Keynote   8:30-9:30                                                

Where the Digital Heart Is: Bringing the Human Face to Technology
Hall Davidson
For thirty years, students labored hard to bring moving images and human faces into their projects. It was their most powerful tool because the brain responds best to the terabits of information in a human face and the infinitely nuanced levels of the human voice. Now, with the advent of desktop digital image technology, most students have access to this transformative tool. Follow with a veteran the thirty-year path from film to Internet 2 with classroom examples and state-of-the-art work from today’s K-12 schools. What the early practitioners suspected (and politicians and opinion makers have always known) is proving true: media brings the heart of technology. Learn what technology should mean for your students today and what a commitment to some simple truths can mean to education tomorrow.

Session 2    10:00-11:00

Helping Students and Educators “Find Their Way” with Technology
Peter H. Reynolds, President/Founder of FableVision
William H. Norris, Director of Strategic Relations, FableVision
Do your students struggle with studying, thinking, and testing skills? Explore new creative strategies, tools, and technology to help ALL learners succeed. Author of the popular children’s book “The North Star,” Peter shares his work with “off-the-path” kids and highlights some research based methods to help students develop their own organization, thinking, and testing skills.

High School Core Disciplines: Technology as Research and Presentation Vehicle
Suzanne Strauss, English Teacher, Northampton High School
Donna Canuel Browne, Biology Teacher, Northampton High School
Two longtime secondary school teachers will demonstrate how to use technology effectively in English and biology to explore discipline-specific core material and to assess students’ knowledge of the material. Students use Internet technology as a research and as design tool in exhibitions, specifically PowerPoint presentations, and websites. We will explore how and why technology-embedded activities often produce a richer understanding of core subject material than traditional activities. A short videotape of students’ critical responses to their technology experiences will be shared.

Educators and Copyright: Everything You Know is Wrong
Hall Davidson
When mixed together, copyright and education seem to produce misunderstandings, mistaken practices, and fear and trembling at every level. This is not surprising since misinformation, misunderstanding, and downright falsehoods come from lawyers, institutions, and the popular press. Copyright and intellectual property have firm roots in the US Constitution and in British law before that. Educators and knowledge-based segments of society have clear and deep safeguards. But in a time when the Fifth Estate (the press), entangled in large conglomerates and no longer free, has become part of the problem, where can you get the straight stuff? Where can you sort through the shades of grey? This session! Come, feel free, and take home the famous Copyright Quiz! Get the No FAT (Fear and Trembling) low down on copyright.

Digital Camera Techniques    
Gabrielle Richard-Harrington, Technology Integration Specialist, Sunderland Elementary School
Learn essential techniques for capturing, editing, and using digital images in the classroom. Explore some basic editing and project ideas using PhotoShop Elements 2.0 as a stepping stone. Leave with handouts, a web link to my templates, and the confidence to use these in your class tomorrow.

Organize, Create, and Explain: Graphs in the Classroom
Mike Scott, Tom Snyder Production
Graphs are essential visual tools that supplement all facets of the curriculum. Using’“The Graph Club 2.0” and”“Graph Master,” students and teachers can create, analyze, and publish graphs. In an interactive session, the presenter will create various graphs from scratch so the participants can learn key program features. Participants will also view several graphs that represent the same data.

VES in the Classroom
Pauline LeClaire, Grade 6 Teacher, Beverly Public Schools
Judy Miller, Technology Director, Beverly Public Schools, 2001 Pathfinder
Gary Prodonas, Beverly Public Schools
Two middle school teachers adapted their interdisciplinary weather unit to take advantage of the powerful tools available in VES. Students accessed all unit materials via the virtual hard drive and conducted many productive discussions using the forum tool. Review what was involved in the preparation and implementation of this very successful project and see samples of student forum discussions and other project work. You will leave this workshop with some practical ideas for your own projects using VES in your classroom. 

