The Changing of Teaching - Part 1 - Desks

Our district recently passed a bond election for many needed changes in the district. One of the proposed projects was to build a four lab technology wing onto the High School. The purpose of this wing was to facilitate the need for more computer labs (current labs are heavily used and teachers complain about not being to schedule all classes as needed). As well, as the state moves to more online testing for TAKS and End Of Course Exams, we must address the lack of adequate machines for the number of students that we currnetly have enrolled. As we have evaluated what is being done in other districts and the current trends in technology integration in education as well as the migration from physical textbooks to e-textbooks we realized that a change in computer labs must occur and is already occuring across the nation.

To that end, we have recently decided to explore the possibility of installing, in some HS classrooms, a PC for each student. The desk would potentially be a flip top desk so that the monitor could be "put away" when not in use and give maximum desk space. There are a few different methods that we've thought of doing this, and I'd like to outline them here. I've quickly come to the realization that this change not only affects the physical hardware and software that we manage, but also creates a revolution of teaching as we know it in our traditional classroom. As we move forward, I will try to detail all that we are doing so that others may learn from our mistakes! I will attempt to cover what changes occur in the physical classroom, technology affected, and the change in teaching style as it relates to information dissimenation forms, ie. lecture versus blended learning/teaching skills.

Desks:

Our first issue, which is one not normally addressed by technology departments, has to do with desks and desk sizes. As you try to retrofit a decades old classroom with computers, you have to contemplate and consider work areas. Cabling to an individual desk poses its problems and hazards with contemporary flooring. Creating a floor suitable for this task poses other ADA problems as well.

The ideal solution would seem to be to post all drops and electricity on the walls and arrange desks so that they are set in a "lab" setting with walkways through them. However, this interferes with current teaching styles for many teachers and brings up questions about cheating on exams. Some teachers would like the flexibility of moving classroom desks around as well. This is not very possible with computers "hard wired" to the wall or floor.

As well, normal flip top desks are larger and heavier than most student desks. With physical size of classrooms restritcting how many could be installed, and the number of students required in today's classrooms this poses a unique problem in and of itself.

Wireless laptops would seem to be THE solution to this, however, we are attempting to find a lower cost solution that would allow for remote management of devices, such as thin clients. (I'll cover what we are looking at doing there in another post.) Even then you have to have room for charging stations in the rooms somewhere and then allow for more breakage to the mobile nature of the systems.

So, considering the proximity issues of fliptop desks, and the size and lack of mobility we are trying to find an "in between" solution from those to what is currently in the classroom. If we could have a "normal" size desk with the ability to have a monitor/thin client combo attached so that is could be stored when not in use I think that would be ideal. As well, I think these desks could be semi-movable to allow for some rearranging as needed. One solution that does come to mind is a setup that I tried in Sinton ISD with teachers Mary Lankford and Bruce Goodlock. They did a wonderful job of adapting their teaching methods for Math. Students were paired into groups with five desks to a group. One of the student desks had a computer. As the students worked in groups, one would be designated to control the pc for research, documenation, etc... This responsibility could then be rotated among members of the group.

This type of setup allowed for computer access without overburdening the classroom with computers and the needed wiring to make it work. In this format, the teacher could still move around and in between groups to monitor student work.

Next post...tihin clients vs. laptops vs. pc

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Interactive White Board Comparison

by Rey Saenz - Technology Integration Specialist

Our district uses wireless Mimios and we are also just now going to purchase some interactive AVerPens, as well. The Mimios work well and are fairly inexpensive compared to the SMART boards. The teachers seem to like the Mimios especially in elementary classes. Teachers are now requesting the capture kit that can be bought separately with the Mimio. Teachers like the feature that allows them to create and store instructional material into their Mimio folders found inside their toolbar. Also, there are many lessons and interactive sites that can be used with the Mimio found through the Mimio community website and in individual teacher websites and postings.

A couple of issues, however, is that the Mimio needs to be calibrated every time the projector moves or the Mimio board device moves (it does not take long to recalibrate, but can be a annoying after a couple of times especially during instruction). Another issue is that the teacher or user can be in the way of the projected image when using the interactive pen on the board, especially if the projector is not mounted. So, some teachers prefer to use the interactive tablets such as the Mimio tablet or eInstruction’s Mobi tablet. Majority of the elementary teachers would rather use the Mimio Board since the students can easily use the interactive pen on the board. Some teachers even use both the Mobi pad and Mimio Board, so they have access to now more interactive lessons from the companies and other sites. The interactive pens work with both software interchangeably but, in some cases, or lessons where the keyboard is needed, the keyboard function may not work properly.

We will be placing orders soon for AVerPens which should take the place of the Mimio board and tablets. Since majority of the teachers have the AVerMedia document camera, the AVerPen will work with the same software and allow users of the pen to write anywhere and on anything and still project on the screen/board. The AVerPens cost just as much as the Mimio boards but I am curious to know if the AVerPens will have some software that has a lesson bank like the Mimios and eInstruction sites. Also, the AVerPens take the place of separate classroom response clickers. The AVerPens come with a built in response buttons on the pen and the pens can be bought in three different sets: 1. just the instructor pen ($447.00), 2. starter pack (set includes 4 student pens and 1 instructor pen for $700), and 3. class pack which includes set of 8 student pens and 1 instructor pen for $953.00. We can’t wait to try out the new AVerPens.

