Goal 2
Avoca School District #37, in Wilmette, Illinois, developed and implemented the following action steps for each specified school year in fulfillment of Goal 2.
"Staff will commit to integrating appropriate evolving technology into curricular areas, beginning with math, science, and writing.1992-1993
Staff will be aware of the software/CD-ROM/laserdiscs the district owns; the appropriate area grade/ability levels; and teacher utilities.
Staff will familiarize themselves and introduce to students some available math, science, and writing software/CD-ROM/laserdiscs that enhance the teaching of particular topics (with an emphasis on math, science, and language arts).
Staff will investigate, recommend, and acquire software for classroom and district use.
Teachers will learn how to implement calculators (regular, fraction, graphing, overhead) in the classroom as a tool for problem solving.
Staff will research videos and laserdiscs that support the literature series. Laserdiscs already owned by the district will be used in the science curriculum at both schools.
A networking support system of knowledgeable in-house staff will be established to inform all staff of new materials and assist in mastery.
The Math and Language Arts committees will integrate technology into the scope and sequence of their written curriculum.
Students will begin to use telecommunications at the middle school for research and collaborative projects.
1993-1994
There will be a centralized and updated catalog of software/CD-ROM/laserdisc materials created by subject and key words.
There will be more math, science, and writing technology integrated into curricular areas in the classroom and computer lab.
Staff will continue to investigate software. New software/CD-ROM/laserdiscs will be purchased for classroom use as recommended and as funds are available.
Teachers will identify areas for calculator use and will try out ideas for implementing calculators in expanding areas.
Video and laserdiscs will begin to be used in literature.
The network support system will be expanding and be used by all staff.
Language Arts Committee work will be completed and updated. Math Committee work will be in process in the area of technology integration into the scope and sequence.
Science Committee will integrate technology into the scope and sequence of their written curriculum.
Students will continue use of telecommunications at the middle school for research and collaborative projects. Teachers will continue to investigate more comprehensive use. Some telecommunications use will begin in the curriculum at Avoca West.
1994-95
Teachers will receive updated and current information on software/CD-ROM/laserdiscs.
Areas for integration of software/CD-ROM/laserdiscs have been identified.
Staff will be facile with the primary writing, publishing, math, and science software/CD-ROM/laserdiscs that are appropriate for their grade level or subject matter area.
Students are able to use and make appropriate choices of when to use calculators in problem-solving situations.
Laserdiscs will be fully implemented for staff and student use.
Math and Language Arts scope and sequence/curriculum will be completed and updated for current materials in the field of technology.
Science Committee work will be completed and updated for technology uses.
New subject area curriculum committees will integrate technology into the scope and sequence of their written curriculum.
Telecommunications at middle school will be used at mastery level. Teachers at Avoca West will continue to explore different ways in which telecommunications can enhance and integrate their curriculum.
Indicators of Success
At the end of these three years, staff will:
- Use calculators appropriately for all levels in all classes.
- Use a variety of software programs integrated into the math, science, and writing curriculum with an emphasis on problem solving and collaborative work.
- Will encourage students to present their knowledge using text, graphic, and sound as a way of 'publishing' their work.
- Coordinate videos and laserdiscs with the English series (new in 1992-93).
- Incorporate word processing experiences across the curriculum.
- Have easy access to video, laserdisc, and computer software, which are organized and coordinated with curricular needs.
- Have access to the software, videos, laserdiscs, and other technology coordinated to the new science curriculum by the 1993-94 Science Committee.
- Be using technology as part of the thematic units integrating several subject areas (math, language arts, social studies, science, music, art). Technology will be used for gathering information, processing information, and presenting the results or findings to classmates and others."
