Great conference call today! I think we accomplished a lot, and we're putting together a great presentation! We've got lots to do, so please use the mailing list to bounce ideas throughout the holidays.

"key motivations" for Educational Technology. These come from Roblyer, M.D. (2003). Integrating Educational Technology into Teaching, 3rd Edition. Merrill Prentice Hall: Upper Saddle River, NJ, and I've added some additional thoughts:

· Student Motivation: "Cool Factor", student expectations, enables student centered learning/constructivism, enables self-paced learning

· Unique Capabilities: Simulations & visualization, "Just In Time" Learning, Data Driven Decision Making (big one for administrators), Access (I think of this in two ways: Digital Divide/who has it, but also enables access to experts & resources, e.g., scanning electron microscope)

· New approaches to learning: enables hands-on problem solving, application of higher order skills, & cooperative learning

· Teacher productivity: helps with managing student data, keeping current/learning new skills, getting professional development, Internet as a source for unique lesson plans, "Value Added Homework" — I interviewed an FTL teacher who uses handhelds about a collaborative project between math, science, & writing teachers:  They created a lesson using basic chemistry & the periodic table to develop both math and writing assignments...and they were able to provide each student with their own periodic table on the handheld computer (PDA) assigned to each kid.  The teachers didn't have to worry about making photocopies or whether the textbook has a good periodic table, etc...they were able to provide supplemental materials in support of a lesson and have good confidence that every student could access that supplement.  Good stuff!

· Relevance to the Information Age: 21st Century Skills, the new literacy: 3Rs, but also technology, information & visual

I find this information very helpful to reflect upon from time to time.  I hope it's useful to you too, and maybe will help us form our presentation as we go :-)