Model for Teaching with Technology Cultivating 21st Century Global Skills A Vision of K-12 Students Today Students are able to embrace technology easily. One of NJCCS is 21st Century Skills. Students are expected to synthesize, analyze, communicate, be inventive in intellectual capacity, and be DIGITALLY LITERATE. Yet, the curriculum as we have always done it, doesn’t reflect that. One of our goals here at Nob Hill Elementary is to become a school where technology is integrated in teaching and therefore, as we expand into this new and exciting venture, we become a model school where we are an example to other schools and districts. Can students learn? Yes! We have to find ways to engage students and keep them interested. Studies have shown that the brain is changing – Refer to the Net Generation Student. It is a different generation today. We cannot continue the way we have.

Technology Infused Curriculum Technology integration should be done throughout the school day across the curriculum. The technology tools and resources we will be receiving for the classroom include the following; Updated Computers, Laptops, and Learning Software Interactive Whiteboards from SMART Board technologies E-book Readers Electronic Grading System Analyze Testing Data Electronically Every classroom will receive updated computers and learning software. Teachers will have access to lap tops to utilize throughout the day when needed. There are many computer programs that can be integrated into your lessons on a daily basis, some even provided by the makers of your school's textbooks. Each year, new educational software is created for a variety of subjects, allowing your students to learn in other ways than from a book and a blackboard. Every classroom will be receiving a interactive whiteboard from Smart Board technologies. The Smart Board is a way for you to deliver dynamic lessons. In addition, you can quickly access subject-specific, standards-correlated content that can be modified to suit the needs of any classroom. You’ll also be able to connect with colleagues locally or around the world to exchange lessons, ideas, insights, and classroom success stories. On-going, in depth training will be provided by certified SMARTBoard representatives. Every teacher and student will receive e-readers. Electronic devices that allow you to read books over the internet in lieu of a hard copy. There will be an electronic grading system. Report cards and assessments grades will now be posted electronically. Parents will be able to access these grades from home. In addition, teachers will now be able to access analyzed standardized testing data electronically. This will help drive data driven instruction.

Proficiency with Software Applications On-going, job embedded Professional Development Proficiency with Hardware and Software Utilize the Materials Effectively Across the Curriculum In-house Peer Mentoring Professional development will become individualized and job embedded. All staff will receive the support they need to become proficient with all hardware and software materials. Professional development will also include training in how to use these materials effectively on a daily basis to increase student achievement not only in technology proficiencies but to also increase their knowledge in content areas. Teachers who may be more skilled or demonstrate a strength in the use of integrating technology effectively may become mentors to others who are more apprehensible with some of these tools.

Student Achievement = Technology Strengths Technology embedded into assignments Utilize technology across the curriculum At Nob Hill Elementary assignments will now have technology competencies as part of the rubric. For example, if a child were assigned a science project, the traditional method might be to make a diorama showing an animal in its environment or a 3 dimensional model of a cell. From now on, we want to expand on these ideas that require students to use computer programs, such as the internet, PowerPoint, Word Processing programs, etc., that will prepare our students to become 21st century problem solvers. These technology competencies will not be a specific class in and of themselves, but will be integrated into the Math, Science, Language, and Social Studies curriculum as designed by the teachers, administration, and the board, modeling the idea that technology, whether we like it or not, permeates our lives and our society.

More Effective Instructional Environment Internet Movies Games Music Lessons Differentiated Instruction Increased Interest 21st Century Thinking and Problem Solving By using technology in the classroom teachers will create a more effective instructional environment by increasing student engagement, creating authentic assessments, and making learning fun! A wealth of material can be found! A teacher can find movies, interactive games, music, and lessons, all of which CAN make learning more fun for a child. Additionally, this wealth of information can lead to a greater differentiation in lesson design, therefore addressing different learning styles; YOUR CHILD’S personal learning style!