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Schools
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Technology
Application for Instruction DRAFT Revision #2 January 18, 2006 Introduction Effective use of technology for instruction requires (1)
computers that can access the Internet from the classroom,
(2) projection devices for delivery of web-based resources to students, (3)
a working awareness of web-based resources for teaching and learning that
address specific learning standards, and (4) the planning for use of
appropriate web-based resources in student learning activities. Without any one of those four resources,
technology will not be an effective tool in teaching or learning. The following is a plan to integrate technology and
web-based resources into regular instruction in grades PK-5. The plan includes the purchase of hardware
and staff development for classroom teachers at those grade levels. Determining Need The floor plan for each school was updated in December
2005, using information from the Maintenance Department (newly placed
portables, etc.), from OCS staff (existing technology), from schools (teacher
classroom assignments), and from Human Resources (teacher job
assignments). From that information,
the following table was compiled to show current classroom use, existing
technology, and additional needs for technology in the elementary schools:
**MER has purchased projectors for each of the electronic white
boards that have been placed in eight classrooms. Needed Computers = Special Ed + Related Arts + Regular
Classrooms + Instructional Specialists Needed Projectors = Related Arts + Labs + Regular
Classrooms – Existing Projectors Hardware Proposal For the needed computers in elementary classrooms, I
propose that the district purchase laptops with wired and wireless access to
school networks. These laptops would
replace the computers currently on teachers’ desks in classroom. The existing desktop computers would be
moved to an area in that classroom and connected to the network so that
students would have unrestricted access to the computer and appropriate
access to network- and web-based learning resources. I also propose that projectors be purchased for each
designated classroom and lab to supplement existing projectors. All available should be placed in
classrooms, along with projector screens.
These projectors would be used with the teacher laptops to deliver
instruction from teacher made materials (PowerPoint presentations, etc.),
from network-based resources, from web-based resources (StreamlineSC,
reference materials, content-specific websites, etc.), and from supplemental
resources provided in electronic format by textbook companies. Staff Development and Training Proposal I propose that we complete the network cabling in the
staff development lab at BRW and that we begin technology-based activities
for elementary teachers in every content area. The staff development activities would include
basic use of the laptop and the projector, basic use of the laptop on a home
network (in planning learning activities), demonstration of “web portals” to
content area resources, demonstration lessons with embedded network and web
resources, planning for embedding network and web resources in lessons and
student activities, and other activities related to effective use of the
technology to deliver instruction related to learning standards and
objectives. Staff development emphasis should be placed on instructional
applications for the technology. With
that in mind, Instructional Specialists at each school should receive the
basic training and should be trained to be trainers within their schools. Instructional Specialists must understand
the nature of the technology-based resources available for teaching and
learning and should understand the importance of the integration of those
resources into daily instruction and learning activities. They should be able to assist and direct
teachers in their schools in the process and implementation. Principals should also be involved in the staff
development activities so they will understand the scope of the available
resources and can lead in the application of those resources. The Instructional Technology Specialist and the Director
of Computing Services can cooperatively develop the curriculum for the staff
development activities. Those
activities should be implemented for all elementary teachers before the end
of the current school year so that those teachers can plan for the next
school year. Outcomes, Results, and Conclusions Laptops that teachers can use in planning and delivering
instruction will provide access to abundant resources not currently available
in classrooms. Projectors that can be
used with those laptops in front of students will provide student access to
extraordinary resources that are not currently available to support the
state’s learning standards. With the use of web-based resources, learning activities
can become more thought-provoking, more multi-media oriented, more
interactive for students and teachers, and more directed toward specific
learning objectives. The purchase of new computers for classrooms will only be
effective for instruction if (1) those computers have access to the network
and the web, (2) the projectors are included, (3) teachers are trained
to use network- and web-based resources, (4) technology-based instruction is
expected and assessed as part of teacher evaluations, and (5) the
instructional leaders (principals and Instructional Specialists) promote and
insist on its implementation. With effective use of technology-based resources, students
will have more learning materials available to them. In addition, those materials will address
more learning styles than will traditional instructional models. Students will be more engaged in the
learning process – and with access to a student computer in each classroom,
students will have the opportunity to explore topics of interest beyond the
planned learning activities. Additional
Factors to Consider Costs, delivery, setup, and implementation are important
factors in this proposal. The
projected costs of this proposal will be less than the amount discussed in
pre-proposal meetings, although I do not have specific quotes at this
time. Additionally, future plans must
include a similar implementation for the two high schools (in the following
school year). Cost factors will determine the extent to which additional
technology can be provided immediately to NSD and the two high schools. Based on preliminary cost estimates, we
will be able to add computer labs at NSD, EHS, and GHS immediately. Each of those labs would contain 30
workstations. Existing workstations in
labs at those schools would be distributed to classrooms. DRAFT Revision #2: January 18, 2006 Office
of Computing Services |
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Revised 1/22/06 |
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