PBL+Discussion+and+Group+Work+Page

I had to make a couple of changes.

Hey everyone! Here's our **final** copy of the paper. Great teamwork!! :) I fixed the references and made sure everything looked good, added page numbers and added/fixed running head. See you tomorrow! -Laura

I added a few more pictures and a link to a counter. If you want to add any more slides go for it. See you tomorroww Adam

Ok, I made some more changes, but I'm officially handing it off to Laura- I am done. Laura, I tried adding the running head, but I wasn't able to delete "running head" from pages 2-14. I've also added an abstract and a references page. I hope this makes things a little easier. - Kindra

I just want to let everyone know, I'm adding the running header and page numbers to the paper too. - Laura

from kindra: please take a look at the paper once more- i think we're almost at the point of final draft.

Powerpoint from group meeting Lost at Sea Worksheet

4/10/11- Changes needed to be put into paper .... By providing opportunities for his staff to collaborate, Principal O’Connor will increase the faculty’s exercise in initiative, self-direction, and self-control on the job, if c ombined with Likert’s System Four. This combination will focus on widespread decision-making, open communication, participation, and positive team interaction will help him have a more humanistic leadership approach. According to Short, Rinehart, and Eckley (1999) teachers felt the most empowered when a school was structured through a human resource framework. (Fallon)

4-10-11 - Please check pages 1-7 for my revisions.

Hey! Trying to get the paper to sound like one voice has been a little more challenging than I expected; the first 4 pages alone took over an hour and a half. Laura, my references came from the textbook and WCG web site. I've been trying to find good articles to add to the vision section, but am coming up short. I will keep working to beef it up as that section is lacking. See you in a bit! -Kindra

4-9-11 - here is a draft of the power point. we can make changes tomorrow. See you then.

4/8/11 - Here is the draft update from me. I did a whole bunch of minor corrections (which I didn't bother changing the color for) and all my other corrections/information changes are in purple.

Also, I deleted the reference page on the draft so we didn't get confused. But this is what I have so far for the reference page, I just need to add a few more references and we should be good.

-Laura

4/7/11....Ok I put together a title page and put the names according to last name....Let me know if it is ok or you guys want it to be changed (fallon)

4/7/11- Ok I added information to the paper in red. (Fallon)

4/6/11 - Also here is the extra content. 4/6/11 - Second post of Rough Draft 2. This should be the right file!

4/5/11 - Here is Rough Draft 2. Someone will need to create a cover page and we still need to update the reference page. I am bringing a hard copy of the draft and what was not used (in case we feel something needs to be added).

4/4/11 - I am still pasting together sections of our paper. It was a bit harder than I expected. But it is coming together. I will try to have Draft 2 posted here by tonight or tomorrow so all can look at and print for tomorrow's meeting. I think for tomorrow we should print the Draft 2 and Draft 1 so that we can make sure nothing was left out that is needed.

Thanks,

Josh

I believe we were suppose to create a page to discuss our problem and work from, so here it is! Edit away!

Josh's entry: Our problem in short, we have an opportunity to reform a school and district into a effective, cooperative, and technological school of the 21st century. The problems we must consider as we plan are: 1. a divided staff, both with assets but with very different philosophies; 2. a break down of communication between staff and administration; 3. a poor opinion of the administration by some staff members; 4. meeting the needs of all students; 5. buy-in for professional and team development; 6. and a unified vision and direction for the development of a successful curriculum.

What do you all think? Any major parts left out? Please suggest, add, and comment!

Josh, I think you're right on target!

Here are some thoughts and questions that arose during my reading:

It is mentioned that there's been a 4% increase in the students' standardized test scores, with some students still scoring in the bottom 25%. I think it is important to evaluate the cause of the increase over the last year. It seems up until a year ago, the trend had been decreasing scores. With the push for technology in the classroom, what kind of support is being offered to teachers who aren't technologically savvy? What type of programs or instruction is being implemented to suggest the benefits of computer use within the classroom? With its transient population, what type of initiatives are in place to ensure the integrity of the curriculum and instruction at Hickory Ridge High? How can a disenchanted staff be motivated and empowered? What type of evidence can be given to show the effectiveness of potential initiatives?

-Kindra Pinnace

Josh, I totally agree with you on what the problem is.

Kindra, I agree with a few of the questions that you came up with. The first thing I agree with is about how the school is pushing technology within the classroom, but what is the school doing to help the teachers who don't know as much about technology? The other question I agree with is what programs and instructions are being used to support the use of computers within the classroom? Also, I agree with the question you asked about how the staff can be motivated, especially since they lack various elements of teamwork?

Some of my other thoughts were: Has there been a change in the classroom and the learning since the students started to incorporate technology in the classroom? Also, are the students learning better, worse or same with the newer teachers teaching as they were with the older teachers?

-Laura Neu

I agree with you Josh with what the major problems seem to be. They state that the district reform effort allowed a core of Hickory teachers to participate in activities. How did they decide what teachers were selected. Were these activities then shared with the rest of the staff? I feel like one of the major problems is that the staff needs to value each other and see that everyone has something valuable to contribute.

-Fallon Melendez

Summary of the problem

The Superintendent of the Winfield School District was hired to help the school district achieve its new vision of becoming a technologically driven, innovative school district. The change was supposed to start at the high school and spread to the other schools within the district. The change has yet to take place for many reasons. Those reasons include the school staff is divided, both fractions have assets but with different philosophies. Another reason the school is still waiting on the change is there is poor communication between staff and administration, not all staff respect the administration. The last reason that the school is not meeting its new vision is a lack of community and staff development in amongst teachers. Adam