The SMART Board is an awesome tool, but they are expensive. It is nice to have the touch screens and not have to worry so much about getting in the way of the projector’s image. We just can’t afford them. We have tested the Mimio tablets and eInstruction Mobi pads with the new Windows 7 and they seem to work great, as a matter of fact, the Mimio tablet seems to be improved with Windows 7 (giving a little hide-away tablet tool on the screen that can be clicked on anytime).

National Ed-Tech Plan

The federal government recently released the new ed-tech plan on Friday, March 5, 2010. This new plan focuses more on inter-classroom learning and teaching, utilizing a multiple teacher approach to learning, through technology use. The idea is to gear learning more towards the way that students now communicate and interact on a daily basis outside of school. Although this will give them more exposure to the type of environment that they are likely to experience in the working world, I wonder if we are setting a trend of allowing social interactions to govern teaching styles. One thing is for sure though. There will be a change in teaching methods in the near future. As always, change brings heartache, for we are truly creatures of habit.

View the article on e-school news' website here: http://www.eschoolnews.com/2010/03/08/feds-release-new-national-ed-tech-plan/

You can view the plan here: http://www.ed.gov/technology

As good as the plan seems, it appears that no plan for funding has been decided or set aside.

CHS STaR Chart

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Applying Principles from the Texas Long Range Plan for Technology

The Texas Long Range Plan for Technology for the State of Texas is comprised of four key areas:

1. Teaching and Learning
2. Educator Preparation and Development
3. Leadership, Administration and Instructional Support
4. Infrastructure for Technology

Calallen ISD has recently placed more emphasis on Educator Preparation and Development due to our STaR chart evaluations that place Calallen High School in the Developing Tech level of that area. This key area deals with:

1. Professional Development Experiences
2. Models of Professional Development
3. Capabilities of Educators
4. Access to Professional Development
5. Levels of Understanding and Patterns of Use
6. Professional Development for Online Learning

For the past three years Calallen HS has scored twelve out of a possible twenty-four points, ranking in the developing tech level for each of the six sections. Although 74,2% of the districts in the state reside in this level, Calallen ISD has written the district technology plan for 2010-2012 to focus primarily on improving professional development. This appears to be the same trend for the State as evidenced in the multiplicity of presentations on this topic at the recent Texas Computer Educator Association conference of 2010 in Austin. Many districts appear to realize that as the trend for key areas three and four are trending to move from Developing Tech to Advanced Tech schools can now utilize those resources and leadership to improve Educator Preparation. This should have the trickle down effect of increasing classroom use, technology applications TEKS and the student mastery of Technology Applications.

To this end, Calallen ISD has hired an additional technology integration specialist, has applied for and received grants focusing on staff development and is working to post all staff development online to engage teachers in using the same tools as their students should be using. As we focus on letting teachers feel comfortable with these tools, they will be more apt to use them with their students and engage them in real life scenarios.

TCEA 2010

Wow! What a wonderful week it has been thus far at TCEA. I really wish that more teachers and principals could be here to learn first hand what is available and possible for Calallen ISD. There have been great presentations so far on technical aspects of server virtualization that could make a 1:1 computing environment possible for Calallen without the funds that would be needed for true 1:1 computers or laptops. As well, there has been a lot of instruction on Moodle, which is our online Course Management System. In other words, online courses.

Not only Texas Education, but national education, is moving more and more to online courses, collaboration and project based learning. Many think that technology integration simply means putting kids on the computer and having them type their papers, copy notes or play games. The world of today goes way beyond this. Technology is simply a tool in education to facilitate several shifts in how we learn:

1. Anytime, anywhere learning. If I've seen nothing else more impressive this week it has been this; where schools have online classes available, students are working on classwork between 8 and midnight during the week and also on the weekend.

2. Project based learning with collaboration among groups has IMPROVED TAKS scores. Yes, I've seen the hard cold numbers that have been tested, scrutinized, examined and verified. Manor ISD is the example.

I can't wait to apply some of what I've seen, but moreover, I can't wait to see teachers and students benefiting from the tools we now have available. Although it will take some time, and we'll hit potholes along the way, learning is growing, changing and being shared in Calallen ISD for the better.

Purchasing

Many times people wonder why we buy what we buy. Shouldn't we just buy what is cheapest? Well, in fact that is what we try to do. However, what is cheapest doesn't always show up on the initial price tag of the device.

Take computers for example. It would seem that all computers are made equal. If they were, that would make our purchasing job all the more easier! However, many things must be considered in the purchase of a PC.

1. What is the initial cost of the PC?
2. What are the long term costs such as warranties, parts, availability, life cycle of the machine, etc...?
3. Does the machine compare to others that we are considering or own in RAM memory, CPU power, electricity used, and reliability? (For a list of machine reliability look here.)
4. Ease of maintenance. Are the drivers readily available and do they work with our software?

Many times in an organization you save on repair and maintenance time if you can keep similar equipment throughout the environment. This allows you to automate processes and reduce staff costs, which can be the most expensive part of any organization.

Printers are another area where people generally want to buy what is on sale now. Factors we use in determining purchases include those found above, but also the cost of each printed copy. Many times the cost between an inkjet and a laserjet can range between 14 to 15 cents more for the inkjet. Over the life of the printer (which is generally much shorter for the inkjet) the difference in cost can be quite significant. Even enough to fund the cost of additional printers!

In short, there are many factors that go into determining an organization's technology inventory. The initial cost has to be expanded to total cost of ownership and reliability as well as a fit for the organization.