Teachers' Blog

Project Implementation for Handhelds in Learning

In 2003-04, five teachers from Joliet 86 became involved with the first phase of the “Bridging the Disconnects” NCLB Enhancing Education Through Technology Grant with 36 other school districts in Will, Grundy and Kendall Counties of Illinois. Each teacher received a laptop computer and set of 30 handhelds for their classroom. The teachers participated in eight professional development sessions that focused on creating student learning activities in science or social science using handhelds that promoted reading across the content areas. Teachers received support for increasing technology literacy using the handheld and increasing student achievement through researched-based instructional and reading strategies with blended learning opportunities include discussion forums, email, listservs, web resources as well as face to face training sessions. Teachers produced lesson plans embedding the use of reading strategies and handhelds for content area instruction.

In 2004-05, four additional teachers from Joliet 86 joined the “Bridging the Disconnects” grant project. The “new” teachers participated in phase one professional development opportunities to introduce them to the handheld tool and researched based reading and instructional strategies for increasing student achievement.. Each science or social science teacher received a laptop and a set of 30 handhelds for their classroom. The teachers that had already gone through phase one professional development opportunities continued with phase two professional development opportunities focusing on increasing the use of reading strategies in the content areas using handhelds, analyzing assessment practices and continuing to build instructional management and technology literacy skills for using handhelds with students.

The grant project evaluation showed statistically significant gains in student achievement in reading, science and social science at the 5^th grade level. In addition, classrooms participating in the handheld initiative showed significantly higher scores on local reading assessments. This data encouraged Joliet 86 administration increase the number of handhelds and target professional development opportunities at three new campuses.

The 2005-06 Joliet 86 efriendlylearning Handheld Project involved 25 classrooms. This reading intervention continued to focus on increasing student reading achievement by continuing professional development opportunities targeted at using reading strategies across the content areas of science and social science. This district initiative supported school improvement goals in reading and differentiated instruction and provides reading instruction much beyond the reading class. The handheld tool provides a one-to-one computing device for students during social science and science activities, helping to build content comprehension, as well as, increasing technology literacy for all students.

In 2006-07 the Joliet 86 efriendlylearning Handheld Project continues with four professional development options for face to face training sessions and in classroom support. With last year's teachers moving to different grade levels across the district and new hires, a group of teachers will be enrolled in the Foundations training, helping to create a readiness for using handhelds in learning. Our Masters group has expanded and targets optional full day handheld institutes or sessions for handheld topics as an alternative to training during the school day. A newly created curriculum team, facilitated by experts, will work together to create units of study for other teachers to use in their classrooms. Our in-classroom support includes technical assistance, observation and learning assistance, and team teaching.

The 40+ teachers involved in the project have collaborated in the content on this site. This site is a resource for all Joliet 86 teachers to incorporate handhelds, as well as other technology in the classroom. Lessons have been specifically developed to align with Joliet 86 curriculum.

This website and the work of teachers continues to be a work in progress!

For more information on this project contact

Danielle Gustafson, Director of Technology 

eTalk

Students sound off about their handheld use...

I beam my writing to other kids and it helps me write better.

I like using the Dana to learn because I have my own. It's just like a computer but I have my own at my desk.

I feel really comfortable using the Dana for school projects. I use it for math and science and for language arts and pretty much everything.

I really liked doing Infrachat with partners because it was a lot of fun. No offense, but it was better than listening to the teacher talk and do all the work.

I feel like a grown-up.  When can use danas again?

Can I take it home?

It is easy to put my thoughts together when I use Inspriation to write.
 

I don't know how to use this but I can't wait to find out. Who should I work with?