Location: Preston, Room P2
Schools Represented: Bemis, Dunn, Fitzgerald, Garcia, Morgan, Morris, Myers, Werner
Site Successes & Challenges: (Lead Teachers)
- All schools indicated eSTELLAR activities have been initiated at their sites. Students and teachers are using the technology in science at various levels across the schools.
- Many Round 6 schools have teachers new to the eSTELLAR grant this year. Of the 41 teachers in Round 6, 14 (34%) are new in this second year of the grant. This presents a challenge for showing growth over last year's progress.
- Some schools continue to experience technical issues with the laptops, particularly the wireless printer. Noelle reminded everyone to submit blues so these occurences can be tracked. Noelle will also send an email to IT Dept. asking for troubleshooting suggestions.
- Some expressed concerns about moving the cart from room to room and ensuring care of the equipment. Various ideas were shared including: leave the cart in the lead teacher's room and swap rooms with the other teacher, establish protocols for use and train other teachers in these processes, do model lesson in other classrooms to introduce the laptops and train students in proper use.
Lesson Sharing: (Noelle)
- eChalk's Lesson Planner allows us to share lessons across the district to all eSTELLAR teachers. This serves as the main repository for lessons developed integrating technology in science and provides required evidence for the grant evaluation.
- When a lead teacher records lesson development on his/her log, the lesson must be shared in eChalk.
- Leads are encouraged to use the lesson planner when collaboratively developing lessons with teachers at their sites.
- Shared lessons should include any related attachments, such as: templates, handouts, sample of student work, presentation, etc.
- Use the comment feature to provide feedback to a teacher when you use his/her lesson.
- Attendees practiced accessing the shared lesson plans in eChalk, including viewing all lessons and searching by keyword/topic.
- Noelle reminded attendees that all teachers at the eSTELLAR schools have access to the lesson planner, not just the eSTELLAR teachers. (Round 7 schools should have access by the end of September, after the budget is released.)
Lead Teacher Logs: (Noelle)
- All lead teachers will maintain their log using the individualized iGoogle spreadsheet and entry form Noelle created. Attendees created an iGoogle account and learned how to access their spreadsheet and entry form (see directions).
- The benefits of this online log include:
- Online data entry - you can record your activities anytime, anywhere using an Internet-connected computer
- Instant viewing - both the lead teacher and program coordinator (Noelle) can see the activity log at anytime. Principals may also be invited to view their lead teacher's log.
- Easy tracking - the eSTELLAR program coordinator (Noelle) can easily oversee all 18 lead teacher's activities on an ongoing basis instead of requesting the electronic file via email intermittently.
Other:
- Noelle showed how an eChalk group page can be used to schedule use of the laptop carts. If you want to use this strategy, email Noelle for assistance.
- At Round 6 schools, every participating teacher should be integrating student use of technology in science at least once a week on average.
- The laptops can be used for other content areas in the eSTELLAR classrooms, but science needs to take priority and occur at least once a week on average.
- All eSTELLAR equipment should be used exclusively in eSTELLAR classrooms during the instructional day. However, it can be used after school for parent trainings, staff development, or after-school programs. Principals and lead teacher should work together to ensure proper use during these activities.
To Do's for September:
- Make sure all eSTELLAR teachers and students have completed the surveys. (Round 6 schools should be done; Round 7 schools will be starting this next week.)
- Remind all eSTELLAR teachers of upcoming trainings:
- All Round 7 teachers and Round 6 make-ups: eSTELLAR Kick-off Day: Saturday, Sept 20th, 8:30-3:00pm at the District Registration Center (repeat of Sat, Aug 23rd)
- 4th Grade: Sept 23rd - Electricity & Magnets, magnetic field probe
- 5th Grade: Sept. 24th - Periodic Table, Inspiration
- Enter lead teacher activities in your new online form.
Round 6 Schools Only:
- Share your great lessons in eChalk's Lesson Planner.
- Make sure all eSTELLAR Teachers are integrating student use of technology in SCIENCE at least once a week.
- Establish a site protocol for scheduling use of the laptop carts, ensuring appropriate use in the classroom, etc.
- Facilitate one or more site level collaborations among eSTELLAR teachers to develop a lesson, practice technology presented at grade level session, etc.
