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=Welcome to the wi-learn Wikispaces site!=

Introduction
This is a site for K-12 schools in Wisconsin to collaborate online. But it's more than that... Schools are grouped by geographic location to encourage a dialog of ways to //also// share human resource that support or enhance instructional technology. Initially, the first grouping of schools is the northern segment of [|CESA 1]. There are also two universities in this region: Cardinal Stritch (Milwaukee) and Concordia (Mequon). See the Metro North link at the left for a list of schools and contacts.

**Idea #1: School-year Support / Summertime Setup Teams**
Stritch and Concordia have undergraduate programs in computer science. K-12 schools have technical support staff needs that could be enhanced by talented college students. Could the Metro North group be a clearinghouse to connect an eager, relatively inexpensive workforce with K-12 schools in need of technical support? During the school year, these university students could have a part-time job and an opportunity for on-the-job training. During the summer, groups of these same students could work in teams to complete new installations.

Idea #2: Technology Integration / Collaborative Staff Development
In this time of budget-cutting and restructuring, technology integration will become more challenging - especially during a time when the [|national standards] have been recently revised. Could the Metro North group be a way to connect those individuals with skills at technology integration with schools in need of classroom support for technology? This could lead to collaboration between neighboring school districts.

Idea #3: Shared Professional Services
Is outsourcing of technical support the answer? Districts are at varying levels of outsourcing technical support. Could a geographical group of school districts with common technical support needs save money by sharing professional services through several common vendors?

**Questions/Comments/Suggestions?**
Contact Dick Diener with your thoughts and ideas about this site.

Updated: August 6, 2009