WEBBOARD CHAT LOG Sept. 24, 1998  7:48 pm - 9:06 pm chat with Judy Frank, Jan Swenson, and Ann Felix 9/24/98 19:48
Michelle Tjelmeland: Hi Karen
9/24/98 19:54
Michelle Tjelmeland: I am all alone :(
9/24/98 19:55
Michelle Tjelmeland: Karen was here but now she is gone.
9/24/98 19:55
Karen Lunsford: Hi Michelle!
9/24/98 19:56
Michelle Tjelmeland: Hi Karen-nice emails to the WHJS
administation
9/24/98 19:56
Michelle Tjelmeland: Again, I want to thank you for all of
your time and efforts spent on our group projects.  I really appreciate it
9/24/98 19:56
Karen Lunsford: This is the first time I've used this
9/24/98 19:56
Karen Lunsford: Thanks--the administrators should be here soon
9/24/98 19:57
Michelle Tjelmeland: It is just like a chat room.  No big
difference-do you think?
9/24/98 19:57
Michelle Tjelmeland: I emailed Wildabette two days and still
no response-surprise!!
9/24/98 19:57
Karen Lunsford: I can see all sorts of symbols next to your
name.  What are they?
9/24/98 19:58
Michelle Tjelmeland: Yeah-Your name has them also.  I forgot
what they are for.
9/24/98 19:58
Michelle Tjelmeland: Hi Judy.
9/24/98 19:58
Michelle Tjelmeland: Glad you could make it the meeting.  We
realize everyone is busy.
9/24/98 19:59
Karen Lunsford: Hi Judy, We're glad to meet you.
9/24/98 19:59
Michelle Tjelmeland: Hi Kevin.
9/24/98 19:59
Karen Lunsford: Hi Kevin
9/24/98 20:01
Michelle Tjelmeland: Toni Toni TOni
9/24/98 20:01
Toni Greer: Hello, Everyone!
9/24/98 20:01
Karen Lunsford: Hi Toni!
9/24/98 20:02
Toni Greer: Did I miss anything, yet?
9/24/98 20:02
Michelle Tjelmeland: Tons.
9/24/98 20:02
Michelle Tjelmeland: No, we are waiting for everyone to arrive.
9/24/98 20:02
Karen Lunsford: Toni, I'd like to introduce you to Judy Frank
9/24/98 20:03
Toni Greer: Hi Judy, Thanks so much for agreeing to talk with
us!!
9/24/98 20:04
Karen Lunsford: Ann Felix and Jan Swenson also wrote to say
that they are planning to come.
9/24/98 20:04
Michelle Tjelmeland: My child has decided to throw a tantrum.
 Makes trying to concentrate so nice.
9/24/98 20:04
Kevin Erlinger: Sorry I am late-logon problems.
9/24/98 20:05
Karen Lunsford: Hi Kevin!
9/24/98 20:05
Michelle Tjelmeland: Of course, if I hold her she stops.
Makes it so easy to type.
9/24/98 20:05
Michelle Tjelmeland: Hi Kevin.
9/24/98 20:05
Kevin Erlinger: Hi everyone, I hope I have not missed too much.
------------------------------JUDY FRANK LOGS ON
9/24/98 20:06
Judy Frank: Hello
9/24/98 20:07
Judy Frank: Sure - it's great.  I'm looking forward to it!
9/24/98 20:07
Toni Greer: Well, while we're waiting for our other guests,
did everyone get the email that said we can no longer use the audio
conference? What should we do, use this chat room from now on?
9/24/98 20:08
Karen Lunsford: Hi Judy, I just realized that there was a
confusion between the two Conference names (one under WebBoard proper and
one under Chat)--sorry for any confusion.
9/24/98 20:08
Kevin Erlinger: I certainly do not have a problem using the
chat.  I would imagine it could be costly to call from Springfield.
9/24/98 20:09
Judy Frank: No  problem, I just got confused, but I think it
was my fault, not yours.
9/24/98 20:09
Michelle Tjelmeland: Yes, Kevin I agree.  I think it would be
costly also.
9/24/98 20:09
Toni Greer: That's what I'm thinking. Shall we plan to chat
via this webboard on Monday from 8-9?
9/24/98 20:09
Michelle Tjelmeland: That works for me.  Mondays are good.
Not so busy as Thur.
9/24/98 20:10
Kevin Erlinger: I think we still have the audio bridge for
Monday.
9/24/98 20:10
Judy Frank: Ok - works for me.
9/24/98 20:10
Michelle Tjelmeland: So after this Monday we could use the Chat.
