Technology_Initiatives

=Technology Initiatives in the Uniondale School District= 1. Students are instructed to engage in the research process and utilize a variety of print and non-print resources. Database use is heavy as students investigate topics and work with teachers and librarians who instruct and guide them.
 * __Student Research and Engagement in the Library and Classroom__**

2. Library and classroom instruction often is delivered through the use of flipchart and/or PowerPoint presentations that demonstrate use of the Internet and online resources. A variety of these are posted online for student access from home. Research lessons are enhanced further by the use of the library website as a research/resource tool. Wireless laptop computers and desktop computers make it possible for an entire class simultaneously to access research sites and utilize programs for notetaking, writing, and creating final products.

3. **Early Morning Scholars --** The high school library welcomes up to 80 students bright and early each morning (6:30 a.m.!) where students engage in independent work on the computers, collaborate in groups, study, or finish up their homework.

4. **Wireless laptop computers** extend online access to more students in a shared model.

5. **Television** and **digital music studios** feature opportunities for the creation of multimedia projects. 1. On the secondary level, when a teacher schedules a visit to the library for a research project, or when a project is assigned for which independent work is expected, the teacher conferences with a librarian who prepares an online pathfinder to be included on the library’s “Class Assignment Resources” page (examples can be found on each school library’s website; the high school’s example is: [|http://uhs.uniondaleschools.org/www/uniondaleschools_uhs/site/hosting/Library/uhslmcorg/class_assignment.htm).] Further links are provided at the Backflip site where the librarians store helpful links in all subject areas ([][|).] Elementary school students who visit the library as part of a fixed schedule engage in research process activities that rely on technology as a way to locate information, brainstorm (Inspiration), and create presentations using varied programs.
 * __The Web as a Research Tool__**

2. Links to online databases, resources to support research activities, are housed on the website as well. When conducting library research, students are often expected to use these resources either in addition to or in place of websites found through a search engine. Lessons have been developed to promote understanding of how and when to use these resources.Databases can be accessed through the district library’s website [|http://district.uniondaleschools.org/www/uniondaleschools/site/hosting/uniondalenyorg/resources.htm.] 3. eChalk pages include the posting of resources that support research projects.

4. The availability of the district's **library catalog** as an online resource grants library users increased ability to borrow materials from other library locations within the district. In addition, the library has ventured into the world of ebooks which allow students to borrow full-text titles that can be read online, and **Playaways**, audiobook titles that come packaged with a ready-to-use, single-purpose mp3 player, are in several district libraries.

__**Technology as an Instructional Tool**__**:** 1. Students may find assistance as they move through the stages in the research process on the high school library’s web page. Simply going to [|http://uhs.uniondaleschools.org/www/uniondaleschools_uhs/site/hosting/Library/uhslmcorg/index.htm]and clicking on the links, “Research It!,” “Evaluate Your Sources,” or “Prepare Presentations with Pizazz” provides students with invaluable tools. The “Research It!” hyperlink offers access to the “Research Style Journal” ably prepared by one of our English teachers. Similar assistance is offered on the elementary and middle school library sites.

2. **Streaming video** is offered through PowerMedia Plus, WLIW and BrainPOP (animated clips available in English and Spanish) to provide additional curricular support.

3. **[|Atomic Learning]** is an online subscription that provides tutorials to help with the use of a wide variety of software and online programs.

4. We are using our interactive whiteboard software, **ActivInspire**, to develop custom-made tutorials to assist students and faculty.

5. Using **Proximas** in instruction: This technology has taken hold in many departments. A notable example can be seen by visiting a high school science class where many science teachers use these projectors to aid in the presentation of class notes. Using the projector and PowerPoint allows the teacher to incorporate many stimulating multimedia clips and pictures, and really brings the subject matter to life. It also aids in making abstract concepts much more understand able to the students. In addition, it allows a teacher to circulate and monitor while notes are being presented.

6. **Student Response Systems**: The district is piloting these “clickers” in the high school science department. Students are given a remote transponder as they enter the class. Teachers set up polling activities, quizzes, jeopardy style games, and a racing game created by Eduware that relies on Regents-based questions. The students are able to “buzz in” their answer to every question and the teacher offers immediate feedback and explanations. The teacher accesses a spreadsheet that displays student performance in the activity.

7. **PowerPoints** for at-home use are posted on eChalk (see, as an example, **library** **class** **pages** at the California Avenue School eChalk site—[|http://cas.uniondaleschools.org] follow the link to the various PowerPoint “games” that students can play in class or independently to learn about literary elements).

8. An **ePod grant** has made it possible to introduce iPods to ESL students. 9. **Interactive Whiteboards** facilitate active and collaborative learning. They have been introduced to each school to begin to address evolving presentation, instructional and learning needs.

10. Through a subscription to a BOCES service, **videoconferencing** is available to teachers who plan to incorporate such a program into a learning unit.

11. **Web 2.0** initiatives such as wikis and blogs have been introduced to students and faculty. There is a staff development wiki developed to support teachers as well as teacher-directed blogs and wikis for libraries and the sharing of student work and insights.

12. **Programs Designed to Improve Student Achievement on Standardized Tests** such as Castle Learning and Study Island are being used in schools across the district.


 * __Technology as a Presentation Tool__:**

1. Teachers are invited to have their students’ work posted on the school library website.

2. Students participate in podcasts. At the high school, two podcasts have been introduced—one devoted to book reviews, and the other to movie reviews. Click on the Knight Light podcast under School Resources. Some school principals have begun to publish their own podcasts, notably at the high school and Turtle Hook Middle School.

3. Students use computer technology to word process and to create projects that communicate understanding.

4. Students are being offered opportunities to see their work published online as they participate in wiki projects and blogs created by their teachers.

