Program

By Tech & Learning
published

Conference Vault
Chicago, 2004

Here is a recap of the day's sessions and events, complete with handouts and resources provided by many of the speakers.

8:30am - 9:45am

Opening Keynote:

You CAN Make a Difference

Dr. Jan Van Dam, President, ISTE
Are you feeling battered by under-funded NCLB mandates? Testing mania? A never-ending stream of paperwork? Are you worried that all the positive things that have happened with technology in your district will be overturned due to shrinking budgets or lack of attention? You can do something about it! ISTE President, Jan Van Dam, offers practical advice on ways of making a difference.

10:00am - 11:15am

Breakout Sessions

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT: WHAT'S WORKING?

Judy Salpeter(moderator), David Jakes, Robert Nelson, Mary Ann Pollett & Eileen Gallagher
What have been your greatest professional development successes? Your disasters that have turned into learning experiences? We have invited several tapped-in panelists to lead off with examples and tips. Then it's your turn to share what's working in your own schools — and to help us develop an advice list for others interested in effective staff development.

MINING THE DATA TO IMPROVE STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT

Kim Carter (moderator), Robert Ewy & Joy Rose
In this session, school leaders with proven records of improving student achievement will talk about the data management tools and approaches that have helped their schools focus more effectively on the needs of students. Participants will explore the key elements of effective data-driven decision making.

SECURITY CHALLENGES AND SOLUTIONS

Susan McLester (moderator), Jane Bloomquist, Joe Huber & Chris Seiberling
Protecting sensitive data, keeping your district legal, complying with federal filtering requirements, and securing your networks (both wired and wireless) from hackers and viruses — these are just a few of the challenges facing school and network administrators today. Hear from several experts who have suggestions for ways of keeping your students and your technology safe, secure and out of harm's way.

MANAGING THE BOTTOM LINE

Jeff Branzburg (moderator), Jan Van Dam, Peter Reilly & Robert W. Runcie
As budgets tighten and bars are raised, many schools find themselves in a bind. How can we afford the 21st century tools that will translate into greater student achievement? Where do we find the funds for data warehousing, network security, mobile computing and the other technologies our schools need? Our panelists offer advice on doing more with less.

2:30pm - 4:00pm

Mini-Workshops

WHAT KIND OF LEADER ARE YOU?

Peter Reilly
Leadership is less about what you know than what you embody. Principals, technology directors and coordinators, or anybody else who plays a leadership role in schools -- this participatory session is for you. It will focus on the leadership issues, concerns and challenges you face in your work and engage you in a variety of activities that will lay the groundwork for effective leadership practices in the future.

HANDHELDS FOR ADMINISTRATORS

Gwen Solomon (moderator) & Woody Ziegler
Through hands-on activities and demonstrations on a large screen, participants will learn how to use a handheld to manage hectic schedules, meetings and projects. We'll review strategies to improve communications with your staff and collaborate effectively. This session is ideal for technology coordinators and administrators with some experience using handhelds. It will also offer insights into a few new administrative applications that increase the power of handhelds and help you address NCLB mandates. Bring your Palm-OS handheld and learn "tricks" and shortcuts that will help you "manage the unmanageable."

DESIGNING SCHOOLS FOR 21ST CENTURY LEARNING

Kim Carter
Whether you are in the process of building a brand new learning community, revamping existing programs or taking stock of where you are with the initiatives you've invested in, this mini-workshop will offer you the chance to look at your goals and share with others your thinking about education for this millennium. Come talk about your district's priorities for 21st century learning, examine emerging models of school design and identify action steps for moving ahead.

Tech & Learning