PEACE VALLEY ELEMENTARY TECHNOLOGY

PLAN 2010-2013

Sashoi Hinds

Arlene Rose-Wright

Eduardo E. Meza

MEDIA TECHNOLOGY ADVISORY COMMITTEE

E. Meza - Media Coordinator (Co-chair)

A. Rose-Wright –Technology Facilitator (Co-chair)

S. Hinds – Web Tools Coordinator

B. Watwood – Principal

T. Walker – Fifth Grade Teacher

J. Walsh-Davis – Fourth Grade Teacher

K. Bourne – Third Grade Teacher

A. Gordon – Second Grade Teacher

S. Vaughans-Oliver – First Grade Teacher

A. Perdomo – Kindergarten Teacher

N. Rosales – E.C. children Teacher

M. Thompson–Nugent – Enhancements

K. Robinson – Parent

N. Wright – PTA / Community – Business Leader

VISION

In Peace Valley Elementary School all students and staff will

experience continuous academic and personal growth through

the effective use of current and emerging technologies.

Every facility in Peace Valley Elementary School will be an

information-rich, technology-based environment. Through

accessing and utilizing a variety of information resources,

students and staff will be empowered to be active participants in

a global Village, McLuhan. Every student in Peace Valley

County Public Schools will use technology to learn successfully.

Students will obtain the technological skills necessary to

become productive citizens in a democratic society. They will be

processors of knowledge rather than passive recipients of

information.

VISION CONTINUATION.

Effective utilization of technology will enable all staff to meet the

needs of our diverse student population. Greater individualization

of school programs will prepare students to master critical skills

and concepts essential for higher levels of thinking and learning.

Each Peace Valley County public school will be an effective

learning community able to network locally and connect globally.

All members of these school Communities will be empowered

with the technological skills needed to succeed in the Information

Era.

MISSION STATEMENT

It is the mission of Peace Valley Elementary School to

provide a comprehensive, technologically enhanced

learning experience for our students and teachers as

well

provide a valuable resource by ably preparing future

members of the community, and exploring with Web 2.0

and what it has to offer. We believe that strong, safe

understanding of technology and its applications are

essential to develop well educated students.

MISSION STATEMENT CONTINUATION.

In order to achieve our goals we will strive for the

following:

• Provide the best possible tools and the most effect training for our

staff.

• Stay abreast of developments in educational technology and

technology in general. We will endeavor to implement these

advances as prudent for our school district.

• Develop relevant and challenging courses for our students

providing them with the knowledge and skills they need to be

successful and this global connecting era.

• Ensure that both teachers and students have Internet access

throughout the school.

• Evaluate by fact and data to provide effective solutions

CURRENT SITUATION

Peace valley Elementary School is currently is attempting to

reestablish itself technologically . Several years of being

overcrowded and underfunded have left the school’s technology

in dire straits. It has been the goal of the past year to begin to

first remedy the deficiencies and then begin to work on future

needs.

Every computer in the building has access to a minimum of two

network printers.

The media center currently has six stand alone data projector

available for check out and each grade level has a multimedia

cart with a computer, data projector, digital microscope ,

document camera and speakers to be shared by the members

on that grade level.

CURRENT SITUATION CONTINUATION.

The school also has three computer labs available on a flex

schedule and one laptop cart with 20 laptops in it. At the start of

the school year the school only had one computer per

classroom that was shared by all the students of the class as

well as the teacher. The MTAC decided to make the purchase of

an additional computer per classroom a top priority . The majority

of current technology funds as well as funding from PTA were

allocated to this and as a result, every classroom now has two

computers.

The school’s network infrastructure is 10 years old and several

switches are beginning to fail and are in need of replacement.

The school file server is currently a Pentium III model and will

soon be in need to be Updated. The school is in the process of

acquiring various web tools to enhance learning.

LEARNING Implementation of the 2010-2013 Technology Plan and its

updates has enhanced learning and created active learners.

