Hot Springs School District
K-12 Technology Curriculum Plan

Goals: There are four major goals we wish to accomplish.

1. Establish a K-12 district technology plan to help deliver instruction using technology in a process-centered curriculum and to deliver this in an exciting and relevant enterprise by modifying both curriculum and teacher training:
   inquiry/laboratory focus/classroom focus
   incorporate technology (ISTE) standards
   provide time and opportunity for teachers--working with technology coordinators and other consultants 
   to address technology education opportunities.

2. Develop a Variety of Programs and Training Activities, which will include presentations by coordinators, other experts in the field of technology, students, and classroom teachers. Independent research opportunities will be available for teachers and their students.

3. Develop High-Interest Teaching Units (grades K-12) involving technology coordinators and others to help provide process-centered (direct student involvement) technology-based opportunities for students.

4. Form and Advisory Team to help develop activities and plan for involving all others.

Project Emphasis

• Improve qualifications and classroom effectiveness of teachers.

• Identify and enhance individuals with leadership potential.

• Involve teachers in preparing professional development materials.

• Involve teachers in curriculum development to help differentiate approaches in the different magnets and academies

• Develop participants qualified to facilitate online projects, virtual reality field trips, live web cams, 
  animation, etc.

• Prepare qualified teachers to become technology facilitators in their classrooms.

• Develop new material for:
  - magnet and academy core content.
  - magnet specific courses.
  - further understanding of technology.
  - the effective use of emerging technologies.
  - laboratory or experiential activities.
  - appropriate use of classroom computers for instruction.

• Utilization of private sector expertise.

• Develop effective techniques for teacher motivation to use technology in their classrooms.

• Offer opportunities to attend technology conferences (HSTI).

• Help teachers use specific curriculum materials on the web.

• Special emphasis: process-centered curriculum (direct student involvement).

Long-Term Benefits

• Teacher will improve their technical knowledge base to reflect the latest developments in the field.

• Teacher will make better use of labs, equipment, and technology.

• All students will become life-long users/consumers of technology.

• Students will be prepared to handle problems and make responsible decisions.

• Students will be equipped with the necessary technology skills to compete in a global society.

District Objectives

• The District will redirect teaching and learning in all schools K-12. The model will include special programs such as on-line projects, use of the net to utilize television resources (PBS, Outdoor Life, Weather Channel, etc.), ask the experts, connect with authors online, web-cams, web conferencing, animation and virtual reality, as well as other technology activities.
  New and existing content areas (e.g. biotechnology, genetics, environmental science, aeronautics, robotics, global issues, foreign languages, mathematics, fine arts) will be explored to enhance learning. With coordinators' help, identified teacher leaders will modify curricula in key areas with competency lists, learning objectives, lab activities, classroom activities, and appropriate assessments to include technology standards and to measure effectiveness.

The District will provide training for all teachers in methods and materials. Major technology and society issues that intersect will be identified by technology coordinators to help students
analyze the impact and the ethics of these issues.

The District's Approach

• Each school site will have both classroom computers and lab space available for student use.

• An Advisory Team of teachers, administrators and coordinators district wide.

• A small staff to coordinate in-service and to develop activities that emphasize technology tools which may include:
  - presentations by technology experts - both in-district and out-of -district
  - presentations by teachers who have developed online classroom plans
  - opportunities to develop follow-up classroom assignments
  - opportunities to develop better ways of teaching
  - opportunities to develop performance-based assessment tools and techniques
  - opportunities to develop activities for discussion of current issues in technology
  - planning for special projects, such as a "International Competition through Thinkquest and    ThinkQuest Junior
  - planning for independent research programs for teachers and students

Timeline

• Develop survey instruments (Taglit (MS) plus district generated for high school and elementary)

• Identify and select curriculum topics and software at each grade level

• Identify training needs and select activities and consultants

• Determine methods for involving students, teachers, parents and community

• Plan development and implementation sequences

• Plan project evaluation

• Identify Pilot Teachers

• Solicit feedback from involved participants

• Generate additional plans for subsequent years

• Prepare and submit that proposal to appropriate parties

Submitted: September 7, 2001 by the following:
Gardner Math, Science, Technology Magnet - Sue McCuen, Paul Miller, Loretta Ross
Langston Aerospace and Environmental Studies Magnet - Charlene Smith
Oaklawn Visual and Performing Arts Magnet - Greg Hughes
Park International Studies Magnet - Michele Bentley
Hot Springs Middle School - Ted Dean, Jule Grant
Hot Springs High School - Anna Laribe, Wanda Hall
Hot Springs School District - Don Benton