1. The TA Technology Solution Integrating Technology Into the Takoma Academy Curriculum Presented to: Takoma Academy Board of Trustees and Potomac Conference Office of Education by: Daniel M. Yirenkyi

2. Vision is as vast as the heavens! ”Where there is no vision, the people perish; but he that keepeth the law, happy is he!” Proverbs 29:18

3. 2). And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it. 3). For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry. Habakkuk 2:2,3 THE VISION What? Why? Where? When? Who? How?

4. THE TECHNOLOGY EXAMPLE Intro - “A Spelling Test” Group member participants: 1. Take out a writing tool (pen/pencil) 2. Take out your index card 3. On the lined side, write a numbered list from 1-10 4. Listen to the voice prompter for the vocabulary words 5. Write and spell out words on index card 6. Directions for Laptop use (will follow shortly) http://dnkyi.wufoo.com/forms/z7x4a9/ http://dnkyi.wufoo.com/forms/z7x4a9/ voice prompter

5. THE VISION What? What is the “Technology” Vision? Technology Integration: “Digitizing the Classroom”.….and this is what it can look like!!! click pic for video

6. THE VISION What? What is the “Technology” Vision? Now, imagine a classroom situation such that, instruction is given, coursework assigned and students accomplish work via online where the assignment is submitted, assessed and returned to both student and instructor with corrections and an analysis of the assessment showing student strengths and weaknesses and then a subsequent assignment is generated by the program and given to the student to either strengthen the skills from the previous assignment or prepare them for the next. This is the ideal technology implementation that would be pursued to enhance instruction throughout conference district schools and its classrooms.

7. THE VISION Why? Why have a “Technology” Vision? Overall, a distinct and apparent need stands out as most critical in establishing an effective 21st century classroom. That need is to digitize instruction in order to facilitate in establishing a more efficient functioning and operation in classroom instruction and provide a more effective educational experience that benefits both instructor and student. It is the opinion and stance of this presentation, that this aspect of integrating technology in the classroom has the greatest potential impact for change and advancement in the realm of education.

8. A REAL-WORLD EXAMPLE “THE BANKING SCENARIO” There is ongoing debate about the need of technology integration in education. Here is a real-world example comparing the need of technology integration in school to that of the banking system of this generation. There are the faithful few who still make the dutiful trip to the local bank to take care of their banking needs. However, a growing number, prefer saving the extra, lets say, average between 10 to 60 minutes (depending on the distance and business of their local bank), to make necessary banking transactions online. Technology allows for one to check their bank account in mere minutes (if not seconds) for the necessary information to make critical decisions. Current, up to date, time- sensitive information concerning banking is critical in order to making future time-sensitive, critical decisions. Why would it be any different in the arena of education?

9. From the opening of this presentation, remember our spelling test, accomplished in the traditional instructional format, with a writing tool and index paper. Now let us see this same spelling test scenario after integrating a new method of technology innovation into the picture. A CLASSROOM EXAMPLE “THE SPELLING TEST SCENARIO” 1. Volunteer graders (finished? thoughts?) 2. Spelling Test participants - On your laptops, press “submit”. 3. Check your results 4. Short discussion on traditional assessment a). Time distribution/collection of resources? b). How much time to grade? c). When does student receive results? d). When is assessment reflected in grade? e). How much did student learn and when was it realized?

10. THE TECHNOLOGY “FIX” “THE PROS AND CONS SCENARIO” PROS VS. CONS  Paper reduction  Immediate feedback aids instruction mastery  Reduction in traditional grading (time efficiency)  Increased motivation and engagement  Increase in instructional efficiency**  Self-paced and self- directed instruction  Increase in objective standardized grading  Culture of apathy/laziness  Limited computer accessibility for students outside of school  Inability to accurately assess student through process of coursework  Insufficient teacher training and technology implementation **  Computer privilege abuse  Logistics and technicality incidentals  Cost ineffectiveness*

11. THE TECHNOLOGY DEBATE There is running debate about the advantages and disadvantages of technology integration in education. Both sides of the argument have key points that drive compelling reasons toward the “push for” or “caution against” more technology usage. It is apparent that with the use of almost any tool, its impact can serve as positive if used effectively or negative if used otherwise. Thus, the argument is not merely one against technology and its use, however it is, how should technology be used. The overarching issue is that the need is great, however, the process of proper implementation is often uncertain. There is no doubt, that the technologies of this age serve as an enormous benefit and great influence in our daily lives. In the grand scheme, is there truly any argument in the comparison of cell phone vs. telegraph, electronic mail vs. postal mail, car vs. horse-drawn buggy or even light bulb vs. candle? The struggle is not against innovation and technology, for as long as exists mankind, innovation will forever be apart of the God-given human creative spirit. Thus, the true question lies in the fact of how do we bridge the gap?

12. Bridging the “Technology” Gap The technology need would be addressed by introducing and integrating innovative instructional technologies and online based application programs for students to accomplish and translate their work and to facilitate instructors in the grading and assessment of student work. Two such technology programs are of interest. The first program is called WebAssign (the program shown in the video clip at the beginning of this Presentation). The second program is called RenWeb a program for which is likened to WebAssign and is already in use by the conference and its district schools. The main difference between the two programs is that WebAssign has the benefit of both a pre-packaged and instructor-prepared curriculum and coursework setup. RenWeb only has instructor-prepared availability for curriculum and coursework setup. In other words, the pre-packaged curriculum is such where textbook and all courseware are online ready for student login and course participation. An instructor- packaged curriculum is where the instructor must physically digitize their own curriculum from paper to electronic format. Instructor-packaged setups may be labor-intensive, however may serve as highly effective especially for instructors with unique curriculum programs.

13. Bridging the “Technology” Gap click pic for video RenWeb Video

14. Bridging the “Technology” Gap The main idea behind “digitizing the classroom” is to transform instruction so that the majority of instructional operation and assessment is generated electronically as opposed to physical, traditional operations. I am not in favor of eliminating completely the component of personal instructor assessment; however I am proposing a significant reduction in physical, non-electronic operation and assessment to maximize one-to-one instructor-student interaction and analysis of assessment. Thus, two main learning goals would be achieved. First, more time will be afforded the instructor to plan for more meaningful and purposed instruction along with the opportunity for analysis of assessment in problem areas the student may encounter. Second, students would benefit from the advantage of immediate assessment-feedback, where there is minimal delay in response time of results, affording the student to learn more from their coursework that has been assessed. Thus, from these goals, objectives are derived for the instructor to achieve greater instructional effectiveness and to gain more meaningful and impacting instruction. For the student, a greater opportunity for more learning can be achieved and a more efficient and effective learning experience can occur.

15. Bridging the “Technology” Gap click pic for quiz Math Quiz Share your thoughts after taking the quiz.

16. THE VISION Where? Where will this technology vision take place?: …..on the corner of University Blvd and Carroll Ave. However, not only here, but our conference district, its schools and its classrooms.

17. THE VISION When? When will this technology vision be at TA?: NOW * TODAY VISION IS REALITY

18. THE VISION Who? Who will this technology vision be for?: For Takoma Academy the Conference District and its community! -students -staff -alumni -parents -churches -PATA -TA Board -community

19. THE VISION How? How will this technology vision take place? With Support from ALL! and With the DTTP Click link below for more info on the “District Technology Training Plan” http://dttponlinetrainingmodule.yolasite.com/