Hello fellow Team #1 Research Team Members....I'm sorry for the delay in getting this category posted. Thanks for your patience! Hopefully this forum will be a good way for all of us to share info etc...

-- Anonymous, December 28, 1998

Answers

Scott, Thanks for setting this up. I don't have any great finds to report to our members, but I think our project will be a great one! Deb

-- Anonymous, January 03, 1999

Hey, Team 1,

How is technology being used in our schools? What can we do to help schools use technology to improve student learning?

A couple of ideas for research questions. A place to start? What do you think?

I hope you all had a great break!

Cin

-- Anonymous, January 04, 1999

Thanks for the food for thought Cindy! Some good questions that you suggested. I agree in the possible direction of thought. Just some more food for thought to add on to what you contributed... The whole idea of "technology integration" is a hot topic right now. It seems that most districts are finally approaching levels where they have a fair amount of technology equipment. But...the problem all over seems to be the whole idea of exactly how it's being implemented into the classrooms...actual integration. I think that one of the big problems is that the schools are not set up very well at all to actually show the staff HOW to do this. I think most agree that the potential is there with the technology...but JUST HOW ARE WE SUPPOSED TO USE THE ---THING!! Maybe a portion of our thesis could be based around what could be done to help k,with this situation. Are there any training methods out there that are actually working?...If not..can we come up with any? Just some thoughts to add to our little "discussion" session.

Thanks

-- Anonymous, January 05, 1999

This is a great area to talk to everyone else on team 1! Here's an idea -- since technology is such a huge subject field, maybe we can break down the major areas (curriculum development/technology, media centers/technology, administrative vision/technology etc.) and each person can do their own area of interest and cover many broad topics.

-- Anonymous, January 05, 1999

Hi everybody,

I've been thinking about the research question again. (It sure helped to have Tom narrow it down a bit.) "How are Northeastern Minnesota Public Schools K-12 utilizing computers with their students in the regular education classroom?" Our survey could include training teachers have received and how does it work for your class...somthing like that. I think those worksheets at the end of each chapter in our research book might help us get this thing under control. What do you think?

See you in class on Wednesday.

-- Anonymous, January 17, 1999

Hi everyone! Tom sent out an e-mail that said they just need a paragraph describing our research paper and the question we are posing. It seems scaled down from what was originally presented. I wrote a general question because this is only to generate a discussion with the superintendents that night. I also included the ISTE standards so they can reference it (and include the web site so they can see endorsements). Let me know if this is not all right with anyone -- see you next Wed.

Thesis Proposal: How is Northeastern Minnesota K-12 schools utilizing the International Society for Technology and Education Standards (ISTE) within their school districts?

The ISTE principles are nationally recognized and endorsed technology standards that define specific levels of technology aptitude and application. Our plan is to survey districts through ARCC and conclude if districts are employing the ISTE standards to their technology learning and implementation. This study will an in depth perspective on how technology is presented and staffed. Our conclusion will also signify what measurable standard is being utilized to judge success.

About the ISTE Standards Source: www.iste.org The technology foundation standards for students are divided into six broad categories. Standards within each category are to be introduced, reinforced, and mastered by students. These categories provide a framework for linking performance indicators found within the Profiles for Technology Literate Students to the standards. Teachers can use these standards and profiles as guidelines for planning technology- based activities in which students achieve success in learning, communication, and life skills.

Technology Foundation Standards for Students

1.Basic operations and concepts

v Students demonstrate a sound understanding of the nature and operation of technology systems.

v Students are proficient in the use of technology.

2.Social, ethical, and human issues

v Students understand the ethical, cultural, and societal issues related to technology. v Students practice responsible use of technology systems, information, and software.

v Students develop positive attitudes toward technology uses that support lifelong learning, collaboration, personal pursuits, and productivity.

3.Technology productivity tools

v Students use technology tools to enhance learning, increase productivity, and .promote creativity.

v Students use productivity tools to collaborate in constructing technology-.enhanced models, preparing publications, and producing other creative works.

4.Technology communications tools

v Students use telecommunications to collaborate, publish, and interact with peers, experts, and other audiences.

v Students use a variety of media and formats to communicate information and ideas effectively to multiple audiences.

5.Technology research tools

v Students use technology to locate, evaluate, and collect information from a variety of sources.

v Students use technology tools to process data and report results.

v Students evaluate and select new information resources and technological innovations based on the appropriateness to specific tasks.

6.Technology problem-solving and decision-making tools

v Students use technology resources for solving problems and making informed decisions.

v Students employ technology in the development of strategies for solving problems in the real world.

-- Anonymous, February 19, 1999

Thanks for putting this together Jodi! I think this information gives them what they need to know at this point. We don't have to focus in quite yet, do we, in regard to which standard, etc?

-- Anonymous, February 21, 1999

Hey everybody!

Mary Jean is asking for all the research teams' proposals. I know you turned it in on Wednesday, Jodi, but our names were not listed, so I e-mailed her to let her know which one was ours. Thanks for writing it, Jodi!

See you on Wednesday.

Cind

-- Anonymous, February 28, 1999

I know class is cancelled for March 31st. Does anyone want to get together and work on our survey sometime during that week. I think this is something we need to push ahead with on our own. What do you think? If you want to nix the idea, I'm okay with that, too. Something to think about.

Cind

-- Anonymous, March 13, 1999

Hi everyone -- we have a meeting set up with Maggie on Monday, April 12, 1999 in the Proctor High School Media Center. The library is located in the middle of the second floor of the building. Hope to see you there!

-- Anonymous, April 12, 1999

Meeting on June 9, 1999 at 4:30pm at Proctor

-- Anonymous, June 02, 1999