2003 - 2004
Although we did not receive funding this school year, our work continues at both New Bedford High School and throughout the district. Many of our teachers are continuing to learn how to use online tools. For two years at New Bedford High School, many teachers were introduced to tools like Web Worksheet Wizard and TrackStar. When teachers book one of our three computer labs, teachers are strongly encouraged to consider this approach. Two certified Instructional Technology Specialists, both trained through Project MEET, instruct teachers on the use of these popular Web-based tools. Across the district, teachers are introduced to these tools through district-sponsored workshops, online courses, and through our spin-off project, the Technology Integration Mentor program.
Our Teacher Team
Many of the teachers trained in using these tools continue to use them and show others in their own departments how to properly incorporate content from the Web into lessons that support the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks.
Our Policy Team
This year, a district-wide team
participated in MassNetworks Technology, Curriculum, and Integration Leadership
Program. Mr. Roger Robitaille, who passed away unexpectedly in October, was our
district's Assistant Superintendent for Special Operations and was the person
responsible for assembling our district team. This year's team consisted of
teachers at the elementary, middle, and high school level. These teachers met
during the summer aligning our district's technology planning efforts with the
Massachusetts Star Chart.
In addition to our involvement in the TCI-6 program, MassNetworks recently joined with New Bedford Public Schools to evaluate our current technology strengths and weaknesses. All of these efforts are assisting the district in formulating a revised technology plan that will provide a vision for the future and a strategy for implementation.
Support
New Bedford High School's TPD continues her role of supporting teachers with technology integration using formal and informal professional development. She also serves on the district's TCI- 6 team.
2002-2003
We recently received a Model Technology Integration Grant that will allow us to further the work we started with our initial involvement with Project MEET. Most of these funds will be used to provide professional development to even more teachers within New Bedford Public Schools and several partnering private schools.
Project MEET also welcomes the addition of the New Bedford Public Schools' Technology Integration Mentor program. A portion of the TIMs program is modeled after Project MEET and we are pleased to have had an influence on its creation. Project MEET members involved in the TIMs program include Larry Edmundson, Deborah Borden, Margaret Wright and Cindi Tougas.
Our Teacher Team
We're Growing! This school year we have new team members representing additional departments in order to continue the work of Project MEET. These teachers participated in a summer professional development session to learn from members of our original MEET team. Over a four day period they explored issues pertaining to curriculum, instruction, and accommodation and the role technology plays in supporting these areas. Teachers worked on creating lessons in their particular subject areas using the Project MEET CLASP CST software and online lesson formats. This software assists in guiding teachers through the curriculum design process and is available as a free download for both the MAC and PC from the MassNetworks Project MEET page.
Our Policy Team
In July of 2002, we once again participated in the Technology, Curriculum, and Integration Leadership Program with an expanded team. In addition to team members from New Bedford High School, we have also added a member from Normandin to join us in implementing the work of Project MEET and TCI into our school district. The TCI team worked together to develop an action plan that will serve to guide technology for the current school year.
Support
The school's TPD looks forward to welcoming new members from other departments and Normandin as the work of Project MEET continues into the 2002-2003 school year. As always she looks forward to providing resources and assistance to teachers learning to integrate technology into their instruction.
2001-2002
Teacher Team
During the summer of 2001, the New Bedford High School MEET Teacher Team spent a week in training at Bridgewater State College where they learned how to use a variety of online formats to use in their classrooms. They also explored how technology can make a difference in meeting the needs of diverse learners. The training was provided by the WGBH Teacher Center.
Throughout the 2001-2002 school year, the MEET team created and implemented technology units of practice. They also disseminated their work within their own departments, the school, and at the state level.
Policy
A policy team from NBHS spent a week in Shrewsbury at the Technology Curriculum Integration Institute (TCI-4) sponsored by MassNetworks. During this week, members of our TCI team developed a technology action plan for the 2001-2002 school year to support the technology efforts at New Bedford High School.
Support
The Technology Professional Development Specialist (TPD) attended a week long institute in June of 2002 with trainers from TERC in Springfield preparing for this role in addition to joining the MEET Teacher and TCI teams at the other institutes. Each month follow-up training was provided at seminars held in different locations throughout the state. These sessions served to support the TPD in her role within the school, as well as to provide a bigger picture regarding technology issues throughout the state.
At New Bedford High School the TPD has led professional development sessions with each of the departments represented on the MEET team. She has served to assist teachers individually and with their classes throughout New Bedford High School to implement technology into their curriculum, and she has worked to bring important technology issues to the forefront through her involvement with TCI.