3-7


 * CRT Meeting**
 * 3/7/11, LSC**
 * Present: Doug, Ruth, Trish, Chai, Lara**

Agenda for mtg., per Doug's 3/2/11 email:


 * 1) Report back on **classroom visits/observations**. We decided to keep these visits open-ended, and allow people to talk about whatever struck them that was innovative in terms of teaching and/or learning. We won't get through all of them, so if you haven't had a chance to visit this time, be ready to talk about your experience next time.
 * 2) "Distraction minders". We'll look at a number of tools/strategies kids (and others) can use to **minimize distractions** when using the laptop. We'll look at tools such as Concentrate, SelfControl, Think, and others. If you have ideas, please bring them!
 * 3) Finally, we'll talk about **changes to the student image** next year. Again, if you have any ideas/requests, please bring them.

1. Distraction Minder folder: Doug passed out to CRTs. Please review and get back to him w/ feedback by week's end. 2. Set a timer. Research suggests better to work for 20 minutes at a crack, rather than going back and forth. 4. Pages has built-in, full screen mode: great for in-class essays. 5. "Think" (application). 6. Isolator. 7. Self-Control: Free application that blocks you from visiting certain websites. Can't access until timer runs out. Could open possibility for pranking if we install. 8. Phone a Friend 9. Parental Controls: can be turned on w/ any school computer. Deans have proposed changing student accounts from admin account to a managed account: logs everything kids do: can set limits on weekdays, weekends, bedtime. Ruth notes students misusing laptops: cyberbullying, Formspring, gaming addictions impacting education. Trying to be pro-active in re: blocking gaming and other inappropriate sites on a school-provided tool; teachers can request unblocks. Possibility of having families/students purchasing laptops, vs. school providing 'em. 10. Turn off Airport.
 * Anti-Distraction Tools:**
 * Kids wouldn't be able to install plug-ins and updates, change settings: might it stymie classroom instruction? Suggestion to possibly make managed account the default mode for next year.
 * Howard Levin @ Urban School: put folder of anti-distraction tools on the folder. Seemed more effective because it was not top-down.
 * Learning and the Brain Conference suggests Facebook, email, chatting, games: seem to be the top distractors. FB especially bad for workflow, because of the affective component.
 * Doug: seeking strategies to help kids manage their distractions.
 * How to present information?: Advisory-9, 9th Guide, maybe in Dept. Mtg. so teachers can provide info to students. Site so students can easily access information: maybe Wikispaces? Maybe provide parents w/ info?
 * Rick Tune/Lisa Stewart have a Learning Fellowship dealing w/ this topic.


 * Active Directory: tabled until next time.**