ECIS Conference

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• ECIS Conference
• Madrid 2007
• Supporting And Enhancing PYP Instruction
• Through Technology
• How one International School is trying to
  integrate
• more Information Technology in the classrooms and
  the PYP
• Tom Darlow Instructional Technology Coordinator
  Primary School
• Alan Preis Instructional Technology Coordinator
  K-12
• Atlanta International School
• www.alanpreis.com/presentations

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• What is the evidence for
• the need to include IT
• in elementary education?
• www.alanpreis.com/presentations

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•  Stratham and Torell (1996) reported data on 200
  studies
•                With proper implementation,
  computer technology can transform the classroom
  and create a superior learning environment.
• Kulik and Kulik (1991) reported data based on
  240 studies
•                In 81 of studies, students in
  computer-based instruction had higher exam scores
  than those students without technology. On
  average, students in the computer class worked at
  62 percentile while those who were not in the
  computer class worked at the 50 percentile.
• Kulik (2003) reviewed a further 75 controlled
  evaluation studies
•                Evaluation studies suggest that
  instructional technology is growing increasingly
  effective in elementary and secondary
  schools... 

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• Reports with mixed conclusion on IT
• Lorson (1991), Young (1997, p51), and University
  of Munich (2004, p210)
• A common concession, in most negative reviews,
  (Armstrong and Casement, (2000)) is that
  technology is successful when tied closely to
  learning objectives
• Of course the IB says
•           ICT provides opportunity for the
  enhancement of learning, and may  significantly
  support student in their enquiries and in
  developing their conceptual understanding.
• Stratham and Torell (2002) suggested some
  conclusion in their review of literature (200
  studies)
• - One computer is needed for every two to five
  students
• - Students must have a minimum of one hour per
  day on a computer 
• - Teachers need to integrate computers and
  curriculum into the teaching
• and learning process
• - Teachers must be trained to use computers
  effectively 

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• Does Information Technology
• fit
• within the PYP?
• www.alanpreis.com/presentations

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PYP Transdisciplinary skills IT skills in
Grades 2, 3 and 4
 
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(No Transcript)
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• Where did
• Atlanta International School
• start from in terms of Information Technology?

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• Successful international school with
  approximately 900 (500 primary) students in
  Atlanta, USA
• A respected IB Primary Years Programme with dual
  language instruction
• Library a small workspace of 15 computers, and 10
  IB computers
• Shared computer spaces, but no true instructional
  labs
• Some use of technology in instruction, via
  self-selection
• No support from specialists
• No document or clear integration into the Primary
  Years Programme
• Minimal capital and operational IT budgets
• Student/computer ratio of over 301
• Odd pieces of additional equipment such as LCD,
  but no consistency
• www.alanpreis.com/presentations

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• What were the catalysts for change?
• www.alanpreis.com/presentations

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• Faculty began to apply more pressure on
  administrators on the need for IT
• The shift of IT support to an educational
  perspective from a technical role
• The State of Georgia was making funding available
  for IT
• The State of Georgia was also publishing
  documentation
• The MYP had a large IT component
• Peer schools internationally and locally were
  clearly moving ahead in IT
• IT became a concern amongst upper school parents
• Mass and local media were focusing more on IT and
  education
• Australian Suzy Edwards identified three
  catalysts to change in her small study in
  Melbourne, Australia
•                    1. They feel schools need to
  remain up to date with technology 
•                    2. School management decided
  to use computers more 

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• What were the barriers to change?

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• Success - we were a very successful school in
  terms of our dual language program and PYP
  curriculum
•                                          
• We would have to spend 300,000 in three years on
  IT
• Lack of expertise in the area of education and
  technology combined
• Lack of accessible good models on what to do with
  technology, IB, publications and peer schools -
  Boni Hamilton
• Time for planning and training of faculty. Bauer
  and Kenton (2005) noted that teachers need more
  time for planning IT activities
• How do we get buy-in? Parents, students and
  teachers are all key stakeholders that we need to
  get buy-in from.

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• What were the initial actions
• to integrate IT?
• www.alanpreis.com/presentations

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• Investment of 300,000 on hardware
• Arrival of IT Coordinator with an educational
  background (Alan)
• - Linking the PYP, MYP and IB
• Appointment of Tom for the Primary School
•  - Half and half, not an IT teacher,
  support and encourage
•         - Grade Level Leader
•       - Focus was IT
•      
• Early strategies worthy of note
• - Talking, living and breathing IT in a
  positive light
• - Keeping IT on the agenda during faculty
  meetings
• - Spending time talking to teachers, making
  deposits Covey (2003)
• - Focusing on a theme of removing the hassle
  of computers
• - Focusing on those teachers who were receptive
  to more technology in their rooms, empower to
  make the decision in their rooms
• - Working closely with curriculum coordinators
  to get invitations to meetings
  initially to listen, but then to suggest

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• And coping with less than enthusiastic?
• This presentation can be found at
  www.alanpreis.com

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•                                         
• When working with teachers Stephen Covey (2003)
  book
• The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People proved
  useful.
• Covey prompts people to focus on areas they
  influence only
• Proactive people focus their efforts in the
  Circle of Influence. They work on the things they
  can do something about. Not wasting time and
  energy on the area of concern.

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• What worked?

www.alanpreis.com/presentations
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• Start from where you are, do not rush, you cannot
  drag people
• Look closely at class teachers delivering the IT
  curriculum
• Have educator at the top of an IT department
• Positive personality, positive presentation and
  listening are so important
• Get a focused aim or objective for what you are
  trying to do with IT
• Answer this question early on What drives IT?
• Look hard at laptop stations and computer pods
• Investigate software released by the publishers
  of school material
• Tap local resources State resources,
  Professional Development money, Galileo
• Look closely at Smart Boards

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• Bibliography
• Armstrong, A. and Casement, C. (2000) The Child
  and the Machine. Robins Lane Press.
• Baucer, J. and Kenton, J. 2005. Toward technology
  integration in the schools why it isnt
  happening. Journal of Technology and Teacher
  Education 13.4  
• Covey. S. R. (2003) The 7 Habits of Highly
  Effective People. Covey co.
• Edwards. S. 2005. The Reasoning behind the scene
  why do early childhood educators use computers in
  their classrooms? Australian Journal of Early
  Childhood 30.4.  
• Hamilton.B. (2007). Integrating Technology in the
  Primary Grades. ISTE Publications.
• International Baccalaureate Organization. 2007.
  Primary Years Programme. Making the PYP Happen A
  curriculum framework for international Primary
  education. IBO
• Kulik, Chen-Lin C. and James A. Kulik. (1991).
  Effectiveness of Computer-Based Instruction An
  Updated Analysis. Computers in Human Behavior
  775-94
• Kulik. J. A 2003. Effects of Using Instructional
  Technology in Elementary and Secondary Schools
  What Controlled Evaluation Studies Say. SRI
  International Project number P10446.001  
• Lorson, Mark V. 1991. A Comparison of
  Microcomputer-Based Laboratories and Traditional
  Laboratory Methods in the High School Chemistry
  Laboratory. Doctoral dissertation, The Ohio
  State University. Dissertation Abstracts
  International, 52, No 03A (1991) 0870. (UMI
  Number AAG9120688)  

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• Tom Darlow
• Instructional Technology Coordinator Primary
  School
• tdarlow_at_aischool.org
• Alan Preis
• Instructional Technology Coordinator K-12
• apreis_at_aischool.org
• Atlanta International School
• This presentation can be found at
• www.alanpreis.com/presentations