Program

Below is a recap of the day's sessions and events, complete with handouts and other materials submitted by presenters. You can also check out some informal notes taken by participants using the wireless Wiki journal set up by David Warlick.

7:30am - 8:30am

Registration & Refreshments

8:30am - 9:30am

Welcome and Opening Keynote

Staying in Front of the 8-Ball!

Jeff Harrow
Budget cycles demand near-term decisions on what and how technologies can be implemented in schools and districts. But due to the incredibly accelerating rate of technological advancement, simply "reacting" to near-term trends and issues guarantees that schools will remain in a technological backwater compared to the very students they are attempting to teach. Jeff Harrow will illustrate the phenomenon of technological acceleration, show how current technology planning keeps us behind the 8-ball, and help us look beyond the next budget cycle in order to keep our schools viable and effective in an ever-changing world.

Presentation: Harrow: "Staying in Front of the 8-Ball!" (81k pdf)

9:30am - 9:45am

Refreshment & Networking Break

9:45am - 11:00am

Breakout Sessions

Technology For Tomorrow's Schools
David Warlick (moderator), Eric Klopfer & Jeff Harrow
Which emerging technologies show greatest promise for K-12 education? In this forward-looking session, moderated by author and visionary David Warlick, a panel of experts will offer you sneak peeks at technology innovations that are on their way to school.

Handout: Warlick: "Setting the Stage: A Future Fiction" (124k pdf)
Presentation: Klopfer: "Augmented Reality Simulations" (586k pdf)

Maximizing the Educational ROI Of Your Technology Program
Gwen Solomon (moderator), Herman Gaither, Peter Robertson & Tom Stapleford
In these days of tight budgets, how are forward-thinking districts maximizing the value of their technology investments? And how does one measure "Return on Investment" when the business in question is the business of learning? Three educational leaders will share their perspectives about what is working for their own districts — and how they know it's working.

Keeping The Data Safe, Secure And Private
Susan McLester (moderator), Jane Bloomquist, Robert Richardson & Shelley Rossitto
Using data to inform educational decision-making is essential but how do you ensure privacy and keep the data secure from hackers and unauthorized users? Three experts will share security-related tips, tools, strategies and advice.

1:1 Computing: Who's Doing It And How's It Working?
Jeffrey Branzburg (moderator), Corinne Carriero, Joe Hofmeister & Mo Shorr
Whether using laptops, handhelds or newer tablet computers, a number of schools, districts and states are making progress with providing "always at hand" technology to students and educators. Come learn about the benefits and challenges of ubiquitous computing.

11:00am - 11:15am

Refreshment & Networking Break

11:15am - 12:15pm

Industry Spotlights

Hear and respond to the companies that are sponsoring Tech Forum and helping to shape the future of educational technology. 12:15pm - 1:00pm

Lunch

12:45pm - 1:30pm

Dessert Reception

1:30pm - 2:15pm

Roundtable Discussions

Some past attendees have referred to these discussions — led by Tech Forum's high-powered advisors on topics of your own choosing — to be a highlight of the day. 2:15pm - 2:30pm

Refreshment & Networking Break

2:30pm - 4:00pm

Mini-workshops

Honing Your Leadership Skills
Pete Reilly
"Without leaders [who can organize and motivate others to pursue a new strategy] organizations will do the same thing tomorrow that they did today." [Louis Gerstner, 1994]

In this sequel to last year's well-received interactive workshop, Pete Reilly will explore the importance of leaders re-connecting with their purpose in order to take action with clarity and conviction. Participants will gain new insights, tools, and practices and learn how to create greater value for their internal and external clients.

Handout: Reilly: "Honing Your Leadership Skills" (87k pdf)

Rethinking Your Web Site Strategies
David Warlick
Maintaining and refining your school or district Web site should not be your job, it should help you do your job. This engaging workshop will encourage you examine your existing Web strategies and determine if your Web site is truly working for you. We will explore strategies for continuing the Web planning and design process as well as alternative Web publishing procedures that help you make your Web site an ongoing conversation with the community.

Handout: Warlick: "Plan It. Design It. Build It. Put Your Web Site to Work" (68k pdf)

Effective Learning for the 21st Century: Creating a Framework for Action
Kim Carter
Whether you are in the process of building a brand new learning community, revamping existing programs or taking stock of where you are with the initiatives you've invested in, this mini-workshop will offer you the chance to look at your goals and share with others your thinking about education for this millennium. Come talk about your district's priorities for 21st century learning, examine emerging models of school design and identify action steps for moving ahead.

Presentation: Carter:"Effective Learning for the 21st Century: Creating A Framework for Action" (65k pdf)

Empowering Teachers to be Data Driven Decision Makers
Harry Tuttle
Learn how easily your teachers can collect, analyze, and then use data from common classroom activities to improve instruction. You will see examples involving collecting data within a unit, over a month, and frequently during the year. Examples will range from low to high tech and will illustrate a variety of ways in which teachers can use data analysis to improve their own instruction, track student progress, and empower their students to monitor their own learning. This workshop focuses on a bottom-up approach to data, not the usual top-down approach, and on building in constant improvement for student learning rather than waiting for the state test results.