Pine Crest School

Technological Integration of Classroom Curriculum

(T.I.C.C.)

Pine Crest School

Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33334

Dr. Loudes Cowgill; President

Proposal Submitted by Jason Bates

          Pine Crest School is located in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, 25 miles north of Miami. Pine Crest School is a member of Southeastern association of Independent Schools The school provides a comprehensive curriculum of core subjects and electives useful for the college bound student. There are presently 1600 students, K-12. The school employs 170 teachers and administrators. The school has been in existence for over 60 years, and presently the population is the largest ever. The major accomplishments of the organization are to provide well-rounded educational background for the students of Pine Crest. Approximately 99% of our graduates enroll in a post-secondary school. The philosophy of the school is to prepare all students for the future. This project will certainly assist in addressing this philosophy. The significance of this project would be to provide a pilot classroom with an emphasis on technology and migration from textbooks. T.I.C.C. would be a model for the school and other private schools to emulate. The Technology board has approved Pine Crest School’s long-range technology plan. One of the recommendations is to provide a wider variety of technology opportunities to our students. 

1A. Applicant/Organization(s) Overview

From pre-primary through grade 12, Pine Crest students encounter and utilize computers on a daily basis. Computers are powerful tools, and Pine Crest administrators and teachers work diligently to ensure that computers are used appropriately, and in the most beneficial manner for our students. Every grade level utilizes computers differently, each appropriate to the children’s developmental stage, with carefully trained teachers guiding students through this brave new world.

Pine Crest classrooms in grades pre-kindergarten through 12 are equipped with a teacher presentation system, which consists of a networked teacher computer linked to a large monitor and VCR. There are four student computers per classroom in grades pre-kindergarten and kindergarten, and 6 student computers and two computer pods in the 1^st through 4^th grade classrooms. Grade 5 has access to a lab with 24 power pc computers. In addition to the lab, grade 6 has a mobile cart with 24 laptop computers. Upper School students have three computer labs, A.D. Johnson (programming), Deaver (online), and Glock/Rottenberg (graphics/telecommunications) at their disposal with a total of 56 computers. Both the Upper and Lower School libraries are outfitted with computers. Currently, over 700 families are members of PantherLink, providing online access to library resources, the internet and e-mail. Over 400 students participate in the laptop program including all 6^{th –}  10^th  grade students.   The plan is to integrate the laptops into another grade each year until the all 6-12^th graders are part of the Laptops for Learning Program.

Technology is integrated into the Middle School curriculum differently than in the Lower School. Pine Crest’s major technology initiative in the Upper School is the Laptop program. All 7th and 8th grade students (450) are immersed in full time laptop classes.  Additionally, wireless access points allow students to use their laptops to connect to the school network, the Internet, and printers from anywhere in the entire upper school, inside a classroom, in a hallway or on the beautifully landscaped quadrangles.  

Most laptop classes use the Microsoft Office Package that includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Access. Subject-specific software currently used in Middle School include, Spanish and French CD's which include pronunciation something a textbook has difficulty presenting, Interactive Earth Science CD with animation, and a pre-algebra/algebra program.

Laptop classes use the Microsoft Office package, which allows students to create powerful, professional presentations using Word for word-processing, Excel for spreadsheets, and PowerPoint for visual presentations. Several classes use PowerPoint presentations in place of the standard written report. PowerPoint enables students to create multimedia presentations, including clip art, sounds and animation. By combining written, audio and visual elements into the presentation, the computer allows the student to have much more creative freedom, as well as more organizational and design challenges. Laptop students also use their computers for note taking, retrieving their weekly assignments, and gaining access to the Internet for research and current events.   

Goals and Objectives:  

The goals of the Technology Long Range Plan and adopted by the Board is the integrating of technology into the curriculum and using this technology to access information. The plan also provides for investigating/adopting new technologies, ensuring student use and access, and providing staff development

The school has accomplished much related to technology during the past two years including: restructuring the computer network so wireless access is available on most of the campus; establishing new networked Internet ready computer labs, and installing telephone/Internet lines in all offices and some classrooms. Five computer lab assistants have also been hired who have offered extensive staff development including Internet training, providing E-mail addresses and server space for faculty Web pages. The school will continue to strive for improvement including opportunities regarding technology.

With the completion of T.I.C.C., Pine Crest can continue to offer students a quality education which will better prepare them for the challenges of the 21^st century; offer a model technology-rich classroom; provide the teachers with the option of presenting the curriculum in a new way; and provide technology access to all students. Completing this unfinished phase of the district technology long-range plan will result in significant benefits for the students, parents, staff, and the school community. Parents will be kept abreast of students' progress and provided opportunities for evening overviews of the capabilities of the computers their children will be using at school and bringing home.

