Instructional Technology Services Richland County School District One
Volume 5, Issue 1 Fall 2012
SPECIAL POINTS OF INTEREST: Featured Guests Jonathan Green
Carole Boston Weatherford
Best Apps for Teaching and Learning and iPads Support School Library Services The premier release of the Best Apps for Teaching & Learning dominated the headlines at the 2013 Annual Conference of the American Library Association, held in Chicago this past June. The apps recognized as Best Apps for Teaching & Learning are of exceptional value to inquiry-based teaching and learning as embodied in the AASL's Standards for the 21st-Century Learner. The apps foster the qualities of innovation, creativity, active participation, and collaboration and are user friendly to encourage a community of learners to explore and discover. These outstanding apps are organized into five categories as noted below.
Books
Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM)
Jessica Khoury
Reading Rocks Held September 28, 2013
INSIDE THIS ISSUE: From the Director ......... 2 Reading Rocks 2013 ..... 2 Literacy Recognitions ... 3 Literacy Events ............. 3 Department Updates .... 4 News and Notes ............. 5 People and Places ... 6 & 7 Snap Shot Data ............. 7 VLF ................................ 7 Calendar of Events ....... 8
Organization & Management
Social Sciences
Content Creation
Special bookmarks listing the apps have been provided to all school library media centers and principals. Workshops can be scheduled with technology educators for an in-depth review of the apps and strategies for integrating them into classroom instruction. The apps join AASL’s 25 Best Websites for Teaching & Learning in bringing these highly recommended and effective virtual resources to the classroom. Richland One’s information technology specialists received iPads during the August 14th professional development session to help them model and facilitate the impact of the AASL apps, websites and other digital content into the curriculum. A professional text, iPads in the Library, using Tablet Technology to Enhance Programs for All Ages is being used throughout the year to support effective practices and strategies.
Richland School District One
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Instructional Technology Services
From the Director Ida W. Thompson The staff of Instructional Technology Services continues to evaluate services, programs and resources to ensure that they meet instructional needs, foster thought and creativity and lead to enhanced learning and discovery for current and future needs. To that end, the Learning4Life Initiative from AASL (American Association of School Librarians), has become a central component of this year’s professional development and instructional support activities. The Learning4Life Initiative focuses on recommended resources and lesson plans that effectively implement the Standards for the 21st Century Learner. A National Lesson Plan Database has been established to showcase exemplary lessons that integrate the standards.
meet the learning needs of our students are no less important and real. In order to reach this goal, the input, collaboration and involvement of teachers and administrators is critical. Work with your information technology specialist in the following ways to ensure that quality lessons result from this effort:
Allow time for the information technology specialists to discuss this initiative with staff Expect and encourage collaborative planning at all grade levels Require authentic research activities of all students Promote use of the AASL literacy resources (Standards for the 21st Century Learner, Best Websites, Best Apps, etc.) Encourage and recognize the information technology specialist’s efforts
Each information technology specialist will work collabo- ratively in their school community to develop and submit a lesson for the National Lesson Plan Database. Rigorous rubrics and checklists are in place to evaluate and review submitted lessons. This is an ambitious undertaking, but one that will help to support the much needed focus on research and informational skills across the district. All lesson plans will be submitted electronically in In speaking about our country’s efforts to reach the moon, January 2014. President Kennedy said “We choose to go to the moon and do these other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard, because that goal will serve to organize and measure the best of our energies and skills.” While not as dramatic as outer space travel, the efforts to
Reading Rocks 2013 Reading Rocks Around the Clock, the district’s annual literacy extravaganza, was non-stop entertainment and fun. On Saturday, September 28 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., W.G. Sanders Middle School students, families, district staff and community members came together to celebrate the joy and importance of reading and other literacy skills. Celebrity guests included internationally acclaimed painter and printmaker Jonathan Green; award-winning author and poet Carole Boston Weatherford; renowned author Jessica Khoury; and Karen Alexander, president and CEO of the Auntie Karen Foundation.
In addition to meeting local and national authors, visitors were treated to storytelling, distribution of free books, a literacy parade and other delights. Photos are available on the ITS Picassa website.
