It’s one thing to know that you have wireless in all your schools, but do you really know if it’s useful? That it reaches every classroom? That when the 26th device logs in, the whole system breaks? Or that the new filtering software is so aggressive that almost every search ends up with a “NOT ALLOWED” message? That you have brand new projectors, but no projector bulbs? Hey, you know those IWBs you installed in every classroom? Did you also know that someone locked up the box of special pens somewhere and no one can find them?

Is there a a way to move beyond the traditional “technology capacity” survey that counts hardware and software?

Yes, I think there is, you just have to ask. But be prepared for the onslaught of reality!

I think technology capacity breaks down into three parts:

1. Inventory – do things actually exist, how many, etc.
2. Use – do people know about them, trust them, and use them
3. Reliability – are things easy to access, in working condition, reliable and if there are problems, can they get help quickly.

Part #1 is pretty traditional and still important – how much, how many, etc. I think most schools have a handle on #1. If not, get counting!

But if you want to be brave and ask further, how about these questions?

• Network server space - Can it be used by students and teachers. Do people know how? Is it easy to access, reliable, and is there enough space? Do files suddenly go missing? When someone runs out of space can they get more?
• Email – Do teachers check their email (how often)? Is it reliable, or do emails or attachments disappear? Do students have email, use email for classwork, and can they access provided email at school and home? Does the mail filter label too many things as spam or make suspected spam hard to retrieve? Can teachers request email senders to be put on a whitelist?
• Web access – Beyond calculated bandwidth, is connectivity good in all classrooms, or does bandwidth fluctuate? Can you log into network reliably  and can multiple machines log in at once, or are devices “kicked off” at random? Is filtering non-intrusive; can teachers easily request to unblock something and are those requests handled quickly?
• Hardware - Beyond “how many” – does equipment work, can you get cables and other required parts? If there are consumables (like video tapes or projector bulbs) can you get more?. Can you easily move files from cameras, scanners, recording devices, etc into other computers for processing? Can you get parts and repairs when needed?
• Software – Beyond “the list” – Are versions up to date, and can you get upgrades when you need them? Do you have software to create projects (other than slideshows and word processing) – video editing, animation, programming, simulations, audio editing, graphic programs? Do you have enough, are they age appropriate, and are the computers powerful enough to run them?
• Tech support response - Beyond average response time, what is the average time for issues being fixed to the satisfaction of the person having the problem? Is there a standard way that problems are reported, tracked, and fixed? Do people know how to request help, and is the system working – or do you have a low problem rate because everyone has given up hope of ever getting help?

I’d love to hear your additions to this list – I’m sure I’ve forgotten many important things!

Sylvia

GenYES is remarkable in how it brings student voice into the learning conversation. In this episode, Sylvia Martinez, President of GenYES, describes the project’s original program for bringing students and teachers together to co-plan technology-infused lessons as well as a newer program, TechYES, which offers a unique project-based learning approach to certifying middle school students as technologically literate.

via Radio TICAL.

Yup, that’s me, in a podcast recorded with Michael Simkins of  the Technology Information Center for Administrative Leadership (TICAL). It’s the “go to” place for California school administrators who want to understand how to integrate technology in their schools. TICAL offers resources and networking opportunities both online and in person.

Direct podcast link (MP3)

Sylvia

From Education Week:

“A new whitepaper addressing recent calls for technology literacy education argues any such education should involve project-based learning, while a separate new report indicates the need for such education may soon increase. The whitepaper from Jonathan D. Becker, a grant evaluator for the U.S. Department of Education, and Cherise A. Hodge and Mary W. Sepelyak, doctoral candidates at Richmond’s Virginia Commonwealth University, insists that, despite contention over what exactly constitutes technology literacy, there is consensus in the 49 states with technology literacy goals that the construct is multidimensional, and that one of those dimensions is acting or doing. In other words, students don’t just observe technology. They interact with it, meaning any instruction involving technology literacy should include students using technology in an active or interactive way.”

via Project-ing Tech Literacy – Digital Education – Education Week.

Although they got Dr. Becker’s job wrong (he’s actually an Associate Professor of Educational Leadership at Virginia Commonwealth University,) it’s a nice analysis of the whitepaper! Hope you read it and share with principals, tech coordinators, and others wondering what to do about student technology literacy.

Assessing Technology Literacy: The Case for an Authentic, Project-Based Learning Approach (PDF)

Sylvia

Assessing Technology Literacy: The Case for an Authentic, Project-Based Learning Approach (PDF)

This whitepaper takes a comprehensive look at the research, policies, and practices of technology literacy in K-12 settings in the United States. It builds a research-based case for the central importance of “doing” as part of technology literacy, meaning more than just being able to answer canned questions on a test. It also explores the current approaches to develop meaningful assessment of student technology literacy at a national, state, and local level.

