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Tuesday, November 29, 2011 |
In this issue: |
Career Opportunity – School Technology SectorAlberta Education's School Technology Sector is recruiting for the position of Project Coordinator, Technology Standards and Strategic Relationships. Details can be found online at https://www.jobs.alberta.ca/jobs-dynamic.html, competition number 1008456. The closing date for applications is Tuesday, December 13, 2011.
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SuperNet Service Funding IncreaseAs part of the Alberta government’s commitment to improving broadband connectivity, Alberta Education will be increasing SuperNet Service Funding across the province’s K-12 education sector. Effective January 1, 2012, SuperNet Service Funding will increase to $700 per month per site to cover the cost of at least 20Mb/s bandwidth. This increase reflects an evolving reality in schools where the demand for bandwidth is growing considerably, due to the proliferation of online content, such as streaming video from LearnAlberta.ca and other external sources, and a steep increase in the number of computers and other devices used in schools to support learning. Information has been provided to the IT Jurisdiction Technology Contacts on the steps that need to be taken to complete the bandwidth increase. For further information, contact Dave Hauschildt, Senior Manager Standards & Strategic Relationships, at Dave.Hauschildt@gov.ab.ca or by phone at 780-415-0824 (Dial 310-0000 first for toll‑free access in Alberta). SuperNet Service Funding news release.
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MyWorld Online Student ResourceAlberta Education has licensed Media Awareness Network’s MyWorld interactive student resource for all Alberta schools with Grade 9 to 12 students. This resource contains information on authenticating online information, reputation and privacy management, dealing with online relationships and ethical use of the Internet. Students increasingly rely on the Internet as a source of information, entertainment, and a way to stay connected with their friends. The MyWorld online resource will provide Grade 9 to 12 students with access to the information they need to make ethical choices while using the Internet and contribute to a safe and caring school environment. The resource can be accessed online at LearnAlberta.ca or with the contact information that was shared with Jurisdiction Technology Contacts. For more information, contact Edna Dach at Edna.Dach@gov.ab.ca or by phone at 780-644-4586 (Dial 310-0000 first for toll‑free access in Alberta). >> For details on this resource, click here.
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2012 Excellence in Teaching Awards ProgramNominations are now open for the 2012 Excellence in Teaching Awards. The awards program recognizes innovative and outstanding teaching that takes place every day in classrooms across Alberta. In 2012, 23 teachers will receive the award, which includes three SMART Technologies Innovative Use of Technology Award winners. The selection of the SMART Technologies Innovative Use of Technology Award is based on specific examples of how the nominees excel in the use of technology in the classroom with students and/or with colleagues. These award recipients will receive comprehensive technology packages, certificates of recognition and commemorative pins. Nomination Deadline: February 3, 2012 More information on the Excellence in Teaching program and the nomination information package are available online.
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School Technology Services Framework CoursesAs part of the School Technology Services Program, Alberta Education is offering a series of courses over the 2011/2012 and 2012/2013 school years to support the sharing of best practices and building capacity for IT governance and management in school authorities. The courses are intended for school authority senior leaders and IT staff, and are offered at no cost to school authority personnel. However, individuals will be responsible for any exam costs should they choose to take for certification purposes. A complete list of courses is available on the calendar website. Please note that there are limited spaces available, and participants are encouraged to register early. If you have any questions about the courses, please contact Qin Chang, Senior Network Analyst with School Technology Sector, at Qin.Chang@gov.ab.ca or by phone at 780-427-1382 (Dial 310-0000 first for toll‑free access in Alberta).
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Provincial Approach to Student Information UpdateImplementing Clauses 11 and 14 of the Provincial Approach to Student Information (PASI) Usage Agreement The Provincial Approach to Student Information (PASI) Usage Agreement was developed to clarify the responsibilities of both Alberta Education and school authorities and to ensure that each school authority has appropriate security, privacy measures and processes in place to protect student information contained in PASI. All schools must comply with its security provisions by August 31, 2013 or the date on which the school authority implements PASI functionality through its student information system, whichever comes first. The Usage Agreement needs to be signed and returned to Alberta Education by December 31, 2011. Some school authorities are finding it difficult to independently assess if their Student Information Systems (SIS) product meets Clauses 11 and 14 of the PASI Usage Agreement (i.e., the need to ensure that the SIS provides the necessary security, privacy and audit requirements). >> For information on how to resolve this issue, click here.
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Upcoming EventsJurisdiction Technology Contact Events – by invitation only May 3, 2012 – Fantasyland Hotel, Edmonton Destination Innovation 2012 Conference August 19 to 22, 2012 - The Banff Centre The goal of the Destination Innovation 2012 Conference is to advance educational innovation by exploring imaginative practices for learning with technology. Register by January 31, 2012 to take advantage of the early bird registration fee.
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ResearchAlberta Education’s School Technology Sector is continually monitoring research on best practices in the use of technology for learning and teaching. Research articles or reports from outside sources that may be pertinent to the work of tech.news subscribers will occasionally be included in this newsletter. The information in the articles or reports does not necessarily reflect the opinion of Alberta Education. Zero to Eight – Children’s Media Use in America (2011) Innovative Teaching and Learning Research (2011) >> For links to these documents, click here.
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Online Resources – Using Technology Effectively, Creatively and WiselyOn November 14, 2011, Dr. Jason Ohler provided an all-day session on using technology effectively, creatively and wisely, for two Alberta Education communities of practice. All the resources from this session are available online. Dr. Jason Ohler, professor emeritus at the University of Alaska is a speaker, writer, teacher, and cyber researcher. He has worked both online and in classrooms helping students develop the new literacies they need to be successful in the digital age. >> For links to specific presentation material, click here.
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Mobile Devices and LearnAlberta.caIn order to provide the very best experience for users of LearnAlberta.ca, improvements are continually being made. For individuals coming to LearnAlberta.ca on mobile devices such as tablets and smart phones, a significant amount of content is already available. Much of the video resource library is already compatible with mobile devices and Alberta Education continues to work to make other resources available on these devices as soon as possible.
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2Learn.ca UpdateAt the request of teachers, the 2Learn.ca Education Society has created a new Gateways 2Learning, the 13th in the series, called Animals in Alberta – a richness in biodiversity. A Gateways 2Learning is a collection of classroom activities, web links, images, video, Web 2.0 tools and videoconferencing events aggregated on a theme.
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Professional Development
>> For more information on these professional development opportunities, click here.
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Vol. 11 No. 4Tech.News is an electronic newsletter for Alberta's education community. It is produced by Alberta Education, School Technology Sector. Send your questions, suggestions, or article submissions to tech.news@gov.ab.ca Next edition: December 2011
LINKS: Alberta Education - Technology in Schools
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