1. To what extent did you achieve the goals stated in your proposal?

1    Overall we have achieved the goals stated in our proposal. However, in terms of specific aspects, it has varied by degree—on some issues we clearly met or exceeded our goals and on others we did not fully meet our goals. The areas in which we came up short are likely to be corrected in future applications of the grant ideas.

2   We will fully meet all our goals by the end of the school year.

3    My proposal is still in the developing stage. I was not able to, at least at this point, contact any of the people overseas that I had hoped to use. My students will still try to contact Roland Smith, ecology expert, and the animal experts at the web site of The Wild Ones. We are using some local experts from Miller Park Zoo in Bloomington.

4   My proposal was too much to tackle. I realized this when school started an I got to know the group of students. They are much lower than last years' and much more challenging. Preparing for the ISAT took priority at the beginning of the year.

5     As our goals were to create a class online newspaper, we did do this.

6
 

Goal	Status
Incorporate video clips into student projects	Partially completed Use of video equipment was voluntary because I have only 1 camera and 1 computer with the video editing software and three classes of 25 students
Use of digital camera	Completed Students used the digital camera purchased by the BHS PTO to take pictures of their dissection specimen, group members, etc. for incorporation into Power Point presentations and web pages.
Investigation of alternative health care and medical practices	Not completed I did not have enough time to develop this project. Next year this will become part of the disease project
Infectious Disease Project	To be completed in May of 2000
Use of CDC’s software to investigate outbreaks of infectious diseases	Not completed I did not have the time to modify the CDCs training material for use by high school students
Disease Project	Completed
Mink Dissection Project ? Muscles	Completed
Mink Dissection Project ? Internal structures	Completed
Online labs and reviews:
Epithelial Tissue Lab	Completed http://www.biology87.org/bio2/Unit2/epilab.html
Connective Tissue Lab	Completed http://www.biology87.org/bio2/Unit2/conlab.html
Bone Review	Completed http://www.biology87.org/bio2/Unit3/bonerev.html
Muscle Review	Completed http://www.biology87.org/bio2/Unit4/muscrev.html
Update Notes and Objectives for units	On hold until after the adoption of the new textbook for the course

7   I feel we not only achieved the stated goals but went way beyond the original goals.

8   I think we did very well.  Our part of the goal was to make books for our children with the help of our 5th grade tech buddies.  We now have 9 books and 9 power point presentations on the web site.
 
 

2. How did your individual proposal goals facilitate the Intech program objectives?

1     They involved getting teachers trained to enable students to engage in content based applications of technology. We designed a project that brought together a variety of academic subjects around a central theme—the technology use was more of a tool to communicate information than an end in itself—but I think this idea of technology as a productive classroom tool is at the heart of the Intech objectives.

2  Teachers have learned to use new technology/internet, students are engaged learners, & parents/community are better informed.

3     I'm not sure what you are asking. I feel that my proposal was too lofty to execute during this school year when I didn't get my equipment until too late in the school year. My room was the last one wired. Also the particular curricular area had already been taught

4     It was new, a risk, innovative , and fun

5     The InTech program objectives seemed to be in a different place than we were most of the time. A lot of time was spent on the video elements (and those doing a lot of this seemed tobe involved) Our project didn't involve as much video. More just trying to do an online newspaper.

6     InTech goals of the program are an accelerated effort to provide:

8     I feel that it got our children involved and made computers more aware of in the class room and
the special students.  Our students, mine and their buddies were engaged learners.
 

3.How has Intech encouraged your use of engaged learning?

1     This has been a weak link—in hindsight I regret that we were not provided with more background and support during the early part of the current school year. The idea of engaged learning was always clearly a goal of the program, but I do not think it received the emphasis it needed for those of us who are new to this approach.

2     See our indicators of Engaged Learning at website district87.org/intech

3     I do feel I have become a facilitator with the students with the use of technology. Many of my students are becoming very comfortable with developing HyperStudio presentations in other areas of the curriculum. They actively use the internet for a resource. They are also very fond of scanning their pictures or illustrations to use in their projects. Some students have learned to download pictures from the internet.

