Key Questions for VIP

How has the Visionary Instruction Plan (VIP) project supported Lockhart ISD?

The VIP project has supported Lockhart ISD in various ways. A few are listed below:

• supported the justification for an infrastructure update.
• led to the creation and tabulation of a district Needs Assessment.
• provided the platform to beta test devices and software to see what would be the best fit for LISD visionary classrooms.
• generated buy-in for best instructional practices integrating curriculum and technology.
• triggered the push for awareness to “tell our story” via social media #LISDVIP, #LockhartLeading

What was the primary vision for the VIP project? How has that adapted over the past 3 years?

The primary vision for the VIP project was to establish an innovative instructional vision for the district; from campuses and classrooms to administrators, teachers, and students. This vision is based on tenets to frame instruction. Our VIP Tenets are classroom community, student goals and progress, innovation and leveraging technology, Fundamental 5 (Sean Cain) and curriculum, and flexible learning paths being competency driven.

The VIP initiative has adapted over the years and a few key points are highlighted below:

• changed what the VIP equipment package consisted of as a result of the beta test.
• identified the necessity of handling replacement and/or repair of equipment much better than we do now.
• determined the need to check the pulse of the VIP Cohort Team in regards to what they needed to be successful (other than Prof Dev) in regards to implementing the tenets throughout the year. (short surveys, shared docs, face-to-face meetings, meet & greets, etc.)
• spearheaded VIP Cohorts as facilitators both in and out of district as instructional leaders to scale out knowledge.

What is the application criteria for a teacher/librarian to be accepted into each cohort?

The application criteria for teachers/librarians is as follows:

• completion of a detailed application to become a member of the VIP Team, application questions are shown below-

--Write a brief narrative explaining why you would be a great choice for the LISD VIP team.

--Describe what teaching and learning would like like in your ideal classroom.

--What changes do you anticipate would be evident in your ideal classroom and how will you communicate with parents and guardians about changes in classrooms practices?

--What digital tools and devices are you proficient with and/or certified in?

--Describe how you will incorporate each of the five VIP Tenets in your classroom.

• view the Twitter history of the applicant to see what is currently happening in their class.

How has the VIP project impacted learning?

The VIP project has impacted learning:

• elicited the intentional planning of lessons based on the district’s Instructional Focus Document, VIP Tenets, SAMR model, and the 4Cs.
• formulation of experts with curriculum and technology integration.
• analyzed data of the Cohorts to track success of program via checkpoint assessments, student inventories, student portfolios, benchmarks, and conscientious planning in PLC’s.
• Launched Team Tech Time in our district to help support horizontal curriculum planning among grade levels district wide to ensure TEKS + Tech = Student Engagement.

Note-- our Instructional Focus Document is from the TEKS Resource System program and drives curriculum in Lockhart ISD. The SAMR model is a framework created by Dr. Ruben Puentedura that categorizes four different degrees of classroom technology integration. The letters "SAMR" stand for Substitution, Augmentation, Modification, and Redefinition. The 4Cs are communication, collaboration, critical thinking, and creativity.

How has the VIP project supported students with special needs or those needing more targeted support?

To support special needs and those students with targeted needs the VIP program has teachers qualified as SpEd in the cohorts. The SpEd teachers have chromebooks, iPads, Square Panda, and Osmo devices to support instruction for their students.

Some features our pupils use to help instruction flow more seamlessly are tools such as:

• Google Voice Typing in docs
• Read Write extension for Google Chrome
• Kami app for Chrome to help with annotation
• The microphone feature in Google to help with voice searching
• Read Aloud Chrome extension
• Seesaw for voice recording of their learning and video that is easy to access
• Multiple online programs for collaboration and creativity such as Padlet, Make Beliefs Comix, Vocaroo, etc.
• Square Panda is a device that works with an iPad as a tactile phonics learning system.
• Osmo is a device that also works with an iPad to assist students as they explore, learn, create and interact with digital games for numbers, letters, coding, money literacy, art, puzzles, and more.

How are the VIP team members receiving additional professional development?

Professional Development for the VIP Team is rolled out with the intent to create teacher instructional leaders that will scale out the VIP model.

• Meet & Greet the New VIP Cohort members after the February Awards Announcement, all Cohorts attend in March.
• New VIP Cohort members receive Prof Dev on what happens in a VIP classroom, responsibilities, best lessons, tenets, SAMR, 4Cs, accountability, etc. This happens at the end of the year just after their acceptance into the program in May or June.
• Fall Prof Dev for all VIP Cohorts, October.
• Attend Texas Computer Education Association (TCEA) conference in February.
• Spring Prof Dev for all VIP Cohorts (sometimes referred to as the TCEA Debriefing).

How are the VIP team members monitored or held accountable to utilize and implement the devices and equipment they are being provided?

Monitoring of any program is the key to success and the VIP initiative in Lockhart ISD uses the following criteria to ascertain accountable use:

• Walk-throughs based on the VIP tenets
• View rubrics used by VIP teachers to assess the success of products created by their students
• Spreadsheet housing the lesson ideas put into action in a classroom by teachers in the Cohorts. Lessons are categorized by tenet.
• Use paid subscriptions like Nearpod frequently, document in lesson plans
• Use Apple TV with iPad to be in the Powerzone, noted during walk-throughs
• Check Twitter history of VIP Cohorts at #LISDVIP - tweet at least once a week
• Check logins to TEKS Resource System to make sure team members are utilizing the IFD to drive instruction

Can I tell students that if they misbehave or mistreat devices they will do paper assignments?

No, you should treat digital assignments like you would a textbook. If a student can't stay on task or mistreats the device, then standard disciplinary procedures should be followed.

Is there a new vision for how this program might evolve further?

In regards to a new vision as to how the VIP program might evolve at this time our district expects to scale out VIP two to three more years during the 2020-2021, 2021-2022, and 2022-2023 school years.