Professional Documents
Culture Documents
This proposal for a professional development grant is made to benefit the teachers and
their students at a high school in Georgia. The school, Visionary Future High School (VFHS),
has a total of 30 teachers who instruct 400 students in grades 9 through 12. The student
demographic is 40% African American, 40% Caucasian, 10% Hispanic, and 10% Native
American. 74% of students have a household income below Federal Poverty Guidelines, and the
majority report limited access to technology outside of school; students ages range from 14 to
18 years old. Teacher professional development has the greatest impact on student learning
when it nurtures higher order thinking among the students and initiates project based learning
(Milken, 32). This grant proposal is to provide funding for comprehensive professional training
for VFHS teachers in the use of Google Apps for Education (GAFE), with additional funding
for an allotment of Chromebook computers for the classrooms at VFHS. As Google applications
have evolved and expanded for use in educational settings over the past several years, their use
has been documented in peer reviewed journal articles. A research study on the use of Google
pedagogical content knowledge, elements important to modern educators (Polly, 958). GAFE
learning opportunities for VFHS teachers will also allow them to implement what they learn in
their classrooms when their students are equipped with Chromebooks. According to Garet,
professional development that allows for active learning where the participants are able to
utilize what they learn in their practices is essential to useful development (Garet,
7). Chromebooks are a less costly technology investment for schools than Apple products,
Chromebooks have multiple preloaded applications that students and teacher can access and fill
documents and presentations on Google servers; this allows students to work in collaboration
and acquire technology skills while reducing the need for paper (Denton, 38). Appendices A and
B below are the Technology Needs Survey and survey results that establish the need for GAFE
Proposal
A survey was designed to see what types of technology were already being used as well
as the facultys comfort level with such uses. A variety of questions were designed as triggers to
see how the faculty would deal with teacher-student collaboration within the classroom. The
questions that show the most need for Chromebook 1:1 implementation were:
o 80% of the faculty use student-centered technology at least several times a week.
o 56% of the faculty felt that technology was not adequately available for students
and teachers.
o 38 % felt technology was useful and encouraged student use, whereas 51% said it
There were two questions that determined the need for professional development in the
use of Google documents suite. The first question was to see how well the faculty was able to
use traditional document and presentation software, whereas the second question was to
o 90% felt they were capable and comfortable in using these software programs
I can create, edit, save and retrieve documents and presentation documents using Google
Drive.
o Only 13% felt capable and comfortable using Google documents suite, this also
showed that 36% where not even able to use this application.
The objective of the grant is to provide collaboration for learning, assessment, and
student enrichment by providing relevant, real-world problems, using technology tools through
the addition of Chromebooks to provide a 1:1 ratio. Google Apps for Education (GAFE) and
Chromebooks are a means of connecting 21st Century Learning Skills with the Common Core
Standards.
1. By August 31st, all faculty will either attend or document district provided online
training of Google Apps for Education (Drive, Calendar, Spreadsheets, Presentation, as well as
professional training will be every Thursday in August from 4-6 pm. Online training is available
2. By September 30th, all faculty will guide students in the use of Google Apps for
Education (GAFE) as well as Google Classroom. Faculty must report by Google Doc to
Instructional Technology Department and Administration how and what they encountered during
this implementation phase. Any problems or barriers should be noted in Google Document
conjunction with Google Classroom. Teachers and students should be using GAFE and Google
enrichment. Faculty should send monthly reports of success or problems they are facing with
Plan of Operation
Goal (Objective) One Activities: Thursday Afternoons in August; 8/6, 8/13, 8/20, 8/27
Time
Activity
Will Take
4-6 PM (2 each faculty member moving familiar with Gmail. Faculty is to work
hours) at their own pace through through the Intro and Basic modules and must
video and question answer pass the Basic Module exam. Faculty is
hours) each faculty member moving familiar with Google Calendar. Faculty is to
at their own pace through work through the Intro and Basic modules and
video and question answer must pass the Basic Module exam. Faculty is
hours) each faculty member moving familiar with Google Docs Suite. Faculty is to
at their own pace through work through the Intro and Basic modules and
video and question answer must pass the Basic Module exam. Faculty is
hours) each faculty member moving familiar with Google Classroom.. Faculty is to
at their own pace through work through the Intro and Basic modules and
video and question answer must pass the Basic Module exam. Faculty is
Goal (Objective) Two Activities: Educators should commit at least one class period every week
during the months of September through December, to train students in uses for GAFE. Provide
Activity Will
Take
one 55 minute with each student moving familiar with Gmail, Google Calendar, and
class period per at their own pace through the Google Docs Suite. Students are to work
week during video and question through the Intro and Basic modules and must
September. answer format. pass the Basic Module exam. Students should
using GAFE.
