Pekin Public Schools: Technology

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CongressLink & Pekin GovLink Fellowship

What is a fellowship?
A fellowship is an extended curricular opportunity for teachers to explore new instructional practices, methodologies, and/or technologies to enhance teaching and learning. The purpose of the fellowship is to select instructional pioneers whose research and development work will pave the way for easy future implementation for all staff. The fellowship will provide a stipend for project time outside the regular school day and during the summer. Each of the fellowships is part of a research and development effort to explore concepts in the strategic plan.

What exactly is the Dirksen fellowship?
There are four primary goals for this fellowship program:

Learn how to use problem-based learning techniques in a classroom setting.
Develop a vision for PekinGovLink as an instructional tool and a forum for community awareness and involvement in civic and local government issues.
Learn how to evaluate the use of CongressLink and PekinGovLink as part of the social studies curriculum.
Help to develop an effective Website of projects and lesson plans for CongressLink and PekinGovLink.

What are CongressLink and PekinGovLink?
CongressLink is a web site (http://www.congresslink.org/online.html) created by the Dirksen Center. It is designed to help teachers and students explore new ways to learn about Congress, how it works, its underpinnings, its leaders and members, and the policies it produces.

PekinGovLink is a web site now being developed by District 108 and the Dirksen Center. It is intended to serve two purposes. First, it will provide a civics education tool that facilitates direct, authentic student involvement in local government. Second, it will facilitate community-wide participation in local issues.

How many teachers will be selected for the web page fellowship?
Up to four classroom teachers will be selected.

Can anyone apply?
Because the fellowship requires classroom access to the Web, this program will be limited to Pilots '96 and Pilots '97 teachers.

Will I receive any equipment for my classroom?
There will be no computers given out for this program. However, the Dirksen fellowship teachers may request software or equipment that become necessary to achieving the goals.

Will I receive any additional training?
Yes, there will be opportunities for training in such areas as Web page design and Problem-Based Learning.

What are the incentives for becoming a part of the fellowship program?
A $2000 stipend will be paid to each participant.

Is this paid in one lump sum? Spread over time?
It will be paid in four $500 installments: March 1, 1999; June 30, 1999; December 1, 1999; May 1, 2000.

How do I apply?
Attend an optional informational meeting held at Washington Intermediate School Auditorium on November 16 at 3:30 PM to receive full information and meet with a project director. Send the on-line application by November 25.

When does the program start?
Participants will be selected by December 18 and project work will begin the second semester of the 1998-99 school year.

How long will it last?
The fellowship will begin in January 1999 and continue through the spring of 2000.

Can I sign up for just one semester?
No, we are looking for teachers who will commit to a yearlong effort of integrating CongressLink and GovLink into their curricula.

What specific objectives need to be completed?
Each Dirksen Fellow will be expected to participate in one technology site visit to District 108 and/or LC2000. The following tables outline the specific objectives to be completed during each semester

Spring 1999

This semester the focus will be to

#1 Learn how to use problem-based learning techniques in a classroom setting.

#2 Work individually and collaboratively to identify content appropriate for incorporating into PekinGovLink and/or CongressLink.

#3 Identify classroom instructional techniques that take advantage of PekinGovLink and/or CongressLink.

#4 Create and implement at least one lesson plan that utilizes PekinGovLink and/or CongressLink.



Summer 1999

During the summer

#1 Work with a Dirksen Center technician to design the project’s Web pages and to post the lesson plans designed in the spring.

#2 Participate in a training workshop to design a vision and an evaluation plan for PekinGovLink.



Fall 1999

During this semester the focus will

#1 Create and implement at least two lesson plans that utilize PekinGovLink and/or CongressLink.

#2 Pilot the evaluation plan for PekinGovLink and CongressLink.

#3 Work with a Dirksen Center technician to modify the site as indicated by the evaluation and to and post the fall semester lesson plans.



Spring 2000

During this semester the focus will

#1 Create and implement at least two lesson plans that utilize PekinGovLink and/or CongressLink.

#2 Continue the evaluation plan for PekinGovLink and CongressLink.

#3 Work with a Dirksen Center technician to modify the site as indicated by the evaluation and to and post the spring semester lesson plans.

Pekin Public Schools District 108
501 Washington Street
Pekin, IL 61554
Phone: 309.477.4740
Fax: 309.477.4701