The Model Schools Program is a tool with which school districts can provide teachers with an environment for exploring the use of technology. It is also a staff development process, which helps districts to define and reach their "vision of the future."

The Model Schools Program emphasizes that teachers are the critical ingredient in determining the most effective use of technology in the classroom. They will find the ways to truly enhance their instruction, encourage higher levels of thinking and prepare students for tomorrow’s age of technology.

An important component of the program is, therefore, encouraging and training teachers to the point that they feel comfortable with computer technology and its application to curriculum development.

A Model Schools Facilitator for the district serves as a contact person between the Northeastern Regional Information Center, the staff in their district, and you, the Model Schools Trainer.

The facilitator is expected to register trainees for classes and provide clear explanations of course expectations for trainees. Facilitators are responsible for monitoring trainee use of technology, assisting with the set up of the computer laboratory, and assessing district course needs.

Be sure to give out Certificates of Completion (with your original signature) to each person in your class who completes all the course requirements.

Trainers are an integral part of our program. Trainers are expected to:

Know their responsibilities

Know the course material

Effectively communicate course content

Ensure that course materials are photocopied for the participants

Know the specific course expectations

Hand out "Certificates of Completion" to each person who completes all course requirements by the last class

Trainees, who participate in a course(s) of ten hours or more, must submit a lesson plan, project or product no later than one week after the last class date to receive inservice credit, or a stipend, and their Certificate of Course Completion. This timetable is non-negotiable.

Finally, trainees from districts which require evidence of course completion prior to the awarding of inservice credit or stipends, are expected to share a copy of their Certificates of Course Completion with the appropriate district personnel.

Trainees are expected to have a desire to grow professionally through technology. Our goal is for educators to bring the information they learn into their professional lives, and ultimately into the students’ lives. Therefore, trainees are expected to participate fully in the course. This includes attending all classes and completing an educationally related lesson plan, product or project depending on the requirements of the course.

A satisfactory lesson plan, product or project is one which fulfills the expectations of the course, uses a variety of skills learned in the course, and is beneficial to trainees in their professional capacity. The completed projects will become part of a Model Schools Library of professional knowledge available for use by all educators in the program. Trainees should feel free to access this library at any time for their own professional growth.

Trainees, who participate in a course(s) of ten hours or more in length, must submit a lesson plan, project or product no later than one week after the last class date to receive inservice credit or a stipend, and their Certificate of Course Completion. This timetable is non-negotiable.

Finally, trainees from districts which require evidence of course completion prior to the awarding of inservice credit or stipends, are expected to share a copy of their Certificates of Course Completion with the appropriate district personnel.

Read this manual. It is designed to help you identify and meet your needs and succeed as a trainer.

This manual also lists the items you need to do and the paperwork to be completed prior to sending it to NERIC before you can be paid.

At least one week before class, contact the Model Schools facilitator in the district where you will teach your course. District Facilitators are:

 

Bethlehem CSD	Mac Carlton	439-4921
Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake CSD	John Capano	399-6408
Cobleskill-Richmondville CSD	Jim Meigel	234-3565 ext. 1050
Cohoes CSD	Peggy O’Shea	237-4412 ext. 2353
Guilderland CSD	Joe Laurenzo	456-6200
Middleburgh CSD	Lori Petrasino	827-5155
Niskayuna CSD	Michael Greene	377-4666 ext.224
Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk CSD	Diane Albano	756-5213
Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany	Darlene Cardillo	453-6666
Schenectady City CSD	Gary Putman	881-3504
Scotia-Glenville CSD	Joe Kavanaugh	382-1231
Schalmont CSD	Jean Duxbury	355-9200

Obtain directions to the training room. Make a visit if possible.

Confirm the dates of the workshop. This can prevent much confusion, especially take note of school holidays, teacher conference days, etc.

Find out if there is a lab aide available or any other assistance available if you encounter technical difficulty during the class.

Confirm that they have legal copies of software. If they do not, it is appropriate to make copies for training purpose only. Contact NERIC Model Schools Coordinator for details.

Decide the content of your course presentation based on Model Schools expectations. Make a course outline to give to trainees. Have the outline on disk as well as on paper. You may wish to provide your practice files on disk as well.

Fill out the Course Expectation Checklist. You should complete the part of the form that pertains to the expectations specific to your class. You may not need all six entries to state your objectives.

If possible, review the skill level and subject areas of trainees in order to adapt your course content to their needs.

Photocopy any course materials and forms, and obtain floppy disks from the host school district if necessary. Do this at least one week in advance to avoid last minute catastrophes.

