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Ms Neglia |
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MiddleStates AFG |
Technology AFG Continuous Improvement Plan –
WHY: It is the responsibility of Seton Hall Prep to maximize the ability of teachers to contribute to the successful completion of the AFG Technology Goal. The enthusiasm of the teachers who will be bringing the technology directly to the students must be maintained in order for this goal to be met.
WHAT: Supplying the teachers with necessary, required or requested hardware (equipment) and software (programs), as well as training is essential. Supplying the teachers with immediate access to personnel who can repair, correct, maintain, restore and troubleshoot the programs and equipment is equally important.
HOW: The Seton Hall Prep community must have a cooperative and flexible attitude in order for this training and teaching to occur. To this end we have dedicated a computer lab environment in room 203 to be available throughout the day where entire classes can meet and have hands-on technology integration.
· Individual instruction has been provided to teachers who requested it. Some of this training was done in one-on-one sessions, while other teachers requested verbal or written instructions to help them complete a specific task. Since the majority of the teachers and staff have taken part in one or more types of the above mentioned training, or have demonstrated previously gained technological knowledge, this list of teachers has become too long to include here.
· Teachers have begun taking simple WebDesign classes using www.TeacherWeb.com, and the number of teachers with Web pages has begun to increase. Unfortunately, TeacherWeb has begun to charge an annual fee for their service. Teachers have continued to use free sites when possible. Completed WebSites have been linked to www.SHP.org. Rich Morris has introduced the Parent-Teacher Link where each teacher has space on the SHP website where general notes and pitfall warnings are posted. Parents can subscribe to this or access this information through our web page. We have received enthusiastic feedback on this tool. Presently, between 50-60% of teachers utilize this tool.
· A “Shared” drive has been added to the network. Teachers can request a folder with their names be placed in this “Z:” drive. Any files the teacher places here can be accessed by any student logged into the network. Teachers are using this drive to distribute student files that need to be downloaded, but are also placing copies of worksheets, etc., there.
· Almost all teachers, both veterans and the newly hired, have been imposing word-processing requirements upon their students, especially in the areas of format and font size. Not all of these teachers will be listed below.
· There are many teachers who come to us with their own level of technological expertise that they have used to enhance the learning experience. These teachers include but are not limited to those listed below:
ü Bruce Janiga, Theology (Recipient of the 2002 Technology Award) – has assigned the use of used Microsoft Publisher for a junior assignment; has used the linking power of web browsers to simulate the game of Jeopardy! In the classroom; has taught the use of an animation program to make topic-related cartoons. He has incorporated the use of PowerPoint both as a teacher instructor tool and a student presentation tool. He has assigned webpage construction to his honors students.
ü Kevin McNulty, Theology – Has designed a web page that students can link to from SHP.org. It includes up-to-date assignments, grading rubrics, useful links, deadlines and other interesting information, including a weekly brainteaser and a link to the New York Times on the Web. Kevin has also taught our summer enrichment computer course, and now teachers the web/multimedia portion of our Projects class. He integrates internet research, PowerPoint, WebPage development, MS Word outlines, and Web based templates.
ü Ed Bradley, Theology – has required the use of word-processing for all written assignments, and has specified the font and margins needed.
ü Ralph Dellanno, Theology – has required Internet research & wordprocessing from his students, and belongs to the NJAIS-Professional Development Committee ListServe.
ü Dave Snyder, Science (Recipient of the 2001 Technology Award)– has posted links from SHP.org to his Science Links Page; has required the use of Microsoft Excel by the freshman, has required word processing papers and Internet research. Uses HyperStudio with his freshmen, requiring them to first visit a classroom website where they could download a needed file, and find a link to the Freeware version of HyperStudio. He instituted our WeatherBug relationship with Channel 7 ABC weather and news, including hardware installation. He has used the real-time maps for classroom assignments. He has been a presenter at the Seton Hall University teacher technology conferences, as well as others.
