GWETC - Register online for The Governor's Wisconsin Educational Technology Conference-2001 (GWETC-2001), scheduled for October 29-31 at the KI Center and Regency Suites, Green Bay, WI. Join 1,800 educators to participate in this event that will feature: 200 concurrent breakout and poster sessions, 24 hands-on workshop, 100+ exhibitors showcasing the latest educational technology applications and keynote presenters: Dr. Lynell Burmark-Thornburg Center, Dr. Elliot Soloway-U of MI, Elizabeth Burmaster, WI Superintendent of Public Instruction and WI Gov. Scott McCallum (invited.) GWETC is cosponsored by: the University of Wisconsin-Extension, the WI Department of Public Instruction, the WI Educational Communications Board, TEACH WI, the WI Technical College System and the WI Association of Independent Colleges and Universities. Register beginning Sept. 10 at: http://www.gwetc.org

IDEAS PORTAL WEB SITE FOR EDUCATORS - Technology-enhanced learning is a critical issue in Wisconsin. Although there are numerous sites for resources on the Internet, most do not meet the specific needs of Wisconsin educators. A new innovative partnership, involving several organizations is now filling that need. Launched in August, the IDEAS Portal Web site is providing Wisconsin educators access to high-quality, teacher-reviewed content that aligns with the state's Model Academic Standards. IDEAS is currently funded by the TEACH Committee on Collaboration and is contracted through the UW-Extension Division of Continuing Education Extension. During the next two years, IDEAS hopes to offer additional resources: a database of members, who will receive updated personalized resources, threaded and live chat discussions and links to grant and funding sources. In addition, IDEAS intends to provide professional development opportunities. Finally, the site plans to increase video resources and expand content beyond the four core subject areas to include: music, art, special education, ESL, physical education , foreign languages and
family and consumer education. (Extension News and Ideas, Sept. 01. Visit the News and Ideas Web site at: http://www.uwex.edu/ni)

VITAL FUNDING - Up to $842,000 was made available for Fiscal Year 2001/2002 from UW System Administration to fund projects that provide professional development activities for PK-12 teachers on the integration of technology into the curriculum. Grant proposals are due November 15, 2001. The University of Wisconsin System's Virtual Initiatives for Technology, Teaching and Learning (VITAL) describes projects, activities and resources that are part of the PK-16 Professional Development Initiative in Instructional Technologies for Teachers. See the site at: http://vital.wisconsin.edu/