Tim's Goree Details - tigoree's Blog - The Northwest Voice

Tim's Goree Details - tigoree's Blog - The Northwest Voice http://www.northwestvoice.com/home/Blog/tigoree <b>Technology in Education</b><br> "If you don't like change, you're going to like irrelevance even less." - General Eric Shinseki <b>Technology in Education</b><br> "If you don't like change, you're going to like irrelevance even less." - General Eric Shinseki en-us So, What Format Is Your File In? http://www.northwestvoice.com/home/Blog/tigoree/25890 http://www.northwestvoice.com/home/Blog/tigoree/25890 <p>Did you know that different computer programs often save their files in different formats?  Formats that other computer programs can't open or alter.  Wouldn't it be great if all computer programs could just talk to each other and read each other's files automatically?  Yeah, that would be great, but there are all kinds of reasons why that won't be a reality for a very long time, if ever.</p> <p>So now you have to live in reality, and it isn't pretty!  Having a Macintosh as my primary computer in a predominantly Windows world brings the ugly reality to the surface quite often for me.  But it's not just a Windows vs. Mac problem, not by a long shot.</p> <p>Example: Your friend has the newest version of Microsoft Word, 2007, and he creates a document and saves it on his computer.  Everytime he double-clicks on that file, it starts up Word automatically and presents the file to him - perfect!  Then, he needs to send that file as an e-mail attachment to you.  The problem is that you  haven't upgraded to the latest version of Word yet, so you are using Microsoft Word 2003.  Guess what?  You can't open his file, at least not without downloading and installing an extra plugin from Microsoft.</p> <p>Why?  With the new version of Word, Microsoft created a new file format that Word 2007 can work with, but previous versions of Word can't.  In case you didn't know, file formats are typically recognized by the extension on the end of the file name.  Up until Word 2007, a Word document had the extension ".doc".  Now, the new format is ".docx".</p> <p>There are numerous ways to get around this issue using the software that you have, but they all involve having the person who originally created and sent the document save the file in a format that you, who is receiving the document, can actually read, and that, my friends, is a MAJOR pain in the hind quarter.</p> <p>Example 2: Your buddy sends you a video that he says is so hilarious, you'll be laughing about it in your sleep tonight.  When you receive the video, it won't open in QuickTime on your Macintosh computer.  Why?  It is in Windows Media Format, ".wmv", which everyone can view natively on their Windows computer, except for you, because you don't have a Windows computer.  Yay.</p> <p>So what do you do?  The answer is quite simple, and it covers both of the examples above, as well as many others.  Check out <a href="http://www.zamzar.com" target="_blank">www.zamzar.com!</a></p> <p>This website converts a bunch of file formats to other file formats for free, including office applications documents, photos, audio, and video files.  This service has been a life saver for me and it's a must use tool for teachers.  A BIG TIME bonus with this website is its ability to take a YouTube video straight from the YouTube.com website and convert it into a video file that you can download to your computer and use in your presentations at your leisure.</p> <p>Have fun!</p> Games Are More Important Than You Think http://www.northwestvoice.com/home/Blog/tigoree/24260 http://www.northwestvoice.com/home/Blog/tigoree/24260 <p>Andrea Bennett, one of my favorite people, and the Executive Director of CETPA (CA Educational Technology Professionals Association) e-mailed me today asking if I would do her a huge favor and write an article for the OnCUE (Computer Using Educators) magazine on behalf of the CETPA membership.  Well, it's hard to say no to her (she's so nice), so I asked what the deadline was.  She said ASAP.  Nice.  So, I wrote this and turned it in.  You saw it here first!</p> <p>Oh, and it is directed to teachers who are interested in technology, so if you don't get some of what I'm saying here, it just means that you aren't a teacher. No big deal!</p> <p>----------------------------------------</p> <p>What is the first thing you think about when someone mentions the term “educational game”?  Some, like me, immediately equate “game” to “computer game”,  and think of any number of products that we have been exposed to in the past.  Others may imagine what a futuristic educational video game could be like - something along the lines of virtual reality, science fiction style.  I imagine many veteran teachers would think about the types of games, not necessarily computer related, that they use as devices to engage children in the learning process.<br /> <br /> I’m a little ashamed to write that the very first thing that came to mind for me was the Reader Rabbit series of computer programs.  