Successful MLTI Strategies

Vision

Supporting Change in Student Practice- (See files list at right.) The transition from a traditional teaching model to the effective use of technology for all learners in Maine’s schools recognizes that changing student practice is a core responsibility. Download this summary and graphic organizer.

Where Will They be in 2015?- (See files list at right). Download this brainstorming document that helps participants to visualize where students will be in the future.

NCREL Forward Thinking, Shared Vision
http://www.ncrel.org/engauge/framewk/vis/visin.htm 
Guiding Question: How is the education system building a shared, community-based vision that prepares students to learn, work, and live successfully in the Digital Age?

What is Your Vision of Learning?
http://www.ncrtec.org/capacity/guidewww/vision.htm

Changing Educational Systems
http://www.glef.org/getstarted/policymakers/ed_systems.php

Superintendents in Action
http://www.glef.org/php/article.php?id=Art_1054

Envision  
http://www.apple.com/education/planning/envision/

Fears and Hopes

Fears and Hopes Activity - (See files list at right.)

Regular Meetings with the Leadership Team

The Leadership Team includes, but is not limited to, the principal, teacher leader, technology coordinator, and the school librarian. Meetings should be weekly when first implementing the MLTI in your school. As things progress they might be scheduled less often as start up issues and major concerns are addressed.

Three lenses should be applied to any decision that involves the use of technology as a teaching and learning tool: the curriculum content lens, the technical lens, and the school culture lens. Always consider implications of each of these three lenses as you proceed with the MLTI.

Review the job description of a Teacher Leader, making sure that the person in that role is not only meeting her/his stated responsibilities, but also that he/she is not expected to take on responsibilities that are actually in the domain of the administration or the Technology Coordinator. Have regular meetings of the Leadership Team to discuss roles (see above.)

Teacher Leader Job Description – (See files list at right.)

Original MLTI Document outlining purpose, requisite qualities, and job description of teacher leader – (See files list at right.)

Develop a Matrix of Skilled Folks in Your Building

Studies show that the best kind of tech support is "just in time" support. Not all schools have the tech staff to provide that kind of support on a daily basis but often there are staff members who have become proficient in certain skills or have had experience in teaching with technology. Compiling and publishing a matrix of skilled people in your building can help teachers find the kind of support they need right when they need it. Knowing that there's someone nearby who has "been there, done that" can give teachers the confidence they need to take some risks and try something new.

We've provided two matrices that you can use as examples when compiling your own. The first is an example of a tech skills matrix organized by grade level. The second is a technology integration chart, organized by content area, which shows which teachers have resources or ideas to share. Both matrices are MS Word documents that you can download and revise for your own school's use. (See files list at right.)

Encourage Teachers to Attend the Content Meetings in Their Areas

The MLTI Content Meetings serve as a catalyst for teacher collaboration around the use of technology for teaching and learning. We provide facilitators and a space where educators are encouraged to learn, share, and participate in day long sessions that are focused on teaching and learning with practical technological applications. The strength of the Content Meetings lies in the flexibility of the agenda, thus better meeting the overall needs of the group, and in the sharing and connections made by participants.

Each year we have two rounds of MLTI Content Meetings, one in the fall and another in the spring. Each round consists of a week of facilitated learning in each of Maine's nine superintendent regions. As MLTI has grown, so have the activities and skill level of the participants. It is an ever-evolving process.

The Content Meeting dates, locations and descriptions are sent in advance to each Principal, Teacher Leader and Tech Coordinator. It is the Teacher Leader’s responsibility to distribute this information to all staff members. Information about MLTI Content Meetings can also be found on the MaineLearns calendar.

Schedule Time for Teachers to Meet Regularly During the School Day to Problem Solve and Learn From One Another

When teachers meet regularly to problem solve and learn from one another during the school day, the organization as a whole grows. Teachers rarely have a chance to communicate with their peers. Creating that time may be difficult, but it is well worth the effort.

