Maine Learning Technology Initiative

Last month the conversation started off with Author Bea McGarvey and DOE Superintendent of Instruction Don Siviski talking about Mass Customized Learning and its implications for Standards Based Education here in Maine. There was even a surprise visit from Commissioner Bowen!

This month, on Tuesday January 24th, the conversation continues with the second webinar focusing on Chapters 2 and 3 of the book and looking more closely at some of the questions raised by participants in the first webinar. Come join Bea, Don, Principal Bill Zima, and me as we continue the conversation.

Please click on the Webcasts tab to register. This webinar will take place at 4:00pm on January 24, 2012.

What is Mass Customized Learning? Has its time come? Is it Inevitable in Maine, across the nation, and around the world? Join Chris Toy and guest speaker Bea McGarvey, Co-Author of Inevitable as we kick off this year’s MLTI Principals Webinar which will focus Bea’s book.  Each month we will take up and discuss a key aspect of Inevitable.

Principal Webinars will continue to feature and discuss a key aspect of “Inevitable” for the 2011-2012 year.These Webinars will occur on the 4th Tuesday of each month at 4:00pm (exception in December due to holidays).

Each participant that registers for the December 13, 2011 webinar will receive a link to download the introduction and first chapter of “Inevitable”.

The Commissioner of Education has provided all Superintendents with copies of “Inevitable” with a suggestion that they read it and make copies available to their administrators. Administrators should check with their superintendents for a free copy.

Learn more about Bea McGarvey

To register for this December 13, 2011 webinar, please visit the Webcasts Page and follow the directions for registration or click here to access online registration directly. (This webinar was originally scheduled for December 12th)

Deconstructed TPCK Diagram

Now that folks have been introduced to SAMR and TPACK, its time to talk about how practitioners can apply what we know. The question might be, “How can I look at my curriculum and put SAMR and TPCK into practice in my classroom?” And, of course, we will ponder how technology can aid in the improvement of teaching and learning by giving a closer look at the tools that MLTI and the web have to offer. Finally, we will check out one more example of “building a ladder” of classroom practice and discuss how it might be applied to revamping lessons or units you already use.

This webinar will be offered twice, once at 3:15pm, and once at 7:15pm. You may find it useful to read some additional information about participating in our webinars; you can click here right before the start of the webinar for quick access.

When designing teaching projects using technology, it is important to employ frameworks that enable the best selection, planning, and use of the tools available. The SAMR and TPCK models have proven themselves in use in Maine’s classrooms and around the world. In 2010, over two thirds of Maine teachers familiar with the models found that they played a crucial or important role in their work.

In this webinar we will review the basics of the SAMR and TPCK models, using new examples that reflect evolving priorities and projects in Maine schools. We will also see how to use them in practice, introducing the concept of the “SAMR Ladder” — a concept that we will extend and develop further at our October 27 webinar.

This webinar will be offered twice, once at 3:15pm, and once at 7:15pm. You may find it useful to read some additional information about participating in our webinars; you can click here right before the start of the webinar for quick access.

Effective School Leadership for Learning with Technology. Do You Know It When You See It? facilitated by Chris Toy
Principal’s Webinar
June 28, 2011 at 4:00pm

National research and our experience in Maine establishes that the quality of leadership in schools is THE single most important factor in determining the ultimate success and sustainability of the effective use of technology in learning. Come join Technology Integrator Mike Arsenault and Principal Bruce Brann from Harrison Middle School, and Principal John Keane from Leonard Middle School in Old Town as we talk about their perspectives and ideas about this key topic.

Gather your leadership colleagues together, fire up your MLTI laptops, and join us on the the 28th!
To register for this webinar, select the Webcasts tab at the top of the http://maine121.org page and select the time to be directed to online registration. This webinar will be offered at 4:00pm.

Join us on June 21, 2011 at 3:15pm for the last Feed Forward Webinar for the 2010-2011 school year.  The Feed Forward webinar series is designed for the MLTI Team to receive feedback from Techs, Teachers, Leadership and even students!!

This month’s Feed Forward webinar will focus on summer re-imaging. We will review changes introduced in the new MLTI III 2011 image, and then move onto a discussion of processes shown to be successful for summertime reimaging, storage, and distribution in the fall.  We will also discuss Summer Redistribution.

