District+Technology+Training+Plan

DTTP

District Technology Training Plan University of Maryland University College Laysha Howard-Kemp October 26, 2011

The **Prince George's County Public Schools** system (PGCPS) is a large school district administered by the government of Prince George's County, Maryland, United States and is overseen by the Maryland State Department of Education. The school system is headquartered in Upper Marlboro and the district serves Prince George's County. Prince George’s County Public Schools is currently composed of 198 schools, our current enrollment is approximately 127, 000 students and over 10,500 staff members (teachers, administrators, support staff, and personnel). Our motto is “Children come first” (PGCPS, 2011). Our schools are equipped with Internet access and all teachers have access to at least one personal computer in each classroom. Additionally, classrooms are equipped with 5 student computers, an LCD projector or ELMO, and in rare cases, a Promethean board. In PGCPS, many schools’ have utilized the technology refreshment grant, which enabled the schools the ability to upgrade the current technology in individual schools as well as provide a means to enhance the teaching and learning process in the classroom. For example, at Stephen Decatur Middle School, we have upgraded the teacher laptops from DELL to the new MacBook Pro. We have also equipped two computer labs of 25 computers each with iMac desktops. Although, the school is now fully equipped to enhance the teaching and learning process for students and teachers to utilize technology more efficiently, almost more than half of the staff are ignorant in regards to integrating technology in the classroom overall. Consequently, students are not being exposed to technology web 2.0 tools that can be used to enhance student learning. Most teachers are pretty proficient with using technology personally; however, they do not feel comfortable with incorporating technology in the classroom, thus they will learn how to develop web 2.0 tools such as wikis, blogs, and podcasts to increase instructional practices, motivate student learning, and to increase communication between staff, parents, students, and the community as a whole.
 * //District Overview//**:
 * //Needs Assessment of Technology in PGCPS//**:

Technology training for both students and teachers can be very beneficial to the teaching and learning process. PGCPS is well aware of the digital age in which our teachers and students live in today; thus we must prepare our district for 21st century teaching and learning. This training program has been developed to target secondary students in grades 7-12 to assist teachers and students with technology use in the classroom to increase learning (student achievement) and to increase communication between staff, parents, students, and the community. In response to the data collected on student and teacher use of blogs, wikis, and podcast in the 7-12 classroom environment, both teachers and students will learn how to set up and develop wikis, blogs, and podcast to promote effective student learning, communication, and collaborative strategies in the school environment.
 * //Target Audience: Teacher & Student Training (Grades 7-12)://**


