Friday, February 06, 2009

February 2009 Edition

Hello Again Instructional Technology Leaders,

This is the sixth 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 February
  2. Instructional Technology Outreach – Available Workshops
  3. Intel Schools of Distinction Awards – Deadline February 17, 2009
  4. CDWG Win a Wireless Lab Sweepstakes
  5. Student Technology Showcase at CUE Conference – Call for Participants
  6. Infotech Conference and Parent Summit 2009 - April 25, 2009


1. Local District 5 Instructional Technology Leader Meeting for February

The next volunteer technology leadership/coordinator meeting of 2008-2009 for Local District 5 will be held 3:30-5:15pm on Thursday, February 15, 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.

  • Lights, Camera, Learn!: Visual Literacy through Screen Education for Everybody!, 02/21/09
  • Reading Stories to Young Children, 02/19/09
  • iTELL: integrating Technology for English Language Learners, 02/24/09 to 03/19/09, 03/18/09 to 03/31/09, or 03/23/09 to 04/28/09
  • Tech Use Planning Workshop, 02/25/2009
  • SMART Power User Series, 04/16/09 to 05/21/09
  • Excel: Filter and Merge!, 04/14/09

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

3. 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


4. CDWG Win a Wireless Lab Sweepstakes

Enter the 7th 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


5. 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 htttp://www.k12hsn.org/resources/showcase/gallery/info.php/showcase for details.


6. Infotech Conference and Parent Summit 2009 - 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.