Plantel Azteca TechnologyThe Next Step

By Lori Brouillette for Project Inkwell©2010

21st Century Skills

Project Inkwell’s goal is to develop a

technology program aligned with national educational standards

that will prepare Plantel Azteca

students to meet the needs of a global

society.

Components

Students

• Today’s students are digital natives. Unlike their teachers (mostly digital immigrants), they have always known technology.

• The industrial age of education, producing graduates like a factory line, does not work for the interconnected global society we now live in.

• Click here: Jovenes del Futuro video

Global Learning in the Digital Age

• As foundational information and communication technologies (ICT) skills penetrate throughout our society, students will be expected to apply the basics in authentic, integrated ways to solve problems, complete projects, and creatively extend their abilities.

• ICT abilities help students prepare to work, live, and contribute to the social and civic fabric of their communities.

• The new standards identify several higher-order thinking skills and digital citizenship as critical for students to learn effectively for a lifetime and live productively in our emerging global society.

Source: ISTE

Students

• Global Digital Divide– The gap between those with access to technology

and digital information, and those with limited or no access to it.

– It is commensurate with a knowledge gap.

Students

If Plantel Azteca wants to maintain its superior academic ranking, improve student learning, and remain competitive with other private and public schools, it will need to embrace a complete technology program.

ITC in Mexico’s Public Schools

• The Mexican Ministry of Education has begun a comprehensive educational technology project for all public schools.

• Habilidades Digitales para Todos strives to ensure that technology is available for all basic education students in Mexico.– 1:1 (student to computer) ratio for ICT environment.– By 2012, all 92,000 public schools will have Internet access.– Teacher Training & Certification includes technology pedagogy.

• New teachers act as technology mentors to veteran educators.• Training for veteran teachers available around the country. • Technology lessons aligned with national curriculum are available online.

• Additional Information:– http://www.hdt.gob.mx Secretaria de Educacion Guerrero

Equipment

•Hardware•Connectivity• Software•Access

Hardware

• Interactive Whiteboard• Projector• Speakers• Teacher computer• Student computers• Printer• Complimentary Equipment:

– Digital camera– Video camera– Document camera

Hardware

Interactive WhiteboardProjectorSpeakers

Teacher computer

• These items allow the teacher to access the Internet and model technology usage for students.

• If computers are not available to students, these combined pieces give students some access and exposure to digital/global world.

Connectivity

• Broadband Internet connectivity

• Wireless provides more freedom for student learning

• Challenging because of Mexico’s low bandwidth.– Ministry of Education’s goal is to provide Wi-Max (a way to

provide Internet) to all of the country’s public schools by 2012.

• Cellular phone data transfer (via Smartphones) is another option for providing connectivity.

Software

• Basic software for educational student projects, demonstrations, simulations, lesson planning/student management, and work preparation.– Word processing, spreadsheets, slide show presentations,

photo editing, and Internet browser.• Many choices available for free through Internet, but may

require downloading to a computer.

• Web 2.0 tools – Free interactive applications

• Shareware programs

Access• For improved student achievement and best return-on-investment of

computer purchases, students and teachers need full access to technology and Internet.

• Ideal environment:– 1:1 classrooms with interactive whiteboards– Netbooks (mini-computers)– Laptops

• Mobile, movable computers are better for projects rather than classroom setting.

– PCs in classroom

• Best case scenario: computers that are assigned to each student/teacher that they may take home with them. – Student does not stop learning when they leave the school.– Students have been shown to take better care of equipment when it’s “theirs.”

Pedagogy

• Pedagogy (strategies for instruction) must differ with technology.

• Teachers need a different mind-set when teaching with technology.

• Instruction shifts from teacher as “provider” of knowledge to teacher as “guide” to knowledge.

• ICT allows students to explore, deepen and globally collaborate their own learning.

• Additional information: Educacíon Expandida video

Pedagogy

• Content Guides– Mexico has technology

content guides that meet the national curriculum standards posted on the Internet.

– Guides are available via www.hdt.gob.mx

Pedagogy

• Teacher Training – Plantel Azteca teachers

need further training.• Improve

personal/professional technology usage

• Lesson planning and delivery using ICT

Plantel Azteca Training Options

Option 1) Apprenticeship with USA school/teacher– One or two Plantel Azteca teachers selected for

apprenticeship.• Teachers would:

– Demonstrate quick learning or ease with technology.– Be adaptable, flexible and willing to try new projects. – Be willing to become a technology “coach” for the other Plantel

Azteca teachers after the initial training.

Plantel Azteca Training Options

Option 1) Apprenticeship Duties– Dedicated time off from teaching classes to learn ICT skills

with Lori Brouillette, Project Inkwell consulting teacher• Minimum of one week with consultant on ICT skills (face to face)• Additional minimum week to develop lessons with consultant• One week on-site in USA school observing ICT lessons delivery

– Post-Instruction• Reduced teaching duties to be replaced with “coaching” duties

– Provide Plantel Azteca technology training classes– Individual “technology coaching” of other PA teachers with lesson

planning, development, or delivery– Establish “lab” type classroom where other PA teachers can observe ICT

lesson instruction.» This teacher would teach half-time and train/coach other teachers

half-time.

Plantel Azteca Training Options

Option 2) Consultant works at Plantel Azteca– Hire Project Inkwell consultant, Lori Brouillette, to work as

technology consultant at Plantel Azteca for 3-6 months. – Consultant would:• Provide regular ICT classes for teachers.• Offer individual “technology coaching” to PA teachers, focusing on

lesson planning, project development, and lesson delivery.• Provide a “model” classroom where other teachers can observe

consultant teaching with technology.• Work with Plantel Azteca technology coach to prepare this teacher

to continue with ICT training after consultant’s departure.– Consultant and technology coach/teacher would teach half-time and

train/coach other teachers half-time.

Plantel Azteca Training Options

Option 3) Work with Mexico Ministry of Education– Possibly train Plantel Azteca teachers in public

school pedagogy sessions.• Drawbacks: classes may unavailable for private school

teachers, may not be in Mexico City, may be limited in size, and may cost money.

• Contact Juan Jose de la Mora

– Hire a pre-service or first-year teacher to act as technology mentor for school.• Drawback: mentor teacher may know technology but

may lack lesson delivery experience• Contact: Sr. Mora or Patricia Martinez Falcon

México es Oportunidad (click here for video)

¡México es Oportunidad! Instruction paired with technology will help give

Plantel Azteca students everything they will need to survive and thrive in our 21st century global world.

Mexican Contacts/Resources • Juan Jose de la Mora

– Habilidades Digitales para Todos

– Email: jjmora@sep.gob.mx– (55) 3601-4022

• Patricia Martinez Falcon– Universidad Nacional

Autonoma de Mexico– Teacher education– mfalcon1963@gmail.com– (55) 5622-8547

• Erik Ramírez-Ruiz– National Council for Community

and Education Partnerships Mexico

– eramirez@nccepmexico.org– 1 (202) 530-1135

• M. Fernando Guzmán Muñoz– Proyecto Multimedia– mando@proyectomultimedia.org– (33) 3334-5654