Discussion


 * Discussion**

After analyzing the results from the technology needs assessment survey, the committee decided to choose training teachers on how to use SMART Boards with the Notebook software as the technology initiative. It will be the responsibility of the Technology Use Support Team (TUST) representatives to initiate the training. The expected outcome from the trainings will be for every teacher to create an interactive lesson within the Notebook software. An example of an interactive file can be viewed here. In order to implement this initiative, there are many factors that need to be considered. These factors include equipment parts and quantity, funding, ordering, installation, training, maintenance, evaluating outcomes, and future plans. All of these items need to be looked at in detail.  In order for every teacher to be fully involved in the technology initiative, every classroom would need to have a mounted SMART Board or an AirLiner wireless slate. The AirLiner wireless slate also uses a Bluethooth connection, but allows the teacher or a student to control applications or draw on the projected image remotely from anywhere in the classroom. The AirLiner has the same functionality as having a SMART Board, at a fraction of the cost. The only difference is that the AirLiner comes with its own pen and mouse where as the SMART Board can be used with the touch of a finger. Currently, there are twelve SMART Boards mounted and one more is being ordered. This will leave thirty-five classrooms without a SMART Technology product in it. Out of these thirty-five classrooms, seven of them do not have a projector mounted on the ceiling. To minimize the initial cost in obtaining all the equipment at once, thirty-five AirLiner wireless slates will be purchased along with the seven projectors and the accessories needed to hang them. The projector accessories include a projector ceiling mount, suspended ceiling adaptor, and two SVGA cables. Once teachers become more comfortable using the AirLiner and Notebook software, SMART Boards can always be installed at a later time.

Before anything can be ordered, the topic of funding needs to be addressed. The list of products and cost analysis of this project is itemized in this Excel spreadsheet. The total cost is $17,630.44. The Verizon Foundation partners with nonprofit organizations through grant-making that targets student achievement. In 2008, the Verizon Foundation awarded more than $68 million in grants to nonprofit agencies in the U.S. and abroad (Verizon Foundation, 2008). A grant for $43,899 was presented to the Delaware School for the Deaf to integrate advanced technology in its classrooms. This money was used to purchase document cameras, LCD projectors and SMART Boards. The Verizon Foundation also awarded $185,000 to eight nonprofit organizations in Massachusetts to expand the reach of their innovative, technology-based literacy programs. One of those eight organizations used their money to purchase SMART Boards and a laptop for every student who enrolled in its ESL program. The Verizon Foundation is a great source to solicit funds for this initiative. The Director for Strategic Planning for Cecil County Public Schools will be responsible for completing the  grant application. The amount of $17,630.44 will be requested to purchase all of the items listed for this initiative. A sample of the application can be found on the Verizon Foundation website.

To start the ordering process, a TUST representative will complete and send all the necessary purchasing forms to the school’s bookkeeper. Once the principal has approved the requested orders, the bookkeeper will submit the order forms to the purchasing office. The purchasing department will order all the items from each vendor and inform the technology office upon completion so they can schedule the delivery and installations in the school. All technology orders must be delivered to the technology office for deployment to the schools. It is the responsibility of the technology office to coordinate with the maintenance department for any necessary mounting and electrical work.

The most time consuming part of the installation process will be mounting the seven projectors. Cecil County Public School electricians will need to run power up to the ceiling where the projectors will be placed in each one of the seven classrooms. Then they can mount the projectors at the appropriate distance from the pull down screen. The school’s technology technician will need to insure that the Notebook software is installed on all teacher computers. The technology technician will also install the Bluetooth software for the AirLiner to communicate to the computer. After six and a half hours of charging, the AirLiner will be ready to use.

Comprehensive training on the SMART Boards, AirLiners, and Notebook software will lead to a smooth transition for teachers. From the technology needs assessment survey, the majority of the teachers who responded preferred to have training during school hours. This can easily happen during teachers’ planning periods. Twice a month, the principal schedules meetings with teachers during their planning period. This time is referred to as study groups. The principal uses study groups instead of meeting with the entire faculty after school to disseminate information. It is also during these times when teachers work together on any initiatives the county wants implemented. The two TUST representatives will be the lead facilitators during these training sessions. Both TUST representatives have ten substitute days each to use as they see fit. The costs for the substitutes are already figured into the technology office’s budget. There is also the option of schedu ling a Technology Resource Teacher to come in to run some of these sessions at no extra cost. The first training sessions will be focused on the basics of the Notebook software. This means identifying the icons, explaining how to navigate around the program, and demonstrating its capabilities. The next month, teachers will work on creating an interactive lesson and then previewing it on a SMART Board or on a screen and using an AirLiner. In the following months, study group time will be utilized by sharing lessons with other teachers and discussing whether they were successful or not. If the lesson was not successful, then suggestions can be made to improve the activity. Collaboration among all teachers will not only assist in generating more resources throughout the school, but it will also strengthen the skill levels of the teachers.

Providing that the SMART Boards and AirLiner were installed correctly and are being used properly, there should not be any maintenance that needs to be performed. On the other hand, the Notebook software does need to be updated occasionally. These upgrades will have to be performed by the school’s technology technician. Teachers do not have sufficient privileges on the computers to install software. It will be the responsibility of a TUST representative to submit a work order to the technician when updates need to occur. The only consumable part that will eventually need to be replaced is the bulb in the projector. These bulbs usually last for at least two to three years depending on the amount of use. Bulbs can be purchased through local school funds and replaced by a TUST representative. Once the SMART products are setup and regularly maintained, this system will last a long time.

Incorporated into every good implementation plan is a good evaluation process. Continual observations and surveys need to be conducted to insure that the new technology is being used properly and is making an impact on students’ performance. Sharing lessons during study groups is a good way to assess what is being used and how. Time will also be used during these sessions to complete online surveys to gather input on the effects of the training sessions and what the needs are for future sessions. Administrators, Instructional Coordinators, and Instructional Coaches will take part in evaluating the implementation of this initiative through formal and informal classroom observations. Feedback will be given to those teachers who were observed and general remarks will be given to the TUST representatives to develop further training sessions. The evaluation of the overall effectiveness of this initiative will take years. Data will need to be collected and compared to previous years. Passing rates, dropout rates, and grade point averages are some statistics to compare. The main purpose of this technology initiative is to increase the use of new technologies in classrooms. Through the use of SMART products not only will new technologies be used, but students will be more involved in the learning process. When students are motivated to learn, they are more likely to succeed.

To orchestrate the movement of this plan a detailed schedule is needed. The implementation schedule will list the tasks in sequential order, identify who is responsible for each task, mention the evidence and evaluation of the tasks, and give the timeline for when the task will be completed. A copy of this implementation schedule can be viewed here.

Technology is constantly improving and that means that educators need to be constantly learning how to use new technology in the classroom. To lessen the burden of learning how to use new technology and creating new lessons, teachers need to work together to develop a library of resources. Study groups will have the opportunity to work together and share each other’s creations. This will lead to a plethora of files that will be stored in one secured location on the school's server for all teachers to access. Once teachers become more comfortable in creating interactive lessons, other new technologies can be incorporated. Document cameras and handheld student response systems are just a couple of additions that will intertwine nicely with the SMART products. Future grants can be requested from The American Honda Foundation who funds math, science, and technology projects, The Coca Cola Foundation who funds classroom learning that involves technology, and Electronic Data Systems who funds K-12 technology grants for purchasing of equipment. The ultimate goal is to keep up with current technology trends to mirror the standards of the 21st Century skills set.