Carole Boston Weatherford
Richland School District One
Ida Thompson and Jonathan Green
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Instructional Technology Services
Literary Recognitions and Special Events Kids in Print Each year Richland Library’s Annual Kids In Print publication recognizes outstanding student authors and artists. Check out these winning artists and authors at photo stream on Flickr and visit the Children's Room at Main to see winning pieces on display. We are very pleased that nine Richland One schools had their students’ work included in the 2013 publication. Congratulations to Brockman, Horrell Hill, Meadowfield, South Kilbourne, Hand Middle, Southeast Middle, A. C. Flora, Columbia, and Eau Claire for winning entries.
Letters About Literature Competition
Money Savers Grant All Richland One elementary schools received a set of wonderful materials to support financial literacy concepts with young students. The material included a cash register, games and other manipulatives and lots of great books on various math and money concepts. These materials were provided through a grant with Richland Library and are one component of a wide range of outreach activities to support students and families in improving their financial skills.
Follett Library Group Pilot Project
The Letters About Literature Program, sponsored by the South Carolina Center for the Book and the Library of Congress is a national reading and writing promotion contest. To enter, readers write personal letters to an author, living or dead, from any genre, explaining how that author's work changed their way of thinking about the world or themselves. The competition is open to students statewide and there are monetary prizes in each level . The deadlines for submissions are December 10 for grades 9-12 and January 10 for grades 4-8. Visit www.read.gov/letters.
Richland One is one of twelve school districts nationwide invited to participate in a special pilot with Follett Library Group to investigate the impact of its digital library tools in support of the Common Core State Standards. The pilot project will monitor use of our existing Follett Library resources which include Destiny Library Manager and the eBook Collection. The participating schools are Columbia High, Crayton Middle and Caughman Road Elementary. Following the pilot, best practices and strategies will be implemented at all district schools.
Important Literacy Events and Celebrations
Teen Read Week Oct. 13 - 19, 2013 Banned Books Week Sept. 22 - 28, 2013
Read for the Record October 3, 2013 Otis Richland School District One
South Carolina Book Award Program
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Instructional Technology Services
Department Updates Copyright Support
Summer Institute
labs, digital cameras, screens and other audio-visual resources have been updated. A limited number of iPads is also available. Call or e-mail ahead of time so your requests will be ready when you arrive. Remember to bring your district ID to facilitate a smooth check-out process. All resources must Have you ever wondered if be picked up and returned in person. you can scan images from a children’s book? use a copyrighted song as background music in a PowerPoint E-books, databases, magazines, citapresentation? tion builders, encyclopedias, journals, graphic organizers, videos and much, photocopy sheet music for a school performance? much more are readily available for in - district and home access.
Instructional Technology Services department hosted an ITS Institute on July 16th and 17th for our information technology specialists and other media specialists in the area. Topics covered were media center eChalk pages, using Edmodo and other social networking sites with our media programs, Google Docs, Destiny eLearning modules and Follett Apps and Follett resources for the Common Core. The participants learned a lot to help make their media programs more engaging Consult any information technology specialist or technology educator for and student centered. access information. Access them from the Richland One homepage under Student/Teacher Resources. District staff and teachers are reminded that an extensive collection of equipment is available from Instructional Technology for circulation. This fall the fleet of laptops, wireless
Online Resources
New Resources
Instructional Technology Services maintains membership in A.I.M.E. – the Association for Information Media and Equipment to ensure that appropriate interpretations of the Copyright and Fair Use Guidelines can be obtained. Always contact the department for assistance in these areas. It is best to check than risk a violation.
New Distance Learning Opportunities All schools in Richland One will have video conferencing equipment available in a lab or classroom in the Fall of 2013.
educator can help teachers find collaborations or virtual field trips.
All teachers are encouraged to incorporate video conferencing into their curriculum. To assist with ideas and lesson plans, Instructional Technology Services has provided a helpful resource: “Video Conference Guide for Common Core Standards.” Additionally, the distance learning consultant, Dr. Dale Bosworth, the Information Technology Specialists and the school’s assigned technology Richland School District One
Each school is entitled to one paid (up to $150.00) content provider by the distance learning department. There are many great organizations that provide interactive hands-on lessons for students such as the Center for Puppetry Arts, NASA, Cleveland Museum of Art, Mote Marine Laboratory, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and many more. Don’t miss the opportunity to take a virtual field trip this year!
