May 2006

Legislating the Value of New Technology
President’s Message
'etin
In our respective roles, we are all more or less involved with the purposeful
design and delivery of media and technology resources. While we
cannot assume that we are all technology “evangelists,” we can probably
Ricki Chowning
assume we are “informed advocates” of the benefits of the effective use
of resources. As a profession, we have also heatedly debated how much
technology is enough, when to embrace new technology, how to gauge its effectiveness, and what
the return on investment is for school districts.
Along with these discussions, members of the profession have long sought the Holy Grail of
Technology Implementation: how to identify the perfect time of introduction of new technology or
the upgrading of present hardware and software.
In some cases, state or federal legislators push the introduction of technology or technology
systems. One example is the Eight Grade Technology Literacy Requirement of No Child Left
Behind. In one swift move, the federal government legislated the expectation that schools would
assess all eighth graders for their level of technology proficiency by June 30, 2006—all without
outcomes, assessment strategies or targeted goals.
In Michigan, the REMC Association (remc.org) works closely with the Michigan Department of
Education and responded to the need by providing a bank of test questions that could be accessed
and utilized by every school in the state. These questions can be found at the REMC Toolkit site
(remctoolkit.org). Beginning in the summer of 05, the RITS (REMC Instructional Technologists)
members created and gathered over 500 assessment items collected from groups statewide and
from the state of North Carolina (which has granted permission for Michigan educators to use
items from their test bank.) The RITS group evaluated every item, selected 230 questions and
aligned them to the Michigan Educational Technology Standards (METS). Due the huge time
constraint, test questions were not field-tested. The project is a work in progress, the RITS group is
already seeking and assimilating feedback from scores of grateful school districts who have or are
using the test bank. The federal expectation pushed states to spend millions of dollars on fee-based
assessments programs or search for alternatives. All arguments to the validity or efficacy of this
initiative are moot at this point; the technology has been pushed to yet another level. It remains to
be seen exactly how this will benefit kids.
A second example in the state is the new Michigan high school online learning graduation
requirement. Responding to the national outcry and demand for more school accountability,
Michigan’s Governor Jennifer Granholm proposed that every high school graduate have an
“online learning experience.” The online learning mandate is part of a legislation package aimed
at expanding high school graduation requirements across the state. Until now, Michigan students
have been required only to take a civics course to graduate. The new proposal would require
math, science, and a foreign language in addition to some form of online instruction. “Our online
learning requirement makes Michigan a leader among all the states in using the power of the
Internet to create learning opportunities in the classroom, the home and the workplace. In a world
that demands life long learning, we are giving our students and our state a competitive advantage
when it comes to landing the good-paying jobs of the 21st Century economy,” Governor Jennifer
Granholm said. (http://education.zdnet.com/?p=144).
Continued on next page.
May 2006
Legislating the Value of New Technology (Cont.)
Having legislated the need for an online learning experience,
it then became necessary to define the term. This is where the
REMC Association stepped up. REMCAM members gathered
input and created an Online Learning Framework (see pages 3
and 4) which was sent to the Michigan Department of Education
where it is currently under review (as of this date, 5/9/06.) The
framework is due to disseminated to local school districts probably
before you read this.
What’s Inside
Online Learning Experience
Framework................................ 3-4
Good Spin Comes from
a Variety of Sources.................... 5
NAMTC member Mike Souden from REMC 17 (Oakland County)
contributed many insights and resource links from his media
center blog. (http://epnweb.org/blogmeister/blog.php?blogger_
id=2964) Mike challenged the conventional thinking around the
definition of online learning. “For those of us living in the past
(more than a year ago) an online experience was limited to some
kind of online course, a web page, or possibly some other static
information. Even when there was a teacher involved who could
answer questions, the information available was one-dimensional.
In the last year or so we have heard about or participated in blogs,
podcasting, webinars, vblogs (videoblogs) and coursecasting.”
(Oakland School Educational Technology and Library Media
Services Blog, 2/3/06. What Will an Online Experience Learning
Experience Be Like?)
