KATC Presentation

Web-based Resources 

that Facilitate Implementation of Standards-Based, Technology-Rich Curriculum

Brenda C. Nix, Director

Kentucky Academy of Technology Education

http://www.murraystate.edu/kate/kate.htm 

Step One: Determine Areas of Strengths and Weaknesses

Find areas of strengths and weaknesses.  There are numerous tools available to do this.  Several tools are specific to Kentucky; others are more general. 

Several Kentucky district’s have created and shared tools.  KATE spent an extensive amount of time working with pre-service and in-service teachers as well as university faculty to create a document to allow educators to self-assess their ability to meet the Kentucky Technology Standard.  This document is available for your use in several formats.  The file is available by visiting the following Web address... http://www.murraystate.edu/kate/technology_proficiency/faculty_self_assessment.htm. 

In addition this file has been posted on the Profiler Tool created by one of the regional labs.

Other tools such as the following are more general, but districts may find them useful.

• CEO Forum (http://www.ceoforum.org/home.cfm) has produced a self-assessment tool for K-12 teachers and for faculty members of colleges of education.  In addition the organization has available a report called The Power of Digital Learning: Integrating Digital Content.
• BellSouth (http://www.bellsouthcorp.com/bsf/technology/edgateway.htm) funded a research instrument for its Prepare to Teach Districts.  This instrument called TAGLIT (http://www.peptaglit.org/taglit/default.htm)  includes input from administrators, teachers, and students.

General information on assessment as well as other issues is abundantly available on the web.  Finding information is not a problem.  However, sorting through the information to find the relevant pieces is often time consuming. 

• SEIRTEC (http://www.ael.org/rtec/index.htm) is a partnership of national, regional, and university-based organizations that work collaboratively to help communities of learners use technology effectively.  The consortium is a regional technology in education consortia funded by the Office of Education Research and Improvement of the U.S. Department of Education.  SEIRTEC has print and web-based resources available for teachers, administrators, and policymakers.  Examples include a CD-ROM and companion web site for principals, a database of promising practices in assessment, a study on educational software use and a curriculum snapshot section that allows K-12 teachers to enter or see how various subject areas use technology creatively in their classrooms.

• The Milken Foundation (http://www.mff.org/) regularly studies the progress of states in implementing technology.  They have also developed an instrument to be used in the assessment of technology.

What are the staff development needs that are indicated by the assessment of strengths and weaknesses?  What research is available to provide guidelines for implementation of instructional technology and the appropriate training?  What tools are available via the web to meet or supplement those training needs?

There is a great deal of interest in education reform and improvement of education.  Because of this intense public interest there are many reports, research studies, etc. being funded by public sources, private foundations, and by major corporations. 

• Regional Education Laboratory Contractors (http://www.relnetwork.org) are educational research and development organizations supported by contracts with the U.S. Department of Education.  Although the laboratories focus on a geographic region as well as an assigned specialty, information is shared via their websites and other publications outside the assigned geographic area.  (Break into groups and explore these sites.  Refer to printout http://www.sedl.org/RELs.html .)

• Intel (http://apps.intel.com/scripts-education/destination/) CEO explored the future of technology in education and how technology connects communities in his keynote presentation at NECC.  

Opportunities for online learning are seemingly unlimited.  The quality is also quite varied.  Most software and textbook vendors now provide online support which may be basic “how to” or quite sophisticated assistance that includes suggestions for classroom application. 

• Tutorial packages may be purchased to provide training for teachers.  Several organizations are creating online packages designed to move beyond “how-to” and into implementation.  Apple, Compaq, Classroom Connect and others are examples of these.

• Free tutorials are abundant.  Many district’s have created web pages listing tutorials on software available in the district.  Universities often have faculty support pages.  Several tutorials are listed on the KATE (http://www.murraystate.edu/kate/kate.htm) web page.

Step Three:  Assist with Information on Implementation and Appropriate Instructional Tools

What are the implementation tools that are available online?  More and more tools are being placed on the web that can be instrumental in the implementation of instructional technology.  Most important, however, is the fact that these tools facilitate learning in a real-world context.

• BellSouth (http://www.bellsouth.net) and many other organizations such as Yahoo provide collaboration tools that make communication with parents much easier.

• EvaluTech (http://www.sret.sreb.org/) is a searchable database of instructional materials.

• HighWired (http://www.highwired.com) provides five tools for high schools.  The services are free and focus on web publishing for the guidance office, classrooms, student activities or organizations, school sports, and school papers.  Several Kentucky schools are taking advantage of this tool. 

• KATE (http://www.murraystate.edu/kate/kate.htm) has a submission form as well as a calendar for KTLN program offerings.  Many of the offerings are teacher-originated collaborations.

• Tech4Learning (http://www.tech4learning.com) has a database of copyright-free images for teachers and students.

• NCRTEC’s Amazing Picture Machine (http://www.ncrtec.org/picture.htm) helps teachers and students find educational images in a safe, online environment.

• Classroom of the Future (http://www.cotf.edu/products/main.html) is developing products that engage students in “real science” by presenting them with actual problems currently under investigation in various science disciplines.

• The JASON Project is a standards-based real-world interdisciplinary curriculum based on science expeditions.  Information on this project can be accessed from the KATE web site (http://www.murraystate.edu/kate/kate.htm). 

• SCRTEC, (http://www.scrtec.org) one of the R*TECs funded by the U.S. Department of Education, provides a website that houses a combination of development and collaboration tools and resources.  The tools support integration, professional growth and development.  The TrackStar Tool allows teachers to convert a lesson into an interactive lesson utilizing resources quickly and easily. 

The most important emphasis that can be made must begin with the lessons and units taught in the classroom.  Many lesson plans are available on the web (some good; others not so good).  Effective lessons must be more than interesting or even fun.  Teacher institute’s often post good “starter” lessons.  MCREL has several lesson plans posted.  Links to many lesson plans in all content areas can be found on the KATE (http://www.murraystate.edu/kate/kate.htm) web page.  A TRACK based on a KTIP Modified Lesson Plan (http://coekate.murraystate.edu/KATE format blank.htm) (http://coekate.murraystate.edu/KATE format lined.htm) created by KATE is posted at http://trackstar.scrtec.org/main/display.php3?track_id=14612.

Sharing the successful practices is a powerful tool for moving instructional technology. 

The George Lucas Foundation (http://www.glef.org) creates video and web-based media that promote a vision of learning where students are challenged and engaged, have access to interactive technologies and are supported by inspired teachers and involved parents and communities.

 

• Intel Education Destination (http://apps.intel.com/scripts-education/destination/) spotlights schools/districts that have technology-enhanced learning.  The sites has several components to support teachers as well as administrators.
• Several of the regional laboratories feature successful classroom practices.  Examples include WWW4Teachers on the SCRTEC (http://www.scrtec.org) site as well as Classroom Snapshot (http://www.ael.org/snapshot).