PEACE VALLEY ELEMENTARY TECHNOLOGY PLAN 2010-2013 Sashoi Hinds Arlene Rose-Wright Eduardo E. Meza
PEACE VALLEY ELEMENTARY TECHNOLOGY
PLAN 2010-2013
Sashoi Hinds
Arlene Rose-Wright
Eduardo E. Meza
MEDIA TECHNOLOGY ADVISORY COMMITTEE
E. Meza - Media Coordinator (Co-chair)
A. Rose-Wright –Technology Facilitator (Co-chair)
S. Hinds – Web Tools Coordinator
B. Watwood – Principal
T. Walker – Fifth Grade Teacher
J. Walsh-Davis – Fourth Grade Teacher
K. Bourne – Third Grade Teacher
A. Gordon – Second Grade Teacher
S. Vaughans-Oliver – First Grade Teacher
A. Perdomo – Kindergarten Teacher
N. Rosales – E.C. children Teacher
M. Thompson–Nugent – Enhancements
K. Robinson – Parent
N. Wright – PTA / Community – Business Leader
VISION
In Peace Valley Elementary School all students and staff will
experience continuous academic and personal growth through
the effective use of current and emerging technologies.
Every facility in Peace Valley Elementary School will be an
information-rich, technology-based environment. Through
accessing and utilizing a variety of information resources,
students and staff will be empowered to be active participants in
a global Village, McLuhan. Every student in Peace Valley
County Public Schools will use technology to learn successfully.
Students will obtain the technological skills necessary to
become productive citizens in a democratic society. They will be
processors of knowledge rather than passive recipients of
information.
VISION CONTINUATION.
Effective utilization of technology will enable all staff to meet the
needs of our diverse student population. Greater individualization
of school programs will prepare students to master critical skills
and concepts essential for higher levels of thinking and learning.
Each Peace Valley County public school will be an effective
learning community able to network locally and connect globally.
All members of these school Communities will be empowered
with the technological skills needed to succeed in the Information
Era.
MISSION STATEMENT
It is the mission of Peace Valley Elementary School to
provide a comprehensive, technologically enhanced
learning experience for our students and teachers as
well
provide a valuable resource by ably preparing future
members of the community, and exploring with Web 2.0
and what it has to offer. We believe that strong, safe
understanding of technology and its applications are
essential to develop well educated students.
MISSION STATEMENT CONTINUATION.
In order to achieve our goals we will strive for the
following:
• Provide the best possible tools and the most effect training for our
staff.
• Stay abreast of developments in educational technology and
technology in general. We will endeavor to implement these
advances as prudent for our school district.
• Develop relevant and challenging courses for our students
providing them with the knowledge and skills they need to be
successful and this global connecting era.
• Ensure that both teachers and students have Internet access
throughout the school.
• Evaluate by fact and data to provide effective solutions
CURRENT SITUATION
Peace valley Elementary School is currently is attempting to
reestablish itself technologically . Several years of being
overcrowded and underfunded have left the school’s technology
in dire straits. It has been the goal of the past year to begin to
first remedy the deficiencies and then begin to work on future
needs.
Every computer in the building has access to a minimum of two
network printers.
The media center currently has six stand alone data projector
available for check out and each grade level has a multimedia
cart with a computer, data projector, digital microscope ,
document camera and speakers to be shared by the members
on that grade level.
CURRENT SITUATION CONTINUATION.
The school also has three computer labs available on a flex
schedule and one laptop cart with 20 laptops in it. At the start of
the school year the school only had one computer per
classroom that was shared by all the students of the class as
well as the teacher. The MTAC decided to make the purchase of
an additional computer per classroom a top priority . The majority
of current technology funds as well as funding from PTA were
allocated to this and as a result, every classroom now has two
computers.
The school’s network infrastructure is 10 years old and several
switches are beginning to fail and are in need of replacement.
The school file server is currently a Pentium III model and will
soon be in need to be Updated. The school is in the process of
acquiring various web tools to enhance learning.
LEARNING Implementation of the 2010-2013 Technology Plan and its
updates has enhanced learning and created active learners.
