Netbooks – The Dell Lattitude 2100 is now available on the purchasing picklist. The 2100 is shipping with a Linux operating system called Ubuntu. Novell, Groupwise, and Office products are not loaded on this netbook. We are shifting to more open source tools such as Google Docs, Open Office, Moodle, Linux, etc. There will not be a Windows XP version. We recommend training for any teachers or staff who plan on using netbooks.
Interactive White Board Research – Dr. Robert Marzano completed a study last spring to determine the effectiveness of Promethean technology in classrooms. The study is available online, and there are some key findings that may assist teachers in understanding how to utilize these tools more effectively. Please go to
http://www.prometheanworld.com/staged/server.php?show=nav.18731
Moodle – Through a comprehensive review process we have made a decision to implement the use of a content management system. Moodle is an inexpensive application that allows teachers and staff to create effective online learning sites for their students. Moodle will allow us to create secure social networks, wikis, forums, and many other Web 2.0 tools to assist educators in teaching our students. An administrator training is planned, and we will be offering classes for teachers this year. Please watch our website (www.apsdoit.org) for more information.
Instructional Technology Grants – The competitive grant process to acquire instructional technology tools for classrooms are nearly ready to be launched. This grant process is an effort to develop effective 21st Century Classrooms and beyond. Final timelines and edits are being made to the application, and we expect the grant applications to be out by August 21. All communication will go to site principals. Please watch our website (www.apsdoit.org) for more information.
Instructional Technology web-based resources – There are a large number of online resources paid by our e-Rate funds to support classroom teachers in providing rich, dynamic, and up to date resources to enhance student learning. Some of these resources include Discovery Streaming and Science, Nettrekker, Atomic Learning and World Book Online. Through the monitoring of use by individual sites we have seen some major decline in usage at some sites and in some cases, non-use of these resources. We will continue to monitor site usage, and we will share this information with school sites. If sites are not using these resources, we will reduce the number of licenses being paid at the district level. All of these resources can be accessed at http://discovery.aps.k12.co.us
There is a resource that is available to all staff and students that is a “One Stop Resource Mall”—Discovery OnePlace to find resources for Mondo, Discovery Education including Discovery Science, World Book, NetTrekker, CultureGrams, and Promethean Planet. Elementary, K-8, Middle School, and High School teachers can find this tool a simple resource tool for the classroom regardless of
