DTTP

Hello Everyone, Attached and below you will find my District Technology Training Plan (DTTP). Feel free to browse and ask questions or add comments. LaTisha



District Technology Training Plan LaTisha Davis EDTC 640 University of Maryland University College March 10, 2012

Our District Prince George's County Public Schools (PGCPS) services approximately 125, 000 students each year and is the second largest district in the state of Maryland. With an estimated 9000 teachers and 205 schools, PGCPS is operated on an annual budget of $1.6 Billion. A portion of this budget is used to create and maintain the technology resources used in schools and classrooms across the county. Currently all K-12 teachers have county-issued laptops to use in classroom instruction and preparation. Approximately 80% of all K-12 teachers have access to some type of Interactive White Board (IWB) to use in daily instruction. All classroom teachers have an LCD projector and some type of document camera to use daily. To date all classrooms have at least 2-3 working desktop computers for student use. All elementary, middle and high schools have access to high-speed internet and some schools in the county are outfitted with wireless capabilities. Although PGCPS and its staff members seem to be well equipped with the right technologies needed to seamlessly integrate technology into the curriculum, some key training aspects need to be addressed before this can happen. Needs Assessment Prince George's County Public Schools teachers' have an abundance of hardware and software applications to use with their students, however, the training to use these items is often not available or severely underutilized. After surveying colleagues about the training they would like to have 75% stated they felt a need for indept training on how to effectively the SMART Boards or Promethean boards that are in most classrooms. These are two different brands of Interactive White Boards (IWB) that allow teachers and students to manipulate digital content on a large white screen as a whole class. While the county does offer training in how to use the boards, it is in the basic form of how to turn it on and get it started. My colleagues would like to be trained on how to use it within the curriculum. They want specific details on how to create specific lessons and examples of how it can work within their math, language arts, and science classes, etc. A good portion of the staff members surveyed felt that the system often just "throws" new technologies at educators and never provides the proper training needed to use the materials; which often leaves valuable technologies on shelves, collecting dust. An additional issue identified by about 65% of the teachers surveyed was that software is often loaded onto the computers in the schools and never given a proper introduction or the training it needs. For example, every computer in one elementary school has the KidPix software loaded on them, however, when surveyed most teachers didn't even know what the program was or that fact that they had access to it. Teachers and staff members who service students in upper grades expressed the need for training with technologies that will engage their students and challenge them to try new things. Over the pass two years our teachers have been using the SchoolMax system online to take attendance and enter grades into the online grade book. However, the recent survey found that 83% of teachers would like to be trained on how to use SchoolMax. The SchoolMax systems is suppose to make teachers lives easier for collecting and analyzing data with its many features, however, the teachers are not trained in how to properly use all of its functions. Parents have access to this program and teachers are often asked questions about it and are unable to answer. Our school systems recently converted to Google Mail, as such, we have access to all of its wonderful tools. However, most teachers are only using the mail feature due to lack of training. Teachers expressed a need for training on how to use such features as the calendar, Google Docs, and Google Sites. A few teachers suggested that these tools could help aid in smoother communication with parents and students during non-school hours or in an event of an emergency or natural disaster, both that seem all to common today. The evidence suggests that a large portion of the teachers and staff members in Prince George's County Public Schools are willing to put in the work needed for effective technology integrating, however, they want to be properly trained and supported throughout the process.

Audience The staff in Prince George's County Public Schools technological abilities varies across a very large spectrum. Many of the teachers who have been in the county for fifteen plus years don't feel like they have a large amount of know how when it comes to technology use. A large portion of them often seem unwilling to "conform", as many of them feel that the new push for technology integration in unnecessary. Some of the teachers have some knowledge of the basics of technology from what they have taught themselves along the way. These type of people can perform simple functions, such as using Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, or other popular commercial software, however, they have a hard time with integration across the curriculum. The next category would be the professionally educated staff members who have taken classes or have earned degrees in technology of some form. These people are formally trained in technology but may or may not have all the skills necessary for successful integration. Then we have the teachers or staff members who think they know all about technology integration and can help you do any and everything but really don't have the now how as much as they think. This is what Shulman describes as Fantasia, a term that describes when someone really believes that they understand something and don't. They are not trying to be deceptive; they whole heartedly believe that they actually, fully understand information. Differentiated training will be necessary to accommodate these varying ability levels. Also the staff in PGCPS all have different schedules that need to be taken into consideration. Classes will need to be offered at various times to try and accommodate as many people as possible. Our staff members also differ in the many languages they speak. Because our staff and student's native languages vary, it would be a good idea to have some objectives focus on teaching students whose home language is something other than English. Technology can have a powerful impact on our ESOL students and our staff should be properly trained to address them.

