Evaluation:
I can only imagine what some of the teachers will say when I propose this project. “Not using a substitute when a teacher is out of class...what? This can’t be done!” or maybe “I don’t want to have to spend more time preparing another lesson” or “it’s never been done like this before, why now?” I need to be prepared to answer many questions- not because this idea is a bad one, but because it is a different one. Having a solid plan to measure whether this plan will be successful can assure future success.
First, preparing a survey for some initial staff input on this idea would be essential. I plan on sending this out early August to hopefully gain support of the idea. This survey would be geared towards the staff specifically to inquire about their thoughts and ideas on the subject of a “cyber-hour.” Even though the first steps will be to work with 7th and 8th grade language arts teachers having input from the entire staff will be helpful. This would also provide some assurance that this is a collaborative process that would actually benefit the staff during times they are out of their classroom. STAFF SURVEY
Second, giving the students a voice in what they would like to learn related to technology. This will help myself and our instructional technology department on what we need to prepare for. This also would be a google survey that I will send to our student body via their school email addresses. I will provide them some choices and give them an opportunity to elaborate on their needs. STUDENT SURVEY
Third, at the completion of a daily lesson we would provide time for the students to respond to their experience. Giving them ten-minutes at the end of each cyber-classroom project to reflect on their learning will provide immediate feedback to use for future lessons. I have found that our students have a strong voice and take their learning seriously. Having a rubric for their learning will also be included in their assignments during each class period. This rubric will be developed by myself along with other staff to ensure that it is student friendly and easy to follow.
Finally, at the completion of each trimester having an instrument to measure what we are asking our students to do is engaging and helpful in their learning process. Taking this data and using it as evidence that this DreamIT project makes sense. Also, verifying that using our resources that we have as a school is more meaningful than having a day with a substitute. I’m confident that what we develop as a technology lesson will be more useful than any video or worksheet we provide our students in a time of teacher absence.
I can only imagine what some of the teachers will say when I propose this project. “Not using a substitute when a teacher is out of class...what? This can’t be done!” or maybe “I don’t want to have to spend more time preparing another lesson” or “it’s never been done like this before, why now?” I need to be prepared to answer many questions- not because this idea is a bad one, but because it is a different one. Having a solid plan to measure whether this plan will be successful can assure future success.
First, preparing a survey for some initial staff input on this idea would be essential. I plan on sending this out early August to hopefully gain support of the idea. This survey would be geared towards the staff specifically to inquire about their thoughts and ideas on the subject of a “cyber-hour.” Even though the first steps will be to work with 7th and 8th grade language arts teachers having input from the entire staff will be helpful. This would also provide some assurance that this is a collaborative process that would actually benefit the staff during times they are out of their classroom. STAFF SURVEY
Second, giving the students a voice in what they would like to learn related to technology. This will help myself and our instructional technology department on what we need to prepare for. This also would be a google survey that I will send to our student body via their school email addresses. I will provide them some choices and give them an opportunity to elaborate on their needs. STUDENT SURVEY
Third, at the completion of a daily lesson we would provide time for the students to respond to their experience. Giving them ten-minutes at the end of each cyber-classroom project to reflect on their learning will provide immediate feedback to use for future lessons. I have found that our students have a strong voice and take their learning seriously. Having a rubric for their learning will also be included in their assignments during each class period. This rubric will be developed by myself along with other staff to ensure that it is student friendly and easy to follow.
Finally, at the completion of each trimester having an instrument to measure what we are asking our students to do is engaging and helpful in their learning process. Taking this data and using it as evidence that this DreamIT project makes sense. Also, verifying that using our resources that we have as a school is more meaningful than having a day with a substitute. I’m confident that what we develop as a technology lesson will be more useful than any video or worksheet we provide our students in a time of teacher absence.