9/24/98 20:10
Karen Lunsford: Judy, perhaps we could take advantage of the
time by having you talk about your position as Tech Coordinator (yes?) for
the county.
9/24/98 20:11
Toni Greer: Oh, That's right, I forgot that the change
doesn't take place immediately. We'll figure it out then. Take it away Judy!!
9/24/98 20:11
Judy Frank: Oh - there must be a little confusion.  I'm
actually an internal evaluator for the district.
9/24/98 20:12
Karen Lunsford: Oops.
9/24/98 20:12
Judy Frank: No problem.  Any evaluation questions?
9/24/98 20:12
Kevin Erlinger: Judy have you done any evaluations on the NEF
grant?
9/24/98 20:12
Michelle Tjelmeland: Well what exactly does your entail?
9/24/98 20:13
Judy Frank: Some very closely related.  I've looked at issues
of access.
9/24/98 20:13
Michelle Tjelmeland: job?  Sorry.
9/24/98 20:13
Karen Lunsford: Interesting--what sorts of things have you
found?
9/24/98 20:13
Kevin Erlinger: What access issues have you investigated?
9/24/98 20:14
Judy Frank: I help tech coordinators look at the software
that they are using and decide if it best fits their instructional needs.
That's a big function of my job.
9/24/98 20:14
Karen Lunsford: Could you give us an idea of the kinds of
software and the kinds of needs that seem to be most common ?
9/24/98 20:14
Judy Frank: I think of access as three separate issues.
First, is traditional - hardware/software issues.  Do your students have
enough computers.  That's the easiest thing to evaluate.
9/24/98 20:15
Judy Frank: Then there are two other issues of access.
Second, are the students accessing the materials/instructors etc. in an
effective manner.
9/24/98 20:15
Michelle Tjelmeland: Are you the only evalutor for the
district?  Is this your sole responsibility?
9/24/98 20:16
Judy Frank: Third - I look at issues of access and students
with special needs.
9/24/98 20:16
Judy Frank: I would say that on-line quizzes, homeworks, and
interactive type lessons are the most common.
9/24/98 20:17
Michelle Tjelmeland: Pardon my typing errors- I am holding my
baby as she is crying.
9/24/98 20:17
Kevin Erlinger: How do you feel these issues have been
addressed with the NEF/ISBE grants?
9/24/98 20:17
Judy Frank: There are others with evaluation
responsibilities, but I am the only full time FTE.
9/24/98 20:18
Judy Frank: Hmmm,  good questions.  Can you give me the
particulars of the grant again?
9/24/98 20:19
Karen Lunsford: As we understand it, the NEF/ISBE grants both
provided seed money to get the technology programs started.
9/24/98 20:20
Karen Lunsford: Perhaps you could talk about how monies have
been spent to address the access issues you mentioned.
9/24/98 20:20
Judy Frank: How many computers are allocated and how were
they distributed (which schools got the most computers and why?)
9/24/98 20:21
Karen Lunsford: The grants do not specify that
information--we were hoping you could tell us.
9/24/98 20:21
Judy Frank: Ahh!  You got me there.  Good call.
--------------------------------------------------------
9/24/98 20:21
Jan Swenson: Hello! I'm very sorry to be late. I was having
an awful time with my computer connection!
9/24/98 20:22
Judy Frank: That is one of the first issues I would look at
as the evaluator for the grant.
9/24/98 20:22
Donna Lerch: Sorry I'm late- I was getting some donated
instruments for low-income students
9/24/98 20:22
Karen Lunsford: But we do know that Wildwood JH was selected
to be a pilot program.  How would you like this program to address the
issues you raised?
9/24/98 20:22
Kevin Erlinger: Welcome to the discussion Superintendent
Swenson.
9/24/98 20:23
Jan Swenson: Please just call me Jan.
9/24/98 20:23
Karen Lunsford: Welcome, Superintendent Swenson.  We were
asking Judy Frank about access issues.
9/24/98 20:23
Kevin Erlinger: Judy, how soon will you be looking into this
as the internal evaluator?  What is your time frame?
9/24/98 20:25
Judy Frank: I'm in the processing of reviewing the basics
right now.  We were just talking about looking at the broad stuff - like
where are the computers going and how were the decisions made.
9/24/98 20:26
Judy Frank: I do anticipate that this will be about a three
year evaluation.  It's not feasible to make determinations after the first
or even second year of implementation.
9/24/98 20:26
Jan Swenson: I'm coming in here in the middle of things, but
I can tell you that access for ALL students is a very high priority for the
district.
