6B: curriculum & instruction

6B: curriculum & instruction

 

goal: Create an environment with a focus on improved teaching and learning practices that includes the use of technology and provides all students opportunities to demonstrate transforming learning .

 

ALIGNMENT:  The above goal and the strategies and activities listed below aligns specifically with the following:

·     TSSA for Administrators Standards II & V

·     NETS for Teachers Standards IA & 1B, II. A, B, D & E, III. A-D, V.B, & VI.B, E

·     NETS for Students Standards 1-6

·     EnGauge 21st Century Skills (all); Information Literacy Standards 1-9 & Six Essential Learnings.

·     Illinois Learning Standards for reading and writing.

Current Reality:

 

·        There has been movement from predominantly literacy uses to more adapting and transforming uses of technology in the past three years.

·        Although the majority of classrooms remain teacher-directed environments, new instructional practices are emerging.

·        Student skills still remain at different levels of readiness to use technology in content learning.

·        NETS for students and teachers have not been analyzed against current practices.

·        School improvement plans and student achievement data analysis is being used in making decisions that include uses of technology.

·        Limited software is available that supports opportunities for transforming learning.

·        Current hardware can support current instructional practices.

identified gaps/needs:

 

·        Need to continue to expand student opportunities to use technology in adaptive or transforming lessons.

·        Need to have written, articulated requirements for technology use that consider NETS for students and teachers and that result in “best” teaching practices.

·        Need for additional hardware/software/peripherals to allow for expanded opportunities for students to further their learning experiences

the following Scientific Based Research  supports the curriculum and instruction goal and its strategies/activities:

·        Technology is most influential when integrated with curriculum and assessment. In a review of studies, the (CEO Forum, 2001) concluded that "technology can have the greatest impact when integrated into the curriculum to achieve clear, measurable educational objectives. " Integration of technology with curriculum and professional growth increases student achievement. Significant student achievement gains for technology integrated with standards were demonstrated by an eight-year longitudinal study of SAT I performance at New Hampshire's Brewster Academy (Bain & Ross, 1999). Students participating in the technology integrated school reform effort (School Design Model) demonstrated average increases of 94 points in combined SAT I performance over students who participated in the traditional independent school experience. In a pioneer "laptop school," where all students and faculty carry portable computers and access a campus network, Brewster's extensive school reform effort involved "rethinking the way we teach, how we build curriculum and the way we support and evaluate faculty" (Bain & Smith, 2000).

·         The availability of educational technology, particularly computer and Internet access, promote the use of collaborative learning, problem-based learning, active use of a wide range of educational resources, and an emphasis upon student creativity. (Rakes et al., 1999) surveyed  435 K-12 teachers regarding their access to and use of educational technology, and their use of constructivist teaching strategies. They found that "as the amount of technology, the use of technology, and technology skills level increase, the use of constructivist practices in the classroom appears to increase, making technology funding and training even more important." Survey respondents reported substantial use of web publishing and simulation software, but much less use of word processing and spreadsheet programs. Rakes et al. suggest that professional development for teachers emphasizes software application and curriculum integration. Rakes et al. also point out that two-thirds of survey respondents report the use of "drill-and-practice" software as an integral part of their curriculum.

*Caret Research site

·        Caret Research answers the following question: How can technology be infused into curriculum and instruction effectively?

  • Technology is most effectively integrated into instruction when educators and education decision makers review and analyze the content of technology applications to determine if the introduced skills and knowledge align with curriculum content standards.
  • Technology is most effectively integrated into instruction when educators and education decision makers enable students to acquire proficiency with the technology application prior to the onset of the content standards based lesson.
  • Technology is most effectively integrated into instruction when educators and education decision makers support the development of instructional lessons and units that use technology to extend and reinforce core curricula.
  • Technology is most effectively integrated into instruction when educators and education decision makers develop detailed plans for infusing technology as a tool to increase learning opportunities.

phase 1. Strategies/Activities (2004-2005):

Strategies/Activities

Timeframe

Person Responsible

Estimated cost Funding Source

Expected Results/Measurement Tools *Measurement tools in italics

1. School Improvement Committees will meet to review latest assessment data, determine growth, especially in reading and writing. SIP will address strategies/interventions needed and will include student technology use.