Administrators and teachers have promoted the use of

technology among students to assist them in achieving state and

federal standards as outlined by the ABCs of Public Education

and the No Child Left Behind Act. With a current ratio of four

students to each computer and 100% internet connectivity in the

classroom, every student is assured convenient access to

technology-based resources in the Peace Valley County Public

Schools system. Technology must be accessible to be used as

a relevant tool by the students. The following are examples of

technology-based instructional programs Peace Valley County

Public Schools has put into use and/or supported to increase

student achievement and enhance instructional offerings:

LEARNING CONTINUATION.

Peace Valley Elementary is committed to ensure that all

students have the skills required to excel in today ‘s technology

enriched world. There is a minimal chance that students will have

jobs which do not require them the use of a computer. In most

situations they will be expected to have a mastery of a wide range

of skills.

Fortunately most of the students have a natural aptitude for

technology and the enjoy opportunity to utilize technology in

their instruction. Technology will be integrated into the students’

core curriculum by their classroom teachers. Support for

integration will be provided by the technology facilitator through

collaboration the classroom teacher, assisted in developing

lesson plan and delivering relevant staff development.

THE SCHOOL WILL PRODUCE GLOBALLY COMPETITIVE LEARNERS

Strategy Resources

needed

Human and

Material

Person(s)

responsible

Budget Needs Funding

resources

Timeline

Proposed

(start/End dates)

Method of

evaluation

Continue 3rd to 5th

grade 2st, Century

Skills Test

Classroom

Teachers,

computer labs.

21st Century Skills Test

Classroom

Teachers,

Technology

facilitator, Web

tools coordinator,

media Coordinator,

district level,

director of

instructional

technology

Based on

enrollment

Provided by District

through funding

ongoing Assessment Data

reports

Integrate use of MS

Office into

students’ core

curriculum

Microsoft Office

Technology

Facilitator,

Classroom

teachers

Technology

Facilitator,

Classroom

teachers

Based on number

of workstations

Provided by District

through State funds

Ongoing Teacher Lesson

plan, Lesson plans,

student

performance on

assessments

Integrate current

Web 2.0 tools into

student instruction

and projects

Computer labs,

classroom

computers,

Technology

Facilitator, Web

tool coordinator,

classroom teachers

Technology

Facilitator, Media

coordinator,

classroom teachers

Based on

enrollment

Provided

By the PTA

Ongoing Student projects,

student

performance on

assessment

ASSESSMENT

A few of these programs have become key technology programs

for Peace Valley County Public Schools. To improve reading and

math skills, Peace Valley Elementary School has embraced the

use of PLATO, Compass, and Study Island. As learning

management systems, these programs allow the schools to

efficiently assess student achievement and then address

individual student needs at a level and pacing that is appropriate.

Other programs, which allow schools to assess and benchmark

student achievement through the use of technology, are STAR

Math, STAR Reading, Read 180, and reading first. The use of

web-based resources has become an integral part of

ASSESSMENT CONTINUATION

Peace valley Elementary School’s mission to provide

comprehensive resources for student and teacher use. SAS in

School is utilized in the high schools as an enrichment resource

for Core Academic classes and some elective classes (i.e.

Spanish). Kaleidoscope, while comprehensive in nature, is used

by the elementary and middle schools to support Specific

learning objectives.

ASSESSMENT CONTINUATION

The breadth of Kaleidoscope prevents many instructors from using

the program in its entirety. Peace Valley NC Wise Owl is promoted

as the web search portal of choice for students and teachers in our

schools. Students are encouraged to utilize the online media center

to assist in research. NC Wise Owl is also promoted to teachers as a

resource for a variety of professional resources such as online

journals and as a source for web based resources.

TEACHING – PREPARE AND CONNECT

Identify and provide staff development for technologyintegration coaches who will work with teachers tointegrate technology into their classrooms. Develop acadre of highly-skilled educators to be instructors oftechnology staff development (e.g., for- credit classes,Tech Tuesdays, Technology Cafe) Develop an onlineclearinghouse of experts willing to assist colleagues withtechnology integration. Develop web site withcollaboration space. Provide staff development to siteand district personnel on how to use technology tofacilitate communication with parents. Development of30 and 60 minute presentations for classes created.Provide training for parents on use of

the school and district resources online.

