Congratulations to the 2009 winners!

Many thanks to all who applied for the Classroom Redesign project and the 21clc teams. An exciting future awaits us. We had a great response for the first year of the project. We hope next year brings even more applicants as more teachers in the district see what a difference we can make in how our students learn.

Classroom Redesign Project Selected Applicants
* Each will receive a classroom set of mini laptop computers and a mobile laptop recharge station.
BHS: Lindley Weygandt, Tammy Gillmore, Peggy Wells, Ann Ballard
BJHS: Jeanne Roepcke

21st Century Learning Community Teams
Team 2 from Sulphur Rock:
Stacey Lindsey, team leader
Jack Sanders, Lisa Horton, Laura Howard, Tina Montgomery, Elaine Vinson, Sherry Flood, Debra Smith

Team 3 from BJHS:
Jeanne Roepcke, team leader
Brent Bogy, Sheila Walls, Lily Peugeot

Team 4 from BHS:
Tammy Gillmore, team leader
Ann Ballard, Carla James, Kathy Walter, Betty Barnett, Jay Williams

We'll soon be posting details about kicking off our collaboration!

21st Century Learning Community Teams: What are they?

The 21st Century has spawned a host of digital tools that make it possible--like never before--to learn in new ways. These tools empower teachers, connecting them with colleagues and resources from around the world. These tools enable teachers to teach in new and more effective ways--to connect their students with the world and to equip them with digital skills and thinking skills necessary to thrive in the 21st Century workforce.

Batesville School District is launching the 21st Century Learning Community initiative, an effort to create small teams of teachers and administrators who will collaborate to learn what it means to teach and learn in the 21st Century. The District is currently accepting applications for two new 21^st Century Learning Community teams. The teams will begin their collaboration this summer

and will continue for a three-year cycle.

21clc Goals:

• Develop small collaborative teams to explore 21^st Century skills and effective teaching strategies in a project and inquiry-based learning environment.
• Equip teachers with the skills and strategies needed to become innovative educators in a global and digital society.
• Allocate professional development hours to allow members time to collaborate to improve their pedagogy.
• Model lifelong learning.

21CLC OVERVIEW

A 21clc team is comprised of four to seven certified teachers from any one campus plus an administrator, coach, or specialist. All members agree to collaborate as a team for a three-year cycle. The team, working with facilitator, Lisa Huff, meets two days during the summer, after school once a month throughout the school year, and one Saturday during the school year. Additionally, the team uses digital tools to collaborate online. Using hands-on activities and project and inquiry-based learning, the team focuses on these essential questions and collaborate to produce the following projects:

	Essential Question	Projects
Year 1	How can I use digital tools to learn and teach?	Create an electronic portfolio showing progress toward the NETS for Teachers or Administrators standards. Read and discuss A Whole New Mind by Daniel Pink. Post reflections to your blog.
Year 2	How can I use project-based and inquiry-based learning with my students?	Redesign and implement a unit you currently teach to have students learn through inquiry or project-based learning. Read and discuss Understanding by Design by Grant Wiggins and Jay McTighe. Post reflections to your blog. Showcase a student project in the Batesville School District 21st Century Showcase.
Year 3	How can I design authentic collaborations that connect my students with peers and/or experts beyond the school walls?	Design and implement a project-or inquiry-based unit that allows students to collaborate with learners or experts beyond the school walls. Read and discuss a book selected by the team. Post reflections to your blog. Showcase collaborative student project in the Batesville School District 21st Century Showcase.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT HOURS

All team members earn thirty (30) hours of professional development hours each school year during the three-year cycle. Team members commit to the following meeting dates:

• This Summer: July 13 & 20 (Team 2) or July 14 & 21 (Team 3)
• After-School: One hour after school (3:30-4:30) each month (August, September, October, November, January, February, March, April)
• One Saturday: A date selected by the team.

HOW TO APPLY

To apply, each team member must complete an online application no later than April 10.

QUESTION & ANSWER SESSION

The district will host a question and answer session about the project and application process on April 3, 2009, at 3:45 in the Batesville High School computer lab. This meeting is optional and will not affect the score on the application. If you have questions or need help, e-mail Lisa Huff (lhuff@batesvilleschools.com).

Classroom Redesign: PRINCIPAL Online Application

Each teacher applying for the Classroom Redesign Project must have his or her principal complete the principal application below. Applications must be submitted no later than April 10.

21clc Team Member Application

Complete and submit the online form below to apply to form a 21st Century Learning Community Team. Each team member must submit a separate application.

Classroom Redesign: Project Overview

The Batesville School District is launching a Classroom Redesign Project to furnish selected teachers with classroom sets of laptops. Certified teachers in the district may apply for participation in the program.

The PROGRAM GOALS are to:
• Empower teachers with classroom technologies that enable them to transform the way they teach.
• Equip students with 21st Century Literacy that will allow them to compete in today’s global market.
• Improve student achievement.

APPLICATION PROCESS
A district committee will use a competitive application process to select teachers to participate. Using a rubric to evaluate applications, the committee will base their choices on a teacher’s interest in providing students greater access to technology and a proven ability to collaborate, cooperate, and invest time in learning new tools and strategies to improve academic achievement.

TRANSFORMATIVE TOOLS
The selected teachers will each receive a classroom set of mini laptop computers, a storage/charging station, and ongoing support through collaborative staff development. Teachers will also receive additional tools (headphones, digital cameras, digital video cameras…) as funds become available.

STRATEGIES TO MAXIMIZE PROGRAM SUCCESS
The following actions will help ensure teachers have the support and strategies to succeed in the project:
• The Project Director, Lisa Huff, will coordinate monthly meetings with participating teachers to assess the progress of the program and to facilitate continuing staff development.
• Teachers will document the progress of the project by publishing weekly entries on their blogs.
• Administrators will complete the ISTE Classroom Observation Tool when observing participating teachers.
• Teachers will display a student project at the Batesville School District 21st Century Classrooms Showcase May 17, 2010.

IMPORTANT NOTE
Participants in the program are required to attend five days of training in the summer: June 8-12 and July 27.

QUESTION & ANSWER SESSION
The district will host a question and answer session about the project and application process on April 10, 2009, at 3:45 in the Batesville High School computer lab. This meeting is optional and will not affect a participant’s score on the application.

HOW TO APPLY
Apply online no later than April 17, 2009. You can access a print-friendly copy of the application and the application rubric the the sidebar.

Classroom Redesign: TEACHER Online Application

To apply for the Batesville School District Classroom Redesign Project, complete the application below. You may type directly into each box, or word process your responses and copy and paste them in the boxes. Each applicant please submit ONLY ONE application. Notice that each applicant must submit the teacher application form, and his or her principal must submit the principal form.

Applications must be submitted no later than April 10, 2009.

If you have questions or need help, please e-mail Lisa Huff (lhuff@batesvilleschools.org) or Debbie Miller (dmiller@batesvilleschools.org).