Goal (Objective) Three Activities: Bi-weekly faculty meetings to discuss any issues with GAFE
in a provide and share atmosphere. Faculty are encouraged to bring to the table not only issues
they may be having, but be prepared to share new innovative suggestions with other faculty.
Activity Will
Take
educators issues or new and innovative ways that GAFE can be used in
http://www.google.com/edu/training/get-trained/
https://www.youtube.com/user/eduatgoogle
https://www.google.com/edu/
https://www.google.com/edu/resources/programs/
Participants skills and knowledge of how to appropriately use the Chromebooks and
Google Apps for Education (GAFE) will be evaluated using a Likert scale questionnaire given
six weeks after implementation of both technology resources. In addition to the Likert scale
questionnaire, participants, including teachers and administrators alike, will also be asked to
provide a short answer response to the question, How has the implementation of Chromebooks
and GAFE positively and/or negatively affected the learning environment in your
classroom/school? in order to gain more thorough feedback on how the Chromebooks are
changing the process of the teachers day to day instruction. In addition to this six week
evaluation, participants will be given a follow up evaluation tool, identical to the first, at the end
Budget
Grade level chairpersons have been working on becoming Google Apps for Education
Certified Teachers as well as Certified Trainers. At this time they are still in the midst of this
training. With this being the fact we have contacted 21st Century Learning, LLC to provide
In order for this process to be seamless, the Chromebooks must be purchased directly
from Google. The initial price for the Chromebooks is $249 each. However, for security
reasons and compliance issues the management console must be added to each order in the
amount of $30. The web-based management console makes it easy to deploy and control users,
The other budget items would be for continued usage of the Chromebooks. Incidentals
that may arise are the need for surge protectors and/or power strips for charging or the possibility
Proposed Budget
The estimated expense items involved in completing the proposed development activity
are as follows.
I. Personnel $3,000.00
Learning, LLC)
support
III. Other Costs $8,000.00
References
and Cloud Computing. Techtrends: Linking Research & Practice To Improve Learning,
Garet, M. S., Porter, A. C., Desimone, L., Birman, B. F., & Yoon, K. S. (2001). What makes
Milken Family Foundation. (2001) How teaching matters: Bringing the classroom back into
http://www.ets.org/research/pic
doi:10.1111/j.1467-8535.2010.01161.x
Appendices
The technology survey was sent to the teachers as a link to a Google Survey. The replies
to the questions was managed into an Excel document. From there the results of the survey were
Technology Survey
* Required
o 1-3 years
o 4-7 years
o 8-10 years
How would you rate your overall skill in using educational technology? *
o challenged
o basic
o proficient
o advanced
o cell phone
o laptop or PC
o Mac computer
How often do you use social media on personal time? *
o daily
o never
How often do you use educational social media? (Edmodo, Project Share, Pintrest,
Educlipper) *
o daily
o never
Please identify which of the following educational technologies you currently use in
o computer station
o Smartboard
o DVD player
o iPad, iPod
o daily
o never
I can create, edit, save and retrieve word processing and presentation documents. *
o not yet
o aware of process
o learning
I can create, edit, save and retrieve documents and presentation documents using Google
Drive. *
o not yet
o aware of process
o learning
I can use a variety of tools to enhance curriculum. (Smartboards, tablets, clickers, etc.) *
o not yet
o aware of process
o learning
o not yet
o aware of process
o learning
I follow copyright laws and practices responsible and ethical use of technology and
software resources and make sure my students are aware of these requirements. *
o not sure
o not yet
o aware of process
o learning
How often do you use computer technology resources to collect data and monitor your
student's progress? *
o daily
o never
o Other:
What resources for technology professional development have you attended/viewed this
school year? *
o county conferences
o none
o Other:
...
fine
I am happy at this time with the available technology.
