In our district it seems that we often follow a "rule of three". We usually use a three year implementation plan for new programs, it takes three years for a new teacher to become tenured, some of our technology has a three year warranty and a three year rotation. Less apparent is that it usually takes three years to "get it". What I mean by that is that when teachers are introduced to a new technology, it seems to take three years before they are fully integrating that technology.
Example: Three years ago, we transformed from an elementary school to a middle school. With the new middle school curriculum came a class on broadcasting. The brave teacher that took on this new class had really no experience with it. The first year there were many foibles on his part and on the part of the students. The next year, it ran smoother, but there were no extensions of the program. This year, the daily broadcasts are full and rich and enjoyable to watch. Students have incorporated video, audio, mobile reporting, and a variety of other strategies to produce a fun and informative program each day.
This is just one example of technology use that take about three years to integrate or internalize, but there are many others. Today's featured site was emailed to the entire staff by one of the special education teachers. This is the first time she has sent out a site and her third year in our school. Coincidence?
NCES Kids' Zone
The NCES Kids' Zone is hosted by the National Council of Educational Statistics. The Kids' Zone provides information to help you learn about schools; decide on a college; find a public library; engage in several games, quizzes and skill building about math, probability, graphing, and mathematicians; and to learn many interesting facts about education. Resources include a search tool for schools, libraries, and colleges; a graph creation tool; "Dare to Compare", a fun quiz to see how your knowledge of different subject areas compares to students nationally and globally; a grab bag of games, quizzes, data, and videos; and an interactive probability activity. All resources are free.
Example: Three years ago, we transformed from an elementary school to a middle school. With the new middle school curriculum came a class on broadcasting. The brave teacher that took on this new class had really no experience with it. The first year there were many foibles on his part and on the part of the students. The next year, it ran smoother, but there were no extensions of the program. This year, the daily broadcasts are full and rich and enjoyable to watch. Students have incorporated video, audio, mobile reporting, and a variety of other strategies to produce a fun and informative program each day.
This is just one example of technology use that take about three years to integrate or internalize, but there are many others. Today's featured site was emailed to the entire staff by one of the special education teachers. This is the first time she has sent out a site and her third year in our school. Coincidence?
NCES Kids' Zone
The NCES Kids' Zone is hosted by the National Council of Educational Statistics. The Kids' Zone provides information to help you learn about schools; decide on a college; find a public library; engage in several games, quizzes and skill building about math, probability, graphing, and mathematicians; and to learn many interesting facts about education. Resources include a search tool for schools, libraries, and colleges; a graph creation tool; "Dare to Compare", a fun quiz to see how your knowledge of different subject areas compares to students nationally and globally; a grab bag of games, quizzes, data, and videos; and an interactive probability activity. All resources are free.
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