NSDC Standards for Staff Development http://www.nsdc.org/standards/index.cfm

Making Time for Adult Learning http://www.nsdc.org/library/publications/jsd/pardini202.cfm

Create Time for Professional Development http://www.ncrel.org/sdrs/areas/issues/educatrs/profdevl/pd3lk6.htm

Critical Issue: Finding Time for Staff Development http://www.ncrel.org/sdrs/areas/issues/educatrs/profdevl/pd300.htm

Time for Learning http://www.nsdc.org/library/resources/time.cfm#nsdc

Time Use Research Studies http://www.nsdc.org/library/resources/time.cfm#res

Time Use Strategies and Scheduling Options http://www.nsdc.org/library/resources/time.cfm#str

Provide Time for "TechnoShows"

A TechnoShow is a short presentation done at the beginning of a full staff meeting, usually focusing on one topic of interest to teachers who are teaching with technology. Bette Manchester began using this technique in her weekly staff meetings when she was principal of Mt. Ararat Middle School. The Techno Shows had three major purposes: 1) to make the staff aware of the hardware and software available to them, 2) to inspire teachers to use technology in their teaching, and 3) to make the staff aware of the support that the school's Technology/Literacy Integrators could provide. The success of these Techno Shows was evident in the increased awareness of and interest in technology at Mt. Ararat Middle School. The level of technology integration in the classrooms increased dramatically in just one year.

We believe that MLTI schools can also benefit from regular Techno Shows as part of their staff meetings. For More information about TechnoShows, contact Barbara Greenstone, bgreenstonemam@middlemaine.org

Work With Library Media Specialists and Staff to Promote Information Literacy Information literacy is an important part of educating 21st century students. Encourage teachers to collaborate with Library Media Specialists to promote information literacy across the curriculum. You can find resources on MaineLearns in Teaching & Learning - Content Specific - Research and Information Literacy.

Develop a Student "Tech Team"

Develop a student tech team, or iTeam as they are often referred to in Maine. We all turn to kids for support in one way or another, but the successful schools are finding that it is the “formalization” of the iTeam through team-building and professional development that makes the real difference.

Cape Elizabeth Middle School iTEAM http://capenet.cape.k12.me.us/~cape_MLTI/iteam/index.htm

Auburn Middle School iTeam Application http://ams.auburnschl.edu/images/iTeam%20Application.pdf

Student iTeam to Offer Peer Support http://www.capeelizabeth.com/news/laptop3.html

Intel Education: New to Technology: Tech Teams http://www.intel.com/education/newtotech/tech_teams.htm

SWAT- Students Working to Advance Technology http://www.swatweb.net/

Kentucky's Student Technology Leadership Program http://www.education.ky.gov/KDE/Instructional+Resources/Technology/Student+Initiatives/STLP+Student+Technology+Leadership+Program/default.htm

Wisconsin STLP http://www.madison.k12.wi.us/shabazz/tech/stlp/stlp.htm

Encourage Tech Staff to Read the Tech News Assure that tech folks are reading the tech news and making use of the information contained within. Regularly distributed by Apple, these bulletins contain the answers to many of the issues that can become bigger than they need to be if left unaddressed.

MLTI Tech Resources and more- http://www.middlemaine.org/

Adopt an Acceptable Use Policy

Most school districts already have an acceptable use policy that staff and students are required to follow. A number of districts have either integrated the use of the MLTI devices into their existing policy or have written ones specifically for the iBooks. The links below identify only a few of the MLTI iBook procedures, policies and guidelines implemented around the state.

Cape Elizabeth General iBook Guidelines http://capenet.cape.k12.me.us/~cape_MLTI/Pages/CapeMLTIGuidelines.html

Frank H. Harrison-Yamouth-Apple iBook Guidelines http://www.yarmouth.k12.me.us/YMS/HMS.MLTI/iBookGuidelines(IJNDB-E2).htm

MSAD #2 and 38 Student Guidelines http://www.sad23.k12.me.us/News/Student Guidelines.htm

MSAD#6 AUP and Permission to Post Guidelines http://www.sad6.k12.me.us/tech/index.html

MSAD#40 AD Gray Laptop Policies http://adgray.msad40.org/techpage/laptopol.htm

Freeport iBook Guidelines http://ntcoconet.ms.freeport.k12.me.us/~john_lunt/laptopInfo.html

Rockland District Middle School iBook Guidelines http://www.msad5.org/mlti/iBookguidlines.htm

Adopt a Home Use Policy

Allowing the MLTI iBooks to travel to and from school is integral to the Maine Learning Technology Initiative's goal of equal access to technology for all students. Being able to continue classroom work at home is only one of the many advantages of taking the iBooks home and, despite the concerns of many school boards and teachers, damage to iBooks traveling home with students has been close to none. Linked below are the "take home" procedures and policies for some Maine middle schools.