Have a question you want addressed during the Feed Forward Series? Send your email to mlti.project@maine.gov with Feed Forward Listener Mail in the subject line. Get your question answered live! To register, please visit the Webcasts page and select webcasts from the top navigation (select the time of the webinar you wish to participate in to be directed to online registration).

If you wish to review past Feed Forward webinars, we’ve recorded and archived them.  Please visit the archives page to view recorded sessions (organized by date).

Do You Know It When You See It? facilitated by Chris Toy
Principal’s Webinar
May 24, 2011 at 4:00pm

What does it look like when teachers are effectively using technology for learning? Be sure to join us at 4:00pm on Tuesday May 24th for the MLTI Principal’s Webinar. The topic will be “Do You Know It When You See It? The ISTE NETS-T Standards for Teachers”.

Join us for a conversation with four Maine colleagues: Special guests will be Crystal Priest – District Technology Coordinator in MSAD #4, ACTEM President, and newly appointed Apple Distinguished Educator; Kevin Harrington – Principal of Piscataquis Community Secondary Schoo in Guilfordl; Dr. Mike Muir – Multiple Pathways Leader, Auburn School District and Director and Maine’s virtual project-based program for at-risk youth; and Ernie Easter – Classroom teacher for grades 7 & 8, self contained classroom, teaching all subjects and MLTI Teacher Leader for the New Sweden School.

Gather your leadership colleagues together, fire up your MLTI laptops, and join us on the the 24th!
To register for this webinar, select the Webcasts tab at the top of the http://maine121.org page and select the time to be directed to online registration.

For schools that would like to expand their MLTI 1:1 computing for high school or elementary grade levels or would like to offer MLTI devices to more teachers and staff, the Department of Education is pleased to announce another opportunity for Maine schools to add MLTI devices. These devices will have the 2011 MLTI custom image and will be delivered in the mid-June to early July timeframe. Device specifications are available in the Participation Packet on the Deployment Page.

We will be offering MLTI devices on either a 1-year or 2-year lease, and device order forms are due by noon on May 27, 2011.

Prices are as follows:

- 1-year plan: $816/device (one upfront payment due in July 2011)
- 2-year plan: $418/device/year (billed quarterly for two years at $104.50/quarter)

The Device Order Form, Participation Form, and details on this expansion opportunity are available in the 2011 Participation Packet found on the Deployment Page.

Schools that want to make payments before June 30, 2011 should contact the MLTI Project Office at mlti.project@maine.gov.

We are aware that some schools may need to get budget approvals before committing to purchase more MLTI devices, and budget meetings may not be scheduled until after May 27, 2011. If your school wants to get MLTI devices but cannot commit funds until after the May 27th deadline, please let us know your intent by submitting the Device Order Form by May 27th and asking us to Hold the Order for Board Approval. Be sure to give us the date of your board’s budget meeting. Please be sure to follow up with us immediately after that budget meeting to let us know the outcome.

Please note: this offering is only for schools that want to expand their 1:1 program; if your school requires additional MLTI devices because of increased enrollment or eligible staff, please complete the online MacBook Request Form.

If you have any questions or need any further information, please feel free to contact the MLTI Project Office via email or at 624-6746.

MLTI Project Team

Be sure to join us on Tuesday April 26th from 4-5 PM for this month’s MLTI Principal’s Webinar. The topic will be Students Learning Effectively With Technology Do you Know It When You See It? ISTE NETS for Students. We’ll be joined by Auburn Middle School Principal, Jim Hand, Auburn Tech Integrator Carl Bucciantini, and Mt. Ararat High School Principal Craig King.

We’ll also have the opportunity to learn more about Auburn’s iPad mobile learning project with kindergarten students!

It should be an interesting and informative hour!

Head on over to maine121.org, select webcasts from the top menu, then scroll down to April 26, 4:00 to register.

Join Chris Toy Tuesday, March 22nd from 4:00 – 5:00 PM for what promises to be a most interesting webinar. The topic is Superintendents, Principals, and MLTI, It’s All About Educational Leadership! We’ll be joined by superintendents Don Siviski from RSU2 and Jerry White from MSAD31. Mark Hatch, Principal at Messalonskee Middle School, and John Armentrout, tech director at RSU #2, will also be with us. So grab a colleague and join Chris and guests for a great conversation. 

This webinar will be held March 22, 2011 at 4:00pm.

To register for this webinar, select the Webcasts tab at the top of the http://maine121.org page and register for the time desired.