Middle School Teachers Rock!

I spent this week working and collaborating with the teachers from Lindero, ACStelle and AEWright! It was so much fun to introduce tools and watch the light bulbs go off as they created ways to incorporate them into lessons!  I am in the process of setting up a place for us to share out these ideas from school to school so that everyone can benefit and learn from each other.

This was our first official training intended to prepare teachers for the January laptop roll out and I am very excited by the enthusiasm I saw !  The next meeting are scheduled for:

LCMS 12/8

AEW   12/9

ACS    12/11

Again there will be a morning session 8:30-11:30 this time for Science and Math teachers and an afternoon session 12:30-3:15 ELA and SS.  

We are also offering the option to attend an after school session instead of being pulled out of your class  this session will be held on December 3rd at the district office from 3-5:30. If you have any questions contact klagola@lvusd.org.

I look forward to seeing you all soon! Have a great Thanksgiving!! Enjoy a little turkey and football!

Time to Wonder: Lisa Highfill

As we embark on our Forward Learning program that places computers in 6th graders hands, I'm moved to ask WHY? Why has technology integration become a game changer in the classroom? Last night, while checking my Twitter feed, I came across a dynamic teacher that I have had an opportunity to learn from and be inspired by. In 13 minutes she answered WHY it's imperative that we invest in teachers to lead students through their educational journey. Not to mention, this shiny new tool may also spark a passion in us, as educators, to inspire the love of learning in others.

Expanding Our Horizons

The Elementary Forward Learning
Team at Rio Norte Elementary School

This last Thursday we hosted a great day of learning with our elementary pilot teachers from Round Meadow and White Oak Elementary Schools, as well as our middle school mentors. The day began with a trip to the Rio School District, just a few miles away in Oxnard. Rio is making great strides in building technology-rich, next-generation learning environments for staff and students in grades three and up, utilizing many of the methodologies and technologies we are using in the Forward Learning program.

One of our stops was Rio del Norte Elementary School, where we met up with Dr. Mike Vollmert, Director of Technology for the Rio School District, and Principal Jake Waltrip. This school has been 1:1 for 3 years  in grades 3 through 5 with laptops similar to those we will be deploying to our middle schools in January. Having visited this school about a year ago, it was amazing to see the ongoing classroom transformation taking place there. The learning spaces are designed for collaboration and group work, easily adjustable to the needs of the activity.

Obviously, this transformation of the learning space took time - the classroom above was organized as a series of long tables last year, and was even more traditional the year before that. But in speaking with classroom teachers and district leadership, there is no doubt that the introduction of continuous, ubiquitous, and transparent technology into the classroom was a driving force in the profound changes to the space, the instructional strategy, and personalization of learning.

After visiting Rio del Norte we visited another elementary school and Rio Vista Middle School to get a feel for the diversity of the district. Rio Vista, in particular, was only a year into their technology infusion, so it was an excellent opportunity for our team to experience and understand that the infusion of technology is a process that takes time. 

Our team returned to LVUSD inspired with great ideas and strategies for infusing technology in our classrooms. It's always great to step outside of our comfort zones and expand our horizons!

Teacher Kick-Off

The Forward Learning Teacher Kick-Off days are right around the corner!  All 6th grade teachers, Site Tech Mentors and teachers that want to learn more about the program should attend.  6th grade teachers and mentors will receive their teacher laptop at this time.  Sessions are being offered at each middle school site the dates and times are:

10/29- LCMS 2-4 pm

10/30- AEW 3-5pm

11/5- ACS 1-3pm

If you are unable to make the training at your site please make sure you attend one of the other dates available.  I look forward to seeing you soon and working together to create a successful program!

Forward Learning Launch!

We are pleased to announce the launch of the Forward Learning Initiative, LVUSD's strategic technology plan designed to bring next-generation learning into all LVUSD classrooms! Beginning this fall, Forward Learning will provide extensive professional development, enhanced data systems and services, and personal mobile technology for students and staff. Key objectives of the initiative include:

• Building a tech-savvy instructional staff that utilizes technology regularly to enhance and personalize instruction in the classroom
• Increasing student academic achievement to meet Common Core State Standards
• Nurturing globally-aware, college, career, and life-ready students

While we understand that technology can be a powerful tool to increase both efficiency and academic achievement, we recognize that a thoughtful approach to integrating technology into our instructional programs is essential to improve upon District and student successes.

The most important element of a successful technology plan is a well-trained and prepared instructional staff. Therefore, the Forward Learning Initiative contains extensive staff development and support for teachers. In addition, a comprehensive mentor/coach program will be established, with mentors at each school taking the role of lead-technologist for the school site. All teachers will also benefit from additional release time for collaboration and group work, with District specialists providing job-embedded modeling and professional development throughout the school year.

Beyond staff development, the Forward Learning plan identifies specific curriculum goals and strategies for the District to reach those goals. Teachers and students will use personal technology and a variety of tools within the District’s digital ecosystem to evaluate, communicate, collaborate, share, and swap content and other digital creations. 

The Forward Learning program will be rolled out using a phased approach, with all sixth grade teachers and students being the focus for the 2014-15 school year. In subsequent years, students in grades three, six, and nine will be integrated into the program, with students from the prior year’s efforts carrying their technology to their next subsequent grade level.

We're thrilled at the opportunity to take these exciting steps, and look forward to working with teachers, students, staff, parents, and the community to bring even greater success to LVUSD classrooms in the very near future!

For further information, please see the following:

• Forward Learning Executive Summary
• Forward Learning (Full) Strategic Technology Plan