MHz Networks January 2006 North TIERAwards Page 4
Students Making Connections with the Curriculum: Interactive Technology in
Classroom
Mrs. Sottosanti is eager for her students to really "get it" in her Algebra class long before
they take a quiz or a test. How about being able to know this information immediately
after each lesson and being able to re-teach before the students leave the classroom? The
Qwizdom Wireless Interactive Response system helps teachers do just that. By
participating in an interactive learning environment where the teacher can consistently
check for understanding, students will be able to gain confidence as they see their efforts
producing more positive results with the immediate feedback from this system. This will
also save valuable teaching time allowing for more targeted instruction. Model lessons
and training will be provided for teaches in other subject areas, other grade levels and
nearby schools.
Cynthia Cornwell
Harmony Intermediate School
Loudoun County Public Schools
To Pod or Not to Pod? That is the Question
This action research project seeks to answer the question: Is it feasible for schools to
utilize podcasting as a tool for instruction and communication with the community at
large? An action research team comprised of an Instructional Resource Teacher (ITRT),
two content teachers, and teachers from selected departments will work in tandem with
faculty from a feeder school to create a professional development program to answer this
question. It will concentrate on 1) increasing teacher and school effectiveness by utilizing
podcasting as a means of community communication and relations; 2) providing
feedback of results using podcasting; and 3) providing teacher participation with ongoing
ability to achieve professional growth goals pertaining to technology integration of
podcasting in the classroom.
Cynthia Pixley
Massaponax High School
Spotsylvania County Public Schools
Tools to Assist with Teaching Academic Honesty
This grant will provide stipends for 20 teachers from five high schools to collaborate
across disciplines to address the problem of plagiarism, especially in the use of web-
based information for writing essays. Working in small research groups, teachers will
define plagiarism, and distinguish between appropriate web-based work and plagiarism
assisted by technology. In several workshops, teachers will acquire skills for using
Turnitin.com as an instructional tool, rather than a `gotcha' device; develop lesson plans
to assist students in acquiring skills to accurately present sources of information; create a
presentation for building-level staff to raise awareness of plagiarism issues and
prevention.
Rosemary Balgavy
Stafford County Public Schools
