Kelly Falvey – Library Media, CT River Academy Diane Felty – Teacher, TFS Amy Frese – Asst. Dir., RMMS Bridgette Gordon Hickey - Director Special Services, LEARN Lance Hagan - Technology Director, LEARN Rebecca Hall - Instructor, DLAMMS Clint Kennedy - Consultant Eric Litvinoff – Teacher, MSMHS Callie Mish – Teacher, GCECMS Erica Page – Special Services, LEARN Matt Parsons – Teacher, CT River Academy Pam Poirier - Teacher, RMMS Pamela Santerre - Teacher, Three Rivers Middle College Nick Spera – Principal, MSMHS Ruth Toledo - Teacher, TFS Leanne Tormey - Masterjoseph – Dir. Of Ed Dev., LEARN LEARN Regional Educational Service Center Is proud to include the following schools: (Grades PreK-2) (Grades PreK-2) (Grades K-5) (Grades 6-8)
Description of current technology use at the school: At GCECMS each classroom is equipped with a SMART board and one desktop computer. The SMART board as well as desktop computer is used for research based needs, as well as basic typing/writing skills. All teaching teams use MacBook Pro laptops and have a educator iPad. Our school has 100 iPads for students use (to be shared with all grades). The iPads do come equipped with 40 apps. Each classroom has a digital camera in which the teachers and children can document learning. The school also has a digital projector, 2 black and white printers and one color printer. School Name: Marine Science Magnet High School School URL (web-address): School Mission or Theme (if applicable): Marine Science Geographic region served: Southeastern Connecticut (We take from 28 different districts from Clinton to North Stonington) Grades served: 9-12 Approx. number of students: 270 Approx. number of staff: 40 Description of current technology use at the school: MSMHS is a 1:1 environment where every student is given a laptop on day 1 of their freshman year. They use the laptop in all classrooms for email, research, design, word processing, reading, etc. The laptops are an integral tool for the student and is embedded in the curriculum. In addition to laptops, all classrooms are outfitted with Promethean Boards. Furthermore, the Marine Studies curriculum utilizes a Ship Bridge Simulator to enhance the introduction of navigation and small boat handling skills. Regional Multicultural Magnet School School Name: Regional Multicultural Magnet School (RMMS) School URL (web-address): www.rmms.k12.ct.us School Mission or Theme (if applicable): Multiculturalism Geographic region served: Students can enroll from any town in Southeastern Connecticut. Grades served: K-5 Approx. number of students: 540
TOPIC 1 - Technology Integration into Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment Elements Action Steps – Year 1 Guidance – Years 2 & 3 Educational Technology Standards The educational technology set of standards created by the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) is the preeminent set of standards available to educators to improve teaching and learning. The standards are defined in the Resources section of this plan. The ISTE standards, including the student, teacher, and administrator standards, are a critical component of the technology integration process. Standards are typically included in the curriculum writing and lesson plan development process. Adopt the ISTE Standards for students, teachers, and administrators. Adopt the ISTE standards for Technology Coaches. LEARN will create and adhere to a process of assessing the impact of ISTE Standards adoption on student performance and the ability of staff and frequency of technology integration in classrooms. Technology Integration Model The educational technology integration model SAMR (Substitution, Augmentation, Modification, and Redefinition) created by Dr. Ruben Puentedura is the preeminent model available to schools for successful integration of technology into instruction. The model is defined in the Resources section of this plan. An integration model is a critical component of the curriculum writing and instructional improvement process. Adopt the SAMR technology integration model across all schools. Review and identify current performance of the SAMR model and other possible integration models as needed. Assessment of Staff and Students A measure of a student’s ability to use technology for learning is critical. Without identification of a student’s current level of ability, it will be more difficult for educators to design and facilitate learning experiences for the student. A measure of a teacher’s ability to use technology for teaching and learning is critical. Without identification of a teacher’s current level of ability to integrate The district Technology Committee will research, create, and adopt an assessment/evaluation tool for identifying the essential conditions necessary to optimize technology integration. Assess and modify assessments as needed. NOTE: Performance assessments should be used when possible or when more widely available. This allows students to demonstrate their abilities and allows educators to