Member News.............................. 5
Board Briefs................................. 6
State Reports............................ 6-7
Calendar of Events...................... 8
REMCAM members are committed to a broad definition of online
learning. The draft Framework is reprinted below. I’d love to
hear from NAMTC members who have wrestled with this. Let me
know what you may have. Have a great spring and summer.
A complimentary
copy of the Spring
2006 Big Deal Book
of Technology is
enclosed. Thanks
to our friends at
Big Deal Book
from all the NAMTC
membership.
Ricki Chowning, NAMTC President,
[email protected]
News Items on the Michigan HS Online Learning Graduation
Requirement
http://www.distance-educator.com/dnews/modules.php?op=modloa
d&name=News&file=article&sid=14852
http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20060423-6657.html
http://mivhs.org/upload_2/MIOnlineRequirment42106.pdf
Publication Statement
‘etin is published five times annually by the National Association of Media and Technology Centers (NAMTC) and is
available only through membership in NAMTC
President
Ricki Chowning
Phone 616-675-5441
[email protected]
Executive Director
Betty Gorsegner Ehlinger
Phone 319.654.0608
[email protected]
Publications Chair
Sue Schwartz
Phone 517.244.1477
[email protected]
Membership Chair
Cliff Ehlinger
Phone 319.399.6730
[email protected]
NAMTC: http://www.namtc.org
2
‘etin • National Association of Media and Technology Centers
Online Learning Experience Framework
by the Regional Educational Media Center (REMC) Association of Michigan
March 2006
What is an ‘online learning experience’?
•
•
Learning is the act, process, or experience of gaining knowledge or skill.1
Online means connected to, served by, or available through a system and especially a computer or
telecommunications system (as the Internet)2
Based on these definitions of ‘learning’ and ‘online’ it implies that an online learning experience is the experience of
gaining knowledge or skill through a telecommunications system. However, because the definition is so very broad due to
the very nature of online, it is recommended that a framework for online learning experiences be considered rather than a
definition.
Today’s students learn, live, play and work in a digital environment. Michigan’s Department of Education and the State
Board of Education have recognized that our graduates must have opportunities to participate in a variety of learning
experiences that will help them be lifelong learners and prepared to work in a global society. Specifically, there is now a
proposed requirement that all students complete at least one online credit or non-credit course or learning experience in
order to graduate. A 2002 study showed that 78% of all students between the ages of 12 and 17 go online. 94% of those go
to the Internet for help with schoolwork. It also found that:
•
•
Students want better coordination of the out-of-school education use of the Internet with classroom activities, and
Students are frustrated and increasingly dissatisfied by the digital disconnect they are experiencing at school.
It is clearly a challenge to schools, as it is in business and higher education, to effectively use technologies in ways that
provide “online learning experiences” and a successful learning experience that truly meets the needs of the learners.
Online learning often includes a combination of technologies to create an experience that replicates the way business and
manufacturing gather and incorporate information. Jenna Sweeney, in her December 5, 2005, Corporate Training & eLearning Blog, cited a study by Bersin & Associates indicating that E-Learning will comprise 33% of all corporate training
in 2005 and that the growth in e-learning will continue. There is a growing interest in true on-demand learning solutions
(incorporating RSS feeds, podcasts, etc.) as well as increased interest in learning being mobile.
Michigan’s schools need a framework for online learning that outlines a spectrum of possible experiences. A successful
online learning experience will incorporate resources outside the classroom into the learning experience. For the learning
experience to be successful it should address many senses appropriate to the task, be available when the learner needs
it, and, of course, be relevant. Through these resources and quality instructional practices, the learning experience will
improve achievement.
Some online learning experiences may be self-directed; some may be virtually collaborative with others through text and
video. The ideal online learning experience is one that involves both self directed and collaborative activities and is blended
with the face to face instruction.
Continued on next page.
National Association of Media and Technology Centers • ‘etin
3
The following table provides some examples of these two types of experiences. These are not meant to be all inclusive, but
provide examples to frame what represents an online learning experience.