 * //Student Technology Use Survey://** []
 * ** Technology **

Please answer questions 1, 4, 15, 16, 17, & 23.
 * District Technology Survey of Students **
 * Sample: Please Adapt According To Your Needs **
 * Grade: ** _______ **School Name:_______________________________________** ||  ||   || ** Yes ** || ** No ** ||
 * 1 . || Do you use a computer at home? ||  ||   ||
 * || If yes, for what purposes? ||  ||   ||
 * || If yes, what kind of computer do you have? ||  ||   ||
 * 2 . || Do you use telecommunications (e-mail, Internet, information services) at home? ||  ||   ||
 * || If yes, for what purposes? ||  ||   ||
 * || If yes, what telecommunications services do you use? (America Online, Prodigy, AT&T, etc.) ||  ||   ||
 * 3. || Which of the following do you use in school? || ** Yes ** || ** No ** ||
 * || * Word processing ||  ||   ||
 * || * Spreadsheet ||  ||   ||
 * || * Database ||  ||   ||
 * || Electronic encyclopedia ||  ||   ||
 * || Telecommunications (Internet or America Online) ||  ||   ||
 * || Digital camera ||  ||   ||
 * || Camcorder ||  ||   ||
 * || Scanner ||  ||   ||
 * || Presentation program (Power Point, Persuasion, Claris Works) ||  ||   ||
 * || Multimedia program (HyperStudio, HyperCard, LinkWay, etc.) ||  ||   ||
 * || Color printer ||  ||   ||
 * || Electronic card catalog ||  ||   ||
 * || Desktop publishing (PageMaker, Children's Writing & Publishing Center, etc.) ||  ||   ||
 * ||  || ** Yes ** || ** No ** ||
 * || Telephone ||  ||   ||
 * || Basic calculator ||  ||   ||
 * || Fraction calculator ||  ||   ||
 * || Graphing/scientific calculator ||  ||   ||
 * || Microscope ||  ||   ||
 * || Computer games ||  ||   ||
 * || Fax machine ||  ||   ||
 * || Keyboarding program (PAWS, UltraKey, etc.) ||  ||   ||
 * || Computer software (list those programs you use) ||  ||   ||
 * || Other ||  ||   ||
 * 4. || Do you have sufficient access to the school's technology? ||  ||   ||
 * || Before the classes begin? ||  ||   ||
 * || During study time? ||  ||   ||
 * || At the end of the school day? ||  ||   ||
 * || Evening hours? ||  ||   ||
 * || If not, please explain. ||  ||   ||
 * 5. || What changes would you like to see in the school's technology program? ||  ||   || ||   ||
 * //Teacher Technology Use Survey: click here: []//**
 * || During study time? ||  ||   ||
 * || At the end of the school day? ||  ||   ||
 * || Evening hours? ||  ||   ||
 * || If not, please explain. ||  ||   ||
 * 5. || What changes would you like to see in the school's technology program? ||  ||   || ||   ||
 * //Teacher Technology Use Survey: click here: []//**
 * //Teacher Technology Use Survey: click here: []//**
 * //Teacher Technology Use Survey: click here: []//**
 * //Teacher Technology Use Survey: click here: []//**
 * WEB 2.0 Tools Participation in Classroom (Students)**
 * **__ Students: __** ||  **__ Blogs __**  ||  **__ Wikis __**  ||  **__ Podcast __**  ||
 * ** Grade 7 ** ||  ** 0 **  ||  ** 0 **  ||  ** 0 **  ||
 * ** Grade 8 ** ||  ** 0 **  ||  ** 0 **  ||  ** 2 **  ||
 * ** Grade 9 ** ||  ** 0 **  ||  ** 0 **  ||  ** 0 **  ||
 * ** Grade 10 ** ||  ** 0 **  ||  ** 0 **  ||  ** 0 **  ||
 * ** Grade 11 ** ||  ** 0 **  ||  ** 0 **  ||  ** 0 **  ||
 * ** Grade 12 ** ||  ** 2 **  ||  ** 0 **  ||  ** 0 **  ||


 * WEB 2.0 Tools Participation in Classroom (Teachers)**
 * ** Teachers: ** ||  ** Blogs **  ||  ** Wikis **  ||  ** Podcast **  ||
 * ** Grade 7 ** ||  ** 0 **  ||  ** 0 **  ||  ** 0 **  ||
 * ** Grade 8 ** ||  ** 0 **  ||  ** 0 **  ||  ** 0 **  ||
 * ** Grade 9 ** ||  ** 0 **  ||  ** 0 **  ||  ** 0 **  ||
 * ** Grade 10 ** ||  ** 0 **  ||  ** 0 **  ||  ** 0 **  ||
 * ** Grade 11 ** ||  ** 0 **  ||  ** 0 **  ||  ** 0 **  ||
 * ** Grade 12 ** ||  ** 0 **  ||  ** 0 **  ||  ** 0 **  ||

In order to make technology use in the classroom effective, it is imperative that teachers are provided the proper training to prepare them for not only technology integration into their lessons, yet to also ensure the understanding and benefits of integrating technology in the educational setting when appropriate. Teachers should have best teaching practices to utilize and integrate technology effectively. Based on the needs assessment and usage survey; it is best that this technology plan addresses the needs of basic users only. There are only a handful of teachers and students who have experience with blogs, wikis, and podcasting, thus basic to intermediate training is appropriate for this training plan.
 * //Goals/Objectives (Teachers)://**
 * By the end of this training course, teachers will be able to create a blog through blogger.com
 * By the end of this training course, teachers will be able to use a blog to instruct students and communicate with parents
 * By the end of this training course, teachers will be able to create a wikipage through wikispaces.com
 * By the end of this training course, teachers will be able to use wikispaces to instruct students and increase student’s writing skills
 * By the end of this training course, teachers will be able to create a podcast through mypodcast.com
 * By the end of this training course, teachers will be able to use podcasting to instruct students and enhance student learning of vocabulary concepts through auditory means
 * //Goals/Objectives (Students)://**
 * By the end of this training course, students will be able to create a blog through blogger.com
 * By the end of this training course, students will be able to use a blog to increase learning and communication with peers, teachers, and parents
 * By the end of this training course, students will be able to create a wikipage through wikispaces.com
 * By the end of this training course, students will be able to use wikispaces to collaborate with peers and increase their writing skills
 * By the end of this training course, students will be able to create a podcast through mypodcast.com
 * By the end of this training course, students will be able to use podcasting to enhance their learning of vocabulary and other concepts through auditory means
 * //Content Analysis of Professional Development://**


