Project Purpose and Objectives:

The purpose of this project is to improve student and teacher access to technology based integrated instructional resources and to promote the implementation and integration of digital media in the technology applications TEKS of the core content curriculum.

Participants:

Kindergarten through 12th grade teachers. So far, 28 teachers have participated in this project. Eventually, we hope every teacher in the Austin Independent School District will use this integrated curriculum in their classroom.

Project Description: 

The AISD Community Stories Project combines professional development along with hands-on computer skills training for teachers to enable them to use a variety of web 2.0 and digital media tools to create digital stories with their students as an avenue for promoting and understanding the diversity of the AISD community. Selected teachers will participate in high-quality, standards-based professional development that will give them the tools they need to help their students apply technology integrated skills in the classroom. In addition to the digital media training, teachers will participate in a 42 hour hands-on integrated professional development course entitled:  Intel Teach Essentials 10. The Intel Essentials 10 professional development will help teachers integrate 21st century skills in their classroom. Teachers will develop a project-based unit of instruction aligned to Texas state standards. The Intel Essentials 10 course will also allow teachers to effective use technology in their classrooms, work in teams to problem-solve, use new communication and collaborative learning technologies and use a variety of instructional design, project approaches and multiple levels of assessments. This project will create a learning community among teachers, offer students opportunities for increasing their communication and digital literacy skills, and initiate partnerships between families, communities, and schools. The project will also enhance student learning by providing hands-on computer skills training for both students and teachers in the use of computer hardware and applications.

Project Goals:

First, teachers will learn strategies and techniques for connecting families, communities, and schools. Partnerships between families, schools, and community members can create powerful opportunities for student learning. Effective collaboration among these groups also can yield results that mutually support different segments and diversity of the education community. Second, teachers will be provided with a variety of technology training and resources to enable them to successfully complete these digital media projects in their classrooms. Finally, this project will adhere to AISD Results Policy 5.1- Understanding and respecting the broad range of cultures, languages, and belief structures.