ETAC Minutes
December 4, 2012
Attendance Milt Burnett, Shelley Chamberlain, Ellen Driscoll, Stephen Kelley, Steven
Mazzola, Lee McCanne, Annamaria Schrimpf, Max Weinstein, Tom Stella, Stephen Sylvia,
Luis Rodriguez, Susan Hargrave and Dr. Jonathan Landman, Associate Commissioner of
Teaching and Learning
Acceptance of September 19, 2012 minutes
Minutes accepted
Luis updated ETAC on the following items:
Recent and upcoming outreach activities underway by the ODL
Digital Learning Day Discussion—extend for a month
 How ETAC can help
Introduction of Jonathan Landers
MSBA update
EDWIN update
Luis gave updates on where he has spoke in various venues he has been attending
MASS and MASC joint conference
Board suggestions were given to Luis where he needs to share message, attend
DIGTAL LEARNING DAY
Updates related to the ETAC charge: "Build digital learning awareness throughout the
Commonwealth"
Flyers created for digital learning day
Virtual school symposium
HANDOUT—Proposed Plan for Digital Learning Month in February
Currently notification on Connected Learning Day website
Recommendations of changes to the one pager
Post on the DESE website
How can ETAC help with this event
What type of activities?
What does that look like? Criteria
Send suggestions for places to contact
Database of places to visit
Recommendations for the flyer
Necessary elements that teachers need to fill in
Elements must reflect criteria for success
Types of lessons
Define blended learning; 1:1 Initiatives; Credit recovery programs
Milt spoke about program at the North Shore Mall to receive credit recovery
Max suggested teachers in traditional school districts
Ordinary technology with ordinary classroom
Lee mentioned that it reflect the breath and dept of the majority of the classrooms
Changes to flyer:
Bullets #2 and #4 Digital learning instead of Technology
Eliminate “we”
Bullet #3 change all students and put and at risk students
Targeted Local Events
Barbara suggested that Kick off on Digital Learning Day—Feb 6
Concern for Digital Kick Off day
Luis suggest sites that have done it before; across the commonwealth
Digital Learning Videos—short snippets of videos
Specifics on the amount of time
Weblink
Link to these lesson on DESE website---take the ones submitted on the Digital
Learning day and post on DESE site
Assessment criteria to share with key decision makers
How to scaffold to share resources
Embed in the superintendents’ update
Barbara asked for criteria listed on the flyer
Principals
Post info here
One pager
Partnership publicize—logo on website
Spread the word
Annamaria suggested if possible to share the collaboration with the MSBA so schools
understand the potential funding opportunity with MSBA might encourage more
participation
Lee was concerned about the amount of work it takes to produce a quality video, he
suggested capturing local events recorded, members interviewed.
Lee recommends we look at the low hanging fruit—highlight digital learning
Annamaria suggested to add a description that it is not just say video on the DESE
announcement but also suggestions such as stories, blog posts, pictures, etc.
Susan and Luis made notes on changes to the announcements
Digital Learning Awareness
Banner of announcements
Public announcement for ETAC members--Max
Update with MSBA collaboration
INTRODUCTION of the Associate Commissioner of Teaching and Learning, Dr.
Jonathan Landman
Jonathan is overseeing the Curriculum and Teaching unit.
Jonathan talked about his role. Retell?? project—finding that the state was not meeting the
needs of our English language learners current focus. Three cohorts training in the state and
continue over the next several years. Course being built in moodle and will be a blended
course. Administrator training will be online. How to extend the learning beyond the
graduate course PLN (Professional Learning Network). Teachers in district would create
their own PLN in district. Online model Literacy and Math coaches course. Focus is ELL.
Lee asked who is teaching the online course?
Jonathan stated they are trying to create a highly skilled instructors for the course. All
teachers interviewed, mock lesson, resume submission, etc…
Barbara recommended instructors of course to have an online community.
Every teacher needs to have a deep understanding of moodle.
Jonathan’s primary focus has been on sheltered English instruction and professional
development for qualified trainers. Course designers paying a lot of attention to online
sessions engaging and interactive.
Content knowledge, understand the tool, pedagogy of content and online teaching and
learning.
New platform for training and upgrade to moodle
Barbara will reach out to Jonathan and give recommendations for the online training
MSBA UPDATE
Luis has a meeting on December 10 with MSBA
Part of the discussion will include
 Dedicate a certain amount of funding and how is it going to be structured.
 What has actually been allocated and move from other programs to other
 MSBA putting together a meeting taking individuals from various constituents and
having a round table.

Timeline challenge
EDWIN UPDATE
 Some legal discussions our state and Ohio
 Spring target to run 10-15 pilots
VIRTUAL SCHOOL BILL
 ESE no oversite on districts that select providers the way the current bill was written.
 The bill has not gone through yet.
 Innovation regulations—“future providers can offer a virtual high school.” Trying to
add accountability to other providers.
 Bring to board or wait for the bill?
 Are other school districts willing to collaborate?
 Outcomes need to focused on.
 Some items embedded in Edwin but not sure how much
ETAC be part of the discussion for EDWIN
Ellen asked if meeting time could change to 1-3 agreed by board
RECAP:
Luis feedback from Commissioner
Send update info
Max will develop a publicity page
Send email of districts that have had some showtime
Barbara will contact Jonathan to help with the online course for ELL
Meeting adjourned at 5 pm
Future Meetings: February 5, April 2.