I am looking forward to the Annual Regional Conference of CEFPI, on April 28-30, 2011, at the Omni Parker House in Boston. The event title is: 21st Century Skills: 21st Century Learning Environments.

Annamaria Schrimpf and I are presenting a breakout session, New Spaces for Learning.
Our session description (below) promises to pack lots of learning into a short time – I hope people come fired up to lean in and participate, rather than sit back and listen. It really is the participation of attendees that make these sessions come alive. Often, it is the networking and sharing that spark conversations and help everyone to learn better. Hope to see you there.

Session Description:

Ask people what they envision when you say “classroom.” Most adults will recall classrooms that were pretty basic – four walls, a blackboard in the front, bulletin boards in the back, and rows of desks. As we reimagine learning in the 21st century, we are also beginning to design innovative learning spaces. The design of school facilities should incorporate the values and vision of the entire community. Unfortunately, the educational technology staff is often not brought into the conversation about these changes. That means that the voices of Technology Directors and Instructional Technology staff are often missing from these important discussions. In the 21st century, architects and designers cannot create adequate learning spaces without hearing and embracing the viewpoints of all stakeholders. If your community is planning a new school, there should be plenty of opportunities for all stakeholders to get involved, be informed, and to be heard. Are you ready to advocate for a school that has learning spaces that encourage learning that is interactive, collaborative, engaging, learner-driven, and project-based? Can you picture a space that facilitates virtual as well as face-to-face instruction; collaboration online as well as in physical groups; a space filled with enthusiastic and excited learners? In this session, we will provide resources and exercises for discovering and articulating your own views about how the modern schoolhouse should serve its daily inhabitants. The presenters believe that learning occurs in a variety of situations. We learn through formal lessons, in casual and social interactions, through teamwork, in online research and interactions, and in quiet moments when we read or reflect individually. The 1950′s classroom does not provide spaces that are conducive to the diversity of learning that happens in schools today. In creating a school designed for the 21st century, in addition to learning spaces, stakeholders cannot overlook the administrative and technical requirements that ensure progressive change. The educational environment that supports 21st century learning requires office spaces, shared spaces (for professional development and collaboration), wiring and storage closets that house a modern technical infrastructure. During this session, participants will reflect on their current learning infrastructure and begin to build a working knowledge of what needs to be in place to ensure school facilities that meet the needs of today’s educators and students.

Our session addresses the goals of the conference in several ways. We approach the design of new learning spaces as a highly collaborative community initiative that requires all voices to participate. The presenters are both Directors of Technology and bring that sensibility to the session. We have many resources to share and the session will be very interactive. For example, participants will view 2 very brief videos and then work in groups to describe:

1. the learning taking place, and
2. the environment in which it takes place.

These observations and discussions will fuel a later group tabletop activity in which groups of participants will develop a description of a particular learning area or professional work space in a new school.

Learning Objectives:

1. be able to describe different learning situations and a space that would be appropriate
2. be able to understand and describe the space needs for technology in a building
3. to be able to take a learning scenario and design a learning space that meets the needs of learners
4. be able to find and use the resources shared at the session

I attended a Crystal Ball Session, What keeps superintendents up at night?

The answers of Chip Kimball especially resonated with me, but all superintendents were passionate, credible, and obviously struggling with envisioning a path to a new future.

The session was moderated by Lillian Kellogg, CoSN Board Member.

Panelists:
Jack Dale, Superintendent, Fairfax Co. Public Schools, VA
Edgar B. Hatrick III, Superintendent, Loudon Co. Public Schools, VA
Chip Kimball, Superintendent, Lake Washington, WA
Robert Slaby, Superintendent, Storey Co. School District, NV
Jerry Weast, Montgomery Co. Public Schools MD

What keeps you up at night?
Slaby: The current attack on public schools make me afraid for schools and what they will look like in five years.
Dale: In this declining resource environment, how do we keep up with all the things we are seeing here at the conference?
Hatrick: The same thing that keeps most superintendents up at night – money, money and money. There is a nexus between the change the white house is pushing for and funding. There is a competition between class size and technology making it hard to keep up with the technology we should be providing.
Kimball: Ten years from now, when I look back, will I see a school transformed to serve kids in the digital age or will I still be in a school system designed for the industrial age? I want to be able to look back and say our school system is fundamentally different.
Weast: How do we develop the culture that keeps our students engaged? Technology helps keep that engagement.

What do you envision five years out?
Hatrick: I see continued growth and declining resources.
Kimball: I am worried about attracting and retaining good teachers.
Dale: I see not a lot of increased resources for public education, so how do we redesign the learning environment for kids with fewer adults? How do we use technology to have kids be more independent and self-directed learners?
Weast: Five years from now we will wake up and understand we have to do something different to compete globally. Mobile technology will revolutionize education and how we do things – address poverty, mobility, sorting and other issues.
Slaby: I see a changing job market – right now those with a BA have 5% unemployment while those with only a high school diploma have 20% unemployment. Some jobs are not coming back and we need to focus on jobs of the future and educate our kids for that future.

