May 2003 — Seeds of Innovation
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Standards-Based Curriculum Development
\par \par\par In 1996, the Hawaii Education Department began E-School (www.eschool.k12.hi.us) to offer supplemental high school courses to bridge the digital divide and increase learning opportunities for students from neighboring island schools. Small islands represent an underserved population of Hawaii's school-aged students, with 43% percent of the students who participate in E-School coming from these neighboring islands. Over the course of the grant period, more than 70 courses have been developed. The virtual environment makes course offerings more convenient and accessible than in traditional settings.
\par \par \par\par Teacher Training Projects
\par \par\par Several projects train teachers and use them in the curriculum-development process. Project TIPS, developed by Jim Carroll and J'e Montecalvo of Syracuse University, has transformed secondary education throughout the Bronx High Schools district. Teachers integrate the Public Policy Analyst to identify a social problem, gather evidence, determine the causes and develop solutions. New lessons and units are aligned with particular content standards through the development of TIP quest sites at www.maxwell.syr.edu/plegal/tips.html.
\par \par\par Project SEED (http://seed.maine center.org) is a statewide system using peer-to-peer networking to bridge the gap between technology and Maine classrooms. SEED cultivates the great ideas of Maine teachers and shares them with others based on its curriculum framework, "High-Quality Teaching and Learning with Technology," which provides the roots for SEED's work with teachers who develop units of study in all content areas. Teachers report increased awareness and more use of state standards in designing instruction and assessing student performance.
\par \par\par T4: Transforming Teaching Through Technology is a Chicago-based project that uses a trainer-of-trainers model to provide professional development. Master teachers have developed technology-rich, multidisciplinary, standards-based Web quests that are an invaluable tool for the novice teachers to incorporate technology into their curriculum. These Web quests, which are free and searchable by grade, subject or Illinois standard, can be accessed online at www.ticg.cps.k12.il.us.
\par \par\par The Maryland Technology Academy (www.mdtechacademy.org; http://cte.jhu.edu/mtc) has trained cadres of teachers (known as fellows) to design instruction aligned with Maryland standards. Academy Fellows, in collaboration with administrators and peers, develop a technology-based instructional school-improvement plan. The focus of the plan is in constructing and assessing student learning activities that incorporate technology to support the Maryland Content Standards, Skills for Success and the state curriculum.
\par \par\par The West Virginia TurnKey Solution is a TICG program that provides technology and curriculum integration training to teachers. The first phase of training introduces teachers to technology tools and the application of those tools in the classroom. In phase two, technology standards are applied to the curriculum. The Solution Site (www.thesolutionsite.com), created as a result of this initiative, provides tested technology-rich, student-centered lessons.
