Techno Ain't Cheapo

In helping prepare the budget for the EDUC5625 Group Project, I'm learning how outrageously expensive it is to get even a mid-sized school into the 21st century. Software alone, such as Adobe CS, rented for a 3 year period for a school servicing 1000 students with 50 teachers will run you around $1,133,622.00 . Tell me that's not crazy. By the time hardware, networks, training and ISPs are thrown in, I think my brain is going to fall out trying to process the total.  

Wall Mounted Computer Monitor-- Edutopia

I'm posting this article to expand the understanding of interactive white boards which are generally called by the brand-specific name Smart Boards. But there are so many others!

Studet/Teacher Ratios

In doing research for the EDUC5625 Tech plan, I ran across this article concerning student/teacher ratios. Worth a read, but the answer isn't surprising.

"The Missing Link in Educational Technology"

In doing research for EDUC5625 Technology Plan, I ran across this article which, though published in 2002, has some interesting observations regarding the need for effective teacher-tech training. Of particular interest to me was the discussion of cost-of-training.

The authors suggest "a guideline of professional development financing equivalent to 40% of hardware/software expenditures."  If this number holds across a number of other studies, it can act as a clear guide in the development of technology budgets.

Selfishness is SO passé

Yochai Benkler's The Penguin and the Leviathan

How does selfishness inhibit individuals? Are we all motivated by our own self-interest? Does the Internet encourage or diffuse the human tendency toward self-serving behavior?

Please, take a look at The Atlantic's review of Mr. Benkler's work. Do you agree, or is this completely misleading?

Technology Plan

The EDUC5625 Group Tech Planning project is going remarkably smooth. I'm glad there are so many knowledgeable folks involved because it means that I'm learning a lot more than I would have otherwise. And though this is only a simulation of what the real project would look like, it gives students a good sense of the rhythm and level of engagement that is needed to solve such a complex problem. I think the final document will be an important tool in my future as an instructional technologist.

"Tools for Capture"

I recently started working with an audio engineer in Nashville as part of an IT practicum. Some of my first questions involved methods, hardware and software for capturing good sound quality for pod casting. He had some great suggestions, and serendipitously, I just got this in my RSS feed today from the eLearning Coach, Connie Malamed. A lot of excellent info about capturing audio and video when interviewing experts, or getting Subject Matter Expert answers to specific questions.

Meditation and Computation

I'm very interested in meditation for health and happiness. As of late, I've been running into more and more articles about how meditation can help us with our daily tasks. Here is one I found just today about being "present" in front of your computer. It's short, and has some nice insights.

I've become rather attached to some ideas laid out by Sugata Mitra:

Hole in the Wall Project and Minimally Invasive Education (MIE) seem like extraordinary, simple solutions to a HUGE problem. What is the problem? 

Globally, people's needs are changing. 

The industrial output of the west has migrated to the east, and doesn't appear to be returning for perhaps a decade (if ever) aside from small, high-end cottage-style production* . In the next decade our World will see changes take place that seem totally impossible to the average person in 2013.

What are 5 major changes you can imagine taking place in the next 10 years?


* Cottage industry cannot be taken for granted, but It also cannot sustain a global population. Can it?

Needs Yoga

Keeping the Instructional Tech dream alive is difficult. I spend my day laboring. It's skilled labor, but labor none the less. When I get home, I'm exhausted. I know I should work on blogs and read fresh posts, and do research in general, but  having ZERO energy makes these endeavors difficult, sometimes impossible. The curiosity is here, just not the vigor. I need to start doing yoga.

What Is Web 2.0/It Is X

I've looked up "Web 2.0" on wikipedia several times. I should have the definition down. I generally understand Web 2.0 to be about content and Software as a Service. I'm going to do some reading for the sake of learning, and to look cool in case someone asks me "what is Web 2.0", and I intelligently reply 'it is "X."'

Get Organized

http://zenhabits.net/27-great-tips-to-keep-your-life-organized/

I wasn't very impressed by the Zen Habits list of 27 tips to get my life organized. Nothing novel was introduced.  I did feel good about the mention of old fashioned techniques such as keeping lists. I have to admit, I'm a calendar/lists/smart phone calendar type of guy.

