Our Result(s):

TILE (Technologically Integrated Learning Environment)
TILE was designed across a 2-year study by a team of 40 teachers, administrators and others. The T.I.L.E. committee identified research-based teaching/ learning strategies that when combined with technology increase achievement. They developed specifications for the technology needed to support the teaching and learning. Finally, they identified a professional development strategy to prepare classroom teachers to integrate effective technological strategies and tools into content areas.

Pilot Program
Each cohort of "pilot teachers" completes a 4-year process in which they learn in successive years 1) personal productivity tools, 2) one-computer classroom, 3) Teaching and Learning with Computers (flexible grouping with 5 networked workstations in the classroom), and 4) Mentoring.

Technology Academy  
The purpose of LC2000's “Technology Academy” is to provide teachers with technology skills, tools, and strategies that help them prepare learners for the twenty-first century. Three times a year the district offers free voluntary technology classes that take place off contract hours. A variety of classes are offered and all instructors are District 108 staff. Both instructors and pupils receive incentives. A formula negotiated with the teachers' association allowed them to apply Tech Academy courses toward advancement on the salary schedule.

Teacher Research and Development Fellowships  
The District offered fellowships to certified staff during the period from January 1999 through June 2000 as an opportunity for instructional pioneers to explore new instructional practices, methodologies and or technologies to enhance teaching and learning. The fellows" research and development work will pave the way for future full teacher implementation. The fellowship provided a stipend for project time outside the regular school day and during the summer

Pekin Professional Development School  
After two years of planning, LC2000 and Illinois State University instituted the Pekin Professional Development School in August 1999. The PPDS creates an exemplary learning environment that embraces innovation and the integration of best practices for children, interns, and faculties in a technologically oriented society. This partnership with Illinois State University focuses upon problem-based learning, technology rich learning environments and collaborative instructional strategies.

The senior year of twenty-one student "interns" from Illinois State University is spent in Pekin. together, interns and mentors explore technology-rich instructional methods and implement them in the classroom. Methods classes in literacy, language arts, science, social studies, and reading are taught on-site by university professors and exemplary LC2000 teachers.

Summer Technology Camps  
To provide teachers with authentic professional learning opportunities, LC2000 conducted four summer technology camps for kids in June and August of 1997 and 1998. Over 70 teaching teams designed 26 week-long instructional units, taught them to 15-35 students, and used that experience to refine their instructional plans and materials. To design their units, teachers researched content, learned to use the necessary software and hardware needs, and created lesson plans and materials. Each teaching team created two unit kits--one for themselves and one for checkout through the LC2000 Tech Center. Each team also submitted a reflective journal about what they learned from the summer experience and from the first classroom use of the unit.

TIPS (Teacher Induction Program for Success)  
The introduction of technology and new research-based instructional strategies had a major impact on teachers" culture and role expectations. The “Teacher Induction Program for Success” (TIPS was introduced in 1997 to help newly hired teachers get up to speed. TIPS encompasses three goals: 1) to encourage the concept of life long learning. 2) to facilitate the transition into first year teaching, and 3) to increase the retention of highly qualified teachers.

During this year long program, the TIPS participants study issues related to current best teaching practices such as: Classroom Management, Technology in the Classroom, Effective Parent Communications, Alternative Assessments, Brain-based/Multiple Intelligence Theories, Differentiated Learning and Leadership Perspectives. Each TIPS participant is paired with a seasoned teacher who serves as a mentor. The TIPS year culminates in an exhibition night at which TIPS participants show off what they have accomplished across their first year in the Learning Community.

          
School Webmasters  
In each school, LC2000 identifies and pays one teacher to act as the Webmaster. The Webmaster is responsible for creating and maintaining the school's homepage within Pekin.net, training other teachers to use IBM's "Learning Village" homepage software to create and maintain a classroom homepage, and sponsoring a Student Webmaster Club. School Webmasters receive extensive training, including theory and practice of Web design, Web-based marketing, HTML, Adobe Photoshop, and various graphics tools.
              

"Pilot Travel" Online tutorial
The “Pilot Travel” tutorial is designed for Year 1 of the Pilot Program, and it also serves as an online refresher for seasoned users. “Pilot Travel” provides information and “how-to"s” related to Netscape, classroom hardware, Webpages, and troubleshooting software, hardware, or the LC2000 network.

TechnoTalk Website
Technospeak is a major source of confusion for technology newcomers. LC2000 provides an online glossary of arcane computer terminology from “Address” to “Zip.”
              

Internet Driver's License Online Tutorial and Test  
The Internet Driver"s License Tutorial gets teachers started using the Internet. This tutorial, which is part of the Internet Driver's License program, is designed to get teachers online while they learn the skills to drive the information superhighway. Teachers must successfully complete all the steps and pass the Internet Driving Test to earn the privilege of accessing the Internet at Pekin District 108.
          


Internet Lesson Links for Teachers
LC2000 maintains URL links for teachers to access lesson plans and instructional ideas in Language Arts, math, science, social studies, health/PE, and fine arts.

SAI Online Tutorial  
LC2000 maintains an on-line tutorial to help teachers and parents understand the full literacy program, Standards-Assessment-Instruction (SAI). The tutorial follows a middle school student through the content and activities of the SAI cycles. Contextual links explain SAI's goals and design, procedures, materials, and also provide sample student work products.

Multimedia Thinking Skills  
LC2000 collaborated with Fountain Communications, Inc., and George Mason University in development of the "Multimedia & Thinking Skills" project (MMTS). MMTS is instructional software based upon students learning the role of news reporter. Teachers, playing the part of news editor, assign student reporters to cover historical events. Students access original sources on-line from the Smithsonian or on CD, conduct mock interviews, and compose news stories. Along the way, the software teaches them history and civics, skills of identifying point of view and propaganda, and writing method.

--Piloted use of online collaboration tool package being developed by Fountain Communications, Inc. and George Mason University for the "Multimedia & Thinking Skills project." MMTS is instructional software based upon the role of news reporter. To cover historical events, students access on-line or CD original sources, learn and apply critical thinking skills, and compose news stories. (FY98)

--Continued relationship with Fountain Communications, Inc. and George Mason University for the Multimedia & Thinking Skills project, and expanded it to include: collaboration in developing online professional development tools for technology in the social sciences. (FY99)

--Submitted to National Science Foundation a grant with George Mason University and Smithsonian to develop "Multi-User Virtual Environments (MUVEs)" as student learning tools. (Not funded in FY99. Will resubmit)