at BHS. Are we researching options to provide new systems for each of the sites? Who will do that? Commercial Sound (Robert Calhoun) will assess each site at no cost. Might this be a capital outlay goal? Gwen will be the contact person for PHMS. Sheryl will be the contact person for BHS with music and drama teachers.

Next Meeting: October 16, 2008 @ the BAC

//August 6th, 2008// Members present: Dr. Brax, Allan Engle, Dayna Richardson, Mike Bryan, Craig Williams, Becky Mullins, Billy Briggs, Rosemary Miller, Wes Bartlett, Gwen Bartlett, Rachel Babcock, Mary Frazier, Greta Smith, Troy Smith, Nancy Burgess, Nancy Bether, Mike Berblinger, Melva Barlow, and Daniel Friesen

Rosemary presented the The Connected Classroom/Team Buhler: Going Global

Reflecting on NECC Conference:

• Rosemary~How? Lack of access for secondary students, how do we use what we do have to make a difference. She went to session Cell Phones in the Classroom. She came back with a lot of good ideas and is prepared to share them with team leaders.

• Becky~How? What? Connecting classrooms (LA & Manitoba). Her students can communicate with area schools through Farm Bureau using Ning, Young Kansas Farmers

• Melva~How? What? Project-based learning with citizenship and responsibility (ex. copyright regulations) Netiquette

• Rachel~Why? Grass Roots Creativity, hands on creativity in the classroom. Give students the opportunity to problem solve and create three-dimensional objects utilizing technology, a 21st Century Skill

• Greta~What? Why? How? What tools can be used in classroom? Social networking is what kids do now. They are in instant contact with others. How do we make it safe and appropriate for schools?

• Mike Bryan~What? Mike was looking for technology for primary students and others. He found powerful tools (Windows) for $300. How do we integrate curriculum with tools—Promethean tools? We have free access to many resources.

• Mary~What? Why? How? What’s out there? What are people doing for 21st Century learners? Visual Literacy? Student engagement makes learning so much more enjoyable. Wiki, blogs, etc. Watch the videos.

• Nancy~Why? Keynote that encouraged international tolerance, acceptance, positive character—myhero.com

Mary went to Maryland to learn with Discovery Educators about networking. She used twitter and plurk and got many ideas from fellow educators. Personal networks, professional networks, green screens, etc. Many resources.

At MACE Rosemary won nothing though she was primed to do so! She focused on global collaboration.

Daniel Friesen was introduced. He is a community representative who chairs the Economic Development Board of Buhler and is acting chair of the Chamber of Commerce. His place of employment is IDEA Tech in Buhler.

Recommendation for purchases: Classroom Projectors = Enhanced Learning Focus is to be on grades 7 through 12. A proposal for Initial Tech Purchases was distributed. Dell projectors were discussed. They cost about $600. The bulbs are $150. Mounting costs $200ish. Placement of Prometheans also was discussed. There was consensus among the group that this is a way to engage a greater number of students. (Think about audio! At Obee Phillips Surround Sound systems were purchased @ $170 each.) Allan cautions not saturating the system with RF mics (as opposed to IR mics), which negatively impact the wireless system. A recommendation was made to include sound systems within the existing proposal.

By April 1 the DTT must have a recommendation for the 2009-10 school year. Action steps: • Research sound options and costs. • Teach teachers to use projectors (differently than an overhead) and to care for them. (PD) • Find out how many screens can be moved to BHS. • Can we order the projectors/mounts, etc? • Give careful thought to placement of the projectors in the classrooms. Involve the teachers in the decision of where the projector goes. • Determine when to tell the teachers that they will be getting projectors. Nancy Burgess says tell them NOW!

Next Date: Tuesday, September 16, 4:00 to 6:00 p.m.

Questions from June 4th, 2008 What type of questions are we supposed to ask?

Should there be a rotation schedule? (High School? Middle School? Elementary School? Etc.). Is the purpose of this team to look at redistributing what we currently have, or only looking to future purchases and allotments? How do we bridge the “tech gap” to 7th grade? How do we clearly communicate what is done in the DTT to those who are not part of the DTT? (How, when, & what, why) What’s best for kids at different levels? How do we balance replacement and new technology? Is replacement standing still? What is the time frame for meeting the goals of this team? (incremental) What is the possibility of becoming a one platform district? How do we row together? What do we believe student engagement looks like? With technology as a tool? Are there creative ways to facilitate spending to benefit more students? What’s our plan, our strategies to “attack?” Are we working toward a 1:1, especially at the H.S.? Are there decisions that have been made that will impact our 08-09 year? Do we “recommend” or “decide.”

Definitions: Equity Unsupported Technology

Philosophy/Beliefs about Technology Integration? How do we row together? What do we believe student engagement looks like? With technology as a tool? What’s best for kids at different levels? Are we working toward a 1:1, especially at the H.S.? How do we balance replacement and new technology? Is replacement standing still? How do we bridge the “tech gap” to 7th grade? Should there be a rotation schedule? (High School? Middle School? Elementary School? Etc.). What is the possibility of becoming a one platform district?

Purpose of Team Do we “recommend” or “decide.” What’s our plan, our strategies to “attack?” How do we clearly communicate what is done in the DTT to those who are not part of the DTT? (How, when, & what, why) Is the purpose of this team to look at redistributing what we currently have, or only looking to future purchases and allotments?

Management/Process What is the time frame for meeting the goals of this team? (incremental) Are there creative ways to facilitate spending to benefit more students? Are there decisions that have been made that will impact our 08-09 year?

Definitions: Equity Unsupported Technology