A comprehensive school-based learning mgmt. system (LMS) should allow for: Course management tools for teachers Blended learning opportunities for students Blending learning opportunities for staff Connecticut’s Assistive Technology Guidelines and Support should drive decision-making forward. ( ) The domain naming conventions used by LEARN schools for web and email services are inconsistent and may lead to confusion or lack of communication with parents, students, and the community. Full implementation of Microsoft Office 365 as the administrative productivity suite for all administration and staff will be supported. Review and pilot testing of LMS systems by level. Review fully the list of domain names owned by LEARN. Create a consistent logical naming convention for both email and web services. (See Resources section for current list of domain names) technologies and to coordinate efforts across the District should be investigated especially in the creation and monitoring of IEPs/504s. Selection of an LMS system by level. TOPIC 3 – Best Practices for Integrating Technology Elements Action Steps – Year 1 Guidance – Years 2 & 3 Technology and Curriculum Development The LEARN district will support the new LEARN curriculum design and development process with a digital workflow. ISTE Technology Standards must be aligned to all current and future formal LEARN and school curriculum documents. Lesson plan design will link embedded standards, content, and tools with suggestions for integration based on the SAMR model of technology integration. The district Technology Committee will research and develop a process for integrating ISTE standards and the SAMR integration model into the current formal curriculum writing/updating process including lesson plan development. Work with LEARN curriculum committee(s) or equivalent to digitize curriculum and support the design and development of a digital workflow. Monitor curriculum development and modification process. Where can technology support these efforts in general and specific identified issues. Is the LEARN District curricula fully digitized? Curriculum Topic Recommendations: Intro to Computer Science starting at the middle level
The New Literacies of online research (locating, evaluating, synthesizing and communicating) Supporting Tool-Specific Professional Development The number of websites, web-services, and mobile apps (those used on iPads in LEARN schools) used by teachers and students continues to increase and expand. Training for websites, web-services, and mobile apps must take place to assure greater impact on teaching and learning. Current efforts have been poorly attended or have been limited due to scheduling conflicts. Assistive technology in the form of websites, and mobile apps for our IEP and 504 students must be maintained and implemented separately due to the specialized nature of the tools and the considerable costs associated with these tools. Implement new professional development structures, in consultation with the Director of professional development, to support digital learning. Implement new professional development opportunities, in consultation with the Director of IT, to train teachers in the use of digital technologies. Are the implemented structures effective and/or sufficient? Modify as needed. Supporting Professional Development with Technology Online and real-time opportunities are needed to support individual collaboration for teachers and administrators in a geographically dispersed district environment. Technology committees are inconsistent throughout LEARN schools and ad-hoc at the District level. A standing committee at the District and individual school level that leverages online technologies to collaborate and complete their work is essential for a digitally converted district. A modern, web-based professional development management information system is needed for tracking and better decision to enhance and differentiate teacher learning. The district Tech Committee will engage with the LEARN Director of Educator Development to create: Professional Learning Communities for staff to support their learning and implementation of Educational Technology Professional development opportunities for staff to grow in their knowledge and experience with ISTE Standards and SAMR model Online spaces to support Professional Development Create a system for the tracking of professional development activities and growth. Collect data. Are the implemented activities effective and/or sufficient based on feedback/data? Modify as needed. Has online learning tools and techniques (including MOOCs) been explored for teacher learning?