Sept. – Nov.

Principals

SIP Committee

No Cost

Identification of current student achievement reality in reading and writing. Collection of statistical data and development and implementation of intervention strategies.

Analysis Data Artifacts; School Improvement Plans

Alignment: NETS for Administrators Standards II & V. NETS for Teachers Standards II. A,B,D & E, III.A-D, V.B, & VI.B,E.

2.  Review NET Standards for Students, the 21st Century Skills, current district requirements to address essential skills and practices required of all students.

Nov. – Dec.

 Principals

SIP Committee

 

No Cost

Student opportunities to demonstrate technology literacy skills as they complete units of study.

 

Alignment: Information Literacy Standards 1-9. Six Essential Learnings. NETS for Teachers Standard IA & 1B. NETS for Students Standards 1-6. EnGauge 21st Century Skills (all).

3. Teachers will develop lessons that utilize technology and the Internet to strengthen student reading and writing skills at targeted grade levels. (5,7,8 and 9-12 based upon current student achievement data)

 

Oct. – Feb.

Targeted Teachers

No Cost

Increase in teacher proficiency of developing transforming lessons; change in classroom environments;

Artifact Review/Student Product Analysis

Alignment: ILS 3. Information Literacy Standards 1-6. NETS for Administrators Standard II A-D. Six Essential Learnings. NETS for Teachers Standards IIA, B, IIIA, B, IVA &B, VB. NETS for Students Standards 1, 3,4,5 &6. EnGauge 21st Century Skills (literacy, inventive thinking).

4.  Continue to implement a variety of research-based instructional strategies included in SIP that target writing across the curriculum in all grade levels.

 

 

Aug-May

Principals

 

$3000

Local Funds

Increase of technology-enhanced activities in to support student achievement of the ILS in reading and writing. Students demonstrate an increase in skills through local assessments and ISAT and PSAE testing.

Student Achievement data analysis; Artifact review of lesson plans and student products

Alignment: Information Literacy Standards 1-6. NETS for Administrators Standard II A-D. NETS for Teachers Standards IIA, B, IIIA, B, IVA &B, VB. NETS for Students Standards 1, 3,4,5 &6. EnGauge 21st Century Skills (literacy, inventive thinking). Illinois State Goal 1, 3, and 5 are targeted for academic improvement by reading and writing in the content areas.

5. Implement assessment strategies that were learned in training programs that included in-house efforts and use of outside consultants (in area of reading).

Jan - May

Principals

$5000

Local Funds

Increase in teacher skill levels in assessment.

Use of multiple assessment techniques.

Assessment Artifacts developed by teachers to determine progress towards local benchmarks and Illinois Learning Standards

Alignment: NETS for Administrators Standard IIE & VB &VC. NETS for Teachers Standards IIA-E, IIIA-D, IVA-C, & VA & B. NETS for Students Standards 1-6. EnGauge 21st Century Skills (all). Illinois Learning Standards for areas chosen for project.

6. Continue to purchase hardware, software and peripherals that support adapting and transforming instructional practices.

 

July - June

Technology Coordinator

Principals

See Section 6d

Opportunities for technology use in learning. Increased Tool Capacity & UA.

Artifact Review of purchases; Insta-Audit for Pillar IV.

Alignment: NETS for Administrators Standard IV. NETS for Teachers Standards IB, IIC, VC & D, VI.E. NETS for Students Standards 1-6. EnGauge 21st Century Skills (all).

7.   Increase past opportunities for students to participate in collaborative projects both in and outside of the classroom that allows them to demonstrate their learning with the use of technology.

 

Oct. - May

Teachers

$1000

Local Funds

Increased opportunities for transforming learning experiences; Demonstrate proficiency of NETS & corresponding 21st Century skills

 

Student Product Assessments

Alignment:  NETS for Students Standards 1-6. EnGauge 21st Century Skills (all). Il. Learning Standards in all content areas.

