The TWAIN blog

I think the generic post for “what are you reading?” is too broad a category for our field. Especially during summer when any Jackie Collins book could be added to the shelf as fast as the newest US Weekly for some.

I want to ask the question differently. What books are considered part of the “Web 2.0 Educational Technology Must Read” list? Which ones are the books that lead us toward more informed arguments?

After books, which blogs? which magazines? which podcasts?

What are our “must-reads”? “must-listens”? “must-bloggers”?

What are yours? And yes, this is completely subjective. Lay your cards out on the table. Who are your influencers when it comes to education and educational technology integrating 21st century skills?

Who are our “ceWEBreties” of today?

In my new role, I have been given the task of rewriting two items near and dear to my heart:

1) The district technology plan

and

2) The district acceptable use policy for staff and students. I have decided to write these as separate documents (I think they were already but just want to be sure.)

The district technology plan must follow a strict format to be submitted to TEA but I want to include statements about Web 2.0 and 21st century skills. If you were given the opportunity to rewrite the plan for your district’s technology, what would you want to add or subtract?

Also, the acceptable use agreement is of major contention with employees and students. I know I want to make a better use of the form online - perhaps embedding some videos on it to provide more information about why this document is important. A real teachable document for the 21st century.

What are some ideas for the AUG?

This is a chance to re-invent how things are done starting with documentation. I am really excited about the possibilities.

I just checked my blog and noticed that I never posted my job change information.

As of July 1, I will be the new Chief Technology Officer for the Kerrville ISD. I am currently in the process of packing my home up for a move to my new place. I have posted pics on my Flickr stream that should be showing up soon on this site.

I am really excited about the new job and role I will be taking on in Kerrville. I have always been routed to one campus in my previous roles. This new job is district-wide and I plan to be mobile for the most part of my job. “Have laptop, will travel!” I told my administrative team that I would prefer to be housed at the campuses rather than at the administration building.

This is also a new position for the district. They have had a tremendous technology support team for years! I met them and I agree. But in the past year, the technology planning committee challenged the administration to find a person to come in and help them learn to use the technology in the classroom. The teachers requested that this job be created so that they could take the learning to the level of application in their classes.

I am going in just the way I like it: without a plan and without a pre-conceived notion of what should be done. I want the teachers there to help me devise the best method for helping them learn and apply technology tools. How can we all learn together? We are all in this Web 2.0 world together and the tools will always be changing. I will be learning along with them and sharing as we work together.

I am really excited about the possibilities and for living in Kerrville. Its a population of about 20,000 which is different than all the other places I have lived. I think this difference is going to be the best thing for me!