11-4-10

=**EASTCONN Tech Council Meeting on 11/4/10 from 3:30-5:30 PM**=

**Agenda**
Q: //**Is anyone using CBAS (the State MIST Assessment)?**// A: Mansfield and Windham are. Windham has been told that they are on hold while the PSIS data is verified. Mansfield did use it this week on Wednesday with Grade 3. Bozrah and Chaplin are also using it. They use it twice a year. Woodstock used it last year. All three assessments are open all year - Math, Reading and Writing. The data is populated with PSIS data from the data that districts submit to CSDE. Q: //**Is anyone using electronic textbooks?**// A: Stafford is thinking about purchasing Discovery Education Science. They have purchased DE Elementary Science in addition to the DE Middle School Science license that is being provided by CSDE. Lynn will give us updates as their discussions progress. Mansfield is beginning to think about it because they feel that this is what is coming. This needs to be interactive, not just a print book online. Some districts are using textbooks that have an online component which included video tutorials.
 * **Burning Questions****﻿**
 * **Tech updates from CSDE**
 * CSDE has posted for Karen Kaplan's position and has received a number of applicants. They are doing a paper screening to determine which candidates they will have the Search Committee interview. Interviews are scheduled for November 23rd. Harriet Feldlaufer anticipates that it will still take several months before the final candidate completes the entire screening process and is hired.
 * Assessments: 8th grade and SRBI/RTI - Go to the Assessment page on this Wiki for examples and discussion.

STAR Discovery Educator Information
Jane encouraged everyone to become a STAR Discovery Educator (DE).is a very user friendly company and they do a lot for educators. For more information, go to: []

Online learning (May do virtually or use tools in the same room)
 * Area of Focus for January 13, 2011**
 * Who's doing what?
 * What are they using as a platform?
 * How are they using it?
 * Who are they using it with?
 * Webinars
 * Elluminate
 * GotoWebinar
 * Bridgit
 * Blended Learning
 * Content Management Systems
 * Moodle
 * Blackboard