Keynote  8:30-9:30                                                           Printer Friendly Version

Standards Are Not Enough:  Essential Transformations for Successful Schools
Doug Reeves

We’re buried in standards – now what?” With this provocative question, Dr. Reeves suggests that the mere articulation of standards is insufficient for improvements in student achievement. He argues that despite the prevalence of standards and high-stakes examinations, mindless test prep is not the answer. With extensive evidence, he makes a case for thinking, analysis, reasoning, and especially writing. In addition he suggests that schools must change the way they assess and evaluate students, moving away from one-shot tests that mimic state and federal mandates and embrace assessments that promote learning. After the keynote, participants will have the opportunity to submit questions, challenges, and success stories. Dr. Reeves will create new PowerPoint slides that include these participant comments and his responses to them.  In the follow-up breakout session, the new slides will be shared with all participants so that they will be able to share the result of their learning and collaborative work with their colleagues. 

Session 7    10:00-11:00

Power in the Palm of Your Hand
Kathleen Schrock, Administrator for Technology, Nauset Public Sch., Orleans,1996 Pathfinder
Ginny Abbott, Technology Integration Specialist, Braintree Public Schools
This presentation, by 2 Palm-certified Education Trainers, continues the discussion of the effective use of handheld computers to support teaching and learning. It includes a look at the impact of technology in education, the effective use of these devices, and a multitude of original activities for using the Palm in the classroom to maximize their impact on student achievement.

Digital Portfolios: The Essential Questions
David Niguidula, Principal, Ideas Consulting, Barrington, RI
Reina Quintero-Niguidula, Teacher, Barrington Middle School, Barrington, RI
How can students show that they meet standards – yet also show their individuality? In this session, we will look at digital portfolios: a web-based tool that allows students (and teachers) to showcase their work. We will examine samples of digital portfolios from a variety of elementary, middle, and high schools. To frame these examples, participants will learn the “essential questions” of designing portfolios: What do we expect a student to know and be able to do? Why are we collecting student work? How do we determine what work is good? How do we provide feedback to students? What hardware, software, and networking to we need? How can the school support it? What time and resources are required to put portfolios in place? What makes student work valued — and valuable – within a school? We will discuss how each school has addressed these questions, and how their answers might apply to the participants’ own settings. Participants will learn how digital portfolios can be developed – and assessed – to address different audiences, and how to begin the discussion in their own schools.

Keynote Follow-up: An Hour with Doug Reeves
Doug Reeves
After the keynote, return for follow-up discussion with keynote speaker Doug Reeves.

From One Generation to Another: Needham High School Oral History Project
Kenneth Brooke, Social Studies Teacher, Needham High School
James Modena, Instructional Technologist, Needham High School, 1997 Pathfinder

Our website tells the story of World War II as it was told by survivors of the war to sophomore students at Needham High School. http//www.needham.k12.ma.us/High_School/cur/wwII/indes.html  This is how one generation has passed on its experiences and memories to another. Please take the time to read this fascinating collection of stories. We hope that this site will help us all better understand what it was like to live in such a momentous time in world history. Learn the process of creating your own oral history project. Visit the site to see how students from the history classes and web design class worked together to create the project. We will outline project ideas, give organizational tips, include ideas for materials and software, and answer questions.

eSchool Builder - Affordable K-12 Portal
John Heffernan
Mike Matukaitis, Project Manager, Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit, Lewisburg, PA

eSchool Builder is a cost-effective, fast, and easy-to-use web portal and learning management system to design, develop, and deliver online courses. This initiative aims to expand educational opportunities for educators and students by creating and hosting high quality online courses that can be completed using an Internet connected computer. eSchool Builder was developed by Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit (an educational collaborative in Pennsylvania) and was built specifically for the K-12 educational community. eSchool Builder is now available in Massachusetts through an agreement with the Hampshire Educational Collaborative. We will demonstrate the benefits and features of eSchool Builder.

Using Technology to Support Improved Student Learning Under No Child Left Behind
Connie Louie, Mass. Department of Education, 2001 Pathfinder
This session will highlight the requirements of No Child Left Behind, how technology can support schools to meet these requirements, and how the resources from the different programs under No Child Left Behind can support the use of technology.

Speaking Dynamically and Curriculum Adaptation
Jeff McAuslin, Assistive Technology Specialist, Easter Seals of Massachusetts

Come hear how Speaking Dynamically is used as a tool for curriculum adaptation. Explore ways to scan worksheets into Speaking Dynamically as well as make information from all content areas available in this program.  Speaking dynamically allows for the creation of fill in the blank activities, book access, and the use of many writing tools.  Participants will receive information on making board creation easier by using templates.

U.S. Studies
Leslie Carroll, Instructional Technology Specialist
Mary Rowlandson, Elementary School, Nashoba Reg. School District

Learn how to add some technology to your unit on the 50 states to motivate and challenge your class. Students use the Internet and various pieces of software to learn about the 50 states, create a simple state database, do some fun problem solving, and work on creative projects. Individual, small group, and whole class activities are included - some for the one computer classroom. You can choose from a number of demonstrated activities depending on the focus of your unit and your available software. Get directions, rubrics, and samples of student work. Most appropriate for grades 3-5.

Grading Papers with MS Word
Diane Boyajian, Project Manager, Merrimack Education Center

Swamped with student papers? Surrounded by a stack of ungraded essays/reports? Writing the same comments over and over in the margins of student papers? This workshop will show you how to use MS Word features for tracking changes, making comments on student writing and building macros so that frequently used comments can be added to the student papers quickly. This assumes students can submit papers to the teacher electronically. This is not a beginner workshop.

