Photo Acknowledgements: © Media Awareness Network, Canada GVSD T.O.T.S. Tech PD Session #1: Technology in GVSD: A ‘Primer’ Instructor: Dave Hildebrand GVSD ICT Coordinator

Session Outline Welcome and Introductions Why Technology and Tech PD? Orientation to technology in GVSD Manitoba Education & Literacy with ICT Surveying the Technology ‘Landscape’ A look at software in GVSD

Technology in Education: Why? Young people are technologically fearless. Captures the power of the narrative and ‘story’ (J. Bruner) Allows students to develop a voice, collaborate, organize, debate, create, and…participate. Offers students an authentic ‘audience’ Develop essential skills Games have their place-but watch out for “skill and drill” activities The huge positive potential children have and the vital role they have to play in shaping the world Laying a foundation for future learning and future living…

What is ICT Literacy? “…the ability to evaluate critically the intellectual, human and social strengths and weaknesses, potentials and limits, benefits and costs of information technologies, which includes a historical perspective.” (Shapiro and Hughes 1996)

Why T.O.T.S. Tech PD? More meaningful/immersed approach to PD PD historically driven by several mandates/initiatives: –(1) ME “Literacy with ICT Across the Curriculum” –(2) GVSD “Technology Integration Plan” (TIP) Expectation that all teachers can be ICT-literate; ensure parity in all the schools Potential to produce ICT “champions” in our division There is a range of learners; teachers and students all on a journey Want to build the idea of a Professional Learning Community, rather than a training program with ‘tiers’ –Share best practices

“21st-century students must develop multiple literacies that will allow them to respond to changing ideas, attitudes, and technologies as their communities and their world evolve.” - from Literacy with ICT Across the Curriculum 2006 Yes it’s a learning community that includes you the teachers… But, it’s not only about you—it’s also about the students. It’s about learning how to empower them and engage them through ICT! Why T.O.T.S. Tech PD?

Tech PD Emphasis in the Past “GVSD Tech College” Model – Emphasis on the tools… –Web 2.0 tools: Wikis & Blogs –Notebook & Data Projector setup –Multimedia/Movie Maker –Desktop Publishing/MS Publisher –Copyright/Online resources –Intro to Literacy with ICT –Literacy with ICT Snapshots/portfolios –Literacy with ICT/Evidence gathering

Tech PD Direction for the Future Emphasis on pedagogy—not the technology Assessment as a prime consideration –How Literacy with ICT fits in. Tools that support teacher participation in a professional learning network/community. –i.e. Letting the network do most of the work! –Using online tools like Novell Vibe, Moodle, Twitter, etc.Novell VibeMoodleTwitter Exposure to the tools available in our division –Training for those who want this –Recognition that each school is unique Exposure to emerging/’cutting-edge’ technologies Focus on projects that integrate/infuse technology

A Bit of GVSD Technology History…, Novell Collaboration Tools (e.g. Novell Vibe)

How things look in GVSD (Under the TIP ) School Principals Technician

GVSD Technology Integration Plan (TIP ) Released in 2006, and valid till 2011 GVSD’s “custom” response to LwICT Go beyond equipment acquisition – move toward true technology integration across the curriculum Includes an ICT literacy continuum for both teachers and students. Sets clear targets for technology use

GVSD Technology Integration Plan TIP ( ) Includes 5 major goals: #1 – Technology Curriculum Integration #2 – Professional Development #3 – Software/Hardware Technical Support #4 – Financial Supports #5 – Ongoing Implementation, Evaluation and Revision **TIP Review process will happen this year, and a new TIP will be developed

GVSD Technology Vision for the Future Develop Fiber-optic infrastructure Move to Web-based applications Move towards a one-to-one computing model –Public networks will allow students to bring their own technology into the school = huge shift required in teaching methodology Give teachers the “next generation” collaboration tools –Eg. Novell Vibe; Novell PulseNovell Vibe –Google WaveGoogle Wave – Got a great new idea for tech integration? –talk to your Principal, Tech Facilitator, ICT Coordinator

Teacher Tech Support: HelpDesk Step #1: Teacher sends an to the GVSD HelpDesk system. The address will be the three-letter name of the school, followed eg. The system sends this request as an to the school facilitator Step #2: The facilitator sends the details of the request through the Helpdesk system, and it goes to the appropriate IT technician.