4     Plenty of support and training

5     Indicators of engaged learning:
 

*The students helped create the title and brainstorm articles to post in the newspaper.
*Students had to budget time. At times they worked on their writing and then coordinated who would post the article and when.
*Students were motivated to get assignments done so that they could see them online.
*Students were placed in groups and then chose groups to create articles for the newspaper.
*Since their articles were posted on the World-Wide Web, students saw them an authentic.
*When students understood one aspect of the project, I moved them on to other aspects we did not have time to do as a class.
*So far, only technology and English have been combined.
*Students did what actual writers do—write and publish.
*So far, students have been given points for participation.
*Each time students wrote, they were assessed through discussions with teacher and by receiving participations points.
*Students were given time to write and then surf through the articles written by them and peers.
*Instruction for the online newspaper was specific to empowering students to find them
*Again, students worked in groups each time they wrote and published.
*Students helped each other from the strengths they had. Writers led that process. Kids with computer skills taught peers.
*Students especially listened to when another when brainstorming article ideas and then
*Groups were set up intentionally with different abilities and strengths.
*Students took turns writing and publishing.
*Groups did change several times throughout the year.
*Students had a lot of choice when writing, but final submitting to the web fell under facilitator control.
*Students were shown online newspaper samples and shown how to create and submit articles.
*I learned along with the students. They were often the teachers, especially as we learned
*Once students fulfilled the basic requirements of writing and submitting, they had time to work on many other aspects of adding to the newspaper (adding pictures, video, links, etc.).
*Students were able to do what many professionals do—write articles and publish. They had deadlines to meet and audiences to consider.
*Students did get to see their work online. They saw a real purpose to their writing.

7     The students did everything for our project so when they had to produce a product, they became engaged

8     The children were involved and their ideas were put to use in our books.  The fifth graders were a vital link to my children.  When they were with my children two times a week for 40 minutes, I took the passive role and the children were the teachers.
 

4.Do you believe engaged learning has improved the quality/quantity of student work? Why or why not? Site examples.

1   Yes, it has put the idea into student heads that their activities regarding this project are deserving of constant revision rather than something that is handed in on a particular date and graded without further consideration. This has a positive effect on quality. In terms of quantity, the use of classtime to begin key aspects of the project has provided a stimulus for students to put more outside time and effort into their creations. Feedback from peers and the chance to showcase their work also has had a positive impact on quality and quantity of work.

2      Yes. Some students have asked if they can try more activities than required. One wants to try to do ALL activities. The commitment to task is greater & knowing they will have an audience of peers & parents makes them anxious to do their best.

3    I believe many of the students have learned to use the technology tools that I have in my room, mainly, the internet, the scanner, the digital camera, and software such as HyperStudio and PowerPoint. You must remember that these students are only 9-10 years old. Many of them love to give presentations orally and to be video-taped. Also they like to use the presentation box to show off their latest creation. They enjoy working collaboratively. We are still going to work on projects/presentations involving environmental issues in April for Earth Week. Students are also mentoring each other to the finite points of HyperStudio, scanning, and internet searches.

4   See district intech posting, I believe Jim Peterson posted our engaged learning reports.

5     Yes I believe that engaged learning does improve the quality and quanity of student work. Authenticity is the key. For some students, the online newspaper encouraged them to write, when they never would before. For others, they were encouraged to write better.

6   Quality ? Yes. Students want to do well on project work. Students believe they can do well.

7    Of course. If the student wants to produce and can see the product, they become motivated.Pride improves quality.

8   Very definitely--my children were actively involved and showed results of their work.  They are very proud of being
able to use  KidPix to create pages for books.  They were also very proud when the fifth graders helped them make powerpoints using their work.  They made class books from their work.
 

5. How are you able to make your students responsible for their own work?

1    By clearly presenting the goals in a step by step manner, by demonstrating possible directions to pursue, by allowing students to present and defend their ideas in front of their peers, by offering assistance, but not a defined course that must be pursued, by creating expectations for each student that add up to the whole of the project.

2   Students have many choices & student determination of what and how to present as evidence of learning is both motivational & exciting. Student designed rubric for presentation & student led conference cause great commitment to work.

3     Most students have been responsible for their own work. I think it is because they enjoy using the computers as the tool for presentations. I don't know if it the novelty of the instruments.

4     no answer

5   They chose and wrote artices. Then they submitted.

6   Students pick their own partners for project work. Students have a lot of control in determining what their project looks like. I set the minimum requirements for the project and provide students the opportunity to expand on the minimum.

