Ongoing professional development supports effective teacher use of technology through the use of instructional technology coaches, teams of teacher leaders, or other systems of support.
All guiding questions are aligned to the element criteria located in the Portfolio Guide.
We have seen a significant increase in daily technology use at South Gate Middle School in Year 2. 60% of teachers are using technology on a daily basis compared to less than 25% for Year 1. In addition, 90% of our teachers use devices for assessments. Aligning with our focus (Creative Communicators) and PLP goals, 85% of our teachers are allowing students to use their devices to create content at least once a week. Over 70% of teachers are also requiring students to complete assignments/projects on their devices beyond school time more than once per week.
Over 80% of teachers use designated time during PLC meetings, professional developments, pupil-free days, and paid weekend planning time to discuss, plan and reflect incorporating professional learning content, tools, and strategies from VILS into their classes. This is reflected in our significant increase in daily technology use by our teachers.
Based on the Teacher Technology Survey #3, 93% of teachers at South Gate Middle School continue to use technology in the classroom at least once every week , and 71% of teachers use the devices on a daily basis. Our teachers continue to leverage technology outside of the classroom as well. One of our goals for the 2022-23 year will be to have 100% of teachers using technology in the classroom at least once per week
The survey also demonstrates that we need to implement an improved plan to allow teachers to identify demonstration classes, provide more time to share best practices, and collaborate to leverage technology in the classroom.
TIM Data for Year 2 shows gains in all levels beyond Adaption since Year 1. Students have more autonomy as to what tools they use to demonstrate mastery of content standards. Teachers are increasingly extending the use of tools to promote student choice and voice and allowing students to make connections beyond the classroom.
TIM Data is analyzed by the Instructional Leadership Team and the Teacher Leader Corps to determine the focus and support that teachers will receive for upcoming professional developments and resources provided. It is our hope that we can progressively move all teachers out of the entry phase through more focused one-on-one support. We also want to continue providing the tools necessary to build a learning culture of collaboration among all students.
TIM data highlights a significant increase in technology use levels from Window #1 to Window #2. Most teachers are now in the Adaptation phase. In addition, we are now observing an influx of teachers in the Infusion phase.
Teachers continue to leverage the use of tools to promote student choice and voice and allowing students to make connections beyond the classroom. Increased professional development opportunities have allowed teachers to explore and implement digital tools in their everyday practice.
Teachers are offered support in several ways. A VILS Coaching Menu is provided to all teachers. Teachers can request individual coaching or coaching through their Professional Learning Community/Department. Coaching opportunities are ongoing, differentiated, and supported by our Professional Development Cycle.
PLP, campus, and professional development goals are informed by all staff through various methods (TTS, Technology Needs Survey, PD Evaluations/Reflections, weekly Instructional Leadership Team meetings, and TLC Collaboration). These goals are clearly articulated by leadership through weekly updates, faculty meetings, professional developments, and Schoology resources. The VILS Coach leverages the TLC and Student Tech Team to create resources (presentations, tutorials, surveys, peer-to-peer assistance) to meet PLP goals #2 and #3.
All staff members at South Gate Middle School (administrators, counselors, coordinators, teachers, teacher assistants) participate in all VILS Learning Experiences in order to build capacity and awareness of strategies, tools, and resources that promote the use of technology to build equitable, accessible, and inclusive classrooms. Follow-up meetings are conducted to gauge the implementation of strategies and tools. The TLC researches and determines the digital tools that would foster equiatble, accesisble, and inclusive classoroms and designs upcoming professional developments.
During our TLC monthly meeting, we discuss possible professional development topics for our monthly technology trainings. Each training is co-facilitated by TLC members and highlights their expertise with a specific digital tool. TLC members make themselves available for peer observations with the tools they presented. In addition, the VILS Coach provides small group training for TLC members prior to providing school-wide professional development.
Our professional development cycle and objectives continue to prioritize providing time and space for collaboration around VILS resources and TLC-led technology sessions.
The Teacher Technology Survey demonstrates that further support is needed from the VILS Coach to allow teachers to observe and reflect with others. Increased communication will also be a priority for Year 3 in order for teachers to identify model classrooms and leverage technology. In collaboration with the Leadership team, VILS Coach will allot more time during Professional Develpment Banked Tuesdays for teachers to collaborate, identify model classrooms, and share best practices to increase the use of technology for all stakeholders.
Our Student Tech Team participates in ongoing learning sessions to increase their knowledge of both iPads and Chromebooks. . They learn how to assist with both hardware and software issues that stakeholders have with technology. Members are empowered as campus leaders who advocate for their peers and community. They pilot digital programs, create and share resources to inspire students to leverage technology across campus.
Our STT is constantly learning how to repair all devices at South Gate Middle School. They have also been part of video conferences with other VILS Schools to learn how to use electronics such as the Sphero balls. Our STT then creates videos to support their peers with basic troubleshooting and provides tutorials to build student capacity around iPad tips and tricks.
Our STT is available during the Advisory period (30 minutes per day). Members have created a QR code that is available in every classroom for any support students and teachers might need. The QR code directs them to a Google form where they can specify the help that is needed. Members access the form responses, determine who is best at resolving specific issues, and deploy to resolve that issue.
Viking Student Techn Teams members continue to meet every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday during Advisory. They continue to monitor our Troubleshoot Request Form and receive training on device repair, apps/software, and coding. Limited time has been an obstacle for our Tech Team members. As a result, we will have a dedicated elective period for our Tech Team/Media Club members for the 2022-2023 school year. Applications were distributed to students at the end of the school year.
SST Member printing 3D Model
PBL/LinkedLearning Project 3D Model
STT Helping with Inventory
Tech Team members have assisted in creating videos for all stakeholders.