Technology Integration for 21st Century Learning Environments Model Schools Pilot Project

11/10/2004

A Pilot Program: Equipping, Supporting and Inspiring Educational Leaders to create  21^st Century Learning Environments in Georgia Schools.

Summary

The GADOE Technology Division, GLISI, and CEISMC propose to collaborate to conduct a 21^st Century Learning Environments research program with 12 schools across the state. GADOE will serve as the overall project manager working with the individual schools to develop and implement 12 pilot technology integration projects. GLISI/CEISMC will conduct research and evaluation of the project, provide leadership follow-up activities, work with GADOE to select the pilot sites, and coordinate the financial aspects of the project. 

The Challenge

Models of effective integration of technology into classrooms are beginning to emerge throughout the nation. Many schools throughout Georgia would like to duplicate such success locally; however, not enough data exists concerning the adaptation and replication of “best practices” for effective classroom technology integration.  

Goals:

1. Develop district and school leaders that support school culture change to improve student achievement through effective classroom technology integration in a manner that can be replicated throughout the state.
2. Explore new ways to enhance the teaching and learning of the Georgia Performance Standards through effective classroom technology integration.
3. Develop a set of replicable models (“best practices”) for improving student achievement through effective classroom technology integration.
4. Develop a set of replicable models (“best practices”) for leading technology integration.

 Project Definition

In order to address these issues GADOE/GLISI/CEISMC in conjunction with a diverse group of schools across Georgia are collaborating to adapt, pilot, and thoroughly evaluate a number of models of effective 21^st Century Learning Environments.  

Initially, 12 schools will have an opportunity to meet the criteria to participate in this project. Four elementary, four middle, and four high schools from a combination of rural and urban settings across the state will collaborate on the project. Districts have been selected from the list of those who have already participated in GLISI sponsored Base Camp and Summit. One school from each district will be selected in purposeful manner based on achieving the goals of the project to include a diverse range of success models that can be replicated across the state. Once a school/district has agreed to the full scope of project participation then a team from GADOE and GLISI will work with the selected schools to develop and define a 21^st Century Learning Environments project tailored to specific needs of the individual school aligned with existing school improvement goals of the district and school. It should be viewed as an opportunity to accelerate existing school improvement initiatives rather than a completely new endeavor. 

The specific school implementation will vary by school needs, availability of existing technology, and alignment with the overall goals of the project. A typical project could include implementation of (interactive whiteboards, LCD projectors, laptop computers, handheld computers, probes, electronic assessment, and other appropriate technology) in one or more classrooms, with support of the school leader, district leaders, technology director, and others. The implementation team will work together to achieve successful integration of technology that improves student achievement, and results in greater teacher efficacy and satisfaction. GADOE and GLISI will work with the schools selected to develop an individualized implementation plan for the school that fully aligns with the district and school vision for teaching and learning with technology. Elementary schools are asked to focus on literacy, middle schools on math, and high schools on science. 

In selecting a school and one or more teachers to participate the following information can act as a guide: 

1. Desired Teacher Characteristics for participation:
   1. “Best” in the school.
   2. High level of technology skills already in place.
   3. Beyond certification in the content area.
   4. Experience integrating technology previously is preferable.
   5. Interest in innovation.
   6. Good rapport with peers, teachers, parents, and community.
       
2. School characteristics desired:
   1. Network infrastructure exists – wireless ready.
   2. School leader supportive of technology integration.
   3. Willingness to utilize technology for teaching, students, parents, assessment, administration if available.
   4. Project classrooms have adequate power to support technology.
   5. Willingness to work with GADOE to define specific project.
   6. Willingness to support frequent outside visit during the 3 year span of the project.
   7. Willingness to serve as a model for other leaders/schools throughout the state.

Once a school has been nominated by the district leadership, GLISI and GADOE will work with the school to determine the readiness of the school to fully participate. At this time the school will be asked to complete a detailed inventory form and return it to the project team. Once the final selection of schools is complete a team from GLISI and GADOE will visit the school to collaboratively define the details of the specific implementation and begin collecting baseline data for evaluation of the project. From this meeting a needed equipment list will be prepared. Professional Learning for the project team will begin shortly afterwards and implementation will begin as soon as the equipment can be delivered to the school.
 District/School Requirements and Deliverables:

