Houston ISD Instructional Technology Services - TA/CS SIG Meeting January 20, 2007

Houston ISD Instructional Technology January 20, 2007 SIG

K-12 Technology Applications and K-12 Computer Science

Moderator: Karen North, Westside High School

IDEAS:

Increase computer science education. In the Model Curriculum for K-12 Computer Science: Final Report of the ACM K-12 Task Force Curriculum Committee there is the following quote:

"Pedagogically, computer programming has the same relation to studying computer science as playing an instrument does to studying music or painting does to studying art. In each case, even a small amount of hand-on experience adds immensely to life-long appreciation and understanding, even if the student does not continue programming, playing, or painting as an adult."

Revamp the district CET / CCIT support meetings and develop an HISD TA/CS SIG group. Plan a Networking Social at the TCEA conference.

Develop a contact list for instructional technology. Develop an asset map of list of who has the expertise in the various technology application areas.

Develop an action plan to collaborate with the CTE department.

Attend Instructional Council Meetings after Principal’s Meeting. The next meeting is February 26^th; you can register on e-Train. Usually only Ada Rivera & Elizabeth Perrin are there to support instructional technology. These meetings parallel what is done for the principals.

Revamp software library, such as providing free typing tutorial program.

EasyTech software passwords go through Elizabeth Perrin. Teachers need help in implementing this district software.

Students need to practice taking online tests. State testing is moving in that direction. It was suggested in future that fluency needs to be checked with timed tests.