January 2009 Edition

Hello Again Instructional Technology Leaders,

This is the fifth update of 2008-2009, and we move forward with even more opportunities for professional development and other news related to technology use in our schools. You may choose to either receive future updates by e-mail or subscribe to it via your preferred RSS aggregator.

1. Local District 5 Instructional Technology Leader Meeting for January
2. Instructional Technology Outreach – Available Workshops
3. K-12 Voucher School Computer Program
4. Intel Schools of Distinction Awards – Deadline February 17, 2009
5. CDWG Win a Wireless Lab Sweepstakes
6. CUE Los Angeles Innovative Technology Mini-Grant
7. Student Technology Showcase at CUE Conference – Call for Participants
8. Save the Date!: Infotech Conference and Parent Summit 2009 on April 25, 2009

1. Local District 5 Instructional Technology Leader Meeting for January

The next volunteer technology leadership/coordinator meeting of 2008-2009 for Local District 5 will be held 3:30-5:15pm on Thursday, January 22, 2009 at the ITD ITTB Training Room 2, Local District 5, 2151 N. Soto Street, Los Angeles, CA 90032. We will use this time to share resources with each other and discuss issues facing instructional technology applications during our current educational climate.

2. Instructional Technology Outreach – Available Workshops

Instructional Technology Outreach of the Los Angeles County Office of Education is offering various workshops that focus on topics related to technology use in our schools. Below is a list of some of those workshops.

• Digital Café: Using Technology to Support English Language Learners, 01/24/2009
• Digital Café: Maximizing Technology, 02/03/09
• Lights, Camera, Learn!: Visual Literacy through Screen Education for Everybody!, 02/21/09
• iTELL: integrating Technology for English Language Learners, 02/24/09 to 03/19/09
• Tech Use Planning Workshop, 02/25/2009
• SMART Power User Series, 04/16/09 to 05/21/09

For more information on any of the listed workshops or to enroll, please go to http://ito.lacoe.edu/workshops

3. K-12 Voucher School Computer Program

The State's Educational Technology K-12 Voucher Program (aka Microsoft Vouchers) provides for reimbursements for expenditures to support technology in school districts. The LAUSD Education Technology K-12 Voucher Program uses the District's allocation for reimbursements under the State program to replace or augment their computer technology. Please refer to Memorandum MEM-4594 titled Procedures for Purchasing Computer Technology Using the Educational Technology K-12 Vouchers for information on how your school will proceed with this program.

For more additional information, go to http://edtech.lausd.net/voucher

4. Intel Schools of Distinction Award – Deadline: February 17, 2009

Elementary, middle, and high schools able to demonstrate excellence in math and science education are eligible to apply for the Intel Schools of Distinction Award. Various levels of awards are available with six winning schools that are chosen as the Star Innovator receiving $25,000 in cash grants and $100,000 in products and services. For details, go to the following: http://www.schoolsofdistinction.com/

5. CDWG Win a Wireless Lab Sweepstakes

Enter the 7^th Annual Win a Wireless Lab Sweepstakes for your chance to win one of five grand prize wireless computer labs for your school, including 20 laptop or notebook computers, interactive whiteboard, mobile cart, projector, printer, wireless access points, portable document camera, digital camcorder, and a $5,000 digital media grant from Discovery Education.

Enter once per day until May 1, 2009 at http://cdwg.discoveryeducation.com/

6. CUE Los Angeles Innovative Technology Mini-Grant

Computer-Using Educators of Los Angeles (CUELA) is sponsoring the Innovative Technology Mini- Grant to support CUELA members interested in developing inspiring and innovative applications of technology in the classroom based on the California Content Standards. CUELA will support a limited number of projects with awards of $250 to $1000. If selected, grant winners will be asked to provide CUELA with a summary of successful outcomes. Those interested in applying should submit an application at http://www.cuehub.org/cuela

The deadline to submit a grant application will be February 5, 2009.

7. Student Technology Showcase at CUE Conference – Call for Participants

The Student Technology Showcase on Saturday, March 7, 2009 at the CUE Conference in the Palm Springs Convention Center is an opportunity for students to showcase their use of technology in their learning as part of a standards-driven lesson. For their participation, teachers and students will be provided lunch. In addition, CTAP Region 11 will reimburse up to $200 for showcase-related expenses such as gas and parking receipts. Those seeking more information or have an interest in participating should go to http://www.k12hsn.org/resources/showcase/gallery/info.php/showcase for details.

8. Save the Date!: Infotech Conference and Parent Summit 2009 on April 25, 2009

Please plan on attending the 13th Annual InfoTech Conference to be held in conjunction with the Parent Summit on Saturday, April 25, 2009 at the Los Angeles Convention Center. The LAUSD Educational Technology Group is partnering with the Parent Collaborative of the District’s Parent Community Services Branch and invites the entire school community to this exciting event. In the near future, please refer to http://infotech.lausd.net/ for details.