Email sent to Area Superintendent and C&I Directors on 11/16/2004

Howdy! I thought I'd take a moment to share with you 9 brief updates from the Instructional Technology Office. These items were also shared at the Campus Technology Representatives (CTR) Meeting held on Tuesday, November 16, 2004.

1) Graphic Organizer Initiative: This initiative, like the Campus Enhancement Program, will match K-5 campuses license for license to help them obtain electronic graphic organizer software like Kidspiration (grades K-2) and Inspiration (3-5). Middle schools already have access to Inspiration software through their Technology Applications:TEKS Teacher, and we are working on a next phase for high school licenses. More information can be found online at http://itls.saisd.net/go

2) TCEA Area 20 Conference and SAISD Students' Technology Fair was a wonderful success with over 800 participants, multiple workshops allowing teachers to earn GT Credit, and 3 keynote, nationally-known speakers! Thank you for your support and attendance! You can find a photo album of people and events--along with a congratulatory note from Mr. Alfaro--online at http://itls.saisd.net/techfair/

3) August-October Workshop Attendance Report: This report was sent to campuses and reflects the "No Shows" for Instructional Technology workshops. This report--which may be incorrect if teachers had not updated their campus information in the Professional Development Planner (PDP)--reflects staff who registered for classes but then did not show up for the class. We intend to provide this information to campuses periodically so that they can be aware of "No Shows." Administrators can view a list of all who attended classes from their campus by 1) Going online to http://itls.saisd.net/pd and 2) Clicking on Administrators' PDP Search.

4) Dell Computer Employee Purchase Program: This program was unveiled today, enabling SAISD staff to purchase 3 desktop computer systems at different price ranges. This is the first phase of the program. Future phases will include laptops (perhaps as early as next week), and plans are being made for payroll deduction, but this last piece is still under discussion. You can find this information online at WITHHELD TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY. More information will be shared via a broadcast email to all staff this week.

5) Software Selection and Purchasing Handbook: Going to be buying software soon? If it's not on the "approved" list, then campuses are urged to follow the process outlined in the handbook. A copy is available online at http://itls.saisd.net/ctr and CTRs will share a printed copy with their principal and Campus Leadership Team (CLT).

6) Protecting Windows Computers from Spyware/Adware and Updating Elementary Campus SyncStations: Spyware/adware have become serious problems in the last year for all Windows computers. Making the changes on the computers themselves can be time-consuming if only 1-2 people are left to do it. SyncStations--for elementary campuses--have to be upgraded per published instructions by no later than January 14th, while other computers (whether at elementary or secondary campuses) should be done by March, 2005. Campuses now have the tools they need to combat invasive spyware/adware. More information is available online at http://itls.saisd.net/software/spykit

7) Gradebook and Attendance Tracking System (GATS) Update: Some quick statistics are shared below:

4 cohorts--including 52 campuses--are now using Gradebook and Attendance Tracking System (a.k.a. GradeSpeed)

• 1,922 teachers have participated in professional learning regarding GradeSpeed.
  
• 140 administrators have participated in professional learning
  
• 47 data clerks have participated in professional learning
  
• 2,109 staff members currently use Gradespeed on a daily basis.
  
• 202 professional learning opportunities offered August-December
  

8) Paraprofessional Technology Needs Assessment: To better understand the technology literacy needs of paraprofessionals, Human Resources (Al Clark) and Instructional Technology have collaborated--with feedback from over 40 campuses--to develop an online needs assessment. A flyer was shared with campuses so that they can begin the process of completing the electronic assessment. This assessment can be found online at http://itls.saisd.net/tap

9) CTR Data Center: You can now access a variety of information regarding campus hardware, as well as other information, online through the CTR Data Center. This is Instructional Technology's approach to organize the variety of information campuses are sharing with us, including, but not limited to, Campus STaR Chart data required by the State, CTR lists, Campus Asset Tracking Survey, Enhancement Program requests, and more. You can access the Center online at http://lms.saisd.net/sql/cat

If you have any questions or require clarification, please do not hesitate to contact Miguel Guhlin at mguhlin@saisd.net or 527-1400. Instructional Technology is here to collaborate with you on the best ways to realize the benefits of technology so as to impact teaching, learning and leadership.

Wishing you well,

Miguel Guhlin
Director, Instructional Technology
San Antonio ISD, Texas
http://itls.saisd.net
Email: mguhlin@saisd.net
Phone: 210-527-1400 ; Fax: 210-281-0257
*******************************************
"Ask not what computers can do with
students,but rather, what students can do
with computers."
*******************************************