HBMS+April+Blog+response

[|April's Reflection: Assessment]

 * As you reflect today on ways to assess student and staff needs, you may want to begin thinking about your preliminary wish list and //most importantly how these tools will assist you in meeting the goals of your school success plan.// Please take a few moments to share your ideas that you have and provide feedback to your colleagues' ideas. We will continue the sharing process in May's session.**

__ 2008/09 School Improvement Instructional Strategies __ Mathematics -- differentiated instruction, higher order questions, critical thinking, and writing to explain Reading -- differentiated instruction, higher order questions, critical thinking, and writing to explain Writing -- differentiated instruction, writing to explain, graphic organizers, and FAT-P

So, what do we have on our wish list for the $300 per unit and how do they serve the SIP? Also worth remembering is the "deal price" on Dell printers at $299. Most of the classroom printers are the same age as the white computers and some have paper feed issues.


 * From Joan:** Teacher reactions to the new LoTi test indicate a need for classroom access to technology tools - few have working student computers. A set of new laptops with good wireless access and reliable batteries would be one way to help provide this although they would have to be hard-wired to the network if shared among several rooms. Schoolwide wireless access would increase the flexibility of laptop use, but that is undoubtably a thing of the future.

From Susan: I feel that there needs to be training to assist teachers in using technology to work together. However once there is training we need to have time to work with the program and practice with it. I also think that the staff would need to revisit what was learned and have refresher courses in order to stay current and to be reminded on how to use it.

From Dan: I think Joan and Sue have a point in their comments I would like to add to. First the wireless idea. I think it is a total waste of money to go after desk top models. Students use wireless units at home and a charging station with its own wireless router would solve the problem of wireless needed all over the school. I know cost for a desk top is probably more within our budget but the use of the laptops would give more flexibility. If I was given a choice of laptops over desktops I would go with the laptops. Sue makes a great point about technology use. When ever there is new technology offered there needs to be a plan in place with daily, weekly, or monthly assignments attached to its use. Otherwise like anyone else a teacher will go back to whatever is more comfortable and may not see the potential or realize it before giving up. What ever we decide I think there needs to be just as much planning that goes into daily use so that training can be focused. Finally I think that equiping the rooms and people with what they wish is important. As a PE teacher I did not need several desk tops in my gym or health room. But it would have been nice to have a laptop or two when doing fitness testing and running programs associated with such activities in the health room. I guess I would really like to see an individual wish list and see how well we could make it all happen. Teachers like personalization.

From Chad: I believe technology can be a tool to engage students in the above "survival skills." In addition to hardware, we will need professional development funds to train our staff on how to use technology. Implemention will depend on staff training, hardware and software availability, and technology instructional strategies, which will support the skills need for the 21st Century. **
 * During upcoming planning sessions, we will update our School Success Plan. As we discuss and identify our 2009/10 school improvement plan goals, we must consider skills business leaders have identified as requirements for our students to be successful in the 21st Century.  ****  Tony Wagner, the author of the best selling book, __The Global Achievement Gap__, lays out the belief that there is a profound disconnect between what potential employers are looking for and what is taught in school. After interviewing scores of top business leaders, he identified seven survival skills for success today – they are:   **
 * • critical thinking and problem solving **
 * • collaboration across networks **
 * • agility and adaptability **
 * • initiative and entrepreneurialism **
 * • effective oral and written communication **
 * • accessing and analyzing information **
 * • curiosity and imagination **
 * Sincerely, **
 * Chad **