7   Make? make is a strong word. I would just say, lets try to do this, or what is we did this?

8   Since my special education need some help, I assigned each one a fifth grade tech buddy.  The two partners were
given the responsibility for their own work.
 

6.Has the InTech training been beneficial to you? How?

1     Yes, it has provided an introduction to the resources we received and an ongoing resource for support—I know about things and have access to people and ideas that I would not otherwise have which is of great benefit

2     It has given vision, but not much training. I learned what might be possible, but ended up using much trial & error, frustration/discovery. Most teachers have too little TIME & too much work/commitments for this to be an affective method of engagement.

3     It has been MOST beneficial. I have learned a lot, especially the video capturing and editing.

4     Yes, Lots of support. My knowledge and skill has increased soooooo much

5     It's given me time to think about technology.

6     Not really. I was not able to use the video camera the way I would like (one camera, one computer with video editing software, and three classes of 25 students is not feasible). I already new how to use most of the software and hardware that came with the grant. I set up and installed my scanner and printer.

7     Intech has made me an engaged teacher again. I'm interested,excited and devote more time and energy to school

8    Very useful--I thought that I knew a lot about computers until I started training for using the digital video camera, web
pages, video editing, posting to the web.  The people in charge have been very helpful.

1     Yes in most cases. As I said above, more training regarding engaged learning would have been helpful in the beginning. I have been able to implement my project and goals as a result of the training.

2     No, individual help from computer services was helpful.

3     The training has been sufficient although at times I needed more time to perfect a skill. Unfortunately the students I have are not the best at always working independently using the more advanced techniques independently.

4     Yes

5   In most ways, yes. i have created many more goals for myself.

6   Yes because I learned what I needed to know on my own.

7   Not at first. At first I was blind and lost, dazed and confused, now at least I know what I  want to learn. We also got a late start which didn't help in achieving the goals in a timely manner.

8    yes, but then again, I feel that I could always use    more.  When I go to do it my self, I don't always feel confident in doing it alone.  Thank goodness for our trained 5th graders and Chris and Jim.
 
 

8. What technological skills did you acquire during the Intech training?

1    Use of the digital video camera, video editing, basic network usage, creation of web pages, exposure to various possibilities regarding technology and the classroom

2   Scanner & movie camera - both were required as part of our project.

3    Skills: video editing, web page design, CD burning

4   Webpage, Video capture, Video conferencing, scanner I created a web page with links.

5   I learned a lot about linking. O also learned some about video, but I still need some work.

6   Video editing

7   Everything. Email,internet,powerpoint,pagemaking, digital pictures,scanning,digital video, burning.Everything!!

8     Using a digital video camera and editing, making web pages, posting to web.  Since my part of the grant was intertwined with the 5th graders, the 5th graders have done a lot of the work for my class.  They are showing me and letting me do some of it as we along.  My children are 2 and 3 graders who are EMD or Mentally Impaired, so we really did depend on the 5th graders.

How did you apply those skills in your classroom?

1    By implementing a project in which I could demonstrate and eventually convey these skills to students for use in their own endeavors

2

3

4    Students and parents could check assignments, projects, and cool sites

5    My students gained even more skills and will be teaching me soon (especially with video).

6   I did not apply these skills in my classroom

7   I'm not afraid to let the children use the computer, camera, all the time

8   no response
 
 

9. What type, if any, InTech technical support have you used?

1   Occasional direct meeting with Chris or Jim—usually e-mail support

2    Attended an extra Sat. workshop to learn more about movie capture/ editing. Learning Center Teacher & her student teacher helped.

3     I realied of Jim Peterson, Chris Kruzic, Tom Olson, Brian and Vanna. In other words the support staff.

4     Lots. Anytime I wasn't sure.....help was just a phone call away

5     I met several tiems with one of the integration technician.

6    I ended up solving most of my problems because the technology department was not available to solve the problem.

7   If by technical support, you mean Kris and Jim, I couldn't have done anything without them.

8   I am not sure what you mean, but how I look at it, I have had Chris and Jim come out and helped get me through when I was having trouble.
 

