QTL for IT Educators                                                                                                                        April 2007





Students Prepare for SkillsUSA Competition

With Spring Break now just a memory, state SkillsUSA competitions are fast approaching. Students in both North Carolina and Arkansas will compete the week of April 16, with the NC competition taking place in Greensboro and the Arkansas contests set for Hot Springs.  Competitors will test the skills they've learned in their Career & Technical Education courses, including Computer Engineering and Networking. The Centers for Quality Teaching and Learning proudly supports student organizations and will participate  and contribute cash prizes for the winners of the Computer Maintenance and Technical Computer Applications competitions. We're proud of all who are taking part. Best of luck!



Curriculum Change Will Benefit Students
Changes to QTL's Computer Engineering curriculum in 2007-08 will benefit students in more ways than one!  A team of more than a dozen leading teachers is working on new materials that will cover the updated CompTIA A+ objectives. The 2007-08 edition will feature more handouts and worksheets for students than ever before, plus improved lesson plans for teachers.

The new structure of the two-level program may be the greatest benefit of all.  Instead of a Level 1 "hardware" course followed by a Level 2 "software" course, the new structure begins with an "Essentials" course that gives an overview of PC hardware, laptops, operating systems, printers, basic networking, security, safety and communications. The Level Two course covers those topics in greater depth, preparing students for full certification.

This will be a major improvement for the many students who are only able to take the first course will emerge with a good, solid understanding of computer technology across the board.  While they won't get the depth that taking both courses would provide, they'll still wind up with a strong foundation that will benefit them no matter what their career plans.


Summer Workshops Will Update Teachers

A series of Summer Workshops will update QTL teachers on the new curriculum topics and the updated resources.  Dates and locations are listed in the right-hand column of this newsletter, but here's the schedule so far:

Natchez, MS - July 11

Fayetteville, AR - July 20

Greensboro, NC - July 23
Participants in this session must register for NCDPI's Summer Conference AND also pre-register for this 'pre-conference' event (all fees go to NCDPI to cover conference costs).

Hot Springs, AR - July 31-August 1
Participants in this session must register for ADWE's Summer Conference.

Raleigh, Asheville, Williamston, NC - August/September TBA

Email Robin Fred to reserve a seat at one of the above sessions, or register with NCDPI or ADWE for the Greensboro and Hot Springs events.



Registration Underway for 2007-08 TPTTP

Registration is now available online for the 2007-08 session of the Arkansas Technical and Professional Teacher Training Program, an intensive program designed for new Workforce Education teachers of any subject.  Offered through partnership between The Centers for Quality Teaching & Learning and the Arkansas Department of Workforce Education, TPTTP is a 90-hour program that instructors attend in six sessions over 12-15 months. Paired with the 45-hour SkillsUSA Chapter Management Institute (CMI), these 135 hours meet the Arkansas requirements for new teacher licensing.  The TPTTP meets Perkins legislature standards for professional development.

The QTL instructor will model classroom strategies to CTE instructors such as how to manage their classrooms and survive and thrive. The use of brain-based learning, learning styles and cooperative learning assist the instructor in engaging students so the instructor can reach every student, every day. Secondary and post-secondary instructors with less than three years of teaching experience are greatly encouraged to participate in this program.

Teachers have two opportunities to enter the program - August 2-3 in Hot Springs or October in Little Rock. Visit our web page for more information and online registration.



Tech Tips and Topics

Is your school a member of CompTIA?  Get exam voucher discounts and more.  Get information here.

PC World's 50 Best Tech Products of All Time
What's at number one may surprise you.

Demand Swelling for CTE Courses
Career & Technology Education is uncovering new ways to engage students, and that's leading to increased enrollment.

CompTIA Essay Contest Offers Scholarships
Writing about how technology has changed society, and what lies ahead could land your student a scholarship of up to $5,000.

Computing Careers Brochure Touts Benefits of IT Field
The Association for Computing Machinery has created a brochure aimed at showing high school students why they should consider the IT field.  You can download it from this link.

New Tesla Roadster "a PC on Wheels?"
So says PC Mag.  Students interested in cars or future technology may find this story particularly interesting.


Summer 2007 Training and A+ Update Workshop Series

QTL's Summer 2007 Teacher Training Sessions will give new teachers a strong introduction to the content of QTL's Computer Engineering and Networking I programs.  We also have a slate of A+ Update Workshops that will benefit teachers who are already in the program and want to know what's new. Here's the schedule:

ARKANSAS
 
TRAINING FOR COMPUTER ENGINEERING TEACHERS
(Encompassing Diagnostics, Operations, and Networking)
July 9-20
Northwest Arkansas Community College Regional Technology Center, Fayetteville

A+ UPDATE WORKSHOP FOR COMPUTER ENGINEERING TEACHERS
July 20
Northwest Arkansas Community College Regional Technology Center, Fayetteville

MISSISSIPPI 
COMPUTER ENGINEERING TRAINING
July 9-14
Fallin Career and Technology Center, Natchez

A+ UPDATE WORKSHOP FOR COMPUTER ENGINEERING TEACHERS
July 11
Fallin Career and Technology Center, Natchez


NORTH CAROLINA 
COMPUTER ENGINEERING I & II TRAINING
July 9-14
Pinckney Academy, Carthage

NETWORKING I TRAINING
June 18-22
TBA, Charlotte

A+ UPDATE WORKSHOP FOR COMPUTER ENGINEERING TEACHERS
July 23-26
NCDPI's Summer Conference, Greensboro
On Monday, July 23, a full-day session will cover new A+ content and updated QTL materials.  Participants must register for Summer Conference and must also register with NCDPI for this 'pre-conference' event. There is a pre-conference fee paid to NCDPI. Online registration will be available soon through NCDPI's Summer Conference web page. On Tuesday, July 24, a half-day session will focus on using QTL's Online Teaching Tools. Participants must register for Summer Conference, but no additional 'pre-conference' registration or fee is required for this session. Participants are encouraged to bring their own laptop if possible! Additional sessions of interest to IT teachers are in the works for July 25-26. 

A+ UPDATE WORKSHOPS FOR COMPUTER ENGINEERING TEACHERS
August - September
At least two one-day workshops are planned around the beginning of the school year, but dates and times are TBA.

More details and online registration are available on our website, or email Robin Fred and let him know you would like to attend one of the above.  

If you know a teacher who will benefit, please send this information to them and ask them to
email us for more information!



Mark Your Calendar

Other Important Upcoming Dates:

NC SkillsUSA Competition
April 16-18, Greensboro

AR SkillsUSA Competition
April 17-18, Hot Springs

NC Technology Tea for Girls Interested in STEM Careers
May 20, Brier Creek Country Club, Raleigh
Hosted by NCTA Triangle Wise

National SkillsUSA Conference
June 25-29, Kansas City

North Carolina CTE Summer Conference
July 23-27, Greensboro

Arkansas CTE Conference
July 29-August 1


About Us


The Centers for Quality Teaching and Learning
3000 Highwoods Blvd. Suite 300
Raleigh, NC 27604



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Newsletter Contacts
Robin Fred
QTL Director of Communications

The Centers for Quality Teaching and Learning is a 501(c)3 non-profit educational partner to schools and state departments of education. It offers fun, effective and rewarding teacher professional development and programs that blend research-based teaching with technology.

Want to know more?  Watch a
brief introduction to QTL's IT programs and resources, including the new online features!

 





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Centers for Quality Teaching and Learning
3000 Highwoods Blvd. Suite 300
Raleigh, NC 27604 USA