Don’t get me wrong, these are fine products that accomplish a very specific set of goals with young children.  I suppose, in retrospect, that I am a little disappointed in the smallness of my own initial thinking.<br /> <br /> The fact is, an “educational game” can be all of the things I mentioned above, and much more.  As educators continue to move toward the ultimate goal of preparing students for a competitive work life filled with problem solving, analyzing, and creativity, they will find that “educational games” will become critical to core instruction.  To understand what I am referring to, try substituting the word “game” with the word “simulation”, and let me provide an example.<br /> <br /> Ten years ago, I was part of a team of teachers and administrators in the Kern High School District that had the challenging but rewarding task of developing a state wide program called Virtual Enterprise (<a href="http://www.VirtualEnterprise.org" target="_blank">www.VirtualEnterprise.org</a>).  Many of you may be familiar with this program, since upwards of 200 high schools in California are involved with it today.  The purpose of the program is to teach entrepreneurial skills, and we believed that the best way to do that would be to create a business simulation, in essence, a “game”!<br /> <br /> Virtual Enterprise is a window into the future of what education must eventually become to teach what many have termed “21st Century Skills”.  Is a simulation like this completely run on computers?  No, but it is supported in critical ways by technology, which is really no different than the real world of business.  Every class creates a website to sell and promote their virtual products.  Every student uses e-mail and other productivity applications to run their business.  The central office provides a sophisticated web-based banking system to facilitate the exchange of virtual money.  All of these technologies come together to allow students in California to create a world wide virtual economy through communication with similar programs outside of the state.<br /> <br /> Sounds familiar, doesn’t it?  It sounds like the kind of classroom that some educational dreamers have been blogging and speaking about.  You know, those dreamers who really don’t live in the “real world” of education as we know it.  The ones who can’t seem to understand that the politics, the financial constraints, and the established ideas of teaching will never allow this type of classroom to materialize.  Strangely enough, it has materialized in the Virtual Enterprise program, and it started 10 years ago in California.<br /> <br /> Virtual Enterprise is fairly unique, but it isn’t the only program that seeks to use simulations to create a more powerful learning environment.  However, all of these programs in general are still seen as “fringe” concepts that exist on the outside of core instruction.  Therein lies the biggest obstacle to modernizing teaching and learning.  Believe it or not, I predict that games or simulations will become central to modern instruction in public schools.  With that major shift in pedagogy, we will usher out the static classroom along with state testing in its current form.  With that major shift in pedagogy, we will usher in an environment where teachers facilitate learning, but students actually own it.</p> Pirates Can Be Helpful http://www.northwestvoice.com/home/Blog/tigoree/23394 http://www.northwestvoice.com/home/Blog/tigoree/23394 <p><a href="http://www.ted.com/talks/view/id/233" target="_blank">Watch this entire 25 minute long video!</a></p> <p>Three points to be made about this video -</p> <p>1 - Nervousness and other problems with speaking in public can (and will) be overcome by passion for the subject and telling a personal story.  It doesn't matter what your problems with speaking are, you can engage people in any setting through passionate story telling!  This concept is SO important because public speaking is SO important.  Public speaking is NOT a talent that only a few possess, but a skill that is necessarily learned to communicate concepts that you are passionate about.</p> <p>I have been told that I am a good public speaker, so take my advice - speak about what you know and what you love.  Allow yourself to be vulnerable during the process. Do these things and you will be considered a good public speaker.  If you are a good public speaker, incredible doors to influence others are open to you.</p> <p>2 - Read point number 1 again, but this time, replace the word (and its forms) "speak" with the word "write".</p> <p>3 - Find your way as a community member and talented individual to make an impact on students at your local school.  Be inspired by this video and take action with others.