Rose's+Page


 * Module 1: From Chaos to Definition **


 * George Wythe High School is the organization for which I work and would like to focus on in terms of the performance gap in technology. **


 * Brief Description: **
 * George Wythe High School is part of the Richmond Public School System located on the Southside of Richmond, Virginia and is situated in an urban school setting. When it comes to technology usage in the classroom as well as the system as a whole we are light years away in comparison with the suburban school systems. Our computers are out dated and those that enter the school as new are actually two or three years old. Although the equipment may seem new to us as well as an upgrade from our present computers, these computers” have actually been sitting in the warehouse pending instructions as to which school will receive them. Our internet system needs a complete overall because depending on the time of year, the school system as a whole cannot handle the amount of usage by each school without increasing the bandwidth and there is no guarantee that this will actually solve our internet problems. Teachers are constantly being trained and introduced to new technology but due to age of the computers in the classroom along with other issues, the software is seldom implemented pushing us further behind in the technology era. If we are able to acquire the necessary funding and backing from outside sources within the community and companies willing to donate time, money, and equipment for our school system we will be on an even playing field as those school systems in the suburban areas and student performance will increase tremendously each year. **


 * George Wythe High School was erected in 1960 and is identified as a visual and performing arts school with over 1200 students. The school colors are red, white and blue and the mascot is the bulldog. The mission of George Wythe High School is to provide quality educational programs enabling students to become productive citizens with the cooperation of parents, students, faculty and global community. Our vision is to become a partnership for success within the school and throughout the community which means encompassing a rich legacy and serving as a flagship for our school system. **
 * The key personnel who are able to provide me with insights into the performance problems here at George Wythe High include the principal and administrative team, department chairpersons, teachers and students in general. I will also interview the assistant superintendent of instructions for the school system who plays an integral part in determining the needs for our school through the use of a “Charting the Course” team that has been implemented school wide. **




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 * Module 2: The Performance Gap **
 * The problem with George Wythe High School is the lack of the computers and an outdated Internet system which has prevented us from being competitive with surrounding school systems. As a result of the lack of technology our students do not have the benefit of exploring new software and equipment which could help them perform better on standardized test which are given online as well as perform more effectively in the classroom. Students in the suburban areas are able to utilize all of the technology afforded to them because they are in partnership with apple and dell computer corporations that allow the school system to lease computers to each school for a certain amount of years. As a result the teachers are able to obtain their own individual computers as well as students are able to acquire their own computers to take home allowing them to keep up with their classroom assignments. During SOL testing, we have a limited number of labs available to test students and as a result testing goes on for an entire month. Once the time frame of testing begins, no one is allowed to use the computers to remediate students for fear that the testing will be compromised, teachers cannot perform online attendance or check email. We have to resort back to using a large amount of paper to teach and get important correspondence out and online grading for students cannot be access. The computers that are available in the classroom cannot accommodate new software because the operating systems are too old and there is no money available in the budget to upgrade Microsoft Office. Currently, most of the classrooms are still operating off of Microsoft office 2003. If George Wythe could partnership with such corporations as Dell, Apple or Hewlett Packard and work out an iron clad agreement where teachers could acquire at least 20 to 25 computers for their classrooms and internet framework set up in each classroom, students would have the opportunity to stay competitive with peers in other communities, better see themselves as problem solvers, better and more fully communicate their capacity to solve problems to the larger community and improve in their overall test scores. **
 * Module 3: HPT-Based Solution **
 * **Low-cost ** || **Medium-Cost ** || **High-Cost ** ||
 * **Overhead Projectors 30($140) ** || **Document Cameras 30($760) ** || **LCD Projectors 100($390) ** ||
 * **Computers for each core subject classroom 7($621) ** || **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">Mobile computer lab 1(14,000) ** || **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">Wireless computer labs **


 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">2($24,000) ** ||
 * **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">Whiteboards 35($60) ** || **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">Mimeo Boards 25($899) ** || **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">SmartBoards 25($1494) ** ||
 * **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">Senteo Interactive Response System 6($790) ** || **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">Classroom Performance Systems 10($1975) ** || **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">IPADS 80($500) ** ||
 * **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">Digital Cameras 100($45) ** || **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">Camcorders 50($273) ** || **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">Flat screen TVs 45($1049) ** ||


