Hello Again Instructional Technology Leaders,
This is the third update of 2007-2008, and we continue with even more opportunities for professional development, employment, and other news related to technology in our schools. You may choose to either receive future updates by e-mail or subscribe to it via your preferred RSS aggregator.
Local District 5 Instructional Technology Leader Meeting for November
CTAP Region 11 Instructional Technology Outreach Workshops
CTAP Region 11 Technology Academies – $400 Compensation for Participating
LAUSD My Mail – Student Access to E-mail, Google Docs, Calendar, and More
What’s Coming Out of LAUSD Information Technology Division?
Ed Tech Profile – Complete Your Out-of-Date Technology Assessment Profile
Engineers Week Future City Competition for 7th and/or 8th Grade Students
Bob Costas Grants for the Teaching of Writing – Due November 16, 2007
More Salary Point Workshops Through LAUSD’s UPDATE Program Posted
LAUSD Teacher RSS Feeds I Subscribe To
1. Local District 5 Instructional Technology Leader Meeting for November
The second volunteer technology leadership/coordinator meeting of 2007-2008 for Local District 5 will be held 3:30-5:30pm on Thursday, November 15, 2007 at the Directors Conference Room, 2nd Floor, Local District 5, 2151 N. Soto Street, Los Angeles, CA 90032. This meeting will introduce everyone to the burgeoning world of photosharing and its value in classroom instruction. Attendance is voluntary but does also provide an occasion when technology leaders can share ideas as well as learn about the latest in instructional technology.
Below is a preview of the tentative agenda:
03:30pm – Updates on Technology in LAUSD
04:00pm – Photosharing: Getting Your Stories Out to All Through Images
05:00pm – Open Forum/Technology Leader Networking
2. CTAP Region 11 Instructional Technology Outreach Workshops
CTAP Region 11/Instructional Technology Outreach is offering various classes focusing on administrative/instructional use of technology for anyone to take. To register, please go to http://ctap.lacoe.edu/workshops. The following is a list of what is available:
EdTechProfile - Site Admin Workshop - This workshop will help you understand how to effectively gather data on technology literacy and curriculum integration, but more importantly... to learn how to get your teachers and/or students to complete EdTechProfile successfully, and without frustration. This three-hour workshop is for EdTechProfile site administrators who have the responsibility of administering EdTechProfile assessments/surveys at their school site. Learn: Account Management, Emailing Login Info to Teachers, Checking Completion Status, Creating Reports, Presenting Data on Technology Literacy & Curriculum Integration, and Using the Optional Services to Meet Local Needs
Fee: $25.00 When: March Session (03/20/08) @ Downey
Handheld Integration for Instruction (HiFi) for Administrators - As a part of this two-day workshop on using handhelds in school, each administrator will receive a Palm TX handheld (with built-in Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and a bigger screen) and a resource binder of materials on using handhelds. Administrators will focus on educational handheld applications specifically designed for administrator use, including student information tools, classroom observation, databases and home-school communication tools. Participants will be given an overview of data-driven decision making and how handhelds can be used for support.
Fee: $300.00 When: (1) February Session (02/15/08 & 02/22/08) @ Downey, (2) March Session (03/21/08 & 03/28/08) @ Downey, or (3) April Session (04/10/08 & 04/17/08) @ Downey
Google Earth - Google's free mapping program can make learning geography a seamless part of your curriculum. Learn how to make geography a part of nearly every lesson using Google Earth with literature, social studies, and the arts by bringing live maps and satellite images to your classroom. No experience necessary.
Fee: Free When: (1) November Session (11/14/07) @ Valencia or (2) January/February Session (01/31/08 & 02/07/08) @ Downey
MixCraft: Audio Workshop - Mixcraft is a multi-track audio recorder that enables you to record your band, create a podcast, or re-mix a song. In this workshop, you'll learn about Kid's Talk Radio and how students can create their own radio show while building academic skills through the use of the PNN Kids Talk Radio Personal News Network. All participants will receive a copy of the MixCraft software included with registration price.
Fee: $25.00 When: November Session (11/14/2007) @ Downey
Google Pages (Introduction) - Introduction to Google Pages. Learn how to create your own website using Google Pages.
Fee: $25.00 When: December Session (12/10/07) @ Downey
Google Pages (Advanced) - Advanced techniques for designing with Google Pages.