ü Mike Metelsky, Science – requires that all sophomore assignments be done on a word-processor; accepts e-mailed assignments; has also required the use of Microsoft Publisher and Excel; has required web page designs of seniors. Mike also teaches the Robotics trimester of our Projects class.
ü John Henrikson, Science - Has designed a web page that students can link to from SHP.org. It includes information about homework assignments, scheduled exams and class rules, as well as useful Biology and Environmental Science links.
ü Charles Magatti, Science – has required upperclassmen to design an Excel data analysis using data regression
ü Bob Fischer, History – has taken classes to our library to learn about research; has required internet research and given recommended sites; requires that all major work be done on a word-processor, and specifies the font size and margins; has often recommended internet sites to his students on specific topics relevant to the subject.
ü Tom Esposito, History (on leave)– has made extensive use of the real-time information available thru the Internet, specifically with the Economics class. The Economics class is required to use PowerPoint in their year-end projects.
ü Walter McMahon, History – has introduced to the seniors taking statistics the program “Mini-Tab” and has used internet research in his course.
ü Randy Schweitzer, Art – has introduced his students to the computer as a valuable creative tool by using several art and drawing related programs.
ü Geri DeGeorge, Math – has required freshman to do word-processing and Internet research, and has required the use of Microsoft Excel. She also teaches our Computer Programming courses.
ü Joe Boland, Math – requires all freshmen to complete a typed and researched biography of a famous mathematician. The cover is expected to be creative and include a picture for extra points. All freshmen math teachers now include this assignment as a requirement.
ü Jim Revel, Math – has made extensive use of classroom calculators, and has trained others to do the same.
ü Tony Pucciarelli, English – has used class time to have demonstrated to the seniors the use of Microsoft Word in formatting term papers.
ü Theresa Neglia, Music – has begun to implement the use of midi keyboards and scoring software in the classroom. Design software may be used in the Theatre Arts classes.
ü Rich Morris, Photography – requires student journals to be done on the computer and e-mailed, and has introduced digital photography as part of the class requirements.
ü Martha Gibson, Foreign Language (Spanish) – has made extensive use of Internet research in her classroom, and has used real-time Web lessons in her classes. She uses web-based drill software to reinforce grammar lessons
ü Joseph Wortman,(retired) Foreign Language (German) – had required special use of Microsoft Word in poster making, using colors, borders, fonts and clipart.
ü Bill Safranek, Foreign Language (French) – has conducted lessons where students made contact with sources in France via the Internet.
ü Maria Santaloquido, Foreign Language (Spanish) – has brought he class to the Annex to use studyspanish.com for grammar drilling.
ü Carole Marazzi, Video Production – has used both PowerPoint and MXPro digital editing software
ü Eric Gobble, History – has required internet research for history projects
ü Steve Ricciardi, Math – has made extensive use of classroom calculators
· Teachers are encouraged to seek out members of the Technology Team with any questions or requests.
· Rod San Cristobal is our full-time computer professional. He can be reached during the day by e-mail (rod@shp.org) or cellphone or in his office (x6440) and is on-site from 9am-5pm. Mr. San Cristobal can be reached for hardware, software, and network related problems.
· Faculty members have been instructed in the avoidance of computer viruses.
· A faculty technology newsletter, Prepnology, inaugurated February 2000 has continued to be a tool for teachers. For the 2001-2003 school years, the publication has been downscaled on paper, but has been supplemented by an e-mail publication, Prepnolynx, every other month.
· The Library Annex has been in use since the 2000-2001 school year. It has been available to students during lunch and homeroom time, but more importantly has been utilized by entire classes accompanied by teachers. This has been a tremendous benefit in our quest for technological integration. The few periods where the room is normally occupied have not been a hindrance, since the teachers who used the room during these periods have been very cooperative in meeting elsewhere when necessary. The Annex was last year upgraded with 24 new computer stations.
· For the last two school years, the Annex is completely unscheduled with classes, so that it will be available any period that a teacher wants to schedule its use.
