Action Plan

My Action Plan: I only put this here in case we had to. The formatting is absolutely terrible.

I would really, REALLY appreciate any feedback that you have about this. I think I've done what I needed to do, but I'm second-guessing myself. Any suggestions are very welcome!

Job Title Roles and Responsibilities
Assistant Superintendent Works with the Executive Director in the planning stages for all technology in the district.
District Executive Director of Instructional Technology

Works with the Assistant Superintendent in the planning stages for all technology in the district; reports to the Executive Directors and works with them on implementation of plans and programs.
Elementary Instructional Technology Specialists Makes sure that all programs and tools are implemented; responsible for all purchases of equipment; distributes information from Executive Director to Campus Specialists.
Elementary Campus Instructional Technology Specialist Maintains all campus technology, assists teachers with technology lessons, monitors the implementation of plans and programs at the campus level.
Elementary Classroom Teacher Implements technology in the classroom; teaches students to use technology for research and learning; differentiates learning for each students with technology; uses technology to input and interpret student data for assessment and monitoring.
(This has arrows in it, making it more like a flow chart. They just wouldn't copy here).
Professional Development Plans:
Professional Development Activity #1 – Gathering, Analysis, and Use of Data from a Variety of Sources
Rational In the campus technology report (Week 3), I discovered that our school does not consider data from the STaR Chart when creating the Campus Improvement Plan (CIP) for each academic year. I feel that it is important, in order to make our technology goals as much of a priority as our other academic goals, to include this data in the decision making process. I think that each teacher should also individually look at the goals and scores from the STaR Chart, as well as benchmark data and tools, AEIS data, and any other data that she has available in order to analyze it and use it to improve her instruction.
Note This professional development will be differentiated and offered to teachers in short, separate sections. It will be online and accessible through their school laptops, so that it is convenient for everyone and they only have to participate in the sections that they are not proficient in. This will save time and model the same type of differentiation that we expect them to offer the students. It will also make teachers more comfortable with using technology because the information that they need will constantly be at their fingertips.
Professional Development Activity 1. Introduction (for all sections): Ask teachers if they would ever ask a student to look at one multiplication worksheet and then take a test over everything having to do with math. Point out that a teacher making decisions based on only one data source, or even worse no data source at all, is just as terrible of a choice.
2. Section 1 – What is the STaR chart and how do you interpret and make applications from the data?
a. Teachers view the PowerPoint explaining StaR Chart and the data for Northwood Hills from the last 3 years (found here: http://learningtoleadjmw.blogspot.com/2009/11/star-chart-information-see-more.html).
b. Teachers will then have the opportunity to view and post to a discussion board in case they have questions or comments. A professional from the technology department will closely monitor the discussion board so that questions are answered in 24 hours or less.
3. Section 2 – District Tools for benchmarks and AEIS data
a. Teachers will have the following options to choose from to meet their needs, all of which will link to separate pages of questions and answers or tutorials.
i. What are the district tools and where can I find them?
ii. How to get the district tools on your computer.
iii. How to filter to specific subjects, grade levels, schools, demographics, and teachers to view disaggregated data
iv. How to interpret the data and make applications to improve your teaching
b. Teachers will then have the opportunity to view and post to a discussion board in case they have questions or comments. A professional from the technology department will closely monitor the discussion board so that questions are answered in 24 hours or less.
4. Section 3 – Gathering Your Own Data
a. This page will explain that, while district and state data is extremely useful and important, it is also important for teachers to gather their own data about student progress in academics and technology.
b. Teachers will be able to click on the following options and see examples of teacher-created materials used for formal and informal assessment of technology (They will also have the opportunity to post their own, in a wiki-style format).
i. Student technology surveys
ii. Student questionnaires
iii. Technology applications observation records
c. Teachers will be able to click on the following options for help on entering or interpreting their own data for academic purposes.
i. Coding pass/fail grades in excel
ii. Making line graphs to track student progress
iii. Creating and maintaining skills checklists for monitoring progress
iv. Developing and maintaining Item Analysis sheets for analyzing test questions and student performance on them by objective.