Goals
 * Teachers will effectively incorporated new technologies into their classrooms that will aid in student achievement.
 * Teachers will use online technologies to collect and track data that will help with future planning to boost student achievement.
 * Improve home-school connection through the use of technology.

Content Analysis In order for our teachers, staff members and supervisors to be able to use technology efficiently and effectively proper training in a must. After surveying and getting an overall idea of the needs from our staff members the following classes will be offered to try and address specific needs: (1day) || Come and Create! These classes offer grade level specific and ability specific guidance that will allow you to create math lesson to use with your students that are aligned with the MD State Standards. You will be able to save and use these lessons, so don't miss out! 3 sessions are offered for each class, choose the level that's right for you. *Prerequisite: Teachers should already have taken "SMART Board know how", offered through the County. || K-1 Teachers || Beginners || 3 sessions are offered for each class, choose the level that's right for you. ***Prerequisite: Teachers should already have taken "SMART Board know how", offered through the County.** || K-1 Teachers || Beginners || Reading Comprehension ||^  || 1-2 Teachers || Beginners || Vocabulary Explosion! ||^  || 3-5 Teachers || Beginners ||
 * Course || Description || Target Audience || Ability Level Needed ||
 * What do I do with these? (1day) || Do you have a LCD projector, document camera or other technology tool that's collecting dust. Come in and find out how to get them power on and you powered up to use them! We will explore the basics of many of the small items around the county that are not being used. ||  || Open ||
 * SMART Board Number Sense
 * ^  ||^   ||^   || Intermediate ||
 * ^  ||^   ||^   || Advanced ||
 * SMART Board Time and Money (1day) ||^  || 2-3 Teacher || Beginners ||
 * ^  || Intermediate ||^   ||^   ||
 * ^  || Advanced ||^   ||^   ||
 * SMART Board Fractions ||^  || 4-5 Teachers || Beginners ||
 * ^  || Intermediate ||^   ||^   ||
 * ^  || Advanced ||^   ||^   ||
 * SMART Board Geometry (1day) ||^  || 6-8 Teachers || Beginners ||
 * ^  || Intermediate ||^   ||^   ||
 * ^  || Advanced ||^   ||^   ||
 * SMART Board Algebra (1day) ||^  || 9-12 Teachers || Beginners ||
 * ^  || Intermediate ||^   ||^   ||
 * ^  || Advanced ||^   ||^   ||
 * SMART Board ABC's and Words (1day) || Come and Create! These classes offer grade level specific and ability specific guidance that will allow you to create Reading/Language Arts lesson to use with your students that are aligned with the MD State Standards. You will be able to save and use these lessons, so don't miss out!
 * ^  ||^   ||^   || Intermediate ||
 * ^  ||^   ||^   || Advanced ||
 * SMART Board (1day)
 * ^  || Intermediate ||^   ||^   ||
 * ^  || Advanced ||^   ||^   ||
 * SMART Board (1day)
 * ^  || Intermediate ||^   ||^   ||
 * ^  || Advanced ||^   ||^   ||
 * School Max Tools (1 day) || This class offers teachers and staff members the opportunity to learn how to use all the functions of the SchoolMax Systems. (Enter grades, create forms, generate reports and other specific items.) || All Staff Members with SchoolMax login access || Open ||
 * Google Help! (1/2 day) || This class will familiarize attendees with the how to functions of Google Mail. || All Staff Members || Beginners ||
 * ^  ||^   ||^   || Intermediate/Advanced ||
 * Google Docs (1/2 day) || Join us and learn how to create and access information through Google Docs. This system allows you to share valuable documents and information with just a click of a few buttons. || All Staff Members || Beginners ||
 * ^  ||^   ||^   || Intermediate/Advanced ||
 * Google Sites (4 days) || Join us and learn how to create and access information through Google Sites. This system allows you to create a site that you can use to communicate with various people including parents, co-workers and others. || All Staff Members || Basic-Intermediate ||
 * ^  ||^   ||^   || Advanced ||
 * Cyber Safety (1day) || With the addition of new technologies and greater use of the internet, it is important to keep our children safe and aware of the dangers that exist. We also want them to be aware of how their actions online can affect others and themselves. Come in and learn techniques and online tools to help you help your students become productive digital citizens. || K-2 Teachers || Basic-Advanced ||
 * Cyber Safety (1 day) || With the addition of new technologies and greater use of the internet, it is important to keep our children safe and aware of the dangers that exist. We also want them to be aware of how their actions online can affect others and themselves. Come in and learn techniques and online tools to help you help your students become productive digital citizens. || 3-5 Teachers || Basic-Advanced ||
 * Cyber Safety (1 day) || With the addition of new technologies and greater use of the internet, it is important to keep our children safe and aware of the dangers that exist. We also want them to be aware of how their actions online can affect others and themselves. Come in and learn techniques and online tools to help you help your students become productive digital citizens. || 6-12 Teachers || Basic-Advanced ||
 * Software Overview || This course offers an overview of current softwares available to teachers and students. Various softwares are explored in order for teachers to identify specifics interests for further training. || All Teachers and support staff || Basic-Advanced ||

