“Technology in a Montessori Environment”

Thursday 3/29/07
9:30 AM- 2:45 PM

BFMA sponsors: Cathy Edgar/Phil Deely

50 Attendees
This is a seminar/workshop devoted to the use of technology at Montessori schools. The target audience is heads of school, business managers, staff directors of technology, “power users,” and/or technology volunteers [board members parents, friends].

Format

9:30 AM-10:00AM Registration/coffee/vendor tables
10:00-10:45 Welcome--Keynote
10:45--2:15 Break out groups/Lunch/Groups
2:15-2:30 Wrap up/evaluation

We will break the group into 1/3rds and rotate participants through three facilitated discussion/focus groups.

“The Business of Technology”
Conveners-Julia Austin and Ian Brodie
• Licensing
• Joint purchasing
• What’s new on the horizon? Hardware? Software?
• How can 1-person do it all-MIS, web, etc
• What can/should we do ‘in house’ vs. outside volunteer or vendor?

“Building a Connected Community”
Conveners-Matthew Lipstein and John Kozlowsky
• Technology and communication with Parents
• Legalities, security
• Website design and execution
• E-communication-possibilities and pitfalls

“Technology and Practical Life”
Convener-Cathy Edgar
• What are the ’Montessori-appropriate’ uses of technology?
• Should faculty staff be required to have a certain level of tech literacy?
• Computers in the classroom-examples of best practice