Presented May 10, 2001 - TLC meeting
                                             Scott Smith, project director
                                             Russ Audino, digital therapist

What the Research told us ...
bulletgood teaching is central to student success (Kaycock, Reeves)
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transformation from entry level use to independent user took years (ACOT)

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reflection time is central to developing teacher habits (Cuban, Darling-Hammond)

What experience told us ...

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good teaching is central to effective technology use.

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traditional staff development venues produced traditional results.

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teaching skills out of context is not effective model for learning technology.

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external incentive is a quick burning fuel.

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shallow sub pool with high demands for 3-R training limits training resources.

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behind the class model worked.

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student-driven projects benefit students more than computer-driven activities.

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a technology expert didn't imply a teaching expert.

VISTAS was launched ...

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TLC seed money to lower student-computer ratio in under performing 4-8 cluster schools.

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1-year teacher commitment in cluster schools (professional track).

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3-year teacher commitment district-wide (graduate track).

Advantages of a 3-year MA program ...

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grow a practicing community requires personal commitment and 
an extended period of time.

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expected performance bar was set significantly higher than traditional 
staff development venues.

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sets up a long term intrinsic and external reward system.

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assessment data is purer.

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client-centered rather than program driven.

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core beliefs about teaching and learning are refashioned.

Barriers to a masters degree program ...

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conflict of interest between district and participant

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IHE goals not synchronized with district goals

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personal Cost
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time - over 540 hours

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treasure - $5,400 to complete the program

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talent - volunteerism demand greatly increases

Advantages of a cohort ...

bulletsynergistic learning
bulletdiverse points of view
bulletfamiliarity sponsors personal risk taking
bulletculture change

Pathway ...

The teacher as scholar ...

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book studies
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Growing up Digital by Don Tapscott (1999)

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Teaching with the Brain in Mind by Eric Jensen (2000)

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Teaching with Technology by Sandhotz, Ringstaff, Dwyer (2000)

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Constructivist Approach to Classroom Learning by (2000)

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With Portfolio in Hand by Nona Lyons (2001)

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article reviews - online listserve
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Converge

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Technology & Learning

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pizza meetings - professional discourse.

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online courses through Classroom Connect CU

The teacher as leader ...

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Cognitive Coaching training - Bill Baker

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CVCUE conference speaker - Visalia in the fall, Fresno in the spring

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technology consultant at each site - tech planning, staff training, 
program evaluation

What has worked so far ...

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modeling the constructivist approach throughout pathway

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cadre nurturing with face-to-face meetings

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careful transition from face-to-face to online venues

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advanced degree carrot

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equipment to fuel the growth

What would we do different ...

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clarify the personal cost

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focus on one cohort at a time

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begin with a portfolio class

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hire an evaluator

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insist on administrator participation

Capstone experience ...

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Re-packaging of the traditional Project/Thesis

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Professional Portfolio based on work outlined by Dr. Hellen Barret

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CSTP frame with a 12-month process

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Monthly sharpening sessions

Costs of graduate track ...

bulletTLC Grant paid - $4,500 per teacher (30) for three years of IHE instruction
bulletDistrict paid - $400 in books, software, and supplies per teacher
bulletTeacher paid - $140 per unit x 36 units = $5,040 per teacher

Student impact ...

bulletQuantitative
bulletstudent participation in technology related activities 
increased 150% during the life of the project
bulletcomputer use in the classroom by target teachers for instructional 
purposes rose 50% first year, 70% second year, 30% third year
bulletcomputer use by students in target classrooms rose 5% first year, 
50% second year, 70% year.
bulletAPI growth targets for all four target schools were met and 
exceeded due in part to project VISTAS.
   
bulletQualitative - 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 ...

bulletsustainable benefits
bulletfor the district - pool of strong teachers who reflect district goals.
bulletfor the site - ongoing teacher leadership as school becomes digital.
bulletfor the teacher - increased opportunities to serve in a paid capacity
at the site, district, county, and university training events.
bulletfor the student - engagement.
bulletwhat's next
bulletfor the district - begin a 2nd masters cohort.
bulletfor the site - use new leadership to develop a professional track.
bulletfor the teacher - lifelong learning, open doors to walk through.
bulletfor the student - author their own learning.