 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">Low-cost- this low-cost projection will not solve the performance gap between our schools compared to others but it would be a great start. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">If at least 30 overhead projectors were purchased this would accommodate all classroom teachers and help them better develop more effective lessons in the classroom and keep students more engaged in the learning process besides the routine textbook and blackboard learning techniques. Standards of learning test are given at the end of the school year for students in math, science, English and history and with at least 7 computers in each of the core teachers’ classrooms, students will have the opportunity to practice online test similar to the SOL test given at the end of the school year which will allow them to become more familiar with test taking techniques online as well as problem solve some of the questions that may appear on these test. Whiteboards in the classroom creates an environment that is more conducive to learning and more attractive than the normally blackboards. The various colored pens allow students to read and write more effectively assignments from the board, eliminates the amount of dust that blackboards normally output and students who have difficulty in seeing the material on the board will have a more clear and concise picture. Senteo Interactive systems are a good way of engaging students in the learning process because it involves hands on activities and increase the desire for students to be more competitive not only in the classroom but in the outside world. Digital cameras help teachers to better evaluate students work and allow parents the opportunity to see their children engaged in projects as well as increase the level of competition for these students during various competition events around the city. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">Medium-cost-if we are able to acquire some of these new technological innovations test scores and students performance in the classroom will greatly increase. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">Document cameras increase students’ attention span because documents and objects can be displayed on a large screen in real-time which allows students to display their work and receive immediate feedback. The clear live examples allow students to stay on task and the camera provides clear live examples of lesson material and demonstrations that provide a great impact on their comprehension and understanding. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">Mobile computer labs will help students to become more technologically engaged when classroom computers are not readily available. Teachers will have the opportunity to present more interactive lessons online that will enhance the learning that is already taking place in the classroom. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">Mimeo boards are a smaller version of SmartBoards and less expensive. They provide interactive lessons and allow teachers to make quick assessment of student performances in various areas. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">Classroom Performance Systems allow teachers to incorporate lessons into the unit, can be used as a testing device to evaluate what students have learned, allow students to participate in review exercises, records attendance as well as missed assignments and teachers are able to make a graph analysis of what areas of a lesson needs more attention. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">Camcorders are useful tools especially when students are working on and presenting projects because it gives them overall view of their presentations and what areas need to be improved to better their grade. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">High-Cost- the high –cost projection would even some of the disparities between our school system and surrounding counties. Obtaining this equipment would not solve all of our problems but at least we would have a better chance of closing the performance gap because we will be in a better position to strive towards empowering more technology into teaching and learning. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">LCD projectors when used interchangeably with the computer, breathes more life into lessons and can be used with various interactive technology equipment such as mimeo boards, classroom performance systems. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">Wireless labs are more easy to setup and students and teachers are able to access lessons and materials online more quickly than the having to connect to Internet jacks in the classroom. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">SmartBoards help assist teachers in delivering more effective lessons in the classroom because of the many components that can be used for each discipline area. Teachers will be able to download lessons that are compatible to the current curriculum and display them onscreen, use some of the current lessons that are part of the software that accompanies the SmartBoards for example, they can demonstrate the watercycle in a 3-D affect which helps students better understand the process, or teachers can upload their own lessons to the SmartBoards. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">Flat screened TVs take up less space in the classroom and provide more vivid pictures for educational program broadcast over cable channels such as the Discovery channel. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">All of the equipment listed above from low-cost, medium-cost to high-cost could help George Wythe High School become more competitive with the surrounding counties when it comes to students performing better in the classroom, expanding their knowledge outside of the classroom, and helping them to perform better on test through the empowerment of such technologies. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">Module 4: The Manager’s Many Roles **
 * **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">Low-cost Strength **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">The low-cost items that I selected are all items that can help to improve instructional delivery in the classroom because they serve as a starting point in the integration of technology into the classroom. ** || **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">Low-cost Weakness **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">The limitation is that this still puts our school behind in integrating technology into the classroom compared to other school systems. These items although are good tools to use, they do not keep students engaged in the learning process because eventually the challenges for students becomes like rote memory. Once the students master this technology they tend to get bored and are ready to advance to another level. ** ||
 * **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">Medium-cost Strength **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">The medium-cost items selected are an upgrade from the low-cost items and students will become more willing to participate in classroom projects and discussions. Teachers have more flexibility in terms of keeping students engaged. ** || **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">Medium-cost Weakness **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">The limitation is that like that of the low-cost strategies, these items can only hold a students’ interest for a while before teachers have to devise new plans and ways to keep students more engaged. More software will be needed in order for teachers to continue to use these items and make sure that they are in compliance with the curriculum. ** ||
 * **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">High-cost Strength **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">The high-cost items would make Internet access more available to teachers and students in the classroom. Teachers’ would not be limited to taking students to the library on designated days that do not interfere with other teachers schedule for that particular time slot. The use of the SmartBoards is like teaching online because many programs can be downloaded which match most of the subject areas being taught. Programs are installed in the software where teachers can plan more effective lessons and demonstrations. Continuing to use cable in the classroom with upgraded television systems give students that opportunity to be more engaged with the outside world and the programs televised such as on the Discovery Channel bring about more clear and vivid pictures such as for “How the Earth was Made.” ** || **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">High-cost Weakness **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">The weakness in some of these items is that the entire school would have to be rewired and there would be time limit as to when the work must start and be completed along with the cost. More training and staff development sessions will have to be held in order to ensure that teachers are comfortable using this equipment in the way it has been intended instead of just another whiteboard to project lessons on the screen using LCD projectors. The televisions will have to be properly installed and agreements must be reached with cable service providers. Decisions would have to be made about which channels are appropriate for the classroom and any additional channels will be delivered into the classroom at additional cost since most cable services provide certain channels for free. ** ||