Fee: $25.00 When: December Session (12/13/07) @ Downey
Work SMART-er with SMART Board™ interactive whiteboards - Learn how SMART Board interactive whiteboards can transform your classroom into an engaging place where all students can learn! SMART Boards benefit student engagement, learner motivation and knowledge retention as well as being able to reach students with a variety of learning styles, including those with special needs. Educators benefit too, enjoying better student involvement, streamlined lesson preparation and enhanced lesson materials. This course will introduce basic use of SMART Boards and examine integration techniques in the classroom.
Fee: Free When: January Session (01/23/08) @ Valencia
McREL Balanced Leadership - School Leadership Program targeting District & School Site Administrators.
Fee: $2000.00 When: 2008 Session (01/24/2008 - 06/27/2008) @ Downey
3. CTAP Region 11 Technology Academies – $400 Compensation for Participating
Opportunities for teachers to increase technology proficiency are still available! Teachers can learn to effectively integrate technology into standards-based instruction by participating in a weeklong CTAP Region 11 Technology Academy. Several of the academies will be held at the ITD ITTB Training Room 2 located at Local District 5 Office Building throughout the school year, but you may choose to enroll in academies held at other locations. Visit http://ctap.lacoe.edu/content/Tech_Academies for details and to enroll in one of the academies.
The CTAP Technology Academies are five-day trainings, designed for educators that need educational technology professional development at their level of proficiency. The objective is to ensure that classroom educators have the requisite skills, knowledge, and ability to effectively integrate technology into the curriculum.
If you have any questions, please contact the following consultant from CTAP 11:
Jeff Williams, williams_jeff@lacoe.edu, (562) 401-5382
Intended Audience: K-12 Teachers (Levels: Beginning, Intermediate, Advanced)
Los Angeles Unified School District will be providing compensation in the amount of $400 for those who attend a District-sponsored academy. You must be off-track (e.g. Single Track teachers must attend academies only during Winter, Spring, and Summer Breaks) to receive the compensation. Additionally, you can receive LAUSD salary point credit for completion of the Level II Academy.
4. LAUSD My Mail – Student Access to E-mail, Google Docs, Calendar, and More
Since July 2007, student e-mail is now handled through LAUSD My Mail, which is a group of services developed with Google to provide access to not only e-mail, but also use of the following web applications: Google Calendar, Google Docs & Spreadsheets, and a start page. If your school is ready to have students use these services, please go to the following link for information on this process: http://techsupport.lausd.net/email_setup.htm
Student accounts are created by sub-administrators located at each school site. If you don't have a sub-administrator at your site, or need to add or replace one, the principal can designate a school email sub-administrator by contacting the ITD Service Desk at (213) 241-5200 and requesting that someone on her/his staff receive this type of access. Large schools may choose to have more than one email sub-administrator. The school email sub-administrator is responsible for creating and managing student accounts.
The school email sub-administrator will receive a separate account (email sub-administrator account) with documentation that will allow her/him to create individual accounts or request the batch creation of 50 accounts or more.
5. What’s Coming Out of LAUSD Information Technology Division?
On 09/04/07, Memorandum MEM-3913 Elementary Instructional Multimedia Cart Program was released, providing information to elementary school principals regarding instructional multimedia technology tools that will be provided to schools for use by all teachers, and the associated professional development to assist with technology integration in the classroom instructional program. Thank you to every school that has already taken advantage of this program.
On 09/13/07, Information Technology Division (ITD) launched a new IT Service Catalog. This catalog provides a list of currently available IT services. Each service provides guidelines for ordering/requesting the service. You may view the catalog online at http://techsupport.lausd.net/.
On 10/23/07, ITD's Educational Technology Group releaaes Reference Guide REF-3975.0 Information for Schools on Supported Instructional Technology Activities from the Educational Technology Group. This Reference Guide provides information to schools regarding supported instructional technology activities and applications by LAUSD. It also provides information to schools regarding services provided by Educational Technology Group and ways to obtain them. You may view the Reference Guide by accessing it via Inside LAUSD, http://notebook.lausd.net/.