Administrators and teachers have promoted the use of
technology among students to assist them in achieving state and
federal standards as outlined by the ABCs of Public Education
and the No Child Left Behind Act. With a current ratio of four
students to each computer and 100% internet connectivity in the
classroom, every student is assured convenient access to
technology-based resources in the Peace Valley County Public
Schools system. Technology must be accessible to be used as
a relevant tool by the students. The following are examples of
technology-based instructional programs Peace Valley County
Public Schools has put into use and/or supported to increase
student achievement and enhance instructional offerings:
LEARNING CONTINUATION.
Peace Valley Elementary is committed to ensure that all
students have the skills required to excel in today ‘s technology
enriched world. There is a minimal chance that students will have
jobs which do not require them the use of a computer. In most
situations they will be expected to have a mastery of a wide range
of skills.
Fortunately most of the students have a natural aptitude for
technology and the enjoy opportunity to utilize technology in
their instruction. Technology will be integrated into the students’
core curriculum by their classroom teachers. Support for
integration will be provided by the technology facilitator through
collaboration the classroom teacher, assisted in developing
lesson plan and delivering relevant staff development.
THE SCHOOL WILL PRODUCE GLOBALLY COMPETITIVE LEARNERS
Strategy Resources
needed
Human and
Material
Person(s)
responsible
Budget Needs Funding
resources
Timeline
Proposed
(start/End dates)
Method of
evaluation
Continue 3rd to 5th
grade 2st, Century
Skills Test
Classroom
Teachers,
computer labs.
21st Century Skills Test
Classroom
Teachers,
Technology
facilitator, Web
tools coordinator,
media Coordinator,
district level,
director of
instructional
technology
Based on
enrollment
Provided by District
through funding
ongoing Assessment Data
reports
Integrate use of MS
Office into
students’ core
curriculum
Microsoft Office
Technology
Facilitator,
Classroom
teachers
Technology
Facilitator,
Classroom
teachers
Based on number
of workstations
Provided by District
through State funds
Ongoing Teacher Lesson
plan, Lesson plans,
student
performance on
assessments
Integrate current
Web 2.0 tools into
student instruction
and projects
Computer labs,
classroom
computers,
Technology
Facilitator, Web
tool coordinator,
classroom teachers
Technology
Facilitator, Media
coordinator,
classroom teachers
Based on
enrollment
Provided
By the PTA
Ongoing Student projects,
student
performance on
assessment
ASSESSMENT
A few of these programs have become key technology programs
for Peace Valley County Public Schools. To improve reading and
math skills, Peace Valley Elementary School has embraced the
use of PLATO, Compass, and Study Island. As learning
management systems, these programs allow the schools to
efficiently assess student achievement and then address
individual student needs at a level and pacing that is appropriate.
Other programs, which allow schools to assess and benchmark
student achievement through the use of technology, are STAR
Math, STAR Reading, Read 180, and reading first. The use of
web-based resources has become an integral part of
ASSESSMENT CONTINUATION
Peace valley Elementary School’s mission to provide
comprehensive resources for student and teacher use. SAS in
School is utilized in the high schools as an enrichment resource
for Core Academic classes and some elective classes (i.e.
Spanish). Kaleidoscope, while comprehensive in nature, is used
by the elementary and middle schools to support Specific
learning objectives.
ASSESSMENT CONTINUATION
The breadth of Kaleidoscope prevents many instructors from using
the program in its entirety. Peace Valley NC Wise Owl is promoted
as the web search portal of choice for students and teachers in our
schools. Students are encouraged to utilize the online media center
to assist in research. NC Wise Owl is also promoted to teachers as a
resource for a variety of professional resources such as online
journals and as a source for web based resources.
TEACHING – PREPARE AND CONNECT
Identify and provide staff development for technologyintegration coaches who will work with teachers tointegrate technology into their classrooms. Develop acadre of highly-skilled educators to be instructors oftechnology staff development (e.g., for- credit classes,Tech Tuesdays, Technology Cafe) Develop an onlineclearinghouse of experts willing to assist colleagues withtechnology integration. Develop web site withcollaboration space. Provide staff development to siteand district personnel on how to use technology tofacilitate communication with parents. Development of30 and 60 minute presentations for classes created.Provide training for parents on use of
the school and district resources online.
