Technology Plans
Springfield Public Schools District 186 has an extensive technology plan for the next five years. One of the main thrusts of the plan is for the implementation of the Project LINCOL'N Model throughout the district at each grade level. The Project LINCOL'N Model, in short, involves integration of technology into the curriculum and instructional practices. The plan calls for all district classrooms to have Internet capabilities in the near future. The five year plan calls for all K-4 and high school classrooms to have a computer in the first year, with 5-8 classrooms having 2 computers. By the end of the five years, each K-4 classroom would have four computers, and each 5-8 and high school classroom would have six computers. In addition, each classroom would be equipped with a television, VCR, laser disc player, and a printer. During each year, each school would receive ten dollars per student for the purchase of software and peripherals. Also by the end of the five years, each building would be wired for computer networking, email capabilities, internet access, data sharing, and a new phone system. To achieve these goals the district has plans to expand its technological capabilities as well as staff support. The plan calls for expansion of the district's web site and email capabilities, six new staff positions including one technician and two trainers, and to add hardware in regular increments. In addition, the plan calls for extensive opportunities for inservice training at different times including during the day, after school, in the summer, and training in the Project LINCOL'N Model.
The Springfield High School technology plan is basically written from year to year depending on the available monies. For the most part the bottom line is to "get more stuff." The technology plan for the 1997-98 school year was mainly comprised of a Technology Priority List. The list consisted of twenty new LC580's with the ones for the student labs being higher in priority than ones for office use. Also on the list were several printers, including one laser printer, two StyleWriters, and one continuous feed printer for the Attendance Office. In addition, audio-visual equipment such as a television, vcr, two overhead projectors, and a projection screen were included. The plan also called for each department (seven total) to receive a MacIntosh LC 580 and a StyleWriter. These departmental computers and printers were not purchased. In addition to the "written plan," the existing computer lab is being expanded, meaning that it will be larger and have more stations.
Plans for Technology Use in My Classroom
Before this past school year I had used absolutely no technolgy in my classroom, aside from a television and vcr. I had never even taken one of my classes to the computer lab. Last summer I was fortunate enough to be trained in the Project LINCOL'N Model. This past school year I tried to plan at least one technology-based project per quarter. Three of the projects involved students using HyperStudio. In addition, we did some activities using CD-Roms and the Internet. I would like to continue to expand on what we did in class this past year. I have developed a "raw" website for my zoology class. My plan is to further develop the site as a resource for my class and to add a site for my botany class. I would like to be able to post activities that we are doing in class as well as to bookmark Internet sites to use as resources for each unit. In order to accomodate students who do not have Internet access at home, I will make the computers in my room available before and after school, and the students will be able to access my site from the computer lab. It is my feeling that the website can only be used as an additional resource which does not contain any required material. I would also like for students to do projects that we could post on the web. In addition, it is my hope for each student to have their own ePortfolio with the student's projects linked to their page. One thing that I had planned to do last school year but never found the time for is a quarterly newsletter. This would be designed by the students and would contain what we are doing in class for the quarter as far as topics and projects. The newsletter will be posted on the website and would also be sent home to parents.
One thing that I have moved to since going through Project LINCOL'N training is a more student-centered approach. I need to make more use of the Internet and CD-ROM's for delivery of material. I did this with some units last year, but was somewhat uncomfortable and unfamiliar with this method.
My "Dream" Classroom
My "dream" classroom would be somewhat like the Brewster Academy Model. It would be a relatively "paper-free" classroom in which each student would have his/her own Powerbook. Each student's desk would have a fiber optic connection for on-line capability at all times. Students would be able to do activities, assignments, lab write-ups and tests on their computer and would be linked through their ePortfolios. In addition, they would be able to access the Internet and libraries around the country. Students would also be able to communicate with me and other students through their Powerbooks inside or outside of the classroom. In addition, I would like to have more software and peripherals.
More realistically, I would just like to have more than I do now. Right now I am limited to 1-2 computers in my classroom, a flexcam, scanner, and printer. I would like to have between six and ten new computers, such as the new MacIntosh G3's. We would be able to function much better in the classroom doing assignments and projects. Right now, in order to accomplish these tasks, we must go to the computer lab, which means booking it 2-4 weeks in advance for 1-2 days at a time. It is difficult to limit students to only one or two days in the lab. Also, as I develop my classroom web sites, it would be ideal for all students to have Internet access at home. At the present time I would estimate that only 50-75% have this luxury.
Return to Mark Hale's ePortfolio