Thursday, April 26, 2012

Has Teaching Changed?

There's all this talk about the 21st century and how teaching needs to change to accommodate the new world we're living in. Has education changed enough for the 21st century? Does our teaching need to change? How? Are there any parts of traditional teaching that we should keep?

The 21st Century Teaching Google Doc (click here for Google Doc link) has some great resources. Please feel free to read through and add your ideas.

Also see Beyond the Textbook for great discussions about the next steps for textbooks.

Here's an embedded copy of the document:

Feel free to add to this document.

Purpose of this Blog

Here are a couple of ideas:


This blog would have two purposes:
1) serve as a model of how information is shared electronically and
2) it would help the committee to get on the same page and do some thinking between meetings, which would give us a focus at the meeting. (Tech Plan draft on Google Docs)

What do you think? Do you have anything to add?

TECHNOLOGY COMMITTEE


Development of the technology plan and implementation of the plan should enable parents, educators, students and community members to benefit from the investment in technology and our goal is to have all represented on the committee.

Long-term role of the Committee:
The District Technology Professional Learning Community is a long standing PLC, which is constantly evolving. Representation for this Professional Learning Community is ideally made up of a student, building representatives, technology department personnel, an administrator and a parent. Committee membership is a year long commitment, renewable each school year. To serve on the committee, all that is needed is a letter (or email) of interest sent to the District Technology Supervisor. As a committee member, you will be the liaison between the district and your building. In this role, you will be asked to update the district committee on the implementation of your building technology plan, as well as communicate district level committee decisions to your building technology committee and staff. District level technology committee meetings are held at least once a month throughout the school year.

Vision Statement

The Chimacum School District is committed to an active student centered learning environment. Technology, through skilled and developed use, empowers students, staff, and community to access, utilize, and communicate information globally. The effective use of technology will assist students in becoming perceptive and discerning individuals, critical problem-solvers, contributing members of society, and lifelong learners.

“Specifically, we envision that technology is available and effectively supported for all students and staff:

  • To provide global access to information
  • To meet the curricular  needs of all learners
  • To provide access to the general curriculum
  • To refine critical thinking skills and foster creativity
  • To provide a medium for expression and communication
  • To collect, assess, and share performance information
  • To improve the effectiveness of administrative tasks
  • To provide skills and proficiencies necessary for the workforce


When integrated into instruction, technology will support new strategies for teaching and learning by:

  • addressing diverse learning styles,
  • accommodating individual learning rates,
  • encouraging cooperative learning,
  • helping students accept responsibility for their learning,
  • providing the means to communicate globally, and
  • improving academic achievement in all areas.”

Goal 1: Student Technology Literacy

Statement: By the spring of 2013, 75% or more of 8th grade students will achieve Tier 2 or 3 proficiency in the use of technology to build and share knowledge to improve and enhance learning in all subject areas and experiences.


Let's share ideas, links, and resources as to how we can accomplish this goal in the comment section of this post.

Goal 2: High School Student Technology Literacy

Statement: By the spring of 2013, Chimacum High School will provide student capacity in the use of technology for the presentation of senior projects.


Let's share ideas, links, and resources as to how we can accomplish this goal in the comment section of this post.

Goal 3: Technology Proficiencies of Administrators, Teachers and Librarians

Statement: : By the spring of 2013, 75% or more of Chimacum educators will reach Proficient level as outlined in the state Proficiency standards.


Let's share ideas, links, and resources as to how we can accomplish this goal in the comment section of this post.

Goal 4: Technology Integration Skills of Teachers

Statement: By the spring of 2013, 50% or more of Chimacum educators will exhibit Tier 2 or higher technology skills as outlined in the Technology Integration into the classroom indicators.


Let's share ideas, links, and resources as to how we can accomplish this goal in the comment section of this post.

Goal 5: Essential Conditions for Technology Integration and use in the classroom

Statement: Classrooms will be equipped with the technology to support student and staff mastery of state technology tiers and competencies.


Let's share ideas, links, and resources as to how we can accomplish this goal in the comment section of this post.

Goal 6: Community Connection

Statement: Improve community connection by providing clear and consistent web site content and promoting parent/teacher collaboration using technology resources.


Let's share ideas, links, and resources as to how we can accomplish this goal in the comment section of this post.