Halstead AcademyBecoming a digital learning community

What we've done

• Installed Prometheans in each classroom and provided each teacher with a laptop

• Made technology a required special for grades 1-5

• Began to share resources on the shared drive and on a school Pinterest board

• Purchased a mobile laptop cart

• Provided classes for parents to learn technology skills

Where we're going (plans for 2013-2014)

• Purchased two more mobile laptop carts

• Piloting a program that would provide all fourth grade students with tablets

• Providing professional development for teachers to learn more about the technology available to them

• Implementing Reader's and Writer's Workshop to shift to a more student centered classroom

Strategies to adapt

• As MGSD did, we should look at how we can reallocate resources to provide each student with a mobile device.

• Have teachers identify which level of SAMR they are at, and encourage each person to move towards the next level.

• Utilize the digital natives! Have students provide a "help desk", suggest websites and resources, and even create programs!

• Provide additional planning time for teachers to collaborate and share ideas of how they have successfully incorporated technology into both instruction, learning tasks, and assessments.

Next Steps for a Digital Conversion

• At School Leadership Team meetings, teachers, administrators, and parents should look at the budget and determine where spending can be cut in order to allocate money for devices to create a 1:1 environment.

• A team of stakeholders will be created to manage the conversion.

• This team should investigate nearby schools who have successfully implemented a 1:1 system and reach out to them for specific ideas.

Next Steps to Effectively Utilize Existing Technology

• Create a school wiki and ensure that all staff knows how to use it.

• Each teacher will work with administration to develop reasonable goals to increase technology use in lessons and activities.

• Each staff member will be required to upload lessons incorporating technology that they have used to the wiki.

• Administration will require staff to use technology at their own rate and will share that they will be specifically looking to see this in observations.

Next Steps to Individualized and Small Group Education

• Provide professional development for teachers during the summer on how to effectively utilize mini lessons and conferencing in reading and writing.

• Provide a math resource teacher to share ideas for reteaching in small math groups and center activities to practice skills for students who do not require additional support or extension.

• Use learning walks as an opportunity for teachers to see effective practices in their own building.