This proposal focuses on creating systemic change throughout our school culture. By providing all students with access to personal digital assistants (PDAs), we are working toward reducing the digital divide that exists between students in our community. Our idea of distributing a lower cost technology, school-wide over a period of three years makes it possible to empower all students with a small microcomputer that can transform how students work, teachers instruct, and parents communicate in today's “video game” society. Use of the PDAs will include instructional and content applications as well as time management and organizational content.

Use of PDAs will offer ubiquitous access to resources for teachers, students, and administrators. Professional development of teachers will provide opportunities for collaboration, reflection, and peer coaching in addition to the more traditional workshops. This ongoing and sustained professional development will provide teachers with the support they need to infuse technology into their classrooms. Professional development will go beyond focusing on the hardware and delve into instructional methods, delivery, design, and assessment models. Learning opportunities will be extended to parents so that the anticipated transformation in the learning culture includes all stakeholders within the school community. Email access, as well as the establishment of a Web Board, will facilitate enhanced communication within the school community.

These technologies will allow for increased sharing of information, thoughtful reflection, guided discussions, and essential feedback as we move forward with this project. Involvement of local administrators in technology leadership training will guarantee the thoughtful evaluation and assessment of this school reform with a focus on improved student learning. Establishing partnerships with EASTCON, UCONN, CSSA, Parks & Recreation, MMSA, CO-OP Bookstore, Town of Mansfield, and the Mansfield Public Library will ensure that the changes are far-reaching and permanent. Embracing the ideas of collaboration and cooperation allows limited resources to be shared outside of the walls of the school and facilitates local adult literacy providers in meeting their goals.

The melding of theory and application within the instructional environment will provide us with the data necessary to improve our integration of technology. A thoughtful analysis of our experiences will make it possible for this project to be replicated across schools and across the state. School staff, currently engaged in research methodologies and up-to-date in current educational issues, offers an added support to the research-based component of this grant. We believe that implementation of our grant offers the real potential to effectively Enhance Education Through Technology in support of student achievement.

 

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