Online Learning Experience Framework
Self Directed
Completion of a self directed course of study
• The Career Development in a Global Economy
online course being created through Michigan
Virtual High School.
On-demand learning solutions that use Internet based
resources to enhance and expand the learning in a
classroom
• Examples include: Blogs, Podcasting,
Webinars, Vblogs (videoblogs), RSS feeds,
Coursecasting for anywhere access to course
materials.
Participating in a class through online tools such as
Blackboard or Moodle
• Teachers are videotaping and audio taping their
lectures and putting them into Blackboard for
students to watch or listen to for review and
supplement.
Online educational resources used to supplement
classroom instruction
• Elementary students can learn matching skills,
colors, numbers and ABCs through online
games and tutorials.
• Homework hotlines for middle and high school
students.
• ‘Ask the Expert’ online resources allowing
students to ask experts for advice and answers.
1
2
Collaborative
Participating in a class through online tools such as
Blackboard or Moodle
• Students participate in Discussion Boards and
chat rooms with an instructor or expert, such as
an author.
Online Exhibition based courses and experiences
• NASA and the Jason Project have ongoing
online projects for teachers and students to
participate from all over the world.
• Internet 2 projects, such as those coordinated
through various universities.
Two-way video conferencing that serves as curriculum
enriching electronic field trips for K-12 students
• TWICE field trips and projects such as Read
Across America.
• REMC sponsored video field trips providing
authentic experiences for kids by bringing the
community into the school/classroom such as
museums.
Distance Learning Systems/Shared Instruction
• Students at two or more sites share one teacher
via real-time, two-way interactive audio/visual
feeds using videoconference and/or high-speed
fiber optic connections
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language. Fourth Edition. Houghton Mifflin Company, 2000.
“Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary.” Merriam-Webster, Incorporated. 15 March, 2006. <http://www.webster.com>.
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‘etin • National Association of Media and Technology Centers
Good Spin Comes from a Variety of Sources
A dynamic, growing media and technology service is what we strive to attain. Each year we promote our services
across the normal audience bases. We educate teachers, superintendents, board members, administrators and often
times re-educate these clients about the services available to them and how to access them. These promotions and
face time are tremendously valuable in expanding the message of media and technology integration in the classroom.
Occasionally a program or service comes along that allows you to access a broader base of clients that isn’t normally
part of what’s considered our customer base.
I had the opportunity in August of 2005 to attend a presentation of the I-Safe program, a federal and institutionally
funded program that promotes instruction in schools for the purpose of keeping students safe on the Internet. The five
hour training that I attended permitted me to be a certified I-Safe trainer and more importantly to order materials from
the iSafe website. I immediately knew that iSafe was a valuable program that was good for students, schools and
parents. Did you notice I said parents? A group that is very difficult for most regional media and technology services
to address and a group that school administrators respond to quickly.
iSafe is popular with parents because it gives them information about their child’s safety. The problem of on-line safety
has recently been emphasized by network television investigative reporting shows such as Nightline and Prime time.
These programs alert parents to the dangers of chat rooms and the susceptibility of naïve youth. Parents need to know
the actions they can take to protect their child from online predators. This is exactly the information that iSafe provides.
The materials, brochures, lesson plans and a full K-12 curriculum, are high quality and well produced. There’s also an
on- line course that anyone interested in this problem can use to improve their knowledge about this growing problem.
I’ve made the decision to promote technology and the technology services of the Intermediate Unit by offering myself
as a speaker about the iSafe program to community groups such as: Lions, Kiwanis, and Rotary. The programs have
been well received and as I provide a public service I’m also building a new customer base.
Jim Cassin, Lancaster-Lebanon IU 13
[email protected]
Highlights
Member
News
Anne Feldkamp is the new contact for New Dimension Media,
[email protected], 312 397 2167.
