October+Report

=Internet Safety Guidelines= [|Legislation] approved by the 2006 General Assembly and signed by Governor Kaine adds a requirement to the acceptable Internet use policies developed by the division superintendents that such policies include a component on Internet safety for students. The Internet safety component must be integrated within a division's instructional program. This legislation also requires the Superintendent of Public Instruction to issue guidelines to school divisions regarding instructional programs related to Internet safety.

[|GUIDELINES AND RESOURCES FOR INTERNET SAFETY IN SCHOOLS] [|RELATED RESOURCES FOR INTERNET SAFETY IN SCHOOLS] [|RELATED GLOSSARY OF TERMS]

=Educational Technology Leadership Conference=

The Educational Technology Leadership Conference is scheduled for November 29-December 1 at the Hotel Roanoke and Conference Center in Roanoke, Virginia. The theme of the conference this year is //Technology and Learning: Virtually Everywhere//.

Susan Patrick will be the keynote speaker at the general session scheduled for November 29. Susan Patrick was named the President and Chief Executive Officer of the North American Council for Online Learning (NACOL) in September 2005. She is the former Director of the Office of Educational Technology at the U.S. Department of Education. As Director, she published the National Education Technology Plan, //Toward a New Golden Age in American Education: How the Internet, the Law and Today’s Students Are Revolutionizing Expectations// in January 2005. Patrick managed the federal government’s educational technology policies and produced two Secretary’s Technology Leadership Summits: //Empowering Accountability and Assessment Through Technology// and //Increasing Options through E-Learning//. She served as Co-chair of the federal government’s Advanced Technologies Working Group for Education and Training; and served as a member of the Secretary’s Rural Education Task Force.

Susan Patrick has published articles and appeared on national news media such as CNN, Forbes, Newsweek, USA Today, US News and World Report, ABC News, NBC, CBS, Christian Science Monitor, CSPAN2, Computerworld, National Public Radio, Education Week, eSchool News, Converge, American School Board Journal, Educational Technology Journal and numerous other publications.

There are a number of special events scheduled for the conference. An Internet Safety Panel will feature a discussion by leading authorities in the field on Internet safety in schools. Additionally, several other sessions will focus on this timely topic.

A School Leader Development Workshop is being offered by Microsoft to provide an overview of a two-day training session that will provide resources and guidance in the implementation of a professional development program for administrators.

A P21 Pavilion will be held on November 30. This series of sessions will focus on P21 Skills. While you are there, take a ride on the P21 Cruiser!

A special simulation. Operation Montserrat, will take place on Friday, December 1. Experience a program that allows students to analyze data to problem solve and to use videoconferencing as a tool to communicate. This is a fast-paced session that will have everyone in attendance participating, either as an actual team member or as an engaged observer. So come to the Roanoke Ballroom on December 1 at 9:00 to become part of this exciting e-Mission.

=Professional Development Opportunities=

Several professional development opportunities for library media specialists have been planned. Topics include:
 * Francis Bradburn and Jerri Solomon (NC Library Programs) will be preparing WebEx sessions on the //Future of Libraries// and //Collaboration//.
 * Georgiana Skinner and Sherri Holt will be providing some videoconferencing sessions on //65% and the Ohio Plan//65% and the Ohio Plan and on //LMS and ITRT collaboration//LMS and ITRT collaboration.