Imagine the possibilities . . .

Imagine the possibilities . . .
designer | techcnican | engineer | programmer | developer

CPS TechCrew

What is it?
TechCrew is designed to enrich students’ educational experience and job readiness skills. This is accomplished by providing students with a TechCrew coordinator and the training and framework necessary to carry out basic computer problem resolution within the confines of their school.

What is the turnaround time? Are there any other parameters?
TechCrew requires principals or technology coordinators to participate in an information session. If the school decides to participate, the designated TechCrew coordinator(s) must also participate in a training session. Upon completion of the training session and recruitment of student participants, TechCrew will be operational.

How do I request service?
To request information about TechCrew or to register for an information session, contact Victor Herrera at TechCrew@cps.k12.il.us.

What is the cost?
No, there is no cost for this service. However, the school is responsible for the TechCrew coordinator stipend.

What curriculum do the students use ? How do I recruit students?

TechCrew Impact

TechCrew Inspires: “The experience you gain from being part of TechCrew is immeasurable. TechCrew helped me to find my passion for technology.”
-Gabino Noriega, Former TechCrew Participant

TechCrew Helps Educators: “TechCrew helps out students academically and has allowed students to assume leadership roles and to gain confidence through their experience.”
-Brian Surina, TechCrew Coordinator, Phoenix Military Academy

TechCrew Saves Money: “TechCrew is a positive experience for the school and the students because the students achieve the skills necessary to perform in this field while the school is able to allocate funding to other educational programs.”
-Joellen-Zielazinski, Budget Manager, Kelly High School

TechCrew Increases Attendance: “We recognize that student attendance and graduation are increasingly important issues facing public schools. We are looking to target specific schools as we have seen TechCrew have a positive impact in these areas.”
-Victor Herrera, Student Technology Services Manger

TechCrew Improves Performance: “Twenty-first century technology is a shopisticted, cutting edge, and ever changing industry. We want our students to be at the forefront of that industry, and TechCrew is a good place for them to start.”
-Arshele C. Stevens, Chief Information Officer

TechCrew Spotlight

SAVE THE DATE! TECH 2008 will be held on Wednesday, May 7.





Home Legislature Contact Information Committee Members ICE Home Page

SAVE THE DATE! TECH 2008 will be held on Wednesday, May 7.
Submit your application today!
Applications are due January 14, 2008.

What is TECH 2008?For the past seventeen years, public policymakers from around the state have banded together to promote the most comprehensive and diverse demonstration of classroom technology in the Midwest by those who use these technologies on a daily basis -- students and teachers. The result is a student technology showcase that continues to impress state legislators and their constituents from year to year. To learn more about the event, please see last year's Informational Video or Informational Brochure. You may also view last year's program.

Not for ProfitThe TECH 2008 program is a not-for-profit initiative, supported by a broad range of education and business organizations, to increase awareness about classroom technology and the role it plays in helping students prepare to be workers and citizens in an information-based world economy.

Demonstrations for LegislatorsThe TECH 2008 demonstrations will allow lawmakers, business leaders and others to see first hand how technology is used in classrooms all over Illinois. These presentations will not represent "model classrooms" or visions of the future; they will represent what is happening in Illinois public schools today.

Technology is a Powerful Tool in the ClassroomTechnology can be a powerful tool in the classroom to enhance and accelerate student achievement; however, some people don't fully realize the extent to which technology can impact students and teachers. As people better understand what the information age makes possible in the classroom, they realize that if students are to be prepared for the 21st Century, they must have access to all of the latest technologies.

Participating SchoolsAll schools throughout the state of Illinois will be invited to participate in TECH 2008. Schools will be able to apply by November 1, and will be notified regarding the status of their application in January 2008. School teams will be selected to represent a balanced distribution between legislative districts, grade levels and curricular areas. Preference will be given to projects that demonstrated improved teaching and learning through the use of technology.

Posted by Student Tech Services at 8:42:00 AM 0 comments
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Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn announces donation of 40 laptops

Lt. Gov. Quinn announces the donation of 40 laptop computers to the Illinois School for the Deaf – and 40 more for children in the developing world.

(SPRINGFIELD) - On Friday, Nov. 16, at 10:00 a.m., Lt. Governor Pat Quinn will announce that 40 elementary school students at the Illinois School for the Deaf will soon receive brand new, cutting-edge XO laptop computers.

