By Spring 1995, the Texas Education Agency will set benchmarks of what computer competencies students should have by the end of 8th grade. Competencies include keyboarding, word processing desktop publishing, database, telecommunications, multimedia, hand-held devices (e.g. palm tops). Computer based assessment test item types will include cognitive (multiple choice, interactive graphics) and performance (applications, problem-solving).
The purpose of computer based technology assessment is to prepare students to:
•live in computer age, electronics explosion, smart world, information age, information superhighway, and cyberspace.
•Allow students to do things differently and do different things.
•Use technology to enhance instruction, facilitate learning, improve
The technological skills that students need take years to develop. In order to teach these skills to our students so that they can be successful in the workplace, it is imperative that our teachers receive training.
NEED:
Research clearly states that one-shot training (i.e. inservices) will not facilitate the integration of technology into the curriculum. Failure to integrate technology into the curriculum will result in students who lack the foundation and application skills necessary to meet the expectations of computer-based assessments focusing on problem-solving and decision-making in real life simulations. There is a clear need for providing comprehensive technology staff development that includes, not only inservice and after-school training, but also, in-classroom modeling of age-appropriate instructional software.
PLAN:
The campus technology committee proposes to employ funds awarded to Elementary to purchase instructional software that is age-appropriate, focuses on developing problem-solving and decision-making strategies, and multimedia. The campus technology committee will provide each grade level with training on the following instructional software (prices include site-license):
1. Kid Pix 2 : $995
2. The Graph Club with Fizz and Martina : $700
3. Kid Keys : $700
TOTAL : $2395
Allocation of campus technology will be governed by the Campus Technology Plan.
STAFF DEVELOPMENT:
All staff development will be done during the school day, after-school, and on an occasional Saturday. Technology staff development will emphasize the use of information management tools, multimedia, and employing technology to facilitate cooperative learning groups engaged in solving real life problems via simulations.
The Campus Technology Committee proposes the use of MALL staff for 2 hours a week. MALL staff, and additional staff as needed, will serve as substitutes while an entire grade level is trained in the use of software. Campus technology committee members will work with their respective grade levels to ensure follow-up and in-classroom modeling. Staff are also expected to document the use of technology in their lesson plans.
GLOBAL OBJECTIVES
–Develop Foundation, Application, and Problem-Solving Technology Skills
–Prepare Teachers to Model the Application of Technology to Real Life Tasks
–Prepare Students to Apply Information Management Tools via Simulated Real
Life Tasks
EVALUATION:
–Use of Technology in the Classroom by both Teachers and Students (sample TAAS/Technology Correlation is attached (Spanish/English).
–Mastery of Foundation, Application, and Problem-Solving Technology Objectives (copy of these objectives is attached).
Timeline
for
Technology Integration
January 1995 Begin 2 hour Monday Training on
Kid Pix 2 and Graph Club to
reach a maximum of 4 hours on
each software program. (Four
consecutive Mondays).
February 1995 Begin Parents’ Technology Institute
