ITEC Conference-Monday Sessions

On Monday, Oct. 17 the whole technology department at Hampton-Dumont CSD had the chance to attend the ITEC Conference in Des Moines.  It was a great experience full of awesome sessions to get ideas on how technology is used in other schools, how to integrate technology, why technology pd is essential and much, much more.  Here are a few of the sessions I attended and some of the material/information I gathered from them.

Integrating for Technology Into the Classroom
2 classroom teachers showcased the tools they use in their classroom, with 3rd and 4th grade students, to integrate technology into the student's everyday learning.  Here a couple of the web sites that would seem proactive and effective with students.

Fun 4 the Brain
All my Faves
TodaysMeet
Class Tools



21st Century Skills Implementation - a district's story
Woodward-Granger took the drastic steps of providing as much PD as possible with a heavy focus on Technology PD, this meant PD every Wednesday.  Although it took them 3 years to get to where they are now, they definitely took baby steps and teachers are starting to see the pay off.  Right now I think H-D is getting there with Year 1 of PD and Technology PD.

Using Google Scripts, Forms, and Calendar to Streamline Processes
Spirit Lake CSD took the initiative to utilize Google Forms and Google Calendar to schedule transportation, facilities and maintenance work orders.  Definitely something that would hopefully speed up and reassure the process but some leg work would need to be done to get just the little part of this going.

We need more PD! and other mythes about technology integration
A speaker from GenerationYes showcased the need to have students more involved with technology, as they KNOW technology and do not have to be TAUGHT technology.  The whole idea correlates around getting students involved with Technology PDs with teachers, students being more involved with the teachers in the classroom for both teacher and student technology support and more.  This is something H-D is pushing towards with getting students more involved in helping both teachers and students and providing their spin on Technology and its uses during Technology PDs.

Computer (not=to) a Wrench!
This session addressed "how can this thing amplify learning?" demanding focus on the computer as a medium of thinking, (like writing) rather than this 'tool' that merely emulates other media.  I thought that made a lot of sense: "Computer as a MEDIUM of thinking, (LIKE WRITING) rather than this 'tool.'  Definitely something to think about when using technology.