There are several exciting intiatives happening between now and the Christmas break. Technology Services is continuing with Active Directory migrations at campuses. We are also continuing the projector deployments and bond-funded computer deployments.

Training & Development has 7 more Training on Wheels classes scheduled, as well as campus deployment training on Office 2007.  We have 6 classes scheduled at NLC too! We are also working on training guides for the Elmo document camera, keyboard scanner, and Access.   The Technology Competencies website will continue to be updated as training materials are created.  Principals and CATs learned more about the competencies at recent meetings.  CITs will hear more at their next meetings. We are also co-hosting (with Academic Technology) the technology miniconference on November 14.

The Curriculum Management System and Munis Business System are both receiving updates in November. Academic Technology is working on training guides for CMS and the BEHRT team is working on training for Munis.

We may only have 5 weeks of school until the break, but we are staying really busy!

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Scenerio: Parent walks into the school and wants to use the computer in the library. There is an open computer. Students are not waiting to use a computer.  Do you allow the parent access?

According to the Acceptable Use training course:

• Community members are granted access with the understanding that student use takes priority.
• All users are required to sign or electronically acknowledge a user agreement annually for issuance or renewal of an account.
• Access may be denied to any student, employee or community member for noncompliance with any policies, procedures or guidelines of the District. Any user identified as a security risk or as having violated District and/or campus guidelines may be denied access or have their access revoked.

Yes, parents are permitted to use NISD owned computers. They should log into the network with the guest log in that is sent to the CIT, CAT, and Librarian.  Their use of the Internet is filtered just like the students.  This may need to be explained to the parent/community member. Another important piece is to have them sign the Agreement for Acceptable Use of the District’s Electronic Communications System by a Member of the Community form.

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The Employee Technology Competencies were presented to the Board of Trustees on September 28, 2004. These competencies were to be a guide for staff to “self-assess” their knowledge and skills, then they were to use the competencies to guide their technology-related professional development.  Back in 2004, we were still trying to convince employees that using technology could help them become more effective in their jobs. We were trying to convince teachers that students are more engaged when using technology. We were trying to convince employees that technology was a good thing – not something to be afraid of.

Five years later we have just completed a revision of the Employee Technology Competencies.  This time, I don’t think we have to try to convince employees of the benefits of technology in education. I believe that teachers and administrators see “digital natives” using technology everyday.  It is the adult population, the “digital immigrants”, that still struggle with technology use. But it is different this time around.  There is a different set of expectations with regard to technology use now. We expect employees (and students) to know how to use the technology tools provided in the District. We believe that effective use of technology is critical throughout the organization to facilitate improved teaching and learning, productivity and professional practice, and support, management, and operations. One of the 2008-2013 Strategic Plan goals is to “Provide appropriate staff development opportunities that meet the needs of diverse learners in order to promote continuous growth of technology competencies expected for successful job performance.” 

Technology Training & Development has been working towards revising the Employee Technology Competencies for over a year.  New training guides have been created. More video-based tutorials, quick start guides, and additional classes have been created. We are gearing up for a  Jump Start program to support the bond deployed campuses, as well as taking our training on the road with the extremely popular Training on Wheels initiative. Our hope is that we will help you become proficient with the applications and tools you need to be successful in your job.   Employee Technology Competencies – guiding you in your selection of technology-related professional development.

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The Training on Wheels initiative provides NISD staff access to technology training at locations throughout the District.  ANY NISD employee can attend ANY of the sessions.  Training classes held at elementary campuses begin at 3:30 pm and training classes held at secondary campuses begin at 4:30 pm.  All sessions are 2 hours and CPE and Teacher Choice hours are awarded for successfully completing the class.  Registration is handled in ERO for those with access to this program.  If you do not have an ERO account, you can register by calling 397-8126.

Here is a sample of some of the classes being offered this fall:

• MovieMaker 100: Multimedia Fundamentals ~ Lackland City Elementary~October 7
• Photostory 3 ~ Murnin Elementary ~ October 8
• Excel 100: Spreadsheet Basics (2003) ~ Stevens HS ~ October 14
• Excel 110: Filters, Formulas, & Functions (2003) ~ Wanke Elementary ~ October 15
• Access 100: Database Basics (2003) ~ Carlos Coon Elementary ~ October 21

To view the complete Training on Wheels schedule, click here.

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You asked for it!  You got it!  This fall Technology Services is hosting our first NISD 2.0 mini-conference focusing on Web 2.0 applications. The NISD 2.0-We Got The Beat Technology Mini Conference will be on November 14th at Warren HS.

What is Web 2.0?  Web 2.0 is an interactive, collaborative web design and development.  Some examples of Web 2.0 are social networking sites (Facebook, MySpace), blogs (like this one), Wikipedia, and other web-based applications that allow multiple people to contribute to the content.  A Web 2.0 site allows multiple users to add content or change the content of the website.

The NISD Web 2.0 Mini-Conference will have sessions on blogs, wikis, and other interactive sites.  In addition, there will be sessions focusing on the “latest and greatest” hardware like ipods, mobis, flip video cameras, and more!

Keep in mind that this is a MINI CONFERENCE – not to be compared to our yearly eCamp technology conference in June.  We have planned 20 sessions for this 1/2 day event.  Registration will be through ERO – just search for Tech Beat.  HURRY!  Space is Limited!

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There is still time to register for the NISD 2.0 – We Got The Beat mini conference.  The conference will be held at Warren HS on November 14 from 8:30 – 11:45 am.  This is a great way to get Teacher Choice and CPE hours!

Sessions include:
Speed Geeking – Learn about MP3, netTrekker, CPS Clickers,wikis, mobies, flip videos, and ipods.
Are you a Smart & Savvy Digital Citizen? – learn how to keep yourself and your students safe in the digital world.
Tools for the 21st century: Google Tools – learn about some of the over 40 free Google products.
Amplify your Classroom with Audacity – voice recording of students or yourself.
Google Earth: Tips, Tricks, and Lessons – great way to share geography!
The Wonder World of Wikis – create a wiki to collaborate on projects.
World Book Online – Differentiated Instruction – learn about all the NEW features!

Don’t miss out on the fun!  Register today in ERO.  Search for Tech Beat.

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