2. Outline
Who are our customers?
What does the research say?
How does it align with state standards?
Support
Will it be worth the cost?
Conclusion
3. Who are our customers?
Generation Y
No memory
Surrounded Dependent
Digital of living
by digital
Natives on technology without the
media
internet
Video
4. How do they learn?
“They’re already busy adopting
new systems for communicating,
sharing, buying and selling,
exchanging, creating meeting,
collecting coordinating,
evaluating, searching, analyzing,
reporting, programming,
socializing, and even learning.”
(Gen Y report, Marc Prensky 2005/06)
They EXPECT technology in the classroom!
5. What does the research say?
Technology increases student achievement…
8th Grade Students Students using simulation and
(measured by NAEP) higher order thinking software
showed gains in math scores up
to 15 weeks above grade level.
Without…
(Schacter, 1999)
With… Research skills, ability to apply
learning to real-world situations,
45 50 55 organizational skills, and interest in
the content areas
Weeks (Cradler, 1999)
6. What does the research say?
Technology increases higher order thinking and
problem solving skills…
Using the internet to research, share information and
complete projects, creates independent, critical thinkers
(Burchett, R., Cradler, J., Freeman, M., McNabb, M.)
Higher order use of computers and professional development
were positively related to student academic achievement in
math (Schacter, 1999)
7. What does the research say?
Technology prepares
students for the future…
Prerequisite skills for
workforce preparedness
Group work, solving
problems, understanding
systems
Collecting, analyzing, and
organizing data
(Burchett, R., Cradler, J., Freeman, M., McNabb, M.)
8. Aligning with state standards
Technology:
Is used to supplement
current curriculum, not
replace it
Coincides with FB
Technology Plan
9. FB Technology Plan
The vision …
The mission …
that students, faculty, and
to integrate effective and
staff will be enabled by
efficient administrative and
technology to solve
instructional applications to
problems, improve
promote learning and
productivity, and gain the
enhance communication
skills necessary to become
and collaboration among
life-long learners and
teachers, staff, administrator
contributing members of
s, parents, and students.
society.
10. Support
Leadership encouraged
to involve both staff and
students in the decision
making process
Provide quality staff
development and time to
learn
Model technology in
leadership roles
11. Will it be worth the cost?
Does the benefit outweigh the cost?
Designate available funds
Involve leaders willing to make critical decisions
This presentation to the board will show evidence that technology is worth the investment. As I present my findings, please considerInvesting in our studentsInvesting in our teachersInvesting in student achievementInvesting in our futureThere are copies of the research included in the presentation printed for you at your seat.
This presentation will be available on the web. Use the outline to navigate through the presentation as you consider and review the details.
Who are our customers?Generation Y – digital natives vs. digital immigrants. This term was created by Marc Prensky as stated in the report Gen Y: Who Are They and How Do They Learn? Digital natives – used to described Generation Y and their dependence on technology – describes our studentsDigital immigrants – not born into this digital world – describes many of our faculty and administrationOur students are surrounded by digital media since the time they were bornOur students are dependent on technologyOur students have no memory of living without the internet.Yet as Prensky quotes,“As schools are stuck in the 20th century, students have rushed into the 21st century. How can schools catch up and provide students a relevant education?”Refer to video to give a visual effect of what our “customers” look like.
“They’re already busy adopting new systems for communicating, sharing, buying and selling, exchanging, creating meeting, colleting coordinating, evaluating, searching, analyzing, reporting, programming, socializing, and even learning.” (Gen Y report, Marc Prensky 2005/06)Students not only want technology in the classroom. They EXPECT technology in the classroom.According to the report, when comparing characteristics of past generations, Generation Y are:CollaborativeAccepting of diversityAssertive and confident Demanding consumers with customer expectations of immediate serviceVocational/career orientedLack basic skillsAre multi-taskersFriendships not bound by geographical limitsConstantly connectedWhich therefore, makes each of us feel like “digital immigrants”, not quite as accustom to this digital world.
According to the research, technology proves to increase student achievement when implemented correctly.The Schacter report outlines 8th grade students, who used simulation along with higher order thinking software, showed gains in math scores of up to 15 weeks above grade level. This is significant resulting in gains not far from one semester of learning time.The Cradler report outlines increased student knowledge in research skills, ability to apply learning to real-world situation, organization skills, and interest in the content areas.Overall, technology not only increases student achievement, but creates independent critical thinkers.
According to the research, technology increases higher order thinking and problem solving skills when implemented proves to increase student achievement when implemented correctly.When students used the internet to research topics, share information, and complete a final project, they became independent, critical thinkers.Higher order uses of computers and professional development were positively related to students’ academic achievement in math for both 4th and 8th grade students.Overall, technology not only increases student achievement and creates independent critical thinkers, it also prepares students for their future.
According to the research, technology prepares students for their future, when implemented correctly.Technology teaches students prerequisite skills for workforce preparedness.Technology allows students to become familiar with working in groups, solving problems, understanding how systems work and collecting, analyzing, and organizing data.Based on the research, technology increases student achievement, creates independent critical thinkers and prepares students for their future.
Will technology align with our state standards?Using technology is not meant to replace current curriculum, so if the standards are currently being met, technology should compliment current curriculumTechnology improves performance when the application directly supports the curriculum standards being assessed. (Burchett, R., Cradler, J., Freeman, M., McNabb, M.) p47.Furthermore:Our school district has a technology plan with a mission and a vision for our school. This plan addresses technology needs and goals for the future of our school district and its students.
Read the mission and vision to reinforce our technology plan. This plan was adopted by the board and we have a responsibility to attain the goals of the technology plan.The mission of technology for Fertile-Beltrami Public School District #599 is to integrate effective and efficient administrative and instructional applications of technology into the school day. The goal is to promote learning and enhance communication and collaboration among teachers, staff, administrators, parents, and students in and outside of the school building.The vision of technology for Fertile-Beltrami Public School District #599, is that students, faculty, and staff will be enabled by technology to solve problems, improve their productivity, and gain the skills necessary to become life-long learners and contributing members of society.
In order for technology implementation to be successful, we have a road aheadInvolve teachers and students in the decision making process. The students are aware of their expectations. Let’s use them as a resource.Encourage teacher buy in - include them in the process rather than telling them what to do after all the decisions have been made.Staff development will be key. In order for technology to be effective, it must be implemented properly with trained teachers.8th grade students whose teachers received professional development on computers showed gains in math scores of up to 13 weeks above grade level. (Schacter)Time is always an issue. We need to set aside time for staff to collaborate, explore, and get assistanceWe can’t expect staff to adopt technology if leadership within the district is not willing to get involved and be a model
You need to decide:Will the investment in technology be worth the cost?If the statistics prove that student achievement will increase, are you willing to invest in that achievement?There are ways to help alleviate the cost through grants, Microsoft dollars, and Carl Perkins funding. We have a budgeted amount for technology.Our tech coordinator is willing to make critical decisions based on current technology budgets. Involve people with leadership characteristics, who understand technology well and are willing to make critical decisions based on current technology budgets
Investing in technology is investing in the future. Lets collaborate together to give our students the opportunity to be even more successful. Let’s provide what they are expecting. Let’s all be lifetime learners.