</p> <p>Follow up Website - <a href="http://onceuponaschool.org/" target="_blank">http://onceuponaschool.org/</a></p> The Idea Factory http://www.northwestvoice.com/home/Blog/tigoree/23294 http://www.northwestvoice.com/home/Blog/tigoree/23294 <p>I recently had a whale of a time at the Computer Using Educators (CUE) Conference in Palm Springs with 3 collegues of mine.  This is a conference I never miss, but it is primarily aimed at classroom teachers, so if I go without taking some teachers along with me, it feels like I'm wasting an opportunity.  Luckily, 2 of the people I took with me were classroom teachers - Tara Treaster and Christine Whitaker.  The third person was Omar Garcia, one of the computer technicians that works in my department.</p> <p>Together, we were a small group that is representative of any school district as a whole.  One administrator, one classified employee, and two teachers.  Strangely, this doesn't happen often.  I find myself being the "odd guy" who likes to manufacture this experience over and over again.  I can't help it - this close concoction of mixed school employees thrown in to a special project or work based trip was what changed my ideas about schools, married me forever to education, and shot my career into the direction that it has taken today.  So this idea, this type of experience, is special to me. It NEVER FAILS to create connections that help us educate kids better - NEVER.</p> <p>We come from different backgrounds and different points of view.  Our ways of looking at the problems that we face throughout the day are very different.  Before we spent some time together, our perceptions of each other were shallow - colored by our own desires and stereotypes.  We put each other in tiny little boxes...</p> <p>Three days at CUE changed all of that.  We emerged as an IDEA FACTORY.  We found that our goals were the same, and our differences could enhance each other's strengths and minimize each other's weaknesses.  The 4 hour ride home was filled with constant chatter and enlightening thoughts.  Will we ever be the same?</p> <p>No - and THANK GOD for that.</p> <p>If only I could manufacture this experience for every employee in our school district.</p>

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P1010014.jpg Left to Right - Omar, Christine, Tara, and Tim tigoree To Power Off, Or Not To Power Off, That Is The Question! http://www.northwestvoice.com/home/Blog/tigoree/22478 http://www.northwestvoice.com/home/Blog/tigoree/22478 <p>This may seem like a simple and unimportant subject to write about, but I have to say, I get this question an awful lot these days.</p> <p>Here it is: <b>How often should I turn off my computer completely?</b></p> <p>Years ago, there was an epidemic of computer power switches that started failing because the computers were constantly being turned on an off.  At that time, the computer would basically cease to function at that point.  So, it became common knowledge that it was better to leave the computer on most of the time.</p> <p>We currently live in a very different environment.  People are much more concerned now about power consumption (and cost) than they were in late 80's and early 90's. Computer design and hardware function is also much better than it was then.</p> <p>So, in case you are wondering, there is no real danger of power switch failure from turning your computer off and on many times. At home, I turn off my computers when I am not using them, period.  At work, I will leave my computer on typically all day, but have it set to go into power save mode after 1 hour of inactivity.  I turn off my computer at work at the end of every day.</p> <p>Estimated power savings from turning off your computer when not in use range from $20 - $60 per computer per year.  This may not seem like much, but at an organization like the Norris School District, that can add up to monster numbers. </p> <p>We are currently working on an initiative to save energy using a combination of software and training that I believe will save the district around $30,000 per year!  This is big money that can be used in better ways, especially during major budget cuts.</p> Interruptions - The Best Part of My Day http://www.northwestvoice.com/home/Blog/tigoree/17705 http://www.northwestvoice.com/home/Blog/tigoree/17705 It's easy to get into the rut of believing that interruptions are the things that hold you back from getting "real" work done.  As a technology director, I am one of the most interrupted people in my school district!<br /> <br /> I had an interruption recently, however, that reminded me of the beauty of such moments, and their importance to teaching, learning, and generally being needed.<br /> <br /> It so happens that an office that I was working in one day is attached to the Kindergarten building of one of our schools.  I had the office door open as I worked on a computer, enjoying the cool breeze that was drafting through.  Then kindergarten recess began, and 7 curious kindies were at my door asking questions.<br /> <br /> "Who are you?"<br /> <br /> "What are you doing?"<br /> <br /> "Are you a teacher?"