Welcome to our newest members:
Dr. Mary Howrey
DeVry University South FL
2300 SW 145th Ave.
Library
Miramar, FL 33027
[email protected]
www.mir.devry.edu/academics_library.html
Richard Angelocci
Charles Doyle
Monroe County ISD
ESU #5
1101 S. Raisinville Rd.
900 West Court St.
Monroe, MI 48161
Beatrice, NE 68310
734 242 5799
402 223 5277
[email protected]
[email protected]
www.misd.k12.mi.us
National Association of Media and Technology Centers • ‘etin
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Highlights
Board
Briefs
TVO, Visual Learning, Human Relations, Classroom Media,
Lucerne Media, Chip Taylor, PBS Video, E Bio Media,
Spoken Arts and New Dimensions. Grant Wood will have the
evaluation forms on line for the reviews.
April 12, 2006
Laurie Maclin, NAMTC Secretary
[email protected]
Action Items
• The Board approved the agenda.
• The Board approved the Minutes of September 2006
• The Board approved the Treasurer’s Report.
Highlights
In Other Action, the Board
• Agreed to develop guidelines for a corporate listserve.
Diane Bilello volunteered to assist.
Reports
Treasurer: Karen Appleton presented a draft budget for
2006-07. Projections included a combination of increases in
institutional fees as well as keeping other estimated expenses
status quo and yielding a balanced budget at $53,440.00 for
2006/2007.
Membership: Cliff Ehlinger reported that more emphasis is
being put on delivery of services. The membership committee
has developed a product call Digital Video 101. The course and
the metadata will be posted on our web site. Adding information
about marketing techniques for digital video was discussed.
Publications-‘etin: Sue Schwartz requested suggestions for
themes for the 2006-07 issues of ‘etin. Themes suggested
include: Marketing Services for Agencies Who are Cost
Recovery Institutions, Collaborative Efforts, Pod Casting,
Copyright and Digital Services, Mobil Technology and Its Uses,
Social and Ethical Issues Arising from New Technologies.
Publications-namtc.org: Various aspects of web services were
discussed including having information about services and
membership password protected, as well as having information
regarding services that different agencies license or use. It
was decided that the idea of having some information about
agencies password protected would be explored. Other
suggestions for website information include: having the
newsletter articles indexed and attached as PDF files, it was
also suggested that maybe a new list serve just for corporate
entities to use to announce new products be developed.
Past President: Ron Enger announced the election of Gary
Ross as President Elect and Debbie Hale as Secretary.
President Elect: Bob Steingreaber reviewed information
about the 2007 Leadership Summit to be held at the Radisson
Green Tree in Pittsburgh, PA, April 19– 22, 2007. Corporate
sponsorship opportunities to help defray some of the costs will
be available. The Summer Ex Board Retreat will be in Cedar
Rapids IA, July 14-16, 2006.
Executive Director’s Report: Betty Ehlinger reported that
she and Bob will be working on sessions for AESEA, topics
must be submitted by April 13. Summit: members can pay for
their 06-07 dues and register for the Summit with one payment.
Twelve corporate members have sent media to be reviewed in
three categories. The companies included: Pyramid, Bullfrog,
6
State
Reports
California
California Media Centers have been active during the past
school year working on a variety of technology related projects
to enhance educational efforts by teachers for students.
Primarily, these efforts have focused on the distribution
and purchase of digital resources. A seminal event was the
purchase by the California County Educational Technology
Consortium (CCETC) of a digital media interface developed
by PowerMedia Plus. The 13 county consortium over the past
year has been working on all aspects of rolling out the interface
which will be called CaliforniaStreaming – http://www.
californiastreaming.org – it’s just a click away. The CCETC
continues to purchase analog and digital content, but is working
towards a plan to transition to a greater amount of digital media,
which will be delivered through CaliforniaStreaming.
Additionally efforts are underway to develop a statewide of buy
of digital learning resources through legislative action. Library
media advocates and state department of education officials are
working to develop a statewide portal allowing teachers and
students access to a core set of digital reference databases. While
it is to early to tell if this effort will be successful, CCETC and
the California High Speed Network (HSN) have been discussing
the feasibility of statewide purchases, and the collocation of
commercial digital resources on the state’s high speed network
The CCETC hosted a meeting of interested counties and districts
in March to discuss the feasibility of statewide purchases. These
discussions are ongoing and California educators are encouraged
by other states successful state buy efforts.