Aligning Math Corner Activities to State Standards and District Curriculum
Linda Mros, Third Grade Teacher, Chamberlain Elem., Taunton
Ragen D. Tiliakos, Technology Director, Taunton Public Schools

See how a team of Taunton teachers, with an instructional technology specialist and the technology director, worked together to develop computer math activities that directly aligned to their mathematics series, Everyday Math. Taunton already owned the software, MathCorner (a Pearson Learning product) but was not using it to its potential. The software provides computer mathematics manipulatives activities for the elementary level. Teachers, with the help of a Pearson trainer, learned to use and then to develop their own activities. They analyzed their district MCAS data to determine where the software could support weak areas and developed activities to meet those needs. At the same time they directly aligned the activities to their district’s math series. Finally, they published the activities to be used district-wide. This model can be replicated for use with other kinds of software.

Project MEET Showcase

Project MEET Grant Recipients

Inspired Visual Learning with Kidspiration™
Susan Krug, Training Resource Specialist, Inspiration Software

Inspire young learners to build strong thinking skills with visual learning! Explore how Kidspiration helps K-5 students brainstorm, organize, create, and explore their great ideas. See how teachers use Kidspiration to create meaningful classroom activities. Receive practical classroom examples, standards-based integration strategies, and a 30-day trial of Kidspiration.

Successful Reading Techniques – Effective Professional Development Programs
Lexia Team

Ensuring that our nation has effective teachers requires more than just technology for teaching and learning. We need to improve, prepare and support our teachers as they utilize technology in the classroom. Lexia Learning Systems, Inc. will conduct a presentation on the benefits of technology and professional development services to schools. The goal of the session will be to inform educators the tools and techniques affiliated with technology based teacher-training programs and core curriculums.

Kurzweil 3000 for Windows
Kurzweil Team

Kurzweil 3000 (Windows version) for students with learning or reading  difficulties. Topics to be demonstrated include scanning, reading, writing, study, online tools and test taking.

Understanding the Powerful READ 180
Julia Spencer Fary, Scholastic
Turn your kids’ lives around using intellingent technology and Scholastic’s proven, scientific-based reading technology program for struggling readers in grades 4-12. Come learn more. Free demonstratons and materials to participants.

Using Microsoft Office 2003 in the Classroom, with Producer!
Tara Pusey, Microsoft
The increased volume of information in today’s classroom environment has changed the way learning is measured and achieved.  The new Microsoft Office System provides an easy-to-use set of tools to help educators and students access, manage, and act on information.  Discover how the integrated programs, servers, and services can help teams to collaborate and communicate more effectively, so they can work together to accomplish learning objectives.  Come learn about new things such as OneNote which allows you to take notes electronically to capture information, share ideas, and prioritize and act on information to increase the time you spend teaching and decrease the time you spend on administrative tasks.  InfoPath allows you to create and gather useful, dynamic information by creating forms in an easy-to-use, familiar environment.

MECnet Community Online -Beyond T1 lines(DSL, Broadband and Fiber access)
Carole Schuster, Associate Director, Merrimack Education Center
Jeff Bajgot, MECnet
Find out about our new high speed services for schools: DSL, Broadband, and Fiber.

NetOp School - Software for the Networked Classroom

Torcomp

A powerful new tool to enhance computer-based training, NetOp School is a highly acclaimed software solution designed to make computer-based teaching more effective. Using advanced remote-control technology, NetOp School allows teachers to perform online virtually all the tasks they can in a traditional class setting.  With this program you can instruct, monitor and assist students on their computers without moving from yours. What’s more, NetOp School grants all students a front-row seat and the chance to gain hands-on experience.

Which Palm is Right for Me and My Students?  

Palm Certified Trainer

Choosing the right model for classroom use is an important consideration.  We will provide an overview of the Palm devices available today and discuss the different technologies and features each model supports. We will also review relevant accessories for teaching, learning and leadership and the technology trends that will help define the future of this promising learning tool.

New Video Solutions for your network

TENCorp Team

Find out about the latest development in Network-based Streaming Videoconferencing, and Security cameras.  Hands on demos and live video conference will be tried.

Web Based Grade Book and Standards Tracking Software in One Package? - Absolutely.
Computer Resources
Satisfying NCLB requirements and tracking state and local standards is a large focus for today’s schools. We have the tool to help. Classroll.com is a web-based standards based classroom management system that simplifies data-driven decision making with real-time information.  With Classroll.com, administrators get the most accurate information about student progress on academic standards to make more effective decisions. Teachers gain timesaving administrative tools, parents gain immediate access to their children’s grades and students can track their own progress. Let us show you this amazing system.

Educational Technology: Come See and Try the Latest Educational Software          
Eileen Barnett, Director/Educational Software Specialist, Lesley University
Michael Powell, Instructional Network Technician, Lesley University

Participants will have a hands-on opportunity to experience some of the best new educational software with the help of Eileen Barnett, Educational Software Specialist at Lesley University.

