Revised 1996
Vision Statement
Our vision at NES is to provide the best education possible for our students by taking advantage of proven educational research and technological developments. Students will become responsible, self-directed learners able to work cooperatively. Technology will be used to enhance learning, facilitate problem-solving, and develop critical and creative thinking skills in order to prepare students to live and work successfully in our global society.
Philosophy
Technology can help establish an infrastructure to support collaborative and cooperative learning, constructivist philosophy and project-oriented activities to demonstrate knowledge. For students who are not learning effectively from traditional methods of teaching, technology can expand the repertoire of what works for these children. It will also differentiate curriculum to meet the enrichment needs of other students, as well, allowing all students to use their minds well.
Technology expands and enriches the children's world, allowing he or she to experience events, observe life organisms, and visit cultures outside of their immediate circle of knowledge.
Program Impact
Appropriate hardware, software, training personnel and adequate training have the potential to support school restructuring efforts. If technology is simply used to automate traditional models of teaching and learning, it will have very little impact on learning. If it is used to enable new models of teaching that can't be implemented without technology, then there will be a major impact on schools. This model would encourage students to take responsibility in their learning and the teacher to act as facilitator and coach in the process. These models must extend beyond the walls of school into the community, into the workplace and into the family. Through interactive resourcing with the use of telecommunications this would be possible.
Existing limited technology is being used to support the reading/writing process, the NCTM (National Council of Teachers of Mathematics) standards and the social studies and science thematic units. We are already observing the increase in student motivation when exposed to technological tools. We can see how appropriate technology would restructure the classroom, management of the classroom and educational methodology. This would be a true paradigm shift for the future.
In order to fully implement our technology program it is necessary to establish a well-managed, aggressive staff development program which provides each teacher with the educational and technology support necessary for success.
School-wide Goals
The computer lab will continue to be used as an instructional site and resource for all teachers and students.
*Each classroom will have a work station of five computers and a compatible printer. One of the computers will be a duo-dock laptop for teacher use at home as well as school.
*A second computer lab will be established to meet the varying needs of the grade levels.
*Software purchases will emphasise thinking skills, simulations, and tools (Computer assisted instructional programs will be limited to specific student needs.
*Technology will be used to support and enhanse all curricular areas including reading, writing, math, science, social studies, problem-solving, art, and music.
*Logo programming will be one of the basic building blocks in our computer program.
*Word processing programs will be used to support the language arts curriculum.
*Telecommunications will be supported and encouraged as a means of communicating with other teachers, students, and the outside world.
*Grade and subject appropriate software will be purchased with a focus on curriculum integration.
*Training and support will be consistently provided for staff to maintain their skills, learn new techniques and applications, and to integrate technology with the curriculum.
*Concern for gender equity will be reflected in the use of technology.
*All students and staff will be encouraged to make use of the available technology.
*Federal regulations regarding individual copyright licenses of software will be followed.
*A routine maintenance program will be established.
*Equipment in costly disrepair maybe disposed of following an assessment by appropriate companies, such as Unicom, etc.
*School-wide integration of technology into the curriculum will be developed so that it enhances and broadens current educational topics and techniques.
Student Outcomes
Students will:
· Recognize the importance of technology in the world around us.
· Become confident in using technology to solve problems.
· Begin to use technology to enhance research skills.
· Become confident in using technology as a tool.
· Practice communicating ideas through the use of word processing.
· Recognize the capabilities of desktop publishing in the communication and presentation of ideas and information.
· Learn the basic skills necessary to operate computer hardware.
· Develop skills that will use technology to enhance creativity.
· Become empowered and in control of the technology.
· Use the computer cooperatively for a variety of purposes.
· Learn to value the place technology will have in their lives.
· Recognize that telecommunication can be used to communicate with the world.
· Practice decision-making skills through the use of various software programs.
· Be exposed to multimedia technology as it becomes available.
Current Status
There have been extensive fundraising activities conducted since the inception of the K-3 Technology Plan during the 1993-94 school year. Other funding was provided by budget lines, lease funding, a Champlin Foundation allocation and donations from the community and PTO. As a result, the current status is:
· one Macintosh computer and compatible printer in each of 32 classrooms
· two Special Education computers
· one computer room housing twelve Macintosh computers, four printers, and a black and white scanner
· NES Media Center having two Macintosh computers used for research purposes and an IBM computer for library circulation.