The HOBO Data Logger Weather Unit Project
Debora Morgan, Director of Technology, Barnstable Horace Mann Charter School
Laurel McCarthy, Classroom Teacher, Barnstable Horace Mann Charter School
A HOBO data logger is a matchbox-size, inexpensive, battery-operated measuring device, costing under $100. The HOBO includes a microprocessor, data storage, and a sensor. It measures temperature of air, water, and matter, as well as relative humidity, dew point, and light intensity. A serial cable attaches it to a personal computer. Data is organized and presented in charts and graphs. Two years ago teachers borrowed HOBOs to perform weather experiments and enter the iScienceProject contest sponsored by Onset Computer Corporation. Students and teachers in our school won over $3,000 in products, which provided advanced technology to support our weather unit.

The Handheld Computer in the Science Classroom
Linda Allen, Science Dept. Head, Technology Integrator, Wahconah Regional High School, Dalton
We will discuss activities integrating the Palm handheld computer in biology and chemistry classes as the presenter has done in science classes for the past 2 years. She will present specific projects and activities that integrate the handheld into the curriculum prescribed by MA Frameworks in full year courses in biology and chemistry at the secondary level. Discussions will center on the use of software, probeware, digital cameras, and accessories to enhance the learning process. 

Project MEET Showcase
Project MEET Grant Recipients

MCAS Test Taking and Kurzweil 3000 - One Year Later
David Bradburn, Director of Educational Sales, Kurzweil Educational Systems, Inc.
Jennifer Edge, Occupational Therapist / AT Consultant, South Shore Educational Collaborative
Reading, Writing and Learning Software For Struggling Students. Kurzweil Educational Systems has just received approval from the Massachusetts Department of Education for students to use assistive technology when taking standardized tests, such as the MCAS. Kurzweil 3000 is the premier reading, writing, and learning software for struggling students.  Because it is also content-independent, teachers in elementary schools, high schools and colleges alike use it to help students succeed in the classroom regardless of their curriculum or lesson plan. Learn about the features that make Kurzweil 3000 the obvious choice for test taking by students with learning and reading disabilities.

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.

Concert™ , an Instructional Management System
Tom Buoni, Pearson Digital Education
Concert™ is a comprehensive education management solution that effectively integrates content, assessment, and data management capabilities. Concert™ provides a comprehensive family of Web-based applications that seamlessly integrate data elements used throughout K-12 education.  These elements consist of Student Performance, Instructional Planning,  Assessment, and Educational Content all aligned to Core, State, and District Standards. Learn how Concert™ is the solution to meet the challenges from the classroom... to the student... to the parent... and the administrator.  Concert™ embraces  the challenges of No Child Left Behind!

Education TS: Windows Server 2003 Overview
Microsoft
The Windows Server 2003 family takes the best of Windows 2000 Server technology and makes it easier to deploy, manage, and use. The result: A highly productive infrastructure that helps make your network a strategic asset for your organization.

Content Filtering Software: MECguard and CIPA
Joe Coco, MECnet
In this session we will discuss the perplexing challenges of filtering online content in the education environment.  You will lean about MECguard content filtering software, how it works, and how it relates to the Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA). This session is designed for network administrators and anyone interested in the mechanics of content filtering software and how it relates to CIPA.  MECguard is available for Apple OS X, Linux, and the JoeBox.

Autodesk Design Academy

Torcomp

Autodesk® Design Academy is a comprehensive pre-engineering and pre-architecture program designed for secondary institutions that helps students master the fundamentals of the design process while learning to use Autodesk® software. The curriculum meets national standards and positions the design process ahead of the software training. It includes lesson plans, test questions, student projects, online learning resources, and teacher assessment tools. The curriculum engages educators and students in real-life projects, while developing skills in teamwork, design, mathematics, science, and technology. Autodesk Design Academy project-based curriculum is designed by experienced design teachers and technical specialists.

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!

Session 3  11:30-12:30
 

Power in the Palm of Your Hand
Kathleen Schrock, Administrator for Technology, Nauset Public Schools, 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. 

Using Technology to Showcase Student Work
Linda Redding, Principal, Halifax Elementary School, Halifax, 1999 Pathfinder
Robert Dray, Grade 5 Teacher, Halifax Elementary School
Robert Young, Jr., Digital Media Services, Halifax
Your local public access station and the Boston Globe Fun Pages are two great outlets to use technology in the classroom as well as showcase student work.  Participants will view samples of successful projects that utilized technology in the classroom and resulted in some great PR for the school. Local public access stations offer the use of their equipment and use of their studio for free. If your school has the equipment, the public access station will cablecast your programs.  The Boston Globe Fun Pages allows students to be guest editors and write articles, conduct an interview, and create puzzles and games.  At Halifax Elementary School we found both outlets a great way to utilize technology with students!