Handheld Memo/Note Pad
Alice Santiago, MetroLINC Challenge Grant Director, 2003 Pathfinder
Laurene M. Belisle, Instructional Technology Coordinator, Westfield Public Schools, 1994 Pathfinder
Memo Pad/Note Pad Applications: This workshop will cover both tools and demonstrate the difference between them. You will learn how to create a note, a "to do" item and using the memo pad

Session 8  11:30-12:30

Handheld Technology: Changing the Way We Teach & Learn
Carolyn Staudt, Curriculum and Professional Development Consultant for Concord Consortium & Vice President of KidSolve™

Portable handheld computers are well suited for implementing active learning activities that engage students and encourage exploration and collaboration. It is imperative to think of these devices not as the solution but rather as a learning tool that plays a vital role in altering the teaching style and conception of the classroom. When used in meaningful educational support, students become empowered by organizing and planning, referencing information, data gathering, manipulating and displaying data, communicating and collaborating, and supporting individual learning with their handheld devices.

Information Literacy for Elementary Students
Tiffany Davis, Instructional Technology Specialist
Lynne Pinsoneault, Library Media Specialist, J.R. Briggs Elementary, Ashburnham

Learn practical ideas for teaching information literacy skills through “I-Search” projects that are co-taught by the instructional technology specialist, librarian, and classroom teacher. Participants will take away: A copy of our curriculum, which identifies specific technology and library skills for students in grades 3-5. The curriculum is grounded in the philosophy that 1) information skills are best taught in the context of the core curriculum; 2) teachers should model the use of both print and electronic sources of information; templates that could be used to implement an I-Search project on any topic; handouts, lesson plans, and web links for three projects that have been implemented successfully in the classroom and are keyed to the MA Curriculum Frameworks; MA Hall of Fame (Grade 3): combines social studies, art, language arts, library, and technology curriculum goals. Final products include a papier-mache puppet and a web page; Tour North America (Grade 4): combines social studies, math, language arts, library and technology curriculum goals. Final products include a PowerPoint presentation and a budget spreadsheet; and Space, The Final Frontier (Grade 5): combines science, language arts, library, and technology curriculum goals. Final products include a PowerPoint presentation and database.

The Rodney Dangerfield Effect: Getting Respect for Non-Tested Subjects Through Holistic Accountability
Doug Reeves
Does your specialty “get no respect” because it is not the subject of mandatory state tests?  We can transform educational accountability policy from a destructive exercise that focuses on a few subjects to a constructive support system for all students and teachers if we are willing to embrace a new vision which Dr. Reeves describes as “holistic accountability.” With extensive evidence and compelling case studies, Reeves shows how technology educators, library media center leaders, parents, and every other stakeholder can play important and constructive roles in accountability.  “We do not have to wait for the federal or state government to change accountability policy,” Reeves argues. ”“Teachers, schools, and districts have the power right now to tell their story and place test scores in the context of the exceptional efforts of every professional in the school. We have a critically important story to tell about student success in our schools, and test scores do not tell that entire story.  Every educational professional has an obligation to become an advocate for the impact of many untested subjects on student success, and we must proactively develop accountability systems that tell this story.”  The holistic accountability system that Reeves describes is not a theory but is already in use in urban, suburban, and rural school systems throughout the nation.  The research Reeves cites is from his forthcoming book, Accountability for Learning (ASCD, 2004), as well as from his previous publications, including Holistic Accountability:  Serving Students, Schools, and Community (Corwin Press, 2001), and Accountability in Action:  A Blueprint for Learning Organizations (Advanced Learning Press, 2000).

MOBILE@SPS
Donna Boivin, Dist. Technology Dir., Springfield Public Schools
Paula Moran, Technology Integration Specialist
Richard Muise, Middle School Technology Teacher
Robert Hamal, Assistant to the Superintendent
Ruth Chappel, Middle School Science Specialist

When do student, teacher, and administrator mobility contribute to student achievement? When M.O.B.I.L.E. stands for Mobilizing Options Beyond Instructional Lab Environments. The Springfield Public School System is an urban district with 28000 students who are educated in 46 buildings, many of which are a century old. Introducing technology is expensive, prohibitively so in some buildings, because the cost must include both the technology and new electrical and networking infrastructures. To bring technology resources directly into the classroom, a mobile wireless lab model has been implemented. Carts containing 16 wireless Internet-connected laptops and a printer are wheeled from classroom to classroom, negating the need for students to travel to a computer lab. Wheeling two mobile labs into the classroom provides a “virtual lab” with a laptop for each student in the class. This “virtual lab” promotes equity since classes have more access than with a traditional lab: less travel time; more availability; no “closed lab” time; and, the classroom teacher becomes the “computer teacher” working towards total integration. Handheld computers, the newest addition to our mobile innovations, are used by administrators to access student schedules, record disciplinary information; by teachers to record assessment data, activities, and instructional strategies; and by students in middle and high school math and science classrooms. Come hear about our successes and challenges.

Lights, Camera, Curriculum
Mary O’Loughlin, Computer Teacher, Henry Grew School, Boston & Ruth Browne, Technology Support Specialist, Office of Instructional Technology, Boston Public Schools

Students in a heterogeneous fourth grade computer class create an iMovie about animals in the rain forest. Students begin the project by researching the animals using books, encyclopedias, CDs, and online resources. Each student selects an animal and creates a PowerPoint presentation that focuses on the animal’s habitat, diet, and natural enemies. Using the PowerPoint presentation as a base, the students create a storyboard that includes graphics, script, and camera setup for iMovie clips about the animal. Working in teams of 4 or 5, students set up and film their storyboards, learn how to edit their clips using iMovie, and combine their clips with titles, transitions, and sounds to create a class video of Rain Forest Animals. They copy the iMovie onto VHS tapes to share with their families and to donate to the school’s library to serve as a resource for other students.

