NETS for Teachers
I. Technology operations and concepts.
In order for the teachers to use the interactives on MarcoPolo with their students, they must be able to demonstrate a sound understanding of technology operations and concepts. Every interactive comes with instructions and implementation strategies. In cases where a teacher may not demonstrate a sound understanding, he/she is given the resources to develop that understanding.
II. Planning and designing learning environments
The lessons that house the interactives all promote effective learning environments as they are created by the nation’s experts and go through a rigorous review. The lessons embed technology (interactives) so by using those lessons, the teacher’s plans are supported by technology. III. Teaching, learning and the curriculum
The lessons embed technology within them so in using these lessons and interactives, teachers can be assured that they are used in such a way that maximizes learning. Again, the lessons are created by the nation's experts.
IV. Assessment and evaluation
Many of the interactives can be used as a way to check for understanding and assess learning. Although some are designed for that purpose, many interactives that were initially designed for placement in different parts of the instructional cycle could very well be used for assessing student learning.

It is rare that you could ask an educator, “Do you have everything you need to provide high quality instruction?” and he/she would say, “yes.” Oftentimes funding limits educators' ability to provide “top notch” resources such as interactive tools that engage learners and provide opportunities for critical thinking, platforms for problem solving, collaboration and to publish work. Even more problematic is the ability for students to have access at home to the same resources the teacher has in the classroom.

Verizon Foundation's Thinkfinity provides resources such as these which are available 24/7, at home or at school, at no cost, commercial free, based on national standards, and created by the nation’s experts. Participants will be shown a demonstration of some of the hundreds of interactives available from Thinkfinity's Consortium Partners: John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, National Council on Economic Education, National Endowment for the Humanities, The National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, International Reading Association and The National Council of Teachers of English, American Association for the Advancement of Science, and the National Geographic Society.

In this demonstration, participants will see how quickly and efficiently educators can locate an appropriate interactive according to their instructional objective. The cross disciplinary nature of the resources, which is inherent in the resources provided by the 8 subject matter Consortium Partners of Thinkfinity will be highlighted. Participants will be shown how these interactives engage students, foster critical thinking, problem solving, and collaboration. The comprehensiveness of these interactives will be explained by showing how the interactives are embedded within high quality lesson plans that provide pedagogically sound implementation strategies for how to use them.

Research that has been conducted proving how specific Thinkfinity interactives increase student learning will be shared along with research that speaks to the power of using interactives to improve learning. Also, participants will walk away with information on how they can receive free training in order to learn more about the interactives and some of the other 47,000+ free resources available from Thinkfinity.

Outline

Verizon Foundation Thinkfinity program overview (5min.)
Demonstration of Interactive involving audience (10 min.)
Importance of Interactives (Part 1) (5 min.)
Demonstration of Interactives (25 min.) (involve audience in these)
Importance of Interactives (Part 2) (5 min.)
Overview of other free Thinkfinity resources and free Professional Development offerings (5 min.)
Questions (5 min)

Supporting Research

Analyzing the Impact of Web-Based Geometry Interactives on First Grade Students - This reports on a study of the impact of using interactive geometry applets in 1st grade classrooms. The study shows both an increase in student achievement as a result of using the interactives and an increase in student motivation.

Determining the Impact of Applet-Based Instructional Materials on Teacher Knowledge of Content and Pedagogy, Instructional Planning, and Student Learning of Fractions - Report of Preliminary Research Findings - This paper describes the impact of the interactives and support materials on teacher knowledge of mathematics content and pedagogy, instructional planning, and students' learning of fractions.

Improving Students' Spatial Visualization Skills and Teachers' Pedagogical Content Knowledge by using On-Line Curriculum-Embedded Interactives: Overview of a Research and Development Project - This paper outlines how curriculum-embedded applets for isometric drawings develop students' spatial visualization skills.

These 3 studies are available in full text at: http://www.thinkfinity.org/progress/research.aspx

Presenter Background

Previous presentations at national conferences:
National Educational Computing Conference (NECC) 2003, 2004, 2005
Society of Information Technology and Teacher Education (SITE) 2003, 2004, 2005
Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) 2005
Mid-South Educational Researchers 2002, 2003
National School Board Association Conference 2002
U.S. Secretary of Education’s Conference 2001

I was a Special Education Teacher, District Assistive Technology Coordinator, District Instructional Technology Specialist, Alabama State Dept. of Education Project Manager of Instructional Technology Professional Development for Higher Education, MarcoPolo State Administrator and Web Coordinator for Alabama. I have a Masters in Special Education with a focus on Assistive Technology and I am completing my Ph.D. in Educational Leadership with a focus on Instructional Technology. I serve on ISTE’s SETSIG as Vice President. Currrently I am a staff member for Verizon Foundation Thinkfinity serving as the Manager of Professional Development and Rollout Partnerships.

Prerequisites

None