Ed Tech Support Center (ETSC) Services
ESD 101's Ed Tech Support Center provides a variety of services to districts in the region.
Professional development opportunities
Support for technology planning
Computers4Kids management
Internet safety programs
Try Before You Buy tech loan program
Resources for educators
Group purchasing opportunities

Through the statewide ETSC Program, regional ETSC directors collaborate on projects. The Statewide Ed Tech Support Center Program website includes additional resources and activities.
REGIONAL PROGRAMS

Thinkfinity Training and Support
Thinkfinity provides no-cost, standards-based Internet content, developed by the nation's content experts for the K-12 teacher and classroom. Resources found on the Thinkfinity web site [http://www.thinkfinity.org/] and the six partner web sites offer teachers invaluable educational resources, and the program offers free training, across the country, so that teachers learn how to use this rich content in their classrooms daily. The ETSC program is the lead vehicle for:
  •   providing training to teachers
  •   aligning Thinkfinity lessons to Washington State standards
  •   developing and hosting this WWW site
  •   promoting the use of Thinkfinity resources

Peer Coaching
The goals of Peer Coaching are to foster the systematic integration of technology into classrooms by training teachers to become coaches for other teachers in their schools. Washington State ETSCs are partnering with Microsoft to deliver this program. For more information on the Peer Coaching program, contact Brent Howard at bhoward@esd101.net or call 509-323-2734.
About the Ed Tech Support Center Program

ETSC Vision
Our vision is of schools that are lively and productive, where all students and teachers are fully engaged in the learning process through the effective integration of teaching, curriculum and technology.

ETSC Mission Statement
To optimize student learning by providing statewide leadership, models, professional development, technical assistance and ongoing support for the effective, appropriate and visionary use of technology.
--ETSC Legislative Proposal
July 2000

ETSC Goals
To increase the capacity of schools and school districts to improve school and student success through the effective use of technology, the Educational Technology Support Centers will provide services in the following areas:

Increased Student Achievement
  • Establish a shared clearinghouse of research/best practices for technology integration.
  • Integrate technology and school improvement efforts.
  • Participate in the School Improvement Planning process.
High-Quality Professional Development Models
  • Apply best practices in professional development, such as those described in the Washington State Professional Development Planning Guide, to ETSC activities.
  • Expand statewide professional development opportunities through collaboration and partnerships.
  • Provide professional development on using technology to strengthen research-based instructional practices in the classroom.
  • Increase the appropriate use of online resources in professional development models.

Shared Technology Vision in Washington K-12 Schools
  • Support statewide efforts in technology planning.
  • Develop skills in district staff to write and maintain district technology plans for continued eligibility for e-Rate and Title IID dollars.
  • Provide for regional meetings for district technology directors.
  • Develop and maintain knowledge-based networks with other ESD, district and community programs that promote student achievement.
  • Showcase and encourage the use of emerging technology tools for teaching, learning, planning, data-driven decision-making, and other school improvement efforts.
  • Promote the Tiered Classroom Model as a tool to plan for, equip, and evaluate the growth and use of effective technology integration, and as a means to help identify professional development needs in schools.