Nuts and Bolts of Digital Video
Hall Davidson
The convergence of digital video and computers opens an exciting new world of curriculum-based projects for students. This overview demonstration for teachers highlights the hardware and software that integrate video into the digital world. Explore tools including digital cameras, video capture cards, nonlinear editors, and other classroom friendly and educationally economical applications that integrate camcorders, VCRs, and television programs into computers. Explore how easily video or stills from CDs, the Internet, class videos, or old VHS integrate into curricular projects. Morphs, VR panoramas, quicktime movies, and audio tracks empower teachers to tap more learning modalities than ever before. Even basic wordprocessing and database programs can be enhanced with digital integration. “Printing” to a VCR allows projects to be shown or sent home. Experience a sampling of great student works blended with a nuts-and-bolts demonstration session of how to build this capacity in the classroom. Multimedia guru Hall Davidson takes you on an entertaining, whirlwind tour of hot tools, cool techniques, and what is becoming possible in the world of do-it-yourself digital multimedia.

PBS - Speedy Delivery of Digital Content
Sarah Cothran, Education Services Manager, WGBY
Joel Jacobsen, Regional Manager, Education Division, United Learning, A Classroom Teacher
WGBY/PBS would like to introduce you to unitedstreaming, video technology that allows educators and students the opportunity to view educational content on demand. Unitedstreaming is a scientifically evaluated, web-based digital video delivery system, which provides access to the largest and most current library of K-12 standards-based digital video available today. Tools for teachers and system administrators are seamlessly integrated into unitedstreaming to make using and managing this resource easy and effective. Learn how this system can deliver 1600 educational core-curriculum digital videos and 16,000 indexed video clips to your desktop or local server.

Grants and Follow-up Panel
Laurie Keating, Douglas Public Schools, 1997 Pathfinder

Baiba Ozols, Instructional Technology Specialist, Mass Dept. of Education

LeRoy Wong, Mass. Dept. of Education

John McDermott, Former Assistant Superintendent, Shawsheen Voc. Tech

Dr. Michael Fitzpatrick, Superintendent, Blackstone Valley Regional

Dorine Laskey, Business Manager, Springfield Public Schools 

So you got your grant, now everyone is looking for a piece. How and when do you get the money? How much flexibility do you have? What information do you need to track? What reports will you need to submit? Come to this panel discussion and hear about your responsibility in following up once you get the grant you worked so hard to write. Panelists include major grantors and grantees. Panel coordinated by Laurie Keating.

Presentations from Scratch!
Jean Anderson
This workshop will focus on demonstrating to educators how they can integrate Microsoft Word, Inspiration, and Microsoft PowerPoint to produce great presentations for themselves and students in all subject areas. Students and adults of any ability can produce a wonderful and informative project easily. At the end of the year my students produce a PowerPoint project after doing a Web search on their career choice/shop and present it to the class. They start out with a topic. They outline, search web sites, and work in Word, Inspiration, and PowerPoint. This would/could be a great project for any grade level. 

21st Century Tool for the Information Literate Student
Kim Fusco, Senior Account Manager, Sagebrush Corporation
Theresa Bruner, Regional Director, Sagebrush Corporation (with 14 years experience as a K-12 Library Media Specialist
In today’s high stakes learning environment, teachers and students need an easy-to-use interface, built with next generation technology that gives them access to the highest quality LAN, WAN, or WEB-based resources available. Make the most effective use of informational databases, on-line subscriptions, and the World Wide Web to create a “library without walls.”  Pinpoint™, the smart research tool from Sagebrush Corporation, searches multiple sources simultaneously and then reduces “information overload” by merging, de-duplicating, and displaying search results ranked by relevance. Students and teachers can capture electronic citations and store them in their personal storage folders.

