What the Research told us ...
 | good teaching is central to student success (Kaycock,
Reeves) |
 |
transformation
from entry level use to independent user took years (ACOT)
|
 |
reflection
time is central to developing teacher habits (Cuban,
Darling-Hammond) |
What experience told us ...
 |
good
teaching is central to effective technology use. |
 |
traditional
staff development venues produced traditional results.
|
 |
teaching
skills out of context is not effective model for learning technology.
|
 |
external
incentive is a quick burning fuel.
|
 |
shallow
sub pool with high demands for 3-R training limits training
resources. |
 |
behind
the class model worked. |
 |
student-driven
projects benefit students more than computer-driven activities. |
 |
a
technology expert didn't imply a teaching expert.
|
VISTAS was launched ...
 |
TLC
seed money to lower student-computer ratio in under performing 4-8
cluster schools. |
 |
1-year
teacher commitment in cluster schools (professional track).
|
 |
3-year
teacher commitment district-wide (graduate track).
|
Advantages of a 3-year MA program ...
 |
grow
a practicing community requires personal commitment and
an extended period of time.
|
 |
expected
performance bar was set significantly higher than traditional
staff development venues.
|
 |
sets
up a long term intrinsic and external reward system.
|
 |
assessment
data is purer. |
 |
client-centered
rather than program driven.
|
 |
core
beliefs about teaching and learning are refashioned.
|
Barriers to a masters degree program ...
 |
conflict
of interest between district and participant
|
 |
IHE
goals not synchronized with district goals |
 |
personal
Cost
 |
time
- over 540 hours |
 |
treasure
- $5,400 to complete the program |
 |
talent
- volunteerism demand greatly increases |
|
Advantages of a cohort ...
 | synergistic learning |
 | diverse points of view |
 | familiarity sponsors personal risk taking |
 | culture change |
Pathway ...
The teacher as scholar ...
 |
book
studies
 |
Growing
up Digital
by Don Tapscott (1999)
|
 |
Teaching
with the Brain in Mind by
Eric Jensen (2000)
|
 |
Teaching with Technology
by Sandhotz, Ringstaff, Dwyer (2000) |
 |
Constructivist
Approach to Classroom Learning
by (2000)
|
 |
With
Portfolio in Hand
by Nona Lyons (2001)
|
|
 |
article
reviews - online listserve
 |
Converge
|
 |
Technology
& Learning
|
|
 |
pizza
meetings - professional discourse.
|
 |
online
courses through Classroom Connect CU
|
The teacher as leader ...
 |
Cognitive
Coaching training - Bill Baker
|
 |
CVCUE
conference speaker - Visalia in the fall, Fresno in the spring
|
 |
technology
consultant at each site - tech planning, staff training,
program evaluation
|
What has worked so far ...
 |
modeling
the constructivist approach throughout pathway
|
 |
cadre
nurturing with face-to-face meetings |
 |
careful
transition from face-to-face to online venues
|
 |
advanced
degree carrot |
 |
equipment
to fuel the growth |
What would we do different ...
 |
clarify
the personal cost |
 |
focus
on one cohort at a time
|
 |
begin
with a portfolio class |
 |
hire
an evaluator |
 |
insist
on administrator participation |
Capstone experience ...
 |
Re-packaging
of the traditional Project/Thesis
|
 |
Professional
Portfolio based on work outlined by Dr. Hellen Barret
|
 |
CSTP
frame with a 12-month process
|
 |
Monthly
sharpening sessions
|
Costs of graduate track ...
 | TLC Grant paid
- $4,500 per teacher (30) for three years of IHE instruction |
 | District paid -
$400 in books, software, and supplies per teacher |
 | Teacher paid -
$140 per unit x 36 units = $5,040 per teacher |
Student impact ...
 | Quantitative
 | student participation in technology related
activities
increased 150% during the life of the project |
 | computer use in the classroom by target
teachers for instructional
purposes rose 50% first year, 70% second year, 30% third year |
 | computer use by students in target classrooms
rose 5% first year,
50% second year, 70% year. |
 | API growth targets for all four target schools
were met and
exceeded due in part to project VISTAS.
|
|
 | Qualitative - teachers report student
engagement on content specific
subjects increased, parent interest in student work increased,
teacher
comfort level with technology support lessons greatly decreased. |
Life after VISTAS ...
 | sustainable benefits
 | for the district
- pool of strong teachers who reflect district goals. |
 | for the site -
ongoing teacher leadership as school becomes digital. |
 | for the teacher -
increased opportunities to serve in a paid capacity
at the site, district, county, and university training events. |
 | for the student
- engagement. |
|
 | what's next
 | for the district -
begin a 2nd masters cohort. |
 | for the site
- use new leadership to develop a professional track. |
 | for the teacher
- lifelong learning, open doors to walk through. |
 | for the student
- author their own learning. |
|
|