Research and professional development

I´ll do some quick notes live from Bette Manchesters discussion on implementing 1 to 1.

Three basic and fundamental components:

* Professional development
* Leadership development on all levels
* Dealing with multiple and different

Finding a couple of schools that are frontrunners. Exploration schools. Look at how the kids interact with the teachers in the classroom. Help design deep level projects, do not try to get ahead of the kids when it comes to the technology. What are the tools you need to get to the learning. We tried to hire the best educators in Maine, from universities and schools. A lot of educators were selected beacuse they had a deep knowledge between technology and pedagogy. Having a teacher/leader was a critical component to the project. Bring in expertise from the community. Build a network and let the teachers be part of the community.

"What is your learning network"?

"The Green-eyed Monster" (envy) - anyone who tries to take a lead in technology often shut their door. If you try to get in front others will try to target you for what you are doing. The solution, communicate and open up. Do not shut your door. Invite and explore. http://www.micdl.org/ to continue to support and help the schools.

The leadership development is so important. It can´t be overlooked. Changing school and working with schools are an ongoing struggle.

Now it´s time for David Silvernail and the leading researcher for the 1 to 1 initiative. Works for the university of Southern Maine and under contract with the legislator for the ongoing program om 1 to 1. Collecting survey data right now. Going to talk about benefits and results.
How many teachers are reaching the bar for "desired level of use"?
About 78% of middle school teachers use the computer a few times a week or more. There is no bar set of how much is the right amount but Maine set it to 84%. About 50% use it a few times a week or more to assess and assign formative teaching. A concern is how to individualize the learing with the help of a computer.

What do middle school teachers report as benefits of the laptop program for their students?
80% says students are more active and 79% says the students are more engaged in their learning. 61% says that the laptops help my students better grasp difficult curricular concepts.

Improving mathematics performance using laptop technology: The importance of professional development to success.

Very important to get the parents involved.

http://www.mlti.org/rfp
http://maine121.org/ - professional development