<br /> <br /> "What are you doing with that computer?"<br /> <br /> I could have dismissed them to their recess - nothing to see here, kids!  Instead, I took the opportunity to interact during this interruption.  Inviting them in, I pulled out my iPhone and starting goofing off.  We took pictures, listened to music, watched a video, and had a good conversation.  As their teacher rounded them up and took them back to class, I sifted through the pictures we took haphazardly, and the one attached stood out.  A complete accident, but a beautiful picture to remind me of the moment.<br /> <br /> I can't really remember anything else I did that day, except for that.  Besides the experience and the picture, there is something else that continues to surface in my mind.  The questions that they asked:<br /> <br /> "Who are you?"<br /> <br /> "What are you doing?"<br /> <br /> "Are you a teacher?"<br /> <br /> "What are you doing with that computer?"<br /> <br /> While the kids didn't mean them to be, these are turning out to be some pretty deep questions.  Maybe I'll have some answers for them in a later post.  Maybe I'll be chasing the answers to them for a long time...

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IMG_0038.jpg tigoree Cotton Mouth, Spilled Water, and Great Conversation http://www.northwestvoice.com/home/Blog/tigoree/16027 http://www.northwestvoice.com/home/Blog/tigoree/16027 I while ago I blogged about the opportunity I would soon have to <a href="http://www.northwestvoice.com/home/Blog/tigoree/12632" target="_blank">speak to my peers</a> at the CETPA conference.  That opportunity has come and gone, and as expected, I am a better man for the experience.<br /> <br /> I began the 50 minute session with a terrible case of cotton mouth, but was not worried due to the fact that I had enough intelligence to prepare a glass of water before hand to have at the presentation table.  Unfortunately, I didn't have enough intelligence to control the movement of my hands around the presentation table.  I soon knocked the glass of water over and covered my pants.  I suppose I should be glad that I didn't cover my computer!<br /> <br /> Despite those problems, the 30 minutes of my presentation went well, and I said what I needed to say during that time.  What was really important to me was that I didn't ramble on and use the entire time spouting what I thought to a bunch of really intelligent people who likely had some important ideas of their own.  I controlled myself, and what I received in return was 20 minutes of conversation that I (and I think the others in the room) wish could have lasted for another hour or so.<br /> <br /> We started talking about what our mission as technologists in education really is, and I have to say, I was absolutely psyched at how natural the move was from technology to education.  The people WANTED to go there, and they were looking for ways to make it happen.<br /> <br /> The entire conference, in fact, had a focus on education that had in the past been missing.  The feeling was palpable - something is happening.  Something good, something right, something exciting!  I am renewed and invigorated, and I can't wait to push forward with the changes that must come for the benefit of our kids... Teaching Children How to Handle a Loaded Gun http://www.northwestvoice.com/home/Blog/tigoree/15303 http://www.northwestvoice.com/home/Blog/tigoree/15303 First off, I have to publicly thank Jeanette Dow for putting a little book in my hand yesterday and instructing me to read it.  Mrs. Dow is the library aide at <a target="_blank" href="http://www.norris.k12.ca.us/schools/ves/">Veterans Elementary,</a> so it's no surprise that she put a book in my hand and instructed me to read it - that is what she is <u><strong>supposed</strong></u> to do!<br /> <br /> I read the book, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.doug-johnson.com/books">Machines are the easy part; people are the hard part: Observations about making technology work in schools - by Doug Johnson</a>, in about an hour.  This has more to do with how short the book was than how quickly I read.  As short as it was, it hit home with me and made me laugh all the way through.  It also reminded me of a number of issues I need to be thinking and writing about in our own school district.<br /> <br /> One of the workshops I have planned on conducting this year for teachers and library staff was directly addressed in Doug Johnson's book, and it makes a lot of sense to start the conversation locally right here and right now.<br /> <br /> <u><strong>Question #1</strong></u><br /> <br /> Is it wise to put a loaded gun in the hands of a child without properly training them how to use it?<br /> <br /> The answer is so obvious - NO.  Some might say they would never put a loaded gun in the hands of a child, period.  I don't personally agree with this statement.  Realistically, I think it is fair to say that there are certain conditions under which I would definitely give a gun to a child.  <br /> <br /> Let's say that someone invaded my home, and the only people in the house were me and my children.  I was mortally wounded by the invader, but had one last opportunity to give a gun to my oldest child before I fell unconscious.  I think, yes, I would definitely give the gun to my child with the hope that she could protect herself from certain danger.  I would feel a lot better about giving her the gun if I had previously instructed her in its use, that is for sure, but either way, I would give her the gun.<br /> <br /> <u><strong>Question #2</strong></u><br /> <br /> Is it wise to give a child access to the Internet without properly training them how to use it? <ul> <li>There are plenty of great learning tools that are accessible to kids in the Internet. </li> <li>There are plenty of fun games to be found on the Internet.</li> <li>There are plenty of excellent information sources on the Internet.</li> </ul> <br /> <ul> <li>There are plenty of websites that look reputable, but are actually meant to deceive.</li> <li>There are plenty of pedophiles waiting in chat rooms.</li> <li>There are plenty of porn websites that come up when an honest Google search is done, let alone when someone is looking for it on purpose.</li> </ul> <br /> Teachers, Librarians, and Parents need to prepare kids for what they will encounter on the Internet, because doing without it is not an option for those who are interested in helping their kids be competitive in tomorrow's workforce.<br /> <br /> At the Norris School District, we employ an Internet filtering system that helps us make sure that students don't accidentally run across questionable websites, but the reality is that new websites with problematic content are being created all the time, and no Internet filter can fully keep up with their exponential growth.  If a student wants to get to these sites, they can usually find them if they work hard enough.<br /> <br /> That is where teachers and parents must work to actively supervise Internet use and model productivity.<br /> <br /> If you are a parent and you are interested in learning more about what you can do to help with your kids at home, then maybe the attached file from Focus on the Family will help.  You could also try searching the Internet, but be careful where you go! It's Good to be Robin Hood http://www.northwestvoice.com/home/Blog/tigoree/14870 http://www.northwestvoice.com/home/Blog/tigoree/14870 I couldn't stand it anymore.  After working for a year on my part (technology) of building the brand new Veterans Elementary School, I just had to know how my spending and purchasing for the new school compared with the Norris School District's other new school - Norris Elementary.<br /> <br /> I wasn't working here for the construction of Norris Elementary School just 2-3 years ago, and Vetera<img alt="" src="file:///Users/tigoree/Pictures/iPhoto%20Library/Modified/2007/Aug%2017,%202007/IMG_0041.JPG" />ns has been my first experience heading up technology operations during the building of a new school in my 17 year career.  It was frustrating, exciting, and satisfying all at once.<br /> <br /> So, when purchasing slowed down recently at Veterans Elementary, I poured over the financial records from the construction of Norris Elementary and did my comparison.<br /> <br /> Survey SAYS....<br /> <br /> Within the realm of technology spending, we spent 14% less on Veterans Elementary than we did on Norris Elementary.  That is good, but here is the kicker: we spent over 300% more on technology <u>in the classrooms</u> at Veterans Elementary than we did on the classrooms at Norris Elementary!<br /> <br /> How did we do it?  We robbed from the rich and gave to the poor - that's how.  In this case, the rich would be those who believe that the costs of technology infrastructure should be astronomical as a rule.  This philosophy is not acceptable to me.  I did a lot of research, a lot of negotiating, and a whole lot of shaking my head and saying "that's just not going to cut it for the kids that will attend this school."  At times I played hardball on behalf of the kids and teachers of this district, and walked away from comfortable deals and established relationships so that money could be saved and diverted to the classroom.  While the experiences connected to these times were somewhat uncomfortable or even a little painful, I can say with certainty that at the end of the day (or the project), <strong>it's good to be Robin Hood</strong>.<br /> <br /> This doesn't minimize Norris Elementary School's stature at all.  It is a fine school with an excellent setup.  However, we wouldn't be doing our jobs properly if we didn't learn from past mistakes and improve on designs as we get opportunities to build again.  Veterans Elementary is a great example of lessons learned and improvements put into practice.  As a result, it is a beautiful school that the Norris School District management team is extremely proud of.

