Demystifying the Tech Standards by Rebecca Blume & Gayle Hopkins Portsmouth City School District February 13, 2006

About Our District 167 teachers 90 non-certified, 11 admin. status of tech experience equipment issues new initiatives that encourage tech use academic status day-to-day stresses web site (http://www.portsmouth.k12.oh.us)

Our Tech Committee Tech Coordinator One technician 5 facilitators – 2 librarians, Gifted Coordinator, Special Education Coordinator, Reading First Specialist—all non-administrative roles

Purpose of Standards Provide a set of clear and rigorous expectations. Provide clarity to Ohio teachers of what content and skills should be taught at each grade-level. However, how the material will be taught is a local school district decision. The academic content standards provide a set of clear and rigorous expectations for all students. Students will need to learn more and do complex work, at each grade level, as they progress through school. The new academic content standards provide clarity to Ohio teachers of what content and skills should be taught at each grade-level. However, how the material will be taught is a local school and district decision. courtesy of ODE website

No Child Left Behind ESEA/NCLB Ohio All students will become technology literate by the end of 8th grade. Ohio Basic skills, introductory and foundation level courses taught by the end of 8th grade. No Statewide Tech Achievement Test The Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) known as No Child Left Behind (NCLB) requires all students to become technology literate by 8th grade. This means that basic or introductory technology concepts will be addressed by benchmarks and indicators in the K-2, 3-5, and 6-8 grade bands. Skills needed to achieve this mandate are addressed in Ohio’s Technology Standards within the K-8 Benchmarks and Indicators) (http://www.ed.gov/policy/elsec/leg/esea02/pg34.html) There is no current plan for a statewide technology achievement test. courtesy of ODE website

Where we began… Tech Facilitators put together presentation (North Canton) http://www.northcanton.sparcc.org/~technology/standards/ Tech_Standards_Implementation_Tool.xls Voluntary 7-12 in service (not all teachers present) Met with Administrators Waiver day with teachers grouped by K-2, 3-6, 7-12

The presentation itself… impossible to present all the standards in the time allotted focused on what was tangible and realistic asked teachers to implement tech in classroom once a month provided them with resources to facilitate this request

Let’s look at what we did… Technology skills assessment sheet PowerPoint presentations by grade level K-2 3-6 7-12

Listed all the links on a website Links to resources used in presentation: http://www.portsmouth.k12.oh.us/GenInfo/staffresources/techtuesdays/standlinksgh.htm

Other resources used: Software websites and resources (already purchased by district)Inspiration, Scholastic Keys, etc. Infohio Resources:http://www.infohio.org/

Tech Tuesdays 3 rd year Every Tues—1 to 2 sessions-2 hrs long completely in- house Instructors are identified or make proposals to present Stipends are paid to all who attend—both certified and non-certified staff are included Last two years we have based TT on needs and tech standard implementation.

Tech Tuesday Tech Tuesday Course Offerings (2005-06) Graduate credit offered LPDC CEU’s offered

Benefits of TT TT has become one of the most credible PD offerings of the District—recognized by staff and administrators Demonstrates what is possible with the technology we have in-house at the present time—not pie in the sky Recognizes the abilities of staff members Technology becomes a consistent, weekly offering in which teachers can participate Teachers develop an actual “product” to use in classroom

Honest Tips What to do and not to do… Time is money, make it worth their while Send teachers (trainers) to conferences and workshops to enable new ideas and reinforce that you are on the right track If you aren’t paying attendees, feed them! Design PD to meet the teachers’ needs—whether personal or curricular. Picasa Needs to be at their level—don’t mix computers for dummies group with programmers group

More tips… Don’t reinvent the wheel! Keep chipping away—small bits are easier to swallow. Continually evaluate and ask for teacher input.

Webliography (URLS for embedded links) ODE Technology Standards-http://www.ode.state.oh.us/academic_content_standards/acstechnology.asp Texas Teacher Technology Competencies Certification Teacher Checklist -http://www.msad50.org/to/skills/TXselfassess.htm PCD Technology Standards PowerPoints-http://www.portsmouth.k12.oh.us/GenInfo/staffresources/Staffres.htm Inspiration-http://www.inspiration.com/standards/index.cfm?fuseaction=state_detail&state=Ohio

Webliography Scholastic Keys-http://www.tomsnyder.com/Products/productextras/KEYKEY/ PCS Tech Tuesday Brochure-http://www.portsmouth.k12.oh.us/GenInfo/staffresources/techtuesdays/techtues0506.pdf Picasa-http://picasa.google.com/index.html