Abstract
This book chapter reports an Enhancing Education Through Technology Competitive Grant (EETT-C) project that was designed to improve student achievement and to promote new media literacy. During 2005-2006, the project served 30 sixth to eighth grade mathematics teachers and approximately 3,250 students in Palm Springs Unified School District, a medium-sized, high-poverty school district in Southern California. The research-based program consisted of a student program and faculty development. Strategies used for the student program included data-based decision making, cues, timely feedback, visual and contextualized learning, synthesis of learning for deeper understanding, and parental involvement. Strategies used for the faculty development involved coaching and mentoring to develop teacher expertise, assessment of instructional activities related to student achievement, access to differentiated professional development opportunities, and access to high quality curricular resources. The authors hope that the chapter will inform educators of a better design for professional development and program evaluation.
TopBackground
The EETT-C grant supported the project “Step Up to Math Mastery Integrating Technology” (SUMMIT) of PSUSD. The primary goal of the grant was to improve access to technology and to provide technology integration training to teachers and students in grades four through eight to enhance teaching and to further learning of the state academic content standards. Eligibility is limited to high-need districts. A high-need district is a district that:
Key Terms in this Chapter
21st Century Skills: Skills that are necessary for people to succeed in the 21 st century, including (1) critical thinking and problem solving skills, (2) creativity and innovation skills, (3) communication skills, (4) collaboration skills, and (5) information and media literacy.
Data-Based Decision Making: Educators use data to inform instruction or/and to foster decision-making process.
EETT: Enhancing Education Through Technology Competitive Grant offered by Bush administration to support teachers’ use of technology to enhance student learning.
Mobility: Teachers are able to deliver instruction while walking around classroom using modern technology.
New media Literacy: An individual’s ability to use new media tools, e.g. digital technology, to read, write, speak in English, compute and solve problems at levels of proficiency necessary to function on the job, in the family of the individual and in society.
Student Engagement: Students stay on-task and concentrate on learning without much distraction.
Coaching: Experienced teachers mentor inexperienced teachers.