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Credit: tigoree

IMG_0041.JPG tigoree IMG_0043.JPG tigoree Podcasting in the Classroom http://www.northwestvoice.com/home/Blog/tigoree/13918 http://www.northwestvoice.com/home/Blog/tigoree/13918 <p>If you're a teacher, and you've been looking for a multimedia project that your class can do that:<br /> <br /> A)  Doesn't cost much<br /> B)  Is easy to learn how to do<br /> C)  Integrates a lot of writing standards<br /> D)  Gets the kids really charged up<br /> E)  Is easy to share with the community (especially parents)<br /> AND<br /> F)  Is just plain fun<br /> <br /> Podcasting just might be what you are looking for!<br /> <br /> If you aren't familiar with what this is, it basically boils down to the students producing their own radio show, except the final product is not broadcast live over the air, it's wrapped up as an MP3 audio file that can be shared via disk, flash drive, e-mail, or web site.<br /> <br /> All you need is a computer, some free software, a decent USB microphone that should cost less than $30, and naturally something to talk about!<br /> <br /> Any computer will do, but if you have a Macintosh, your experience will be easier and of a better quality using GarageBand (which comes free with every Mac).<br /> <br /> I have 2 resources for you to get you started.<br /> <br /> First, check out <a target="_blank" href="http://www.mpsomaha.org/willow/radio/">Radio WillowWeb</a>.  This is an extremely impressive website with ongoing weekly podcasts created by the elementary students of Willowdale Elementary School in Omaha, Nebraska.  These podcasts will give you tons of inspiration for the type of content that even the youngest students are capable of creating.  Great stuff!<br /> <br /> Then, go to my website (<a target="_blank" href="http://timgoree.com/Podcast/Podcast.html">TimGoree.com</a>), and browse through the materials that I have put together to help teachers get a feel for how podcasting projects can fit into their curriculum right now!<br /> <br /> For those if you in the Norris School District, feel free to contact me if you are interested in setting up a planning appointment, and be on the lookout for a Podcasting in the Classroom training coming your way in the near future...</p> Micro$oft Office - The Only Option? - Part 2 http://www.northwestvoice.com/home/Blog/tigoree/13500 http://www.northwestvoice.com/home/Blog/tigoree/13500 It was almost as if my last post on Microsoft Office was a prayer that has been immediately answered!<br /> <br /> Now, I understand that this won't be exciting to about 85% of the world's computer owners (because that is the rough percentage of Windows only users), but just last week, Apple announced iWork '08.  This would be their first attempt to compete head-to-head with Microsoft Office.<br /> <br /> iWork '06, which was the previous version, consisted of two programs: Pages (word processor) and Keynote (presentation program).  These were good programs, and on a Mac, I have found myself gravitating toward them in everyday use.  I had, in fact, completely dumped PowerPoint in favor of Keynote about 5 months ago.  Conspicuously missing, however, was a spreadsheet program.  Excel, of course, is really Microsoft's killer application in the Office suite of applications.  There is no one out there that has been able to truly match it's functionality, though it's intuitiveness has at times been suspect.<br /> <br /> iWork '08 now includes a spreadsheet program called Numbers.  I was able to get my hands on the new software early this week, and so far I can say it looks good.  Importing and exporting Microsoft Office formats is seamless,  and any loss during the export is reported to you via simple statements.  So far, the only importing losses I have to report are along the lines of fonts and unusual page formatting elements.<br /> <br /> I know that this only pertains to Macintosh users, but I am excited mainly because I currently live in a Macintosh world at the Norris School District.  For the volume of software that we would need to buy at the district, the cost would be about one-third the cost of Microsoft Office!  Now, the challenge will become selling the idea and training....<br /> <br /> Stay tuned! Micro$oft Office - The Only Option? http://www.northwestvoice.com/home/Blog/tigoree/12886 http://www.northwestvoice.com/home/Blog/tigoree/12886 No, it's not!<br /> <br /> Lately, I've become very interested in alternatives to the traditional Microsoft Office Suite of applications.  You know, the ever useful, standardized, and famous Word, Excel, and PowerPoint applications.  These are great computer programs, make no mistake.  