Internet Credibility Lesson for Middle School
Diana Campbell, Technology Teacher Hopkinton Middle School
Lee Kasprak, English Language Arts Grade 8 Teacher, Hopkinton Middle School

Is it real? How do you know? That is the question that everyone needs to ask when exploring the Internet. In this session, participants explore one way teachers can teach their students how to determine a web site’s credibility.  Explore questions that every web surfer needs to ask when using the Internet, including: Who is the author/creator? Are his/her credentials listed? Is the person a teacher or student of the topic? Is there contact information, such as an e-mail address? Does the author have a reputation? Has s/he published works in traditional format?  Is the author affiliated with an organization, one that appears to support or sponsor the page? What does the domain name/URL reveal about the source of the information, if anything?  Participants will be given examples of credible and not-so-credible web sites. Participants will compare several sets of web sites to discuss their level of credibility.

Portfolio Assessment Using Stages Software
Madalaine Pugliese, Assistive Technology Program Director, Simmons College
Jennifer Edge, Occupational Therapist/Assistive Technology Consultant, South Shore Educational Collaborative, Hingham

Stages software helps gather both the primary and the secondary evidence that is required in all MCAS alternative portfolios by providing a series of accessible computer-based benchmark activities. In today’s changing political climate it is critical that assistive technology recommendations be connected to curriculum and reflect assessment mandates. It is important that assessment truly measures actual learner performance within a relevant curriculum and demonstrates how a modified curriculum connects back to standards for all learners. The Stages philosophy offers a research-based decision-making developmental framework for selecting the software and devices that are used for everyday learning. Stages was developed to identify abilities in learners who participate in mandated assessment procedures via competency-based portfolios and provides a comprehensive view of a learner’s cognitive and language abilities.

UDL in the Trenches: Using Technology and Universal Design for Learning in the Classroom
Amy Ingalls, Center for Applied Special Technology (CAST)
Sara Wolff, 1st Grade Teacher, Young Achievers, Jamaica Plain

The concepts of Universal Design for Learning are becoming better known, but how to implement UDL in the classroom is not as straightforward. Come listen to teachers who are implementing Universal Design for Learning and using technologies like text-to-speech and graphic organizers to support struggling learners in the classroom. These teachers have been working closely with The Center for Applied Special Technologies, to beta test and explore innovative uses of UDL with middle and high school students. They will share their experiences, what worked, what did not work, time realities of implementation, as well as provide useful resources which will be available to participants to bring back to their classrooms.

Animating Classroom Discussion Online Using VES
Liz Grogan, Professional Development Specialist
Attend this session to learn how districts are using the VES Discussion Forums to animate classroom discussions and post homework assignments. Attendees will learn how their schools and district can begin to use the free tools in VES to launch their own classroom discussions and homework forums

Groovy Girls
Peg Verdi, Project MEET TPD
Students
Students create digital media messages for communication and character development. They develop critical thinking skills by analyzing the media. Groovy Girls-Making Dreams Come True is an empowering girls support group for solving problem conflicts, bullying, and for developing positive self images. They learn supporting technology skills in iPhoto, iMovie, Keynote, and Webwork with images on Artsonia, online Art Museum.

Project MEET Showcase
Project MEET Grant Recipients

Implement iMovie Within the Curriculum
Anne Marie Levesque, Computer Specialist, Friedman M.S.
Jim Frye, Music Teacher, Friedman Middle School, Taunton
iMovie is a great tool for engaging students in all curriculum areas. This workshop will focus on music and social studies projects. In music, students are engaged in pre-production preparations, taping the students, and editing video to match a musical soundtrack. Using Disney’s Fantasia 2000 as a guideline, students came up with a story line to illustrate already composed music. They later prepared and acted out scenes to be filmed on digital video. The video was imported into iMovie and edited to “fit the music.” In social studies, students produced persuasive videos demonstrating why a particular state of our country would be an exciting and interesting place to visit.

The Connection between Reading Software and Reading Comprehension – What does the research tell us.
Lexia Team
Learn about the results of a research study conducted by Lexia Learning Systems in Revere, Massachusetts. During this presentation, participants will receive an overview of the design, methods, analysis and findings in Grades 1-3. How did students perform who used reading skill software three times a week for an enitire year. The results will astonish you!

Kurzweil 3000 for Macintosh
Kurzweil

Kurzweil 3000 (Macintosh version) for students with learning or reading difficulties. Topics to be demonstrated include scanning, reading, writing, study, and test taking.

NovaNET:  Anytime, anyplace access to MCAS aligned curriculum for all content areas grades 6-12
Jane Comstock, Pearson Digital Education
NovaNET school curriculum software from Pearson Digital Learning, formerly Pearson Education Technologies, is a comprehensive e-learning system revolutionizing the relationship between students, teachers, and technology. The result of more than 30 years of research, NovaNET ensures accountability by linking educators with progressive technology, standards-based curriculum and proven teaching methods to prepare today's students for the challenges of tomorrow.  NovaNET for grades 6-12 is a comprehensive online courseware system that delivers thousands of hours of standards-based, interactive curriculum, integrated assessment and student management and record-keeping. Learn how NovaNET provides: Presciptive MCAS aligned curriculum to ensure students receive instruction and assessment to succeed; the world's largest online library of interactive curriculum that includes graphically rich multimedia lessons; self-paced, interactive curricula that dynamically adapts to student needs; powerful testing, assessment, student management, recordkeeping, and communications tools; an easy-to-use instructional management system allowing for curriculum control and customization; online help from curriculum support staff for immediate feedback and assistance; and online communication tools that allow users to have real-time conversations with any learner in the NovaNET community.

