The CC ‘District’ HT Meeting today featured Matt and James from Cherrybrook THS.
They presented their experiences in planning for and implementing the current (L4L) DER Netbook trial.
The following are notes taken during the presentation.
CTHS Strategies
Take Yr9 or selected groups/classes off ‘normal’ timetable for first 
2 weeks of Netbook beginning. To focus on curriculum through ICT 
technology focus! [...]

A perfect fit… many of the digital videos available on YouTube are a perfect length (time) for inclusion in our lessons
www.youtube.com has an incredible library of valuable video resources *and some stuff best described as ’scum’! So you have to work your searches to ‘quickly’ get access to the valuable resources for your classes/courses.
Youtube is [...]

In case you missed it, the program formerly known as ‘Laptops for Learning’ will now be known as ‘Digital Education Revolution – NSW’

LAW, what’s it good for?
Sleep better knowing…
A guide to copyright issues affecting schools and TAFE
http://www.smartcopying.edu.au
Creative Commons is a nonprofit organization
Works to increase the amount of creativity (cultural, educational, and scientific content) in “the commons” — the body of work that is available to the public for free and legal sharing, use, repurposing, and remixing.
CC provides [...]

 The ’snowballs’ were flying thick and fast this afternoon at Cardiff High while Sondra gathered more responses from Hunter Central Coast Deputy Principals about things to think about in getting ready for Laptops for Learning.
Thanks folks !!!
A belief you have about ICT Professional Development

That individuals skill levels are at different stages and therefore all training [...]

Why do students always bring to school their mobile phones, MP3 music players and their decorated folders… and ’sometimes’ forget their books, pens, glue and … ?
Maybe they see some tools/resources as more than ‘learning’ tools! Wow, they acknowledge life long learning and respect their ’life’ tools!
I believe the success of L4L will be inherent in students [...]

Why use [Verdana] font in all documents and communication?
You may not realise that other fonts can be difficult for certain people (especially those with learning needs) to read. A good start to developing a ‘house style’ is to start using VERDANA in all your docs & communication.

Can L4L STEAL a share of the students time @ home?
Mind share/Time share (no we wont make you attend a selling lecture). CAN the L4L compete with the activities (we would call them learning distractions) currently happening away from school; @home and work?
How can we provide a ‘life changing experience’ through the L4L Ruddy laptops? AND knock off [...]

Schools that have adopted a third party online lunch order system for their school canteen have another opportunity to involve students and their families in utilising L4L or other technology at home or school to place their canteen orders.
@ Wadalba we use http://www.flexischools.com.au/
There are others!
Our Canteen Manager is Kevin Dumpleton Tel: 43925000 ask for Kevin

In the evaluation of several large-scale educational technology projects, Sherry and her colleagues (2000) found that teachers tended to go through five developmental stages. These were identified as learner, adopter, co-learner (with their students), reaffirmer or rejecter, and leader. Different strategies appeal to these teachers at different stages (Sherry et al., 2000, p. 45). One example of a successful strategy would be providing release time and new role assignments to allow teacher-leaders to serve as peer coaches and onsite trainers.