| Description: |
The WIU/Ameritech TechKnowledgy Project is a state-wide telecommunications-based staff development program for Illinois K-12 educators. Through a partnership with the Illinois State Board of Education, its seven regional Learning Technology hubs and WIU, the projects addresses Illinois’ need for intensive, on-going teacher training in the effective use of communications technologies.
The training sequence provides K-12 educators with access to face-to-face sessions as well as telecommunications technologies such as the Internet, listservs, videoconferencing and e-mail. According to their individual needs and interests, educators learn how to use connections software and tools for accessing Internet resources; to adapt research-based methodology to best promote and support students’ learning with technology; to design curriculum-based telecommunications technology; to design curriculum-based telecommunications projects for students; and to expand their own learning communities and connections to external resources and ideas.
In the first year of the grant, participating schools in the Central Illinois Technology Leaning hubs were able to apply for mini-grants to address various methods to integrate technology into the curriculum. In year two of the grant, the mini-grant applications will be available state-wide.
Grant recipients received training on engaged learning, asynchronous learning, and the utilization of the Virtual Teaching and Learning Community.
Grantees:
- Warren Elementary School, Monmouth, IL, is using Internet tools and e-mail with 5th grade students to communicate with a class and veterinarian in Alaska. They are tracking the progression of the Yukon Quest International Sled Dog Race.
- Westmer Elementary School, Joy, IL, is utilizing e-mail, zip drives, and quick cams with students to research Newberry and Caldecott award winning books so that the students can create their own short stories and design covers.
- Franklin High School, Franklin, IL, has students creating Franklin Anthology, an electronic project based on Edgar Lee Masters’ work, Spoon River Anthology. Using on-line research tools, e-mail, and digital scanners, the class researched the communities in the Masters work and posted their research on a website.
- Westview Elementary School, Canton, IL, has first grade students creating their own virtual book club by using the Internet, videoconferencing, e-mail, listservs, and bulletin boards to host their own discussions of books with other first graders and interested parties.
- Blaine-Sumner Middle School, Peoria, IL, is involving special education students from several classes in creating a garden in the school yard after doing extensive research on the Internet and through e-mail. Digital cameras are used to document the project's progress on a website.
- Westview Elementary School, Canton, IL, uses CD-ROMs and the Internet with third grade students to research habitats of different countries. Students also videoconference with other students and primary sources who can supplement and enhance the classroom project.
- Jamaica High School, Sidell, IL, has high school math students in the Tech Prep program planning, designing, and constructing 10 data cabling devices called patch panels. The project brings the school's computer lab up to industry standards and extends the network connection to the science lab. The process is recorded on a digital camera and is published on a networking information website.
- Avon Junior Senior High School, Avon, IL, uses Internet research methods so that students, after reading Alex Haley's Roots, can investigate Haley's methods in revealing his past. Students then complete their family trees gaining assistance from genealogy professionals via e-mail.
- Northmoor Primary School, Peoria, IL, has second graders learning to use zip drives and cartridges to share the Internet, thus overcoming the lack of computers for Internet access.
- Manteno High School, Manteno, IL, uses videoconferencing as a high school physics class creates a laser tag arena in the high school gymnasium. Students share ideas and progress as they work to build the lasers through videoconferencing and use on-line science experts in laser technology for guidance.
- Union Elementary School, Biggsville, IL, celebrates Earth Day with students using telecommunications to access the World Wide Web and communicating via e-mail and teleconferencing to research various habitats.
- Newman Grade School, Newman, IL, is using word processing, scanners, digital cameras, and illustration software with 4th grade students as they write their own book with assistance from Chicago's Shedd Aquarium.
- Lincoln Elementary School, Macomb, IL, has first grade students using a digital camera and e-mail to create a web page about their class.
- Mable Woolsey Elementary School, Knoxville, IL, is involved with a weather project for 4th grade students. Students collect data from participating schools and post information with digitized images on a web page. Using this data, students track storms and fronts.
- Richwoods High School, Peoria, IL, uses new media equipment, the Internet , satellite programming, videoconferencing, and cable television for student preparation of newscasts in Spanish.
- Schuyler Middle School, Rushville, IL, has students using the Internet, e-mail, and chat rooms to learn how other eighth grade classes create student newspapers as they work to develop their own newspaper.
- Lincoln Middle School, Peoria, IL, integrates technology into their service learning projects with fifth grade students. Using e-mail and multimedia software, the students communicate with other participants in the project.
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