TEACHING CONTINUATION
Teachers must endeavor to create a positive, fun filled technologyatmosphere in their classroom. Therefore the following will beimplemented: 21st Century learning will be effective whenintegrated into classroom instruction. 21st Century skills revolvearound student-centered learning which is far more relevant whenit takes place in the classroom than in the computer lab. 21stCentury tools go beyond computers and include PDA’s, digitalcameras, MP3
players, cell phones, etc. Technology changes so rapidly it isdifficult
to predict what technologies will be available in the future.
TEACHING CONTINUATION
So, although the term ‘technology tools remains difficult to pindown,
the concept of having current and useful technology must be clearly
designated as crucial to successful classroom learning. Teachers
need examples of how technology can be integrated into the
curriculum. The district should identify tech-savvy, early-adopters at
all grade levels and content areas who integrate technology into
classroom instruction. These teachers will become mentors to
facilitate integration across the curriculum.
TEACHING CONTINUATION Benefits for Learning Students will learn to use 21st
Century skills and tools similar to those they will use
personally and professionally as adults. Engaging and
relevant classroom instruction will reduce drop-out
rates and increase student performance. The work of
the student and teacher will be more professional,
require less time, and allow access to the resources of
the technological world
INFRASTRUCTURE Peace Valley Elementary School has been wired to provide at
least six network drops in every classroom. It currently has a Local Area Network (LAN) with a fiber optic backbone that enables all classrooms to connect with the Wide Area Network (WAN), and the Internet. Internet connectivity will provided using Broadband. All learning areas of Peace Valley Elementary School will be wired for network and Internet connectivity. Peace valley Elementary School currently uses two network servers of offer shared resources. The installation of three ISDN lines donated by Time Warner Cable allows for video teleconferencing learning activities. All classrooms and work areas have been wired for data, telephone, and video for Television. This school recognizes that it needs to upgrade its infrastructure on a continual basis to existing and projected.
PRODUCTIVITY
It is important to build time into the daily schedule allowing teachers
time to collaborate and to work with their students. Engaged learning
through technology is best supported by changes in the structure of
the school day, including longer class periods and more allowance
for team teaching and interdisciplinary work. For example, when
students are working on long-term research projects for which they
are making use of online resources (such as artwork, scientific data
sets, or historical documents), they may need more than a daily 30-
or 40-minute period to find, explore, and synthesize these materials
for their research
PRODUCTIVITY CONTINUATION
As schools continue to acquire more technology for student use
and as teachers are able to find more ways to incorporate
technology into their instruction, the problem will no longer be not
enough computers but not enough time (Becker, 1994). Besides
pedagogical support to help students use technology to reach
learning goals, teachers also need time to become familiar with
available products, software, and online resources. They also
need time to discuss technology use with other teachers
PRODUCTIVITY CONTINUATION
"Transforming schools into 21st century learning communities
means recognizing that teachers must become members of a
growing network of shared expertise (Fulton, Yoon, Lee, 2005)."
Professional collaboration includes communicating with
educators in similar situations and others who have experience
with technology (Panel on Educational Technology, 1997). This
activity can be done in face-to-face meetings or by using
technology such as e-mail or videoconferencing. The effects of
introducing technology on teacher professionalization include
increased collaboration among teachers within a school and
increased interaction with external collaborators and resources.
PRODUCTIVITY CONTINUATION Teachers cannot be expected to learn how to use educational
technology in their teaching after a one-time workshop. Teachers
need in-depth, sustained assistance not only in the use of the
technology but in their efforts to integrate technology into the
curriculum. Teachers also need embedded opportunities for
professional learning and collaborating with colleagues in order to
overcome the barrier of time and teachers' daily schedules. Skills
training become peripheral to alternative forms of ongoing support
that addresses a range of issues, including teachers‘ changing
practices and curricula, new technologies and other new resources,
and changing assessment practices. This time spent ensuring that
teachers are using technology to enrich their students' learning
experiences is an important piece in determining the value of
technology to their students. Teachers always have been the key to
determining the impact of innovations, and this situation also is true
of technology.
BUDGETING