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Pflugerville Independent School District

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Model Technology Classroom Components

Model Technology Pilot Program

Model Technology Classrooms will include these components:

 

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Promethean Interactive Whiteboard

The interactive whiteboard (IWB) is an electro magnetic, tap sensitive device with a built-in radio frequency transceiver that allows numerous connections between teacher and student interactive devices. It can be used in conjunction with the classroom computer, projector and document camera to allow for the development of classroom activities that are engaging for all students. IWB technology promotes student interaction for multiple learning styles and abilities through software tools, widgets, and flash animations. They effectively address Information Communication Technology (ICT) required in 21st century learning environments through interactive activities such as note taking and summarization using digital ink with web documents and educational video clips. They support constructivism and active learning environments.

 

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Lumens DC 260 Series Document Camera

The document camera is a special video camera designed to display documents and 3-D objects. Document cameras can also display small objects such as insects, flowers, leaves, coins, math manipulatives, and science experiments, which overhead projectors cannot do. Many models of document cameras are equipped with microscope adapters allowing the microscope image to be displayed to an entire classroom. These models enable instructors to compare and contrast live shots against previously captured ones side-by-side to generate further discussion. Built-in slide show capability can play back audio clips, images and videos directly to the connected display or projector. You can connect the document camera to a projector and display images onto an interactive whiteboard.

 

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ActivSlate

The slate uses radio frequency to connect to the IWB and allows the teacher to move freely around the classroom to achieve greater collaboration with their students. Students using the slate can contribute a response, write the solution to a problem, or pose additional questions and have it appear on the classroom IWB. The device engages learners, fuels enthusiasm and improves performance. Interactive lessons become even more so when multiple students are participating in the learning environment.

 

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ActivExpression

Learner Response systems allow pupils to communicate and contribute with confidence. With wireless response systems everyone can enjoy the freedom of expression within the classroom. Real-time formative assessment takes place during instruction as part of the lesson to gauge student understanding, stimulate discussion and ensure all student’s attention You can ask for response in named or un-named mode, so you can test individuals or create genuine debate, and get immediate feedback from the whole class so you can review things right away. Big ideas, enduring understandings and essential questions, demand more than just a simple yes or no response. This unique system provides teachers and students with the ability to text complete sentences and numerical responses. This device encourages students to participate in anonymous discussions where normally they could or would not voice their opinions.

 

WHY INTERACTIVE WHITEBOARDS
At the heart of the Model Technology Classrooms pilot is interactive whiteboard technology. Whiteboard technology has the potential to transform the landscape of teaching and learning in our classrooms to reflect a student-centered approach. The research conclusions for the use of interactive whiteboard technology include:

  1. Teachers with interactive whiteboards were found to incorporate 21st century skills in the area of communication, problem solving, and collaboration more often than their match teachers
  2. Students were found to be more engaged in classes with teachers using interactive whiteboards when compared to classrooms not incorporating whiteboard technology
  3. Teachers in classrooms with an interactive whiteboard were found to monitor student learning by asking questions more frequently
  4. Teachers using interactive whiteboards were found to test student learning at higher levels of understanding by asking more questions at the analysis and application level.  Non-interactive whiteboard classroom teachers were found to use primarily knowledge and comprehension level questions to monitor student learning
  5. Teachers using the interactive whiteboards identified the ability to quickly monitor student learning as a major benefit of the technology


INITIAL TRAINING

All participants must complete a 90 minute on-line course with a focus on the Activstudio software before installation of the board begins. All participants will then receive a 3 hour Promethean training session conducted the week the boards are installed at each of 3 pilot campuses. Each training session will have 12 participants. Participants will also receive a 3 hour Promethean training session conducted approximately 2 weeks following the initial installation. Each of these training sessions will have 8-12 pilot participants. Finally, each participant will also receive a 1 hour Document Camera training session.

The initial training will focus on getting the users started and on the integration of the technologies into the instruction that is taking place in the classroom.

 

ONGOING TRAINING
The ongoing training scheduled for the spring will focus on connecting the tools directly to the curriculum bundles with an expectation that each participant will create a minimum of one flip chart per 3 week bundle. These charts are to be shared with the other pilot teachers across the district.

During the spring semester, participants will be grouped into training cohorts. Each cohort will include a Curriculum Coordinator, a Campus Instructional Technologist and 8-10 pilot participants. These training cohorts will meet 5 times during the spring semester. Cohort training will be 2 hours in length and occur after the end of the regular school day.