One-week prior to the course’s first session, expect to receive the attendance list. If you do not receive this, contact the NERIC Model Schools Coordinator

 

 

 

Arrive early to check that the equipment is working properly.

Introduce yourself and be sure to mention that your represent the Northeastern Regional Information Center at the Capital Region BOCES.

If the equipment is not working properly, call the contact person.

Get trainees involved in an activity using the technology within the first 15 minutes.

Complete necessary paperwork.

Explain the course attendance requirements.

Explain the lesson plan.

Explain the educational project or product if required.

It is the trainer’s responsibility to ensure that each trainee attends the required number of class hours or a comparable alternative.

Explain to participants how you plan to handle makeup sessions for unavoidable absences.

You are not required to provide extra sessions, but may do so at your discretion. If you have any questions, contact the NERIC Model Schools Coordinator.

Explain that the lesson plan, products or projects are due by the end of the last class. At the last class, hand out their "Certificate of Completion" with an original signature on each one. An extension of no longer than one week may be given. In this event, instruct trainees to submit their lesson plan, product or project to their District Model Schools Facilitator, who will give them their "Certificate of Completion."

Provide checklist and course outline to trainees, as well as any necessary course materials.

Explain the Model Schools Philosophy.

 

Check to see that all trainees sign the attendance sheet. Use a separate sheet EACH day if the course is more that one session. Trainees should write in their school district and the name of their substitute where applicable.

Also connect the lessons and projects to the NYS Learning Standards by focusing on the lesson plan/product integrating technology into the classroom.

Keep training materials educationally related.

Encourage more advanced trainees to help others (cooperative learning) and provide extra activities for those who catch on quickly.

Give concrete examples of how to use technology in the classroom.

Maintain a sense of humor (even if your trainees don’t).

Brainstorm as a group, a sample lesson plan/project form. This gives trainees clarification of the form and ideas before they have to do it on their own.

Keep Your Hands In Your Pockets! Avoid the tendency to do it for them. They may not be able to process what you are doing as quickly as you are doing it. Instead direct them through the process.

Keep notes on problems, quirks and discoveries throughout the course for future reference and feedback. Discuss technical problems/mishaps with the lab aide or facilitator.

Refer excessive questions about unrelated computer topic (purchase of computers, cost, etc.) to district facilitators, NERIC staff and/or computer vendors.

 

 

After the Course:

Collect lesson plans, projects and products in disk and paper format for courses of ten hours or more.

Hand out Certificates of Completion.

Collect attendance sheet and initial the last column for all trainees who have completed the requirements.

Collect completed evaluations.

Copy lesson plans, etc. onto a floppy disk(s) to be submitted to BOCES if required. Please identify the disk by writing the name of course, platform, and person name on the disk. Be sure that each trainees’ lesson plan, etc., is completely identifiable.

Place all required materials in a large envelope to be mailed to the NERIC Model Schools Coordinator. (Hint: Do this the day the class ends to avoid delays in processing).

Mail package to Model Schools Coordinator.

If you have not already done so, please submit the Model Schools Trainer’s invoice with this package as well as a copy of your training materials. It will take at least five weeks from date of submission to receive your paycheck.

 

 

 

 

 

 

__________ Course Expectations Checklist

__________ Instructor Invoice for payment (if you didn’t send it in weeks ago)

__________ Attendance sheet(s) for EACH session must be initialed each day with

your initials at the bottom

__________ MSP Lesson plan/project format sheet - attached to each lesson plan in paper form (if required)

__________ Lesson plans, projects, and products on disk, clearly labeled (if required).

__________ Workshop/Presentation Evaluations (you will need to duplicate) and Summary Sheet.

__________ A copy of your training materials (if you have not already turned them in).

__________ Course Development and Commitment Form! Very Important! Please complete this form if you wish to teach this course or others for the coming semesters. Having this form from you and all the other trainers will reduce the time it takes for you and the Model Schools Coordinator to schedule courses for the next semester.

Note: Please enclose the checklist with your completed materials packet and send everything to:

Beth Cash, Model Schools Program Coordinator

Capital Region BOCES-NERIC

1031 Watervliet-Shaker Rd.

Albany, NY 12205

Thank you for sharing your time and expertise!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MODEL SCHOOLS PROGRAM

COURSE EXPECTATIONS CHECKLIST

 

 

 

 

p 1. Complete all required hours of instruction.

p 2. Maintain focus on educational use of technology.

Specific Course Objectives

3.

                           4.

                           5.

6.

7.

8.

9. Submit end product (lesson plan/project) in both disk and printed

form (for all courses of 10+ hours).

10. Completed workshop evaluations and summary sheet.