Technology Wonderings

I’ve been given the task of finding valuable and inspirational staff development opportunities for my colleagues and I.  I could spout off a bunch of good k-12 technology conferences but being new to higher ed (see below http://scheney.edublogs.org/2008/02/15/transition/), I’m not sure what to say.  So far I’ve come up with:
-EDUCause 2008:  Interaction, Ideas, Inspiration in Orlando, FL from October 28-31.  They don’t have session descriptions posted but looking at last year’s program, I think it would be a good fit for us.  Plus it’s in Orlando…in October…that would be nice.

-ASTD 2008:  This training and development conference is in San Diego, CA from June 1-4 (coming right up) and tracks include designing and delivering learning and facilitating organizational change.  The problem is that it isn’t specifically targeted to Higher Ed but a bonus is that Malcolm Gladwell is a keynote speaker…check out his TED talk. So, any other suggestions.  Conferences that you find so inspirational and worthwhile that you attend every year?!  Please share. 

A colleague passed along this great document by Ben Wilkoff  a middle school teacher in Colorado.  It includes web applications, computer applications, teaching resources, and technology resources that facilitate technology integration and authentic learning.  101resources.pdf 

This website:  http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/ offers one piece of free software everyday.  Some are little utilities, others are more commercial-either way, there is no cost to you.

The http://college2.ning.com/ has already proved to be a great resource.  Gabriela Grosseck added this video “Blogs in Plain English” which gives a great explanation of how blogs work including the evolution of news and and how blogs connect people.  The video was put together by the Common Craft Show which has lots of other “…in Plain English” videos, some more applicable to education than others. 

After a handful of years working towards technology integration at the k-12 level, I’m transitioning into a new role in HigherEd as an Instructional Designer.  The process is exciting, I’m learning a much different angle on technology implementation and the university is supportive and welcoming.  The first part of my transition is an updated look for my blog.  You’ll also notice new links on my del.icio.us account related to mentoring (we’re setting up a technology mentor program with the faculty) and technology competencies (we’re interested to know what kinds of faculty technology standards you use…) and general faculty development related to technology.  I’ve also joined http://college2.ning.com/ to start some new higher ed friendships, brain-picking, and collaboration.  There is a solid program in place here at WIT and I’m thrilled to be a part of its evolution.

If you have thoughts, ideas, or resources on any of these topics-please share!  One of my goals is to make my blog more of a “Stephanie CMS”.  The first action step is posting more often.  Here goes…

We have finished the audio museum (YEA!!) and you have had a chance to listen to your own and those of your classmates. Please evaluate the project by responding these questions :

-What parts did you do really well?
-What parts did you struggle with?
-What component did you most enjoy working on?
-How could the project be improved?

Teachers all over the building are using blogs as a new way of communicating with parents and families in town and across the country. Check them out:
2nd Grade (O/L): http://class2ol.edublogs.org/
5th Grade (S/W): http://5swnh.edublogs.org/
6th Grade: http://6thgronline.edublogs.org/
7th Grade: http://seventhgradenews.blogspot.com/
8th Grade: http://8thgrquest.edublogs.org/

After subscribing and listening to 3 different podcasts, please reflect…What podcasts did you listen to?

What makes a podcast interesting (or not) to listen to?
In what ways could we use podcasts at school?

If you were going to record something for others to listen to, what should you do or include to make it interesting for the listener?

I read a recent post by Jeff Utecht called “Getting my ducks in a row” where he outlined his plan for supporting teachers who receive laptops as part of their work. At my school 30 teachers purchased laptops this summer, for their personal use but most are planning on bringing it back and forth to school to support their teaching. I wonder how many of them would buy into a Teacher Technology IEP? I think it is a great way to set goals and focus your learning but considering these are technically “personal” machines I don’t know that my teachers would get excited about having their progress tracked throughout the year.

I love the support group idea where teachers using their laptops meet in small groups a couple of times a month for help troubleshooting and conversations about classroom impacts of their technology use. People all over the world are struggling to support teachers in an effective, constructive way. My school among them.

I’m having so much fun ning-ing. NH staff is designing a course and has set up a ning network to have some web-based collaboration. In addition to the NHS ning network, I belong to a couple of others Classroom2.0 and Digital Dialog and am really enjoying being a part of converstaions that are taking places across many time zones. It sure does make the world a whole lot smaller.