instructional technology network
tri-county educational service center

Elementary teachers are invited to take part in a four-session course on technology integration. The class will focus on a few emerging practices and critical issues for the classroom. Sessions begin in late January.

Focal topics include age-appropriate search strategies and resource validation, communications and publication tools, and classroom resources. The target group is approximately grades 2-6, although anyone interested in these topics is welcome to attend. The full course is offered at each of three sites and is open to teachers from throughout the area.

Dates and locations:

Montgomery Elementary, Ashland City Schools
Mondays, 1/28, 2/11, 2/25, & 3/10. 4:00-6:00

Smithville High School, Green Local Schools
Wednesdays, 1/30, 2/13, 2/27, & 3/12. 4:00-6:00

Holmesville Elementary, Southeast Local Schools
Thursdays, 1/31, 2/14, 2/28, & 3/13. 4:00-6:00

8 hours of seat time (0.8 CEUs) are available for in-class participation. An additional 6 seat hours, for a total of 1.4 CEU’s, can be earned through participation in online extension activities (recommended). No prior experience with online coursework is necessary for success in this class.

Arrangements are underway with Ashland University to make credit available to those who are interested (both in-class and online participation are necessary to earn graduate credit).

To register, call Chad Lemon (x. 238) or Paula Berry (x. 257) at 330-345-6771, or send email to tesc_lemon or tesc_berry.

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Have a scheduling conflict but would like to participate? Please contact Chad at the ESC. Your input will be taken into consideration as future sessions are added or changes occur.

Image citation: Shareski, “Preparing for podcasts.” Shareski’s Photostream. 14 Aug 2007. 19 Dec 2007 <http://flickr.com/photos/shareski/1143901914>.

I’ve had a handful of links hanging around in my reader that I’ve wanted to pass along, so I’m doing a little housekeeping here and getting those posted.

• TechLEARNING.com > Making Book Trailers with PhotoStory3 (If you haven’t checked out PhotoStory before, you should at least take a look at the sample movies and screen shots in this article)
• David Warlick > Some Sample Blog Assignments Links to the New ISTE NETS-S (”NETS-S” is the National Educational Technology Standards for Students)
• Codswallop> The Excel Magician: 70+ Excel Tips and Shortcuts to help you make Excel Magic
• TechLEARNING.com > 25th Annual Awards of Excellence A great showcase of top-notch tech tools
• The Savvy Technologist > Policies 2.0: Rules for the Social Web
• TechLEARNING.com > Play That Tune: Music Sites for the Classroom
• TechLEARNING.com > Assessment with Video and PowerPoint
• TechLEARNING.com > Digital Storytelling: It’s More Than Just Software

I was impressed by an NPR story featuring Secretary Mike Leavitt of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

In the very hostile climate of government agencies where it seems that even the smallest offensive statement can spark an uprising and firing overnight, Leavitt is seeking a communication venue outside the norm for Washington. Leavitt authors a blog, found online at secretary.hhs.gov.

“I hope people have more access to me and what I’m thinking,” says Leavitt in his interview with NPR, “I can point to two or three occasions now where ideas I’ve picked up reading in a blog have led to, at least, conversations in my office and in one case a change in direction.”

When so much of what we read and hear from our leaders is delivered through carefully tailored press releases and public relations personnel, it is a notable change to read directly from the Secretary’s own writing. Leavitt notes that he writes the postings himself. “I want to maintain my postings as a personal writing”

“I don’t know that there’s ever been a cabinet secretary that’s blogged before. Maybe I can be the pioneer.”

What audiences would enjoy hearing more directly from your own writing?

Hear the rest of the interview online at NRP.org.