Council of the Great City Schools
Technology Practice White Paper
Topic: Model Classroom Design
School District: Rochester City School / IT Director/CIO: Dr. Tim Cliby
# Students: 34500 / # Employees: 5000 / # IT Staff: xxx / IT Capital Budget: $ xxx.xm
Challenge to be Solved
(3-4 line problem statement)
There is a great need for extensive teacher training in the skills required for technology-based instruction and integration of the technology and curricula. Problems in the district include:
  • Low student achievement
  • Students not engaged
  • Stand and deliver instructional model or traditional instructional delivery
  • Need for interactive classrooms to support dynamic, student centered learning environments
Teachers, staff, and students lacked the skills and resources necessary to create dynamic classroom settings and engaged learning, which resulted in student disinterest and instructional mediocrity.
(Caret, 2005)
Objectives
(3-5 expected outcomes)
  • Increase student academic achievement
  • Increase integrated approach to instruction
  • Increase teacher technology skills
  • Increase student technology literacy

Analysis
(Summary of actions taken to identify a solution)
  • Teachers take pre and post self-assessment surveys on technology skills
  • Technology training for teachers tailored to survey results
  • Survey results aid in creation of prescriptive Individual Learning Paths for teachers
  • Evaluation of classroom instruction and student achievement

Solution
(Summary to explain selected solution)
  • Develop Model Classroom project that would include:
  • Comprehensive planning and extensive training of teachers
  • Multiple pullout teacher training sessions including classroom support staff
  • Managed deployment of interactive technology hardware and software for Model Classrooms

Resources
(Identify one-time and recurring costs of this initiative)
  • Year one equipment costs:
  • $375 K =$ 15K per classroom X 25 Model Classrooms
  • Year one training costs:
  • 75 staff trained X $150/day for substitute X 4 training days
  • Costs of service of IMT and IT staff during initiative
  • Technology installation costs: $300 per classroom X 25 classrooms
Three year implementation plan and repeated expenses to establish model classrooms in all schools
Implementation
(Summary of actions taken to implement solution)
  • Assessment of teacher technology literacy
  • Assessment of teacher integration use
  • Development of Model Classroom components
  • Development of training coursework and training calendar by IT department
  • Planning of trainings and implementation
  • Communication w/ Principals for teacher selection
  • Equipment purchased
  • Discussions w/ IMT and Facilities departments concerning coordination and installation of equipment
  • Trainings of Model Classroom teachers

Achievements
(Summary of positive implementation results)
The Model Classroom initiative reinforces the hypothesis that given the appropriate hardware and training, changes in the uses of technology can positively impact instruction. As a result of these actions, teachers have enhanced their technology skills and increased their use of technology in the classroom. 71% of teachers who followed their Individual Learning Path improved their technology skills level. Additionally, technology enhanced classrooms have been established, student technology literacy has improved, and student academic test scores in the specified grade levels are rising. (Christman, 2010)
According to the conclusion on New Horizons for Learning website article, “… it is difficult to isolate technology as a variable in good instruction, but … in the right circumstances, technology plays a positive role in enhancing academic achievement. Educators are increasingly focusing on this research, but must also be mindful of the circumstances in which research studies show technology has been a powerful learning tool. With this understanding of the context for success, educational leaders can shape programs that prepare teachers to use these powerful new learning tools effectively. (Foltos, 2002)
We have been mindful of the research and have designed a program of trainings that will give teachers the tools to not only use their technology effectively, but to increase the achievement levels of their students.
Lessons Learned
(Summary of issues that remain to be addressed)
  • Need specific service contracts for management of technology
  • Continue to compete for resources in Facilities and IMT departments for installation and distribution of technology
  • Continue to struggle with ever-changing landscape as relates to teacher classroom assignments, building classroom space, and school configuration

References
CARET (2005). TOPIC: Professional Development. Retrieved 10/24/07, from CARET - Center for Applied Research in Educational Technology Web site:
Christman, Dr. Michael S. (2010) Enhancing Education Through Technology, Year Two Evaluation of Rochester City Schools Instructional Technology EETT Grant
Foltos, Les (2002). Technology and academic achievement. Retrieved November 2, 2007, from New Horkizons for Learning Web site:

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