1. Empowering Educators by Sharing Technology Resources Presented by: Margie Brown and Therese Turman Georgia Tech Research Institute Presented by: Margie Brown and Therese Turman Georgia Tech Research Institute

2. Overview of Presentation u Foundations for the Future u Explorers Guild u Workshop Demonstrations u Questions and Answers

3. Foundations for the Future (F3)

4. Background of F3 u A collaboration of a higher education institution and industry representatives working with the support of key agencies and educators

5. Focus of F3 u Help accelerate the application of telecom technology for interconnecting K-12 schools for collaborative learning, remote access to educational facilities, and Internet-based resources in Georgia.

6. F3 Funding u Provided initially by the AT&T Foundation through a $2 million grant. u In July 1998, F3 was awarded an annual allocation of $295 from the State of Georgia.

7. The Team Dara O’NeilJeff Evans Claudia Huff Jim Demmers Margie BrownLeigh FitzpatrickVicki Ainslie Therese Turman Chris Evans Jay Sexton

8. What We Do u Provide technical assistance and resources u Provide proposal writing assistance u Provide policy input

9. What Else We Do u Sponsor and present at workshops and conferences u Provide a monthly community newsletter “OuttaSite!” u Provide training and information outreach to K-12 schools in Georgia

10. Explorers Guild http://www.f3program.org/explore

11. Objectives for Explorers Guild u Opportunities for teachers/administrators to learn:  new technology tools  cutting-edge applications to assist in the classroom  strategies for increasing funding base u Georgia Tech researchers lend their technical expertise in an informal setting

12. The Concept u The Explorers Guild mission is to develop a teacher-driven professional development component for F3 u Teachers take learning and technology savvy back to students, parents, and the community u Explorers Guild attendees receive SDU credits

13. The Forum u Key Functions  Professional Development Facility  Model Classroom  Learning Technology Testbed  Technology Transfer Center

14. In the Beginning....... u May 1999, the Explorers Guild began as the Internet Explorers Club u Facilitated first workshop to gather feedback from teachers u Examples of past workshops

15. Workshop Structure u Administer annual assessment of workshops as needed to:  redefine objectives  broaden focus  develop more proactive marketing approach u Survey the needs of our audience

16. Workshop Structure (cont.) u Facilitate workshops to get speakers/instructors for the audience u Evaluate all workshops for their effectiveness u Develop and maintain following via email list and mailings

17. Future E.G. Outreach u Email list keeps teachers/administrators updated on technology related issues u DeKalb County School System–community focused workshops in conjunction with the Family Technology Resource Centers

18. Workshop Demonstrations HTML Web Design Online Funding Sources http://www.f3program.org/explore/meetings/

19. Questions and Answers

20. Contact Information Margie Brown 404-894-8069 margie.brown@gtri.gatech.edu Therese Turman 404-385-1305 therese.turman@gtri.gatech.edu http://www.f3program.org