MDIRSS Technology Plan (2016-2019)

Learning-Focused Access

Establish student tech teams at each school (start 2016-2017)
Work with partners to develop options for all students to have access to reliable high speed Internet outside of school (start 2017-2018)
Improve 1:1 access across schools in grades 3-6 and improve access in grades K-2 (continue)

Technology Plan Sections

Professional Learning

Create a process for teachers to get credit for learning and developing specific technology integration skills through online learning and consultation with tech staff (start 2016-2017)
Provide targeted training and ongoing support for MasteryConnect (continue)

Leadership for Learning Through Technology

Ensure that there are technology-enhanced suggestions for classroom teaching and learning associated with each of the Ten Elements of Effective Instruction (start 2016-2017)
Pilot, refine and implement the Software Protocol that has recently been developed (start 2016-2017)
Complete centralized district-level software and hardware inventory (start 2017-2018)

Student Learning and Teacher Practice

Create structures so that all Technology Integrators are meeting regularly with every classroom and special ed teacher as a consultant to coach toward content learning projects higher on the SAMR level (start 2016-2017)
Get an accurate understanding of current technology integration in terms of SAMR levels (start 2017-2018)
Develop a process and protocol to document what digital literacy skills are taught to students and when they are taught (start 2016-2017)
Continue and deepen focus on middle and high school Math and Science technology integration and STEM activities (start 2016-2017)

Concepts/Terms

SAMR

A technology integration model that helps teachers design and deliver units and lessons that are technology-infused. The SAMR model consists of four levels of technology integration and encourages teachers to continue progressing through those levels, with the ultimate goal of the teacher consistently integrating technology at the highest level. The four levels of the SAMR model are as follows:

Substitution - technology is simply substituted as a tool with no functional change

Augmentation - technology is still a substitute but there is some functional change

Modification - technology allows the teacher to significantly redesign lessons and tasks

Redefinition - technology allows the students to complete tasks that are not possible without it

STEM

Curriculum, lessons, tasks, and projects geared toward Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math content domains. The goal is to integrate STEM content throughout the curriculum in an interdisciplinary approach.

Ten Elements of Effective Instruction

MDIRSS has identified ten elements of effective instruction that support student learning. These were adapted from and based on Tripod's 7C's of Effective Teaching Framework, the results of the MET Project, the research of Marzano and John Hattie, and the Marshall Teacher Evaluation Rubrics. These ten elements are as follows:

Content - demonstrates content knowledge
Classroom Culture - shows empathy and commitment
Conversation - invites ideas and promotes discussion
Connections - inspires curiosity and interest
- Clarity - establishes purpose for learning and cultivates understanding
- Creativity - fosters innovative thinking and problem-solving
- Consolidation of Learning - integrates ideas and checks for understanding
- Challenge - presses for rigor, persistence and excellence
- Classroom Management - sustains order, respect and focus
- Classroom Strategies - uses specific high impact instructional practices

MasteryConnect

A web-based application that tracks progress toward meeting standards. MasteryConnect provides teachers with a good picture of where each student currently is in relation to meeting standards and informs instruction going forward. MasteryConnect also provides a platform for teachers to collaborate and share common assessments and resources.

Student Tech Team

A group of students that provide basic technology support in the classroom. Students are trained to diagnose and resolve common technology issues that may arise during instruction. These teams extend the capabilities of schools to provide "just-in-time" technology support to teachers and provide an opportunity for students that enjoy working with technology to practice and improve their skills.