AGITL Minutes - June 5, 2002

Present: Pat Sine, Dr. Olivia Spencer, Jerry Rabinowitz, Joyce Perry, Craig Miller, Debbie Parker, Rachel Moyer, Pat McKeon, Mary King, Leanna Moran, Jenn Waite, Charlene Forba-Mayer, Kathy Sherman.

1. Introduction - Pat Sine showed the PowerPoint Presentation generated from the question posed to lead teachers: "How has your school changed because of what you have done this year in the ITLT program?"

ITLTs reported on their schools and the things they saw as real gains.

• PLE
  Pat McKeon - opportunity to work collaboratively among each other
  Sherman - Much more connected to the curriculum
  Math Trails - a national initiative for Math to help integrate real world math with digital cameras - Pat and Rachel - Best CyberCafes were Web pages and organizing computer
  Now almost of 3, 4, 5, grade teachers using the server
  Grade level Notes - put on server and teachers can get attachments

• AGE
  Most exciting part is to work in classrooms with teachers and the kids. Everyone loved the iBook labs. Letting the kids see adults working together and everyone can learn from each other. Most effective was being in classrooms as lead teachers.

• KES
  Most exciting was seeing computers with students and teachers. Most of work of lead teachers in KES was on an individual basis. Parent Connection - working with the class when the iLab was in use. Parents learning from kids.

• MS - (teachers not available)
  Video Club was very successful
  

• HS - improvement in attitudes toward technology from ground up.
  Many teachers were doing projects, trying new things, --tremendous enthusiasm, and overall use. Many teachers are getting involved. Teachers feel more confident and know whom to go to ask for help.

2. Instant Messenger Discussion
   Are we going to have IM in the new building so we can talk to each other.
   Think of IM and it's educational use
   Problem in the HS of classroom discipline. - Not a technology issue.
   
   CIPA Discussion. Anyone who gets erate money, must filter, but no technology can protect kids in chat room, etc.
   
   
3. Dr. Olivia Spencer talked about the role of lead teachers for the summer and what will happen next school year. We had begun the discussion about what to do for next year for ITLTs at the last meeting. Since that time, Kathy Sherman has stepped down and will become a math lead teacher. Charlene Forba-Mayer has joined as an ITLT for the high school. The ITLT initiative will continue, but will have to be cut back because budget is finite. As we start next year - The IT Lead Teachers was being supported by the district with 3 hours stipend per week and/or a half-day substitute. This will be reduced to 1 full day a month, not 2 days per month like this year.
   
   There will be a similar initiative for math lead teachers, but with only 1 at each level.

   The ITLTs agreed to serve as mentors next year for Math Lead Teachers and have an ongoing collaboration with them. There may be times when we have joint meetings next school year between the ITLTs and MLTs. The listservs will be separate.

   The administration is appreciative of the efforts of the ITLTs and feels that the program was successful.

4. Discussion regarding AGIS.
   Sherman recommended offering Cyber Cafes to more than one house. Questions were brought up about computer repair and how the move to the new school would take place.
   
   Expectations for lead teachers was discussed in regard to cleaning laptops, etc. Technology team will take care of this and all laptops will be reimaged.
   
   Recommendations for next year include starting out the year with formal guidelines for computer use and courtesy to those who are sharing the wireless computer labs.

   Discussion led by Dr. Spencer on input from this group for distributing the four new mobile labs for next year at the Middle School and High School. Could have proposals by department subject to peer review or Curriculum Advisory Council review. Two departments may share a lab. Suggested best scenario for sharing labs be Math and Science together, and Social Studies and Language Arts. Others thought of different models.

   Staff Development will be a priority in the high school and middle school with the new wireless computer labs for next year. Security issues will also need to be addressed.

5. Discussion ensued on revamping of district web site. Recommendations have been made to have each building have responsibility for parts of the web page and keeping the information current. Evaluation of the design and functionality of the district site will be reviewed.

6. Pat Sine recommended that lead teachers' work with district technology personnel and serve as a liaison with district technology staff development specialists for needs evaluation. If time was the biggest need this year, share the concerns that may be met district wide.

   Recommended web sharing of technology initiatives and ideas that are working, especially with the wireless labs across the district.

7. Jerry Rabinowitz congratulated the group on the success of the Technology Fair held in April.

8. A possible meeting for the summer will be set up. Possible dates will be distributed by the listserv for best time frame.
   

Adjournment of meeting and off to summer vacations!

Please send any comments to perry@avongrove.org