Following the work our Educational Technology Advisory Committee did to establish that a need to improve student learning existed and could be achieved through enhancing and expanding our use of technology, we called for volunteers to explore how to meet that need.
We are grateful to the following individuals that are willing to volunteer their time. Participating in the Educational Technology Planning Committee are:
- Aaron Jacoby, Director of Special Services
- Adrienne Somera, IRE Vice Principal
- Anne Post, IRE LAP Reading Coordinator
- Benjamin Mathew, MHS Student
- Carol Stromberg, MMS Paraeducator
- Cyndi Tennyson, Data Systems Support Specialist
- Dave Brannon, MHS Math/CTE Teacher
- Derek Forbes, MHS Principal/CTE Director
- Emma Binderup, IRE 4th Grade Teacher
- Glenn DePeralta, IRE 3rd Grade Teacher
- James Everett, Superintendent
- Jenni Brown, IRE Technology Teacher
- Joe O’Brien, Director of Technology, Data and Assessment
- Kathy Greshock, MMS Counselor
- Kelcey Funk, MHS Special Education Paraeducator
- Landon Rische, MHS Student
- Sara Kurashige, MP3 Math Teacher
Synopses of Meetings and Relevant Documents:
Tuesday, April 23, 2019
4:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Introductions, setting the goal for this committee and establishing what each person hoped to accomplish by participating. We reviewed Meridian’s Strategic Plan 2018-2023, the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) Essential Conditions for effectively leveraging technology for learning, and introduced the SAMR Model (Substitution, Augmentation, Modification, and Redefinition) of technology integration and the Triple E Framework (Enhance, Extend, Engage), “a practical framework that measures the degree to which the technology in a lesson is helping students meet the learning goals.” We discussed the work of the Advisory Committee, their visit to Burlington Edison School District, and the Identified Needs established by the Advisory Committee.
Tuesday, April 30, 2019
4:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
We were joined by Bill Palmer, Director, Teaching and Learning – Technology Integration for Bellingham Public Schools on their 1-to-1 initiative. Bill walked us through the stages of Bellingham’s implementation from planning to their current status in year two and answered our questions as we think about meeting Meridian’s needs.
- Pre-reading: National Education Technology Plan from the United Stated Department of Education, Office of Educational Technology
Thursday, May 9, 2019
7:15 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Our morning was a visit to Ferndale School District to meet with Ferndale’s Scott Brittain, Assistant Superintendent for Teaching and Learning, and Katie Dorr, Teaching and Learning TOSA. They walked us through seven years of Ferndale’s one-to-one implementation, with a strong focus on how technology can be leveraged to provide equity in student learning and create greater student engagement by providing access to learning content at a student’s level. Our visit to Ferndale High School, we met with Principal Jeremy Vincent, staff and students as we toured their building and saw how Ferndale uses Canvas and Microsoft Office 365 with OneNote with students. On our return to Meridian, we reflected on our visit and discussed elements we would incorporate as we plan for Meridian’s needs. A thank you to Scott, Katie, Jeremy and his staff and students for welcoming us, their time and sharing their experience with us.
Wednesday, May 15, 2019
7:15 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Our morning was a visit to Bellingham’s Kulshan Middle School, where we met with Bill Palmer and were introduced to Tommy Lingbloom, Educational Technology Coach for Kulshan. We continued our previous discussion on Bellingham’s implementation and how Bellingham utilizes their Teaching and Learning team and Educational Technology Coaches to work with teachers in improving student learning. A focus on pedagogy and best practices, supported by the use of technology, was evident as we toured classrooms and spoke with middle school students as they were actively engaged in ELA and Math content through Microsoft OneNote. Meredith Attar, Educational Technology Coach for Roosevelt Elementary, joined us to share about her role and technology integration at the elementary level. We returned to Meridian and reflected on our visit and discussed elements to include in our vision. We had a brief conversation on Washington State Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction’s (OSPI) adopted K-12 Educational Technology Learning Standards. As a final discussion activity, we “toured” Meridian and reflected on our own instruction and technology. Thank you Bill, Tommy, Meredith and Kulshan staff and students for your welcome, your time and sharing your experience with us.
Tuesday, May 21, 2019
4:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Develop Recommendations
Tuesday May 28, 2019
4:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Develop Recommendations
Tuesday, June 4, 2019
4:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Finalize Recommendations
Wednesday, June 12, 2019
4:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Finalize Recommendations