Instructional Media & Technology Team (IMTT)

September 10, 2009

Microsoft cy pres settlement to provide computers and software to high-need schools

As indicated in the Department of Public Instruction's June 8th press release, State Superintendent Elizabeth Burmaster announced that a legal settlement with Microsoft over software purchases in Wisconsin will provide benefits to more than 850 eligible schools in the state.

The Microsoft-Wisconsin Cy Pres Program is the result of a settlement that was reached in class action lawsuits about certain Microsoft software acquired by consumers and businesses for use in Wisconsin. Under the terms of the court-approved settlement agreement, a cy pres award in the form of vouchers will be distributed to “eligible schools” in Wisconsin.

The purpose of this cy pres program is to extend the benefits of technology to eligible Wisconsin public schools in which at least 33 1/3 percent of attending students come from low-income households, based on fall 2005 free and reduced-price school lunch data. School districts with eligible schools will apply to receive vouchers that can be redeemed over a four-year period for cash reimbursement for a variety of technology products and services. The products include both hardware and software and are not limited to specific brand names. The total amount of vouchers available for eligible public schools is estimated to be between $75 and $80 million. The exact value is scheduled for announcement in mid-2009.

For more information see:

• Listing of districts with eligible schools
• Microsoft-Wisconsin Cy Pres Program website

July 29, 2009

September - October 2009, IMTT Regional Meetings

The IMT Team will be travelling to four locations throughout the state during the last week of September and the first week of October to offer library media and technology updates. For more details, check out the links below.

• Regional Meetings Flyer

9/28 Rice Lake - Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College
9/29 Green Bay - Hotel Sierra Conference Center
10/5 Wisconsin Dells - Kalahari Resort
10/6 Oconomowoc - Olympia Resort

Thinkfinity Enhances Engaged Learning

Thinkfinity.org rolled-out in Wisconsin on November 8, 2007. Thinkfinity, Verizon Foundation's flagship education program, is a partnership between the Verizon Foundation and leading national educational organizations that provides over 50,000 high quality online instructional resources. Visit Thinkfinity in Wisconsin at http://dpi.wi.gov/imt/thinkfinity.html.

Since October 2007 Wisconsin has trained over 100 local educators as Thinkfinity Field Trainers. Throughout 2007-2008 these Wisconsin field trainers provided ongoing systemic professional development for 506 of their colleagues; plus 712 educators participated in Awareness Sessions that introduced them to Thinkfinity lesson plans, interactive modules, professional research, online field trips and web-links.

A 30 hour Verizon Foundation Online Field Trainer Course begins on August 6, 2008 and new sections of this course are available the first Wednesday of each month throughout 2008-2009. Thinkfinity for 21st Century Learning, two 1-credit graduate courses, will be available to Wisconsin Thinkfinity Field Trainers to facilitate, beginning fall 2008.

For additional information about Thinkfinity or to enroll in training opportunities contact Donna Steffan at donna.steffan@dpi.wi.gov or by phone at 608-267-1282.

School Library Brochures Now Available in Spanish

Two of the popular brochures highlighting the importance and value school libraries—Your Child’s Library Media Center: What Parents Should Know and Measuring Up: Characteristics of Quality School Libraries—have been translated into Spanish and are now available upon request. Contact Nancy Anderson, School Library Media Consultant at 608-267-9287 or nancy.anderson@dpi.wi.gov to request copies of these brochures.

All documents relating to the Wisconsin study of school library programs-- Student Learning Through Wisconsin School Libraries—are posted on the Study Page:

• Executive Summary and Key Study Findings at bottom of Study Page
• Your Child's Library Media Center: What Parents Should Know (2007) (PDF Brochure)
• Measuring Up: Characteristics of Quality School Libraries (2007) (PDF Brochure)
• Powerful Partnerships: The School Library Media Specialist and You (2007)(PDF Brochure for Building and District Administrators)

Now Available: Wisconsin Power! A Parents' Guide to School Libraries

Wisconsin Power! A Parents' Guide to School Libraries (Hi Willow Research & Publishing, 2007) provides information to parents and teachers about school library media programs, student achievement, information literacy, technology and reading. Purchase of the book allows the purchaser to make unlimited copies of any pages for use in the school community. Purchase of the accompanying CD allows the purchaser to reproduce and customize any of the pages for use in the school community. Order information is available at http://www.lmcsource.com/isell3/results.php?keyword=&page=2&category=Parents%20(State%20Power)&action=showproducts.

Technology Planning Handouts

For questions about this information, contact Scott Eagleburger (608) 267-9222

Last updated on 11/9/2009 8:49:43 AM