Using Spreadsheets to Enhance Elementary Curriculum
Renee Chandonnet, FreshPond
The increased volume of information in today’s classroom environment has changed the way learning is measured and achieved.  The new Microsoft Office System provides an easy-to-use set of tools to help educators and students access, manage, and act on information.  Discover how the integrated programs, servers, and services can help teams to collaborate and communicate more effectively, so they can work together to accomplish learning objectives.  Come learn about new things such as OneNote which allows you to take notes electronically to capture information, share ideas, and prioritize and act on information to increase the time you spend teaching and decrease the time you spend on administrative tasks.  InfoPath allows you to create and gather useful, dynamic information by creating forms in an easy-to-use, familiar environment.

The Internet 2(I2) and MECnet
Lori Rudd, Carole Schuster and Jeff Bajgot, MECnet
What is Internet 2?  How can I  connected to I2? This presentation will address the I2 infrastructure, K12 projects and the MECnet connection to I2.

Autodesk Revit - Architectural Design Software

Torcomp

Autodesk Revit building information modeling software automates design documentation, preparation of deliverables, and tedious coordination chores. How? Concurrent design and documentation, powered by parametric change technology. You enter information once—in the familiar language of drawing and sketching—and it is captured for use throughout the entire project. The benefit? Your students can make a change to any part of the design—including sections, elevations, and drawing sheets—and it’s updated everywhere else.

Handheld Infrastructure for the Classroom  

Palm Certified Trainer 

Come learn about the technologies that enable the integration of Palm OS devices in the classroom. We will demonstrate device management tools, wireless access methods, classroom management software and utilities as well as solutions that provide the technology underpinnings to support student use.

Upgrading to Windows 2003 - Lessons from the summer

TENCorp Team

Come find out about the newest 2003 networks, what works, what doesn't, and why you should consider it.

New England’s Favorite Administrative Software Just Got Better- MMS Releases’“Generations”
Computer Resources
Computer Resources is proud to announce the release of its fifth generation of MMS for schools, aptly named, “Generations.” This true district-wide solution comes with an all new look. Come see all the new changes we’ve made. This software is more robust than ever before!

Educational Technology: Come See and Try the Latest Educational Software          
Eileen Barnett, Director/Educational Software Specialist, & Michael Powell, Instructional Network Technician, Lesley University
Participants will have a hands-on opportunity to experience some of the best new educational software with the help of Eileen Barnett, Educational Software Specialist at Lesley University.

Session 9     1:00-2:00

Everyone Can Write!
Joan Ciampa, Curriculum Integration Specialist, Peabody Public Schools
Paula Pike, Assistive Technology Coordinator, Peabody Public Schools

Participants will learn strategies to improve writing skills across the curriculum for all students by applying the principals of universal design. We will demonstrate graphic organizers including Inspiration and Kidspiration and readily available online resources. We will teach transitioning from visual organizers to the word processing document by using Macros, and we’ll explore editing features of the Microsoft Word program such as hidden text and tracing. Participants will learn how to use text to speech software for proofreading, and we’ll provide examples of additional hardware and software for hands-on learning. Teachers will leave the workshop with the strategies and tools necessary to address the various learning styles and needs of today’s complex classroom. We will provide free downloads of graphic organizers and text to speech resources on a CD to all participants.

Recipe for Adapting Books
Kristen Eichleay, Director, & Susan DuBuske, Assistive Technology Assessor, Boston Public Schools Access Technology Center

This workshop will provide a variety of accommodations and interventions for students who are unable to access text for a variety of reasons. The areas of difficulty may include: motor, cognition, learning, vision, and hearing. Guidelines that provide a framework for adapting books/text and creating an activity kit will be presented, along with exemplars of books/activities created with software programs that provide visual support to text, e.g., Inspiration, BoardMaker, Writing with Symbols and PixWriter. Text-to-speech software will also be addressed. Participants will leave with materials and instructions for making a low tech “Boston Box” - a reusable, visual and tactile teaching aide, along with ideas for using it with students.

The Next Small Thing: Are Handhelds the Future of Education Technology?
Erica Levy, Professional Development Specialist, Mass Networks Education Partnership
Sue Birrell, Administrator of Educational Technology, Lowell Public Schools
Donna Boivin, Dist. Technology Director, Springfield Public Schools

For better or for worse, handhelds’ debut into the classroom comes at a very different time from the honeymoon period of education technology in the 80s.  In an era of accountability, educators can no longer afford to use an instructional technology just because its bells and whistles are entertaining to the students.  Educators need to be able to prove with data that they are raising student achievement, and the onus is on them to prove the efficacy of their methods, including the use of technology. What can handhelds do for us?  This workshop forum will include presentations of some ways that educators are starting to use handhelds in their classrooms combined with an open discussion of the pros and cons of classroom handheld use.

Technology and Curriculum Integrated: Understanding by Design
Louise Leland, Technology Coordinator, Wilmington Public Schools
Christopher Masalsky, Technology Consultant
Teachers from the Wilmington Schools

Understanding by Design (UBD) is a paradigm to assist educators interested in designing units and courses of study that focus on developing and deepening students’ understanding. The Wilmington Public Schools have adopted the principles of UBD in our curriculum design process, and we have effectively utilized technology to enable districtwide implementation of UBD methodologies. As part of a district-sponsored professional development initiative and a partnership with MassLearns, Wilmington teachers have used an array of Internet-based tools to engage in collaborative UBD lesson planning, curriculum alignment, and interactive student instruction/assessment. Wilmington teachers have produced over 50 technology-enhanced lesson plans that are aligned to the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks and are shared via the web. This workshop will focus on the critical components of the UBD-centered curriculum design process and how schools can utilize technology tools to enhance project implementation. Even if schools have not adopted the UBD paradigm, the session will provide valuable information on effective tools and strategies for producing true technology-curriculum integration.  All participants will receive a complimentary 6-month subscription to MassLearns.com, and the presenters will provide demonstrations/tips for utilizing MassLearns in daily classroom instruction.

