Overlake
Technology

A faculty member passed this along.  Here are two lectures about science and technology.

November 8, 2009 – A Panel of Experts (see description below)

“Technology and Parenting”

Come hear a panel of experts, including two Overlake parents, discuss and answer your questions about the following topics:

• Tips on regulating screen-time in and out of your home;
• Digital social networking (Facebook, Formspring, etc.);
• Texting, sexting, and the risks of digital permanence;
• Parenting a World of Warcraft (or other MMORPG) avatar;
• Warning signs of gaming/Internet addiction and how to treat it;
• Overlake’s acceptable use policy regarding campus computers;
• Technological competencies and technology’s impact on thinking and social relations.

Panelists include: Dr. Hilarie Cash, LMHC and expert in Gaming/Internet Addictions; Lisa Christian, an active Overlake parent and entrepreneur, formerly at Microsoft; Tom Frizelle, Director of Technology at The Overlake School; and, Harley Rosnow, an active Overlake parent and software design manager at Microsoft.

It’s the real deal: we’re going to celebrate the completion of the new Technology Language Center! This is a big day for students, faculty, staff and administration, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, small commemorative gifts for all the students and tours of the building, with ice cream to follow.

Classes will begin in the new classrooms on Tuesday!

We are looking for a part time (contract position) Database Specialist.  More details can be found here.

As part of the Technology Committee’s charge to become familiar with new technology and evaluate emerging technology in a school setting, we purchased an iPad for faculty, staff and students to try out.  Initially the iPad will have basic applications and a selection of free books.  Here is a link to one of many articles on the iPad:

Starting Monday, April 26, faculty and staff will be able to check out the iPad for overnight or weekend use.  Students will be able to use the iPad in the library during their free blocks.  We are also looking at other types of eReaders and slate computers.  Check back for more updates.

Green Technology  - Chris Berry and Sue Haviland (along with Tom and Rennie) have lots of ideas for lowering your tech carbon footprint both at home and at school.   Do you have questions about old tech hardware at home?  Have you heard of those programs that will buy back your old iPods and cameras and wonder if they are too good to be true?

• Use less paper in your classroom
• Mark and grade papers online without printing them out!
• Prolong hardware life – what upgrades are best?
• Disposal – buyback programs, recycling old monitors and other hardware
• Power consumption: vampire power, power strips, Kill-A-Watt
• Batteries – care and handling, prolonging life, disposal
• Time for Q & A.

Bring your lunch and learn something new!

This month several teachers from various departments are testing a digital markup system that gives faculty the ability to edit and comment on papers completely online.   The system works much like tracking changes in a word processing program but allows for more targeted feedback/grading and simplifies the collection and returning process.

Why we like it so far:

• Completely paperless,
• Students get a submission receipt so there is no doubt about when it was turned in,
• Faster turnaround (students can get papers back before their next class meeting),
• Potential for better feedback,
• Archives student work indefinitely (much like a digital portfolio),

Our trial of the system will end in a few weeks but so far the feedback has been very positive.  It would be great to actually realize a semi-paperless classroom.

This year the PNAIS 2010 Librarians Conference will be held at Annie Wright School in Tacoma, WA on March 5, 2010. I was asked by the committee to develop a presentation.  Below is session description.

The New Attention Economy: Implications for Libraries of the Future

We often hear that we live in an Information Economy, one where vast amounts of information are at our fingertips. While true, this wealth of information has had an unfortunate victim, our attention. This session is focused on understanding the implications of the Attention Economy based on the groundbreaking work of Lankshear & Knobel (2001).   At the heart of the discussion is the acknowledgment of the tension between the traditional notions of literacy and emerging digital literacies. You will learn about ways libraries can reshape practices and definitions to build on students’ technology experiences so they can more effectively participate in the new attention economy.

The construction is coming along. Here are a few updates…

Wall framing and carpentry:
Insulation has been installed in many classrooms and gypsum wallboard is continuing to be installed at the lower floor. There is a (fuzzy) photo of a classroom that shows the insulation installed. It is a recycled jean material insulation – so that is why it is dark color instead of white or yellow.

Windows:
The large storefront window system (larger areas of glass) have been installed (frames) and the glass installation is continuing.

Elecrical and Plumbing and Mechanical:
The mechanical duct-work is being installed on all floors. The electrical work is continuing throughout.

Painting is starting on the lower floor next week. Ceiling grid installation is ongoing.

Next week several members of TALL are going to see author Daniel Pink: What Really Motivates Us.  His new book, Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us is related to several themes we have been discussing as part of our group.

More details and link below.

http://www.townhallseattle.org/calendar.cfm
(scroll down to Jan 11th)

Monday, January 11, 2010, 7:30 – 9pm
Downstairs at Town Hall; enter on Seneca Street.
There’s probably something to that old carrot-on-a-stick motivational tool—if you’re trying to motivate a horse. But for us bipeds, says bestselling author Daniel Pink, the true secret to high performance and satisfaction lies in deeply and uniquely human needs: to direct our own lives, to learn and create new things, and to do better by ourselves and our world. Pink, author of Free Agent Nation and A Whole New Mind, as well as his latest Drive, exposes the mismatch between what science knows and the innovative motivational approaches businesses use, and how that affects every aspect of our lives. Presented by Town Hall with University Book Store.