 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">You included data from documents provided by the organization and/or other information gleaned from the Web to support your choice. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">Each nine weeks it is a mandate for teachers to administer benchmark test to all students in order to determine their overall performance in the classroom. In classrooms where technology was being used students scores had increased due to an increase in attendance and mini projects students were required to complete each week. **


 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">You included interview data from key personnel in the organization to support your choice. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">After an interview with the principal and discussion of teachers classroom observations although no names were mentioned, the principal indicated that the classrooms where technology was being used, students were more attentive and willing to participate. He further pointed out that the teacher was in full control of the classroom, no students were sleeping, engaging in outside talk that did not pertain to the lesson and there were no disruptions or outburst. When I spoke with students in general some were excited and eager to attend certain classes because the teacher was using various technologies that made learning more meaningful and interesting. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">In order to prove my theory that the use of technologies in the classroom keeps students engaged in the learning process I taught five classes where the most troubled students are enrolled at various class periods for five of my teachers using the TI Navigation System which requires students to physically use a class set of calculators that operated remotely from the classroom system and they were able to better solve algebraic equations from simply looking at the problems being solved from the board. If students were not on task and using the calculators for other tasks not related to the class assignment I was able to shut their calculator down which really amazed them. Graphs were also used to track students’ progress for that day and compared to their performance on the previous day. The teacher was able to see an increase in class scores as a result of the navigation system being used compared to the board work. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">During core curriculum meetings for each subject area I demonstrated some of the technology that we do have in the building and how it can be used in the classroom. I had teachers to devise lessons and how they wanted to be projected with certain technology and software. After each demonstration teachers were allowed to perform various tasks using select equipment and provided feedback as to what made them uncomfortable and I worked with them after school on an individual basis until they had perfected the skills needed in order to operate the equipment. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">Each week I have set up schedules where I will go into teachers’ classrooms and help teach classes using the available software and equipment in our building. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">An agreement has been made with the administrative team as well as staff that students’ progress will be tracked using data gathered from test scores, classroom projects and assignments. At the end of each week teachers are required to use a spreadsheet recording scores of students’ performance which will provide an indication as to which areas students are not excelling well in and tutors have been provided to help students after school. ﻿ **