SMART Classroom Project

Becoming Mentors & Building Capacity in our SchoolsYear 3 of 3 & 2 of 3

February 2011

Re-examination of yearly goals Benefits of project Challenges of project Modifications of project – What have we

learned? Becoming mentors – Building capacity in

your school

Purpose of Review

Year 1: Classroom Implementation including becoming familiar with Web 2.0 tools such as blogs and wikis, SMART software, and the process of action research.

Year 2: Collaboration and Pedagogy including a focus on professional development related to specific teaching pedagogies such as differentiation and inquiry-based learning.

Year 3: Leadership and Mentorship including building online resources, mentoring teachers at their school or grade level, and presenting for division professional development.

Overarching Throughlines

Action research format◦ Individualized & self-directed◦ Blogs & year-end reflections

Surveys◦ Teacher, administrator & student

Anecdotal records via email & attachments

Differentiated PD

The goals of the first year were: to develop learning communities and initial

website resources, to establish individual learning goals and

projects related to the classroom needs through action research projects

to gain confidence in understanding and integrating technology in the classroom including SMART software, division software, and other online applications

Year One Goals

The goals of the second year were: collaborating to create resources reflective of

technology integration practices mentoring and leadership in the school as well

as with the new participants researching inquiry-based learning and relating

it to instructional practices with technology reviewing the functionality of less expensive

wireless slates (SMART Airliners) as compared to interactive whiteboards (SMART Board)

Year Two Goals

The goals of the third and final year are: Identifying and actualizing year three individual and

classroom learning and instructional goals. Increasing the “rigor” of technology integration practices

through telecollaborative projects and inquiry based lessons.

Continuing and deepening mentorship and leadership with staff members as well as Regina Catholic schools through invitations to help lead monthly web conferencing professional development.

Increasing participation in technology conferences and opportunities.

Developing increased learning networks both within the Regina Catholic School Division but also outside of it

Identifying future shape and scope of the project for individualized technology integration at school sites

Year Three Goals

In small groups, discuss meeting project goals & individual goals – what worked? What needs to be changed?◦ Select a recorder◦ Identify date, group members & reflection #◦ Take jot notes and email to s.lowes@rcs.sk.ca at

end of the morning

Group reflection #1 - goals

Access to SMARTBoard and data projector in the classroom allows for seamless integration of technology into lessons on a daily basis. The reliability of the equipment in the classroom set-up makes planning for technology worth the time and effort.

Increased use of technology in lessons supports students learning and motivation. Hands-on practice, increased potential to review topics, and connections to real world research/applications make learning more relevant and motivating for students.

Teacher laptops enable flexibility for teachers to plan lessons from home or any room in the school. This increases opportunities for teachers to utilize the technology in the classroom to the fullest extent.

Professional development exposes teachers to new technologies, provides time for planning and debriefing, enables collaboration and sharing between teachers with real projects and tools being utilized in classrooms.

Professional development opportunities ensure that teachers are continually relating technology to curriculum goals

Growth in teacher and student technological skills through increased use and incorporation of technology with teaching

Confidence in technological abilities transferred into many teachers mentoring or leading other teachers in the school or joining online learning communities.

Motivated and interested teachers with technological curriculum goals were able to access increases in technology to actualize changes in their teaching pedagogy.

Identified Benefits of SMART

How accurate were these benefits recorded? What other benefits of the project are

there?

Group Reflection #2- Benefits

Equipment repair and maintenance. Even with warranties, hardware malfunctions including data projector bulbs and computer hard drives. Ongoing budget lines must be identified at school or division levels for equipment when warranties expire or ongoing replacement of equipment based on life cycles must be considered.

Support personnel for installation, repairs/warranties of hardware must be considered at a division level for SMART Boards, data projectors, and mounts.

Support personnel for laptop use on the network to allow for access to SchoolConnect, network software, home directories, etc.

Professional development for basic skills training as well as best practices for technology integration and software costs significant money. Support must be throughout the year and includes planned training as well as “just in time” training. Individualized levels, skills and interests can be diverse. School goals would help to narrow the focus of integration for professional development to ensure most effective training.

Lack of equipment mobility becomes a challenge for classroom movements within a school or teacher transfers within the school division. Lack of standardization of equipment across the school division will continue to pose this challenge.

Identified Challenges of Project

How accurately are the challenges recorded?

What other challenges of the project are there?

How can these challenges be resolved?

Group Reflection #3 s- Challenges

◦PD Support◦Technical support◦Administrative support◦Action Research – goal setting/reflections◦ Other?

Reflection #4-modifications: what modifications could be made to these areas? What are the “take aways” from participating in this project?

Next Steps - modifications

◦ How can you become a leader? School? System?◦ How can current technology in your school be

better utilized?◦ What is needed to meet the goals of Leadership &

Mentorship as defined by the project?

Reflection #5: Refer to the Technology Integration Matrix – where do you fall on this matrix? Where would you like to go? How would you like to get there?

Building capacity – Becoming mentors

Focus on the journey not the destination. Joy is found not in finishing an activity but

in doing it.    

Greg Anderson