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Instructional Technology Services
News and Notes Second Annual Emerging Technology Conference Richland District One will again host the annual Emerging Technology Conference. This year the two day conference will be held in November and will include a student day focus-
ing on cutting edge technology for gaming in education. The theme of the first day is “Leadership, Partnership and Resources for Mobile Technology.” The sessions will focus on district leaders and technology staff, providing support or sessions with experts to school districts wanting to implement one to one or Bring Your
Own Device (BYOD) mobile technology initiatives. It will take place at IT-ology on Main Street. The second day will be held at W. A. Perry Middle School. The theme is “Get Your Game Face On.”
Middle School Technology Camp This summer's middle school technology camp took place on June 1720, 2013 and focused on the use of mobile technology tools and resources to capture, edit, and create video products. Guest speakers introduced campers to stop motion video capture using the Ready Animator App on an iPod Touch device, and a hands on demonstration of how to use professional video production equipment to capture and edit video. 2013 Middle School Camp Participants
Students participated in a field study at Richland Library where they wrote scripts and captured video to create Public service Announcements to promote the new Teen Center. The week culminated with student presentations to parents and guests.
Discovery Education Conference Richland County School District One is hosting a free faceto-face Discovery Education Fall VirtCon
"Tech or Treats" on Saturday, October 19th from 9:00am to 4:00pm. Please join us for this wonderful free professional development opportunity that will give many great integration ideas for using various technologies in many instructional environments. Please join our Edmodo group 9ekgyt (F2F Discovery Education Group).
Lunch will be provided for participants. Bring someone new who is not yet a Discovery Education Star for a special drawing of additional "techie treats". It will be a spooktacular experience! See you at Olympia on October 19!
New Technology Education Workshops Missed out on the Summer Technology Bootcamps? Don't worry! ITS is offering many of the same workshops, on brand new and emerging technology topics during the fall 2013 semester. The fall schedule, complete with
full workshop descriptions, is posted on the Instructional Technology Services department web site and registration is now open in Avatar. We hope you will join us at Olympia this fall! Register in Avatar Today!
Richland School District One
Coming for 2013 - 2014! New Technology Proficiency Requirements
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Instructional Technology Services
People and Places New Information Technology Specialists
New Information Technology Specialists
A hearty welcome is extended to our new information technology specialists. These energetic professionals are enjoying their new assignments in Richland One.
Instructional Technology Services Department Dawn Gardener and Jennifer Thornsberry, Instructional Technology Specialists, attended the International Society In Technology for Education (ISTE) this past summer in San Antonio, Texas. They had the opportunity to attend sessions on new and emerging technologies, Google, SMART and many more.
Brittany Elam has joined the Instructional Technology Services team, filling a secretarial vacancy. She is a native of Ridge Springs and a Columbia College graduate.
Ashley Turner is a graduate of the University of South Carolina and is enjoying working with students at Rhame Elementary School. Wanda Wiley, a graduate of USC, is at St. Andrews Middle School. She has worked previously as an ELA teacher in Richland District One. Lori Willis-Richards, a recent graduate of USC, joins the district at A.J. Lewis Greenview Elementary School. Theresa Watts, a recent graduate of USC joins us at Caughman Road Elementary. She is a previous media assistant at Forest Heights and AC Moore Elementary Schools. Lucy Turner, a graduate of USC, is at Burnside Elementary. She is a former elementary school teacher. Bill Fort is at Pendergrass Fairwold. He comes to Richland District One from Lee County Schools. A number of returning information technology specialists
to our district are: Brenda Milton, South Kilbourne Elementary; Patty Lamar, Webber Elementary; Angie Enlow, Sandel Elementary; Mary Alice Graham, Hyatt Park Elementary; and Gretchel Frierson, AC Flora High School. Individuals moving to different schools in the district include Carla Daniels, Olympia Learning Center; and LJubica Arceneaux, Rosewood Elementary School.
