2009 Goals

Gilmer County High School 2009 Goals

#1 Successfully integrate Learning Skills and Technology Tools

· Teachers will utilize YouTube training clips or Edline on how to save data on server & jump drives
· Electronic communication tools such as wiki/blogs/emails will be used for student/teacher communication
· Teachers will educate students on and stress plagiarism avoidance strategies
· Teachers will plan group work that engages every group member

#2 Maintain a positive learning environment – staff and students

· Once a month meeting time for organizations/groups to get more students/teachers involved
· Consistent enforcement of handbook rules!!
· Relevant Professional development (beginner-advanced)

#3 Focus on teacher collaboration in professional learning communities as well as other groups

· Form groups proficient in specific skills such as PBL implementation, Wikis, etc. to assist other faculty and use a public forum such as Edline or a blog to address any needs
· Provide regular times for structured group meetings, departmental or otherwise
· Respect the right of the individual to work on his/her own

#4 Engage students in meaningful PBL Activities

· Motivate with 2 or 3 varying activities each block
· Read and write across the curriculum
· Hold students accountable

#5 Increase useable technology and maintenance

· Full time technology maintenance specialist needed
· Write grants to fund maintenance and supplement current equipment
· Get community involved to purchase technology equipment
· Buy classroom sets of laptops
· Repair and upgrade usable computers

#6 Improve the building infrastructure

· Increase bandwidth
· Provide appropriate lighting, heating and cooling in each classroom
· Provide a physically safe environment in all areas of the school (floors, vocational wing water problems and ventilation concerns)

GCHS Goals and Action Plan

Overall Goals of the Group

To successfully integrate 21st century technology into every classroom.
To build and maintain a supportive, positive school wide attitude for 21st century learning
To engage students in every classroom every day

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Provide on-going training on technology tools
Model 21st century learning
Use technology tools every day by the end of the first semester

Actions
Get technology installed***10/31/2008
Portable labs***TBD-2009-2010
Visit active classrooms-(1-2 by the end of the semester)***Now-Ongoing
Positive attitude with professional development***Ongoing
Computer skills (EEE-2A)-Technology benchmarks***10/13/2008
Secure funding for technology upgrades/maintenance***Ongoing
More professional development***Ongoing-monthly

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Smile and remain positive
Maintain a positive learning environment through respect and support
Remain tolerant for individuals not integrating technology-less judgment more help
Collaboration among teachers
Maintain a positive attitude toward change
Be willing to try something new
Great attitude everyday

Actions
Start technology team (department specific) to content areas
to meet and discuss 21st century goals on a regular basis***11/1/2008-Ongoing
Survey students as to their needs and preferences as technology is integrated***ASAP
Student/teacher professional development collaboration***10/14/2008
Teacher, parent, student, community-wiki/blog***In place-continue

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Use higher level thinking skills
Implement new strategies for student involvement
Use 21st century skills to make students active learners in every classroom.

Actions
Utilize PBL-21st Century Skills***by 3/2009
Lesson relevant to students lives***Ongoing
Incorporate higher level thinking skills***Ongoing professional development
PD on the “How” rather than “What or Why” to integrate***Ongoing professional development

Links, etc.

First of all I wanted to say how much I enjoyed working with each of you last week. I hope that I get the opportunity to work with you again in the future. Here is the information I promised. If I missed anything you would like to have, please let me know.

Videos: The files were too large to upload. If you go to YouTube and search on the following you will find them there.

1) First Tech Support
2) Shift Happens or Did You Know? (different variations)
3) Sir Ken Robinson-Creativity

Links:

Google for Educators www.google.com/educators
Global Footprint Quiz http://www.globalfootprints.org/issues/footprint/councquiz1.htm
Personal Footpring Calculator http://www.footprintnetwork.org/gfn_sub.php?content=calculator

Again, please let me know if there were any links or videos from the presentations that you would like to have.

Cool Change....

Name one new thing you have decieded to do differently in your classroom after the WTMC? Workshop.