INNOVATIVE CLASSROOM TECHNOLOGY LEADS TO BETTER PERFORMANCE ON ASSESSMENTS

A Marriage of the Minds

Innovative Classroom Technology

Presenters

Nikki Eatchel, Vice President Program Management, Questar Assessment, Inc.

Tony Eatchel, STEM School Technology Specialist, Cedar Park Elementary

John Garcia, Principal, Cedar Park Elementary

Innovative Classroom Technology

Goals for Today

Review current technological environment

Discuss three key strategies for successful technology integration

Highlight a case study: Cedar Park Elementary

Technology Review

Technology Review

The Landscape in the 1980s

In the early 1980s wide scale acceptance of computers in the classroom occurredBy 1989 computer usage shifted from being a relative rarity in American public schools, to being present in nearly every school districtSmall computer labs, accessible to a portion of the student population, were more common.

Technology Review

The Landscape in the 1990sAdditional technologies, such as electronic whiteboards and laptop computers were starting to make their way into the US classrooms.In 1996, Bill Clinton made over $2 billion in grants available through the Technology Literacy Challenge Fund – which challenged schools to make computers available to all students. Between 1997 and 1999, the ratio of students to computers decreased from 21 students per machine to less than 10 students per machine.

Technology Review

The Landscape in the 2000s

No Child Left Behind requires states to demonstrate that "every student is technologically literate by the time the student finishes the eighth grade, regardless of the student's race, ethnicity, gender, family income, geographic location, or disability" (U.S. Department of Education, 2001).

Technology Review

The Landscape in the 2000s (continued)

By fall 2008, the ratio of students to computers was 3.1 to 1. Ninety-seven percent of schools had one or more instructional computers located in classrooms (excluding laptops on carts) and 58 percent of schools had laptops on carts.

Technology Review

The Landscape in the 2000s (continued)

Also in 2008, public schools reported the use of:

LCD (liquid crystal display) and DLP (digital light processing) projectors (97 percent)

Digital cameras (93 percent) Interactive whiteboards (73 percent) Wireless network access for the whole school (39%)

or for part of the school (30%)SOURCE: U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics. (2010). Educational Technology in U.S. Public Schools: Fall 2008 (NCES 2010-

034).

Technology Review

Enhanced technology in all classrooms is no longer an “if” or “when,” but is now an “already here.”

Many studies have been conducted to determine if the incorporation of classroom technology results in an increase in student knowledge and subsequent test scores.

And the results are in . . . sort of

There is still a tenuous relationship between gains in student performance on standardized achievement tests and increased student exposure to technology in the classroom.

Largest factors impacting the successful leveraging of technology for enhanced student learning and performance?

Teacher technology skills are not highly developed due to lack of trainingOngoing professional development does not incorporate technology education

Learner Identity, Learning Technologies, and Learner Diversity: A Review of the Literature, Caroline E. Parker, Ed.D.

Success Factors

So how does a school investing in technology for their classrooms ensure successful integration and subsequent improvements for students?

Three key strategies:

(1)Dedicated technology expertise available for daily, ongoing support(2)Technology that is fully integrated into classroom curriculum, and (3)Strong and consistent professional development for staff

Practical Application

Key Strategies

General Description – Cedar Park Technology

Five years as a Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) Magnet School

Large Investment in Technology Interactive Classrooms 1 to 1 Laptop Initiative in Fifth Grade 60 iPads Full Time Technology Teacher/Specialist ¾ Time Technology Clerk

Key Strategies - Support

Full Support Model Daily On-Site support for teachers Daily On-Site support for hardware and software

Technology Teacher/Specialist Dedicated resource for classroom teachers Mindful planning of Technology integration into the Curriculum

Responsible for ongoing professional development

Implements Co-Teaching/Coaching strategies

Key Strategies – Full Integration

Technology is a Tool that is integrated into curriculum not taught in isolation

UBD Science Curriculum Podcasting Voicethreads Websites

Math, Engineering, Literacy, Social Studies

Kindergarten Technology Literacy

Key Strategies - Professional Development

Ever-Changing Technology

SMART Boards Web 2.0 Sites Software/Hardware

Evolving Professional Development Models

When is Staff ready? What type of support is needed?

Professional DevelopmentTraditional Sessions

Initiated by Technology Specialist

Classroom setting with Staff

Sessions: Technology Concepts Hardware Software Methodology

Professional DevelopmentCo-Teaching

Technology Specialist and Teacher plan lessons together around specific curriculum ideas and concepts

UBD Science

Model Teaching

Specialist Fazed Out

2nd Grade Weather Forecast

Flipped Professional Development

Projects brought by Teacher to Specialist

Student Project Ideas or Products Developed Teacher and Specialist work together to integrate project into Unit

Students work with Teacher and Technology Specialist to produce work

60 iPads for Small Group Instructions

Professional DevelopmentTechnology Coaching

The technology coach serves as an instructional coach for teachers.

The technology coach also provides ongoing job-embedded professional development

Models effective instructional strategies using technology

Leads discussions with teachers on the latest research on technology integration

Results: A Case Study

ROI

Investment: The investing of money or capital for profitable returns. (Webster) Technology Hardware – estimated costs of $750,000 over 5 years

Software- est. $100,000 over 5 years Staffing- $512,000 over 5 years Training- $20,000 Maintenance and up keep- $40,000/year

Returns and Rewards

Increased enrollment – 512 students in 2008 to 698 in 2012 (nearly a million dollar difference in allocation)

Performance – increase in overall standardized test scores. (Maps, MCAII, Etc.)

Parent and student satisfaction – parent surveys continuously rate Cedar Park high in use of technology

Teacher professional growth – enhancing the way teachers deliver instruction

Students love technology and they expect it to be in their schools.

Questions?