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Technology Committee Meeting

Sept 26, 2003

Purpose of meeting          Discuss teacher survey handed out at In-Service

                                                Discuss role & goals of Tech Committee.

Attendees    Anna Bennett, Al Coleman, Marian Miller, Jim Skeen, and Carolyn Wittman.

Meeting Summary

We talked about the teacher survey constructed by the Tech Committee at previous meetings, which was handed out at the September Teacher In-Service.  Approximately 28 surveys were handed out.  Janet Brinkop is now tabulating the results.  

Janet has recommended the following changes to the teacher survey, for its next revision:

Teachers still read the word “technology” as “computers.”  We should change the order of the activities on the survey to begin with applications other than the computer.  Or, instead of using the word “technology”, list different uses of technology.

Other recommended changes:

1. letter “e” Language Learning is ambiguous.  Change to language software like Rosetta Stone and/or ESL websites like Daves ESL Cafe.
2. letter “h” probably not relevant. Spreadsheet applicable maybe for GED, but not ESl.
3. letter “l” not applicable. LCD projector still not available
4. letter “m”  Multimedia wasn’t clear to most teachers

Many  teachers are interested in using videos.  Teachers off Middlefield Center site need equipment. One teacher, Dennis Roselli, requested a tape recorder and efficient back-up for repairing his OH projector.  *One teacher, Glenn Cunliff suggested a DVD player because it can play videos with subtitles in Spanish.

 The last part of the survey is the most helpful, because it asks their goals.

When I meet with teachers individually, I will use their survey in addition to the interview to help narrow the focus to what works for them. 

Committee members talked about possible "core indicators" we can use to measure the impact on the classroom and on student success of any changes in teacher use of technology.  Some ideas:

• Improvements as measured by the teacher survey, administered at end of the school year

• Improvements in SODS (Student Outcome Data Set)

• Increase in student use of EL Civics lessons

• Increase in hours of student time on the computer as part of class exercises

We affirmed again that there is no need to again survey computer use by students.  Our key metrics are tied to technology use by teachers, since this directly impacts student use of technology.

Carolyn pointed out that all 6 goals set by the Technology Committee a year ago have now been met.

The next major goal of the Technology Committee should be to set 5 or 6 high-level goals for the school to achieve over the next 2 years.

Next Meeting

    October 29, 2003 (Wednesday) at 12 noon, Middlefield Campus, Room 25.

    Agenda

• Discussion:  results of Teacher Survey

• Major goals for next 2 years

• Lab protocols (problem logging, regular re-Ghosting, etc)