Lighthouse Technology Grant

Follow-up Report

Lisa Pons’ Multimedia Learning Classroom

3^rd Grade at Webster Hill

Section I: Resources

1. Grant funds combined with additional funding provided by Webster Hill School and WHPS were used to purchase the following materials:

• *SMART Board Interactive Whiteboard
• NEC projector
• SyncronEyes software / SMART Notebook software
• 5 PCs
• Digital camera / video camera
• Network printer
• Microphone / speakers
• Schoolkit’s ENactz learning modules

* SMART Board was purchased at an educational discount rate due to a SMARTer Kids Foundation Grant through SMART Technologies

2. Existing materials utilized:

• 1 PC
• Internet
• Educational CD-ROMs
• Digital Scanner
• Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel
• Educational Software on the WHPS network

Section II: Professional Development

During the spring of 2004, I was nominated to participate in the 2004 SMART Teacher Conference offered by SMART Technologies at their Calgary, Alberta, Canada headquarters. After submitting several essays, I was selected as one of sixteen participants from the United States and Canada to attend the all-expense paid, three-day conference.

As a SMART Exemplary Educator attending the conference I was able to do the following:

· Receive advanced training in SMART products including SMART Notebook, SMART Ideas concept mapping software, EDCompass, SynchronEyes, Bridgit Data Conferencing software, Speller, and Math Cruncher

· Exchange lesson ideas with other educators integrating SMART Boards

· Complete a year-long collaborative project with 3 other SMART Exemplary Educators from across the country – On-going 2004-2005 school year

· Collaborate with SMART Technologies founders and Presidents Nancy Knowlton and David Martin as well as Product Managers, Software Developers, Education Market Developers and Coordinators

Preferential access to attend the SMART Master’s training event at no cost in Windsor, CT in November 2004

Additional SMART Exemplary Educator benefits:

• Exemplary Educator Grants to purchase 4 additional SMART Boards
• Free copy of SMART Ideas concept mapping software and Notebook software for all Webster Hill teachers and students
• Advance information on new SMART products, invitations to participate in training programs, preferential access to SMART programs and workshops
• CD-ROM containing additional SMART software and Notebook lesson activities
• Opportunity to assist other educators successfully integrate the SMART Board and SMART software
• Recognition as a SMART Exemplary Educator
• Provide educators with lesson activities and integration ideas in a global context through submission of lessons and good practices on the EDCompass web site

Section III: Technology Integration

• On-going research for lesson activities, web sites, technology integration articles, and software to successfully integrate the 3^rd grade curriculum

• Maximized the use of the multimedia classroom by allowing other teachers and students in the building to sign up to use the equipment

• Peer coached several teachers ranging from grades 1 through 5 to effectively integrate WHPS curriculum objectives using the SMART Board and computers in the multimedia classroom

• Created a 3^rd grade curriculum technology integration binder with lesson activities, samples, web sites, and various resources categorized by content areas

Section IV: Student Learning and Teaching

Across all content areas:

• Manipulate and interact with engaging, teacher created SMART Notebook lesson activities
• Model and practice on the SMART Board how to use reading strategies for literature and nonfiction texts using materials scanned into the computer and information on the Internet
• Brainstorm ideas and compile information using SMART Ideas concept mapping software
• Activate background knowledge through text, pictures, movies, and sounds using the Internet
• Complete graphic organizers cooperatively and independently on the SMART Board and on the computers through interactive lessons
• Individual students and small groups use ENactz ActiveBooks enabling them to achieve higher levels of thinking according to Bloom’s Taxonomy
• Investigate ideas and topics using the Internet (including Grolier’s Multimedia Encyclopedia, iConn.org and EnchangedLearning.com) and district software programs
• Synthesize and interpret new information by publishing varied types of texts using PowerPoint, Word, SMART Notebook, KidPix, and CoWriter
• Communicate with students globally through the e-pals student emailing program offered online - to commence in January 2005 with students in a 4^th grade class in England
• Virtual field trips to “experience” sights and sounds outside of the classroom parameters related to relevant curriculum topics
• Conduct Web quests and e-sheets to research and explore information
• Watch educational movies including BrainPOPs, music videos on BBC web site to learn phonics patterns and recognize words, and experience other multimedia to expand breadth and depth of knowledge across the content areas
• Create collaborative and individual stories using Notebook, PowerPoint or Word to include the various elements of narrative and expository writing
• Use peripherals including the digital camera, digital video camera, microphone with sound recording software, and scanner to enhance multimedia projects with their original work
• Engage in math programs including SuccessMaker, MPS, Numbers Undercover, other software programs, and interactive web sites including Virtual Math Manipulates and Interactive Math Packs I and II
• Display students’ technology products using the SynchronEyes software to elicit student discourse

Section V: Resources Necessary to Facilitate Multimedia Classrooms

• Funding to purchase 4 SMART Boards and projectors at the discounted prices according to the Exemplary Educators Grants and the NEC SMARTer Kids Foundation Grant by the July 30, 2005 deadline
• Funding to replace wires and other hardware damaged by everyday use
• Funding to provide students with sturdy headphones so that multimedia activities do not interfere with the learning of other students
• Time for teachers to work collaboratively to create lessons and student centered activities that are aligned with the curriculum
• Time for teachers to experiment with the SMART Board and other hardware and software programs to gain proficiency