Professional Development Activity #2 – Integration of Technology with Instructional and Organizational Leadership

Rational Once teachers understand the data tools that are available to them and are comfortable using them and creating their own, they must be able to create new and meaningful learning experiences for their students based on the needs identified in the data. As discussed in the Week 3 Campus Technology Report, students are eager to use technology in the classrooms, and are already using it at home. In the report I identified a weakness of not having ALL students actively engaged using technology on a regular basis. The following options for teachers will allow them to explore ways and work collaboratively to develop new ways of integrating technology into their classrooms on a daily basis.
Note As in the first activity, this section will be offered on a 24/7, as needed basis on the internet through our district-issued laptops. Through the use of wikis, it will provide teachers with help and suggestions from administrators, technology personnel, and colleagues at the click of a button. It will also allow differentiated instruction, as teachers only need to participate in the sections that they need help with.
Professional Development Activity 1. Introduction (for all sections): Explain to teachers that students have changed significantly over the last several years, while most of them have been in the classroom. Teachers are no longer the door to a new world, because students have been using technology to learn, explore, and play since the day they learned how (at a very young age). They are still curious and hungry for information, but for a different kind. The jobs of teachers have changed, and it is now their responsibility to teach students how to use these tools responsibly and in the most meaningful ways, in order to increase learning.
2. Section 1 – What Tools are Available and How to Use Them: Teachers will be able to click on the following pages and see a list of available software, equipment, and programs available to them and their students. Each item will include a description and detailed instructions for operating it.
a. Software:
i. Microsoft Word
ii. Microsoft PowerPoint
iii. Microsoft Publisher
iv. Microsoft Excel
v. Microsoft Outlook
vi. Ticket To Read
vii. Imagination Station
viii. Destination Math
ix. Accelerated Reader
x. Scholastic Reading Inventory
xi. Houghton Mifflin Online Assessments
b. Equipment:
i. Teacher laptops
ii. Student laptops
iii. Student stations
iv. Alpha-Smart Keyboards
v. Document Cameras
vi. Projectors
vii. iPods
viii. Smart Boards
3. Section 2 – Ideas for Technology Integration: Each of the following sections will be a wiki, so that teachers can read ideas and contribute their own. As I learned in the Round Table Interview, it is important to model for teachers what you expect them to do for their students. This collaboration will accomplish that goal.
NOTE: I will include 2-3 ideas for each section (and explain them in detail), and prompt teacher input for additional discussion and ideas on the wiki.

a. Whole-Class Ideas:
i. Teaching with PowerPoint
1. Group PowerPoint presentations over research topics
2. Jeopardy and other game show-like lessons and reviews (find templates here: http://jc-schools.net/TUTORIALS/PPT-GAMES/).
ii. Smart Board Lessons
1. Alphabetizing by dragging and dropping
2. Using Virtual Manipulatives for math concepts
iii. Computer Lab Lessons
1. Student email and collaboration using E-pals (www.epals.com).
2. Researching various topics related to current topics
b. Differentiation Ideas
i. Learning Centers – give instructions on computers
ii. iPods for fluency practice
iii. Using available software for differentiation
1. Reading: Ticket to Read, Imagination Station, Accelerated Reader, HMR Online Assessments
2. Math: Destination Math, Microsoft Excel
c. Enrichment Ideas
i. Independent Study research
ii. Independent Study presentations on PowerPoint and Publisher
iii. Students producing PowerPoint games and lessons to help teach concepts
As teachers post their ideas and questions on the wiki, collaboration will help to formulate new ideas and give teachers the confidence to implement them. They will also be able to work together to modify lessons to fit their grade levels or just to enhance them.

Monitoring and Evaluation:
I. Professional Development Activity: Professional Development Activity #1 – Gathering, Analysis, and Use of Data from a Variety of Sources

Goal: Teachers will better utilize district data and produce teacher-created data sources to better monitor student progress and enable themselves to make informed decisions about academic and technology goals. This will result in improved ratings and scores, as shown below.

Timeline: By the end of the current school year (June of 2010)

Indicators:
1. Quantitative:
a. STaR Chart data will increase by at least one point in all sections, indicating progress toward meeting technology goals (see Figure 1)
b. Student benchmark data will improve by at least 5% in each subject area, indicating that teachers are better meeting students’ needs through informed decision making (see Figure 2).
c. AEIS (TAKS) passing data will improve by at least 1% in each subject area, indicating that teachers are better meeting students’ needs through informed decision making (see Figure 3).
d. AEIS Commended rates will increase by at least 5%, indicating that teachers have interpreted data to successfully differentiate instruction to meet student needs (see Figure 4)
e. At least 60% of teachers in the district will participate in the online professional development activity to get help in this area.
2. Qualitative:
a. Teachers will complete the “Online Professional Development Satisfaction Survey” (see Figure 5)

II. Professional Development Activity: Professional Development Activity #2 – Integration of Technology with Instructional and Organizational Leadership

