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Focus Areas

Our Digital Media Academy gives both teachers and students the opportunity to learn how to increase digital literacy skills through the creation of multimedia projects. These projects include curriculum related films teaching academic concepts, as well as public service announcements (PSA's)  and documentaries. The culminating event for this project is our EMI Awards - an Academy Awards-style gala Film Festival.  Check out the academy website at www.orcuttemi.com.

 

Providing adequate access to mobile technology is a key component of our Strategic Plan.  Computers on wheels (COW's) are being used to help support the work of our Digital Media Academy and we plan to replace our traditional computers labs with mobile solutions in the coming years.​

Teachers may also apply to be part of our iPad Academy. Participants selected will receive a classroom set of iPads and ongoing training on how to incorporate these devices into everyday learning.  iPads are the perfect tool to differentiate learning and help provide individualized instruction due to the countless number of educational apps available.

 

Students today are pre-wired for technology and expect it to be a part of their educational journey.  Public school districts are also required to give annual assessments which are now primarily online.  As these demands for technology increase, we must continue to provide adequate access to devices, Wi-Fi connectivity, and bandwidth to support the needs of our 21st Century Learners.  Access to technology needs to be integrated into every classroom as an effective learning tool that is as convenient and available as a textbook or pen and paper.

 

Digital Media
Mobile Devices
Access & Integration

Within our Professional Development offered through our academies, general sessions are planned each year that focus on the following strategies:

  1. Creating an enviroment for learning

  2. Developing understanding

  3. Applying and extending knowledge

  4. ISTE standards for students

    • Creativity & Innovation

    • Communication & Collaboration

    • Research and Information Fluency

    • Critical Thinking

    • Digital Citizenship

    • Technology Concepts

Professional Development is another key component in successful technology initiatives.  Teachers participating in our educational technology academies receive initial training prior to or as they receive their equipment. Participation in monthly training sessions during the first year is also a requirement of academy members.  These training sessions cover the use of the hardware and/or software, but a greater emphasis is on integrating technology into the classroom.  We use the SAMR model as a guide throughout this process.

 

Development

Professional Development

The SAMR Model in 120 Seconds

Professional Development will include:

  1. Examples of Common Core Standards across grade levels

  2. Strategies for individualization

  3. ISTE Standards for Teachers

    • Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity

    • Design and Develop Digital-Age Learning Experiences and Assessments

    • Model Digital-Age Work and Learning

    • Promote and Model Digital Citizenship and Responsibility

    • Engage Professional Growth and Leadership

  4. Implementing online assessments and using data to drive instruction

    • Educator's Assessment Data Management System (EADMS)

    • NWEA

    • SBAC/CAASPP State Testing (Interim & Summative)

    • AERIES Gradebook

Digital Citizenship

Students today are using the immense power of digital media to explore, connect, create, and learn in ways never before imagined. With this power, young people have extraordinary opportunities, and yet they face potential pitfalls, too. Meanwhile, schools are dealing with the associated ramifications like cyberbullying, digital cheating, and safety and security concerns. These issues underscore the need for students to learn and for teachers to teach digital literacy and citizenship skills. Common Sense Media’sDigital Literacy and Citizenship Curriculum empowers students to think critically, behave safely, and participate responsibly in our digital world. These 21st-century skills are essential for students to harness the full potential of technology for learning.

An important part of our plan is establishing a 4-year refresh cycle for teacher and staff laptops and 5-year refresh cycle for mobile devices used in the classroom.  This refresh cycle will be built into our annual budget to ensure that our teachers and students have access to current technology. Other peripherals such as printers, documents cameras, etc. will be replaced as needed. 

 

 

Refresh Cycle
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