Staff Development Plan

I've managed to complete the staff development plan from week 2, could you please provide input or offer suggestions for improvement so I can complete week 4. Thanks!

Session Purpose: The purpose of the session is to engage the learner in hands on problem solving activities that also encourage teamwork.
Learning Objective to Be Addressed: Learn basic mathematic vocabulary and utilize teamwork to determine perimeter and area of different objects.
Approving Principal:			Presentation Date: Jan. 27, 2014
Grade Level: 3-5	Facilitator: Saldana	Location: Cafeteria		Start Time: 3:45	End-Time: 4:30
Learner-Centered Activity	Purpose	Description		Steps	Estimated Time
Introduction	To set the stage for the learners by giving them a brief overview of the agenda.	Share the idea behind this professional development by utilizing data.		1)    Welcome the learners to the professional development by greeting them at the door. 2)    Have learners sign in as they come and have a seat. 3)    Display data from AEIS report as well as specific TEKS regarding to the topic. 4)    Inform the learners of the agenda for this brief meeting.	5 minutes
Vocabulary foldable based on measurement	Form/gain background knowledge based on what leaners already know pertaining to the topic.	Learners will discuss words pertaining to the topic and create a foldable for their vocabulary, with the word, definition and an example.		1)    Have learners voice their knowledge of words pertaining to the topic and jot down on a chart paper infront of group. 2)    Choose about 4 words that fit the topic well and will assist in the activity. 3)    Have learners fold the provided paper that was placed on their table into quads and cut horizontally on the flaps. 4)    Learners will write the words on the outside of the foldable, create a definition for the word and write it on the interior of the foldable. Once the word and the definition are complete, they will draw an example of the word. 5)    Explain that the foldable is available for their use should they need it in the next activity.	10 minutes
Scavenger hunt to find perimeter and area while working in a group	Learners engage in a hands on activity that requires collaboration and teamwork.	Learners will go out and find objects that have a particular perimeter or area based off the given information. They will work together to find as many objects while working together.		1)    Explain the rules of the activity. 2)    Learners will disperse into teams based on their seating to go out into the school and find objects that fit the length using the given answers. 3)    They will be given a handout that allows room to show work and with given answers. Each team will be given a ruler to assist in measuring objects they find. 4)    Explain that there will be an announcement when five minutes remain and another telling them to return to their meeting room. 5)    The idea behind the activity is for the team to work together and find different objects with perimeters and area while utilizing the standard measurement tool of a ruler. Learners will need to work together to think of objects that work to fit the answers on the handout.	20 minutes
Group feedback and sharing	Hear learners voice and have them share their gains.	Learners will voice their experiences about the activity and share their findings.		1)    As learners return back to the meeting room they will grab refreshments before sharing their findings.	5 minutes
Evaluation of activities and engagement	Gain feedback from learners about the session	Have the learners complete an evaluation based on their feelings toward the session, provide areas for improvements and describe any weaknesses in the professional development.		1)    Distribute a hard copied evaluation for teachers to provide feedback about the professional development they just completed.	5 minutes

A new idea to come......

During the development of the Action Research Project, I worked closely with the campus supervisor to create a research project that was something new to the campus and also got me excited to begin and complete. The plan was created and I was ready to begin, meetings were being set up to communicate cost and specifications of the technology being sought. Once a device was in mind, the idea was presented before the board for approval and a hands-on tutorial. During the time of the presentation of the tablet purchase and implementation our district went through some changes, this change consisted of the switching of campus supervisors at the elementary and junior high campus. The new principal was present at the board meeting when the tablets were being presented. Before the board meeting and during the remainder of the summer, I created a website that would allow the teachers to check in and out the tablets for classroom use. Summer was over and I addressed concerns about the tablets to the new supervisor, and it was on his list of things to complete. The next step was to have the finances approved for purchases through the state, and the waiting period began. I did not want to bother him too much with the issue but finally addressed my concern once again. As of this week, the project I was planning on implementing was declined and a new Action Research Project must be created and completed. I’m currently reconfiguring alternate options and meeting with the principal to have a new idea approved and implemented for research.

