Richland School District One

Instructional Technology Services Richland County School District One

Volume 4, Issue 2 Winter 2012

INSIDE THIS

ISSUE:

From the Director ......... 2

Upcoming Event ............ 2

We Are Proud of ........... 3

Local Author’s Book

Featured ......................... 3

In Memoriam ................. 3

Calendar of Events ........ 4

Columbia Mayor Steve Benjamin and City Council, Richland County

Council, Richland County Public Li-

brary, and the Columbia Council of

Neighborhoods have launched this

year’s “One Book, One Columbia” pro-

gram. All area residents are encour-

aged to read Saints at the River by Ron

Rash between January 17 and February

29. This award winning novel is set in

South Carolina and explores the com-

pelling themes of the protection of sce-

nic rivers, the role of the media and

family relationships.

A limited number of

copies are available

from Instructional

Technology Services.

Mark your Calendar for these

Special Events February 1 - Book Signing and

discussion with Ron Rash at RCPL

Assembly Street (6:30)

February 16 -Mayor Benjamin's

Panel Discussion - RCPL

Assembly Street (6:00pm)

SPECIAL POINTS

OF INTEREST:

African American

Read-In

Feb. 1-29, 2012

Richland One Distance

Learning Featured in

EdTech Magazine

Winter, 2012

Technology Showcase 2012 “Making Connections for Global Learners Through Literacy

and Technology”

One Book One Columbia

Mark your

calendars for

this year’s

Technology

S h o w c a s e

scheduled for March 12, 2012 in the

C. A. Johnson High Auditorium. Rich-

land One students, parents and commu-

nity members are invited to attend the

showcase program and see first-hand

how technology is being used across

the curriculum to support teaching and

learning.

The showcase will feature special

presentations from various schools

highlighting new and emerging

t e c h n o l o g i e s ,

demonstrations

from technology

vendors and the

awards ceremony

for winners in the Visual Literacy

Technology/Video Production Contest.

Doors will open at 4:45 to the Exhibit

Gallery. Special community guests will

be in attendance and door prizes

awarded.

Throughout the month of March all schools and depart-ments are encouraged to plan events for parents and the

community to show how technology makes a difference

in our teaching and learning practices. Scheduled open house events and PTA meetings afford great opportuni-

ties for parents and community stakeholders to see

technology at work in our schools.

Richland School District One

Page 2 Instructional Technology Services

From the Director Ida W. Thompson

Upcoming Event

Our efforts in Instructional Technology Services continue to focus on information liter-

acy, research and authentic learning experiences. Engaging students through research activities

across the curriculum provides meaningful experiences and engages the learner on multiple levels.

Richland One’s information technology specialists are nearing completion on

new information literacy, and technology standards which will help guide our

practices in preparing students to meet global challenges. Each information

technology specialist has been asked to work collaboratively with their teach-

ers to ensure that research activities are integrated across the curriculum. Pres-

entations made to building-level principals on research practices and strategies

have been very well received.

The standards are based on the American Association of School Librarians Standards for the 21st

Century Learner. These standards outline the expectations for students in response to the informa-

tion and technology experiences that lead to successful global learners. A few key reminders for strengthening research

activities are noted below:

Require authentic research activities of students at all levels

Evaluate a wide range of instructional resources to engage students

Share successful practices and showcase student work to internal and external audiences

Encourage inquiry and project-based learning

Analyze results and modify activities as needed; have students apply what they learn

Read with and to students on a wide variety of topics; design relevant research activities

Collaborate with other teachers and schools on research activities; teach correct citation skills

Harness the power of the Internet and virtual tools as resources; have high expectations for student response

Please work with your information technology specialist, technology educator and teachers to ensure that research

activities are integrated across the curriculum. Contact us here at Instructional Technology Services for any assistance

you may need.

The Twenty-Third National African

American Read-In Schools, churches, libraries, bookstores, community and

professional organizations, and interested citizens are

urged to make literacy a significant part of Black His-

tory Month by hosting and coordinating Read-Ins in

their communities. Hosting a Read-In can be as simple

as bringing together friends to share a book, or as elabo-

rate as arranging public readings and media presenta-

tions that feature professional African American writers.

