eLearning Module

This project is very exciting. It is the first step for me in providing e-Learning support for our teachers (at least that is my plan!).
Guiding Question:
How can unobtrusive, just-in-time technology support be provided to teachers in the classrooms to support technology integration into instruction and student learning?
Goals:
Short Range: Using new resources make an easily accessible, on-line, interactive HelpDesk for all staff to support classroom integration with ActivInspire
Mid-Range: Evaluate usage and assess value; Expand HelpDesks as appropriate and where resources allow
Long-Range: Add on-line Technology Integration classes, discussions, to HelpDesks

Objective:
To give teachers an easy resource to consult and a place to post new questions to support their efforts to integrate Technology seamlessly into instruction and student learning activities.
I work for a public school district so our teachers serve preK through 12 grade students, including all the core content those classes require, plus all of the electives in the secondary, and support services such as counselors, OT, PT, etc. Our overall target with technology is to move classrooms to the OSPI Tier 3 of Technology Integration in the Classroom so that students are using technology on a daily basis to support and expand their learning. Moving classrooms in that direction requires that teachers move in that direction too.
Technology as an end in itself has some value for teacher productivity but it is especially important in teacher instruction. To facilitate the use of tools now in many of our classrooms – particularly the ACTIVboard - classes are offered centrally and also on-site in the schools. But at this time there is nothing to help the teacher who is stuck during his/her planning time, after school, or any other time the teacher may be working with the software in preparing instruction or student learning activities.
To ‘hook’ teachers on e-Learning my plan is to start with a first module on the ActivInspire software which is the software which runs the ACTIVboard.
Module #1:
This first module will be created on social media software we are calling Connect. The outline pictured at the top of this document shows the site itself with an graphic of the initial videos to be included in the site.
The HelpDesk will include:
Blog: Introduction to purpose of the site, invitation to review the current Help files on the basic ActivInspire tools, updates about Promethean Planet, new drivers, etc.
Forums: Questions from teachers on how-to’s not currently in the Help files, discussions on how to integrate flipcharts into specific curriculum
Media Galleries: Separate galleries of Help files created using Captivate posted so teachers can select the specific area, click on the ‘how-to’ file to help them solve the problem they have run into while working.
Wiki pages: I am not quite sure how these will be utilized yet. I anticipate at this point that they will be instructions on registering ActivVotes or ActivExpressions as those are not suited to a quick video ‘how-to’.
Further Modules
Much will depend on the response to the first module. We have already successful ly run book studies using this system. Interaction from teachers in the book studies was fairly minimal so was not a deterrent to those uncomfortable with the technology.
From the basic HelpDesk e-Learnings my plan would be to expand to truly curriculum based e-Learning classes such as:
Technology Integration into the Classroom – Elementary with Subgroups: K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or even subject specific at primary and intermediate
Technology Integration into the Classroom – Middle School with Subgroups: subject specific
Technology Integration into the Classroom – High School with Subgroups: department and subject specific
Until this class we were going to go with Moodle which is Linux based. However after the assignment comparing two CMS systems for this class I referred Sakai to my two web staff. After reviewing Sakai they are seriously considering it instead of Moodle – despite the more complex initial installation and support - as it is Windows based.