Wow, it feels good to actually be able to take a breath, even a short one… Normally, our summers are non-stop with technology training, and those first few weeks when schools are back in session, we here in instructional technology get to catch our breath before we are out in schools modeling lessons and holding professional development experiences. Not the case this fall with the district rolling out PowerSchool.
Let me say here, we appreciate all the positive comments on the training experience. We were able to train 1000 teachers in a week and with our Point of Contacts in each building many more were reached. We could not do without the POCs as they are the eyes and ears of where we have trouble spots. My appreication goes out to each and every one of them.
We have made it past the first progress report and are busy designing the Kindergarten progress report and then Report Cards. I say cards because we have several to design to meet the needs of all grade levels. Please be patient as we work to make each the best we can make it. We always look forward to feedback. Remember also that what maybe a good idea is not always feasible or possible given the diverse grade levels/needs and the program we work within. Still all ideas and suggestions are considered and honored whenever possible.
Let me turn now to technology integration for a bit. We are going to try some Saturday offerings this year. My teachers, all 1900+, are tired at 4:30 when we hold afterschool sessions, and with all the other district work going on after school it is almost impossible to find a date that works for all. I realize some do not want to give a Saturday, but we promise to make them outstanding learning experiences for those who need professional development sessions. The Technology Integration Coaches will also hold some sessions in the buildings they are working in, but only when sufficient numbers are willing to meet. Last year sessions were held with an expected crowd of adequate size due to participate, and for one reason or another few would come. This Saturday will be our first with a target audience of our new teachers, model classroom training, and InterWrite training / usergroup. In the future as we do a Saturday offering there will be a variety of sessions held. Some will be 6 hour while others will be 3 hour and the many topics will be varied.
Teacher ICT Certification sessions will be held this year but most likely not until next semester. During the school year we will be revamping that course to match the new National Education Technology Standards for Teachers adopted by ISTE this past summer. Stay tuned for details. The revised training will be held for the first time next summer.