· We are still looking into the availability of free outside training. With so many schedules and levels of training, we are now investigating Web-based training. Our issues of Prepnolynx always include links to free training sites..
· The GroupWise Mail Software had been replaced by Outlook 2000, and now XP, and all faculty are encouraged to use the e-mail whenever possible. Some messages have been tracked to see how many and how soon people are reading their email. After careful consideration and discussions at the last Long-Term Planning Meeting, student e-mail has been discontinued.
· For the 2002-2003 school year, teachers have been informed that many of the school correspondences will be distributed solely by e-mail, with only a few copies of printed versions of the messages posted around the school.
· Additional teachers were trained in the use of Jackson GradeQuick, while a few teachers are still using InteGrade. Both are grading programs that simplify the grade reporting process, both for entire classes at report times and to individual student reports whenever necessary. Throughout the departments there are several members who have been individually trained and have passed on training to other members of their departments.
· Since the 2001 school year, a new grading system based on the BlackBaud school system has been implemented. All teachers are required to submit grades through the BlackBaud system, and are strongly encouraged to utilize the program for everyday grade keeping. The above mentioned GradeQuick is the companion program to BlackBaud.
· Equipped with 23 student computers, the computer lab is in use every period of the day except G. Usually there are 3-8 available computers for use to free students. This hardware was upgraded March 2003.
· No class is scheduled during G or D2.
· Classes D, E, F may be available to switch rooms with advanced notice, to coincide with a testing day
· Equipped with 20 student computers and the large Gateway Destination computer. These were upgraded in 2002
· Equipped with 3 student computers.
· Equipped with 4 student computers, and midi keyboards
· Approximately 3 computes scattered among several rooms for English/Forensics, Art, Language, Griffin Bridges, History, Science, Economics.
· Equipped with 3 student computers.
· Although promoted as a machine that could be used in virtually any classroom, the large Gateway Destination computers would be more powerful if each classroom had networking capabilities. Additionally, the machines are cumbersome and difficult to move. We are looking into traveling wireless networked laptops, a group of 24.
· Novell Netware was replaced with Windows NT, and now with Windows XP.
· Office 97 was upgraded to Office 2000, and now to Office XP, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, Publisher, and Outlook
· Many past programs still remain such as Painter, Maple, Typing Tutor, Hollywood High, Geometers Sketchpad, Photoshop, Kaplan SAT Review, Borland C++, as well as others
· New software has been purchased including Front Page & PaintShopPro. We will be adding Java compiling software by June 2003
· Library computers were replaced at the beginning of the 2000-2001 year, and new machines were added to the Annex in April 2001.
· Math computers were discarded and replaced with last year’s hallway computers
· Art printer has bee replaced with a faster, higher quality ink-jet color printer.
· The computer lab now is equipped with two laser monochrome printers and a color flatbed scanner. We have purchased 3 digital floppy-disk compatible cameras, one with video capabilities and robotics kits. We have CD burners available on site.
· Computer classes have been added or modified as follows:
ü The Applications and Programming class has been separated into two distinct full-year courses
ü The Applications course has been modified to include HTML programming and Internet research
ü The Programming course, having previously been changed from a Pascal focus to C++, now offers both standard and AP levels, and will for the 2003-2004 school year focus on the JAVA programming language, although C++ will still be offered as a summer option.
ü The second year Applications course, Project oriented, focuses greatly on the use of multimedia and web pages, and last year introduced robotics construction and programming.
RESULT: With the required materials and facilities available, these teachers are moving to fulfill their commitment to the students and the AFG Technology growth. In addition, they will undoubtedly inspire others to do the same.
· Many of the teacher assignments and projects have been reported in the issues of Prepnology.
· Teachers are asked to share with their departments the implementation of technology into their curriculum
· Teachers are encouraged to discuss any problems or concerns with the Technology Team
· Training in-service days have been scheduled, and off site training is constantly offered, as well as on-line training.
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Last Modified: Wednesday April 02 2003