Network Security – How Secure is Your School District?
Unicom Team
Network security breaches are on the rise! Enforcing a solid security policy and regularly monitoring devices that border the Internet are important steps to protect networks from malicious or inadvertent attacks.  Knowing your risk is the first step to a secure network. This presentation will outline the new generation of Anti-spam products, the phases of securing a network, how to establish a security policy and how to implement network security technologies. Also, learn about WatchGuard firewalls and how they can be used to help secure your network.

Technology Integration Made Easy
Ann Fienman, Market Outreach Manager, KidsEnergy, Inc
Lisah Rhodes, Tech Integration Specialist, Cambridge Public Schools
ProjectPower is a web-based project inspiration and management tool that gives teachers and students an engaging and convenient way to meet both technology and learning standards integration goals. ProjectPower offers hundreds of core curriculum projects, simple editing tools to customize or author projects, plus online portfolios for students. Join us for an introduction to ProjectPower, and hear the success stories of teachers who are already using this innovative program. Take home sample projects, and sign up for a 30-day free trial.

Project MEET Showcase
Project MEET Grant Recipients

Advocating for Technology in Massachusetts Schools – ETAC Year Two
Isa Kaftal Zimmerman, Division Director of Technology in Education, Lesley University, Cambridge, 1993 Pathfinder
The Educational Technology Advisory Committee to the Commissioner and Board of Education (ETAC), which includes both educators and business representatives, has continued to develop MA STaR chart which forms the basis for much of the planning in the Commonwealth around technology in schools. Other recent initiatives such as using computers on MCAS will be discussed. While our reports are on the DOE ETAC web site, this is an opportunity for us to hear firsthand from the field so we can reflect what our colleagues are experiencing and consider to be important in the schools.

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 entire year. The results will astonish you! 

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

Integrating Math Corner (K-4) into the Curriculum
Valerie Langille, Technology Specialist,  Parker Middle School, Taunton
Linda Mros, Grade 3 Teacher, Taunton
See how the Taunton School District has been innovatively using technology to ensure that all students succeed in Mathematics.  Taunton School District has been using SuccessMaker courseware from Pearson Digital Learning (formerly Pearson Eduction Technologies), to impact everyday student learning and MCAS specific instruction in their elementary  schools.  Learn how remediation through higher order thinking skills are being addressed to ensure that all students achieve. 

Education TS: Systems Management Server
Microsoft
Systems Management Server (SMS) delivers cost-effective, scalable change and configuration management for Microsoft Windows®–based desktop and server systems. Built on industry-standard management protocols, Systems Management Server is compatible with complementary management tools from Microsoft and other companies. Further, Systems Management Server fully integrates with Microsoft SQL Server™ and the Windows NT® and Windows 2000 Server operating systems—making it easy to install, configure, and maintain in any size network. 

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.

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.

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.

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. 

Session 4     1:00-2:00

Practical Palm Ideas for Tired Teachers
Midge Frazel, Technology Consultant and Author
Educators who are confident users of technology are those who use technology effectively with their students.  Why should handheld use be any different? This session will focus on teacher productivity and increase your comfort level with your Palm handheld. Topics presented will include ebook reading software and available ebooks for teachers and students, creating your own ebooks, plus a look at useful applications for managing the classroom and organizing your personal and professional time. Tips on finding the best Web and print resources will be given to further enhance teacher’s classroom readiness.

Sharing Professional Development and Student Courses Using Video
Peter Otten, Computer Teacher, Mohawk Trail Reg School Dist.
John Heffernan, Director, Hampshire Educational Collaborative
Learn how the recipients of a US Rural Utilities Grant in Western Massachusetts are sharing professional development and student courses using interactive 2-way video conferencing. We will describe our video network and explain the basic equipment and technologies used — including cost information. Our pilot program includes: Teacher professional development from the Hampshire Educational Collaborative, School Nurse professional development in conjunction with Baystate Health System, and the sharing of student courses. We’ll also share experiences from educators from the Mohawk Trail and Gateway Regional School Districts who participated in the Spring 2002 C++ Programming Class using video conferencing.

Hot New Technologies and Education Solutions from Apple
Dan DelVecchio, Senior System Engineer
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!