Would Mother Nature buy an iPad?

Before my interest in instructional technology- or any technology really- I was interested in the health and well-being of the Environment.  I started rock climbing in 1995, and have since spent a lot of time"in the woods"; canoeing, hiking, and mountain biking, appreciating the importance of wild, natural places. These bio-zones are important for many reasons, one being their restorative power. As a consequence of my experiences I appreciate the great importance of recycling, and being conservative with electricity and water. These simple issues cannot be overstated or overlooked. Now that I'm studying IT I feel like I have to be even more on guard when it comes to e-waste and all things related.  



When I do searches on "Green Instructional Technology", I get ZERO hits. Please, check out             GREEN COMPUTING       


How do we, as an Insructional Tech community address the environmental-end of instructional  technology?   The answer is-  with Great awareness, sensitivity, patience, and honesty.

Research for Lesson 9 discussion

In reference to Technology Plans discussed in Lesson 9

1) What components do they all contain?

1) L.A. United School Distict
   
Intro. District Profile
1)  Plan Duration
2)  Stakeholders Involvement
3)  Curriculum Component
4)  Professional Development
5)  Infrastructure, Hardware, Support, Software Component
6)  Funding and Budget Component
7)  Monitoring and Evaluation Component
8)  Collaboration with Adult Literacy Providers
9)  Research

 2) Woodburn School District
Intro. (District profile, Purpose of Tech Plan, etc.)
1)  Goals and Strategies
2)  Collaboration with Adult Literacy Service Providers
3)  Professional Development
4)  Telecommunications Assessment
5)  Technology Type and Costs
6)  Evaluation and Accountability
7)  Promotion of Curricula and Teaching Strategies that Integrate Technology
8)  Parent Involvement
9) Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA) Compliance -- Internet Safety and Ethical Use of Information and Technology

3)  Iowa City Community School District

Intro. (less demographic info than other districts listed)
1)  Refine and Implement the Ongoing Technology Acquisition Plan
2)  Use Technology to More Effectively Enhance Communication Within the District and with the Community.
3)  Provide appropriate access to technology resources outside the school day and/or remotely.
4)  Articulate and monitor a comprehensive plan for the replacement/upgrade of infrastructure technology.
5)  Update, maintain and enforce district standards for supported technology including computer-related hardware, software, and AV equipment.
6)  Provide a comprehensive staff development program to assure that all district staff have ample and diverse opportunities to acquire the technology skills necessary to their positions.
7)  Assess, improve, and communicate the technology support model.
8)  Continue to monitor policies and procedures necessary to assure ethical and consistent use of technology.




2) What purpose do they say they serve?  

LAs vision statement explains "Every LAUSD student will receive a state of the art education in a safe, caring environment, and every graduate will be college prepared and career ready".  

Woodburn School District's Educational Technology Plan "is intended to be a living document guiding the implementation and use of both administrative and instructional technology for the Woodburn School District. This plan will be effective for a three year period from July 1, 2009 through June 30, 2012. The purpose of this plan is to develop a unified strategy for harnessing technological innovation and learning to achieve the Woodburn School District’s Mission: 'Engage, inspire, and prepare all students to achieve challenging goals and aspirations and contribute to a diverse world.'" 

Iowa City Community School District's Technology Plan Mission Statement declares "The mission of the Iowa City Community School District is to ensure that all students become responsible, independent learners capable of making informed decisions in a democratic society as well as the dynamic global community; this is accomplished by challenging each student with a rigorous and creative curriculum taught by a diverse, professional, caring staff strengthened by collaborative partnerships with families and the entire community. ICCSD Strategic Plan, 1996-2001 In support of this mission, technology will be used to enhance learning and teaching and to guide decision-making in the district."


3)  Can you see a connection between the stated vision or mission statement, and the actions to be taken? 

There is a clear connection between the vision/mission statements and the actions to be taken. However, I must look more deeply into the specifics. It appeared as thought the LA Tech Plan did not take into account the findings from Project RED. If I'm not mistaken, their computer ratios are not optimal. But, I could've been looking at assessment data prior to implementation. And I didn't quite get into the specifics of the other 2 plans.