Is+Technology+Making+a+Difference+in+Your+School+Part+1

Why mess with technology in the first place?

What does a hierarchical means of technology implementation look like?

Alliance for Childhood There's no evidence of improved learning - that's true, there is no direct correlation Money being diverted from other proven education programs ($55B) Possibly socially and physically harmful

There is a moral element that says that we should be spending the money wisely for students

What can we do with technology in teaching that we couldn't do before? Are we automating or infomating?

Technology in Schools, What the Research Says c2006, Metiri Group

Wrong question - Does Technology improve student learning? Never be able to prove.

Right Question: Does the technology support the practices that improve student learning?

We need effective assessments on how well we are teaching students to use technology and we have to be able to communicate this to parents.

Library/Technology Advisory Committee What do we want technology to do in our district? (brainstorming sheet handout) Develop ONE page Technology plan (p. 17 handout) Long range goals with short term objectives. Short term objectives can be accomplished in one school year and are measurable. 15-20 people Important Meetings - only 3-4 meetings a year Send out agenda ahead of time to the whole district - and anyone can attend if they want Send out meetings afterwards - CYA Defined responsibilities
 * for parents?
 * for students?
 * for teachers?
 * for administrators?
 * We should do this and share with staff at the opening district day...
 * wide representation:
 * teachers
 * parents (school boards like this)
 * district office
 * students
 * post-secondary
 * community

Biggest problem is tying technology planning to other school plans

Print quotas for students - 300 pages per year? Can we do this with student log ins?

Graduation planning on the parent portal?

You don't need just good Library Media Specialists - you need LMS that also sees their role as a Tech Integrator ** Change of culture

Full Online Courses - Do you really have a need for it? University and AP courses already

Online/Hybrid learning environments

Cloud Computing (Google Apps - app and storage on the internet, Delicious) Can then use Netbook computers

Walled Garden - Intranet blogging, wikis, Moodle Might need to be opened up in the future

"Smart Classrooms" Interactive smart boards, mounted projector, sound amp system, skills to use them

Why technology use by teachers is important
 * Automate
 * Reach hard to reach students
 * Catalyst for changing teaching methods

CODE 77 - Computers On Desks Everywhere in District 77 - Tech Literacy Standards for Teachers - Separate one for administrators

Restructuring
 * Not taught as a class
 * Part of their professional growth plan
 * Goals are part of broad educational goals, not technology
 * Has a rubric
 * Long Term
 * Still measurable
 * Has an educational basis, not a technology basis
 * Teachers are asked to do this once every three years
 * Teachers create long term goals to transform their teaching

Use Just-In-Time training

New and Improved Information Literacy Curriculum

EACH secondary course has built in Technology and Information Literacy skills built into it - NOT AN OPTION Do you want students to have meaningful learning experiences that prepares them to be problem-solving tech/info literate people?

How to Snag teachers for Tech and Info Lit - Ask them what is their worst unit - the one they hate to teach - the weakest unit. Go in to help them - you can't make it worse. Why mess with a good unit?

Doug Johnson asked the administrators - Are we going to take these skills as seriously as we take Reading, Writing, Math? If we are, then we have to apply educational standards to them - asses, report, share. Benchmarks, track individual student's skill levels.

How can you demonstrate that technology has an impact on student learning? Do we have the resources to do empirical studies? Are you willing to have a control group, with no technology for 3-4 years? Can you guarantee no changes whatsover in any other area for 3-4 years?

If we spend so much money on technology, shouldn't there be a publishable report about whether we are meeting long term goals and short term objectives? see p. 17