Breakout Sessions for Thursday, March 12, 2009

Thursday, March 12, 2009

TH201: Navigating beyond the Now:  The Force, Trends, and Signals that will impact Learning in the Next Decade (Spotlight Session)
SALON A

Using the newly released, second iteration of the Map of Future Forces Affecting Education published by KnowledgeWorks Foundation and the Institute for the Future, the presenter will offer a compelling glimpse into the future of education taking into account the Forces, Trends and Signals that researchers have identified as playing a significant role in disrupting, redirecting and reshaping today’s education and learning environment.

With the Map as a visual guide, the presenter will walk the audience through the new world of education as envisioned for the next decade, highlighting and defining these forces, trends and signals and introducing the new agents of learning which will contribute to expanding and redefining the education profession and the role of education in community life.

TH202: Digital Technology Literacy Curriculum
ESSENTIAL SKILLS: Education & Training
SALON B

Learn how Chicago Public Schools (CPS) developed a comprehensive technology literacy curriculum for students ages 11 - 15 that incorporate core curriculum concepts.  Participants will be introduced to the Technology Literacy Curriculum and learn how CPS is implementing the digital content throughout the district.  CPS partnered with Intel Education to host the curriculum making it accessible in the public domain to school districts internationally.

TH203: Small District Data Leadership
ESSENTIAL SKILLS: Leadership & Vision
SALON D

This presentation shows how small-to-medium sized school districts can transform teaching and learning through the use of technology to drive student achievement results to the classroom on a daily basis.   See how the use of summative assessment data can be easily managed by end-users themselves and how it is possible for teachers and administrators to love a data management system and use it effectively to drive instruction.

TH204: Advocacy Session
ESSENTIAL SKILLS: Policies & Ethics
SALON E

Advocating before a Change Administration and a New Congress. Come hear the latest on the people and policies of the new Administration and the Congressional forecast for big issues, such as No Child Left Behind and ATTAIN, E-Rate and broadband, and FY10 funding. Also, receive tips on working with the new President and the new Congress.

TH205: Teaching in Teen Second Life: No Avatar Left Behind
ESSENTIAL SKILLS: Systems Management
MR406

My presentation will outline the fantastic journey of Ramapo Islands in Second Life, the first middle school presence on the Teen Grid. Two years of translating standard-based curriculum into the virtual platform has resulted in highly engaging, rigorous learning and I will show examples of student work, interviews with students and teachers, and outline the process for others considering this brave new world. Attendees will see what the "guide on the side" really looks like in a virtual campus where students are practicing academic and social skills in a safe and secure learning community.

TH206: CareerForward(R): A case study on achieving fidelity at scale in online learning
ESSENTIAL SKILLS: Education & Training and Planning & Budgeting
MR408

Achieving information technology innovation "at scale" is one of the most difficult and important challenges facing educators, school technology officers, and policymakers today.  This research-based presentation examines the Microsoft Partners in Learning (MPiL) CareerForward(R) “free courseware” initiative, developed in partnership with Michigan Virtual University (MVU) and Michigan Department of Education (MDE). Using interviews, surveys, pre and post course evaluations, and web usage data, we evaluate the program's effectiveness in terms of CareerForward’s adoption rate, usage, and impact on student learning.  Our results provide valuable insight into the ways educational technology leaders can leverage policy to facilitate innovation and the considerations required for successful implementation.

TH208: The Scottish Educational Intranet – Glow
ESSENTIAL SKILLS: Leadership & Vision
MR412

The session will focus on the Glow Project in Scotland, the first national intranet of its kind with 800,000 core educational users.  There will be brief explanation of what Glow is, including the nature of integrating Virtual Learning Environments, video-conferencing, chat, messenger, etc; and the challenges overcome in doing so.  Issues related to roll-out of Glow and its implementation by the Scottish Government, the national curriculum agency and all local authorities across Scotland.  Hear about potential developments as Glow evolves.  Discuss how such a solution could be implemented in U.S. states or districts?

TH210: Integrating Video and Technology into Your Classroom
ESSENTIAL SKILLS: Education & Training
MR404

Are you wanting to incorporate video and pictures into your class but you aren’t sure how? Join in on the fun as we learn all about SchoolTube, a free media sharing website. Walk away with fun ways to use video in your class as well as helpful technology resources just a click away!