ExplorNet News

HOT SPRINGS, AR - One benefit of QTL's CTE programs is the opportunity to network with teachers from other schools who are struggling with similar issues. QTL offers workshops during summer and throughout the school year to provide such opportunities.

QTL's 2006-07 Fall/Winter Workshop series continued January 29 with almost two dozen teachers from across Arkansas attending our in-service in Hot Springs.

ADWE's Dick Burchett speaks to participants at QTL's Hot Springs in-service, which drew almost two dozen Computer Engineering instructors to network and to learn about A+ changes, Windows Vista, Perkins requirements and QTL's IT program.

Participants heard all about the new A+ certification changes, and had a great discussion about the new versions of the exams compared to the old versions. Jeff Parks of the Area Vo-Tech Center in Russellville had taken the exams and provided first-hand insight to the changes.

Other participants talked about their participation in CompTIA's E2C program, which enables schools to obtain exam vouchers for half price. Corning High teacher Jim Ermert said he's used the program for several years to enable students to take the A+ exams affordably.

Several other teachers shared their experiences with Windows Vista. John Mills of Northwest Arkansas Community College Regional Technology Center offered a presentation about what's new with the latest Windows operating system, and Mountain Home High teacher Steve Hatch told about conflicts his students had when they tried to load non-Windows software. The group discussed Vista requirements, compatibility issues and how quickly they think users will make the switch.

Dick Burchett of the Arkansas Department of Workforce Education talked to the instructors about Perkins IV and how it wil require them to develop an instructional plan for integrating academic and content areas. Several participants were able to get answers about how changes in state policy and A+ certification requirements will affect their own Computer Engineering programs.

QTL Arkansas Program Coordinator Debbie Gullett facilitated the workshop and demonstrated QTL's resources and online Professional Learning Community for IT teachers, and teacher Jeff Parks presented an excellent PowerPoint on blending the QTL program with Cisco's IT Essentials. He told about using both curriculums in his classroom and gave examples of the positive aspects of each program.

Parks said he likes how the QTL program has helped him reach students with its hands-on approach and curriculum written at students' level. Then Bert Chu of Phillips Community College Career Center in Helena talked about her experiences attending QTL's new teacher training. She told everyone how the training had given her the confidence and courage to teach a computer repair class. She had a business education background but had never seen the inside a computer until the training.

Some participants said the opportunity to network with other IT teachers was a tremendous experience. The in-service had plenty of time for networking built-in, including a dinner and social the evening before and a lunchtime round table discussion of challenges of the IT classroom.

QTL CEO Dave Boliek also attended the event, hosted by National Park Community College. Door prizes were donated by Computer Warehouse of North Carolina, and Marcraft. Participants also received evaluation copies of Camtasia and Snag-It software donated by TechSmith, plus in-service CDs with the presentations from the event and a host of other presentations and resources. New friendships were made and hopefully the exchange between these instructors will continue for years to come.

Earlier events in the QTL Fall/Winter Workshop Series have been held in Raleigh and Asheville, NC and Natchez, MS. More workshops are planned this summer.

For more information, contact Robin Fred via e-mail at rfred@qtlcenters.org or call him at 888.507.3800.