District 6 Technology News - Los Angeles Unified School ...



District 6 Technology News

January 2006

Dear District 6 Technology Cadre Members,

Happy New Year and welcome back! This is our 4th edition of District 6 Technology News. Archived editions of this newsletter can be found on District 6’s website at:



Please share with others. If you know of anyone who would be interested in joining District 6’s Technology Cadre Mailing List, please have them contact Janice Stearns, ITAF for Local District 6 at janice.stearns@

Contents

1. District 6 Technology Cadre Meetings for 2006

2. District Technology News

o Surveys

o Secondary Mathematics Institute – Hardware/Software Rollout

o Tech Rep

o New Tracking System on Laptops

3. Local District Technology News

o School Visits

o Equipment

o iSafe

4. Grants and Funding

5. Conferences and Professional Development

6. Technology Gems

 

1.      District 6 Technology Cadre Meetings for 2006

Our next meeting will be at Gage MS on January 19th.

Our meeting will be an opportunity to share ideas, catch up on the latest news, and equipment will be distributed for school use. On the agenda, we will discuss and plan for future events. We will have several guest presentations. We will also get a tour of Gage Middle School’s new Multimedia Studio by our host, David Billett, Technology Coordinator at Gage MS.

If you have any items to add to our agenda, or would like to share something, please e-mail Janice Stearns at janice.stearns@ . We’re looking forward to seeing you all.

 

As usual, refreshments will be served. If you would like something other than pizza and candy, please let me know. :)

Gage Middle School

2880 E Gage Ave

Huntington Park, CA 90255

Directions:

Our future meetings will be:

02/16/06 Walnut Park EL

03/16/06 Loma Vista EL

04/20/06 South Gate MS

05/18/06 SouthEast HS

All meetings will be from 3:45 – 5:15

2. District Technology News

Surveys

The 2006 California School Technology Survey – LD6 Deadline: February 17th, 2006

The 2006 California School Technology Survey is now online and ready for completion. It is imperative that one person from your school be responsible for completing this survey. This person should be familiar with the hardware, software, and staff proficiency of your school site. The Local District 6 deadline for completing this survey is Friday, February 17th. Completing the survey by this deadline ensures no last minute complications, and that your school is eligible for grant funding, including the Educational Technology K-12 Voucher Program (the Microsoft Settlement) and Enhancing Education Through Technology funding sources. Failure to complete this survey will result in being ineligible for state and federal educational technology programs.

To access and complete the survey, go to:

  Click on “Take Me the the 2006 Survey”

Survey System Type: School

County: Los Angeles

District: Los Angeles Unified

Local District 6 PIN Number: LA6217

School Survey System Password: desktop

It is not necessary to complete all sections of the survey in one setting. Each section can be saved separately. Before the final save, each previously saved section can be modified. The survey is completed when all sections have been saved and the final save has been selected. Please remember to save a copy of the completed survey for your school records.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact:

Janice Stearns, ITAF, LAUSD Local District 6

e-mail: janice.stearns@

phone: (323)278-4903

 

The EdTech Profile

The EdTech Profile, which measures technology use and proficiency, should be completed by all teachers at your school site on an annual basis. It is also very important to complete this survey to become eligible for government grants and funding. The EdTech Survey can by found at:



 

Secondary Mathematics Institute – Hardware/Software Rollout

 

All eligible Title 1 secondary schools have been notified about Carnegie and Compass software packages (computer assisted learning programs) that will be delivered to their schools, along with a laptop cart and Smartboard to enhance student success in Algebra. Training for hardware and software implementation has begun. Two math teachers, the math coach, and the technology coordinator from each school are eligible to attend training. Those wishing to attend training should contact their school site administrator for more information.

To register for these trainings, participants should enroll through LAUSD’s LearningZone at . Courses are listed in Learning Zone under Class Offerings in District Math Programs.

For more information, contact Carol Lache at the District Mathematics Programs at (213) 241-2469 or carol.lache@

 

LAUSD Tech Support Web Page

The LAUSD Tech Support Web Page offers timely information on tech related items, the latest viruses and security flaws, as well as links to tech-related services. Check it out at:



New Tracking System on Laptops

All new LAUSD laptops with the laser engraved logo on the top have an installed tracking system software, in the event of theft. If, in the unfortunate event that a laptop is stolen, please make sure to follow this protocol:

• Keep good records of invoice (purchase orders) to help aid in recovery efforts

• Call school police and keep a copy of the police report with case numbers of the incident

• Have updated insurance forms on file

• Contact Joe Oliver to report theft of these laser engraved computers

email: joe.oliver@  phone: (213)241-1362

3.  Local District 6 Technology News

School Visits

Rudy and I would like to visit every school in our local district, meet the technology leaders and administration, and offer our support in integrating technology in the curriculum. How can we support you in using technology as a curricular tool in your school? What is a good way for all of us to communicate? Bring your ideas to our next meeting on January 19th.

District 6 Equipment  

District 6 has several items to donate to schools.

• We have some older Dell laptops (4 or 5 right now) with Pentium III or Celeron processors. They have ethernet access, Windows 2000 Pro, and OpenOffice. Some need battery replacements, but otherwise run well.

• There are some VCR’s (6 or 7 right now

Throughout the year, more laptops and other equipment will become available for schools. If you have a real need for this equipment, and have the support to keep it running well, bring a brief written explanation to January’s meeting about how you would use the equipment with students. Equipment will be issued at this meeting and subsequent meetings, as more equipment becomes available.

 

I-Safe Workshop

I-Safe America is a non-profit organization which provides outreach programs to educate students, K-12, about internet safety

through a proactive and positive approach.  The materials are free after a brief training workshop.

