JOSTI Survey

Administrative Strand:

Ø Change Admin Strand to W-Th-F so we can go to other things first and then talk about them

Tech Strand:

Ø 1) Possible future sessions: *Data logging by computer

*Data logging using calculators/CBL, etc.

*Linux for beginners

*A web design program

*How computers are/can be used in schools:

- In room vs. separate labs

- Laptops/desktops/palmtops

- For different subjects/ages

2) Organization and logistics: *I did not know the agenda was available online,

Or that there even was a website. Could be (better) publicized.

*What about signups for all sessions to help your/our planning. Maybe a week in advance, so that sessions could be duplicated/cancelled.

*Marymount catering excellent, except for terrible coffee.

*Accommodation first offered was not as advised, i.e. not a shared bathroom, but 2 bathrooms on floor.

*Folders-a set of dividers for separating the notes from different sessions would help. (And some blank pages.)

3) Visits and Tours: *Visit to Microcentre would have been better towards end of the week, when we know more of what we are looking for.

*Is there an alternative where the software we have seen and tried is available for instant purchase?

*How about a list of laces such as Microcentre/Circuit City/Major Bookstores/Supermarkets that are readily accessible by public transport?

4) Overall: *A very worthwhile week—I certainly hope to be back again.

Ø The techie strand was somewhat disappointing. It was geared toward system administrators and required a certain knowledge/experience. For example, there was no ‘hands-on’ networking session for absolute beginners. So, please consider providing some hands-on courses for aspiring techies. Also, some sessions on graphics (#D, etc.) that are more advanced would be terrific. Thanks for al your efforts and hard work in putting together the conference.

Ø Field Trip to FCPS DIT would have been better if started with a network config. Demo or example and then show the equipment since it is so “other worldly” for sm school budget; a pre-lecture would help.

Ø Suggest new session!!! GIS / GPS, ESRI ARC explorer or whatever, GLOBE- “Multispec”, AP- Environmental

Instructional Strand:

Ø Digital Images & Audio in Office: needs to prepare better and have a plan for his topic.

Ø Writing: They do incredible work, an inspiration for us English teachers.

Ø Web-Based Researching: Wow! This presentation was on-target for me as an English teacher in HS.

Ø Inspiration 7.5: useful program

Ø Technology & Humanities: Ran Liu, TJ Students, showed me what students can do if given the guidance and freedom. Good possibilities for my school.

Ø Internet Resources: Excellent job! Again, many possibilities for me in my classroom.

Ø Research for non-native English speakers: Presentation was excellent, but the material was a little too basic for my students.

Ø English and Science: Great idea, but I wonder if this type of collaboration is possible in my context. It’s worth a try, though, so I’ll see what I can do.

Ø Blackboard: Having used BB last year, this was an excellent refresher. Since my school is part of the NESA Virtual School Program, I’ll be using it often.

Ø Office XP: A good introduction, great presentation too, to XP’s tools. I’ll definitely incorporate some of these into my teaching, although I already use many of them.

Ø Speech Recognition: A very useful tool for international school students experiencing problems with “traditional” impudence. I’m praying that Cheryl’s (?) son in Iraq is ok and can be reunited with his mom and family soon.

Ø Thanks to everyone for making JOSTI compelling and well-organized, not to mention extremely useful (and usable) for me. Sincerely, Joe Kaudd The American International School of MUSCAT

Ø I would like to see a workshop on excel, Photoshop, and word.

Ø Thank you!

Ø All Workshops helped. Barbara Dent is to be commended for her presentation. She was excellent.

Ø I’d like to see more advanced software—flash, Dreamweaver. It seemed as though the sessions were geared either to novices or techies. There seemed to be very few opportunities for those in between.

Ø Schedule needs to be more clear. Sometimes it was confusing as to whether a session was being continued or a new session.

Ø It might be nice to have one day to go into DC to tour when things are open, and then have an evening session.

Ø Food: *

Hospitality: *

Logistics: **

Thanks you!!

Ø Maybe you can add a “new devices” session where you can share with teachers, ideas or how to use them. Zip drives, flash drives, etc. Also a basic troubleshooting (or hardware) can be very helpful for the teacher strand.

Ø Thank you for a wonderful week. Great ideas! And a wonderful experience! It was great to share ideas and “worries” with colleagues.

Ø I really liked almost all the sessions I’ve been to. I would just like to say what would have made this week better for me:

Ø Beyond showing how software works and how it use it, I would have like to have more sessions on how to integrate those software’s in the curriculum. (like Sandy’s “Surviving MM projects” which was excellent for me)

Ø I would have liked to have had session like for example:
“How to integrate technology in middle school math curriculum” and sample projects with guidelines.

Ø Or “How to convince a reluctant elementary teacher to integrate technology into his/her curriculum”

Ø Or “How to better manage a computer lab (teacher/schedule/resources) to successfully integrate tech into curriculums”

Ø I would have liked to have been able to buy books like “how teachers learn technology best” which are not available easily from abroad.

