Research Plan Goals and Outline

Goals:

1. Create a new technology integration program and curriculum for English/ Language Arts classrooms that will benefit teachers and students by increasing hands on learning and student achievement.
2. Increase teacher’s knowledge of technology use in the classroom by providing professional development trainings on the subject.
3. Increase the use of technology in English/ Language Arts classrooms by incorporating the use of laptops and CPS units.
4. Increase student achievement in all English/ Language Arts classes and other core areas.
5. Continually look for ways to incorporate the use of technology in all core classes.

Action Step	Person(s) Responsible	Timeline: Start/End	Resources	Evaluation
1. Meet with the Principal: Identify the need to increase the use of technology in the classroom.	Principal Lauren Burris	Prior to the first day of school July 2010- August 2010	2009-2010 AYP Reports Teacher / Principal Feedback Observations Interviews	In meeting with the principal, I plan to look at the data for the ELA classes and identify the need to increase the use of technology in the classrooms. We will also discuss observations from previous years and the best way to incorporate the action research project.
2. Meet with the SBDM team to analyze data in the area of English/ Language Arts from AYP reports, end of course assessments, and teacher observations.	Principal Lauren Burris SBDM team English/ Language Arts Teachers	Meet within the first two weeks of school. July 2010- August 2010	2009-2010 AYP Reports End of Course Assessments Teacher Observation Reports Teacher Questionnaire	While meeting with the SBDM team, I will introduce why this project what chose based on the meeting that took place with the principal, analyze the data more thoroughly with all members in attendance and match our needs directly to the action research plan. It is also important that the SBDM team agrees upon the action plan goals.
3. Interview teachers of the focus group (7th Grade ELA) to brainstorm lessons and activities that will incorporate the use of technology in the classroom using laptops and CPS Units.	English/ Language Arts Teachers Lauren Burris	August 2010- September 2010	ELA Curriculum Technology Curriculum Informal discussions/ Interviews with teachers Observations	Based on the data, we will begin to brainstorm lessons and activities that will incorporate the use of technology in the classroom. We will make sure it aligns with the districts ELA and technology curriculum. We will look back at previous years in coming up with these lessons and make sure they will meet the needs of our students.
4. Determine resources that will be needed in order for ELA teachers to incorporate effective lessons using technology.	English/ Language Arts Teachers Lauren Burris SBDM team Technology Liaison	September 2010	List of possible lessons and activities Laptops CPS Units ELA Curriculum Technology Curriculum Interviews with teachers and technology liaison Verification of resources available by district	As a group, most likely in another meeting, we will discuss the list of lessons and activities that were brainstormed, verify the materials that are available through the district, and make any changes where necessary based on what is discussed in the meeting.
5. Determine the possible pros and cons of the action research project. Make sure the plan is designed to avoid as many pit-falls as possible.	English/ Language Arts Teachers Lauren Burris SBDM team	September 2010	Data from technology driven districts Interviews with Principal and ELA teachers Interviews with various technology driven districts Researched pros and cons	Based on the data found from other technology driven districts, we will review findings with SBDM team and ELA teachers and discuss the possible pros and cons on completing this project on our campus. We will also discuss ways to avoid any potential pit-falls that could occur.
6. Provide professional development sessions to train teacher on how to use and integrate technology in the classroom.	District technology liaison English/ Language Arts Teachers Lauren Burris	September 2010	Laptops CPS Units Time reserved for PD sessions End of training survey/ evaluation Informal discussions/ Interviews with teachers	Once the professional development training has take place, I will have the participants complete a survey/ evaluation on the effectiveness and allow them to address and new concerns they may have. From there, I will look over the information from the surveys and make any necessary changes before the project begins.
7. Incorporate lessons using laptops and CPS Units 2-3 times per week in the English/ Language Arts focus group	English/ Language Arts Teachers Lauren Burris	October 2010- November 2010	Laptops CPS Units ELA curriculum Technology Curriculum Observations in classrooms Student and Teacher participation survey	This is the part of the project that will span the longest. Once proper training is given and curriculum is developed, the focus groups will being their technology driven lessons 2-3 times per week. This will take place for approximately two months. Throughout this part I plan to do informal walkthroughs, and hold meetings every other week with the ELA teachers and SBDM team to discuss the progress. Surveys will be given at the end.
8. Evaluate the effectiveness of incorporating the use of technology in the ELA classrooms with our focus group.	Principal SBDM team English/ Language Arts Teachers Lauren Burris	December 2010	Mid Term Assessments Observations Student Work Student and Teacher Surveys	By the end of the first semester, I will use the following resources to identify strengths and weakness of our project. I will look at mid term assessments, my personal observations, student work, and the surveys that will be given at the end.
9. Share action research project results with students, teachers, parents, the district, and any other stakeholders.	Principal Lauren Burris	Beginning of the 2nd semester January 2010	Cafeteria or gym reservation after school Project Power Point Presentation Student Work Survey results Project information Before and After Data Results	Once the project is concluded, I will hold an open oral presentation after school to share my project. Using the power point presentation to guide the meeting, I will outline the background information on the project, before and after data results broken down, show examples of student work, share survey results, and hold a brief Q & A at the end of the meeting.