Findings at the AEA 267 InfoTech Advisory Board Meeting

I learned about TrueFlix (very similar to BookFlix but for 3rd-5th graders) yesterday at an AEA 267 meeting.  I have played around with it a little bit, but it is affiliated with AEA267 and uses the same AEA267 Username and Password assigned to each building.  It is not on the www.iowaaeaonline.orgweb site as not all AEAs in the state subscribe to it yet.  Take a look around, see if it would work for you, a couple students or all your students and if you think it might be beneficial add as a link to your SchoolFusion page(s).

I also learned about neibors.lib.overdrive.com for your AudioBook and/or eBook needs through the public libraries.  When you get to the web site, click on the Quick Reference Guide on the left hand side for more information, but essentially if you have a public library card you have access to download free audiobooks to be played on your computer or mp3 devices and access to download free ebooks for your ebook devices such as Kindle, Nook, iPad and more.

Lastly I learned that AEA267 will be offering, hopefully before May, a new online print center so we are able to order larger prints and more graphical prints over the internet, just like you would order something online through Amazon.com.  You can place your order, upload your order, track your order and create an order to be printed and then shipped to you instead of having to fill out a form each time and email it along with your attachments.  

Also Iowa AEA PD Online is looking for more online instructors to teach classes online to other teaching professionals needing certification or graduate credit hours.  If you feel this is something you are interested in check out the Iowa AEA PD online link above.

Findings at the AEA 267 Technology Integrationist Meeting

Findings at the AEA 267 Technology Integrationist Meeting shows that Hampton-Dumont, compared to other schools, has some technology areas to improve on, but is excelling in many areas of technology that we should feel accomplished about, yet wanting to further achieve more.

Areas to Improve on
Using software, applications, online tools to promote student learning, K-12
Using Google Forms for formative and summative assessments including Semester Tests to try and make testing a more paperless environment
Exploring the possibility of iPads
1:1 Laptop Classroom Management
Returning students documents paperlessly (Google Docs Collections is a possibility)

Areas we are Excelling
Teachers use of technology through Tech PDs
Teachers showcasing their use of technology through Tech PDs
Uses of Bulldog Byte in classrooms and outside of classrooms
Using the 1:1 Laptops
Turning in student documents through SchoolFusion

Technology Instructional Rounds

Starting next week I am going to make some more Technology Instructional rounds, as the 2nd semester is beginning at the HS and MS on Monday.  I am hoping to get into most of the classrooms for 10-12 minutes to gain a better idea of what the students are learning, what the teachers are teaching, and how technology can better enhance/differentiate the learning and teaching in the classrooms to provide a well-rounded education for all participants.

My hope is to gather a least 1 piece of information from each class to be able to build upon and look into to better provide technology ideas to the teachers and students.

We will see what happens and what I can gain from listening to the teachers, watching the students and seeing what items on their walls will better help me understand their curriculum.

3 Technology Resolutions for 2012

A few things to try out with Technology for the 2012 year and the rest of the 2011-2012 school year.

Find or be an edtech mentor/friend with another educator at your school.
     You most likely have a mentor/friend that you converse with related to teaching and learning.  Use that same mentor/fried or find another mentor/friend that you feel comfortable using technology with to be a edtech mentor/fried when you need help or support with technology personally and/or with students.

Try Twitter (really!)  www.twitter.com
     I have been user twitter for the past year, without even personally posting a comment, and have gained numerous ideas and thoughts related to technology and a variety of educational topics.
Try searching and following #edtech or #edchat when you setup a Free account.


Join a Professional EdTech Network
     I have recently done this but have not explored it enough.  Very similar to how local Professional Learning Networks (PLNs) might be setup between you and your colleagues, try joining an online Professional EdTech Network to receive emails or notifications with ideas and content related to your interests.  Below are some to look into.
www.iste.org
www.edupln.org 


Thoughts and ideas gathered from: http://www.guide2digitallearning.com/blog_jim_vanides/3_edtech_tips_resolutions_2012