Final+Report+Notes

Final Report Not es   Changes I've made since the initial posting will be in red--‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍Patty ‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍ Changes I've made since initial posting will be in blue-Julia

INTRODUCTION Anne Arundel County Public Schools (AACPS) have been rapidly upgrading technology in schools. Many schools now have SMARTboard technology in each classroom. A SMART board is an interactive whiteboard that has touch-screen capabilities, can project computer screens and can provide a number of other interactive features including a camera that can project images onto the board. It was developed by SMART technologies back in the early 1990s and currently is used in over 100 counties. SMART boards go above and beyond what a traditional overhead project can do with minimal effort. One no longer has to create transparencies of documents, but simply put the desired item under the document camera and it appears as is on the whiteboard. Another specialized feature is the ability to display and control a computer screen on the board. You can write on the screen, highlight important information and use your finger as the mouse. One of the largest benefits of SMART boards is that it engages all students of different ages and multiple types of learners. SMART boards actively involve students in lessons, enhance the content and holds interest for much longer than a traditional lecture. SMARTboards and other interactive technologies are part of the future of education. Thus, it is important for teachers to learn about and be able to successfully use the latest technologies in their classrooms. In order to most effectively utilize this resource, teachers must be familiar with the Notebook software that is used with Smartboard products. However, it can be challenging to give teachers the proper training and resources necessary to use these technologies to their advantage. Each AACPS school has an "eCoach" who is trained using the Smartboard technologies and software so that they can provide staff development at their schools. However, there is very little time that principals can devote to staff development. Giving after school sessions is not usually effective because teachers are reluctant to add any more to their busy schedules without compensation. The Office of Instructional Technology occasionally offers three hour evening sessions about Smartboard technology for teachers, but this is not always convenient or the sessions fill up. In addition, these are short sessions in which concepts are quickly introduced, with little time to actually practice using the technology. One of the biggest problems in teacher staff development is that material is introduced, but teachers often do not have time to practice, plan, and implement what was presented. Therefore, either the session was a waste of time and the techniques are never put into practice, or teachers are not using what they learned effectively or efficiently.  Why is this a better option than offering more three hour limited face-to-face sessions? By spacing out the course over several weeks, much more content will be able to be covered. In addition, teachers will have time to practice using the strategies learned and create Notebook lessons that can be used in their own classrooms. Since teachers will be able to collaborate by using Blackboard, they will be able to work on group projects in order to make quality lessons. Another benefit is that these lessons can be posted on grade-level Blackboard groups or the Technology Connections site in order to share quality materials with other instructors using the same curriculum. Teachers can complete these courses in the comfort of their own homes and when they have free time like in the evenings and on weekends. They can also work when it it most convienent for them and at their own pace. The program will consist of three mini-courses: 2. Advanced Features of Notebook Sofware 3. Smart Response Assessment Software
 * 1. **Introduction to Notebook Software
 * ====Installation of Notebook Software on home computers ====
 * ====Introduction to various functions of the software ====
 * ==== Searching through quality sites that offer pre-made Notebook lessons (using Smart Exchange) ====
 * Lesson Toolkit 2.0 to make more interactive lessons
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">Smart Recorder (for screen recording, similar to Jing)
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%; line-height: 24px;">Installation of Smart Response Assessment Software on home computers
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%; line-height: 24px;">Setting up classes
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%; line-height: 24px;">Creating assessments using the various question formats (multiple choice, short answer, true/false, fact opinion, multiple answer, or number/fraction/decimal)
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%; line-height: 24px;">Creating various reports to assess student learning (both formative and summative assessment)

<span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">Even if teachers do not have a Smartboard in their classroom, the first two courses will allow them to use the Notebook Software as long as they have a computer and projector. The Smart Response Software, however, cannot be used without a Smartboard and Smart Response kit. ISSUES ADDRESSED AND TECHNOLOGY CHOICES <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">To help solve this dilemma, we are proposing three distance learning mini-courses that are asynchronous, allowing teachers to complete the SMART technology courses when it fits into their schedule and does not require them to travel to a site for instruction. In order for this to be possible, AA county will need grant money to cover the cost of this pilot program. We feel that since so much money has been invested to give our students the latest and best technology available, teachers need to become proficient in order to enhance student learning. Time and energy has already gone into how the necessary grant money will be used to launch the pilot program. Our school system already has Blackboard in place for all schools and employees in the county, so the only cost of Blackboard would be to renew the annual licensing subscription. Additionally, the county would need to be able to purchase a Microsoft Office License Software Pack for multiple computers if there are teachers who do not have these programs previously installed on their home computers. <range type="comment" id="648484">‍‍‍‍‍‍AA county already has Internet connections installed in all of its schools ‍‍‍‍‍‍ and it is assumed that most individuals taking the course have Internet access at home. There would be no extra costs with Web Server hosting associated with the pilot program. Technical support for the program would also be free of charge because the Blackboard site provides free online support to its users and there is already IT support within the school system that would complete this work within their normal range of responsibilities.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> Acquiring the necessary training for the pilot program is vital to its success. The instructors for the online courses would need to be trained for distance education learning and earn a Web Instructor's Cerfication. The system administrator for county would also need to undergo training to earn proper certification as well. Fortunately, much of the necessary hardware and software for the course is already installed on modern day computers and laptops or can be downloaded free from Internet websites. <range type="comment" id="36827">‍‍‍‍‍‍There would only be a no cost for the installation and download of 7-zip which is necessary program for uncompressing ZIP files which can occur in an online course. ‍‍‍‍‍‍Most importantly, the Notebook Software which is essential for the execution of this pilot program is a free download that can be installed right onto teachers’ home computers.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> A bulk of the money needed for this pilot program would applied toward hiring an instructional designer to package the course. The SMART courses would be created upon already exisiting courses. This then gives us the option of using a good portion of the grant funding toward teacher incentives. Teachers are so overworked at this point, many times they will not be receptive to adding more onto their plate without some type of compensation. We plan to offer teachers a stipend for participating successfully in the course, on a pass/fail grading system. Another incentive that will be offered is that teachers will earn partial credit hours that can be used toward recertification. There also may be special technology required for certain modules of the courses including podcasts, webcasts for other specialized features which would render a student technology fee which would be covered by the program grant. Additionally, we realize that some of the grant money would have to go towards the advising of the course, paper <range type="comment" id="803701">‍‍‍‍‍‍contracts ‍‍‍‍‍‍, paper evaluations, information packets, and other consumable materials. Finally, we want to have a small portion of the money go toward unplanned costs and future growth which may arise over time. The total cost of the pilot program comes to $38,080 which is under the budget of $40,000.

<span style="color: #000080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Conclusion <span style="color: #000080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Why is this pilot program worth it? <span style="color: #000080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">How is this grant going to help our county?

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">This grant to fund the pilot teacher technology program will fill a void in staff development opportunities and motivate teachers by paying a stipend and earning partial course credits. The knowledge gained by teachers will improve student learning because expensive technology purchased will be used effectively with quality lessons. Teachers will get the chance to practice what they learn and produce something they can use in their own classrooms and share with other county teachers. Most importantly, when the teachers are proficient with the SMART technology, the students are the ones who will truly benefit the most. The pilot program will help to move AA county one step closer toward the future of technology in education.