beyond the blossoms

Spring has come and now many of us are already thinking about the summer :)! The summer is a downtime, and chance to recharge and reconnect with a focus outside of school. For Tech departments the summer becomes a critical time to manage, maintain systems and services. This then followed with preparations for the new school year. The absence of students and teachers on campus provide some valuable downtime to focus on these things, and work at a different pace. These summer months can be a good way to take stock of the year, unpack events, and plan. For any IT Department as we support faculty, staff, parents, students and the institution as a whole, it is easy to forget the core business we are supporting, because honestly we are so often to busy to think of anything else except the task in front of us and everything else we juggle.

Here is a wonderful video that is  a good reminder of why maybe we are in education, and re frames a potential focus where we should be in education…. in this dynamic I feel strongly information technology plays a critical role.

John Hunter puts all the problems of the world on a 4’x5′ plywood board — and lets his 4th-graders solve them

iTunes U ECIS Channel

Screen shot 2011-04-28 at 3.10.41 PM

http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/DZR.woa/wa/viewArtist?id=399192859#

It is here!!!  and a special thank you to Steve D, Leah T , and the crew at Munich International School who have been very busy getting this off the ground and make this a reality. At the ECIS Administrators conference the channel was officially launched. This project sponsored by Apple (iTunes U- K-12 channel) and ECIS is to encourage Educators and Students to share authentic meaningful content on this dedicated channel for other educators and students to tap into. If you are interested in getting involved and uploading your own class podcasts, please contact “Leah Treesh” <ltreesh@mis-munich.de>

Three podcast you might consider if interested are the following which break down the steps and process in developing a podcast on this channel. http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=431076248 We look forward to more contributions from both faculty and students in the ECIS Region

ECIS News
Lisbon Portugal 16 – 20 November 2011.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR AND TELL YOUR FACULTY

ICT Committee ECIS Pre-Conference day workshop

“Learn, share, and collaborate”: Blended classroom, iTunes and Podcasting, Digital Citizenship and Strategies, Tuning Up Your Web Browser, Social Meida, Your School and You, and Tips for IT Integration.

This is a special full day pre-conference workshop (8;30 to 16:30) focused around 6 hands on workshops facilitated by the ECIS ICT Committee members, Finalsite and special guests.  With mentor and keynote: John Davitt. John will be a mentor for participants, critical friend and share two short keynotes on his own work in schools. The pre-conference is designed to give classroom teachers, specialists, IT Specialist and Coordinators a dedicated day to participate in these hands on workshops, time to share and collaborate together with these various pedagogy and tools.

  • Developing and Implementing a Digital Citizenship Program in your school
    In this hands on workshop we will explore the components, dynamics, process, structures, learning outcomes to implement a Digital Citizenship Program as a stand alone class or integrate this into your advisory or class curriculum. We will look at some current models being used in International Schools. In the process we will help facilitate the resources, documents, and understanding to support this process in your schools.
  • Managing a Blended Classroom
    In this hands-on workshop, participants will explore tools, resources and strategies for managing an online classroom with Moodle.  While the session is designed for teachers in schools that are part of the World Virtual School Project, any teacher in a Moodle-using school is encouraged to participate.   In addition to taking away strategies for managing a blended classroom, participants will engage with ideas, tools and templates for creating innovative collaborations between classrooms and schools.
  • Strategies, Tools, and tips for Technology Coordinators and Integration Specialists
    During this workshop, participants will discuss, share, and try out a variety of different resources to work with faculty members at their schools. Utilizing protocols from Critical Friends Group systems, we will formulate ways to work with teachers to encourage growth and development in their integration of technology in the classroom. Participants should come ready to share their expertise and experience and are encouraged to bring lesson plans and samples from teachers to discuss.
  • iTunes U generating podcast.
    Participants will receive a quick overview of the philosophy of and usages for ECIS’ iTunesU, then have supported time to create content to be used as part of instructional practices and to populate iTunesU. Guidelines, frameworks, exemplars and support materials will be provided. Participants will also enjoy connecting with a network other like-minded educators
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  • Tuning Up Your Web Presence
    The Web, and your users’ needs, continue to evolve: is your web presence keeping pace? Join finalsite President and founder Jon Moser as he and finalsite staff share strategies and tips for improving your web presence today. Topics include: the move to mobile, social media and your school’s website, understanding Google, search engine optimization (SEO), and getting return on your investment (ROI) with your website. Don’t miss out.
  • Social Media, Your School, and You
    Facebook, Twitter, and more are changing how schools market and educators connect. Find out the latest on the social media movement in this fast-paced discussion hosted by finalsite President and founder Jon Moser. From how schools market with social media to how educators network with social media to how the rules of etiquette are changing with this new medium, you’re sure to find information that you need to move forward with social media as schools and as professionals.

Spread the word your support is greatly appreciated. For more information on this day contact any of your ECIS ICT Committee members.

ECIS looking for presenters

In partnership with Finalsite, ECIS is looking for presenters to present an online ECIS webinar. If you have something that will serve the ECIS community, and would like to present an ECIS webinar, then please contact richardherbert@ecis.org for more information. ECIS webinars will be advertised here: http://www.ecis.org/page.cfm?p=429

Bytes of the Month

Your words, your input…..
Please remember your links, your thoughts, your resources are important to this blog if you have something you wish to have featured drop into our wiki area on iSkoodle and add it there, I will make sure it is featured in our May edition.

Have a good month
John -Chair of the ECIS ICT Committee

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