Technology-Technology-Supported Supported

Collaboration for Collaboration for Classroom TeachersClassroom Teachers

Joyce Flatt, Ed TechnologistJoyce Flatt, Ed TechnologistFt. Benning SchoolsFt. Benning Schools

What is technology-supported

collaboration?• Supports classroom instruction in

special areas• Provides additional resources for

classroom teachers• Allows for opportunities for

teachers to share ideas and plan together

Why is collaboration important to teachers?

• Helps teachers reinforce key concepts with students

• Allows chances for more individualized instruction

• Saves classroom teachers time

• Provides an opportunity for collaborative lesson planning

• Allows time for sharing ideas

• Diminishes the feeling of “isolation”

• Increases the chances for technology integration

Why is collaboration important to students?

• Provides reinforcement across the curriculum

• Allows more chances for remediation

• Increases opportunities for technology integration

• Provides chances for more “in-depth” activities

Components• Email• Regularly scheduled meetings• Software• Special Area support• Web site and internet support• Administration support

Email• Monthly requests sent

to classroom teachers• Requests emailed to

collaboration “chair person”

• These requests are forwarded to collaboration team using distribution list

• Meeting reminders are sent to team

• Team members may send URLs directly to teachers requesting information

• Additional information may be requested from team members

Regularly Scheduled Meetings

• Must be scheduled

• Must be focused• Must be brief• Must be

organized

• Team members• Collaboration

session• Additional

requests• Documentation

Software• Microsoft products: Outlook and

Access• Literacy focus: Inspiration,

Amazing Writing Machine, Publisher

• Web Page: Publisher

Special Area Support• Additional practice• Extension of concepts• Integration of concepts• Remediation opportunities• Technology integration

Web site and internet support

• Each classroom has a web page

• Related links can be updated easily

• Easy for teachers and students to use

• Excellent PR for teachers

• Allows school to share the good things happening

• Keeps parents in touch

Administration support• Principal attends

collaboration meetings

• Provides collaboration input along with the rest of the team

• Included on the team email distribution list

• Receives a monthly report of collaborative efforts by staff members

• Recognizes team members for their efforts

• Shares highlights with district personnel

Examples of Collaboration Projects

• Gifted• Music• Art• PE• Media Center

• Special Ed.• Lesson Planning• Technology• Staff

Development• Community

Gifted• Oreo project• Advanced math• Integration of

higher level thinking skills

Performing Arts• Reader’s theater• Radio plays• Songs• WDEX segments• iMovies

Art• Poster contests• Native American

projects

Special Education• Remediation help• ADHD help• Small group help

Physical Education• PE “Enrichment”• Additional practice• Technology

integration• Brain based learning

– Sign language– Cupstacking– Juggling

Media Center• Reading to classes• Providing media

resource lists to teachers

• Small group instruction

• Help with Reading Counts

Lesson Planning• Interdisciplinary

units• Technology

integrated units• Opportunities for

student collaboration

Technology• Staff development• Web page use• Student

technology skills• “Safety net” for

teachers• Greater

technology use

Building Community Collaboration

• Collaboration between classes

• Collaboration between schools

• Collaboration within the community