Supporting Mathematics with Technology
From the Boston Public Schools:
James Coffey, Instructional Technology Support Specialist
Stefanie Reinhorn, Middle School Mathematics Coach
Isiah Floyd, Instructional Technology Support Specialist

This workshop will provide middle school teachers with an overview of how Boston’s math coaches, instructional technology support specialists, and middle school math instructors work collaboratively to support mathematics instruction with technology integration. Examples of free interactive web sites and how they support the math standards will be demonstrated. Participants will also learn how TERC’s Tabletop software supports data analysis. Attendees will receive a document that aligns these technology tools with Mathematics standards and the Connected Mathematics® Units. This 2-year Massachusetts Department of Education “No Child Left Behind” grant, was designed to support the middle school mathematics curriculum with technology. This model trains teachers in using interactive web sites and mathematics software to enhance student understanding of mathematical concepts and their ability to integrate these tools within the mathematics curriculum.

Prescriptive Data Analysis: Linking MCAS to where your wild things are
Chris Seiberling, Technology Planning Manager, & Steve Miller, Executive Director, Mass Networks Education Partnership

Do MCAS reports leave you wondering how to respond? Do you know why your ‘wild things’ did well? Or poorly? With all the pressure to simply improve test scores, how do we go about translating patterns of success and failure into meaningful change in the classroom?  TestWiz...  After we show you how TestWiz describes school and district performance, you may wonder how to focus your analysis on the kids you teach and the frameworks that guide you. These areas are beyond TestWiz’s scope, yet are essential to meeting the instructional needs of your students.  ...and beyond.  We will demonstrate how MCAS data can be linked to reliable demographic data in your district’s SIMS database and also to the MCAS test questions and the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks. You will learn: An overview of TestWiz basicsz: How to identify non-academic factors that affect test results.: How to locate the specific frameworks standards your student cohort struggles with: Prescriptive analysis will enable you to move beyond MCAS scorekeeping to effectively help your students, wild things or not, meet the learning goals outlined by the Frameworks.

Computer Access for Single Switch Users
Patricia Donovan, Assistive Technology Specialist, Kennedy Day School, Brighton

This workshop will provide participants with the basics of single switch use on a Windows formatted computer.  Participants will be provided with demonstration and information regarding: how to choose hardware and install a switch access device, the uses of single switch access in the classroom setting, and simple troubleshooting.

Mimio in the Classroom
James Walker, Special Education Teacher, Lower Pioneer Valley Ed. Collaborative
James Shanley, VP International Sales, Virtual Ink Corp.

Do you wish you could save the way you were able to explain conversion of fractions to a student? How about the brainstorm you had when you were teaching personification? Don’t you wish you could save all the notes you write on the whiteboard and give them to the students who are always behind? Attach a mimio to a whiteboard, connect it to a computer and everything you write or draw is electronically captured - in color and real-time. Knowing that they will have access to your notes at the end of the class, students can spend more time focused on the concepts you are teaching instead of copying off the whiteboard. With a mimio in the classroom a teacher can communicate with an individual student (through saved notes and drawings) or a remote classroom (through boardCast). Using a mimio and a video projector, the whiteboard becomes an interactive touch  screen. Project your desktop onto the whiteboard and use the mimioMouse stylus to directly control the whiteboard (no more crowding around a monitor), control a Power Point presentation, navigate an educational CD, or surf the Internet.

Universally Designed Classrooms
Karen Kenny, Project Director for the Collaborative Center for Assistive Technology & Training (CCATT) Center
Diane Gumaer,AAC/AT and Speech Specialist, Hampshire Educational Collaborative, Northampton
What is Universal Design for Curriculum Access?  How does this differ from Assistive Technology? We will focus on how we can design our classrooms to accommodate a continuum of learners.  We will consider environmental factors – acoustical, visual, physical – as well as how to build a flexible curriculum using digital tools.   We will consider who benefits most from accommodations and just which parts of the curriculum should be universally designed.  The discussion will close with how to take the first steps in implementing a flexible curriculum: steps that include low cost/no cost tools for converting print into digital text.

Creative Teachers, Standards, and Project-Based Learning
Evelyn Woldman, Education Coordinator, MESPA, 2001 Pathfinder
See how creative teachers address national and state standards using open-ended tools and project-based learning? These models, based on activities developed by educators around the country, demonstrate how we can sustain creativity in the classroom and teach “beyond the standards” instead of simply “to the standards.” Learn creative and effective ways to meet curriculum objectives and address standards featuring appropriate resources, lesson ideas, and sample projects for math, language, science, and social studies.

