Vita-Learn - Minutes (Feb 5)

VITA-Learn Northwest Meeting Notes
2/5/2010
Minutes by Steve Webster

(Formatted version attached)  - thanks Steve

New Reports: DOE Web Site (Peter Drescher)
• Roots of Success: Effective Practices in Vermont Schools
• Opportunity to Learn: Recommendations from the Transformation Policy Commission
• Transformation and Technology: A New Way of Learning
Vermont Transformation Policy Recommendations
• Educational Quality Standards
• Learning Expectations for a New Generation of Learners
• PK-16 Partnerships
• Educator Quality
• Formation of Regional Education Districts
Learning Network of VT (Arlyn Bruccoli)
• Taking off... new system, new cameras
• CILC content bank
• New camera grants out—See DOE web page
• Scopia Desktop allows for web cam connections and shared desktop
• www.learn.vermont.gov
• Northeast Computer Systems—possible source for new camera
Ed Tech Funds (Peter)
• Vermont Virtual Learning Cooperative ($400,000+_/-)
• www.vtvlc.org
• Content-based Grants Awarded (50?--On line)
• DOTS III in place
• Evaluation of Title IID programs beginning
• Broadband/Erate work
• Hoping for major stimulus grant to help expand broadband access
• Other grants coming (March?)
• Get Connected
• VITA-Learn Regional meetings
• Ed Tech Listserv (contact Peter to add to list, peter.drescher@state.vt.us)
• VT DOE Ed Tech Web site
• Spread the word on initiatives
DOE Contacts:
• Peter Drescher, peter.drescher@state.vt.us 828-5149
• Arlyn Bruccoli, arlyn.bruccoli@state.vt.us 828-0223
VTVLC (Jeff Renard)
• www.vtvlc.org
• Tuesday, 8:30- 9:30, CSSU office, HS principals invited
• K-12 entity to manage and facilitate distance learning
• Professional development
• Phase I—Develop Mentors
• 15 grad credits
• online course in the fall

• Phase II
• Spring 2011
• Looking for additional 5 partners
• Chittenden County is a partner
• Willing to Participate form on the web site
• Partners not pay tuition
• Non-partners pay tuition
• Anticipate similar costs to Virtual High School
• Initially HS
• Phase II—MS (6-8), Spring 2011 (?)
• Later: Learning modules
• Capacity in Phase I: 98 teachers, 2500 students
• Starting with content from FL Virtual HS
• Delivery:
• LNV
• Moodle-based Global Classroom
Announcements:
• Next VITA-Learn Meeting: April 2nd, South Burlington
• April 9th Open Source Conference at Lake Morey
Transformation & Technology: A New Way of Learning—Classroom Scenarios (Ed Barry)
• Support, funding, & acknowledgments
• VT DOE, Title II D
• Transformation
• VT Transformation
• Opportunity to Learn: Defining Vermont Education for a New Generation of Learners
• “Not about tinkering around the edges—about significant change”
• Follow-up document—not designed to replace the GEs
• Classroom Scenarios—What it looks like when the NETS-S are well integrated
• “Painted a verbal picture”
• Based on Refreshed NETS-S
• References the NETS-T
• Not lesson plans
• Available on VT CITE (News section)
• Electronic versions (PDF and Word), with hyperlinks to glossary entries
• 5 sets of scenarios for NETS-S 1-5
• Each set has 3 scenarios at each grade cluster (K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12)
• NETS-S 6 woven throughout all the scenarios
• More about pedagogy than technology
• Without effective teaching practices, hard to use IT effectively
• Student-centered
• Authentic work
• Student choice
• Relevant and meaningful work
• Authentic audience
• Knowledge creation
• Engagement
• Learning styles and differentiation
• Read scenarios and think about:
• Teaching practices and strategies
• Technology knowledge
• Implementable
• What is compelling about these scenarios?
• Conversation in grade clusters
• How do scenarios align with district vision?
• How could they be used?
• Will the scenarios help you in your work?
9-12 Comments
• Hurdles of existing structures
• Depts, periods, logistics, GEs, students used to “old” way of teaching
• Importance of engaging students
• Interdisciplinary learning
6-8 Comments
• Collaboration, group work
• Ability to follow student interests, choice
• Student buy-in
• Already doing some of this, but still in pockets, not widespread
• Make math project-based (e.g., school store)
3-5 Comments
• Both TPCK and SAMR
• Could be implemented at variety of levels
• Could use parts and pieces
• Adapt scenarios from other grade clusters
• Most free software applications
• Conflicts with filters (Skype, Blogs, etc.)
• Student e-mail
• Policy may not have kept up with pedagogy
K-2 Comments
• Pictures of possibility, not recipes for success
• Pick and choose, adapt
• School culture
• Systemic changes
• Examine
• Comfort ==> disequilibrium
• Redefinition of what literacy looks like in 21st century
• Filter issues
• Leadership issues
• Equity issue for kids
• Admins, policy-makers need to be in the room
• Encourage parent exploration of scenarios (add to school web sites)
• Embed in curriculum documents—have to, not a maybe
• NETS-S, T, and A endorsed by State Board of Ed
Now what?
• Sample professional development activity

DOE Review (by group of content specialists)
• Grade clusters don't match
• VT GE Clusters—PK-K, 1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8, 9-12
• VT Standards clusters—K-4, 5-8, 9-12
• Many scenarios not grade appropriate (Content? Complexity?)
• Suggested including list of content GEs on final page
• Index where things are used (e.g., Google Earth)
• Online doc, not paper doc (with hyperlinks)