There is definitely a reason why they have become the standard for office applications world wide.<br /> <br /> There is, however, the problem of money.  For normal folks, Microsoft Office isn't exactly cheap.  The educational price is in the $130 range for students and educators buying personal copies.  Buying it off the shelf starts at $200 and goes up to $500 per copy depending on who you are and what version you want.  Adding Office to the purchase of a brand new computer will still cost you at least $100.<br /> <br /> So what does it cost for, say, a school district to purchase Microsoft Office for every computer?  Fortunately, the prices we pay for district or school agreements with Microsoft are drastically reduced.  Many schools and districts have yearly subscription agreements with Microsoft that allow them to put the latest version of office on every computer, which typically costs $20 - $30 per computer per year.  While that seems really cheap, it isn't when you consider that it is a yearly cost for hundreds or possibly thousands of computers.  <br /> <br /> It's typical for elementary schools to have about 200 computers in them.  It wouldn't be out of the ordinary for a fairly small school district of 4 schools to have a total of 1000 computers that need Microsoft Office.  At a cost of $25 per computer per year, that is $25,000 per year spent simply on Microsoft Office software licensing!  Suddenly we see why Microsoft is one of the richest companies in the world.<br /> <br /> I happen to think that a school district could do more interesting things with that money, provided that we have an alternative that gives us similar enough functionality.  Probably the most important functionality that a district couldn't do with out would be the ability to save files in the native Word, Excel, and PowerPoint formats.  After that, you would typically want the alternative program to work similarly to the Office applications, so that the training issue doesn't become insurmountable.<br /> <br /> With that in mind, take a look at three alternatives that I am really excited about!  All three offer personal use of their web-based applications for free as well as free space on-line to store files.  Check them out, and don't be terribly surprised if the organization that you work for looks into moving to them in the future to save money!<br /> <br /> <a href="http://docs.google.com/" target="_blank">Google Docs</a><br /> <a href="http://www.thinkfree.com/" target="_blank">ThinkFree</a><br /> <a href="http://www.zoho.com/" target="_blank">ZOHO</a> Speaking to Your Peers - SCARY http://www.northwestvoice.com/home/Blog/tigoree/12632 http://www.northwestvoice.com/home/Blog/tigoree/12632 So, I've been accepted as a speaker/presenter at the next <a href="http://cetpa-k12.org/" target="_blank">CETPA (California Educational Technology Professionals Association)</a> conference in October.  To me, this generates excitement, a sense of honor, and naturally, some fear.<br /> <br /> My respect for this organization and its members is deep.  These people have been, and continue to be, great supporters and sharpeners for me in my professional craft.  To speak to them on a topic near and dear to my heart is, well, all of the the things I mentioned above.<br /> <br /> Will this opportunity be a "jumping off" point for me to introduce ideas through speaking engagements?  It is possible.  I have already had conversations with other organizations that are interested in my point of view as it has to do with Educational Technology.  My goal, however, is not to create a speaking career, but to create awareness of the current issues we face in education and help as many decision makers and teachers overcome these issues as possible.  A great deal of the power in my views comes from the fact that I work in a real district and utilize my methods every day.  A career in speaking would, by definition, take me away from the trenches where the work is done and ideas are proven or discarded.<br /> <br /> What is the topic, you ask?  The descriptions reads:<br /> <br /> <em><font size="2">Technologists: Education's Dormant Secret Weapon<br /> <br /> </font><font size="2" face="Tahoma, MS Sans Serif, Helvetica" class="m">This presentation will examine the goals of technology departments in the educational realm over the past 20 years and why a major shift in those goals is necessary. The discussion will focus on concrete ways to make the technology department the catalyst for overall educational change in a school district. If you are interested in breaking down cultural barriers between classified, administrative, and certificated staff, having teachers excitedly listen and respond when you communicate with them, and create new paths for growth in your own career, then come and be involved in this discussion.