 * Teacher Professional Development Timeline:**
 * **Months** ||  **Skillset**  ||  **Delivery/Training Method**  ||  **Assessment**  ||
 * Sept. – Nov. || Basic Web tools (Wikis) || Training Workshops || Understand the basics of using simple web tools and integrate web tools for instructional purposes ||
 * Nov. – Jan. || Basic Web Tools (Podcasting) || Training Workshops || Understand basic integrations of web tools for instructional purposes ||
 * Jan. - March || Basic Web Tools (Blogs) || Training Workshops || Understand basic integrations of web tools for instructional purposes ||
 * March-June || Recap- Basic Web Tools (Wikis, blogs, Podcasts) || Training Workshops || Understand basic integrations of web tools for instructional purposes ||


 * Student Professional Development Timeline:**
 * **Months** ||  **Skillset**  ||  **Delivery/Training Method**  ||  **Assessment**  ||
 * Sept. – Nov. || Basic Web tools (Wikis) || Training Workshops || Understand the basics of using simple web tools and integrate web tools for communicating/collaboration with peers, parents, and teachers ||
 * Nov. – Jan. || Basic Web Tools (Podcasting) || Training Workshops || Understand the basics of using simple web tools and integrate web tools for communicating/collaboration with peers, parents, and teachers ||
 * Jan. - March || Basic Web Tools (Blogs) || Training Workshops || Understand the basics of using simple web tools and integrate web tools for communicating/collaboration with peers, parents, and teachers ||
 * March-June || Recap- Basic Web Tools (Wikis, blogs, Podcasts) || Training Workshops || Understand the basics of using simple web tools and integrate web tools for communicating/collaboration with peers, parents, and teachers ||

[] ||
 * //Materials://**
 * **Materials/Websites:** || **//Wikispaces//**: https://www.wikispaces.com
 * //Blogger//**: [|www.blogger.com]
 * //Podcasting//**: []

Teachers will have to present lessons or activities to the training workshops that demonstrate how they have integrated the web 2.0 tools in their classrooms. Additionally, teachers will also present the amount of participation that the students are posting to the wikispaces and blog sites. Teachers will have to present both quantitative and qualitative artifacts to support their data. Both the teachers and students will be taught how to use the web 2.0 tools listed in the goals & objectives section of this training plan. It is anticipated that the students in grades 7-12 and the teachers of the aforementioned grades should be able to appropriately create, develop and use the web 2.0 tools effectively within one full-academic year of training; given 2-3 months of training and implementation of each tool. The district technology training plan will gather data from the participants at the end of the school year by the [|Technology Planning Team] from each school, which consists of the following personnel: Technology Coordinator, Assistant Principal, Technology Teacher/Business Teacher, and Instructional Coach. The team will be responsible for evaluating the progress of the technology plan and its effectiveness for the students and staff. The team will measure the progress of both student use and teacher use of technology web 2.0 tools in the classroom to enhance the teaching and learning process though performance task. Surveys will also be used to assess the amount of use of technology in the classroom by both teachers and students. The surveys will also used to assess whether adjustments or improvements need to be made to the overall integration of this technology-training plan. Satisfactory evaluations from the staff, students, and teachers will indicate that the technology plan is working, motivating, and enhancing learning for students’ to achieve academically in schools.
 * //Implementation/Timeline://**
 * //Evaluation://**

**References:** Maryland Technology Literacy Standards for Students (MTLSS). (2007). __ [|http://www.marylandpublicschools.org/MSDE/programs/technology/techs tds/] __

Maryland Teacher Technology Standards (MTTS). (2007). []

Prince George’s County Public Schools. (2011). Retrieved October 20, 2011, from:

[]

Richardson, Will. (2010). Blogs, Wikis, Podcasts, and Other Powerful Web Tools for

Classrooms. (3rd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin.

Peters, Laurence. (2009). Global Education. Using Technology to Bring the World to

Your Students. (1st ed.). Washington, DC: ISTE.

Survey. (2011). District Technology Survey of Students. Retrieved online October

20, 2011 from, []

Survey. (2011). Teacher Technology Survey. Retrieved online October 20, 2011

From: []

Wikispaces. (2011). //Wikispaces//. Retrieved online October 20, 2011, from

http://www.wikispaces.com