Dawn Gardner and Jennifer Thornsberry
Brittany Elam
Ida W. Thompson, department director, has been elected Treasurer of the Richland Library Board of Trustees. She is continuing her four-year term on the board.
Tribute to Mary Haddon The A. C. Flora and Instructional Technology Services families lost a dear friend and colleague, Mary Haddon on August 29, 2013. Mary was a true people person, with a loving and giving personality and a keen professional focus. She loved her family, her work, and her school community. Mary was a staunch advocate and supporter of the Walk for Life Campaign, and made many media appearances to encourage support for breast cancer research. We value and honor her life and will always remember her beautiful smile. Mary Haddon
Richland School District One
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Instructional Technology Services
People and Places Other Literacy Leaders
30 year of experience and comes to South Carolina from a similar Congratulations to Helen Fellers, Coordinator at the position in North Dakota. South Carolina Center for Children’s Books & Literacy for her selection as a 2013 recipient of the An- Amy Coquillard, former infornual Literacy Leaders Awards. She was recognized mation technology specialist at for her many years of service as an advocate for liter- Lewis-Greenview, is settling into acy and libraries. Helen serves on the Richland One her new position as Head LiHelen Reading Rocks Committee and District Library Media brarian at the Cairo American Fellers College, in Cairo, Egypt. She Advisory Committee. reports that there is much to Instructional Technology Services extends a warm learn, including Arabic, but is enjoying welcome to Hulen Bivins, the newly appointed Direc- working with her staff and the 1200 Hulen Bivins tor of the South Carolina State Library. He has over students in the K-12 school.
Instructional Technology Services Snap Shot Data:
Visual Literacy Festival Richland One’s Visual Literacy Festival is a collection of individual contests designed to acknowledge the work done by students and faculty in the areas of non-print media and non-traditional print media. It is open to all students and faculty of Richland One.
Richland School District One
Calendar of Events Date September 28
Event Reading Rocks Around the Clock, Sanders Middle School, 9:00 - 1:00 p.m.
October 3
Read for the Record; “Otis” Featured Book
October 8
School Board Meeting, SAB, 7:00 p.m.
October 13-19
Teen Read Week, “Seek Unknown at Your Library!”
October 16
VLF Photography Entries due to ITS, 5:00 p.m.
October 22
School Board Meeting, Columbia High School, 7:00 p.m.
November 10-16 November 11 November 21 - 22 November 12 November 17 - 21
VLF Photography Entries displayed at Richland Mall VLF Photography Awards, Columbia Children’s Theater, Richland Mall, 4:00 p.m. Emerging Technology Conference, “Get Your Game Face On” School Board Meeting, SAB, 7:00 p.m. American Education Week, “Great Public Schools: A Basic Right and Our Responsibility”
November 20
VLF Editorial Cartoon Entries due to ITS, 5:00 p.m.
November 19
D.E.A.R., Drop Everything and Read, 9:00 - 9:15. a.m.
November 26
School Board Meeting, Forest Heights, 7:00 p.m.
December 9
VLF Editorial Cartoon Awards, Lyon Street, 4:00 p.m.
December 10
School Board Meeting, SAB, 7:00 p.m.
Instructional Technology Services 1225 Oak Street Waverley Annex Columbia SC 29204
ITS Directory Ida Thompson Director, 231-6803 Elizabeth Kohut Technology Education Coordinator, 400-1681 Diana Carr Library Media Consultant, 231-6799 Dr. Dale Bosworth Distance Learning Consultant, 231-6798 Arischa Conner Technology Educator 400-1684 Dawn Gardner Technology Educator 400– 1455 Jacquetta Morrison Technology Educator 400-1679 Jennifer Thornsberry Technology Educator 400-1678 Nancy Swanson Technology Educator 400-1682 Vacant Technology Educator 400-1683 Vacant Technology Educator 400-1709 Darlene Montgomery Secretary, 231-6803
Richlandone.org
Cathy Ratliff Accounting Clerk 231-6804 Brittany Elam Secretary, 231-6802 Larry Richardson DES Technician 231-6805 Vacant Media Clerk, 231-7159
Jamie Devine, Chairman Board of School Commissioners Dr. Percy Mack, Superintendent
Richland School District One