Possible Challenges

With change comes opposition. My action plan centers on getting all teachers to base competency levels with technology programs that are essential for communication, data tracking, and resources. The second piece is to challenge all teachers to implement at least one Web 2.0 program or other student used technology in their classroom.

Foreseeable challenges vary from teacher apathy to the need for constant assistance. Some teachers lack basic computer skills and will need more one on one time. Depending on the member and level of teacher need, time constraints may present a challenge. Recruiting additional staff to act as mentors should allow time constraint factors to decrease by sharing the load.

Another possible major challenge is teacher apathy toward trying something new in their classrooms with Web 2.0. The initial surveys will allow teachers to select programs of interest. Hopefully by allowing teachers to choose their own development and proving assistance, apathy will be avoided.

The last major concern is network and technological availability. We have had network issues which limited the number of students who could be online at one time, and there is a limited number of computers available. This summer our complete network infrastructure was upgraded which should alleviate network overload. As for computer availability, the campus IT person is reimaging, fixing, and locating all COWs so that we have a true view on availability.

Why focus on TEACHERS?

Teachers at Lanier have a history of low technology fluency compared to other campuses within the district. Many teachers are unaware or claim to be unfamiliar with pulling reports, aggregation of data, ability to post/collect documents from googledocs, and lack of ability with many other tools which are critical for success of students. The deficiencies are a culmination of several factors. Lack of training, newness, infrequent use, and even unwillingness to change procedures.   Therefore, the goal of my action research plan is to provide professional development and mentoring for teachers who self identify as being deficient in these areas. In the past, there has not been a person or program to support technology growth of teachers.

The action research plan begins with teacher self-assessment of proficiencies with programs and interest in Web 2.0. Focus groups will be held to determine why teachers feel they are deficient, what they feel would be the best method of support, and which programs they are most interested in developing. Once data has been collected and analyzed, I will be meeting with the administrative team to develop mentoring/ professional development schedule. At the end of the year, focus groups and surveys will be administered again to determine teacher felt growth. During the year, mentor and administrative observations will be made to monitor development of teachers who identify as the highest need.

I hope to learn methods of supporting and preparing teachers for success in utilizing technology and database programs so that they can effectively use data available to address student needs, as well as encourage use of technology to make learning more engaging. I want to increase student achievement by increasing achievement of teachers.

Based on findings of this research project, I hope to establish a campus which feels more supported and confident in their ability to use technology for student learning. Success of the project may also lead to recommendations that will better prepare new teachers to use necessary programs at the beginning of their career. They are typically left to learn technology programs on their own while facing an already challenging learning curve of being a teacher.

Action Research Plan

SCHOOL VISION:

 

The school vision is to have all teachers meet base competency levels with technological programs needed for instruction, communication, and compilation/dissemination of data to improve effectiveness and efficiency of teachers.

Action Steps	Person(s) Responsible	Timeline: Start/End	Needed Resources	Desired outcomes
1. Initial survey of teacher competencies	Medina Willis Campus teachers	Start: 8/19/2013 End: 8/30/2013	·         google survey ·         Teacher compliance	Collate results of proficiency and need
2. Focus group sessions	Medina Willis	Start: 8/19/2013 End: 9/13/2013	·         Survey analysis ·         Teacher volunteers	Determination of support needed by teachers
3. Survey analysis and results meeting	Medina Willis	Start: 8/23/2013 End: 9/20/2013	·           Administrative team ·         Proficiency and needs analysis	Determination of which needs to focus
4. Implementation of Professional Development and Mentoring	Medina Willis Administrative team	Start: 9/16/2013 End: 05/2/2014	·         Teachers ·         Administration team ·         Schedule	-Increased proficiency in required technology -Increased use of Web 2.0 tools in classroom for student learning
5. Peer Observation and Walk Throughs	Medina Willis	Start: 9/16/2013 End: 05/2/2014	·         Teachers ·         Schedule	-Increased proficiency in required technology -Increased use of Web 2.0 tools in classroom for student learning
6. Final Evaluation surveys and Focus groups	Medina Willis Campus teachers	Start: 5/5/2014 End: 5/30/2014	·         Google survey ·         Teacher compliance	Analyze teacher viewed outcomes of additional supportand PD