Week 5 Reflection of research

This week I kept putting off the assignment, I was like I will get to it on Friday, our day off. Well of course it was a day off so I didn't want to do much. Finally I got to the assignment and submitted but after the reflection part I was like man, I'm really doing this. Even if the research class is over, I'm still working on my action research plan and implementing something for the next school year. I need to stay focused and remember to refer back to the 8 steps of action research to make this a success. Let it begin. :)

After meeting with my principal Friday afternoon, my action plan chnged in some aspects. Instead of our original plan of purchasing netbooks for older grades and tablets for the younger, we met with a few salespeople from a company to hear about their particular product. My principal then met with the other administrators in our district to discuss monies. After her meeting we were able to look at a specific direction, from there this is where we went.

Action Planning Template-Revised
Question: How will implementing tablets in a one to one ratio improve student performance? Goal: Implement the use of technology across the curriculum in an elementary setting.
Action Steps(s):	Person(s) Responsible:	Timeline: Start/End	Needed Resources	Evaluation
Create a purchase order for new technology	M. Saldana J. Blankenship	March 2013/March 2013	Purchase order	N/A
Produce an application for those interested in utilizing the new technology	M. Saldana J. Blankenship	March 2013/ April 2013	Word document	Review from admin.
Survey students on their knowledge of tablets (pre/post) (What do they know how to do?/What have they learned?)	M. Saldana	April 2013/December 2013	Survey Producer	Desegregate the results
Set up a meeting with parents about the use of new technology for students in a one-to-one ratio	M. Saldana J. Blankenship	May 2013/September 2013	Communication with parents	Feedback
Produce a system for check out/check in of resources during research time	M. Saldana	March 2013/June 2013	Check out/in Template	Feedback from teachers on system
Conduct a meeting on the necessary procedures for checking in/out resources	M. Saldana	April 2013/June 2013	Meeting time (Faculty Meeting) Journaling Teachers	Feedback from teachers
Review/compare data between non-use of technology and use of technology	M. Saldana	August 2013/January 2014	Unit assessment/      Benchmarking Data (previous year/current, non-use classroom/use classrooms) Blogging	Data collection review
Monitor understanding of tablet use/provide support  (What is working best for students?)	M. Saldana	May 2013/October 2013	Blogging	Feedback
Review of action research/follow-up/revisions	M. Saldana	December 2013	Survey Teachers Students	Data Collection

Revised Action Plan

Action Planning Template-Revised
Question: Will implementing technology into classrooms allow students the resource to become accustomed to using computers and the tool to produce research required assignments? Goal: Implement the use of technology across the curriculum for research in grades 3-5.
Action Steps(s):	Person(s) Responsible:	Timeline: Start/End	Needed Resources	Evaluation
Create a purchase order for new technology	M. Saldana J. Blankenship	March 2013/March 2013	Purchase order	N/A
Organize a storage place for all new technology	M. Saldana	March 2013/ May 2013	Space within school	Survey from teachers
Create a survey to understand the current usage of technology in classrooms (Pre & Post)	M. Saldana	March 2013/December 2013	Produced Survey Teachers (3-5)	Evaluate results
Produce a system for check out/check in of resources	M. Saldana	March 2013/June 2013	Check out/in Template	Feedback from teachers on system
Conduct a meeting on the necessary procedures for checking in/out resources	M. Saldana	April 2013/June 2013	Meeting time (Faculty Meeting) Journaling Teachers	Feedback from teachers
Survey students on the use of the computers in room (pre/post) (What do they know how to do?)	M. Saldana	April 2013/December 2013	Survey Producer Students.	Desegregate the results Provide feedback to teachers
Monitor the use of the technology (research/teacher feedback)	M. Saldana	April 2013/December 2013	Blogging/Journaling Survey Teachers	Data collection
Meeting with teachers to review data collection from students (Where to go?)	M. Saldana	April 2013/September 2013	Data Teachers Meeting Time Blogging	Feedback
Monitor understanding of computer use/provide support	M. Saldana	May 2013/October 2013	Blogging	Feedback