8. Host a variety of events at the various buildings that showcase student work, including technology. Invite the general public.

Oct. - May

Building Administrators

$2000

Local Funds

Additional support for school initiatives & awareness of what students can achieve with technology

Artifact Review/Surveys

Alignment:  NETS for Students Standards 1-6. EnGauge 21st Century Skills (all).

phase 1I. Strategies/Activities (2005-2006):

Strategies/Activities

Timeframe

Person Responsible

Estimated cost Funding Source

Expected Results/Measurement Tools

1.  Continue to purchase hardware, software and peripherals that support adapting and transforming  learning uses.

July - June

Principals

Technology Coordinator

See Section 6d

Increased opportunities to use technology in learning process. Improved ELO; Tool Capacity, UA.

Artifact Review of purchases; Insta-Audit

Alignment: NETS for Administrators Standard IV. NETS for Teachers Standards IB, IIC, VC & D, VI.E. NETS for Students Standards 1-6.

EnGauge 21st Century Skills (all)

2.  Implement technology requirements for all students that align with NETS for students and can be demonstrated in the various content areas.

September

. Principals

 

No Cost

Identified skills for all students that address NET-S, & 21st Century Skills

Student opportunities to demonstrate Six Essential Learnings.

District Plan; Student Products

Alignment: Information Literacy Standards 1-9. Six Essential Learnings. NETS for Teachers Standard IA & 1B. NETS for Students Standards 1-6. EnGauge 21st Century Skills (all).

3.   Expand collaborative projects to include collaboration with community members, businesses and/or community groups that allows students to participate in real, life, authentic situations that tie to targeted content areas.

Oct - March

Teachers

$2000

Local Funds

Participation of community members in  learning initiatives. Collaboration between school and community. Student products demonstrate learning.

 

Artifacts; Surveys

Alignment:  NETS for Students Standards 1-6. EnGauge 21st Century Skills (all). Il. Learning Standards in project content areas.

4. Host culminating events that allow students to showcase their collaborative projects with community members.  Include assessment piece that is part of the district’s ongoing staff development initiatives.

May

Teachers

Principals

$5000

Local Funds

Additional support for school initiatives & awareness of what students can achieve with technology

Artifact Review of Student Projects and assessment tools/Surveys

Alignment:  NETS for Students Standards 1-6. EnGauge 21st Century Skills (all). NETS for Teachers Standards IIA-E, IIIA-D, IVA-C, & VA & B. Respective ILS for content areas chosen for projects.

5. Restructure (in targeted areas) existing units/lessons to transforming levels to support student inquiry, the use of technology, and application of required content with authentic assessments. Ensure the units/lessons are aligned with ILS.

Nov.-March

Targeted Teachers

No Cost

Movement toward “best” practices based upon scientific research. Curriculum that is aligned with the Illinois Learning Standards and the ISTE NETS Standards for Students.

Artifact Review including lesson plans & student products; Interviews; Ns Tool 9-Mapping Instructional Practices; Insta Audit for Pillar II

Alignment: NETS for Administrators Standard II. Six Essential Learnings. NETS for Teachers Standards IIA & B, IIIA & C, IVA. NETS for Students Standards 1-6. EnGauge 21st Century Skills (all). Illinois State Goal 1, 3, and 5 are targeted for academic improvement by reading and writing in the content areas.

6. Investigate online resources and other delivery systems, including interactive activities and lesson plans, which could be utilized in development of new curriculum or support “best” teaching practices.

Aug.-Sept.

Principals

Building Leaders

No Cost

Availability of additional resources to support instruction.

 

Teacher Survey/Focus Group Interview Process

Alignment:  Curriculum & Content Area Standards  Information Literacy Standards 4-6. NETS for Administrators Standard II. NETS for Teachers Standard IIA, B, D & E. NETS for Students Standards 5 & 6 .