Problem/Opportunity

High costs and rapidly changing context have made purchasing textbooks increasingly impractical. Our school is seeking to develop a model from which to guide our instruction as we move into the next century. The advances in technology have made it possible for the computer to replace textbooks. It is important to develop a demonstration site to determine the capabilities of such of philosophical shift in thinking. Financial assistance is needed to provide a demonstration "technology rich" classroom of the future. Specifically, we are looking to equip a server with textbook compatible software applications, Internet access, and CD-ROM capabilities for direct connection to the student laptop computers. Connect multi-mode fiber lines to individual student workstations in the classroom. Provide release time for teachers for curriculum writing/research time and to design instruction in the "technology rich" classroom. Provide staff in-service opportunities on methods in integrate technology into the classroom, and provide observation opportunities in this classroom-of-the-future to other teachers.

With the completion of the project, we can offer students a quality education which will better prepare them for the challenges of the 21^st century; offer a model technology-rich classroom; provide the school with the option of presenting the curriculum in a new way; and provide technology access to all students. Completing this unfinished phase of the school’s technology long-range plan will result in significant benefits for the students, parents, staff, and the school.

T.I.C.C. will provide Pine Crest School with an innovative solution to the growing cost of out-of-date textbooks for students. Our school has been searching for a classroom model, which fully integrates technology with instruction and is not dependent solely on textbooks. This project would provide a pilot seventh grade classroom, which integrates technology with instruction.

1.0 Measurable Goals of the Project

1.1 Hardware - Equip a model technology rich classroom

Pine Crest will purchase 25 wireless Toshiba Satellite Pentium III laptop computers. This laptop is chosen because of our already established relationship and contract with Toshiba. A LCD panel and projection machine will also be obtained for instructional presentations. A Toshiba teacher laptop will be required as well with accompanying docking station.

1.2 Instructional Delivery - Design curriculum/instruction integrating technology into the classroom.

As part of the teacher contract, teachers will be required to attend a  week-long (5 days at 4 hours per day) staff development session the week prior to the first day of classes. Research and provide curriculum writing time to design instructional strategies with technology as the major resource

  Evaluate and purchase software to support curriculum goals

  Provide connection from the server to all desktop and laptop locations

2.0 Benefits - The students will benefit from this project because it will integrate technology into their curriculum, provide a means to access information and prepare students with a solid background into computer technology. Students will learn all of the basic Microsoft Office programs (Word, Excel, Access, and Powerpoint). They will also be taught proper and diligent Internet research, and technology aided projects using such devices as scanners, and video cameras.

3.0 Safeguards - The T.I.C.C. project will be protected through the assistance of our school’s computer technicians. All students must sign and adhere to the Pine Crest Acceptable Use Policy. (See Appendice)

Parents: Parents will be kept abreast of students’ progress and provided opportunities for evening overviews of the capabilities of the computers their children will be using at school and bringing home.

2A. T.I.C.C. - Potential to Serve as A Model

The project will be a model project for other schools to replicate. Cooperation between students, parents, and the teachers is the key to true ownership of these technology tools. When funded, Jason Bates and Bill Morrison, project coordinators, will design a blueprint to share with others.

This blueprint will include, how other schools can design a technology classroom of the future, and how curriculum/instruction can be delivered; for example CD-Rom textbooks or other possible online resources. Ways to assess academic progress of students in the classroom of the future will also be a major component, as well as how partnerships with other schools can be established. Some methods of funding such a classroom will be detailed as well as most importantly, explaining proper staff development to support this philosophical change in instructional delivery.

The complete blueprint/plan will also be available in hard copy as well as located on the school web page.

2B. Applicant Qualifications/Project Management Project Co-Directors

Pine Crest School will provide project co-directors to coordinate the goals of this grant. The co-project directors are willing to make the time commitment necessary to complete this project.

Jason Bates, Middle School Director of Technology Integration, T.I.C.C. co-director, will design alternative assessments to evaluate student progress. They will also provide in-service and staff training options and make presentations (locally and state-wide) to various groups about our project during the 2002-2003 school year. As technology coordinator and graduate of the highly regarded University of Illinois’ CTER (Curriculum Technology & Educational Reform) program of the applications of technology into the classroom, Jason is highly qualified to assist in the implementation of this pilot.

Bill Morrison, Director of Technology, Technology Integration Project Co-director will oversee fiscal aspects of the project, redesign instruction and curriculum to integrate more computers, provide in-service and presentations to staff. Bill has extensive training and experience in integrating technological hardware and software into a regular setting.

Scott Wray, Pine Crest Network Administrator, will be responsible for the establishment of the wireless network and any other hardware assistance.

2C. Technology Integration  Project Design

1.0 Equip a classroom to be a model "technology" classroom

2.0 Design curriculum and instruction utilizing a technology rich classroom

3.0 Staff Development

3A Professional Development

The goal of the staff development is to provide a knowledgeable base and help staff build technology skills with an on-going in-service program organized in a manner that provides required and voluntary in-service, in-service that promotes general awareness practice and application, and customized training. Opportunities specific to this project:

3.1 Provide opportunities for staff to observe this classroom of the future.

Teachers will be given release time (approximately 4 hours per trimester) during team meetings at which they will be required to observe a classroom in operation. On January  15 & 18, 2002; which are teacher in-service Days – Jason Bates will present a training session for staff interested in integrated technology into their classroom. This will be voluntary, but strongly encouraged. There will also be produced,  a videotape of the classroom in operation. This production will be broadcasted on PCTV (school television station) to show to parents at Back to School Night, and will also be available to be checked out from library to interested teachers.