Teacher Tech Support: HelpDesk Step #3: The IT technician will reply to the teacher and possibly have some questions. *Teachers are asked to reply with further details. Step #4: An note is sent to the teacher once the problem is resolved. The school facilitator can see in the HelpDesk system that the problem has been resolved.

Improving Notebook Longevity: “Hot Tips” Avoid the following: 1. wrapping the power cord up tightly – these cords break easily 2.Running your notebook battery down below the 10% level – always stay plugged in if you can 3.Installing many personalized applications – eg. iTunes 4.Power off your notebook when you go home – the heat in the brief case isn’t helpful 5.Spilling beverages onto the keyboard

Improving Notebook Longevity: “Hot Tips” Try to do the following: 1.Save files into your My Documents folder – to ensure backups 2.Allway Sync is running to ensure network saving-don’t change this 3.Clean notebook periodically with a soft damp cloth 4.Burn CD/DVD backups annually Other Common Issues: Forgetting to take “Workstation Only” off when you log in at school Forgetting to turn your wireless, or presentation button on Proxy Login – Why do I have to keep logging in? System crash – Restart: It’s amazing what a reboot can do!

A Bit of ME History… 1990 – The Web is invented Early 90’s – Software-based, slow networks 1998 document: Technology as a Foundation Skill Area: A Journey Toward Information Technology Literacy. Focus still on technology and skills, not the students! (e.g. Keyboarding) Curriculum Navigator developed 2006 document: Literacy with ICT Across the Curriculum (see handbook)handbook It’s now student-centered. - Using ICT in a 21 st Century context  Creativity and Collaboration.

History Put Another Way… In the Good Ol’ Days… Only computer “nerds” taught computers Software programs were king Assessment wasn’t a big concern The Good News today… You get to do what you do best—teach students many things—and also use ICT to enhance the learning! It’s student centered

Literacy with ICT Across the Curriculum LwICT mandated by MECY for all K-8 in 2009 –Sets a path and goals for teachers/students to follow ICT literacy on the report card since 2009 –Continuum is an assessment toolContinuum The result of much research and planning Evaluated by Alan November and others Manitoba is ahead of other provinces & states. –Northwest Territories adopting MB’s LwICT –Parts of Ontario looking at it also

What constitutes “ICT”? Stands for: Information and Communications Technology. Includes: –Computers –Laptops –Internet/Web –Digital cameras –Video cameras –Scanners –Cell Phones –Digital audio devices –Global positioning systems –Electronic Whiteboards –Digital microscopes –Electronic game systems –Etc.

“ICT Literacy” vs. “Literacy with ICT” Is there a difference? Students must now think critically and creatively with ICT within each subject area Students must use ICT in ethical and responsible ways. Students today must: –Plan inquiries –Ask questions –Gather information –Make sense of it (critical thinking) –Produce something that shows they understand, and communicate to others. –Reflect on it (creative thinking)

Technology Infusion… What is Technology “Infusion”? The transparent application of ICT, wherever and whenever appropriate, to enhance critical and creative thinking. Infusion says “it’s not about the computers; it’s about teaching students to be creative and critical thinkers.” The computer is just a tool that we use to get to our real goals.