Project MEET Showcase
Project MEET Grant Recipients

Enhancing the Writing Process Using Technology
Arnie Vretsky, Software Developer, Resource Specialist, Visions Technology/Mythic Wave

Teaching organizational skills in the writing process is a challenging task for teachers at all levels. The emphasis of this presentation will be on exploring both software and Internet tools that can make the job of teaching the writing process easier and allow even your most disorganized students to communicate effectively. Attendees will be presented with specific lessons for each stage of the writing process. Some of the sites and programs presented will cover the entire writing process from brainstorming to publishing while others, like Inspiration, will be useful in specific area such as clustering and organization. Both free and commercial software will be shown, so attendees will be able to implement the ideas presented whether or not they have a software budget. Ideas and software presented will emphasize the practical considerations of implementing in a real world classroom, including limited budgets, limited computer time per student, and consistency with curriculum.

Technology, Assessment Tools, and Training Programs – How do they help teachers meet today’s Federal standards?
Lexia Team
The Reading First Initiative has increased society’s awareness of the importance of learning to read. A student without the fundamental skills needed to learn to read may experience devastating and compounding results, for the rest of his or her life.  Lexia Learning Systems, will outline several factors can contribute to a student’s inability to learn to read; nutrition and environment, undetected learning disabilities, classroom size, limited teacher training, inappropriate curricula, or the lack of time, tools, and resources to assess and teach children.  

Kurzweil 3000 and Test Taking Accommodations for MCAS
Kurzweil
This session addresses how Kurzweil 3000 is being used as an approved accommodation by students with learning and reading difficulties who are taking the MCAS.

Understanding the Powerful READ 180
Julia Spencer Fary, Scholastic
Turn your kids’ lives around using intellingent technology and Scholastic’s proven, scientific-based reading technology program for struggling readers in grades 4-12. Come learn more. Free demonstratons and materials to participants.

Solve all Your Student Information Needs. Information is a Keystroke Away with SASIxp
Tom Buoni, Pearson Digital Education
See the leading and most robust student information system, SASIxp manages extensive information at both the school and district level while saving time by eliminating repeated data entry. SASIxp (Schools Administrative Student Information system) offers instant access to student demographics, attendance, discipline, grades, schedules, health, immunization, emergency, parent/guardian information, and more. The graphics-based design and drag-and-drop capabilities make it easy for faculty, staff and administrators to customize their desktops, putting the information and functionality they need at their fingertips. The SASIxp Report Designer application from Jinfonet(tm) Software offers a variety of report templates along with the ability to create and customize reports to meet growing accountability demands, including the challenges of maintaining No Child Left Behind data.

Windows XP in the Classroom
Tara Pusey, Microsoft
One of the things that today’s teacher can bring to the classroom is amazing technology. In the modern classroom everything— from art to science projects, research to writing assignments, lesson plans to tracking grades — happens on the classroom PC. Now Windows XP Professional combines breakthrough support for digital media and networking capabilities to facilitate rich, project-based learning in and out of the classroom, for you and your students. Discover how to meet the unique needs of all students by learning about the assistive technology features integrated into Windows XP!

EZPost - EZ Homework Posting for Teachers
Carole Schuster, Associate Director, Merrimack Education Center/MECnet
Come find out how you can easily post online homework, references and web links so that students and parents can easily retrieve the information from anywhere.  MECnet EZPost tool is a fully integrated, easy to use tool available to all educators.

Using Your Palm for Assessment and Decision Support  

Rocco DiValentino, Palm

We will present and demonstrate the latest applications for student assessment including solutions from Wireless Generation and Media-X, as well as powerful informational tools for administrators. These will include TrueSmart's ScheduleFinder and Media'X's eTeacher and ePrincipal among others.

Mac OSX and Windows 2003 Server - Together at last!

TENCorp Team

Learn how you can now manage your Mac and PC users from within Active Directory.  A must for any mixed network.

Where is your NCLB Data Coming From?
Computer Resources
The NCLB act places a high demand on schools for data reporting purposes. Not one software suite holds all of that information for you. Where will it all come from? Chances are, you already have most of the raw data you will need residing in several software packages in your school or district.  This session focuses on where your data resides in your administrative software and how to organize it in a useful manner. We will use MMS for schools latest administrative software release, “Generations” and the data contained therein.

Session 10   2:30-3:30

Palm Handheld Computers for Teaching, Learning, and Leadership
Norma Jean Loftus, Education Market Development Manager, Palm

Palm's vision is simple: 1:1 computing. Its goal is to provide a tool that can enrich, empower and simplify teaching, learning and communicating for teachers, students and parents. This presentation and demonstration will provide a glimpse of the leading software applications driving the adoption of Palm's for teaching, learning and leadership and provide a framework to understand the role handhelds can play in a school's computing infrastructure.  

Hot New Technologies and Education Solutions from Apple
Dan DelVecchio, Senior System Engineer, Apple Computer, Inc.
Bob Trikakis, K-12 Market Development Executive, Apple Computer
Join us for an exciting session featuring the latest Technologies and Solutions for Education from Apple. The session will feature demonstrations of each of the new products and you’ll be amazed by Apple’s offering! 

Using Multimedia from Teacher’s Domain to Teach Science Concepts
Liz Whitelan, Marketing Director, WGBH Educational Foundation
Learn how you can easily integrate technology into your science classrooms with Teacher’s Domain (www.teachersdomain.org), a free, on-line, digital library of multimedia resources for classroom uses, developed by WGBH. Learn to use media-rich tools to present science concepts to students in high-impact, engaging, and interactive ways. Tour Teachers’ Domain and learn how you can access lesson plans and integrate digital resources into your existing plans. 