7. Collect and analyze data to determine impact student technology requirements implemented at beginning of year have made on student achievement.

April-June

Principals

School Improvement Committee

No Cost

Mastery of identified technology skills

Student Artifact Analysis; Insta-Audit Results

Alignment: EnGauge 21st Century skills (all). ISTE’s NETS for Teachers Standard IV. NETS for Students Standard 1-6. NETS for Administrators Standard V.

phase 1II. Strategies/Activities (2006-2007):

Strategies/Activities

Timeframe

Person Responsible

Estimated cost Funding Source

Expected Results/Measurement Tools

1.  Continue to purchase hardware, software and peripherals that support adapting/transforming student learning opportunities with technology.

July - June

Principals

Technology Coordinator

See Section 6d

Increased opportunities to use technology in learning process. Improved ELO; Tool Capacity, UA.

Artifact Review of purchases; Insta-Audit

 

Alignment: NETS for Administrators Standard IV. NETS for Teachers Standards IB, IIC, VC & D, VI.E. NETS for Students Standards 1-6.

EnGauge 21st Century Skills (all)

2. Implement a plan whereby all students practice and demonstrate responsible use of technology systems and software per District requirements.

Sept.-May

Teachers

Computer Lab personnel

No Cost

Responsible users through life-long learning

Observation

Alignment: NETS for Students Standard 2. NETS for Teachers Standard VI. Nets for Administrators Standard VI. EnGauge 21st Century Skills (technological literacy).

3. Increased student opportunities to utilize technology interventions designed to improve critical skills in reading and writing. Additional content areas will be added as student achievement data warrants.

Sept.-May

Teachers

Computer Lab personnel

No Cost

Increase in student achievement related to curricular areas. Increase in student technology literacy levels.

 

Review of Student Artifacts

Teacher and Student Focus Group Interviews

Alignment: NETS for Students (all). Illinois State Goal 1, 3, and 5 are targeted for academic improvement for reading and writing in the content areas.

4. Collect and review data to determine progress made since implementation of current technology plan to change student roles in use of technology. Begin progress of linking performance indicators within the Profiles for Technology Literate Students to the standards to determine progress in planning technology-based activities that result in student success in “learning communication and life skills.”

Jan. – Feb.

Building Leaders Technology & School Improvement Committees

No Cost

Completion of data collection and analysis process. Understanding of current status of students’ meeting NETS.

NextSteps Toolkit. Interview/Focus Groups Analysis. Insta Audit.

Alignment: NETS for Students 1-6. NETS for Administrators Standard V. Information Literacy Standards 7-9. NETS for Teachers Standard IV.

5. Collect data from multiple sources, analyze and determine needs to develop  new three year tech plan.

Feb. - May

technology Committee

No Cost

Identify current reality based upon data analysis; Development of gaps/needs for new technology plan

Artifacts; Completed technology plan

Alignment: NETS for Administrators Standard II. Six Essential Learnings. NETS for Teachers Standards IIA & B, IIIA & C, IVA. NETS for Students Standards 1-6. EnGauge 21st Century Skills (all)

The following is anticpated when overall goal is achieved at the end of three phases:

Expected Overall Results:

·        Mastery of identified technology skills identified in ISTE’s NETS for Teachers and NETS for all students.

·        Increased student accessibility to technology.

·        Increase of student-centered, technology-enhanced activities in the classroom to support student achievement of the ILS.

·        Increase in student achievement in reading and writing.

·        Increase in transforming learning experiences for students.

 

Overall Success Indicators/ Assessment Strategies:

 

·        The formal Next-Steps Insta-Audit Process will see district move to the "developing" level for Pillar II (Teaching and Learning) by the end of Phase 3 of the Technology Plan.

·        Using ETP Spectrum, instructional practices will show an increase in transforming uses each year.

·        Review of a sampling of student artifacts at targeted grade levels/content areas will show majority are adapting and/or transforming learning uses.

·        Student Artifacts will show increase in number/variety of software programs used in learning