March+Minutes

Minutes for March 3, 2008**
 * Instructional Technology Curriculum Committee

I. Cookbook Assignments discussed. So far we have a very limited amount submitted. If you have a technology task that you can easily do or help others to do, please send them to Rita so she can start a “recipe book” of ideas for each grade level. If you know a tech savvy person in your building, please ask them to participate, too.

II. The professional development date for a technology in-service has been tentatively been set for Aug. 26, 2008, the second day of school. This district wide in-service will require a number of presenters, from both inside and outside of the district. Class ideas, related to technology and the K-2 technology skills checklist, were discussed at the meeting. Please poll your staff for volunteers. The in-service will most likely take place at the new Seneca, Dakota and the Ninth Grade Center, Ojibwa, and Cheyenne. Many details still need to be worked out. If you haven’t volunteered as yet, please talk to or email Rita or Craig. As of April 1, no new volunteers came forward to help. Presenters for this in-service will be paid per contract for presenting and for preparation.

III. The K-2 Technology Skills checklist was given to each council member with an explanation of the process involved in creating it. A separate column that relates each skill to existing academic GLCEs will be added, to emphasize the point that many good things teachers are already doing in their classrooms with their students meets the requirements of this checklist. Another suggestion to involve K-2 teachers in the process by meeting with them on the Technology In-service day in August was discussed. This meeting would allow K-2 teachers to have input into the activities required, as well as fine tune the document. If any ITC Committee member has additions or corrections to make concerning this document, please email/call Rita. A special thanks to Jennifer Nelson, Sarah Simon, and especially Jill Stiger for working on this document along with Rita.

What comes next? A 3-5 document, which will hopefully be started before the end of this school year.

IV. The 8th Grade Technology Literacy Test was reviewed and updates/clarifications were discussed and adopted at the meeting. The test needs to be administered before the end of this school year. Additional discussion involved students completing a technology project while in middle school. If you are a middle school representative, please reserve computer time for 8th grade students between now and the end of the school year. (Note: as of the April meeting, the test is NOT available for student participation. Craig is working to remedy that situation! It will be ready by May 1, right Craig? Also, Craig will remind middle school principals.)

V. Craig demonstrated a trial version of a software program he is using for professional development called GoToMeeting. This software can be used in a group setting, where members of the group are at other locations. Craig said he had completed an Inspiration workshop, where teachers from Ojibwa and other schools participated, watching his demonstration on their computer, and asking questions in real time. If you are interested in more information about this software, a great tool for PD, please go to the website: https://www1.gotomeeting.com/?Portal=www.gotomeeting.com.


 * Next meeting: April 7 at Cheyenne.**