INNOVATIVE CLASSROOM TECHNOLOGY LEADS TO BETTER PERFORMANCE ON ASSESSMENTS A Marriage of the Minds

Innovative Classroom Technology Presenters Nikki Eatchel, Vice President Program Management, Questar Assessment, Inc. Tony Eatchel, STEM School Technology Specialist, Cedar Park Elementary John Garcia, Principal, Cedar Park Elementary

Innovative Classroom Technology Goals for Today Review current technological environment Discuss three key strategies for successful technology integration Highlight a case study: Cedar Park Elementary

Technology Review

The Landscape in the 1980s In the early 1980s wide scale acceptance of computers in the classroom occurred By 1989 computer usage shifted from being a relative rarity in American public schools, to being present in nearly every school district Small computer labs, accessible to a portion of the student population, were more common.

Technology Review The Landscape in the 1990s Additional technologies, such as electronic whiteboards and laptop computers were starting to make their way into the US classrooms. In 1996, Bill Clinton made over $2 billion in grants available through the Technology Literacy Challenge Fund – which challenged schools to make computers available to all students. Between 1997 and 1999, the ratio of students to computers decreased from 21 students per machine to less than 10 students per machine.

Technology Review The Landscape in the 2000s No Child Left Behind requires states to demonstrate that "every student is technologically literate by the time the student finishes the eighth grade, regardless of the student's race, ethnicity, gender, family income, geographic location, or disability" (U.S. Department of Education, 2001).

Technology Review The Landscape in the 2000s (continued) By fall 2008, the ratio of students to computers was 3.1 to 1. Ninety-seven percent of schools had one or more instructional computers located in classrooms (excluding laptops on carts) and 58 percent of schools had laptops on carts.

Technology Review The Landscape in the 2000s (continued) Also in 2008, public schools reported the use of:  LCD (liquid crystal display) and DLP (digital light processing) projectors (97 percent)  Digital cameras (93 percent)  Interactive whiteboards (73 percent)  Wireless network access for the whole school (39%) or for part of the school (30%) SOURCE: U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics. (2010). Educational Technology in U.S. Public Schools: Fall 2008 (NCES ).

Technology Review Enhanced technology in all classrooms is no longer an “if” or “when,” but is now an “already here.” Many studies have been conducted to determine if the incorporation of classroom technology results in an increase in student knowledge and subsequent test scores.

And the results are in... sort of There is still a tenuous relationship between gains in student performance on standardized achievement tests and increased student exposure to technology in the classroom. Largest factors impacting the successful leveraging of technology for enhanced student learning and performance? Teacher technology skills are not highly developed due to lack of training Ongoing professional development does not incorporate technology education Learner Identity, Learning Technologies, and Learner Diversity: A Review of the Literature, Caroline E. Parker, Ed.D.

Success Factors So how does a school investing in technology for their classrooms ensure successful integration and subsequent improvements for students? Three key strategies: (1) Dedicated technology expertise available for daily, ongoing support (2) Technology that is fully integrated into classroom curriculum, and (3) Strong and consistent professional development for staff

Practical Application

Key Strategies General Description – Cedar Park Technology Five years as a Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) Magnet School Large Investment in Technology  Interactive Classrooms  1 to 1 Laptop Initiative in Fifth Grade  60 iPads  Full Time Technology Teacher/Specialist  ¾ Time Technology Clerk

Key Strategies - Support Full Support Model  Daily On-Site support for teachers  Daily On-Site support for hardware and software Technology Teacher/Specialist  Dedicated resource for classroom teachers  Mindful planning of Technology integration into the Curriculum  Responsible for ongoing professional development  Implements Co-Teaching/Coaching strategies

Key Strategies – Full Integration Technology is a Tool that is integrated into curriculum not taught in isolation  UBD Science Curriculum  Podcasting  Voicethreads  Websites  Math, Engineering, Literacy, Social Studies

Kindergarten Technology Literacy

Key Strategies - Professional Development Ever-Changing Technology  SMART Boards  Web 2.0 Sites  Software/Hardware Evolving Professional Development Models  When is Staff ready?  What type of support is needed?

Professional Development Traditional Sessions Initiated by Technology Specialist Classroom setting with Staff Sessions:  Technology Concepts  Hardware  Software  Methodology

Professional Development Co-Teaching Technology Specialist and Teacher plan lessons together around specific curriculum ideas and concepts  UBD Science  Model Teaching  Specialist Fazed Out

2 nd Grade Weather Forecast

Flipped Professional Development Projects brought by Teacher to Specialist  Student Project Ideas or Products Developed  Teacher and Specialist work together to integrate project into Unit  Students work with Teacher and Technology Specialist to produce work

60 iPads for Small Group Instructions

Professional Development Technology Coaching The technology coach serves as an instructional coach for teachers. The technology coach also provides ongoing job- embedded professional development Models effective instructional strategies using technology Leads discussions with teachers on the latest research on technology integration

Results: A Case Study

ROI Investment: The investing of money or capital for profitable returns. (Webster)  Technology Hardware – estimated costs of $750,000 over 5 years  Software- est. $100,000 over 5 years  Staffing- $512,000 over 5 years  Training- $20,000  Maintenance and up keep- $40,000/year

Returns and Rewards Increased enrollment – 512 students in 2008 to 698 in 2012 (nearly a million dollar difference in allocation) Performance – increase in overall standardized test scores. (Maps, MCAII, Etc.) Parent and student satisfaction – parent surveys continuously rate Cedar Park high in use of technology Teacher professional growth – enhancing the way teachers deliver instruction Students love technology and they expect it to be in their schools.

Questions?