Professional+Development+and+Support

 []  Professional Development and Support Professional development for this technology initiative would focus on several things. The first area to be addressed for teachers would be the logistics of setting up and managing the laptops, rotation of students through the computers to maximize their effectiveness, and maintaining accurate records of student use. Two of the trainings for this purpose are scheduled to be held before school begins so that teachers can begin to use their computers right away. Since all of our students are in Kindergarten, many of them will be encountering this technology for the first time. The teachers will be given an outline of basic computer lessons for their students which will be given whole group using the document camera and/or SmartBoard. Practice of these skills will be done in small group with the Paraprofessional. These lessons will include using the mouse, keyboarding basics, proper use of computers, etc... For teachers, further trainings will be held throughout the year to provide them with additional resources that look at both the state standards for technology as well as other curricular areas. We will also provide teachers with a professional development opportunity for the sole purpose of looking at student data and determining some technology interventions that may help support these students. Additional training will be available on an "as needed" basis for those individuals who may require more specific instruction of encounter a situation not addressed in the trainings.

Short-Term Goals: The short-term goals for this technology initiative will include trainings for teachers concerning the logistical aspects of using the laptops to support classroom instruction. Two trainings have been scheduled for this on one of the inservice days prior to the start of the 2011-2012 school year. These trainings will be mandatory for all staff to ensure that the expectations for laptop use are clearly conveyed to the entire staff and so that any concerns or questions can be addressed early on. Additional trainings are scheduled throughout the year for staff and are to be help during the school day. These trainings will be paid for out of building budget funds earmarked for professional development. Individual training will also be offered on an "as needed" basis for teachers requiring additional or more specific ideas or instruction. Plans are also in place for specific lessons for students concerning laptop use and care. These will be delivered whole group using existing technology, either the document camera or SmartBoard, and then practice time provided in small group with the ParaProfessional. Further staff development training will be provided throughout the year as outlined below. Looking at student data will be discussed in November prior to parent/teacher conferences, teacher resources will be discussed in January for those looking for a few more tools, and then a SmartBoard refresher and sharing session is scheduled for March.
 * Topic || Dates || Times || Overview ||
 * Management Ideas for Laptops || 8/23/11 || 9:00 – 11:00 || This training will include suggestions for ways to manage student rotations through the computers. Additionally teachers will be given ideas on how to monitor student use and maintain records of student time on the computers. ||
 * Using Laptops to Support Classroom Instruction || <span style="color: #0000ff; display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 120%;">8/23/11 || <span style="color: #0000ff; display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 120%;">1:00 – 3:00 || <span style="color: #0000ff; display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 120%;">This training will provide teachers with a variety of websites and programs available to support their classroom instruction for students at all academic ability levels. It is intended to help teachers with differentiation of instruction while supporting classroom instruction. ||
 * <span style="color: #0000ff; display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 120%;">Looking at Student Data || <span style="color: #0000ff; display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 120%;">11/7/11 ||  || <span style="color: #0000ff; display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 120%;">This training will look specifically at ways to review student data and then use technology as a tool to help improve student achievement. ||
 * <span style="color: #0000ff; display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 120%;">Teacher Websites || <span style="color: #0000ff; display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 120%;">1/9/11 ||  || <span style="color: #0000ff; display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 120%;">This training is intended to provide teachers with a few more tools in their bags. Some websites will be explored during the session and a detailed list provided for teachers to explore further on their own. (ex. FCRR (Florida Center for Reading Research, Kindergarten specific websites, ) ||
 * <span style="color: #0000ff; display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 120%;">SmartBoard Refresher || <span style="color: #0000ff; display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 120%;">3/ 13/11 ||  || <span style="color: #0000ff; display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 120%;">This training is intended to provide a refresher for teachers. After using the SmartBoard for part of the year, some of the features will be revisited and there will be time allowed for teachers to share their lessons and ideas with each other. ||

<span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 120%;">Long-Term Goals: <span style="color: #008000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 120%;">The long-term goals for this technology initiative would be to look at other ways we could use technology to improve student achievement and also to increase the number of laptop computers in each classroom. We will look at the needs of our staff and students to determine what further training or resources may be needed. Additionally, I would encourage teachers to look at outside sources to expand their knowledge of technology and applications in the classroom through state offered programs or those offered by the district.

<span style="color: #0000ff; display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 120%;">Links: <span style="color: #008000; display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 120%;">Maintenance Procedures and Recycling Timeline <span style="color: #008000; display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 120%;">Table of Contents