Feb 21st: First Meeting of McMahon Tech Folks

Senator Brien McMahon is "channelling through me" as I type...." I am glad to see McMahon teachers finally starting to move into the 21st century by embracing Web 2.0 Educational IT....just as I was viewed as the Atomic Senator...so shall the faculty be know for their ability to leverage information technology to professionally develop themselves by learning to use it to improve student learning.....we owe it to the kids...."

We kicked off our first meeting in Peter Sommers' room (only challenge is no WiFi at that end of the building). In addition to Pete, attendees were Dan Wagenberg, Cathy Andronik, and Bob Killackey. A few other teachers (Dave Marchetti, Julia Stabach) were interested but there were schedule conflicts.

Here is an overview: 

Pete talked about EDModo and MyBigCampus. He is presently using MyBigCampus and he demonstrated how he used it. He also uses it for student notifications, homework, or prep for tests.  Ability to use for Assessment (grades or comments). Parent access and parental incentive to learn technology themselves.  

Good question: IF parents can see their kids grades, can other parents see others student's grades as well? Not good if they can. Privacy concerns must be factored into the determination of what Ed IT is acceptable for you to use and how to use it properly to ensure privacy (FERPA). 

Small discussion on "What is the best way to interface with students?  Best way to reach them after hours. Can they register to receive a text vice email or a Tweet...?

What Ed IT do you use:

Pete: EdModo, MyBigCampus

Bob: Blogger for Class Blog (Senators Cadets), Google Docs / Drive, YouTube, GMail

Cathy: PB Wiki (creating links for research),  Blogs (Book club,   ), Google Docs, Access to E-Books

Dan:  My own website, 3 websites (Mr. W, mirror), Webly site for videos,  Teacher domain, website with text website for AP, email, primary communication: 3 different websites due to storage and bandwidth.

Biggest Challenge with Ed IT:

Bob: Trying to find an Ed IT System that serves all of my needs. I can't put PowerPoint's in my blog or Word Docs.

Dan: Multi-discreet discussion boards, "so students can continue learning & dialogue when not in class  

 POST MEETING DISCUSSION: (Pete & Bob)

1. Need to develop or find curriculum on Digital Citizenry so we teach school community to responsibly use info technology including Social Media. 

2. Imagine developing "quick curriculum" for each grade to complete over the summer including incoming freshmen focus on student Ed IT Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA):

• BMHS Ed IT 101 (Freshmen)  [For example: Cyberbullying prevention, Search Techniques, etc.}
• BMHS Ed IT 201 (Sophomores)
• BMHS Ed IT 301 (Juniors)
• BMHS Ed IT 401 (Seniors)

3. We need to develop a process for educators (teachers, para-professionals,  to develop 21st century technologies skills if we want our students to develop them in 

It would be an online document on the school website with hyperlinks to tutorials (How To Videos, E-articles, etc.) to the Ed IT KSA we want  inbound grade level student's to be exposed to or master over the summer before school starts. Conduct an inventory test first week of school. 

That is all for now. Off to a good start. We will steal a few minutes during the next faculty meeting. The movement has started...