5. Simple **point and shoot video cameras** provide instructional and multimedia project opportunities to students.

6. **Document cameras** enable users to project three-dimensional objects onto a computer screen.

1. **LITE Bytes** is a newsletter produced by the Library and Instructional Technology Departments to showcase technology applications, resources, and best practices. We are publishing it on a wiki:http://litebytes.wikispaces.com[|.]
 * __Support for Faculty__****:**

2. The **Workbench wiki--http://workbench.wikispaces.com** provides visitors with extensive staff development resources and information.

3. An array of **staff development workshops** are scheduled each year. 4. Teachers utilize **eChalk** as a communication and instructional tool to help further the development of a classroom without walls.

5. **Just in time training materials** are available to faculty on the web.

6. The **Professional Development Library**, located in the high school library, includes many videos which can be borrowed simply by accessing the online catalog and making a request ([|http://follett] from inside the district or [|http://follett.uniondaleschools.org] from outside).

7. **Ongoing technology support** provided to all teachers, with a focus on training those new to the district.

8. **Technology mentors** in each building.

9. Workshops are conducted at building faculty meetings to promote and support district initiatives.


 * __Support for Families__:**

1. eChalk hosts the district's presence on the Internet. Features include e-mail accounts for teachers (accessible through the directory on each school's home page), internal e-mail between students (grades 5 and up) and faculty, class pages with resources for every district teacher, calendar information and timely notices, menus, Board of Education minutes, library pages to support learning both in and out of school, and a host of miscellaneous links to keep parents informed.

2. The library pages on the website include extensive resources for students and their families. A few links for parents include: [] http://lrmslibrary.wikispaces.com/Parent+Resources

3. A Parent/Teen booklist is available on the web:[| http://uhs.uniondaleschools.org/www/uniondaleschools_uhs/site/hosting/Library/uhslmcorg/parentteenbooks1.pdf]

A Partial List:
Achieve 3000 __ [|http://www.achieve3000.com] __ Middle school AIS students are getting critical practice in non-fiction reading and writing through this program designed to improve achievement on high-stakes tests. RTIM Direct __ [|http://www.rtimdirect.com] __RTIM Direct is a web-based software solution for tracking and managing Academic Intervention Services. Comprehensive tracking of each student’s entire AIS information appears on one scrollable page and includes assessment, to-do tasks, active intervention details, parent notifications, and progress reports. AIS teachers new to the district should contact J. Friedman for a username and password. APEX Learning __ [|http://apexlearning.com] __ Standards-based online courses are being used in the alternative high school for varied subject areas.

Atomic Learning __ [|http://www.atomiclearning.com] __ Self-directed learners can proceed at their own pace with these helpful online tutorials designed to create tech-savvy individuals!

eChalk [|http://district.uniondaleschools.org] Post your class assignments, resources, events, and news on your personal eChalk page. Publicize your e-mail address so parents can reach you easily. Tired of homework collection routines? You and your secondary school students can take advantage of an eChalk feature, the homework drop-box, which allows students to deposit their homework electronically. Use the lesson plan module to submit your plans for review.

Follett Destiny [|http://follett.uniondaleschools.org] Search for books and other library resources, including ebooks and audiobooks, in all school district library collections with the latest version of

OPAC (online public access catalog) while building information literacy and technology skills. The software even includes a feature that makes a connection between titles and New York State standards and allows websites to be searched according to these standards.

Interactive Whiteboards Every building has at least one mobile interactive white board available for use by interested teachers. An interactive whiteboard, which facilitates active and collaborative learning, is an excellent tool for communicating and problem-solving, naturally enhancing the access students have to information.

Learning.com [|http://www.learning.com]

Middle school computer technology students assess their skills before instruction takes place to allow for improved differentiation, and then follow self-paced modules to provide them with increased opportunities to master the technology skills they are expected to have. Online Databases [] Guide your students to explore research topics with the help of our extensive collection of online databases that have been carefully selected to support curricular needs. See your librarian for a complete list and usernames and passwords. Personal Response Systems Each school has at least one set of this up-to-date technology that allows for immediate feedback.

Teacher Tools Enchanted Learning ([|http://www.enchantedlearning.com]) and ABC Teach ([|http://www.abcteach.com]) offer a wide variety of resources teachers can use in their classrooms. See your librarian for your username and password.

Video Streaming The district’s in-house server for WLIW provides us with fast access and uninterrupted streaming to its vast collection of online videos ( [|http://www.wliw.org] ). PowerMedia Plus ( [|http://www.powermediaplus.com] ) is another video provider that includes a library of images as well as a feature that allows users to create podcasts. BrainPop is a collection of animated topic-related instructional clips and is available in English and Spanish.

Curricular/Testing Support for Learners Study Island ([|http://www.studyisland.com]: grades 2-8) and Castle Learning (__ [|http://www.castlelearning.com] __: grades 3-12) have been acquired to serve as online tutor and practice programs. Check with Janice Friedman’s office for your username and password.

Teachers are learners! Visit My Learning Plan at [|http://www.mylearningplan.com] to register for conferences, workshops, and courses.

VMWare Connect to your files from home using this resource from your mobile device or computer. Exciting new initiatives include a digital textbook pilot program for U. S. History and Living Environment classes, the introduction of iPads to support learning, a rich program of learning at the Cradle of Aviation, and more!

For more information or assistance: Janice FriedmanDirector of Library Media Services and Instructional Integration560-8871; jfriedman@uniondaleschools.org Jennifer LaNasaDistrict Technology Staff Developer560-8972; jlanasa@uniondaleschools.org =See also the School Tools page of this wiki.=