TEACHING CONTINUATION

Teachers must endeavor to create a positive, fun filled technologyatmosphere in their classroom. Therefore the following will beimplemented: 21st Century learning will be effective whenintegrated into classroom instruction. 21st Century skills revolvearound student-centered learning which is far more relevant whenit takes place in the classroom than in the computer lab. 21stCentury tools go beyond computers and include PDA’s, digitalcameras, MP3

players, cell phones, etc. Technology changes so rapidly it isdifficult

to predict what technologies will be available in the future.

TEACHING CONTINUATION

So, although the term ‘technology tools remains difficult to pindown,

the concept of having current and useful technology must be clearly

designated as crucial to successful classroom learning. Teachers

need examples of how technology can be integrated into the

curriculum. The district should identify tech-savvy, early-adopters at

all grade levels and content areas who integrate technology into

classroom instruction. These teachers will become mentors to

facilitate integration across the curriculum.

TEACHING CONTINUATION Benefits for Learning Students will learn to use 21st

Century skills and tools similar to those they will use

personally and professionally as adults. Engaging and

relevant classroom instruction will reduce drop-out

rates and increase student performance. The work of

the student and teacher will be more professional,

require less time, and allow access to the resources of

the technological world

INFRASTRUCTURE Peace Valley Elementary School has been wired to provide at

least six network drops in every classroom. It currently has a Local Area Network (LAN) with a fiber optic backbone that enables all classrooms to connect with the Wide Area Network (WAN), and the Internet. Internet connectivity will provided using Broadband. All learning areas of Peace Valley Elementary School will be wired for network and Internet connectivity. Peace valley Elementary School currently uses two network servers of offer shared resources. The installation of three ISDN lines donated by Time Warner Cable allows for video teleconferencing learning activities. All classrooms and work areas have been wired for data, telephone, and video for Television. This school recognizes that it needs to upgrade its infrastructure on a continual basis to existing and projected.

PRODUCTIVITY

It is important to build time into the daily schedule allowing teachers

time to collaborate and to work with their students. Engaged learning

through technology is best supported by changes in the structure of

the school day, including longer class periods and more allowance

for team teaching and interdisciplinary work. For example, when

students are working on long-term research projects for which they

are making use of online resources (such as artwork, scientific data

sets, or historical documents), they may need more than a daily 30-

or 40-minute period to find, explore, and synthesize these materials

for their research

PRODUCTIVITY CONTINUATION

As schools continue to acquire more technology for student use

and as teachers are able to find more ways to incorporate

technology into their instruction, the problem will no longer be not

enough computers but not enough time (Becker, 1994). Besides

pedagogical support to help students use technology to reach

learning goals, teachers also need time to become familiar with

available products, software, and online resources. They also

need time to discuss technology use with other teachers

PRODUCTIVITY CONTINUATION

"Transforming schools into 21st century learning communities

means recognizing that teachers must become members of a

growing network of shared expertise (Fulton, Yoon, Lee, 2005)."

Professional collaboration includes communicating with

educators in similar situations and others who have experience

with technology (Panel on Educational Technology, 1997). This

activity can be done in face-to-face meetings or by using

technology such as e-mail or videoconferencing. The effects of

introducing technology on teacher professionalization include

increased collaboration among teachers within a school and

increased interaction with external collaborators and resources.

PRODUCTIVITY CONTINUATION Teachers cannot be expected to learn how to use educational

technology in their teaching after a one-time workshop. Teachers

need in-depth, sustained assistance not only in the use of the

technology but in their efforts to integrate technology into the

curriculum. Teachers also need embedded opportunities for

professional learning and collaborating with colleagues in order to

overcome the barrier of time and teachers' daily schedules. Skills

training become peripheral to alternative forms of ongoing support

that addresses a range of issues, including teachers‘ changing

practices and curricula, new technologies and other new resources,

and changing assessment practices. This time spent ensuring that

teachers are using technology to enrich their students' learning

experiences is an important piece in determining the value of

technology to their students. Teachers always have been the key to

determining the impact of innovations, and this situation also is true

of technology.

BUDGETING