NETS at ALA Midwinter

Goodness. The event described below feels a little like the Pope attending Christmas Eve services at the Lutheran Church. But I'm glad it's happening. AASL and ISTE need work together more often. Like I've said again and again and again.

Kudos to both ALA/AASL and ISTE for making this happen!

And thanks for David Barr for the head's up on this event.

Media Specialists and Librarians: ISTE wants your input
A Shared Vision--A Shared Voice for Educators in an Increasingly Digital World

Attending ALA Mid-Winter? Join us to Refresh the NETS for Teachers

Join Paula and Don and share your thoughts about the Refresh of the National Educational Technology Standards for Teachers (NETS•T) in a Town Forum style meeting.  

Date:  Friday, January 11, 2008
Time:  2 pm to 4:30 pm
Location:  Doubletree Hotel in Philadelphia
(See map:  http://www.ala.org/ala/eventsandconferencesb/midwinter/2008/phillymap.pdf)
Room:  Regency Room

Bring your own laptop to this interactive, collaborative session to refresh the NETS for Teachers! Register in advance at www.iste.org/nets-refresh <http://www.iste.org/nets-refresh> .  If you're not attending  ALA Mid-Winter, you can still lend your voice to the NETS•T Refresh!  Visit www.iste.org/nets-survey <http://www.iste.org/nets-survey>  to give us your feedback!

The NETS•T were originally released in 2000.  Now, we are seeking input and feedback from educators, thought leaders, and the private sector on the NETS•T so they reflect the demands and needs of Digital Age learners.  

The next generation of NETS•S, released in June 2007, raised the bar high to achieve greater technology-integrated learning.  We want your help to do the same with the teacher standards, performance profiles, and essential conditions. Find out more about NETS at http://ww.iste.org/nets/ <http://ww.iste.org/nets/> .

Special thanks go to ISTE 100 Members sponsoring this initiative including Level One Sponsors: Adobe Systems, Apple, Intel, and Pearson; Level Two Sponsors: Promethean, Inc. and SMART Technologies.

Sincerely,
 
Lynn Nolan
NETS Refresh Project Director

The ISTE Board Needs You

Having already demonstrated that you are a person of great intelligence and impeccable taste (being a Blue Skunk reader, of course), I would strongly encourage you to nominate yourself for the ISTE Board of Directors.

The responsibilities are not onerous, expenses (including NECC registration for the years while you serve) are paid, AND school library representation is needed! (See details below.)

My final board meeting after two terms (4 years) will be in February. I am happy to answer any questions you might have about being a Board Member.

The official announcement from ISTE:

Board  Nominations Open Monday Dec. 17     

Dear  ISTE Member,

The  ISTE Board Nominations Committee is seeking outstanding  educational technology leaders to serve on the ISTE  Board of Directors. This is your opportunity to nominate  a visionary educator <http://www.iste.org/Content/NavigationMenu/AboutISTE/Governance/Elections/Call_for_Nominations/ISTE_Board_2008_Call_for_Nomination.htm>  committed to improving teaching  and learning by advancing the effective use of technology  in education. You may nominate any ISTE member (including  yourself!). Nominations  for five open Board positions will be accepted beginning  Monday, December 17, 2007, through January 22, 2008,  each with a two-year term starting in June 2008. Please  be prepared to provide the nominee's ISTE membership number,  contact information, résumé/vitae, and answers  to three guiding questions.

More  details about the nomination process, open positions, three  guiding questions, and Board member responsibilities will  be available Monday at http://www.iste.org/nominations/.  We encourage you to take advantage of this excellent opportunity  to expand your reach and help shape the future of educational  technology with ISTE, the leading organization for Ed  Tech professionals! Special  Interest Group Officer Nominations are also open  from December 17, 2007, through January 22, 2008. For more  information and to view the open positions, please visit  the SIG  Elections page <http://www.iste.org/Content/NavigationMenu/Membership/SIGs/SIG_Elections.htm> . 

Regards,   

Kurt  A. Steinhaus, EdD Past President, ISTE Chair, Nominations  and Appointments Committee

Trina  J. Davis, PhD President, ISTE     

A little FAQ:

1. How do I answer the “guiding questions?”
Here is a link to how I answered these questions.
http://doug-johnson.squarespace.com/blue-skunk-blog/2006/3/16/no-voting-no-whining.html
My sense is that each individual will have unique ways of answering these questions.

2. How much travel is involved?
There are three board meetings each year that require travel – one in September, one in February, and one in June (just before NECC.) The September and February meetings are held all day Saturday and Sunday mornings, meaning for most of us, minimal time lost at work. Again, travel expenses are paid.

3. What are the job responsibilities?
In concrete terms, you must attend all the board meetings, participate in a monthly committee telephone conference or two, and do some NECC related stuff like vendor schmoozing, session introduction, and party/reception attendance.

Good board members go beyond this serving on task forces, advocating during meetings for their constituent groups, and providing a link to the Board and ISTE executives for the membership.

4. Is it only for K-12 educators? 
Not at all. We have a number of college professors, state tech directors and business representatives too. Some categories have restrictions, but there are always “at large” positions.

5. Do you think I know enough? Everybody on the board is so intelligent! (Actual question.)
The MENSA test is definitely optional. (No offense to fellow board members.)

Good luck to all nominated! 

I'll miss you at AASL

The AASL Conference next week will be the first one I have missed since 1994. I am having separation anxiety as I feel the excitement of those of you who will be heading off to Reno. From what I see it looks like a great program and some terrific sessions.

I made a deliberate decision not to attend this year. For the second conference in a row, planners have not allowed members to submit workshop proposals. For a volunteer organization, this is wrong, and I will not attend any AASL conferences until this policy is changed. Yes, I have voiced this complaint to AASL conference planners and the AASL leadership.

The primary problem, beyond displaying a lack of confidence in the rank and file that they have something of value to present in a workshop setting, is that the workshop choices don't give new voices, fresh experiences and different viewpoints an opportunity to heard. God bless the chosen workshoppers, all high quality people who have a lot to offer, but let's face it, none are exactly spring chickens, if you know what I mean. (Were I giving a workshop, I'd have been an oldie as well.)

I suspect that I am probably the only person bothered by this. And let me be clear - I'm not mad about not doing a workshop - I'm mad about not being given the chance to even be rejected. There is a big difference.

Just so you won't worry too much about me, do know I'll be working this Friday while AASL is in session with librarians in the Plano, TX area at their Library Expo gathering.

Yee, haw! Looking forward to it.