Melissa_Reams_finalproject

I created this video to give everyone some food for thought about the use of educational technology to support teaching and learning: media type="youtube" key="7zPJUKKWd3I" height="344" width="425"

Gayton Elementary School - Technology Use Plan

School Demographics: Gayton Elementary School is a primary school that serves grades K-5 in the western part of Henrico County, Virginia. media type="youtube" key="_VnHdqpE4RM" height="385" width="480"
 * Enrollment || 518 ||
 * Economically Disadvantaged || 2.8% ||
 * Breakdown by Ethnicity ||  ||
 * White || 73.2% ||
 * Black || 1.9% ||
 * Asian/Pacific Islander || 5.2% ||
 * Instructional Use - Why We Need to Teach Technology:

Technology has to be in the forefront of our strategic plan for each school and the county as a whole. True integration of technology should take place in each classroom when appropriate. Technology has to support the curriculum. Gayton has been fortunate enough to receive four promethean boards in the past year. This has changed teaching and learning in those classrooms. Teachers with boards welcomed children from other classrooms in their rooms for lessons, so all children could have an opportunity to be exposed to this wonderful technology. With the ITRT as a facilitator and resource for staff and students, lessons are created that allow student driven/created projects. Teachers are supported by other staff (through PLC "professional learning communities") and administration, with proper staff development throughout the year to enhance technology integration in all classrooms. Teachers will pick a technology focus that will align with their PGEP (professional growth plan) and enhance instruction in the classroom. Student Access will follow the guidelines of the Henrico County Public Schools Acceptable Use Policy. Resources such as educational websites, web pages, and portaportals, will be provided for students to enhance understanding of the curriculum. These resources will be accessed both in school and at home (for those students who have internet in their homes). Teachers and parents will work together to provide appropriate access to the students. Teachers along with the media specialist (librarian) will provide internet safety lessons between September - January of each school year. Materials such as video clips, websites, and reflection prompts will be provided by the school system each year. Teachers will continuously remind students about internet safety both at school and at home. Information will be provided to parents from the school counselor to aide in their endeavors of supporting internet safety at home. Safety should be the most important aspect when incorporating technology. Teachers should preview all material before students have access. Seventeen required hours of staff development with occur for each teacher throughout the year. Depending on the focus of each individual PGEP, staff development with vary between whole group activities and specialized topics pending the teachers' needs. All staff development will align with the CSIP for the school.
 * Student Access
 * Internet Safety
 * Professional Development

__Possible Topics for Staff Development__: - web page design - promethean training - teaching math with technology (using elementary math teacher in residence) - student centered projects using Imovie, podcasts, and Keynote - creating a portaportal for each classroom or grade level This year is definitely not the year to "ask" for things in any arena. With that said, if anyone needs additional funding, it is our schools. Funding for school systems comes from: Henrico County provides our schools with funds. In addition, there are PTA funds (which vary from location to location), private funds and donations. Various websites and organizations provide opportunities for teachers and schools to attain funds and/or supplies for their classrooms. Grants can also be attained through a lengthy process where a proposal is written and approved to attain funds necessary for technology and other resources.
 * Funding
 * 60% local
 * 35% state
 * 5% of federal