6. Ed Tech Profile – Complete Your Out-of-Date Technology Assessment Profile
Every year, teachers and administrators are asked to update their EdTech Profile: http://www.edtechprofile.org/. The EdTech Profile is a personal technology proficiency survey that provides feedback necessary for developing a school instructional plan that includes data on proficiency levels of a school’s staff on the use of technology. The data can also be used when applying for grants and helps in development of technology courses and professional development opportunities for individuals to improve their technology skills. Every teacher and administrator must update his or her profile at least once a year, and this was originally required when it was called the CTAP2 iAssessment (as specified in Policy Bulletin BUL 550.0 - Policy on CTAP Certificated Staff Online Survey). As of October 15, 2007, these surveys must be completed again. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.
7. Engineers Week Future City Competition for 7th and/or 8th Grade Students
It is not too late to enter the Future City Competition, but you must hurry! This competition affords an excellent opportunity for applying elements of math, science, computer science, social studies, language arts, and art curricula to hands-on projects that capture the imagination and stoke the creative problem-solving abilities of students in the 7th and 8th grades. Registration for this competition as well as additional information can be found at http://www.fuutrecity.org/.
Each team consists of a teacher-sponsor, an engineer-mentor and 3 students from grades 7 and/or 8. Multiple teams could compete at the same school and have a winner selected at the school to go to the regional competition. The tentative date and location for the Southern California regional competition (where the team selected to go to Washington D.C. for the nationals will be chosen) is Saturday, January 26 at the California Science Center. Engineer-mentors will be provided to entering teams. The Coordinator for the Regional Competition will be assisting us with this.
The software being used is Sim City 3000. One copy of the software is provided per school. Any questions about necessary resources (including how LAUSD can support you) and entering must now be directed to Joe Oliver, Director, Educational Technology, at joe.oliver@lausd.net. The fee for entry is refunded when the team attends the regional competition. Please do not let an entry fee keep you from fielding a team.
8. Bob Costas Grants for the Teaching of Writing – Due November 16, 2007
Each year the College Board recognizes exceptional teachers of grades 6 through 12 for the innovative methods they use to develop their students' writing skills. Bob Costas Grants of $3,000 each will be awarded to teachers who are doing an inspiring job of teaching their students to write and who will benefit most from a grant to enhance a successful project. Exemplary writing instruction should demonstrate use of “innovative methods” such as integrating blogs or other Web 2.0 technologies.
For details about these grants, please go to the following web address:
http://www.collegeboard.com/counselors/teachers/costas_grants.html
9. More Salary Point Workshops Through LAUSD’s UPDATE Program Posted
A list of newly posted salary point classes offered by LAUSD’s UPDATE program are available and listed below. Classes listed in the previous Local District 5 Technology are still available as well. For more information, please visit the UPDATE website at http://update.lausd.net/ or call (213) 241-1384.
To enroll in a class: http://lz.lausd.net/ - Once logged on using your Single Sign-On information, you can enroll in any of the classes by doing the following:
1) Click on Courses
2) Click on Class Offerings
3) Select U.P.D.A.T.E. under Program and Click on Search
4) Click on any of the class titles displayed in blue to begin enrollment process
5) Click on the orange Enroll Now button to add yourself to the training list
Course Title: Creating Language Arts Curriculum Using Microsoft PowerPoint
Time & Dates: 8am-4pm on 11/10 and 11/24/07
Location: ITD ITTB East Los Angeles Training Room II, 2151 Soto Street, Los Angeles
Course Title: Lights, Camera, Action! Create Cross Curriculum Lessons using iMovie