YTE: Innovative Technology Education
Jon Wheeler, School Outreach & Support Associate, Youth Tech Entrepreneurs
Kathy Dooley, Technology Director, Holliston Public Schools
Throughout Massachusetts, educators are partnering with Youth Tech Entrepreneurs to develop innovative technology leadership programs. Students in YTE develop their technology, business, and leadership skills in an exciting new way - by creating team projects that support the technology needs of their school and community. YTE students get the skills they need to succeed in higher education and careers, and school save money on technology expenses. You’ll learn how to integrate YTE’s interdisciplinary curriculum into your existing technology course offerings or develop a full Computer Ventures or Web Ventures program. Attendees will receive a sample of the YTE curriculum to evaluate. Our curriculum is fully aligned across the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks. You’ll also look at what types of projects your students could implement, such as running a student help desk, refurbishing your school’s older computers, or building web sites for community organizations, and what benefit that would provide your school and community. Several examples will be presented of successful YTE implementations in a variety of schools throughout the state. 

ETLI: Transforming Curriculum with Technology
Sue Cusack, ETLI Project Director, Lesley University
Ann Deveney, Senior Program Director, K-5 Languge Arts, Boston Public Schools
The Educational Technology Leadership Institute (ETLI) is a collaborative initiative between Lesley University and the Boston Public Schools providing teachers and administrators with leadership training and professional development focusing on the use of technology to enhance the teaching and learning of the Boston Public Schools’ K-6 literacy curriculum Readers and Writers Workshop. In this session, the Project Director and teacher leaders from Boston will discuss the unique qualities of this initiative as well as demonstrate some of the “best practices” used in technology-infused literacy instruction.

Online Collaborative Course Design and the Use of Course Websites
Linda Triplett, Professor, Lesley University
Online collaboration to design courses brings together faculty with a range of experience to write course curriculum, assessments, and student assignments. Available web tools make online collaboration easy, and also support development of a “community” of practitioners. Course designers can collaborate with others in the same school, the same district, or from a variety of school districts. Expert consultants can be added to the design team via the Internet. Teaching is not a pre-planned, routinized set of tasks, but rather a complex, dynamic, intellectual activity. 

Making Connections: Best Practices at Work
Kathy Rielly, Elementary Technology Curriculum Specialist, Wellesley Public Schools
Aimee DeCoste, Elementary Technology Curriculum Specialist, Wellesley Public Schools
Through a multimedia presentation, specialists, administrators, teachers, and students will share valuable insights into the ‘best practices” of their elementary school experiences. A sampling of technology-based learning scenarios rich in cross-curricular connections will highlight web-based resources, multimedia, and portable technology at work in the classroom. No bells and whistles here . . . simple technology connecting kids to content.

Project MEET Showcase
Project MEET Grant Recipients

Software Will Revolutionize Your Reading Instruction – Are You Ready?
Lexia Team
Reading software has infiltrated American schools on the assumption that it will help.  The session will explore the myths and realities of using software with students while providing practical suggestions for evaluation, cost justification and implementation.  This session will prepare you to select and benefit from software in your program.

Kurzweil 3000 for Windows and Macintosh
Kurzweil
This session provides an introduction to both the Windows and Macintosh versions of Kurzweil 3000.  Topics to be demonstrated include scanning, reading, writing, study, and test taking.

Solve all your Student Information needs. Information is a keystroke away with SASIxp
Tom Buoni, Pearson Digital Education
See the leading and most robust student information system, SASIxp manages extensive information at both the school and district level while saving time by eliminating repeated data entry. SASIxp (Schools Administrative Student Information system) offers instant access to student demographics, attendance, discipline, grades, schedules, health, immunization, emergency, parent/guardian information, and more. The graphics-based design and drag-and-drop capabilities make it easy for faculty, staff and administrators to customize their desktops, putting the information and functionality they need at their fingertips. The SASIxp Report Designer application from Jinfonet™ Software offers a variety of report templates along with the ability to create and customize reports to meet growing accountability demands, including the challenges of maintaining No Child Left Behind data.

Technology and the Writing Process
Renee Chandonnet, FreshPond
This workshop will investigate innovative uses of spreadsheets (Excel) as part of math, science, and social studies lessons for grades 1-6. We will explore how spreadsheets can be used for personal productivity, data analysis, problem solving, exploring relationships, and information management. A disc containing sample files will be provided

MECnet Portal
Nicole Roberts, MECnet
MECnet's new portal can easily handle all of your e-mail needs.  Our portal is designed with state-of-the art features that will make life easier for you and your users alike.  There is one log-on page for everything MECnet-related including: News, Helpdesk, Website, Administration and more.  Administrators can manage every domain remotely.  Users can look forward to spell check, dynamic IMAP mail, integrated EZ-post homework posting, calendar, file storage, messenger service and threaded discussions. Come find out how it all works.

Taking Advantage of Rich Content on Your Palm 

Rocco DiValentino, Palm 

This demonstration will review how rich content can be utilized on your Palm. We will demonstrate and discuss the best applications for the use of Adobe Acrobat (pdf) files, integrating MicroSoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint content, delivering video playback, high resolution photographs and mp3 files on various Palm handheld computer models.  

New England’s Favorite Administrative Software Just Got Better- MMS Releases “Generations”
Computer Resources
Computer Resources is proud to announce the release of its fifth generation of MMS for schools, aptly named, “Generations.” This true district-wide solution comes with an all new look. Come see all the new changes we’ve made. This software is more robust than ever before! 

Newest Security Risks –

TENCorp Team

Come find out the latest "tricks" students and hackers are hitting your network with.  IT managers and engineers only, no teachers or curious Georges please.

 

Closing Ceremony		3:45  Vendor donations &  Door prizes - 5 Zire 71 Handheld Computers