Goal: Teachers will have the support needed in order to integrate technology into their classrooms in meaningful, numerous ways. This will result in increased student academic performance and higher ratings in STaR Chart.
Timeline: By the end of the current school year (2009-2010)
Indicators:
1. Quantitative:
a. STaR Chart data will increase by at least one point in all sections, indicating progress toward meeting technology goals (see Figure 1)
b. Student benchmark data will improve by at least 5% in each subject area, indicating more meaningful lessons, instructional differentiation, and increased student engagement due to technology (see Figure 2).
c. AEIS (TAKS) passing data will improve by at least 1% in each subject area, indicating more meaningful lessons, instructional differentiation, and increased student engagement due to technology (see Figure 3).
d. AEIS Commended rates will increase by at least 5%, indicating that teachers have used differentiation and enrichment through technology to reach higher level achievers (see Figure 4)
e. At least 60% of teachers in the district will participate in the online professional development activity to get help in this area.
2. Qualitative:
a. Teachers will complete the “Online Professional Development Satisfaction Survey” (see Figure 5).
b. Students will complete the “Technology Survey” (see Figure 6).





Figure 1: STaR Chart Progress

Domain 2008-2009 Score 2009-2010 Score Improvement (Y/N)
Teaching and Learning 14
Educator Preparation and Development 11
Leadership, Administration, and Instructional Support 16
Infrastructure for Technology 16



Figure 2: Campus Benchmark Data Increase by Subject Area
Subject 2008-2009 EOY Scores (% Passing) 2009-2010 EOY Scores (% Passing) 5% Increase(Y/N)
Reading 84%
Math 90%
Science 88%

Figure 3: AEIS (TAKS) Campus Data (Passing Rates)
Subject 2008-2009 Scores (% Passing) 2009-2010 (% Passing) 1% Increase (Y/N)
Reading 98%
Math 97%
Science 99%

Figure 4: AEIS (TAKS) Campus Data (Commended Rates)
Subject 2008-2009 Scores (% Commended) 2009-2010 (% Commended) 5% Increase (Y/N)
Reading 52%
Math 63%
Science 39%

Figure 5: Online Professional Development Satisfaction Survey – Gathering, Analyzing, and Using Data
Teacher Assignment: ___________________________

School: ___________________________

Directions: Circle numbers for each question, and provide answers to the free response questions.
1. How often did you use the online professional development to help you with the gathering, analysis, and use of data from a variety of sources?
0 – Not at All 1 – 1-2 Times 2 – 3-4 Times 3 – 5 or More Times
2. How often did you use the online professional development to help you with the integration of technology into instruction and classroom practices?
0 – Not at All 1 – 1-2 Times 2 – 3-4 Times 3 – 5 or More Times

3. How helpful did you find the online professional development?
0 – Not at All 1 – Very Little 2 – Somewhat 3 – Extremely

4. What was the average amount of time before your question was answered on a discussion board?
0 – More than 24 hours 1 – 18-24 hours 2 12-18 hours 3 – Less than 12 hours

5. How many ideas did you take from the wikis and implement in your classroom?
0 – None 1 – 1-2 2 – 3-4 3 – 5 or More

6. What was the most helpful thing about the online professional development?
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________

7. What improvement do you suggest to the system?
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________


Figure 6: Student Technology Survey

School: _______________________________

Teacher: _______________________________

Directions: Circle the number next to the answer that you choose for each question. For the open-ended questions, write one sentence.

1. How many times each week do you use a computer in your classroom?
0 – 0-1 Times 1 – 2-3 Times 2 – 4 Times 3 – 5 or More Times

2. How many times each week do you use a computer outside of your classroom (library or computer lab)?
0 – 0-1 Times 1 – 2-3 Times 2 – 4 Times 3 – 5 or More Times

3. How many times each week do you use a Smart Board in your classroom?
0 – 0-1 Times 1 – 2-3 Times 2 – 4 Times 3 – 5 or More Times

4. How many times each week do you use iPods in your classroom?
0 – 0-1 Times 1 – 2-3 Times 2 – 4 Times 3 – 5 or More Times

5. How many times does your teacher project her laptop onto the screen in your classroom?
0 – 0-1 Times 1 – 2-3 Times 2 – 4 Times 3 – 5 or More Times

6. List 5 new things that you have learned about technology this year.
a. _________________________________________
b. _________________________________________
c. _________________________________________
d. _________________________________________
e. _________________________________________
7. What is one thing that you would like to learn about, or would like to do more of (with technology)?
_______________________________________________________________________

8. Do you use computers and other technology to learn more often at school or at home?
_______________________________________________________________________