10. Did you receive support in a timely manner? What was the average response time?

1     Timely is a relative term—sometimes the support was not as fast or as readily available as I thought it would be when I got into the program, but I generally received an answer within a few hours; however, when physical presence was needed it could be up to even a few days which left me feeling somewhat vulnerable to a technological meltdown that would be disruptive to my teaching

2   Yes, in a day or two except in hooking up scanner.

3     Always in a timely manner. No idea of an average.

4     I always had a reply within 24 hours...even on the weekends....Help was prompt, if someone had to come to my school.

5     Support was very timely. usually one day--at least response.

6   See response to #9

7     It was as fast as they could go. Of course,faster would have been nicer.

8   Yes, both Chris and Jim were out within 3 days at the longest. Usually I could make an appointment within 2 days.
 
 

11. Why did you choose the particular technology package?

1     It was chosen for us as part of the grant process—I chose to pursue the group grant as part of a desire to work with the other members of my academic team.

2   Our Learning Center has Macs. It is easier to have students use one set of directions in the room & Center.

3   I teach in the elementary school which uses the Mac platform.

4   I prefer P.C

5   We had two choices, I went with what my team seemed most comfortable with.

6   I am a PC user. I have not had good experiences whenever I’ve used Macs.

7   I wanted a fast internet connection in my classroom

8   I have always used Macs and felt comfortable with them.  I do own a Compac laptop, but always go back to my G3 for the serious work I want to do.  Also our school is composed of Macs
 

12. Describe the kind and amount of technology you had access to prior to Intech?

1     None in my classroom.

2

3     I had my own scanner, and 2 Power Macs in my classroom plus assorted donated old Macs donated from State Farm. One of my computers was hooked up to a 56 baud modem via a telephone line. I had access to a digital camera.

4    no answer

5   Prior to the project, I had access to an older computer in my room and a computer lab ( another room in the school)

6   Technology access before InTech:Refurbished State Farm Pentium I computer in my classroom, New Ramjet computers in the computer lab in my classroom, Digital camera purchased by the BHS PTO, 8mm video camera that I purchased, Mac computer from the technology department

7     Computer lab with good conection to the internet

8   I had 6 macs in my room.  Some were old but did the job for my children.  Three of them were PowerMacs.

1     We received another grant with which we purchased two projection devices—this has been fantastic in terms of being able to use the technology in my room in a way that can be easily shared with the whole room.

2   Power Mac & printer - no internet connection - School purchased external floppy disc drives for G3s

3     I have purchased a CD burner with classroom money and I am awaiting the QuickTimeVR software.

4     no answer

5     Now, I have an updated computer in my room with corrent software. I also have a video camera, scanner, and color laser jet printer.

6   Additional resources: Second digital camera purchased with InTech money & science department money. Software ? Paint Shop Pro 5

7     Web    page software for school. Burner for school, tapes for camera and CD

8     I have purchased my own Sony digital camera,  I have boosted the ram of another computer so it is on line also.  We share a scanner which is not the best because it is never in my room when I need it.  Wish I had
my own!!!!
 

13. What kind of access did you have to the District 87 network and the Internet prior to InTech? What kind of access do you have now?

1   None in my room—now we have full access in the room to the district and Internet resources

2      Learning Center 45 min. per week scheduled. Full access all day every day in classroom now!

3      Prior to the district network in the computer lab for the 1998-1999 school year, I had a telephone connection in my room because I had a previous grant. I now have my room connected to the district network with 6 drops.

4      e-mail. I usually check it at home. Now, I have it at my fingertips

5      Before I had access only through the lab. Now I have access in my room, but so do all the other teachers. This is not just an InTecah thing.

6      I had access in my classroom and I had access to a networked lab on my floor.

7   Just in the school library In the classroom

8   I did not have access to the district network other than going to the media center.  I now have two computers on the network with access to 2 laser printers.  I also have a computer that is hooked up to a telephone line (I have had that line for 5 years)  These are all in my room.
 

14.During the course of this project, what new technology related objectives did you achieve that were not stated in your original proposal?

1     Making technology a part of my daily teaching. Providing information to parents and absent students regarding activities here at school through a web page that grew out of the Intech experience.