Fair Use in the Elementary and Middle School Classroom
Ellen Driscoll, District Technology Coordinator, Barnstable
Sue Simon, English Teacher, Barnstable Middle School
Is a student ever too young to cite the URL? As our students turn more to the Internet for information resources, when and how should we teach them the rules of Fair Use? Do we really know them ourselves? Is it ever too early to expect students to cite sources? What strategies should the classroom teacher use to encourage elementary and middle school students to use Web resources properly? Can we tailor assignments to avoid the “cut and paste” report? Fair use is a complex issue, but we must begin to address it in class. Let’s start by sharing ideas here.

Photo Essays: Focusing on Your Community
Amy Bruns, National Board Certified Teacher, Eleanor Roosevelt Teaching Fellow, 2002, Johnson Elementary School, Natick
Jefferson W. Wood, Classroom Teacher, Johnson Elementary School, Natick
Looking for a way to integrate digital cameras, word processing, graphic and photo manipulation, and website development by students? This project, successful over several years in our elementary school, has it all. Better yet, it uses technologies readily available in most schools. Come learn how to integrate numerous technology, art, non-fiction writing, and social skills applications in an authentic learning unit. Appropriate for community outreach and research, field trips, scientific and social studies projects, this integration can be adapted for many different grades. Workshop will include specific materials used, samples of student projects, and ideas for adapting to your own setting.

Multimedia Authoring for the Net Generation!
Tom Kelly, National Sales Manager, Tech4Learning, Inc.
Melinda Kolk, Director of Professional Development, Tech4Learning, Inc.
In a highly networked world, MediaBlender is the multimedia-authoring tool that is everywhere you are. MediaBlender puts the power of the Internet to work for your creative expression and makes the Internet your showcase for cross-curricular, multimedia projects. This will change the way you think about technology projects. Learn how your software will no longer be tied to the computer where you installed it. You’ll have access to MediaBlender in the classroom, in the lab, at the library, at home.

Project Based Skill Building
Greg Forge, Computer Teacher, Pierce Middle School, Milton
This session will focus on project-based lessons that incorporate many computer application skills using PowerPoint, MSPaint, and MS Word. Students are highly motivated to learn many computer skills with projects such as PowerPoint Animated E-Cards, Animated WebPages, and MSPaint Tessellations. The projects include the use of animated graphics and sound files as well as procedures for creating unique animated graphics.

Online Tools that Strengthen Literacy Instruction

Suzanne Milton, District Sales Director, Classroom Connect

Literacy instruction is no longer confined to oral and print mediums. It can include a wide range of online tools and resources that stress pnonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary development, and text comprehension. Participants will explore indispensable sites and identify selection criteria to establish their own collection of online resources. In addition, teachers will find an essential “toolkit” of sites for use in the literacy program management and implementation.

Creating an Instructional Video
Diane Boyajian, Project Manager, Merrimack Education Center
Using the common camcorder, learn how to create tapes for use in the classroom. Teachers use Instructional videos to show classroom activities for an open house, document a year’s activities for orientation next year, create introductory lessons to avoid repetition, tape close-up demonstrations containing precise details, tape a sequence for a science experiment/dissection, etc. Learn how this tool can help to save you time and patience!

Pathfinders: Escaping the Research Maze
Carol Schene, Director of Libraries Pre-K-12, Taunton
Janet McAndrew, Library Media Specialist, Parker Middle School, Taunton
If your goal is to work smarter but not necessarily more or harder, combining an information-problem solving process, the Big 6, and pathfinders within a standards-based framework will seamlessly integrate technology into quality research projects. The Big 6 provides the organizational outline for successful research experiences that both teachers and students will find more rewarding and enjoyable. Pathfinders help you define your information needs and avoid wandering aimlessly in cyberspace or library shelves, and the standards-based component ensures important state standards are being identified and incorporated into the projects.

Project MEET Showcase
Project MEET Grant Recipients

Inspired Visual Learning with Inspiration®7
Susan Krug, Training Resource Specialist, Inspiration Software
Inspire and improve student performance with visual learning techniques-webbing, concept mapping, and more! Explore how newly-released Inspiration 7 improves achievement for students grades 6-12, strengthening critical thinking, comprehension, and writing across the curriculum. Receive practical classroom examples, standards-based integration strategies, and a 30-day trial of Inspiration 7!