9/24/98 20:26
Karen Lunsford: I'm curious about one of the criteria you
mentioned earlier--how effective the technology is being used.  How would
you define "effective" as you assist the tech coordinators with their
programs?
9/24/98 20:27
Judy Frank: Jan, what are your major concerns and issues that
you would like addressed with an evaluation?
9/24/98 20:27
Karen Lunsford: Jan, What kinds of plans are you all talking
about to ensure access to all students?
9/24/98 20:27
Judy Frank: I would say that determing what effective means
is a large part of the job.  Its not an easy answer and it varies by
classroom.
9/24/98 20:28
Donna Lerch: How is the program going generally? Any major
glitches you didn't expect? Any early success/excitement?
9/24/98 20:28
Jan Swenson: Well, access is defintiely one issue. We're
concerned that computers may just end up being used byt students who
already have them at home.
9/24/98 20:28
Kevin Erlinger: Jan, can you give us some idea the impact the
NEF grant has had on Wildwood JHS?  How has it changed the curriculum?
9/24/98 20:28
Karen Lunsford: Judy, could you give us an example of a time
when you worked with a tech coordinator to solve a problem?
9/24/98 20:28
Judy Frank: I'd start with the broad picture - again, where
did the computers go and why.
9/24/98 20:30
Jan Swenson: One way to avoid inequitable use is to help
teachers understand that they need to play an active role in determining
how the computers are used.
9/24/98 20:31
Jan Swenson: Judy's point about getting the broad picture is
importantt, but it's not as simple to determine that as it may seem.
9/24/98 20:31
Karen Lunsford: (Karen puts herself on pause to let our
guests catch up with our questions--sorry, I don't mean to be overwhelming!)
9/24/98 20:31
Judy Frank: Absolutely - I also think another way is to build
training into the curriculum.  Some students are not computer savvy.
9/24/98 20:31
Kevin Erlinger: How have you helped teachers uderstand
equitable use?  Have you had inservices?
9/24/98 20:31
Michelle Tjelmeland: Can either of you share ways in which
technology has been implented into a language arts, math, or science
classroom?
9/24/98 20:32
Judy Frank: Good point about the broader picture, it's one
thing to say - but another one to honestly evaluate.  Some districts have
more money and receive more gifts of computers, for example.
9/24/98 20:32
Jan Swenson: Yes, we've been holding inservices on technology
for the last three years. I say "we", but this is only my second year with
the district.
9/24/98 20:33
 Judy Frank: One effective integration that I have seen is to
link up with graduate students in the subject area.
9/24/98 20:33
Karen Lunsford: What sorts of topics are covered at the
inservices?
9/24/98 20:33
Michelle Tjelmeland: What have been some of the topics for
the in-service sessions?
9/24/98 20:34
Karen Lunsford: Judy, could you tell us more about the
graduate student program?
9/24/98 20:34
Kevin Erlinger: Judy, could you explain this link with
graduate students?
9/24/98 20:34
Jan Swenson: Tom Barrett can help you with the details of
those inservices, and also add more about some of the things teachers have
been doing in the classroom.
9/24/98 20:34
Michelle Tjelmeland: Great minds think alike.
9/24/98 20:34
Donna Lerch: How do you do inservices- workshop days, release
time, after school classes with pay?
9/24/98 20:35
Donna Lerch: Have teachers generally been receptive to
training at your district?
9/24/98 20:35
Jan Swenson: These workshops have included the use of word
processors, electronic mail, spreadsheets, and the World Wide Web.
9/24/98 20:35
Jan Swenson: At the elementary level, our emphasis has been
on basic computer literacy, plus the use of software for teaching beginning
reading and mathematics.
9/24/98 20:36
Judy Frank: Sure - what comes to mind is a program called
Prairie Flowers.  Graduate students in Plant Biology go on-line as part of
a course and talk with students in rural areas.  They answer questions, etc.
9/24/98 20:36
Jan Swenson: At the junior high level, there has been more
emphasis on using the World Wide Web.
9/24/98 20:36
Michelle Tjelmeland: Do students explore the WWW in class?
9/24/98 20:37
Toni Greer: Has a needs assessment been done in order to
determine the types of technological skills which will be needed to support
the curriculum? If not, how were the inservice topics chosen?
9/24/98 20:37
Karen Lunsford: Judy, how do the students & grad students
communicate with each other?
9/24/98 20:37
Judy Frank: Absolutely - the beauty is they explore it
together with the graduate student.  The grad student sends the high
school/middle school student off to look at a link and then they chat about
it.
