The Learning ConnectionAre YOU Connected?

By: Jamie Doane

EDTEC685

The Learning

Connection Homepage

Variety of tools for Users to Have Access

to when visiting:

Log-In

The Learning Connection: Goals

To improve student learning.

To improve instruction/online grade access.

To have longitudinal statistical data based on student levels and standards, students and ISTEP+, students and subject grade.

Collaboration between schools, administrators, and teachers.

Instant access to up-to-date Department of Education information that can contribute to school improvement.

The Learning Connection: Hopeful Outcomes for

Educators

Improved student academic achievement.

Tracking student achievement by students, parents, teachers, administrators, and schools.

Improved data collection for schools within the states.

Increased Use of The Learning Connection tools: Community Involvement Colleague Collaboration Technical Support- Email/Helpful Links Use of current subject-level standards

Learning Resources link- Resource library

Understandable accessible data Use The Learning Connection grade book

The Learning Connection:Hopeful Outcomes for Parents and

Students

Better understanding for student growth

Better understanding for ISTEP+ scores

Motivation to increase student achievementComparison to other student growth at same levelStudent Growth ModelCompletion of Indiana State standards

Access to IDOE features and tools

Increased Communication with teachers and administrators

The Learning Connection Perks

On the following slides, you will see images and

information on the perks of being a Learning

Connection member.

Dashboard

Teacher Information:• Lessons• Classes

• Notifications• Announcements• Forum Threads

Just a Click Away:Easy to

Understand/Access

Profile Information

Opportunity to share &

collaborate with colleagues and

schools.

Red = Low GrowthYellow = Typical Growth

Green = High Growth

Class Growth on the ISTEP+ Fall 2008

Teachers can view Individual Student

ISTEP+ Scores

Scores are

Organized by Date

•Class Performance Standards: Teachers can see charts on specific class ISTEP+ growth/Individual Student Growth•Student Progress Report: Compare academic standards to student performance•Student Grade Report: Current grade on student in subject•Historical Grades: Student grades within Learning Connection

Administrators are able to monitor teacher use on the Learning Connection

= More/Better Communication Between

Admin. And Teachers.

Have accessible information for each

substitute:

• Lesson plans are laid out.

• Standards are easy to find.

Folders of Lessons/Rubrics

Your Lessons

are Saved and Easy

to Retrieve.

No need to worry

about losing files.

You may organize

your lessons as

you please.

State standards are linked

to your lesson plans.

These arrows can be used to search more specific standards.

Instant access and attachment to state

standards.

Lessons/Rubrics are organized, easy to print, and scheduled.

You may also share your lessons with colleagues

and Publish your lessons.

Have your files and bookmarked information ready to go no matter where you are!

Include activities to go along with your lesson plans.

The Learning Connection: Potentials

For teachers to have stored information that they can access from any location.

For teachers to collaborate more often and frequently.

Race to the Top Grant- Good use of data collection

The IDOE and state schools will have more available means of communication.

Students will use The Learning Connection to better their growth regularly.

Parents will understand the importance of student growth through the student ISTEP+ scores and The Learning Connection scores in comparison to other students and state standards.

The Learning Connection: Barriers

New data collecting system- This will take time for teachers to be trained to use/get used to working with regularly.

Rubrics/Lessons are not provided with a format like rGrade for example.

Keywords for Standards rarely work. The user has to type in a fairly broad word and look into the core standards to attach an appropriate standard.

Student usernames and passwords- Are students in charge of these? What happens if they change their username and passwords, but forget?

Level of importance at different schools- Will The Learning Connection be a top priority of data collection and student achievement?

Will students take The Learning Connection seriously?

Professional Development time?

Will teachers be tracked based on the students’ data?

The Learning Connection Overview

If The Learning Connection is encouraged by administrators and teachers:

Students may become motivated by charts and visible test scores to improve

Teachers may step up their teaching practices in order to help all students succeed.

Students and teachers may express better attitudes about education by viewing and experiencing academic growth.

Higher morale among staff and students.

NETS 2007: Students 1. Creativity and Innovation: Students work with technology using

attained and personalized learning skills. – Students will have personalized usernames and website settings that apply to their academic information.

2. Communication and Collaboration: Students use technology to communicate with peers and learn together. –Collaborating and comparing scores with same level students.

3. Research and Information Fluency: Students will gather knowledge and information by using technology tools available to them. –The Learning Connection is available to students in and out of school. (Easy access)

4.Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, and Decision Making: Students will understand how to apply these concepts when using technology. –Students will apply their educational skills to progress in their academics while using the website.

5. Digital Citizenship: Students will practice legal and ethical behaviors when using technology. –Students will be expected to use this website for academic purposes.

6. Technology Operations and Concepts: Students will know how to use technology, and they will understand its importance to their future. –Student growth is important for students to witness their success and potential in education.

NETS 2008: Teachers 1. Facilitate and inspire student learning and creativity: Teachers

encourage students to take advantage of technology in order for students to use the tools and resources in their own inspiring ways.- Teachers allow students to work with The Learning Connection as opportunities for personalized learning.

2. Develop and Design Digital Learning and Assessments: Teachers can create online assessments and assignments to evaluate students. –Teachers can use the online student data information to create lesson plans and correlate state standards to meet the academic needs of students.

3. Model Digital Age Work and Learning: Stay current with and use latest technology advancements that can support student learning. –Be up-to-date with what the IDOE expectations and goals by working with The Learning Connection website and encouraging students to improve their academic achievement.

4. Promote and Model Digital Citizenship and Responsibility: Act ethically and responsible when using technology in the classroom. – Explain to students that The Learning Connection website is to be used for academic improvement purposes only.

5. Engage in Professional Growth and Leadership: Be an example of a professional who utilizes technology to support their lifelong learning. –Become knowledgeable and skilled with The Learning Connection website. Become a leader for other teachers.

NETS 2010: Facilitators 1. Technology Operations and Concepts: Technology facilitators understand how to

use technology tools and operations, as well as, apply technology concepts. –Become familiar with The Learning Connection website in order to be able to teach others about the site’s resources.

2. Planning and Designing Learning Environments and Experiences: Create digital environments that support learning. –Set up areas where students and teachers can focus on academic goals.

3. Teaching, Learning, and the Curriculum: Incorporate technology into the curriculum. –Use state standards as guidelines for helping students pass struggling concepts.

4. Assessment and Evaluation: Use technology to facilitate effective assessments. – Have The Learning Connection be an effective assessment and data collection tool.

5. Productivity and Practice: Work towards enhancing better practice techniques and strategies while using technology. –Find ways to ensure The Learning Connection is used efficiently and successfully.

6. Social, Ethical, Legal and Human Issues: Help teachers with applying and understanding moral, ethical, and legal actions while using technology. –Be an example of how to use The Learning Connection website properly.

7. Procedures, Policies, Planning, and Budgeting for Technology Environments: Facilitators understand the planning and development processes to implement policies and budgeting for their K-12 schools. – Conduct professional development session on The Learning Connection.

8. Leadership and Vision: Share and contribute to a comprehensive vision that will contribute to technology learning environments.-Encourage colleagues to be motivated to analyze student data and assist students with being successful learners.

URLs:

https://learningconnection.doe.in.gov/Login.aspx?ret=/default.aspx

ISTE-NETS: https://www.iste.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=NETS

NETS

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