A workshop on the vision and implementation process the staff of St. Dorothy Elementary School (EMSB)has experienced as a pilot school for the integration of ICT into the curriculum. A celebration of its successes as well its failures as a model that is still evolving. Working with partners, both major corporations (Apple Canada, Norshield Financial Group) and educational institutions (CSLP, Concordia University, CEMIS, EMSB and MEQ), the vision of St. Dorothy's has been, and is, a team effort hoping to serve as a model to other schools. A School's Vision Becoming Reality “Tomorrow’s School Today”

What technology was in place? HHad 16 Apple II GS and received 16 LC 475s HNo Internet connection HComputers where located in the lab HPart-time lab technician whose primary role was to help set up the grade 6 yearbook A School's Vision Becoming Reality “Tomorrow’s School Today” The beginning :

P Macintosh platform, primarily G3s P 85+ computers, networked using Macintosh Manager, OS 8.6 P Ratio of computers to students is 1 :4.7 P Computers in the lab (15) and in the classes (at least 2 per class up to 6 per class) P Integrated software package: AppleWorks P Specialty software & peripherals (e.g. digital camera, scanner, AVID cinema) P 5 laptops P St. Dorothy web site St. Dorothy web site A School's Vision Becoming Reality “Tomorrow’s School Today” Current technology inventory at St. Dorothy:

HInitially hardware but no teacher training Coupled with the need: HTo have an in-school ICT resource person for ICT project development versus a technician in charge purely of tech support HTo decentralize the computers into the classrooms to encourage greater use of ICT in learning Called for change... A School's Vision Becoming Reality “Tomorrow’s School Today” MEQ support and the Marois plan:

P Comparison with United States where partnerships are the norm P Corporations feeling the need to re-invest in the community that has made them successful P Schools should be on the cutting edge of technology P MEQ can not possibly take care of all our tech needs P School Boards not capable of contributing that amount of financial support A School's Vision Becoming Reality “Tomorrow’s School Today” Why the Partnership Model?

H Apple Canada H Norshield Financial Group H CSLP, Concordia University H CEMIS H EMSB H Quebec Ministry of Education, QESN A School's Vision Becoming Reality “Tomorrow’s School Today” St. Dorothy’s Partners:

H Commitment to education, especially inner city elementary schools H Solicited other partners (Apple, CSLP) H Established the Norshield Development Foundation  Supplied material resources & ensured initial technological resources H Funded university involvement ($ to the CSLP over 5 years) A School's Vision Becoming Reality “Tomorrow’s School Today” Norshield Financial Group since 1996:

PHuman Resources - on site technological support on numerous occasions PMaterial Resources - Apple has donated equipment e.g., five laptops, multimedia computer computer and a server PProfessional Development e.g., a 2 day multi-media workshop A School's Vision Becoming Reality “Tomorrow’s School Today” Apple Canada since 1996:

HWorked with St. Dorothy’s teachers on ICT integration projects H Done research to understand the nature of educational technology within education (documentation available) H Collaborated with teachers to implement ICT projects into the curriculum A School's Vision Becoming Reality “Tomorrow’s School Today” For the past 2 years, CSLP graduate students (Concordia University) have:

P Professional Development P Supports a project Based Pedagogy P Dissemination of information P Release Time for Teachers P Grant Applications P Material Resources A School's Vision Becoming Reality “Tomorrow’s School Today” English Montreal CEMIS English Montreal CEMIS (Centers for the Enrichment of Educational Technology):

cv HCurrent technician to computer ratio is approx.1: 400+ (industry ratio is 1:50) making it difficult to ensure ongoing tech support for the school HMatching funds for computers HWiring for the network HHuman resources (e.g. ICT consultant) A School's Vision Becoming Reality “Tomorrow’s School Today” EMSB (English Montreal School Board):

H School administrators need to be in tune with their teachers’ needs and up to speed on ICT in order to model good ICT practices H School administrators allowing teachers to take the equipment home H A school Tech Action Team representative of all cycles A School's Vision Becoming Reality “Tomorrow’s School Today” What kind of support needs to be in place?

H Marois money only buys hardware and wiring What kind of support needs to be in place? “Tomorrow’s School Today” ICT Savvy School Administrators: HTherefore administrators need to make good purchasing decisions H Listen to their teachers!(e.g.Oakville Field Trip) H Encourage teachers to take laptops taken home on nightly basis to further tech skills HEncourage teachers to take equipment home over the summer to further tech skills

A School's Vision Becoming Reality “Tomorrow’s School Today” Who is on the Tech Team? HOne rep per cycle and a school administrator What does the Tech Team do? HMeet at least once per month for an official meeting  Release time is provided  Minutes are taken  An agenda is posted for the staff HLook at ICT Exit Profiles HTech inventory HAssess hardware/software needs based on the inventory HDissemination of ICT info to the rest of the staff (conference, project info etc. given to them by their CEMIS) HOccasional troubleshooting HThey are the hub of tech integration in the school keeping the staff informed

P Originally teachers did professional development mainly on their own time (I.e. lunches, after school, at home) P While tempting…don’t accept corporate donations when they are upgrading - The amount you have to contribute to making the equipment compatible with that of the school is NOT worth it! P Grant money (GrassRoots, PDIG)GrassRoots P Marois plan will end - What then? A School's Vision Becoming Reality “Tomorrow’s School Today” Reality Check: SEEK PARTNERSHIP PCSLP research shows that teacher comfort level has increased from 18% (1996) to 72% (1999) of staff members feeling comfortable in using ICT within the curriculum

Designed and prepared by: Sabine Cossette - CEMIS Consultant EMSB, LBPSB All the clipart was created by children in the Alphabet Adventure Gallery Project.Alphabet Adventure Gallery St. Dorothy School photo (Slide 1) by Lauren Aslin - Tech consultant (QESN), ICT resource person (St. Dorothy Elementary, EMSB), Part-time faculty (Concordia University). &