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 Team
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 intelligent technology and Scholastic’s proven, scientific-based reading technology program for struggling readers in grades 4-12. Come learn more. Free demonstrations and materials to participants.

NovaNET:  Anytime, anyplace access to MCAS aligned curriculum for all content areas
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. 

MECnet Portal
Nicole Roberts and Dave Cunningham, 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.

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 computerss without moving from yours. What’s more, NetOp School grants all students a front-row seat and the chance to gain hands-on experience.

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!

Session 5   2:30-3:30

You’re Still Spending Too Much on Software 2003
Lori McCaughey, Vice President, K-12 Micromedia Publishing
This fun, informative workshop will provide you with the LATEST, BEST knowledge on providing your classroom and yourself with software that won’t break your budget, i.e.: Adobe’s new mix and match program licensing also includes work-at home privileges for the teacher . . .  Got a different platform at home? Doesn’t matter. Your head will be swimming, but you’ll come out of the workshop an informed decision-maker. Lots of samples and freebies.

Mohawk District Professional Development Program
Shelley Schieffelin, TPD Facilitator, Mohawk Trail Regional High School
David Greenberg, Technology Director, Mohawk Trail Regional School District
Chris Wheeler, TPD, Mohawk Trail Regional High School
Currently the Mohawk Trail Regional School district is in the process of implementing a system-wide professional development program based on the Project MEET model. This presentation addresses how the three strands of policy, support, and teaching are the underpinnings of MEETing the professional development needs of Mohawk Teachers, a two-year MA DOE grant funded project. The presenters will discuss the crucial role of the District Technology Curriculum Integration (TCI) leadership team and the district’s relationship with assistive technology specialists and other education consultants. The presentation will include specific examples of how Mohawk teachers are enhancing the K12 standards-based curricula with digital and online resources to improve student learning and achievement. It will conclude with a discussion of how data driven decision-making is being used to improve the quality and assessment of the Mohawk program.

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

Palms 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.

Enhancing English Class with the Web
Sue Simon, English Teacher, Barnstable M.S., Marston Mills
Ellen Driscoll, District Technology Coordinator, Barnstable
Explore some ways to interweave a Web thread into your English Language Arts units. Enhance a frameworks-based curriculum with related Internet activities in literature, composition, poetry, and grammar. Help your colleagues and students write across the curriculum. Improve your students’ media literacy and educational use of the Net while focusing on their reading comprehension and writing skills. Come see some activities that work well for one teacher, and share your own experiences.

Technology-infused Literacy Units Based on “Between the Lions”
Sheila Donahue,”Cornerstones” Manager/NCAM at WGBH
Trisha O’Connell, NCAM at WGBH
WGBH has developed and is evaluating Cornerstones teaching units — a technology-infused approach to literacy development designed to serve early elementary children who are deaf and hard of hearing. Developed with participation from classroom teachers, Cornerstones materials can be used with any student who struggles with literacy and learns better with visual supports. Three online teaching units have been derived from book-based multimedia stories from WGBH’s “Between the Lions,” a curriculum-based television series designed to help children learn to read. Each unit includes several different presentations of the story, a lesson guide, comprehension and vocabulary building exercises. They are all freely available at http://pbskids.org/lions/cornerstones/.

Using Clay Animation in Your Classroom
Tom Kelly, National Sales Manager, Tech4Learning, Inc.
Melinda Kolk, Director of Professional Development, Tech4Learning, Inc.
Participants will leave this session better informed about the process of clay animation and how it can be integrated into classroom learning. Each participant will receive pertinent links to clay animation samples and project ideas and resources to help get started using clay animation with their students.

Exploring Mathematics Through Technology
Pamela Marston, Computer Teacher, Florence Sawyer School, Bolton
Jackie Scheibel, Technology Coordinator, Florence Sawyer School, Bolton
Visit interactive Internet sites to explore math concepts of binary numbers, Pascal’s triangle, Mayan math, and more. Activities are appropriate for a one computer classroom or a lab. Participants will receive a list of websites and sample activities designed to enhance and enrich the middle school math curriculum.