Buckfield Middle School Proposed Take Home Procedure http://www.sad39.k12.me.us/bjshs/tlight/middleschool/takehome.html

Cape Elizabeth iBook Take Home Procedures http://capenet.cape.k12.me.us/~cape_MLTI/#Guideline_Procedures

Frank H. Harrison Take Home Guidelines http://www.yarmouth.k12.me.us/YMS/HMS.MLTI/HomeUse Procedures (IJND.htm

Greely Junior High Take Home Procedures http://169.244.136.208/GJHS/LapTops/ibooktakehomeguid&proc.htm

Lyman Moore Middle School Take Home Procedures http://moore.portlandschools.org/ibook/mms_takehome.htm

Winslow Junior High Guidelines and Take Home Permission Slip http://www.winslow-jhs.u52.k12.me.us/wjhs/laptop.html

Hold Staff Meetings to Set Standards Re: Policies And Practices Around Technology Management and FirstClass Email

It is important that all staff are on the "same page" when it comes to procedures and policies. While copies of handouts, forms, and policies are important to convey a message, nothing is better than a whole staff meeting to discuss and clarify procedures and concerns. Only when the entire staff has a clear view of expectations will the students be able to understand what is expected of them. Consistency and clarity are key for the successful use of this educational tool.

Practices
iBook Infractions- Observations of the handling of iBook "infractions" have shown that schools accepting the iBooks as an integral part of student education use their existing school rules to deal with incidents of misuse. It has been found that taking away a student's iBook for infractions other than purposeful damage has more often led to student apathy and resentment than encouraged appropriate use and acceptance. For example, if a student mistakenly leaves her/his iBook in a classroom or doesn't store it appropriately, the iBook is not taken away for a period of time. Rather, a student may be required to make up the time from class that was lost during retrieval of the laptop or to make up work unable to be done because of the missing educational tool. .Removing the iBook impacts many subject areas, gives students an "out" for keeping up with assignments, and takes away the need to learn to be responsible.

Management
Lyman Moore Middle School iBook repair Form – (See documents list at right.) This form must be filled out completely before an iBook will be checked for repair.

FirstClass E-Mail
How do I get kids started with email? (See documents list at right.) What are some guidelines for email etiquette? (See documents list at right.)

Insurance Options

Shapleigh Middle School in Kittery has been successful with using a self-insurance program. A variety of accommodations are made for families that have difficulty with the cost so that all students have the same access to the technology. Download their 2003-2004 insurance form. (See documents list at right.)

School iBook Resource Pages- AUP, Take Home, iBook Guidelines, Teaching Resources

Buckfield Middle School Resource Page http://www.sad39.k12.me.us/bjshs/tlight/middleschool/laptops.html

Cape Elizabeth Middle School- MLTI Resource Page http://http://capenet.cape.k12.me.us/~cape_MLTI/iteam/index.htm

Freeport Middle School iBook Connection http://ntcoconet.ms.freeport.k12.me.us/~john_lunt/

Greely Junior High Laptop Resource Page http://169.244.136.208/GJHS/LapTops/laptopwebpage.html

Lewiston Middle School MLTI Resource Page http://www.lewiston.k12.me.us/~resfored/learning/mlti.htm

MSAD #4 Guilford- Piscataquis Community Middle School Laptop Project http://www.sad4.com/PCMS/laptop.html

Skowhegan Area Middle School Technology Page http://www.msad54.k12.me.us/MSAD54Pages/SAMS/SamsTechnology/tech.html

Troy Howard Middle School Technology Initiative http://www.sad34.net/~steve_tanguay/laptop.html