The Read-In has been endorsed by the International

Reading Association. Over a million readers of all ethnic

groups from the United States, the District of Columbia,

the West Indies, African countries, and more have

participated. The goal is to make the celebration of Afri-

can American literacy a traditional part of Black History

Month activities. A packet of information can be

obtained from the Read-In website:

http://www.ncte.org/action/aari

To be counted as participants, simply:

Select books authored by African Americans

Hold your event during the month of February, and

Report your results by submitting the 2012 African

American Read-In Report Card

Richland School District One

Page 3 Instructional Technology Services

Dr. Dale Bosworth, (Instructional Technology Services) for being quoted in

EdTech Magazine, Winter, 2012, with reference to Richland District One’s

distance learning and video conferencing programs.

Pamela Williams (Columbia) for hosting an online visit with author LouAnn

Johnson on December 15 through Adobe Connect web conferencing software.

Ida W. Thompson, Diana Carr, (Instructional Technology Services), and

Kathy Sutusky (Eau Claire) for presenting to participants in the Department of

Education’s Leadership Program during December.

Amy Stone (SC State Library) for presenting to the district’s library media

assistants.

Julia Choate (Satchel Ford) on achieving her National Board Certification.

Betsy Russell (Bradley) for renewal of her National Board Certification.

Jackie McKnight (Bradley-Burton Pack) for her selection as classified

Employee of Year at Bradley Elementary School

Cindy Wiggins (Caughman Road) on her selection as Classified Employee of

the Year.

Ida W. Thompson on her selection as the 2012 recipient of the S. C. Interna-

tional Reading Association Literacy Award.

Local Author’s Book Featured

All Around Town, The Photographs of Richard Samuel Roberts by Dinah

Johnson is the featured title for this year’s Together We Can Reading

Initiative.

Dr. Johnson’s book depicts

the work of Columbia’s

famed photographer Rich-

ard Samuel Roberts. Third

grade students across the

district are participating in

special events at the Colum-

bia Museum of Art and will

enjoy community members

reading All Around Town

to them on February 23,

2012.

Dr. Dale Bosworth was quoted in

EdTech discussing the district’s video

conferencing activities.

In Memoriam

The Instructional Technology Services

family lost a true friend and colleague in

Derick Willis on November 14, 2011.

Derick was the department’s media

clerk from 2008-2011. We, along with

his family, deeply appreciate the out-

pouring of support and sympathy from

the Richland One community.

Derick Willis

We Are Proud of:

Richland School District One

Calendar of Events DATE EVENT

January 23 Spring Technology Education Classes Begin

January 24 School Board Meeting, Watkins-Nance Elementary School, 7:00 p.m.

January 25 VLF Puppetry Entries due to ITS, 5:00 p.m.

January 31 “Our Pride is Showing” Contest Kick Off

February 13 VLF Puppetry Awards, Richland Mall, 4:00 p.m.

February 14 School Board Meeting, Stevenson Administration Building, 7:00 p.m.

February 22 VLF Technology/Video Entries due to ITS, 5:00 p.m.

February 22 - March 7 Read Around the Planet

March 1 - 30 Technology Showcase Month, “Technology In Action”

March 12 Technology Showcase and VLF Technology/Video Awards, CA Johnson,

5:00 - 6:30 p.m.

March 13 School Board Meeting, Stevenson Administration Building, 7:00 p.m.

March 14 - 16 SCASL Conference, Greenville, SC

March 27 School Board Meeting, Brennen Elementary School, 7:00 p.m.

March 30 Technology Portfolios Due

Instructional Technology Services 1225 Oak Street

Waverley Annex

Columbia SC 29204

Dwayne Smiling, Chairman Board of School Commissioners Dr. Percy Mack, Superintendent

Visit the ITS

Website!

ITS Directory

Ida Thompson,

Director, 231-6803

Elizabeth Kohut, Technol-

ogy Education Coordina-

tor, 400-1684

Diana Carr,

Library Media Consultant,

231-6799

Dr. Dale Bosworth,

Distance Learning

Consultant, 231-6798

Arischa Conner,

Technology Educator,

400-1684

Emily Herbig,

Technology Educator,

400-1683

Jacquetta Morrison,

Technology Educator,

400-1679

Jennifer Thornsberry,

Technology Educator,

400-1678

Wendy Gallagher,

Technology Educator,

400– 1455

Stephanie Johnson,

TOSA,

231-6796

Darlene Montgomery,

Secretary, 231-6803

Cathy Ratliff,

Accounting Clerk,

231-6804

Queen Bell-Lawton,

Secretary, 231-6802

Larry Richardson,

DES Technician,

231-6805

Read Around the

Planet

(Feb. 22 – Mar. 7,

2012)