Assessment and Accountability = ClassLink Solution
Terence Clark, Dir. of Technology, Bethpage School Dist., NY
Kate Matthews, Director of Education, ClassLink Technologies
Join us for an informative discussion, complete with real world examples from a district currently utilizing a combination of electronic portfolios and thin client technology. This singular investment in technology yields curricular results. The thin client environment impacted student assessment methodologies in the Bethpage district and contributed to improved communication between teachers, students, and parents. The ClassLink solution allows districts to leverage existing equipment in an innovative, cost-effective manner. Students can logon from any connected computer on the network and from home and have access to personal stored files, applications assigned them by the administrator, email, desktop icons — everything that makes that student an individual. Prepare to enjoy a faster, more reliable solution that delivers greater access, reduced total cost of ownership, home access, and electronic assessment.

PBU Builder: Web-based Curriculum Creation, Alignment and Integration
Reza Namin, MassCUE Board Member and Vice President Elect
John Maccario, Account Executive, SmartEdu
Come discover new Internet-based techniques to create, maintain, organize, align and publicize your district curriculum.  Learn how to place your entire curriculum into a database-driven system that teachers may use to easily search by subject and grade, while administrators may create, modify and align curriculum standards to the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks. This innovative method aims at improving your district’s MCAS scores by pointing out gaps between your district curriculum and the state frameworks. Curriculum and technology integration is a district’s first step to achieve a systematic strategy for student technology literacy.  Find out how to create lessons that incorporate selected technology competencies and district curriculum benchmarks.  These units will enable teachers to create multidimensional, interdisciplinary lessons that may be used in a variety of classrooms to engage students in the learning process.

Project MEET Showcase
Project MEET Grant Recipients

Awesome Authoring with IntelliPics Studio
Ann Olsen, IntelliTools
A Classroom Teacher
Integrate curriculum and creativity! Learn why IntelliPics Studio® is the ideal, fully accessible, multimedia authoring program for both teachers and students, grades K-8.  Teachers can use IntelliPics Studio’s predesigned activities or easily create new activities based on their own curriculum materials. Make slideshows, quizzes, and multipage reports using the extensive libraries of sounds, images, and movies. Younger students can use IntelliPics Studio to explore and modify onscreen images. Older students can use the program to create sophisticated classroom presentations with animated graphics, sounds, digital photos and/or links to the Internet. We will showcase activities created by teachers and students as well as curricular activities to meet and address state curriculum frameworks.

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.

5 Steps to Building a Portal Easily for your School Using SharePoint Portal Server
Tara Pusey, Microsoft
SharePoint Portal Server is the flexible portal solution that lets you find, share, and publish information easily. A portal needs to be easy to set up, and for maximum benefit needs to be tailored to a school’s specific needs. Learn about document locking, versioning, and publishing easily accessible to teachers & students. It delivers easy-to-use, document-management features that are integrated with the tools and applications that are used to create and manage documents, with Microsoft Windows® Explorer and Microsoft Office applications.

MECnet Consortium Initiatives : E-Trust Anti-Virus Solution and Page After Page Laser Printer Supply
MECnet Team
Interested in an affordable, enterprise-wide solution for anti-virus on your PC and Mac OSX alike? MECnet has a solution for you. MECnet partnered with CA - Computer Associates to provide K-12 schools and affordable and easy to manage anti-virus solution. In addition, MECnet has partnered with Page After Page, a provider of innovative and cost efficient solutions for managing your laser printer supplies, preventative maintenance and repairs.   In addition to attractive pricing, Page After Page can further reduce your laser printer operating costs in 4 ways that no other vendor can.  Join us to learn more about how you can take advantage of these services.

3ds max - Animation software

Torcomp

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.

Creating the perfect PC image

TENCorp Team

Whether you use Ghost, Altiris, or some other setup, come find out some of the tricks used to make a better student desktop.

Tired of Tacking Elementary Grades by Hand?
Computer Resources
Imagine the convenience of tracking and reporting comprehensive elementary grades electronically? Now you can.  Classroll.com, a web-based standards based classroom management system, has an elementary compatible grade tracking system specific to each individual school or grade.  This means no longer having to hand write report cards, no more making photo or carbon copies for multiple people.  Track students’ progress electronically through out their entire K-12 careers.