Where “doing” is central to students gaining technological literacy, traditional assessments will not work; technological literacy must be assessed in ways that are more authentic.

Building on this definition, the whitepaper connects project-based learning and constructivism, which both hold “doing” as central to learning, as the only authentic way to assess technology literacy.

True project-based assessment is the only way to properly assess technological literacy.

Finally, it examines our TechYES Student Technology Literacy Certification program in this light.

A review of existing technology literacy models and assessment shows that the TechYES technology certification program, developed and implemented by the Generation YES Corporation using research-based practices, is designed to provide educators a way to allow students to participate in authentic, project-based learning activities that reflect essential digital literacies. The TechYES program includes an excellent, authentic, project-based method for assessing student technology literacy and helps state and local education agencies satisfy the Title II, Part D expectations for technology literacy by the eighth grade.

This whitepaper can be linked to from our Generation YES Free Resources page, or downloaded as a PDF from this link.

Sylvia

PS – Share this important research with your PLN!
Tweet

“Sixth-graders in Tom Coons’ computer class linger after the bell rings, asking for passes to come back during their study halls and lunch periods.

The reason?

They’re excited to use mini Flip Mino video recorders, digital photography, PowerPoint and computer animation to create projects that will earn them national recognition through “student technology literacy certification.”

Maple Ave. is one of 45 schools participating in the New York State Student Technology Leaders (NYSSTL) grant, funded with state EETT funding. NYSSTL schools use Generation YES tools and curriculum to meet technology literacy standards (TechYES) and to teach students how to be leaders and help teachers and peers with technology (GenYES.)

It’s great to read a story about students doing good things with technology. This is the way to fight stereotypes and misinformation about youth. Students almost always do their best when given support and encouragement to raise the bar.

I love the part about the student who spent 6 weeks on his project about Mesopotamia, drawing and animating his own graphics, and memorizing and recording his own soundtrack. This student is so far beyond the normal checklist of tech skills it’s amazing. And yet, this is NORMAL when you give kids time, support, and the encouragement to go beyond the checklist.

This is exactly why we do what we do with schools – to help schools take that leap of faith that together, students and teachers can achieve tech fluency beyond everyone’s expectations, especially their own. This is the essence of Generation YES – Youth and Educators Succeeding.

California has released their guidelines and RFP here. 50% of the money will be distributed by formula, 50% will be distributed via a competitive grant process. This money is over and above the annual EETT funds from the federal government. It’s a LOT of money, but is a one-time only grant. This isn’t going to happen every year!

GenYES has been a very popular component of many California EETT grants in previous rounds, and we hope this continues! Over 40 schools in California are currently running GenYES programs funded by the EETT grants. These GenYES students are helping their teachers implement technology throughout the curriculum and assisting with tech support.

Here are a couple of great examples:

• GenYES Students Shine in California. GenYES students at B. Gale Wilson school in Fairfield, California, were featured in their local paper with a story about their leadership and technology skills.
• Kids Use — and Teach — Digital Storytelling. At Parkview Elementary in Chico, CA, students assist teachers on digital storytelling projects that support the technology plan and content standards.
• Technology Success Story. In San Juan, California, test scores and student self-esteem rise as students find their voice and show what they know using technology.

A relatively new goal for the EETT is to address the NCLB mandate for technology literacy by 8th grade. The TechYES Student Technology Literacy Certification program is a project-based way to do just that. Plus, the new TechYES TLC – Technology Literacy Curriculum is a great way to move your technology classes beyond word processing and keyboarding.

These funds MUST be used for programs that will be sustainable in the long run. All Generation YES programs are permanent licenses, with no renewal fees.

Find out more about how Generation YES programs meet the goals of the California EETT.

Sylvia

The screencasts are short 1-2 minute help videos that quickly show students, teachers and advisors how to use the online tools and curriculum for GenYES and TechYES. The first set of TechYES screencasts went up today, and TechYES schools can see them by logging into their account and looking in the Toolkit. GenYES screencasts will be coming soon.

We’ve also started to do webinars for our member schools – if you are a GenYES or TechYES teacher, advisor, or district coordinator, you should have received an email with the instructions. And if you can’t attend live, no worries – they will be archived on the Generation YES website on the Free Resources page. We plan to do one a week for now, with topics on everything from the online tools, to tips and tricks, and using the curriculum. We’d love to hear your ideas too!

