Research:

Research shows that educational experiences that are active, social, contextual, engaging, and student-owned lead to deeper learning. The benefits of collaborative learning include:

• Development of higher-level thinking, oral communication, self-management, and leadership skills.

• Promotion of student-faculty interaction.

• Increase in student retention, self-esteem, and responsibility.

• Exposure to and an increase in understanding of diverse perspectives.

• Preparation for real life social and employment situations.

(“Collaborative Learning | Center for Teaching Innovation”)

Summary:

A vast majority of staff, at seventy-six percent, do not have students give feedback to others in the classroom using technology, and eighty-nine percent do not seek outside feedback from beyond the school on student work. Students do collaborate  with documents slightly better with Twenty-four percent doing it weekly.  Seventeen percent of students do collaborate online with their classmates.

Goal:

Teachers will provide students with the ability to work collaboratively and do peer reviews of student work.

Actions:

Encourage teachers to do more writing with technology with student feedback.

Have students write on Google Docs/other online platforms.

Look at collaborative tools used in the district.

Look at best practices for early grades for collaboration.

Research:

Providing students with opportunities to grapple with data is supported through our math and science standards." (Dubiel, 2020)

Conducting research about topics that interest students results in student-investment in the work and the use of higher-order thinking skills to integrate new and prior knowledge (Heckenlaible, 2008).

Summary:

Students are given little time to use the internet to receive information about topics, collecting or analyze data using technology, conduct research using technology, and identify and solve problems using technology. A majority of technology done today, is done either in the computer lab or in the Media Centers. 

Goals:

Through the integration of technology and curriculum, students will be given more time for research in the classroom.  Students will also be tasked with collect data and analyzing it from the internet to solve real world problems.

Actions:

Through coaching, and professional development teachers will gain comfort with using technology for research in the classroom.

Do more passion projects with classes. 

Research:

According to the World Economic Forum, "...for those looking to future proof their careers, building competencies in areas that machines will be unlikely to tackle effectively (i.e. complex problem solving, creativity) is likely the best recipe for success." (World Economic Forum, 2018).

In the real world there is often more than one route to solving a problem; likewise, with simulations teachers can create complex problems and allow students to find different ways through (Bushweller, 2014).

Multimodal presentations challenge and engage students in new and creative ways, requiring them to extend and develop their learning, ultimately fostering collaboration and bolstering their confidence with digital technologies (Gresham, 2014).

Summary: 

While the district has one to one technology it is rarely used for creative purposes.  Seventy percent of teachers never use it for creating art, music, or podcast. 

Models, simulations and animations are used even less at eighty-one percent. Only forty percent of teachers have students create presentations using technology.

Fifty percent of teachers report that they do not have students use the  pictures or digital photos in class, the biggest feature of the IPAD.

Goals:

Through professional development and technology integration into the curriculum, students will

• Be given more time to be creative with technology

• Create models and simulations of their learning

• Create more digital artwork and digital audio

• Design, develop and present multimedia presentations.

Actions:

• Work alongside the Curriculum department to find more ways to integrate technology into the curriculum.

•  Work alongside teachers to build and develop more creative technology options for students.

• Have students present more frequently in class and show presentations at faculty/board meetings.