How do we change learning environment to reflect how people work in the 21st century? The conversation is less about numbers of devices, ratios, the hardware, and shrink-wrapped software, and more focused on questions like, how do we use tech to address today’s challenges?

Kimball: We are in middle of an evolution – we need to make sure every kid has access to learning 24-7, 365 days a year. Structures are outdated – we are funded on attendance and seat time. We need to leverage online learning, mobile access, and data systems to bust through the dam and make real the promise of learning 24-7, 365 days a year.
Hatrick: When first computers were introduced in education I was there and I thought it might be the beginning of individualized instruction – I think it still holds that potential. We are not yet there. There are two extremes it can help with – students who need remediation and the other end, gifted students being held back by group mentality – we need to unleash top performers to discover on their own what they can’t wait for their teachers to teach them.
Dale: In Fairfax we are working on an electronic curriculum, instruction, and assessment tool. The other initiative – individualized learning plan for all students – builds on strengths of students rather than remediating deficits. It will allow kids to learn on their own.
Weast: We need to try to reimagine how students can use mobile, thinking about cloud technology and not relying on time and location. We can use technology to deal with engagement of the employees and students and to overcome isolation. Mobile devices not ubiquitous 5 years ago but are today – that’s the lever.
Slaby: We are all in same arena – we want to use technology to help you teach to bluebirds, robins, and crows all at the same time. Kids can use technology to find out what they don’t know and what they want to learn.

Last question, how can we all help, as a community at large?
Kimball: Do not accept the status quo. We resign ourselves to politics and pressure – do not. If I, as your superintendent am accepting the status quo, please call me to the carpet on it.
Hatrick: Work on congress – the federal government does not have enough money to run a  federal education system – right now we scatter federal funds out on the water and wait for something to work. Can you imagine what would happen if the federal government made it their business to provide wireless to every house in America?
Dale: What is powerful is when you team with other people in your district to be creatively insubordinate.
Weast: Doing fewer things better – don’t chase every rabbit. We need to deliver on four things: deliver trust, hope, compassion, and stability.
Slaby: There are two things we need to do. One is to ensure a public education for all children and stopping privatization and vouchers. The second is that if you see a problem don’t ask why look for a solution, asking why not.

Annamaria Schrimpf and I presented at the MassCUE M.A.S.S. Conference on Wednesday. Our topic was using the presentation format of Pecha Kucha to keep professional development on the agenda. Pecha Kuchas take less than 7 minutes to deliver (20 slides – 20 seconds per slide), so it can fit into grade level meetings, department meetings, and faculty meetings.
We started by showing the Daniel Pink video about the format, then presented one of our own.
There were many people in the room (SRO) and what makes the difference between an OK presentation and a really lively one is how engaged and participatory the attendees are. Well these attendees were awesome. When we broke for small group discussions (having asked people to talk about the possibilities they saw in Pecha Kucha and how they might use it) the sound level in the room was nearing sonic boom level. It was really wonderful, and the ideas people shared out to the entire group were so on-target, creative, and thought-provoking, that I wished I had a recording of the session. I’ll never remember all those great ideas!

We will be posting our presentation materials on the MassCUE Ning.

At the MassCUE and M.A.S.S. Annual Technology Conference today we heard Chris Matthews of Hardball. It was an interesting keynote speech, full of personal anecdotes from his long and fascinating career, and some advice for our students.

The scheduled keynote presenter was Rachel Maddow, who had to cancel at the last minute for an important interview for MSNBC. Chris Matthews did a remarkable job stepping in with only a couple of days notice.

In his opening remarks he said, “Education remains the key to getting ahead in life, not just for recent immigrants, but for all.” He talked about the challenging childhood experiences of Bill Clinton and Barack Obama and stated that education was an essential component that helped them get ahead.

He reminded the crowd of 1300 attendees that he has ties to Massachusetts, as an alum of Holy Cross and as a staffer of 6 years for Thomas Tip O’Neill. He had everyone chuckling when he mentioned the reaming he got from Jon Stewart on The Daily Show, but did say he is going to attend the Rally to Restore Sanity, just the same.

Although he talked about leadership and some of the qualities of great leaders, and offered compelling examples, the biggest take-away for me (as an educator) was when he gave the following advice to students of today.

He told them to stay connected, network, stay in touch on Facebook with your 5 or 10 close friends from high school and your 10 or 15 friends from college, especially for those first few years out of college. Use these connections to network, find opportunities, and know what others are doing. This may provide the spark for you to make that critical connection to your first job, or an idea for a career. This was great advice and flies in the face of the advice I sometimes hear that Facebook is a waste and that students should stay out of social networking. I was happy to hear someone talk about the many benefits of staying in touch this way. It really is the way of the world.

