|
See TEA's Website (
http://www.tea.state.tx.us/index2.aspx?id=2147484108&menu_id=2147483665
): The Connections grant is authorized
by House Bill (HB) 2893, passed during the 81st
Texas Legislative Session, 2009, and codified in
Texas Education Code (TEC), 32.151. The
Connections grant is funded under NCLB, Title
II, Part D Enhancing Education Through
Technology. The grant identifies schools that
serve as statewide models for the
transformative use of digital content in the
classroom and at home. The grant project is
focused on building connections among schools,
teachers, and students wherein model classrooms
and schools can demonstrate the following:
- Anytime, anywhere access to digital
content and resources
- Access to personal technology tools at
school, at home, and in the community; and
- Transformative practices in teaching with
technology that use digital content in the
classroom and in assignments and activities
for students beyond the classroom
Connections grant schools will connect with
other districts that need assistance with
establishing programs that use digital content
and students' personal technology tools in order
to increase student achievement. The grant
enables participants to connect with stakeholders
statewide, and these connections may include a
collaborative grant with schools that need to
build their own programs for 21st Century
competencies using digital content at school, at
home, and in the community.
Research has shown that students are engaged
in learning while using technology and participating in a vast array of
interactive media. With the Connections Grant,
schools can ensure that students have
experiences that keep them “powered up” at
school and at home by using digital content and
resources that bring new and exciting learning
opportunities.
Arp Junior High School, a Texas Education
Agency rated exemplary school, will be the
model school and its teachers will be mentors
for the Connections Grant with Bonham and Arp
High Schools as the receiving schools. The grant
affords teachers training and mentoring to
become hybrid course (online and face-to-face)
instructors using multimedia and instructional
Blogs. All students 6th-12th grade in Arp ISD
and 9th-12th grade in Bonham ISD will receive
laptops to replace conventional textbooks. All
content will be downloadable and portable so
that students and parents may have access to
course materials 24/7.
The ALL STARS
PROJECT, a full
immersion project, will allow students and teachers in grades 6-12th to
carry wireless laptops and access online instructional materials 24/7. Teachers
will be asked to use technology tools to build
mobility into the extended learning environment for all stakeholders. This
will include:
-
record
(audio & video) and upload lessons to TIGERTUBE
instructional Blog server.
-
build online lessons in
Project Share
-
utilize new software packages and high-tech
tools (Netbooks, probes, GPS, etc) for simulation and project-based curriculum
-
differentiate instruction based on online
assessment tools
-
reach proficient levels in technology
skills using a cohort of peers from both districts in face-to-face training
and online instruction.
The emphasis of the grant is to improve
student achievement in the 4 core areas along with technology skills. The major area of
need in both school districts (Arp ISD & Bonham ISD) has been identified as science and math skills. The
grant will emphasize real-world skills through project-based curriculum
assisting teachers to differentiate instruction and integrate thematic
project-based units across the curriculum supported by mobile technology tools.
|
