EduTech Steering Committee
April 7, 2000
9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Facilitator: Tiffany Phillips
Members Present:
Joe Backer, Supt. Letchworth Bev Ouderkirk, District Supt. GV BOCES
Gary Hammond, Asst. Supt. GV BOCES Tiffany Phillips, Supt. Bloomfield
Charles Kortz, Supt. North Rose-Wolcott Bob Smith, Supt. Elba
Dr. Marinelli, District Supt. W-FL BOCES Camille Sorenson, Director of EduTech
Jack McCabe, Associate Supt. W-FL BOCES Dr. Stephen Uebbing, Supt. Canandaigua
Absent:
Yvonne Watkins, Supt. Geneseo
Guests:
Jenine Wech, EduTech Web Team
Bill Campo, EduTech Web Team
Jeff Ginsberg, EduTech LAKENet
Research and Development
Camille introduced Jenine Wech and Bill Campo from the Web Team at EduTech.
A. Jenine Wech spoke about “The State of EduTech Web Enablement”. Traditionally the Internet has
been a place for technical people. We are now taking what use to be very technical, to an arena
where the average user can edit or create a web site. Jenine demonstrated how the average user can
update a web page. Jack McCabe commented that this offers more flexibility for keeping web sites
timely and updated. Tiffany Phillips asked how far away from inception. At this time, EduTech is
ready to go live for text.
We are currently working with Xerox on a product called Flowport. Flowport works with
DocuShare. Allows user to put document into DocuCenter with a cover sheet. DocuCenter with the
Flowport software allows you to scan information and upload a tif file in the collection you
designate. This is currently being piloted with Sodus, Newark, and Marion. Looking at a time frame
of fall 2000.
A concern was raised that DocuShare is cumbersome to navigate. Jack shared that EduTech and
Xerox are constantly communicating on ways to improve the product.
- Bill Campo presented information on streaming multimedia. Streaming multimedia starts playing as it is downloading (buffered download, small file size, and good quality). Bill showed examples of how it is being used in on-line courses and on web sites. Demonstrated how far we have come with video. Bill is currently researching and developing streaming quick time. Hopefully will have a choice by September between read video and streaming quick time.
- Jeff Ginsberg stated that researching and developing ways to improve LAKENet is the most
important responsibility he has.
1. Operational: Project to improve and enhance existing LAKENet systems
2. Continuing: Constantly testing and evaluating existing LAKENet systems
3. Future: Keep LAKENet on the leading edge of technology
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Schedule of Meetings for Next Year/Summer Meeting
It was decided to have a planning meeting on August 16 beginning at 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 at the Thruway Marriott. Discussion followed regarding meeting the first Friday of the month except for November and December. Dates for next years meeting will be October 6, November 3, December 1, February 2, and April 6.
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Pilot Sites for On-Line Assessment
Jack McCabe reported that Amy Perry met with Dick Jones from SED. SED is asking Amy to suggest ten schools for the 8th grade technology exam to be taken on-line. Amy will put together a single page format to send out to the steering committee to present to CSO’s in each BOCES. A mass mailing will be sent to District Superintendents.
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Statewide Individual Student Record System Project
A statewide standard will be developed for gathering data, building databases regionally to analyze data, and sending data to state for analysis. The system calls for unique student ID across the state and would need to renumber scheme of students on system. If student moves, data can move with them.
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School Safety
Over the past month there have been situations where an employee of EduTech has been in a school building when violence has occurred. EduTech is proposing sending employees that are in districts through the same training teachers’ experience. These are your schools, your classes, your hallways, what would be your recommendation.
Bob Smith asked that the two BOCES get together and talk regarding all BOCES people who have a need to be in school buildings. Jack asked the committee if we should develop a practice or policy of don’t touch. The committee responded no. Jack then asked if a draft of samples where it is acceptable to intervene be developed. Committee – Yes and send employees for training.
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EduTech Cost Study
Have an agreement with and have met with Ray Wager Associates. They will do a cost study on actual to budget on 99-00 school year and budget only in 00-01 school year. Ray Wager will work with folks in the financial area and will do a presentation to the committee.
VII. COGNOS
Camille Sorenson updated the committee. Currently running our second group of trainings. COGNOS
is on the server and we are actively working with Albany RIC to get their ELA cube.
Pricing for the service will be $4,000 for the first year and $2,000 for the subsequent years. Grant
money will cover the $4,000 year one fee (00-0l). Pricing will be done on a sliding scale, the same as email. Customization of data will be an extra charge.
When the data is reported as a whole, the name of the district will appear. This is a change for EduTech, as the district name did not appear in the past. Concerns were raised regarding access rights. There is the capability of limiting access. Districts will sign based on the level of access and descriptors they want. A COGNOS User’s Agreement will be drafted for the committee.
EduTech Strategic Plan
EduTech Strategic Plan
Camille distributed an update on the EduTech plan.
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Project Accelerate
Consortium or organizations with the belief that we need to develop and share information rather than compete. Example: Instructor shares instruction and material that she teaches to be used for an on-line course. This gives us the ability to distribute the best in teachers and content. During the past three months 270 people have worked through on-line courses.
The consortium is developing on-line tutorial courses. There is a meeting scheduled for 5/9 where participants are to bring structural content for these courses.
The state has given another $150,000 in grant money. SED is currently focusing on Social Studies courses.
Superintendents are going to need more information about subcontracting and other contractual issues. Does EduTech have any suggestions? Need to be proactive on contractual issues related to on-line teaching.
E-Learning committee will collect data that would be valuable to individual school districts. Jack McCabe will ask Amy Perry to gather information on what other districts are doing.
EduTech’s current focus for on-line courses is on professional development and not student.
The E-Learning committee met as a small group. The initial meeting was mostly dealing with information and organizational issues. The committee has a ways to go and want to do the work on-line.
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Training
Material distributed for your review and discussion at a future meeting.
Future Agenda Items:
- LAKENet update and future
- Communicating information
- Standards
- Training
Next Meeting:
Wednesday, August 16, 2000
8:30 a.m. – 12:00
Thruway Marriott
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