Dorit+-+Feb.+15th


 * Return to:**


 * Staff** **Developer**:

Summary: This is my second visit to the school. I worked on ideas and suggestions for school PD, surrounding the ELA curriculum. The ELA teacher had completed a project on Memoir, which the principal liked very much. I also participated in an after-school department meeting to get a better sense of what is happening in the school. I emailed the principal suggestions for onsite PD including the peer review in an online environment, collaborative tools and webquest activity. In addition, since they are looking into podcasting equipment, I emailed her information regarding our podcasting workshop. I am awaiting her response regarding possible dates for an online PD. I have recommended this school as a Model site as the principal is very interested in technology and all the staff uses technology on various levels. The school is an iteach-ilearn school. They received laptops for the sixth grade but are awaiting laptops for the seventh grades.
 * Date:** Monday**, Feb 11,2008**
 * School: X129**
 * Next Steps:** (Follow-up Procedures):
 * waiting to hear form the principal regarding possible PD and Dates
 * Anticipated Outcomes:**
 * Outcome 1: Depends on chosen PD
 * Model Site:** (Yes/No):YES


 * Date:** Tuesday, February 12, 2008
 * School:** PS 195

Summary: PS 195 is an elementary school. According to the principal students are behind on their reading level and currently he is very concerned with the issue. He understands the importance of technology but want some time to think about his priorities as he feels that his students are lacking fundamental reading and writing skills and believe that the computer will only further distract them. Some of the teachers are veterans, some are fellows. He mentioned that he had people from Smart Board trying to train on the 2 smart boards that they have but there were a lot of technical difficulties. He has a technology person in the building, Frank, who does all the technology maintenance but not Instructional technology. One Smart board in floating, barely being used and one is in the science room, used randomly. The science teacher also has a laptop cart in her classroom and during my visit she used it with her students for research. I met with the math and literacy coach. They give links suggestions to teachers. Meeting with the principal and the coaches I had explored OIT PD opportunities as well as Protraxx with them. We also discussed at length the idea of creating a Portal-porta for the school, as the two coaches are already distributing links to teachers but not in an organized fashion. At the end of the day, since the principal had left the building, I had emailed him a summary of my meeting with the coaches and suggested an on-site PD to create a Portal-Porta with his coaches. I am awaiting his replay.

Goal: Possible onsite PD to organize resources in a Portal-Porta to allow easier access to resources for teachers. Outcomes: School personnel is more familiar with the office of Instructional Technology and its services.


 * Wednesday, February 13, 2008 **
 * Location:** PS 198
 * Summary**: PS 198 has both special and regular education students. About 30% of the students’ population is special education. There is a mix of veteran teachers and fellows. There is one principal and two assistant principals. There are 4 Smart Boards, 4 laptop carts with 16 laptop each. Classes have 1-3 desktop computers in the class. There is no computer lab. There is no real technology plan. If teachers are interested in using the equipment they communicate with the technology teacher/coordinator Ms. Sandra Lopez who is very nice and accommodating. Walking around the school and speaking to teachers, I have learned that they mostly use technology to assess their students’s reading and math level. They use two programs: Equity and Scanatron’s program. Students are excited whenever they use technology, even if it means some sort of testing. The problem is that the teachers try to use these assessment programs as instructional ones. I spoke with Ms. Lopez about it and we both agreed that the school would benefit from more Instructional Technology material. I assisted Ms. Lopez with identifying possible software for her school. I explored with her and the ELS coordinator sites for ESL students that are instructional and had received awards. We discussed possible onsite Smart Board PD. Ms. Lopez will discuss this with her principal and we will touch base regarding it.