The Visions Program: Focusing on Whats Working

1
The Visions Program Focusing on Whats Working
Presentation Relevant Items Posted
at http//edtech.guhsd.net/teched

• Jim Epler Educational Technology Specialist
• (jepler_at_guhsd.net)
• Ken Quisenberry Director, Educational Library
  Technology
• (kquisenb_at_guhsd.net)

2
Intro

• Goal of this session
• Awareness of some identified successful elements
  of a staff development model seeking the optimal
  implementation of classroom technologies
  Opportunities for sharing strategies
• Goal of the Visions Program
• Enhance the quality of teaching learning
  district-wide (Method Maximize the positive
  impact of technologies in our classrooms
  directly with students)
• The pudding. (video)

3
A Brief Background.

• Technology Resources office
• Training, end-user support, software support,
  prof. development, tech coordination services for
  a diverse high school district of 25k students
• Staff Development Modes
• Primarily single-shot workshops trainings
  (disconnected)
• One expensive annual technology laptop
  institute for random faculty (Digital
  University)
• Technology Initiatives
• 2 years prior, District-wide teacher laptop
  initiative
• Student Info System transition administrivia
  focus
• Classroom technologys funding sources slashed or
  eliminated (TSST, DHS, District General Fund)
• E.E.T.T. funding (60k/year) as only funding
  option

4
The Core Criteria Visions
Goal Optimize technology resources training to
benefit all students

• Focus on the Pedagogy Battle-tested,
  research-based practices
• Core content area subject teams (Lead
  integrating instructor)
• Standardized expectations ample choices
• Standard teacher skills set for each participant
  (e.g., PPT, Inspiration, relevant web resources
  research, UnitedStreaming)
• Individualized choices on types of content
  (breakout sessions) and on skills levels of
  content (novice ? advanced)
• Time for curriculum development (in addition
  to/place of sessions)
• Collaboration Work groups, TeacherExchange,
  eBackpack
• Accountability Required end-results in these
  classrooms (class website, online gradebooks,
  shared TeacherExchange artifacts)
• Continuous context Additional required sessions
  during school year
• Provision of instructor toolkit Classroom
  computer, Projector, relevant digital resource
  set

5
Visions Program Chronology

• Web Application (Skills, needs, interests
  inventory)
• Visions Institute 2 - 4 full days
• Training, collaboration, curriculum writing,
  sharing
• Variety of institute timings (Summer, school
  days, eves, weekends)
• Subs (school day) or hourly stipend
  (summer/eve/weekend) provided
• Required Proposal for Ongoing Development
• Virtual Professional Learning Community
• TeacherExchange eBackpack sharepoints
  supplement school-site professional learning
  communities
• By May each year, completion of the following
  required
• 3 Required Professional Development follow-up
  sessions (1 whole-group)
• Completion of Ongoing Development work
• Submission of shared resources on the
  TeacherExchange
• Renewal of Visions participation on an annual
  basis, per completion of above requirements
• If completed, instructor toolkit equipment and
  resources are assigned for additional year
  contingent on completion again

6
Sample Visions Schedule
7
Implementation Notes Lessons Learned

• Registration selection process notes
• Online, skills interests inventories
• Fiscal constraints
• Accountability ensures logical distribution of
  resources (and efforts)
• Scalability Flexibility based on funding sources
• Payments, provisions, incentives
• Substitutes or stipends (non-contract hours)
  provided lead instructors paid for development
  training time
• Ongoing support, tech equipment with guarantees,
  priority consideration for new or expanding
  programs
• Schools sponsor additional teachers expand
  access
• Standardized Visions binder and cd-rom toolkit
  supplements archived Visions website

8
Assessing the Outcomes

• Feedback / Survey data
• I feel like I grew significantly. Thanks very
  much. My kids will benefit from this...
• TeacherExchange collaboration portal
• Over 100 shared artifacts and resources, spanning
  the core content areas
• Examples http//edtech.guhsd.net/teacher_exchange
  /

9
Improvements Next Steps

• Further Virtual PLC development (Prof. Learning
  Communities) More organic methods
• Secure additional funding
• Scale to larger participant groups
• Allow more time (main institute extension
  sessions)
• Expand the scope for current alumni to extend
  knowledge with new opportunities
• Cultural shift of projectors in core content
  area classrooms

10
Q A

• Questions?
• Comments?
• Shared experiences?