9/24/98 20:37
Jan Swenson: There is some WWW exploration. We have
encouraged web publishing, but I'm not sure how successful we have been in
reaching all the teachers and students.
9/24/98 20:38
Judy Frank: These students are using something called
PacerForum.  But there are many conferencing packages, I would choose one
that was Web based, personally.
9/24/98 20:38
Michelle Tjelmeland: So, has the district developed a
specific technology plan?
9/24/98 20:39
Jan Swenson: Judy has indicated another important avenue for
teacher training as well.
9/24/98 20:39
Michelle Tjelmeland: Have you taken any surveys to see access
the needs/wants of students or staff?
9/24/98 20:39
Ann Felix: Thanks! This is great -- I've never used this
feature on WebBoard
9/24/98 20:40
Karen Lunsford: Jan, we were curious about the attitudes that
participants, students and parents may have expressed towards these tech.
initiatives.  Could you give us an idea of how people are responding?
9/24/98 20:40
Karen Lunsford: Welcome Dr. Felix!
9/24/98 20:40
Jan Swenson: I have to admit that our district technology
plan needs work. It focused originally on getting the equipment, but we
haven't thought enough about how teachers and students will actually use it.
9/24/98 20:42
Jan Swenson: Many teachers have spoken about the value of
technologyas an educational resource, and parents have pushed us to do more
in this area.
9/24/98 20:42
Kevin Erlinger: Jan, is there a way that we could see the
district tech plan?
9/24/98 20:42
Michelle Tjelmeland: Would you be open to suggestions on how
to further develop your plan?
9/24/98 20:43
Kevin Erlinger: Welcome Dr. Felix, could you give us some
indication of how the ISBE/NEF grants have impacted what occurs at the
Junior High?
9/24/98 20:43
Jan Swenson: Yes, Kevin, we can make that available to you.
In fact, I'll see if Tom Barrett can put it on our district web site.
9/24/98 20:43
Kevin Erlinger: Jan, putting it on the web sit would be
great-thank you.
9/24/98 20:44
Ann Felix: Frankly, I'm not sure that I have enough
information to give you an accurate depiction.
9/24/98 20:44
Jan Swenson: Michelle, if you could give us some guidance on
the technology plan that would be wonderful! I understand that your
Evaluation Center is a national leader in this area.
9/24/98 20:45
Karen Lunsford: Jan, we've seen different districts focusing
on different visions of technology: a) as a means for drilling students in
subjects such as math/English/etc  b) as instruction in "real-world" skills
such as data-entry   c) as a means for teaching students programming   d)
as a means for teaching students to write creatively/interactively.    Do
any of these seem to describe your vision of technology?  Which of these
(or others) might appeal the most to you?
9/24/98 20:45
Michelle Tjelmeland: We would be happy to give you some
suggestions and guidance on the teach plan.
9/24/98 20:46
Kevin Erlinger: Dr. Felix how has the grants and the LCT
program impacted your job?
9/24/98 20:47
Michelle Tjelmeland: A good plan should to the following: 1)
describe where you are going 2) describe how you will get there and 3) know
once you have arrived.  We can get more specific later.
9/24/98 20:47
Ann Felix: It has impacted my job by adding more paper work
to what I do. In fact, I have to find ways to document exactly what we are
doing and how it has impacted our students' learning.
9/24/98 20:48
Judy Frank: Ahh - I'm back - I experienced an access issue!
9/24/98 20:48
 Jan Swenson: I think many of our parents would choose (b),
real world skills. My own preference would be closer to (d) that technology
can extend learning in many directions. My job is "interesting" because we
have many different views on this issue.
9/24/98 20:48
Ann Felix: Kevin, tell me a bit about your role.
9/24/98 20:49
Donna Lerch: Dr. Felix, Is some of the technology being used
by staff for record keeping? (Hope so for your sake!)
9/24/98 20:49
Karen Lunsford: Jan, when you say "interesting," do you mean
that you've been having to negotiate directly with parents?
9/24/98 20:50
Kevin Erlinger: Dr. Felix what sort of student learning
documentation are you refering to?  Who sees this documentation?
9/24/98 20:50
Jan Swenson: That's helpful, Michelle. I think we do that in
our plan to some extent, but we're fuzzy on many of the details, especially
about what goes on in the classroom.
9/24/98 20:50
Michelle Tjelmeland: Do teachers use J and S gradebook ?
