9/13/2001
2^nd Technology Lead Teachers Meeting Minutes.  3:45 – 5:15 pm

Attendance: Pat Sine, Dr. Olivia Spencer, Joyce Perry, Craig Miller

ITLTs in Attendance:

• Jennifer Waite HS
• Karen Norris FSEMS
• Leanne Hubbard FSEMS
• Mary Teresa Alft KES
• Leigh Anna Moran KES
• Michelle Albright  AGE
• Debbie Parker AGE
• Rachel Moyer PLE
• Pat McKeon PLE
• Kathy Sherman PLE

1. Pat went over Yahoo Groups and including the features available and how to move around on the site.  All are reminded that in order to use the site they will need to sign up for a Yahoo ID, including an email account, then associate the avongrove.org address with that ID.
   
   
2. Leigh Anna had posed a  question about Excel to the listserv.  There was much discussion about the way to solve Leigh Anna’s problem and also the ways using the listserv could continue to help answering those questions.
   
   
3. Several people had questions about setting preferences in Netscape to best receive email for themselves and others in the school.  The group reviewed how to send and read attachments using the web interface to the Exchange server. 
   
   
4. The question was raised: Can we use Instant Messaging from the schools?  Pat said it should be able to unblock particular IPs if this was needed for educational purposes. (Note: there is a new Instant Messaging on the Web that does not require the client. This may work even if you can't use the client. Check out AIM Express at http://www.aol.com/aim/aimexpress.html)
   
   
5. If you are interested in using the Computer Skills Growth Chart surveys from Profiler (http://profiler.hprtec.org/) The code for Avon Grove School District is du4202
   
   Pat demonstrated Profiler and using the charts and told about using the chart with the College School.  
   
   
6. Pat talked about the monthly reports that the ITLTs will send to Pat and a form “Request for Payment” (see http://www.udel.edu/sine/avongrove/index.html )

Discussion

• Secretaries of individual schools need to contact JoAnn for payment.
• Sub for the day on Sept 26 – clear with Principal for comp day.
• Use day as comp day and call Professional
• Olivia talked about PTAs and keyboarding question. --
  • Tech works from Scholastic was recommended as guide.
  • Pat reported that the developers of the Computer Skills Growth Chart had tried to do a Lit research for optimum age for teaching typing. Most of the research was inconclusive and tainted since it was done by developers of keyboarding software. From the Preamble to the chart:
    • "..., keyboarding skills are a separate and needed skill not easily integrated into other activities. Based on the committee's review of the available research and various scope and sequence documents, our conclusion is that keyboarding is largely based on motor skills so it seems appropriate to begin keyboard training in grades 2-4 based on developmental readiness. It is also important to encourage the use of left and right hands to avoid bad habits that will later need to be unlearned."
      
  • Michelle said by 4^th grade students could use all fingers
  • Leigh Anna used the paper Alphabet Strip to familiarize students with the keyboard
  • Type to Learn Junior and Type to Learn were recommended as software.

Next Meetings:

• October 18, 2001. 3:45-5:15 at the District Office.
• 3^nd  Thursday Nov. 8
• Dec. 12-Joint meeting with SAS