Goal/Vision Statements
Help me develop the vision statement by replying with your thoughts, opinions, and feedback.
The purpose of the Technology Thursday's initiative is to support educators in the integration of technology in the classroom. The goal of this initiative is to increase the student engagement level and improve the student achievement. With the use of technology, educators can provide differentiated instruction to students and assess them using a variety of different methods.
"We know now - based on decades of use in schools, on findings of hundreds of research studies, and on the everyday experiences of educators, students, and their families - that, properly used, technology can enhance the achievement of all students, increase families' involvement in their children's schooling, improve teachers' skills and knowledge, and improve school administration and management" (http://www.nsba.org/sbot/toolkit/tiol.html).
The goal of this initiative is to increase student engagement and enhance student achievement. In order to achieve this goal, a committee will be formed and meet the first Thursday of each month to teach other educators a new technology program or resource. Following the meeting, the committee members will support the educators in the use of the new program or resource to ensure they are successful in the classroom. The goal is to encourage at least one educator per team to attend the Technology Thursday's and try out the new technology program or resource.
May 29, 2010 at 1:32 PM
I posted the Goal/Vision Statements on Facebook for more ways to discuss. Here is what Sharon said:
Sounds like a great idea to me. I am wondering how you are going to get the teachers to buy into it? Examples of kinds of technology you will be showcasing? For example, the cartoon project I integrate into Tech Center. the students learn uses for Paint Shop, PowerPoint, & Movie Maker. They learn create JPEGs, import both music & pictures, while ... See Moremanipulating editing techniques. All of this is done while teaching the elements of fiction, setting, characters, introduction, rising action, climax, falling action & conclusion. (I have lots of different kinds of tech projects if you need them)
Another area that you could work on with your teachers would be the integration of PDE's Standards Aligned System: www.pdesas.org. It is a tool PDE created to assist teachers with the Keystone Exam & PSSAs. Check it out, it may have info for you that you can use to help you complete some of your requirements.
May 29, 2010 at 5:23 PM
I have to figure out a way to get the teachers to buy into the idea. From the survey I gave, teachers said they were interested in the idea, but when it comes down to it, I am not sure how many teachers would show up. That's something I need to think about.
Here are the technology I was planning:
September: Microsoft Office OR iWorks
October: Google Docs
November: Webspiration/Inspiration/Kidspiration
December: Blogs
January: Animoto
February: Jing (Screen/Video Capture)
March: Podcasts
April: Educational Websites
May: Wikis
As the committee teaches a new technology, they will also provide the teachers with some examples of lesson plans that integrate that technology. This will help to make it easier for teachers to become comfortable integrating the new technology.
Integrating PDE's Standards Aligned System is a great idea! I looked into that site and it has some great resources.
Thanks for your help!
May 30, 2010 at 5:28 AM
Here is what Sherry said:
This is really good. What about supporting the educators to teach in an medium that the students are already living in. It is like the adults have to catch up to the kids:)
Sounds great!
May 30, 2010 at 5:32 AM
That is a great idea. Before teaching new technology, we can support the teachers is the basic technology that we think everyone already knows. I wonder if we could offer two different sessions: a beginner session that works on basic technology skills and an advanced session that works with the new technology.
June 1, 2010 at 5:40 PM
Here is what Bridget said on the Facebook discussion:
Even if you didn't do two sessions, you could begin with more basic sessions in the beginning of the year. Then the teachers who are proficient can be an extra resource. Then get more involved and difficult as the year goes on and everyone is more comfortable using technology.
Also, my school now has "professional options" for teachers each year. These are something that they choose to work on for the entire year, documenting their progress. This would be a wonderful and easy option for professional option because you would be so well supported! That could motivate teachers.