The workshop is scheduled for Thursday, February 2, 3:45-5:00, at Local District 6, 5th Floor, Superintendents Conference Room.

Space is limited. Register early.  Additional workshops will be added if interest is indicated.

Email your intention to attend to Carol Askin (carol.askin@)

4. Grants and Funding

HP Technology for Teaching Grant Initiative

Hewlett-Packard will award grants of up to $8 million in cash and technology that are designed to facilitate innovative programs teaching with mobile technology in classrooms around the country. Grant applications are due by February 15.

Website:

Inspired Teachers Scholarships

Inspiration Software is offering twenty-five scholarships of $750 each to encourage and facilitate teachers who employ visual-learning techniques in the classroom. Five additional scholarships will be given to teachers just beginning to use such strategies. Applications must be sent by January 30.

Website:

Starbucks Foundation Grants

The Starbucks Foundation is accepting applications for grants of $5,000-$20,000 from schools and community-based organizations that have instituted programs for youth ages 6-18 that integrate literacy with personal and civic action in their local community. Letters of inquiry must be submitted by March 1.

Website:

Ing Unsung Heroes

100 awards of $2,000 each, plus additional prizes for innovative educators who improve student learning

Grant Title: ING Unsung Heroes

Organization: ING Group

Eligibility: K-12 teachers

Value: 100 awards of $2,000 each, plus additional prizes.

Deadline: May 1, 2006

ING started the Unsung Heroes awards program in 1995 as a reflection of its commitment to the educational community. The awards are given to K-12 educators pioneering in new methods and techniques that improve student learning. Educators submit applications describing projects they have initiated or would like to create. Their applications are judged on their innovative teaching methods, creative educational projects, and ability to make a positive influence on the children they teach.

Additional Information:

 

Grant Application:

 

5. Conferences and Professional Development

 

InfoTECH 2006 : Applications for Participants

LAUSD’s InfoTECH 2006 will be held at the Pasadena Conference Center (300 East Green Street) on Saturday, March 25th, 2006 from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. All schools are encouraged to participate. There are events for students, teachers, and parents.

The Student Showcase is an opportunity for student teams to showcase their projects, integrating technology into the curriculum.

The Student Competition – Digital Chef will involve 9th through 12th grade student teams that will complete a multimedia project in the course of 3 hours during the event. Team members must be familiar with html, digital imaging, and Microsoft Office’s suite of applications.

Round Table Discussions will give conference attendees an opportunity to share ideas in a discussion format about education technology related subjects.

Additional information and application forms can now be found online at: Deadline for submitting applications for the Student Showcase is January 30th.

For questions or concerns, please contact Mary Cervantes at mary.cervantes@ or (213) 241-2633

Free TechEd Conference

The TechEd Conference, which takes place directly after our own LAUSD InfoTECH on March 27th-29th, is offering free registration for all LAUSD educators. Some of the sessions in the early evening will be geared towards K-12 educators. TechEd tickets will soon be available at your school. Use these tickets when you register for the conference at:



If you will be attending the TechEd Conference during the school day a Conference Attendance form needs to be submitted.  Substitute coverage is the school’s responsibility.

UPDATE Courses

LAUSD teachers can earn free salary points by taking UPDATE courses. UPDATE courses offer teachers ways to learn to integrate technology into the curriculum. There are many face to face courses, as well as a growing number of online courses. Interested teachers can enroll in UPDATE classes through Learning Zone at

CTAP LACOE Courses

Check out LACOE’s Workshop Registration page for available courses on integrating technology.

PBS TeacherLine

PBS is now offering online courses in many different curricular areas. Most courses cost $199 and are eligible for graduate credit. Visit or call (800) 572-6386 for more information.

Handheld (Palm) Integration Training

This 2 day training for K-12 educators or administrators will provide participants with a high quality, hands-on focused learning experience. The $150 fee includes 2 days of training, resource materials on using handhelds, AND a palmOne Zire 72 handheld computer (or HP iPaq Pocket PC)

To register, go to:

6. Technology Gems

 

Protopage

Protopage is an online web space that is can contain sticky notes, links, and news feeds all on one page. It’s free to use and very easy to configure. Try it out at:



If it’s something you would like to use, registration is easy and quick, but does require e-mail verification.

In about 3 minutes, I created a sample page with useful links, a sticky note, and selected news feeds.

This would be a quick and easy way to post homework assignments and useful links for students to use.

Writely

Writely is a free, online word processor. In order to use it, you must complete a registration form and verify your registration through e-mail. Students or staff members could use it to work collaboratively on documents. After you create an account, you can save, edit, and print documents as easily as using a computer based word processor. Very cool! Check it out at:



Ta-da Lists

An online sharable, to-do list generator. Create simple checklists and/or assign tasks to certain people. This would be a good tool for classroom projects. Try it at:



If you have any Technology Gems you would like to share, please send them to me.

I hope you have found this helpful. Useful information is also posted on our District 6 website at:

Janice Stearns, Instructional Technology Applications Facilitator

LAUSD Local District 6 Instructional Services

5800 S. Eastern

Commerce, CA 90040

(323)278-4903

janice.stearns@

Rudy Rizo, Instructional Technology Applications Facilitator

LAUSD Instructional Technology, Central Office

rudy.rizo@

Approved by Sharon Sweet, Administrator of Instruction, LAUSD Local District 6

If you do not wish to be part of this e-mail list, please reply back requesting to be removed.

 

Janice Stearns

Instruction Technology Applications Facilitator

Local District 6, LAUSD

(323) 278-4903

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