Leap Meeting – January 9, 2013
“The 21st Century Classroom”
Teaching and Learning in the Digital World
President Gary Walters called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm. Board members Kathy Baker,
Michele Wilson, and Pamela Hunter were present. There were no school board members present.
Officer Reports:
VP Communications, Kathy Baker, reported that this year all meeting minutes and presentations will
be posted on the LEAP website. Next month’s topic will be “The Proposed 2013-2014 LCPS Budget”.
Please remember that anyone can attend the LEAP meetings, you do not have to be a delegate.
VP Programs, Adrienn Salazar, was absent.
Secretary, Pamela Hunter, had nothing to report this month.
Treasurer, Michele Wilson, reported that 22 schools have paid dues for a current balance of $932.21.
Mr. Walters introduced the evening’s speakers:
 Lynn McNally – Technology and Library Resource Supervisor for Loudoun County Public
Schools.
 Patricia Smith – Technology Resource Teacher at Mill Run Elementary School.
 Nick Grzeda – AP English Literature, English 11 Honors, and Etymology teacher at Loudoun
County High School.
 Mike Wagner – Earth Science and Geospatial Technology teacher at Heritage High School.
Lynn McNally provided an overview of “Technology in the Classroom”, Teaching and Learning in a
Digital World. Ms. McNally says that “Technology has changed our lives; it’s reconnected us with old
college roommates, helped us learn a foreign language and encouraged us to exercise. We're no longer
forced to send letters through the postal service, book vacations through travel agents, shop in stores,
wait for photos to be developed or visit the library to research or check out books. Technology has
changed the way we communicate, shop, vacation, recreate and, yes, learn. And so it should be
expected that at Loudoun County Public Schools technology has also changed some of the strategies
we use to facilitate instruction. Let’s take a peek at some of the ways that LCPS staff and students
interact with some new and different resources as well as with each other.” Please see The 21st
Century Classroom power point presentation for full details on tonight’s presentations.
Additionally visit The Power of Everyone: Collaborations in 21st Century Schools to learn more
about The Power of Everyone: Collaborations in 21st Century Schools. This is an instructional
initiative designed to connect K-12 students with educators from both formal and informal educational
institutes and organizations as well as with other students across the world through the power of video
conferencing and other communication tools.
Patricia Smith provided an overview of how the program “ActivInspire” works in the classroom.
Such as:
 Interactive Whiteboards
 How Instruction Looks Different
 Authoring Applications
Nick Grzeda provided an overview of the “Virtual Classroom” being used by him at Loudoun County
High School. Specifically how he uses Virtual Instruction Student Innovative Organizational Network
(VISION) to allow his students to easily access his classroom, agendas, homework, daily assignments,
and an interactive chat room.
Mike Wagner provided an overview of “Geospatial Technology”. Specifically the use of computers
and software to organize, develop, and communicate geographic knowledge. Mr. Wagner explained
how geographic information systems (GIS) takes numbers and words from rows and columns in a
database and spreadsheet and then puts them into a map. The Geospatial Technology Course offered
is a:
 Full-year, dual-enrollment course through James Madison University.
 Uses ESRI ArcGIS Suite and ArcGIS Online.
 Was developed in 2006.
 Is currently taught in 5 of 13 high schools by highly trained teachers.
 Is projected to be taught in 10 of 13 highs schools in 2013-2014.
 Students engage in multiple projects throughout the year.
 Students taking this course can develop enough skills to be employed directly out of high
school.
Mr. Walters facilitated questions and answers between the audience and presenters. Parents asked
specific questions relating to technology in the classroom, the future availability of mobile devices for
every student, and the time and cost associated with providing devices for all students.
LCPS Superintendent Dr. Edgar B. Hatrick III thanked the panel for their presentations and for the
delegates and parents for attending.
He spoke briefly regarding:
 The proposed budget for LCPS 2013-2014 school year.
o Tonight they are currently working on the budget and will continue to do so until 1/24.
o There is currently a gap of $56M.
 Additionally the board is working on Policy 8-20 which deals with special permissions to
attend another school that is not the student’s home school. Items such as school space
availability and first come – first serve are being considered.
 Exams and teacher workdays are running right on schedule.
 End of 1st semester will be January 17 and the new semester will begin on January 22.
The meeting adjourned at 9:00 pm.
Next Meeting: Wednesday, February 13, 2013 at 7:00 pm.
Topic: The Proposed 2013-2014 LCPS Budget
Respectfully submitted by Pamela Hunter, LEAP Secretary