Minutes+2.09

2/9/2009 Instructional Technology Council Meeting
1.    Technology Curriculum Council goals were reviewed and updated with council members. Goals are available for viewing on the Wikispaces website under Council Goals 2008-09. Main and first goal is to get NETS out to teachers giving examples of how they can be assimilated into the grade level curriculum by classroom teachers. Other goals include finding ways to introduce UDL concepts to instructional staff and Professional Development. Rita will report on PD at the next meeting. 2.   Building Level Reports – Ojibwa is working with an NCA group looking at creating lessons and examples for use of technology in the classroom. More to be shared in the future. 3.   Nettrekker DI – To use this program, you must login through Michigan Learnport. You will need to sign in as a new user. This program allows you to take online classes also. In the resources tab on the left, we will be exploring Nettrekker DI. By searching on a keyword, you can find websites with correlating materials, activities and other resources. You can use the readability button to choose sites that are grade appropriate. (Level 1 – Lower El., Level 2 – Upper El., Level 3 – Middle School, etc.) The “Open Read Aloud” button will allow for reading of highlighted text on webpages for students who need to support. There is also a function that allows for correlation of website to GLCE’s. This site also allow for bookmarking and saving sites for future use. Some other unique features include ready made timelines (with links to websites), the ability to explore a famous person (by choosing gender, era, ethnicity, etc. to generate a list of possibilities), images. Site is set up for three distinct levels—Elementary, Middle, and High School. 4.   Please be sure you have joined the Wikispaces site for the council. If you are not, please contact Jan or Rita for assistance. We will be working on the NETS Standards on this site and all editing and adding to the page. Use your worksheets from last month to help you type in sample activities under the appropriate standard on the wiki (click the NETS Standards page to access the page, then click “Edit this Page” at the top to begin writing). Please make sure you periodically save your work on the Wiki page. 5.   FYI – Elementary laptops (Gateway computers that don't start with "S") will be replaced in the next three months excluding Sequoyah and Shawnee. Craig will have further details to share next month.

NEXT MEETING: March 9, 2009 @ Seneca Middle School Media Center. Greg Findlayson is promising "snacks" for the meeting! :)