1. Create a team to work with the 21^st Century Learning Environments Project for a minimum of 3 years. The team must include the superintendent, district personnel, IT personnel, school leadership, and teachers from the school(s) at a minimum. (Note: Year 1 equipment funding and support provided by project. Years 2+ to be supported by school/district. Outside research reporting and mentoring of other schools will continue for a minimum of 3 years.)
2. Collaborate with GADOE and GLISI to identify and plan a mutually agreed upon classroom technology integration project. This plan must include a to a measurable smart goals of the school/district, a self-supported (to be funded by the district/school) technical support plan, and a self-evaluation plan to measure the on-going impact of the project for at least 3 years (assistance from project staff is available to support this effort).
3. Install all equipment provided as part of this project within 30 days of receipt of the equipment at the school.
4. Agree to the installation of a school wide wireless network to be provided by GADOE if not already in place.
5. Track all technical support issues, time, and costs via provided online system.
6. Submit a list of any additional project related professional development activities conducted by the district/school in addition to that provided by project.
7. Complete a school wide educational technology online assessment instrument at the beginning and end of each.
8. Participate in research and evaluation of the project as requested including submission of regular online self-evaluation reports by teachers and school/classroom observations by project personnel.
9. Participate as a team in all project-related professional learning activities offered by GADOE and GLISI as part of the project; face-to-face and online.
10. Openly share the results of the project through support of visitors, presentations, and publication of results if applicable. Examples of this are school tours, videos, interviews and articles.
11. Work with the project to fully document “best practices”.
12. Participate in an online discussion forum to collaborate with other members of the project for the entire duration of the project.
13. Participate in face-to-face leadership project meetings.
14. Agree to serve as mentors to additional schools throughout the state in the future.
15. Provide detailed student achievement data from existing sources of data as requested by the project team (at the class level for the specific class(es) involved in the project and comparable class(es) not using the technology).
16. Develop and submit a district/school wide plan to sustain/expand the specific successes of this project in future years across the school and district.
17. Present results of project at GADOE Technology Leadership Conference in the fall of 2005.
18. Conduct a tour of the school and project for GADOE, GLISI, and district personnel in the fall of 2005.
19. Submit a copy of this document signed by the entire project team agreeing to all of the items contained in this list (including all district and school personnel directly involved in the project).

What do schools receive for participation?

1. Free school wide wireless network infrastructure (Wireless Access Points).
2. Assistance form GADOE and GLISI to define a 21^st Century Learning Environments vision and plan for the district and schools involved.
3. Funding for the implementation of one pilot technology integration project in one school.
4. Free training for the entire district/school team to be provided by GADOE.
5. Follow-up support and collaboration among all 12 participating schools.
6. A chance to serve as a model of effective technology integration for the entire state of Georgia.

 FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions: 

1. How do I align this project with other ongoing activities in the school/district?
   1. This project can easily connect to an existing project or provide additional funds for expansion of an already planned project if agreed upon by GADOE and the school.
   2. Elementary schools are asked to focus on literacy, middle schools on math, and high schools on science.
2. For how long will GADOE provide funding?
   1. Funding is provided for one year only to support the purchase of the new technology. Schools/districts are committing to 3 years of project involvement in return.
3. How much money is available to each school?
   1. GADOE and GLISI will work with the schools to define projects that are tailored to the individual needs of the school. Budgets will be developed after this plan has been completed. No set amount per school has been established.
4. Why is GADOE doing this project?
   1. GADOE wants to develop models of effective technology integration across the state in a diverse range of schools and districts. These schools will then serve as mentors for others in the future.

 Contact Information:

Georgia Leadership Institute for School Improvement – GLISI

Chris Thompson – chris.thompson@galeaders.org  (404) 385-2421 (Primary Contact)

Tom Mcklin – tom.mcklin@galeaders.org  (404) 385-0297

Janice Fletcher – janice.fletcher@galeaders.org  (404) 894-5039

Sherri Conway – sherri.conway@ceismc.gatech.edu  (404) 894-0777

 
Georgia Department of Education – GADOE

Michael Murray - mmurray@doe.k12.ga.us  (404) 657-8233 (Primary Contact)

Judy Winzurk - JWinzurk@doe.k12.ga.us  (404) 651-7359

Jason Saltmarsh - jsaltmar@doe.k12.ga.us  (404) 657-3543

Preliminary Project Timeline:

November - all schools visited and project definitions begun. Dates TBD.

December – Professional Learning (PL) orientation face-to-face (F2F) meeting. Date TBD.

December 2004 – March 2005 PL continues online and F2F. Date TBD.

January 2005 – project design complete and equipment orders begin.

January 2005 – online teacher reporting begins.

February 2005 – all equipment installed and operating in schools.

September 2005 – school tour for GADOE, GLISI, and  invited guests. Date TBD.

October 2005 – school presentations at Technology Leadership conference in Athens.

Project Steps:

1. Selected school complete technology survey.
2. Schools visited and technology landscape examined.
3. School commitment sign-off completed.
4. Baseline data on school/classroom practices collected.
5. SMART Goal set by school with project team.
6. SMART Goals matched with specific projects, equipment, and budgets.
7. Projects finalized with school teams and equipment/software ordered and installed.
8. pre-MILE guide survey by school and evaluators.
9. Schools begin PL and begin to collect data on leading indicators of SMART Goals.
10. Observation and self-reporting of PL transfers/classroom practice and student performance throughout the year.
11. Reporting of local student assessment results throughout the year.
12. Summative school tours in fall 2005 for 21^st CLE team and district personnel as part of summative evaluation. (Dry-run for serving as mentors to other schools.)
13. post-MILE guide survey by school and evaluators.
14. Every school makes presentation at conclusion of project at GADOE Tech Conference in October 2005.
15. Best practices collected and reported to public.