The Lt. Governor’s office is teaming up with the Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs at Western Illinois University to purchase the 40 XO laptops from One Laptop Per Child, a non-profit organization dedicated to improving education everywhere.

And, taking advantage of a limited-time offer to purchase computers through a “Give 1 Get 1” promotion, One Laptop Per Child will match the 40 laptops for Illinois children by sending 40 XO computers to students in developing nations.

MIT Professor Nicholas Negroponte, founder and chairman of One Laptop Per Child, joined Lt. Governor Quinn on Monday to announce the launch of the “Give 1 Get 1” promotion, which offers residents of North America the opportunity to purchase two XO laptops for just $399 – one laptop for the buyer and one for a child in a developing country. The promotion will last until Nov. 26.

“This is an opportunity to bridge the worldwide digital divide as well as the one that exists right here in Illinois,” Quinn said. “Laptop computers are transforming learning in Illinois and throughout the world, and we want to continue to think of innovative ways to get laptops into the hands of children.”

One Laptop Per Child created the powerful, low-cost XO laptop to transform the content and quality of learning in emerging nations. The computer is a compact, durable, energy-efficient machine created especially for children living in the most remote environments to enjoy laptop learning at its best.

And the XO laptop’s innovations do not end with its low-cost appeal or its child-friendly programming. The ENERGY STAR qualified XO laptop consumes just one-tenth of the electricity that a typical laptop uses.

One Laptop Per Child already has pilot projects underway in 14 countries, and the effort is poised to reach hundreds of thousands more students in Rwanda, Haiti, Afghanistan, Mongolia and Cambodia in 2008.

Quinn will be joined by Chris Merrett, director of the Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs at Western Illinois University, Marybeth Lauderdale, superintendent of the Illinois School for the Deaf, and Fara Harper, a kindergarten teacher at the Illinois School for the Deaf.

Located in Jacksonville, the Illinois School for the Deaf is home to deaf or hard of hearing students from across the state, and offers pre-kindergarten through vocational and college preparatory curriculum.

There is still time for three lucky Illinois third-graders to win an XO laptop!Visit StandingUpForIllinois.org or call the Lt. Governor’s office at 217-782-3734 to learn how to enter an essay contest and win a laptop###
Posted by Student Tech Services at 6:12:00 PM 0 comments
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Lt. Governor Quinn announces new essay contest for Illinois third-graders

Lt. Governor Quinn announces new essay contest for Illinois third-graders,three lucky students will win a personal laptop computer!

(Chicago) - On Monday, Nov. 12, Lt. Governor Pat Quinn announced an opportunity for three Illinois third-graders to win a cutting-edge XO laptop computer.

Joining with MIT Professor Nicholas Negroponte, founder and chairman of One Laptop Per Child, Quinn demonstrated just how easy it is to give a laptop to a student here in Illinois and to a student in a developing country.

In a limited-time offer, One Laptop Per Child is offering a one-of-a-kind charitable campaign – a “Give 1 Get 1” promotion that gives residents of North America an opportunity to purchase two XO laptops
Posted by Student Tech Services at 6:10:00 PM 0 comments
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Geek Squad Summer Academy



"Geek Squad"

Paula Gómez, Univision Television Group

CHICAGO, Hay un curso en las Escuelas Públicas de Chicago que convierte a los estudiantes en expertos en tecnología. Los agentes del Geek Squad se auto describen como “un escuadrón de gente medio excéntrica”. Ellos se dedican a arreglar computadoras y cualquier aparato electrónico. ¿Qué tienen que ver estos expertos con la educación? Ellos son los maestros que se dedican a impartir un curso especial de verano sobre tecnología en las Escuelas Públicas de Chicago (CPS) llamado Geek Squad Summer Academy. El enfoque del programa es despertar entre los jóvenes la pasión por la tecnología con la esperanza de que muchos escojan incursionar en una carrera en este campo. El curso dura tan sólo una semana pero eso es tiempo suficiente, según los organizadores, para enseñarle a los jóvenes cómo armar y desarmar una computadora. Los estudiantes también aprenden cómo crear sus propias páginas en la Internet y aprenden entre otras lecciones a proteger sus datos personales al usar la tecnología. El cupo para participar en el programa actualmente es limitado pero representantes de CPS esperan expandirlo con el tiempo. Si deseas más información sobre Geek Squad Summer Academy puedes visitar la página de Internet www.gssummeracademy.com