Because I think we have a foundation of Web 2.0 in our county, I wanted to see some new ideas of how other Districts were using it. Throwing the Box Away was the session I “attended”
109 classrooms from three different schools in Pinellas County, Florida were a part of a “Leveraging Laptop” project to accelerate Science achievement and meet the needs of all students. 6-6 week projects for the students. The key to this entire project was the connectivity between all the teachers through meetings, blogs, online learning networks.
These teachers took the Standards, the grade levels and then the topics to see where could these schools work together. The key was the creativity of the teachers that mapped the curriculum. They sat at round tables and reviewed the “gaps” in the curriculum with media specialists and other subject teachers and talked about what kind of lessons and activities were being currently used. Where were students missing it. Most did not have technology when the original activities were first planned. They used these sessions to “drive” what they wanted to do.
Each teacher had a presentation station with projector. Each school received 5 mobile labs, podcasting stations and software, lab sensors and data loggers and digital still, video and web cameras. Professional Development and support was the key to success! Four days with e-mentors teaching e-skills, 5 days on curriculum development, E-coaches that was then published online using Universal Builder and an additional 5 days on how to use the tools. They also had ongoing online and onsight coaching support from the District and other e-coaches and e-mentors. All had access to tech tools and resources through high quality professional development.
They focused on 6 projects, Living Relationships, Weather, Habitats, Ecology and Florida Environment and Water. Here is a link to the powerpoints that outline these projects.
Unexpected growth in areas of classroom blogs, podcasts, video and image shows. The students realized that they could make a difference and change. This changed teaching practice by integrating the technology, collaborating with other classrooms and teachers, they published and maintained podcast, blogs and students became involved in the curriculum design and planning.
WOW!! I am so excited about this idea of an online conference. I think that should be a goal in Cherokee County to utilize our Alumni Teach 21 teachers to develope an online conference!! DEBBIE????????
