Technology Integration

The 21st century is upon us and school districts across the country are searching for ways to prepare their students for success in the Digital Age. While the initial response to address this emerging trend in education is to purchase 21st century technologies and applications, leaders must ensure that educators are sufficiently trained in the effective integration of technology into the curriculum. The good news is that regardless of the technology proficiencies of your staff, Achievement Link can develop a technology integration plan tailored to your district’s needs and deliver high quality professional development to support and sustain your educational goals.

Professional development with your faculty will begin with a needs assessment to determine the proficiency and comfort level that your staff has toward the use of technology as a teaching and learning tool. The results of the survey will help Achievement Link create differentiated professional development that is just right for your faculty. A description of what this plan might include is found below:

• Beginning Technology Integration

• Faculty will be introduced to the possibilities of integrating technology into the curriculum, including how technology can be used as a tool to:

  • Capture attention and set the tone for the remainder of the class and unit

  • Explore and analyze content-rich online resources

  • Develop and organize plans for student explorations

  • Assess student understanding of content objectives

  • Increase student engagement during direct instruction

  • Engage in meaningful content-related discussions

  • Engage in reading and writing across the curriculum

 

• Advanced Technology Integration

• Faculty will be introduced to the advanced application of instructional technology in the classroom including Project-based and Inquiry-based Learning. These constructivist approaches to teaching and learning are the capstone of the technology integration process. Professional development in this area will include various approaches to lesson design and assessment as well as the various tools available to teachers for the creation, implementation, and management of these types of learning experiences.

 

• Teaching and Learning with Web 2.0

• Faculty will be introduced to a wide variety of teaching and learning tools freely available on the Internet that enable students to engage in real-time collaboration with other students within the district, content experts around the country, and even with students in another nation. The possibilities are endless and the excitement and engagement levels of your students will be unmatched!