Time & Dates: 8am-4pm on 11/10 and 11/17/07
Location: La Salle Elementary School, 8715 La Salle Avenue, Los Angeles
Course Title: Creating Language Arts Curriculum Using Microsoft PowerPoint
Time & Dates: 8am-5pm on 11/17 and 12/01/07
Location: Porter Middle School, 15960 Kingsbury Street, Granada Hills
Course Title: Creating Language Arts Curriculum Using Microsoft PowerPoint
Time & Dates: 8am-4pm on 12/01 and 12/15/07
Location: LD5 University Conference Room, 2nd Floor, 2151 Soto Street, Los Angeles
Course Title: Using Safe Internet Skills to Promote Research and Collaboration
Time & Dates: 5:30pm-8pm on 12/05 and 12/12/07
Location: ITD ITTB East Los Angeles Training Room II, 2151 Soto Street, Los Angeles
Course Title: Using Safe Internet Skills to Promote Research and Collaboration
Time & Dates: 9am-12pm on 12/08 and 12/15/07
Location: ITD ITTB East Los Angeles Training Room II, 2151 Soto Street, Los Angeles
Course Title: Lights, Camera, Action! Create Cross Curriculum Lessons using iMovie
Time & Dates: 8am-4pm on 01/05 and 01/19/08
Location: 112th Street Elementary School, 1265 E. 112th Street, Los Angeles
Course Title: Click! Using Digital Photography to Enhance Instruction
Time & Dates: 4:30pm-7:30pm on 01/07, 01/09, 01/11, and 01/14/08
Location: 68th Street Elementary School, 612 W. 68th Street, Los Angeles
Course Title: Online – Special Students in Regular Classrooms: Technology Teaching and Universal Design
Time & Dates: 4pm-8pm on 01/07/08 and 02/25/08
Location: ITD ITTB East Los Angeles Training Room II, 2151 Soto Street, Los Angeles
Course Title: Using Digital Portfolios to Foster Student Learning
Time & Dates: 4pm-8pm on 01/10 and 02/21/08
Location: ITD ITTB East Los Angeles Training Room II, 2151 Soto Street, Los Angeles
Course Title: Online – Powerful Projects: Project-Based Learning Using Internet Resources
Time & Dates: 8am-12pm on 01/12 and 03/01/08
Location: ITD ITTB East Los Angeles Training Room II, 2151 Soto Street, Los Angeles
Course Title: Smart Ways to Use Interactive Whiteboards Across the Disciplines
Time & Dates: 8am-4pm on 01/12 and 01/26/08
Location: Gage Middle School, 2880 E. Gage Avenue, Huntington Park
Course Title: Lights, Camera, Action! Create Cross Curriculum Lessons using iMovie
Time & Dates: 4:30 pm-7:30pm on 01/16, 01/18, 01/21, and 01/23/08
Location: 68th Street Elementary School, 612 W. 68th Street, Los Angeles
Course Title: Multimedia Enhanced Language Arts & ESL Instruction
Time & Dates: 8am-4pm on 01/19 and 02/02/08
Location: ITD ITTB East Los Angeles Training Room II, 2151 Soto Street, Los Angeles
Course Title: Click! Using Digital Photography to Enhance Instruction
Time & Dates: 4:30 pm-7:30pm on 02/01, 02/04, 02/06, and 02/08/08
Location: 68th Street Elementary School, 612 W. 68th Street, Los Angeles
Course Title: Lights, Camera, Action! Create Cross Curriculum Lessons using iMovie
Time & Dates: 4:30 pm-7:30pm on 02/11, 02/13, 02/15, and 02/18/08
Location: 68th Street Elementary School, 612 W. 68th Street, Los Angeles
Course Title: Standards-Based Virtual Field Trips with Video Conferencing Education
Time & Dates: 8am-4pm on 02/16 and 03/29/08
Location: Philip R. Saldivar Conference Room, Local District 5, 2151 Soto Street, Los Angeles
Course Title: Multimedia Enhanced Language Arts & ESL Instruction
Time & Dates: 8am-4pm on 04/11 and 04/26/08
Location: ITD ITTB East Los Angeles Training Room II, 2151 Soto Street, Los Angeles
10. LAUSD Teacher RSS Feeds I Subscribe To
I spend time looking at the interesting things that other K-12 educators are publishing. Here is a sampling of sites I have subscribed to that belong to teachers in LAUSD:
Along the Way by Janice Stearns: http://www.jstearns.org/wp
Attitudes Are the Real Disability by Lore Schindler: http://svenlore.blogspot.com/
Bob Sachs Photography by Robert Sachs: http://bobsachsphotography.blogspot.com/
Coordinator’s Office by Jose Rodriguez: http://coordinator2.wordpress.com/
Creating Lifelong Learners by Mathew Needleman: http://www.needleworkspictures.com/ocr/blog
Mr. De la Cruz’s Action Plan Quest by Felipe de la Cruz: http://mrdelacruz.edublogs.org
Open During Construction by John Lenhardt: http://itaf.tumblr.com/
Let me know about your blog, wiki, or podcast to be featured in upcoming posts. You may contact me by e-mail or post a comment on the web version of this newsletter.
