Preparing for: Expanding the Boundaries - Information Technology for Learning

Ferdi Serim, Sunday, 6/29/2008, 1:00-4:00 pm
Join us at NECC for this interactive forum, which focuses on systems thinking, leadership practices, emerging technologies and Web 2.0 tools for harnessing technology's transforming potentials in creating distributed and networked learning environments. To make this session most productive, preparations will begin online, both in SecondLife and on the SIGTC wiki (previous SL experience not required!). We will share our challenges, resources, and creativity, modeling how educators can learn together to manage change in the digital age.

Expanding the Boundaries Forum Materials

Upcoming weekly series of sessions in Second Life:
All sessions will be on consecutive Tuesdays (7PM Eastern, 6PM Central, 5PM Mountain, 4PM Pacific) in Second Life at the ISTE Band Shell: http://slurl.com/secondlife/ISTE%20Island/126/128/25

Our Last Pre-forum Session:
Bob Moore - We're Off To See The Wizard! Tuesday June 17
In Second Life, we know we're not in Kansas any more, but lucky for us, Bob Moore is! Leader of one of the most visionary school districts (Blue Valley, KS), Bob Moore knows what it takes support digital learning for all students and teachers. We'll explore how each member of the I&T team can strengthen district level support for programs, and how to increase the effectiveness of communications and collaborations with your Wizard, by better understanding your respective needs and roles.

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Previous Sessions
Session 1: Tuesday April 22 Introduction to the IT4L Process and Emerging Technologies
Our first session introduced the IT4L concept, and used SL to do an interactive “Priority Sorting” exercise that sets up what we’ll do in following weeks. It also introduced the concept framework behind the ET Idea Library, so we can begin making sense of the opportunities and challenges of Emerging Technologies. (TIP - If you get in to SL and can't find us, IM Hodjazz Edman and I'll TP you to wherever we are!)
A quicktime video of Session 1 is available for download here (24 megs, 13 min.)

Session 2: Tuesday April 29 Communication and Collaboration Strategies
This session will explore several emerging technologies (ETs) that expand opportunities for communication and collaboration. First we'll look at the refreshed NETS-S to see the types of learning we're trying to strengthen. Next we'll share experiences with seven ETs and determine how they can support each of the "hats" we wear in our daily work. Finally, we'll take a look at using the Innovation Exchange wiki to add our comments, questions and suggestions.

Prep: Take a look at Educause's Seven Things You Should Know About
http://www.educause.edu/content.asp?page_id=7495&bhcp=1
Which of these communications tools do you use now? Which are you most likely to explore next?
A quicktime video of Session 2 is available for download here (25.8 megs, 13 min.)

Session 3: Tuesday May 6 - Advocacy and the I&T Team - Special Guest! Hilary Goldman
The ABC's of Advocacy: Advocate, Be Heard, Create Change are essential skills for members of the I&T Team. Are you tired of the way things are and want them to change? GUESS WHAT? Complaining doesn't get things done - advocacy does! Hilary Goldman, ISTE's Director of Governmental Affairs will provide an overview and opportunity for dialogue at the start of our session. Specific strategies for members of the I&T team in terms of gathering information for advocacy will follow. Bring two challenges you face in your district and we'll share our brains to uncover advocacy strategy approaches.
A quicktime video of Session 3 is available for download here (30.7 megs, 15 min.)

Session 4: Tuesday May 13 - Doug Johnson: The Scholar's View (Library Media Specialist)
Doug Johnson's insights are thought provoking, have attained a global audience, and may also make you laugh out loud! His pioneering work with Information Literacy at the Mankato School District in MN has withstood the test of time. Be sure to download and read Doug's book "Machines are the Easy Part; People are the Hard Part" available at http://www.lulu.com/content/2404458 Doug is also an ISTE Board Member, who you may see around SL as BlueSkunk Johnson.

Session 5: Tuesday May 20 - Finding Funding (or Romance without Finance is a Nuisance!)
"What does any of this matter if we can't get anyone to pay for it?" is a question heard with increasing frequency and urgency. Stepping out of his SL role as Hodjazz Edman, Ferdi Serim shares strategies from his "day job" as Grants Manager for Excelsior Software, inc. Learn how to navigate the foundation, federal and state funding streams that can lead to sustainability for your digital learning programs.

Session 6: Tuesday May 27 - Jane Krauss & Suzie Boss: The Guide's View (Teacher Leader)
Jane and Suzie, authors of Reinventing PBL, share their insights and resources. We explore the implications for the I&T Team, as well as the role of emerging technologies. Take a look at their wiki, especially the Essential Learning Framework pdf: http://tinyurl.com/6dgcyx
A quicktime video of Session 6 is available for download here (146 megs, 45 min.)

Session 7: Tuesday June 3 - Ferdi Serim: What's Under *Your* Hat?
Members of SIGTC will discuss, share and compare key issues they'd like to see addressed at the NECC Forum. Transcripts and video will be available here soon (stay tuned!)

Session 8: Tuesday June 10 - Ferdi Serim - Digital Age Learning Assessments
Assess and Strengthen Digital Age Learning: the Visible Thinking Process
School leaders face the immediate challenges of raising student achievement while also preparing students for success in a digital age. While test scores are a highly visible measure of a limited subset of skills, they leave invisible other crucial thinking, communication and application skills our students need upon graduation. Visible Thinking provides a practical pathway for developing 21st century skills and simultaneously strengthening student learning, by seeing both how and what students are thinking. (This session is a preview of an upcoming book by Ferdi Serim to be published by ISTE in the Fall of 2008)