The TCEA 2007 Conference is taking place this week in Austin, Tx. Although we typically try to send campus technology representatives every other year, recent budget cuts the past two years have limited funding available for such professional learning opportunities. And yet, new technologies known as "Web 2.0" or the "Read/Write Web" are making it possible for you to get the benefit of many presentations...without leaving your campus or home. This blog entry includes some links to handouts and audio you can listen to...you can "pretend" you're in the audience! But make no mistake, there is no replacement for face to face conferences...there is a tangible excitement in the air.

The Office of Instructional Technology Services' team presented several sessions at the TCEA 2007 State Conference, as well as participated in a variety of ways. Be sure to listen to the audio! This entry addresses several key presentations that all decision-makers and leaders need to be aware of.

TEXAS CHIEF TECHNOLOGY OFFICERS' (CTO) COUNCIL MEETING

Patti Holub and Miguel Guhlin attended the Texas CTO Council Meeting. This is a fledgling organization that is affiliated with the Consortium for School Networking (CoSN) and is focused on advocating for political change at the federal and state levels. New officers were elected, and federal updates were provided. At the meeting, there were a variety of topics discussed.

I had the opportunity to make an audio recording of Anita Givens (shown above), Executive Director of Educational Technology and Instructional Materials (like textbooks), for the Texas Education Agency (TEA). Her presentation highlighted the importance of educating our children for the future.

Listen to Anita Givens' presentation

A few selected quotes from Anita's presentation include the following:

We can't ask for more than we got before...we want to restore the tech allotment to $115,000,000. We are now back at level funding. In the grand scheme, there is a long road ahead. It will be the end of May before we know what the funding is going to be. It's important to share why the investment in Ed-tech is SO important. You've prob heard from the national perspective, that there are some key things--global competiveness, investment increase in achievement in math and science, better prepared workforce, data-driven decision-making.

End of course tests are being developed as online tests. Whether we continue to put TAKS online, a combo of TAKS and end of course, or end of course, the primary delivery method will as an online test. One of the things we talk about is...it's fine to use the tech to do those things, but don't forget about the tech that has to be in the classroom for the instructional side. We know that people recognize the need for that.

Another piece of the puzzle known as ancillaries...items that the publisher provides as part of the textbook for "free." Lot of CDs come with these materials. Publishers were concerned about changing the adoption process since it was clear the legislature wanted more electronic content. So Proclamation 2004, there 14 electronic products that made the list, as well as the ancillary list. have any of you seen those materials? Do you know what's coming? No one else but math teachers have heard this. Some are providing software generated assessment tool, access to web sites, but some are providing online edition of print. Many of them have a student response system, a scanner, a laptop for the teacher, some have an LCD projector, and some have an interactive whiteboard, and some have all of those. Your math teachers may be selecting math materials and technology that will be introduced for free in schools. We need to be talking to our Math folks to find out what they are selecting. If your dept is not in close communication with Math Depts, you [tech dept] could be surprised.

Some of the points that jumped out at me that have an immediate impact on San Antonio ISD's future planning:

1. Technology will be entering our schools through online textbooks. Are we ready to use online, electronic textbooks and is the infrastructure there? As I consider the answer to that question, I'm glad that we are working on this initiative. Your support, as classroom teachers, is critical to the conversation we have to have about this.
2. Online testing is not the future...it's the present. Do our schools have the necessary equipment to get the job done? And, if we're using our computers for testing, do we have enough computers left over to use them as electronic materials required for textbooks?

There are more implications to Anita Givens' words...what are your thoughts? Leave a comment.

In the meantime, here's what Ms. Patti Holub, Executive Director in San Antonio ISD had to say, along with a few words fromMark Gabehart (CTO for Abilene ISD) and Greg Veal (CTO for Lewisville ISD).

Listen to reactions to Anita Givens' talk.