Empowering Teachers as Technology Leaders

MASSCue ConferenceOctober 2009

Using Web 2.0 Tools for

Teaching and Learning

21st Century Literacy“The current and future health of America’s 21st Century

Economy depends directly on how broadly and deeply Americans reach a new level of literacy—‘21st Century Literacy’—that includes strong academic skills, thinking, reasoning, teamwork skills, and proficiency in using technology.”

21st Century Workforce Commission National Alliance of Business

21st Century Skills, Learning for Life in Our TimesBernie Trilling & Charles Fadel

Student thoughts on web 2.0 tools

Mission Statement– Empower teachers to engage in professional

development (PD) with technology – Set expectations for teachers to

communicate effectively with parents and colleagues through electronic means

– Promote PD that engages teachers as effective users of technology

– Provide opportunities for PD that promotes 21st Century Literacy (Web 2.0)

Leadership Within Our Schools

Teacher Technology Leaders:• Seven – Elementary Schools• Four– Middle Schools• Two– High SchoolFacilitators:• Patricia Roberts – Educational consultant• Robert Cornacchioli – Coordinator of Technology and Media Services

Where We Are Now• Teaching and Learning occurs through teacher

leadership within each school.• Teacher created workshops presented based

on 21st Century Literacy• Across the district administrative support• Working process for expanding knowledge base• Web presence in all departments• Grant process for funding special initiatives

Picture This

Workshop Activities:• Project ideas and initial steps

• Practice with camera

• Technology standards

• Curriculum connections

• Teacher reflection - integration in reading, writing, math, science & social studies

Digital Cameras for every teacher.

Workshop skills:• Camera set up • Framing photos• File management• Connect &download to computer

Partial Funding Through Grants – Teacher inspired

Experiences for Teachers• Create a presentation for curriculum night with Powerpoint• Develop final products of student work with images in iPhoto• Record student voices for reading assessment and improving

oral reading fluency with iMovie. • Share information with families through webpages -EGOV

website• Create parent email group for improved family/teacher

communication using Entourage• Develop Excel Grade Book for Assessments• Attend Beginner & Intermediate Workshops• Design Easy to use Websites• Implement Classroom Jeopardy Game

Teacher Support

• Share information with colleagues• Teacher created workshops aligned

with curriculum• “Just in Time” moments for technical

and curricular questions

Guidelines for Professional Development• Curriculum • School Improvement Plan• District Initiatives• Skill level of membership• Individual strengths• Technology initiatives • 21st Century Literacy

iRespond ClickerseGov teacher web page training

Curriculum websites iChat

MimeoShared experiences at conferences

iPhotoiMovie

United StreamingPodcasting

WikisSocial Bookmarking

VoicethreadWordle

JingMoodle

Workshop Listing Online

Handouts Online

• Teaching and Learning With Web 2.0 Tools• Picture This Grant• Workshop Summary• Websites Promoting 21st Century Literacy• Course Moodle Overview

What we learned about encouraging teachers to participate:

• Involve building/district administrators in decision making

• Use available technology that is easy to use

• Offer workshops convenient to their schedule, before and/or after school and professional development days

• Offer workshops that promote collaboration and instruction to advance 21st century literacy

• Offer workshops with results that promote actively engaging students in learning

What Are Teachers Doing Differently?

• Teacher leadership within schools for PD• Increased collaboration across the district• Incorporating technology into teaching

methods• Interactive student projects such as Ning,

Wiki, podcasting, etc.• Centralized resources for easy access for all

Thoughts from teachers“The kids showed the work to their class today, so that kids could use it to study for a quiz Tuesday. As the slide show played, the class called out the associated vocabulary word. Now they all want to work on one!”

“I did it all by myself....yes, I am patting myself on the back right now. Thought you all might find it useful... Have already linked it to my own wikispace for when I start using it with the kids in Periods 4 & 5.”

http://www.screencast.com/t/ODQ2NGM2NWEt