Ø Thank you for giving me this opportunity to express my thoughts!

Ø I attended many workshops; many of which focused on introducing teachers to programs available or the general operation of the software. While this is a good introduction, I was mostly interested (as a technology facilitator) how to integrate these programs into the classrooms and curriculum. Simply knowing the software does not translate automatically into successful curricular integration. More practical examples of how teachers have integrated and used these software pieces is what I really needed. That said, I am looking forward to delving into the CD and all its resources—great idea. Marty (and other staff) was invaluable and made me feel so welcome. The luncheons and all the shopping trips, DC were wonderful and made us feel like professionals.

Ø Suggestions: more advanced classed in programs &/or integration examples

Ø more offerings per time slot

Ø Have books and software available to purchase/order

Ø Name tags – put country and position

Ø Email list – organize by school &/or position

Ø *Can you please organize graduate credit for this training?*

Ø For the next JOSTI please:

Ø Provide some blank paper

Ø Offer both beginning and advanced software courses (ex. Inspiration)

Ø Course on electronic portfolios

Ø Course on tech project ideas/examples

Ø Courses on special/new features of XCEL, (more on) XP, other commonly used programs (Outlook)

Ø Course on WebQuests

Ø Course on making web sites (& pages)

Ø A great week- thank you!

Ø Web-Based Researching: ***** (The best)

Ø Office XP: these ladies were VERY well prepared.

Ø I found that the elementary instructional sessions were very software specific. Although it is good to be exposed to new software, a few packages were over emphasized. The session on XP should be extended. It was very helpful in both exposure to new skills, but also application instructionally. I would recommend in future years that each application in Office be a session with part of the session learning to use the software and part be instructional application for various age students

Ø Perhaps it would be helpful to have participants complete a pre-assessment before planning sessions. I found many of the sessions very simplistic and didn’t extend the knowledge that I came to the conference with. Perhaps using a greater number of presenters could also extend and allow for differentiation among the participants. Have you considered offering beginning and advanced sessions (i.e. Beginning and Advanced EXCEL)?

Ø Also, it would be very helpful to have sessions that allow those in the same position to discuss together. I would ask a participant to facilitate this and focus the discussion around some essential or key ideas (i.e. elem. Tech teachers—how do you facilitate integration?). Some presenters mentioned that they “threw” the presentation together at the last minute and it was obvious that they were not prepared. (i.e. files weren’t loaded for our use) and so learning time was wasted while they figured out what to do.

Ø Web Based Researching: !!!

Ø Filimentality: !!!

Ø Fantastic! I learned SO much!

Ø For next year, if possible more choices per session.

Ø Also- how to get the best (most) out of basic MS Applications most schools have.

Ø More hands-on time

Ø Perhaps beginning wed. afternoon 3 periods of presentation and one to practice with access to presenters for help.

Ø Mac oerscans loaded on macs in art room so you can save products in a useful form if you are from a MAC school.

Ø What a challenge you all have, to work towards meeting the needs of such a diverse population, such as age, culture, tech knowledge, and skills, etc.

Ø Great venture, collaborative in nature and executed with spirit and commitment, thank you.

Ø Suggestions: more break out lunches like on day one “job a likes” (loved the evening events)

Ø Maybe: have: elementary-primary-integration, elementary-upper-integration, then show current projects to each other via web or CDs (which they burn in advance) (This is written from a teacher looking for integration, etc.) then schedule some slots for discussion groups led by participant/facilitators

Ø Round table closure daily, let people know that they will need hangers and washcloths in the dorms. Thanks to all!

Ø Logistically, this was incredibly well organized. I felt the recipient of generosity- not only in terms of free room and board, but all the “extras” such as evening fieldtrips, receiving a CD “handout” of all courses, etc.

Ø I learned a lot, and it’s a good springboard for further explorations. It was particularly great to meet other international teachers and share.

Ø For me, it was a good mix of new stuff and things I was already familiar with. However, it might be helpful for participants to complete a very detailed survey ahead of time to plan relevant workshops.

Ø Also, a MINOR piece of adviceJ some of the lazier people (i.e. me) took only their schedule pages with them each day, rather than the whole binder. It wasn’t apparent from the schedule which courses lasted longer-maybe they could be coded. Also-Friday’s offerings were pretty meager.

Ø A typical teacher- I’m pointing out minor details when I should be giving heaps of praise. Overall, it was a fantastic week- thanks for all your efforts!

Ø PS. Tell people about the JOSTI website ahead of time, I didn’t find out about it until after I arrived.

Ø Please: Level the courses better

Ø More courses in high user/low tech range

Ø More roundtable and job share sessions earlier

Ø More product representatives as co-presenters for their expertise

Ø Better course descriptions and have the actual presentation and description match.