The plans are to add webinars about more general topics, such as student empowerment, project-based learning, and introductions to GenYES and TechYES.

We are happy to say that our webinars are being presented in Elluminate, thanks to the fine people there who accepted us into their Community Partner program. We couldn’t do this without their support!

Sylvia

Lots of exciting things going on at NECC this year!

On the Exhibit Floor - Come by booth 2918 and meet some local TechYES students who are going to be making some photo souvenirs for selected conference attendees right in our booth. If you love politics and technology, don’t miss the fun!

TechYES TLC – Making its nationwide debut at NECC is our new student Technology Literacy Curriculum, TechYES TLC. Completely online and up-to-date, this curriculum gives technology teachers options and guidance to create an engaging, student-centered, project-based learning experience. Access to some revolutionary project planning and classroom tools will be included in the permanent license.

I’ll be meeting with quite a few press and ed tech media folks to talk about what we’ve done with TechYES TLC.

Sessions

• Digital Equity Symposium - one of the roundtable discussions will be led by Dr. Dennis Harper Monday, June 30 8:30AM
• 30 Years Later: The Best Technology Professional Development - Sylvia Martinez, Tuesday, July 1 12:30PM
• Classroom 2.0: What Is Web 2.0′s Role in Schools? ( Steve Hargadon, CoSN/EdTechLive with Darren Draper, David Jakes, Chris Lehman, Julie Lindsay and Sylvia Martinez) Wednesday July 2, 12:30PM

Pre-conference – And once again, the 3rd Annual Constructivist Celebration event on Sunday, June 19 is SOLD OUT! If you were lucky enough to get in when we announced this last month, we’ll see you there for a fabulous day of creativity and constructivism.

So if you are going to be at NECC, be sure to say hello!

Sylvia

It’s been a long time coming and a lot of hard work, but we are finally getting near enough to the finish line that we can begin to share things publicly.

TechYES TLC is all online, with nothing to install or download. It’s completely new and (we hope) the best, most engaging project-based technology literacy curriculum out there. It’s geared towards middle school, just like our TechYES Student Technology Literacy Certification model, but it goes deeper than just certification.

Engaging, student-centered activities
In the five years since we created the TechYES – Student Technology Literacy Certification model, we found many schools in search of new curriculum to use for their technology classes. Not satisfied with existing technology curriculum, they want to give students a more engaging, student-centered experience using a project-based, constructivist philosophy and 21st century tools.

This is the big idea behind TechYES TLC. Units include:

• Web safety, netiquette, cyberbullying, ethics
• Internet searching, copyright and citations
• Peer mentor training
• Digital publishing – presentations, word processing, visual literacy
• Web publishing – websites and wikis
• Online collaboration – email, blogs, RSS, networks
• Media literacy
• Graphics – photography, drawing, art, animation
• Audio – editing, podcasting, music
• Video – production, editing, digital storytelling
• Computer programming
• Simulation and modeling
• Web 2.0

Each unit contains multiple activities and mini-projects, all with resources, teaching tips, and extension activities. Included are training and support, with suggested pathways to customize the units to fit multiple timelines such as rotations, block schedules, trimester, semester, year-long, even multiple years.

Technology literacy reports and project tools
And it’s not just lesson plans, there are online tools that support projects and authentic assessment:

• Individual student project planning and evaluation
• Blogs and wikis for students to document the progress of their technology projects
• Customizable reports that track student progress towards technology literacy certification
• Plus the Generation YES special brand of support (the TLC) for our schools

Permanent license means a sustainable solution
By the way, for those of you with your eyes on the bottom line, this curriculum is available as a permanent site license. No renewal fees, all future upgrades included.

There is much more information on the website, and we’d be happy to start giving online tours after NECC in June. If you are going to be at NECC in Washington DC, be sure to stop by our booth and see it live!

Whew! It’s been a long road and a lot of hard work, but we are so very proud of TechYES TLC. We hope it finds its way into many schools!

Sylvia

This workshop will be led by Dr. Gary Stager, who has been working with these schools since a summer kickoff workshop last year. It’s always exciting and fun to have workshops that involve students, and I expect this will be no exception!

Next I’ll be in Rye Brook, New York, for the NYSCATE Metro conference. This is a always a great opportunity for schools in the eastern half of New York to get together and share the progress they are making in technology integration. I’m sure a major topic of discussion will be the one-time ed-tech funding coming soon from the federal stimulus package. (Our website has more details and links to information about that.)

If you are in New York City or going to the Metro conference, be sure to say hello!

Sylvia

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