The other effort to develop statewide access to digital resources
has been through the HSN. The HSN has developed a trial
grant, which would allow a few selected commercial resources
to be located on the HSN’s servers. This would provide the
vendor’s with lower costs associated with bandwidth utilization,
which would be passed on to districts and schools. Finally,
California’s economy is starting to look brighter, which makes
us all feel much better after four years of budget cuts.
John Magneson, NAMTC Board Representative
[email protected]
‘etin • National Association of Media and Technology Centers
Nebraska
This school year marks for the Instructional Materials
members of the Educational Service Units of Nebraska,
twenty-seventh years of cooperation, enabling equitable,
statewide and state of the art multimedia resources for the
school districts of Nebraska.
The Instructional Materials membership just completed their
Spring Buy Preview Process. This process garnered the
acquisition of instructional materials with duplication and
digital rights for use by our member schools in the upcoming
school year. For a title to be considered, it must be within a
five - year copyright date, allows for duplication and digital
rights and match Nebraska standards
To further enhance the Spring Buy Preview Process the
Instructional Materials memberships hosted a project
titled Collection Mapping and Accountability. One or two
curriculum areas are evaluated yearly and by content, subject,
date and grade level. Project identifies gaps, redundancies,
out - dated materials within our collections. Additionally it
identifies Nebraska standard areas of our collection that need
fortification.
In 2001 the Instructional Materials membership implemented
Video Streaming as a pilot project for its member schools.
Each year, this offering of Video Streaming has proven to the
Instructional Materials membership that our member school
districts are eager for cutting edge instructional material
offerings. For the upcoming school year the Instructional
Materials affiliate of the Educational Service Units of
Nebraska will be providing PowerMediaPlus for Clearvue/
SVE to all it member school districts.
Since one of the primary indicators for acquisition selection
is Nebraska standard match, the Alignment to LEARNS
database was created. This project involves Nebraska
educator input into how the title aligns to school curriculum.
Educator reviewers across the state align the titles to Nebraska
standards along with writing comments about how this title
supports their instruction. Educators can go online to search
the instructional materials collection by title and standard.
MediaNebraska, a new project supported by the Instructional
Materials membership this year, forms extended communities
of learning and supports ongoing professional development
opportunities for all Nebraska information specialists,
Technology specialists and Educational Service Unit Staff
Developers The project offers collective inquiry practices
for information literacy skills by networking and assisting
educators in planning for classroom lessons.
Distance Learning in Nebraska will take a big leap forward
with the recent passing of LB1208. This bill will provide the
legislative authority and a funding mechanism for the NE
Division of Communications to connect the 12 independent
distance learning (DL) pods into one state DL network of 284
high schools and ESUs; as well as providing the funding and
mechanism to convert all K12 and ESU DL classrooms into a
standard IP protocol transport. Since the new DL network will
be IP based and passed as data, the end result is to finally get a
statewide data backbone for all of Nebraska.
Chris Petroff, Nebraska Board Representative
[email protected]
Calendar of Events
2006
July 5-7, 2006
NECC 2006: Explore Dream Discover,
Convention Center, San Diego, CA,
www.iste.org
September 27-October 1, 2006
National Media Market, Hilton Phoenix
East, Mesa, AZ, www.nmm.net
October 12-16, 2006
CCUMC, Omni Austin Hotel Downtown,
Austin, TX, www.CCUMC.org
November 8-10, 2006
NSBA’s T+L2 Conference, Dallas
Convention Center, Dallas, TX,
www.nsba.org/t+l/
November 29-December 2, 2006
AESA Annual Conference, Desert
Springs Marriott Resort and Spa, Palm
Desert, CA, www.aesa.us
2007
April 19-22, 2007
NAMTC 8th Leadership Summit,
Pittsburgh PA, www.namtc.org
NAMTC welcomes other national
or state conference information of
interest to our membership. Please
send the listing to Sue Schwartz,
[email protected]. National Association of Media and Technology Centers • ‘etin
7
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‘etin • National Association of Media and Technology Centers