· four IBM-compatible office computers
· seven telecommunication sites equipped with modems and designated phone lines
· one Apple QuickTake digital camera and one QuickCam
· seven software site licenses for tool-oriented programs
· assorted curriculum-related CD-ROMs
· two AlphaSmart text processors as pilots in second grade
Personnel
NES currently has a Computer Program Leader, who is also a full-time second grade teacher. A Technology Committee composed of teachers and administrators meets on a regular basis to discuss the needs of the school. With increasing hardware, software, and the inevitability of networking, there needs to be personnel available for troubleshooting, supporting teachers and the management of hardware, software and training.
Future Acquisitions
Before the year 2000, NES expects full implementation of the revised K-4 Technology Plan. The following is a prioritized list of technology needs:
· full-time Computer Teacher/Coordinator
· fully-equipped ethernet computer network with appropriate wiring and file servers connecting all school computers with potential connectivity to community resources (other district schools, police, fire, library, etc.)
· a learning station with four up-to-date desktop computers and one Duo-Dock Powerbook in each K-4 classroom
· one computer in each special education/remedial classroom
· telecommunications access for all classrooms
· a second computer lab to meet the varying needs of grade levels
· a technical aide to assist the Computer Teacher/Coordinator
·a roving substitute teacher one day each week to relieve classroom teacher for hourly tutoring.
· five portable AlphaSmart text processors per classroom
· two LCD Projection Panels for training and class demonstrations
· one additional videodisc player and an appropriate number of videodiscs
· one Apple QuickTake camera per grade level
· continual updating of software and licenses to provide curriculum integration and meet the varying needs of our students
Current Uses
There are many possible uses for technology in primary education. Listed below are some of the current uses, which would be expanded with more accessibility to additional hardware.
· as supplement to writing process activities
· as integration into science and social studies topics
· as a communication tool to connect teachers for the purpose of sharing ideas
· for participation in collaborative projects between schools
· for research purposes utilizing on-line resources and encyclopedia software
· for library referencing
· for enrichment activities for all students
- at-risk remediation
- high ability enrichment
· to provide practice in critical thinking, logical thought, and problem-solving using software such as LogoWriter or MicroWorlds
· as curriculum extensions
· to provide outlets for creativity
· as tools for teachers
Assessment
Students must exhibit their ability to use the computer as a tool. Assessment could be done in a variety of ways. In some cases computer use could result in a grade appropriate project using word processing, Logo, or drawing programs. These projects could be included in student portfolios. Demonstration of computer mastery would be directly related to the quality of the project. The use of interactive books will result in an increased reading ability which can be assessed through running records and IRIs. Interactive Science and Social Studies CD-Roms will result in an observable increase in student interest in technology and an increased participation in the discussion of curriculum themes. Computer journals provide an insight into the students' understanding of their learning.
Training
Research has indicated that training and follow-up support are essential to the implementation of a successful technology program. The needs at NES are as follows:
· Ongoing training and support for all staff for the purpose of:
- introducing new hardware/software
- troubleshooting problems
- curriculum integration
- teaching strategies
*cooperative problem-solving
*collaborative project demonstrations
- telecommunications
· individual tutoring on an hourly basis to assist teachers in developing their skills.
· small group before or after school workshops to introduce new software and equipment
· in-class/computer lab demonstrations of new software methods or activities with students
· training of parent volunteers to assist in lab or classrooms
· outreach training to strengthen the understanding of technology in our school and community
- evenings
- after school
- summer
Maintenance
New computer hardware purchases generally are equipped with a minimum of one-year warranties. Beyond that time, it is possible to purchase maintenance contracts from an outside vendor. Daily computer room and classroom glitches must be addressed in a timely manner. The needs at NES are, and will continue to be:
· maintaining supplies in computer room
· day-to-day troubleshooting in computer room and classrooms
· hard disk data diagnostics and defragmentation on a regular basis
· determining extent of hardware disrepair and make repairs where possible
· set-up and installation of new hardware and software
· configuration management