and district climate that can optimize the technology integration process for better teaching and learning. TOPIC 4 – Technology Support for Teaching and Learning Elements Action Steps – Year 1 Guidance – Years 2 & 3 Tech Coach(es) LEARN will develop a job description for Tech Coaches that reflect the theme of each school and age of students. It is recommended that coaches have an educational background reflective of the grades level in which they serve. The job description for these coaches should be guided by the ISTE standards for Tech Coaches (see Resources) and can be modeled after the progression of the current position Theme Coach for Instructional technology (hiring Spring 2015). Responsibilities of Coaches should include: Troubleshooting day-to-day tech support issues Referring advanced problems to the appropriate IT Specialist Working with teachers to develop curriculum units and lessons that integrate technology in meaningful ways using the SAMR model Co-teaching students in the classroom with teachers as needed Working with teachers and administrators to investigate and evaluate technology that will meet the needs of individual schools and the LEARN District Facilitating school-based and district technology committees. Working with the Director of Educator Development and Professional Development, District Technology Committee, and Educator Evaluation Committee to develop and offer LEARN will create a Technology Coach position(s) with roles and responsibilities guided by the ISTE Standards and based upon the Theme Coach currently being filled (as of June 2015). LEARN will implement, evaluate, and expand the Tech Coach model as appropriate. Ideally, each school will have a permanent, full-time Tech Coach. The LEARN District-Wide Technology Committee will continue to work with individual schools and Technology Coaches to address problems and concerns. LEARN will provide resources and support for Technology Coaches to ensure that they stay current with upcoming technology advances.
technology related PD and resources including an electronic PD site . IT Specialists (current technicians) LEARN IT will continue to develop and enhance the capacity of IT Specialists LEARN IT will develop and strengthen relationships with the other IT Specialists (Goodwin, CCAT, and TRCC) to ensure effective collaboration. LEARN IT will investigate new roles & processes needed for the IT Specialists as goals and needs of the LEARN District and individual schools evolve. LEARN IT will identify needs and access outside expertise as needed. LEARN IT Specialists will collaborate and communicate with LEARN Tech coaches regularly to understand needs of students and teachers. LEARN will refine the role of IT Specialists with the IT Director to address evolving support needs focused on instructional improvement. What is the current role of IT Specialist in LEARN and LEARN schools? Is it sufficient? Do they contribute to improved teaching and learning? Tech Committees Standing committees regarding educational technology integration and general information technology needs are a critical component of the LEARN digital conversion. Committees should be either created or strengthened at the individual school level, the District level, and the LEARN region level. All schools will create and or redefine the work of their school-based Technology Committee. LEARN will continue to support the Tech Planning Committee to continue its current work focusing on the implementation of the technology plan. LEARN will re-initiate hosting and leading regional technology collaborative opportunities. LEARN will ensure that Professional Development continues to focus on teachers’ needs to integrate technology into lessons. LEARN schools will offer practical hands-on professional development sessions throughout the year according to staff needs. LEARN schools will use follow up surveys to determine technology needs each year. LEARN will host regular collaborative learning
The Friendship School In fiscal year 2014-2015, TFS purchased seven new switches In fiscal year 2014-2015, TFS purchased a wireless controller In fiscal year 2014-2015, TFS purchased 25 Access Points Purchase 2 new switches to replace the Cisco 2950G’s that are 10-11 years old. UPS for the server room should be replaced. A total of 5 UPS will be needed. Regional Multicultural Magnet School In fiscal year 2014-2015, RMMS purchased ten new switches In fiscal year 2014-2015, RMMS purchased a wireless controller with an additional High Availability controller In fiscal year 2014-2015, RMMS purchased 50 Access Points Plans to purchase 6 more 48 port switches to completely update network infrastructure. These will replace Cisco 2950G’s that are 12 years old. The Intel Modular Server will need to be replaced with two different servers (Domain Controller and File Server). Two UPS should be replaced. 23 SmartBoards will be 9 years old in 2016 Dual Language & Arts Magnet Middle School In fiscal year 2014-2015, DLAMMS purchased three new switches In fiscal year 2014-2015, DLAMMS purchased a wireless controller In fiscal year 2014-2015, DLAMMS purchased 25 Access Points No action needed for this year Look into replacing the firewall in 2016. Server should be replaced in 2017 Marine Science Magnet High School In fiscal year 2014-2015, MSMHS purchased ten new switches In fiscal year 2014-2015, MSMHS purchased a wireless controller with an additional High Availability controller In fiscal year 2014-2015, MSMHS purchased 50 Access Points No action needed for this year 3 UPS will need to be replaced in the server and switch rooms. Front projectors should be monitored to see if they will need to be replaced