2   Correlated technology to Lang. Arts Essential Outcomes, Indicator of Engaged Learning, & School Improvement Plan.

3     I'm not sure since I have not completed my project.

4     video conferencing, video capture

5     I didn't plan to learn about weblinks. I know now.

6   None

7   Thousands. We basically had no idea what was possible. We now have a burner that I'm really excited about that wasn't part of the original deal.The students are able to take home the products they make.!The videos are more interesting than I realized they would be. The students are able to do more than I realized they would. Students who used to skip school now stay after everynight.Students love teaching others what they know.I'm impressed with web pages they make.  We've done a lot of things in class with the technology that have been engaging for everyone.

8   The vast knowledge of the web and posting, video conferencing (however we have not used it much, but we have the access in our room.  Hope to get to it after Spring break)
 
 

15.What were the unexpected benefits from participating in the InTech program?

1     The chance to work with others on a group effort that coordinated our academic and technology goals. The immersion in aspects of technology that may be useful for teachers that came from exposure to Chris and Jim and the presence of the Intech package in my room.

2     Seeing student excitement, motivation, noting lack of discipline problems because of task commitment - I am bolder in attempting new technology & confident if I have enough time, I will figure it out.

3    The video editing has been an unexpected benefit

4   I didn't realize how much I would learn.....how much I would remember and how much I would be able to use what I learned. I taught a class a ISU last fall. I was able to use PowerPoint to prepare all of my lectures for the class. :):)

5    Hearing other teachers

6     Success of peer assessment

7   They really are to numerous to mention but the thing that really stands out is how interested the students are. They come in during recess and stay after everynight at least an hour. They don't hate school anymore.
They really are having a good time and LEARNING.

8   being on the breaking end of things,  watching our fifth grade buddies grow(they come and use my computers off and on all the time), watching my children grow in being able to relate to their older peers, and just having all this knowledge available and the resources to assist us when necessary.
 

16.Do you have any suggestions to improve the Intech program? its technological support? the proposal process? the evaluation process?

1    The projection device made a huge difference, but may be cost prohibitive. The presence of dedicated tech support and a more proactive approach to support would be helpful—we may need direction and advice that only someone with experience would be aware of and able to provide support. In a sense I feel that if this was a two year process it would be more effective—the first year could be an apprenticeship with someone who has done similar things and the second the year of full implementation. I would be able to make even more progress next year with continued support and would benefit from working to help others move into the program. In terms of proposals and evaluations it might be helpful to center around a more defined theme for a particular grant. This would make it easier to provide training and support that is of benefit to all involved rather than having specialized projects that there is simply not enough time to fully support.

2 The InTech program doesn't do a good job of letting me understand what others are doing or letting me learn from other participants. Technological support for installing & inservicing scanner needed to be more timely. I wasted six hours trying to get a simple function to work, only to discover installation wasn't complete. Proposal process was O.K. Evaluation process seems to be one way - we send in info. I don't know what others are doing.

3    I feel the next year should emphasize "ThinkQuest" projects with support from the technology staff members.

4     no answer

5     The Intech program? We spent a lot of time on video early in the year. I needed other kinds of help and kept not understanding video. Its technological support? Large group training was difficult for me. Having the one on one help was very successful. The proposal process? Was definitely detailed enough. The evaluation process? I'm just thinking about this. Not a lot of thoughts yet.

6    The training aspect needs to be more organized and reflective of the needs of the participants. I would suggest that the training topics (ie Video editing, web page construction, etc.) be generated by the participants and the coordinator. Once the list is generated, then dates would be scheduled for the training. Participants would pick the trainings they wish to attend. Training would be voluntary

7     I'm not sure what to say because it was perfect for me. It was exactly what I wanted and more. I'm sure others weren't able to integrate the technology into the classroom as much as I did so other results may be different. I'm a self contained fifth grade class so I was able to do what I wanted, whenever I wanted. The freedom and flexibility made it a great process for me and the students. I was avle to give them time to work. I was also able to be flexible which helped.

8     more people available-Jim and Chris are really stretched thin..When I submitted the proposal, I was to get my own printer and my own scanner--that did not happen,  I felt very cheated that I didn't get them as I was counting on the scanner as an on the spot tool to reproduce the children's work.  My suggestion is that once the grant and hardware are explained to the applicants, I don't think it was fair to change the hardware after grants were granted.   The proposal process was gruesome, but necessary.  I am not sure if it could be simplified or not.  The evaluation is very important to see it it was successful.