Project Update as of June 2010

This post will provide an update of project activities as of June 2010. 

An initial meeting was conducted with the Digital Learning Coordinator (Thad) and Consultants (Robert and Kirk) on May 11, 2010 to discuss the Maude Burke 1:1 Digital Literacy Project and how it can be framed within the NESD Rubric and system goals.  This meeting covered topics including: (to see the meeting notes through Google Docs, click here.)

• Infrastructure
• Classroom setup and design
• Classroom policies
• Training and PD
• Project data collection
• Presentation of findings
• Aligning project with systemic goals
• Parental communication

A second meeting held on June 2nd included the entire project team (DLC Coordinator, Consultants, Classroom Teacher and Principal).  This meeting covered the following items: (to see the Google Doc notes from this meeting click here).

• Project overview
• Project division goal alignment
• Group norm exercise
• Project team collaboration and data collection
• Classroom design and setup
• PD for team members
• Project research questions
• Potential conference presentations

During the second meeting the project team finalized the project description to read:

The North East School Division (NESD) believes that it is crucial to try and implement new curricula into traditional teaching methodologies and pedagogy. It is our understanding that teaching and learning environments (schools) must be overhauled and updated to match the times in which we live (Jacobs, 2010). Through the Netbook Infusion Project, the NESD and Maude Burke intend to better understand the challenging needs of our learners in a world rapidly changing.

The Maude Burke 1:1 Digital Literacy Project will begin to test the process of integrating 1:1 computing into a classroom, allowing students to encounter a hands-on, participatory learning environment conducive for teaching and learning new media literacy. The project focus is to see the impact new media literacy has on pedagogical approaches, authentic learning experiences and learning spaces to prepare students for life in the 21st century.