April+Meeting+Minutes


 * Technology Curriculum Meeting Agenda**
 * April 17, 2007**

I. Office 2007 Update: Version of Office being used in schools next year will be Office 2007 Professional Plus (http://www.windowsmarketplace.com/content.aspx?ctId=391&tabid=1&WT.mc_id=0207_09). This is NOT an operating system (the operating system is called Vista), but only the Office programs, which are the same as we currently have, except for Front Page, which is no longer available from Microsoft. A substitute program (Expressions Web, http://www.microsoft.com/Expression/products/overview.aspx?key=web ) may be available from Microsoft, but at this point in time (4/17/07), Front Page 2000 will be the web authoring software available for CV.

A question arose about re-imaging existing elementary teacher computers. This would need to be done during the summer months, so computers would need to be left at school or teachers who choose to take them home will be provided with a DVD and instructions for installing the software themselves. A decision has not yet been made.

Inservice for CV staff in Office 2007, which is very different from Office 2000 was discussed. A train the trainer model, open to curriculum council members and other staff, will most likely be employed. It is hoped that one of our first days of the next school year could be spent training all staff in the differences between these two programs. Rita will contact Ron Roberts to see if this is a possibility.

If any council member is able to check out a school laptop from a media center, check with Jill Green to see when Tech Services is able to install Office 2007 on it for a “preview” experience. This is a very cool program (a little editorial opinion!).

II. **General Information Update from Tech Services**: For the next school year, all middle school and high school teacher computers will be replaced with laptops, which will have a docking mechanism, allowing for the computer to be easily moved from classroom to classroom, or from school to home. This may cause some problems for current staff members because Favorites contained in Internet Explorer will be lost once current teacher machines are replaced. For directions on exporting favorites to a floppy or flash drive, please refer to these instructions: http://www.cvs.k12.mi.us/tiz/documents/Importing_Exporting_Favorites.pdf.

A new management software system will be purchased to be used to monitor and repair computers throughout the district. This software will be installed over the summer.

Wireless networks will be installed in any school building currently without one over the summer.

The Help Desk personnel will be receiving training in the use of Office 2007 to assist staff when the school year opens.

All middle school computers will be replaced.

III. **Eighth Grade Technology Literacy Test:** Principals have been notified that it is ready and Craig has sent instructions to all middle school media specialists. All current 8th grade students have been entered into the database. If you have any difficulties, check with Craig. The final date for testing is June 15.

IV. **Checklist Meeting Date:** May 3 at 4:15 (time change) at Mohawk (in Jill’s room). Jennifer Nelson, Rita Hughes, Jill Stiger, Sarah Simon, and Cindy Schmidt will be meeting. Rita has all the information and will bring it with her.

V. **Update on Professional Development:** If you are interested in participating on a Technology PD committee, and willing to act as an **instructor in an area of technology**, please meet with Rita on May 1, at 4, at Algonquin, in the media center. Please let me know if you are coming. (I like treats after school!)

VI. **Next meeting:** Admin Office for Office 2007 Tutorial—Craig will show us what it does!

See you then!