Instructional Strategies

A variety of instructional strategies will be used during this week long conference. Each class will have three sessions, which are grouped according to ability level. Most classes will start out with instructor presented lessons, which will be followed by a group discussion to get an understanding of needs based on the group present. Most classes will then shift to a project based classed with information and skill being modeled by presenter and copied by the students in the class. By the end of each class students will have several lessons that they will be able to take back and use in their classrooms. A lot of hands on work will be appropriate for these classes, so that the teachers will be able to try out the technology and ask questions as they arise. A support Google Site will be created and maintained for teachers and staff members to use once the training classes have concluded.

Materials __ Technology Workshop Lesson Plan __

Creating SMART Board Math lesson for primary students. |||| ** Prerequisite Knowledge ** Attendees should already know how to use the SMART Board and some of its functions. || Students will present quality SMART Board lessons created within their groups. ||
 * LaTisha Davis |||| Smart Board Number Sense || Day #1 ||
 * ** Subject of the Day's workshop **
 * ** Content: ** This class is designed for the novice user of the SMART Board to Come and Create! It offer grade level specific and ability specific guidance that will allow students to create math lesson to use with their students that are aligned with the MD State Standards. They will be able to save and use these lessons with their students. After initial instruction students will be able to work in groups to create lessons based on objectives of their choosing. ||
 * ** Obejective: **
 * Learn how to use all the functions of the SMART Board in order to create engaging math lessons.
 * Obtain a collection of SMART Board math lesson suitable for K-1 students. ||
 * ** Materials: **
 * Dell laptop (each participant should being their county issued laptop with SMART Board software loaded on it)
 * 5 SMART Boards (1 for every 4 participants)
 * 5 LCD projectors (1 for every SMART Board)
 * Student Handouts (see attachment) ||
 * ** How will you teach the lesson? **
 * 9:00-9:30--I will give a refresher course on how to power up, load and begin using the SMART Board. We will go over the basics of opening the notebook to begin and how to insert images.
 * 9:30-10:00--I will talk about the importance of using technology and how it can engage our students.
 * 10:00-10:45--I will walk through creating a lesson with the students. I will be using my computer and LCD while they work with their own laptops to create along with me. Students will learn how to add sound to their lesson using Free Sound Recorder 9.3.1
 * 10:45-11:00--We will discuss any issues that arise and students will have the opportunity to discuss they types of information they would like to cover in their future lessons.
 * 11:00-11:15--Student will take a break and then form groups of 4 when they return.
 * 11:15-12:15--Students will create a lesson plan in their groups by following the guideline set forth in a hand-out (see attached).
 * 12:15-1:00--Students will have lunch.
 * 1:00-1:15--Students will brainstorm with their groups ideas for lessons they would like to take back to their classrooms.
 * 1:15-2:15--Each group of 4 will try to create at least two complete lessons from Objectives to Evaluations, using their laptops and SMART Boards.
 * 2:15-2:45--Each group will share one lesson they created.
 * 2:45-3:00--Attendees will be given time to complete evaluations and swap lessons between groups. ||
 * ** Evaluation Strategies: **

Evaluations

After each workshop, attendees will be asked to complete a short survey in order to gain insight to things that were done well or things that could use some improvements. The following survey will be used by each attendee for each session attended:

** [] **



Budget With the financially hard times that PGCPS is going through currently, I triend to keep the cost of this traing to a minimum. The following is a break down of funds:
 * Item || Source || Cost ||
 * Presenters || The presenters will be county employees who either work in the Technology department or people who have been identified as having the ability to lead others in the technology field. || Free for Technology department employees or $250 for other employees. ||
 * Computers || Teachers will bring their own || Free ||
 * SMART Boards || The county will supply these from stock already on hand. || Free ||
 * LCD Projectors || The county will supply these from stock already on hand. || Free ||
 * Materials such as paper, pens, and other items needed. || Purchases will be made from various places. || $500.00 ||

References

KidPix. Retrieved from http://www.mackiev.com/kidpix/index.html

Prince George's County Public School. About Us. Retrieved from http://www1.pgcps.org/aboutpgcps/

SchoolMAX. Student Information System. Retrieved from http://www1.pgcps.org/sis/

Shulman, L. S. (1999, July/August). Taking learning seriously. //Change//, //31//(4), 10-17. Retrieved from []

SMART Boards retrieved from http://smarttech.com/

Survey Monkey. Online survey creator. Retrieved from http://www.surveymonkey.com/home/