Chris also said that recent graduates should not be afraid to ask favors, that, in fact, resumes are nearly useless today and that making connections, networking, asking for a favor, and selling yourself are the tools that will land you your first job. I loved his idea that asking and receiving a favor is a “two-fer.” Once someone does a favor for you they have a little bit of investment in seeing you succeed. They’ll do you another favor later.

Tomorrow’s keynote is Peter Reynolds of Fablevision and I am already looking forward to that.

I received a newsletter from Slideshare this week with an item called: 5 Traits Event Organizers Want From Speakers. The list seems obvious, but having encountered speakers that did not meet these standards, it is worth writing about.

Here’s their list of 5 traits:

1) Understand the event’s community – get to know your audience ahead of the event.
2) Promote the event – a speaker’s own following or readership is great source of potential attendees
3) Be dependable – Your reputation matters.
4) Expect the unexpected – Don’t assume there will be a dependable Internet connection.
5) Participate in the event – don’t just fly in, speak, and fly out.

Being dependable is a key requirement. I am a member of the board of directors for MassCUE (Massachusetts ISTE affiliate). Last year we had a verbal commitment from a nationally known speaker (you have heard of him) and he canceled really late because he “forgot” he was going to T + L. From my point of view this is unacceptable. Because of this, I will never attend his conference and will never recommend him as a speaker. It’s insupportable to make an organization look for a replacement 7 weeks before a big conference. Being dependable and honoring commitments are really meeting the bare minimum standard.

Engaging in the event and being fully present is a great suggestion. We often get speakers who stay and attend and offer breakout sessions. They stay around and talk to people and make connections with our attendees. This is huge. Conference participants really appreciate it.

I love the suggestion to have a “Plan B.” Sure a speaker can come to a conference expecting a high-speed internet connection, but a back-up plan is always advisable. The connection might be too slow for your content or the attendees might soak up all the bandwidth. It’s great to have screenshots and/or videos downloaded locally.

The last suggestion from Slideshare that is a “nice to do” but not a “required to do” is to promote the event. Speakers often have their own following and can tweet or blog or email about the event to them. Promoting the event this way is a great goodwill gesture and is always appreciated.

Registration is now open for the MassCUE & M.A.S.S. Annual Technology Conference.

REGISTER
http://2010tgl2-masscue.com/index.html

I hear from so many that they are thinking about deploying Google Apps in their schools. If you want to hear more from people who have already taken the plunge, here are two sessions that will be of interest to you.

Session 1 – WEDNESDAY, October 27 – 10:15 am – 12:25 pm
Room 21
Getting Going with Google Apps for Education
Rob Ford, Director of Technology, Wellesley Public School

Are you interested in using Google Apps for Education in your school or district, but unsure of how to get started? This session will walk you through the process of implementing Google Apps for Education from start to finish. We will also look at how to integrate Google Apps forEducation with LDAP, Moodle, and other tools, before concluding with a discussion of the privacy and policy debates around Google Apps for Education and other online collaboration suites.

This is more demo than hands-on, but you are welcome to bring your own laptop and work along with Rob.

Session 3 – WEDNESDAY, October 27 – 2:00 pm – 4:10 pm

Room 21
Application of GoogleApps: Collaboration in the Wild
Dr. Lee McCanne, Director of Technology and School Libraries

This hands-on session will have two parts:  the first part devoted to learning how to use these tools for collaboration by diving in and doing it, the second half devoted to sharing examples and ideas from teachers and integration specialist.In the first half we will get everyone setup with a public gmail account (if you do not already have one) and begin to explore the collaboration features of GoogleApps.  We will discuss the pragmatic use and some of the decisions to be made with the Enterprise Education Account (that Google offers public schools).  No experience with GoogleApps required, but experienced users are also welcome.  The second half of the session will focus on examples of educational application of GoogleApps and discussions of use in the wild.  Experienced users are encouraged to share their ideas and examples with the group.

Bring your own laptop.

Session reservation: $25.00 per session

Registration is now open for the MassCUE & M.A.S.S. Annual Technology Conference.   I’m looking forward to this.

REGISTER
http://2010tgl2-masscue.com/index.html

As promised, here is another session description.

