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.