I am happy.
I have a different situation that most classroom teachers due to my schedule/position. One
thing I wish I had in my classroom was a projector or Promethean board. There have been
several instances that this would have been beneficial to facilitate a lesson with my students. I
also wish that wireless internet was available. I would utilize my personal ipad and/or personal
Kindle to download apps that would benefit the students or for my own use as a teacher.
In an ideal situation, there would be a computer for every student to use each and every day.
For me, I can't use my IPad because I don't have access to the password to use the wireless
It is okay.
It would be beneficial to have more than 2 student computers in the classroom. Technology
It would be nice to have more computers so more students can use them.
NA
no active board
None
None
Technology is great when it works and when you can get into what you need. The filters block
There are not enough computers available for my students to daily use in my classroom.
To prepare students for the advanced computer world, every child should have laptop/iPad in
We currently do not have enough devices or wireless internet to support our students.
We need more computers or some form of technology that they can have more access to on a
daily basis
Would like more computers and some tablets for the classroom.
19. What additional technologies should we consider implementing into instruction?
*Wireless internet
*tablets/ipads
*more laptops
...
Coding
Document cameras for every classroom would be nice. Updated wireless. I-Pads for classes.
technology. Perhaps getting more devices and training in Google Apps or even Edmodo.
I would like to be able to collaborate with my students more and release to them the tools I
know are out there.
I would like to see the whole school be wireless. I would also like to see more computers or
laptops for the lower grades. Having only 2 in a classroom isn't really useful. You need
enough for a station during center time so all students can get to use the computer every day!
I would love more student computers. Even having 4, instead of 2, in the classroom would be
so beneficial.
ipad
Ipads
ipads
ipads
iPads
N/a
None
None
None
Not sure
Not sure
Not sure what else can be used to help. Not in a classroom.
Provide more up to date professional development with apps and google drive.
SRI
Tablets or ipads for each classroom or for check out. I would like at least 2 more student
unsure
Upper grades could benefit using Edmodo. Students could be interested in the similarities of
this program and social media. Teachers may also not be familiar with Remind 101. It is a
texting service that allows teachers to text parents without using their own personal cell phone
number. They could keep parents informed about events, tests, or other important information.
I realize that we have Moby Max for all grades but I don't know if Reading Eggs may be more
beneficial for lower grades students. I had a lot of success with this program at my previous
school.
We have Active Boards BUT I'm more familiar with Smart Boards and Eno Boards. Eno
- A great deal
- Quite a bit
- Somewhat
- Very little
- Not at all
2. How did having 1:1 Chromebooks allow you to connect to more resources and content?
- A great deal
- Quite a bit
- Somewhat
- Very little
- Not at all
3. How much did having 1:1 Chromebooks change your learning experience?
- A great deal
- Quite a bit
- Somewhat
- Very little
- Not at all
- Strongly favor
- Somewhat favor
- Neutral
- Somewhat oppose
- Strongly oppose
5. Did 1:1 Chromebooks meet your expectations (compare your feelings about 1:1 Chromebooks
- Exceeds my expectations
- Meets my expectations
- Not at all
- Very little
- Somewhat
- Quite a bit
- A Great deal
- Easy to use
- Hard to use
- Chromebook
- Regular laptop
- Desktop computer
- No preference
- Other ______________________________
9. If you were to Tweet about your Chromebook experience, what would you say?
10. Suggestions for making the Chromebook experience better for students
-Elementary School
-Middle School
-High School