Web 2.0 and Privacy

Thanks for the healthy dialog, everyone. I am looking to secure a speaker from Shipman & Goodman for the next Tech Council meeting to help us sift through some of these issues. Stay tuned for a confirmation.

I think we're all in agreement that Web 2.0 tools hold tremendous promise, but most likely (for now) only in walled garden environments or through those online providers that can ensure privacy and security to the degree that CIPA requires. I would add that, even with the best security measures in place, the "Web 2.0" tools (I personally hate the term, as most of these "2.0" tools have been available for more than a decade; you just had to look in the right places) need to be rolled out in a purposeful manner. It goes without saying to this group, but some of the zealots I have met in ed tech circles seem to think that by letting kids run free with these technologies (especially virtual worlds such as Second Life) without an instructional purpose ends up being a distraction from rather than a reinforcement of inquiry-based learning objectives. Blogs, wikis, and even VR can engage all kids, and especially those who may be more reticent in traditional learning environments. However, kids can also waste a lot of time without some structure and quantifiable objectives, based on our findings.

As if that weren't enough doom and gloom for the evening, here's a nice piece from T.H.E. reminding us of the technological dangers aside from straight privacy concerns that affect collaborative computing:

http://thejournal.com/articles/21501/

Remember: The more open and flexible, the more vulnerable.

Let's keep the conversation going!

Doug

Follow Up to Social Networking Disscusion

After Sarah Edson's presentation on the new CEN web site, there was a lively discussion about using social networking with students. I'd like to point out an article in the February issue of "Technology and Learning" titled "Safety and Social Networking." It is written by Alec Couros, PhD, a professor of educational technology and media. He opens with:

Once the fear of safety is removed, social networking sites can open up broad and exciting new worlds of learning for both educators and students. Innovative teachers are recognizing the potential of tools such as MySpace and Facebook to bridge cultural gaps and create authentic 21st-century learning environments.

In the body of the piece Couros identifies "common, adaptable rules for keeping online social networks safe and healthy." He includes a sidebar on the "Advantages of Ning" and offers a number of other options for social networking resources.

You can read it online here.

My question to everyone is, "Are any of you using social networking software either with staff or students? If so, how is it being utilized?" I'd like to brainstorm possible uses with other teachers or tech specialists and look at examples if you know of any.

(You may want to join the new CT Ednet Ning site to get a taste of what social networking is like.)

Updates from SDE

Hi, everyone.

Art Skerker graciously provides each of the RESCs a monthly update. Following are the items in Art's March update, some of which act as reminders for information I have already sent in previous communications:

• $5M in Infrastructure bond funds was originally allocated for July 1, 2006, RFPs were read and scored in May 2007. CSDE has again requested that these funds be placed on the next Bond Commission's agenda. Check Art's blog for updates.
  
• EETT Local Competitive proposals which will provide funds for development of assured experiences that integrate technology/21st. Century Skills in the curriculum are due @ CSDE on or before April 11, 2008. Individual grant awards are up to $65K (~$750K - total funds available).
  
• Summer workshops for teacher evaluators available at each RESC and at CAS. The four hour sessions (in some cases two, two hr sessions) will familiarize administrators with exactly what good technology integration looks like. Administrators will have an opportunity to practice using Intel's Leadership Forum online tools.
  
• Did you know that you can easily download files (in Flash Video, or FLV, format) from TeacherTube? Wonderful free videos are available in a variety of subject areas and can either be viewed independently with an FLV player (included in the table below) or may be converted into QuickTime or Windows Media player files.

Last Call: Parallels Software

Hi, everyone.

Last Thursday I mentioned a special deal with Parallels software (see http://www.parallels.com/en/products/desktop). We have 40 licenses ordered right now, and we need to secure a total of 50 licenses by tomorrow to appreciate a significant price break:

Licenses
Regular Price: $79.99
Sale Price: $34.99

Support
Regular Price: $16.99
Sale Price: $6.99

The total per-seat savings would be $55 the first year.

If you have interest, let me know ASAP. Please note that CREC is not making any commission, and we're not purchasing licenses at this time. This is purely a regional offer to benefit Mac schools with an interest in the product.

CEN Slides

Hi, everyone.

We thank Sarah Edson from the CEN for sharing her initiatives and vision and for soliciting our views on the future of digital educational content. You can send Sarah your comments at sarah.edson@ct.gov.

As promised, Sarah has provided us with her slides from last Thursday's presentation. Click here or visit http://www.crec.org/technology/documents/CENContent.pdf to download a PDF version of the presentation.

Technology Council Notes

Hi, everyone!

Thank you to everyone who came to this morning's presentation on the Connecticut Education Network (CEN) by Sarah Edson, Associate Director - Content Management. Feel free to send Sarah feedback at sarah.edson@ct.gov. I should have her slides for you sometime next week.

In the meantime, I have posted the following resources from this morning:

Training and Professional Development

• Intel Teach Leadership Forum
• Assessment Data Council: April 2, 8:30 – 10:30 AM at CREC
• My Access Writing Institute

Middle School EETT Grant

• Eligible Districts: Bloomfield, Bristol, Cromwell, East Hartford, Hartford, Manchester, New Britain, Portland, and Vernon
• Middle School EETT Gran Due Friday, April 11, 4:00 PM
• Readers Needed: Contact Art Skerker, arthur.skerker@ct.gov or 713-6553

Resources

• CECA Advisor Communication
• Parallels offer: $34.99 per license, plus $6.99 for support. E-mail Doug Casey with interest by 3-25-08. Chad Etsell, the sales representative, would be happy to conduct a Webinar to demonstrate the use of this virtualization software that enables Macs to run Windows.
• SETDA Report