LwICT Requirements Summarized All K–8 classroom teachers: –will provide learning opportunities for their students to develop literacy with ICT across the curriculum. –must use the LwICT Continuum as their assessment tool –are responsible for the development, assessment, and reporting to parents of student literacy with ICT across the curriculum. Teachers will share responsibility with students as appropriate. ICT is no longer a separate “curriculum”

LwICT Requirements Summarized Other members of the learning community, such as resource teachers, teacher- librarians, teacher mentors, and others, may be involved as required. All parents will be provided with evidence of their child's literacy with ICT so they can support their children. All school divisions will support their teachers and students in developing literacy with ICT. –Eg. ICT Coordinator, Tech College, PD, etc.

Two ‘Good News’ Items 1. “ICT” stands for Information and Communications Technology, and includes: –computers, laptops, digital cameras, video cameras, digital microscopes, scanners, cell phones, electronic games, digital audio devices, GPS, electronic whiteboards, electronic heart monitors, the Internet…in short…almost anything! 2. You decide what and when: “…the transparent application of ICT, wherever and whenever appropriate, to enhance critical and creative thinking.” [Quote from the LwICT Handbook]

Why a Continuum? A Continuum paints a picture of how students are developing over time. (1) Since ICT is no longer a separate “curriculum”, the continuum is congruent with existing concepts across the curriculum (2) The focus is on what students can do, so learners of any age are able to find themselves on the continuum. (3) Since continuums are focused on the student, it provides a vehicle for students to self-assess and set goals for their learning.

What’s the LwICT Continuum About? (1)Critical thinking Plan and Question Gather and Make Sense (2) Creative thinking Produce to Show Understanding Communicate Reflect (3) Ethics and Responsibility Ethics and Responsibility Social Implications Collaboration Motivation and Confidence

LwICT Continuum (see document)document

LwICT Continuum Students grow in depth

Report Card Scheme With respect to ICT, students will move through 4 stages as learners: Stage #1: Emerging LearnerEmerging Learner Stage #2: Developing LearnerDeveloping Learner Stage #3: Transitioning LearnerTransitioning Learner Stage #4: Expanding LearnerExpanding Learner Teachers and students can “backwards plan” with clear targets in place

Students & Global Technology Trends

Some Interesting facts about Young Teens... Kids are the biggest users of the Internet. Canadian studies show that children ages most vulnerable according to RCMP Internet Taskforce on Child Protection in England revealed: –Most children view Net as “safe”, and feel they are in control. –Girls felt they could easily spot a pedophile. MP3s are now the #1 download. Also quickly becoming biggest group involved in text messaging

21 st Century Characteristics Internet Economy ► –Going ‘Global’ (ie. “The World is Flat”) Also alleviating global hunger and disease? –New Inter-connectedness → What does “community” mean and look like then? –i.e. Who is my neighbor? –i.e. Who is my friend?

Online Social Networking

Video Sharing/User Generated Content

Second Life

Second Life – Cont’d

21 st Century Characteristics (cont’d) Knowledge management ► –What are the tools? Will they be free? –The larger question: What is the truth, and who will we entrust to organize the truth? (eg. Google? Microsoft? Government?) Can computers and artificial intelligence-- using logic, do this?

Is Google a good measure of world knowledge and sentiments? See Google’s Hot Trends - assembling data has begunHot Trends See Google Suggest (ie. instant on)– artificial intelligence based just on raw world-wide data?Google Suggest Google censors results based on government pressure. Eg. China, U.S., etc. “Screen scraping” eg. MSN searches Google Google Earth is getting increasingly realistic--but still lacks elements related to human movement and interaction→Google now developing its own ‘Second Life’ virtual world! Google labs is busy -

Google Wave & Novell Pulse Google Wave - is an online tool for real-time communication and collaboration. A wave can be both a conversation and a document where people can discuss and work together using richly formatted text, photos, videos, maps, and more. Novell Vibe & Pulse – allows people continents apart to work together in real-time, sharing and co- browsing information or creating or editing a document. _mode=true&persist_safety_mode=1http:// _mode=true&persist_safety_mode=1

Session #2 next week… Collaboration in the Classroom & Beyond