Adobe Classroom Suite – PreConference

Discover new ways to engage students in learning using Adobe Digital School Collection software across the curriculum Today’s technology provides educators with highly effective ways to address a wide variety of learning styles-and engage all types of students, regardless of academic strengths and interests. Beyond the textbook alone, teachers now can use digital images, graphics, video, audio, and animation to engage students in learning across the curriculum. Students can express what they’ve learned through sights and sounds that go far beyond text-based reports. Beyond the classroom-in higher education and the workplace-proficiency with digital technology has become essential. No longer a novelty, digital media is applied and relied upon everywhere. So, in addition to using new technology to address diverse learning styles, teachers know it’s equally important that their students can use the new technology themselves. Students who don’t acquire substantial 21st century skill levels in the K-12 years will be at a decisive disadvantage when they enter college and the workforce. Join Robert Simpson, Teacher Learning Center Director Ferryway School, Adobe Youth Voices Leader, Adobe Education Leader and Digital School Collection Trainer to learn how to incorporate the Adobe Digital School Collection (Photoshop Elements, Premiere Elements, and Acrobat Pro 9) in your classroom and across core subjects through your district. This is a full day hands-on workshop. http://twitter.com/becomingamerica

25 is the maximum, so all others will be wait-listed.

All sessions will be held from 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m on Tuesday, October 26, 2010 at the Sharon Community Center

As one of many volunteers working on the 2010 MassCUE / M.A.S.S. conference (October 27 & 28), I have been active with the conference committee in organizing breakout sessions. This means reading proposals, recruiting presenters, and helping to make sure we have sessions that cover all the strands and that will appeal to all our audiences. The title for the conference this year is Today’s Global Learners—Tomorrow’s Global Leaders and the breakout session descriptions are really living up to the theme. In anticipation of registration for the conference opening very soon, I will post several breakout session descriptions over the next few days.

The session below, Themes for 21st Century Education, is a panel session, and the moderator and panelists are Massachusetts School Superintendents, members of M.A.S.S. If you are an educator in Massachusetts or New England, quality breakout sessions like this one should provide the impetus for you to come to Gillette Stadium in October for the conference. If you are further away, maybe this description will inspire you to convene something similar for your state conference.

Breakout session description:

Where is public education headed?  We know that technology has exploded the possibilities for teaching and learning. We also know that our students must be prepared for life and work in a global context. And we know that certain competencies will be required in the workforce of the future. So what is the debate about 21st Century Skills all about? Is it about curriculum? Is it, as some say, about lowering the high content standards that have put Massachusetts first in the nation in student achievement? Finally, how does technology power the acquisition and application of skills, and support efforts to globalize the existing curriculum?

A panel of superintendents will discuss their work to deepen their understanding of the trends in technology, global education, and workforce skills as they relate to the mission of schools and districts in the years ahead.  The panelists will share their learning, reflect upon the tension between skills and content, and provide examples of what exemplary schools are doing to prepare students for life and work in the global village.

Moderator:
Anthony Bent, Leominster Public Schools

Panelists:
Maureen LaCroix, Bedford Public Schools
Kristine  Nash,  Hanover Public Schools
Ann Frederick-Koufman, Watertown Public Schools

ISTE has announced the winner of their first crowdsourced keynote:

The ISTE 2010 Keynote Committee is delighted to announce the results of its first ever “Crowdsourced Keynote” project!

After nearly two weeks of voting and more than three months of input gathering, Hawaii-based educator Dr. Jeff Piontek has emerged as the people’s choice to headline one of ISTE 2010′s three keynote sessions.

The ISTE keynote team will work with Dr. Piontek to present a relevant and inspirational session focused on the overall conference theme, Exploring Excellence, with a specific focus on effective school leadership for the digital, global era.

Pionek is the author of “Blogs, Wikis, and Podcasts…Oh My!” and many articles, including his latest, “Educating Jetson’s Children in Flintstone Schools.” Learn more about Dr. Piontek at http://jeff.piontek.googlepages.com/.

One fan commented, “Jeffrey Piontek is a dynamic, knowledgeable, and inspirational educator. His book has served as a guide for my staff and has helped to ensure that they successfully integrate technology into everyday instruction. Mr. Piontek presents his ideas in a very user-friendly manner, helping to facilitate the process of infusing technology into the classroom. His hands-on experiences provide teachers with practical suggestions that can be easily implemented. [He] translates the ‘theoretical’ into everyday classroom practice/s.”

We are pleased to welcome Dr. Piontek to our stage and thank all of our candidates and participants for their contributions!

~ ~ ~ ~     from ISTE email to members

I was (actually) fully expecting Chris Lehmann to be the people’s choice. Oh well . . .

Here is a blog post about the process and results, and here is a complete accounting of the results of the top nominees.

CoSN, in conjunction with METAA, the Massachusetts state CoSN chapter, will host a CTO Clinic on April 26, 2010 at Holy Cross in Worcester. CTO Clinics provide professional development designed specifically for the school Chief Technology Officer (administrator for technology).
See the announcement at:
CoSN Events
and on METAA’s web site:
METAA Events

CoSN members from the New England region will be encouraged to attend. Remember – CoSN Institutional members receive one free registration to a Regional CTO Clinic. Join METAA & CoSN now and save the date for the clinic.