9/24/98 20:51
Kevin Erlinger: Dr. Felix, as you know I am an evaluator for
the NEF and my specific interest is curriculum development.
9/24/98 20:51
Ann Felix: Many of the teachers are reluctant to change their
record keeping procedures. Therefore, the technology has not influenced a
majority in that respect.
9/24/98 20:52
Michelle Tjelmeland: Sometimes just outlining specific goals
and objectives of a tech program can make all the difference.
9/24/98 20:52
Judy Frank: Kevin - what are your key evaluation questions?
9/24/98 20:52
Jan Swenson: Yes, Karen, but not just negotiating with
parents. Teachers,university consultants, administrators, business
community partners, and so on, each have important perspectives I need to
to consider.
9/24/98 20:52
Karen Lunsford: Adding to Kevin--I think we can say that NEF
is interested in helping pilot programs articulate their objectives so that
they can gain grant monies from other sources more easily.
9/24/98 20:53
Kevin Erlinger: Judy-I specifically want to see how student
learning is being enhanced through this program.
9/24/98 20:53
Michelle Tjelmeland: J and S gradebook is a valuable software
program that saves teachers loads of time.
9/24/98 20:54
Jan Swenson: Do each of you have different evaluation questions?
9/24/98 20:54
Judy Frank: Kevin - What are you looking at for indicators of
success?
9/24/98 20:54
Donna Lerch: Have you found any other venues for possible
future/expanded funding?
9/24/98 20:54
Ann Felix: Any software designed to save teachers' time
requires an upfront time committment that many teachers are unwilling to make.
9/24/98 20:55
Michelle Tjelmeland: Do the teachers who have classroom
computers have technology grids which outline the use of technology within
the classroom?
9/24/98 20:55
Jan Swenson: Do each of you have different evaluation questions?
9/24/98 20:55
Ann Felix: I must go get prepared for tomorrow's full day.
9/24/98 20:55
Kevin Erlinger: Judy-that is my question for you-what are
your indicators of the students sucess as a result of the NEF grant?
9/24/98 20:56
Judy Frank: Ann- unwilling often because they get little
support.  A key question might be what type of administrative support is
given.
9/24/98 20:56
Karen Lunsford: Dr. Felix--thank you very much for joining
us.  Could we e-mail you with follow-up questions?
9/24/98 20:56
Michelle Tjelmeland: I think that teachers should be prepared
to make a commitment if they are pushing for the technology
9/24/98 20:56
Jan Swenson: The use of technology grids would be a
school-level policy.
9/24/98 20:57
Donna Lerch: Thank you Dr. Felix- enjoyed your web page. Do
you have a name picked out?
9/24/98 20:57
Karen Lunsford: Michelle just raised an interesting
question--are the teachers pushing for technology?
9/24/98 20:57
Michelle Tjelmeland: Are the grids a school wide policy?
9/24/98 20:58
Jan Swenson: Some are and some aren't. Judy, you could answer
that better than I can based on your evaluation.
9/24/98 20:59
Jan Swenson: Michelle, I confess I would have to ask Lee
Daniels about that. I don't have as much information as I would like about
the technology program at Wildwood.
9/24/98 21:00
Michelle Tjelmeland: Okay, we can email Lee. Thank you.
9/24/98 21:00
Karen Lunsford: Jan, as Superintendent, where would you like
to see the district's technology program in about 5 years?
9/24/98 21:01
Donna Lerch: Jan, based on the current success at Wildwood,
do you plan to expand the LCT program throughout your district?
9/24/98 21:01
Michelle Tjelmeland: Do you have a vision and way to keep the
plan alive?
9/24/98 21:03
 Jan Swenson: I'd like to see the technology program expanded
throughout the district, with technology used whenever it's appropriate
throughout the curriculum. As I mentioned earlier, it's important that all
students have access to these powerful learning tools.
9/24/98 21:04
Michelle Tjelmeland: Thank you for your time tonight.  We at
NEF appreciate it.
9/24/98 21:04
Jan Swenson: You're very welcome! I enjoyed chatting with you.
9/24/98 21:04
Donna Lerch: Thank you- good luck with your program.
9/24/98 21:04
Karen Lunsford: I should mention that we've hit 9:00--I would
enjoy talking with everyone longer, but I want to make sure we don't tax
people's time.
9/24/98 21:05
Michelle Tjelmeland: I took notes to use on out summary.
9/24/98 21:05
Karen Lunsford: We'd like to be in touch with you by e-mail,
if that's OK with you.
9/24/98 21:06
Toni Greer: Good idea, Michelle!