3.2 Offer staff development training on integration of technology into the curriculum by Bill Morrison.

A three credit hour workshop by Bill Morrison on curriculum integration will be held June 5 – 9, 2002. For a small fee, teachers will have the opportunity to earn graduate credits through Nova Southeastern University and service points required for re-certification. We estimate that we should be able to accommodate approximately 17 teachers. There will also be a Summer Technology Academy: August 22 - 24, 2002 on integrating technology into curriculum that will be required for all new teachers and available to other teachers for refreshing.

While teachers and students enjoy using computers in the classroom, there are both benefits and challenges. The two tallest hurdles for the implementation of technology are integrating the computer into the curriculum, and the changing role of teachers. In order to accomplish the transition smoothly, Pine Crest teachers will receive intensive computer training.

Pine Crest will require all teachers to complete a three-year comprehensive training program in the use of computers. The program will consist of three technology competency skill levels. Level I explores basic computer skills, including navigating the desktop, word processing, using the Internet and PantherLink (Pine Crests's email). Level II focuses on more specific uses of software, such as creating a database, designing educational illustrations, and building spreadsheets. Level III requires a total of 20 hours where the teacher fine tunes his or her skills, and studies software appropriate to his or her discipline. The first ten hours of this training is composed of seven modules, including telecommunications, image/text capture and editing, presentation software, and internet searching. The second ten hours are spent in activities designed by the department heads for their teachers. These activities may include evaluation of software or hardware, exploring the Internet for materials to include in the curriculum, and time spent developing computer-based curricula.

Through this type of comprehensive teacher training, Pine Crest will prepare its teachers to use computers in the classrooms in the most effective way possible. These teachers, armed with proper training and skills will have the ability to help students assimilate abstract concepts and develop higher order thinking skills.

4A Project Evaluation

The school will evaluate the goals of the T.I.C.C.  project through various teacher surveys and interviews and the success of the project will be determined as a result of the following.

1.     Purchase & utilization of hardware and software

2.     Design curriculum/instruction utilizing the technology in the classroom

3.     Provide staff development to implement classroom & observation opportunities for staff 

5A. Technology Integration  Project Budget Funding Sources/Expenditure

Expenditures: Computers for 7^th grade students – Toshiba Satelite (Pentium III, 750 Mhz, 128 MB SD RAM, 20GB HD, 8X DVD ROM). 26 @ $1,950 ea. = $50,700 (Docking station provided at no cost from Toshiba)

$ 3,994 LCD projection panel for 7^th grade instruction

$54,694 TOTAL

$10,000 Provide adequate staff development opportunities including technology workshops and conferences for Jason Bates.

$ 5,000  - Technical support

$15,000 Total

$69,694 GRAND TOTAL

We already have funds of $15,000 committed. $10,000 has been delegated from technology operating budget and $5,000 has been received from an alumni grant (Behring). This will be used toward the purchase of computers. Therefore we are looking for an amount of $54,694 for project.

Appendices:

Pine Crest School
Acceptable Use Policy

            Pine Crest School provides computers and Internet service for the use of students, teachers, staff, and administration. The computers provide access to local, national, and international sources of information.  All users must act in a responsible, ethical, and legal manner in accordance with the educational objectives and the Honor Code of Pine Crest School.  Computer use and access to the Internet is a privilege, not a right. This privilege entails responsibility.

            All students, along with their parent(s) or legal guardian are asked to read, discuss, and sign the Pine Crest School Acceptable Use Policy, to indicate their full cooperation with our computer and Internet use policy.

Responsibilities:

1.  Faculty will supervise and provide appropriate guidance and instruction to students in the use of our computer resources
 2.  Students are expected to demonstrate ethical behavior when using computers and network resources
3.  Families are encouraged to set and convey similar standards for technology use in the home
4.  Educational value of student computer use is the joint responsibility of students, parents, and all employees of the school corporation
5.  The exact use of computers in the class setting is at the discretion of the teacher

Restrictions:  The following are NOT permitted:

1.Accessing, uploading, downloading, transmitting, displaying, or distributing obscene, profane, lewd, vulgar, rude, inflammatory, threatening or disrespectful language at any time on any computer in the school
2.  Damaging computers, computer systems, networks, spreading of computer “viruses”
3.  Posting personal information on the Internet
4.  Use of the Internet in class without permission and supervision of a Pine Crest faculty member
5.  Violating copyrights, plagiarism, trespassing in another person’s folders, work, or files on all computers
6.  Violating local, state, or federal statute

Consequences: Consequences for violating these rules will include, but not necessarily be limited to the suspension of all technology/computer privileges.

Disclaimer: Pine Crest is not responsible for any loss of data due to faulty connections or equipment failure.