</font></em><br /> <br /> I believe that the technology department in a school district has become one of the most powerful groups for change in the organization - for better or for worse.  Technology is needed and utilized in every nook and cranny, and where technology is needed and utilized, the technology department has influence.  As technologists, we can set the tone for the progressiveness of an organization with our actions.  Unfortunately, most technology departments negatively impact the progressive growth of the organization by failing to recognize what their true mission is.<br /> <br /> If you ask  technology directors in school districts what their mission is, most will tell you that it is primarily to "keep the equipment that supports district processes running at top efficiency".  While this is extremely important, it is only the bottom layer of a multi-tiered pyramid that leads to the real mission at the top of the pyramid - creating and aggressively pushing forward an environment of high-level, creative technology use.<br /> <br /> It's easy to say that our job is to maintain the technology and everyone else's job is to use the technology appropriately to be innovative in the performance of their duties.  This is the well-traveled path to organizational stagnation and ambivalence toward the use of technology.  The reality is that the people within the district that typically use technology most effectively in the daily execution of their jobs is, of course, the technologist.  Who better to reach out (first) to teachers and administrators in this area?<br /> <br /> Is it easier for a teacher (with no prompting or outside coercion) to learn how to be a technologist, or is it easier for a technologist to learn how to be a teacher?  My belief is that the latter is true, and with a few simple policy moves regarding staff training and clear communication of goals, a technology department can move from the "stick in the mud" that most teachers believe they are to the teacher's most valuable helper on a daily basis.<br /> <br /> Am I promoting a system that makes teachers and administrators rely on us more?  Absolutely not.  I am simply compelling my technology staff to go to the teachers and administrators first and bring them into the fold, rather than wait for those folks to do it themselves.  After all, we've been waiting for about 20 years now, and technology integration into the instructional process has still not happened in a significant way. The Educational System is Missing the Mark http://www.northwestvoice.com/home/Blog/tigoree/12592 http://www.northwestvoice.com/home/Blog/tigoree/12592 It's not necessary for me to write a lot about this at this time.  Instead, I'd love it if folks would watch a 20 minute video which pretty much says what needs to be considered by leaders today who make decisions in education.<br /> <br /> I believe that the arts have been and continue to be downplayed in our educational system at our own peril.  I also believe that technology can play a critical role creating the kind of artistic experiences needed in our educational system today. Listen to what Sir Ken Robinson has to say in his <a href="http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/view/id/66" target="_blank">TED Talk,</a> and judge for yourself. Entering the Blogosphere http://www.northwestvoice.com/home/Blog/tigoree/11769 http://www.northwestvoice.com/home/Blog/tigoree/11769 <p>I've been reading a number of blogs for quite some time now, so I am certainly not unfamiliar with what it is all about.  It took me a while, however, to really care too much about the concept since the first blogs (as far as I could tell) were mostly random rants and updates from people about how they feel.  I guess you could equate my perception of blogging early on to a diary for all to read.</p> <p>Really not interesting unless you know the person, in my humble opinion.</p> <p>Now, it seems that really good writers are blogging some incredible pieces out there, and I am learning a lot from just reading regularly.  Add to that the interactivity of readers being able to respond to posts, and you have the potential for some really powerful on-line conversations.</p> <p>So here I am, hoping to contribute just a little, and maybe have some good conversations with the community about where education and technology are headed locally.  Maybe we can all learn and contribute together?</p> <p>For now, check out one of the most widely watched PowerPoint presentations turned video out there, and comment on it's implications, if you wish!</p>