Teachers
D2D Activities Overview
One of the questions that may be going through your mind is, “What will I and my students be asked to do as part of this grant?” The following will provide you with a simple overview of the types of activities outlined in the grant proposal.
• D2D teachers pair with a research scientist and one other Barrow County School System teacher in the same field to form a D2D “team.”
• D2D Teachers engage in professional learning targeting:
• Integration of the iPad into their teaching as a tool that facilitates student research, communication, collaboration, creativity, and creation of artifacts that demonstrate learning, and
• Specialized focus of partner researcher.
• Teachers collaborate with university research scientists to create and implement a series of 3 to 5 video conferencing lessons that will infuse the work of the lab into the requirements of the Georgia Performance Standards (GPS). These sessions will be recorded.
• All participants will utilize the teaching and learning portal as a hub for col- laboration, communication, and for storage and retrieval of course materials. The portal will also serve as a central storage and retrieval server for student-created media and media provided for remixing.
• With the iPad as a common platform, students will create artifacts that demonstrate their learning. These artifacts may be pieces of a whole combined at the end in a culminating product. They may also be compiled into an e-Portfolio.
- Such artifacts are likely to include, but are not limited to:
• Videos created from images and footage from D2D recorded sessions
• Blogging
• Collaborative wikispace creation
• Photo / Video Essays
• Podcasts / Vodcasts
The design of the professional learning will specifically target the integration of the iPads into instruction with an emphasis on applied learning.
Site-Based Support
The RT3 grant includes the D2D Program and another called ArtsNOW, which targets math and science in- struction in grades K-5. To support both efforts, a Math Integration Specialist (MIS) position was created and is funded through the grant. Even if you’re a science teacher, the MIS will be a valuable source of support. Think of the MIS as a cross between a Math Coach and an Instructional Technology Specialist. What will they do? Here are a few of the job responsibilities:
• Develops and integrates innovative math instructional methods into technology-based and/or distance learning based frameworks.
• Ensures mathematics is integrated into course enhancements created by teachers and scientists in designated science courses.
• Ensures instructional methods, the integration of technology, developed curriculum, and professional learning, with regard to participating teachers, are aligned with established grant priorities.
• Collaborates with instructional staff for instructional planning, co-teaching, and modeling of strategies with regard to effectively integrating technology into teaching and learning.
• Ultimately, designs quality knowledgeable work that actively engages students in authentic, relevant learning experiences; then monitors and modifies the work so expected results can be achieved.
• Actively researches new instructional approaches and resources to maintain a current knowledge of technology integration strategies and effective instructional and coaching pedagogies in mathematics.
