TexasTTCC: The Road Map to Accelerating Technology

Integration

Mary Pearson, Karin Horn, and Norma Smith ESC Region XI

“TTCC gave them the map they need to get the skills to go on in

the classroom with technology…”

• Recognized statewide • 100% Online• Electronic Portfolio with

items addressing all 73 performance indicators of SBEC Technology Applications Standards I-V required of all teachers

• National standards addressed

TexasTTCC -Certifying Teacher Technology Competency Since 2003

Desktop Publishing ProductSpreadsheet and ChartMultimedia PresentationDatabaseWeb pageTechnology-rich lesson plans Evaluation instruments for technology productsTechnology tools to perform tasks and plan, monitor and

adjust instruction

Teacher-created Portfolio Contents

Why Do Districts Require Their Teachers to Become

TexasTTCC Certified?

To Improve Student Achievement

• “The key is that this certification would assure us teachers can add value to student learning. … That’s the bottom line. We believe technology can improve teaching and improve learning.”

• Robert Damron, Superintendent Cleburne ISD

How Does a Teacher Technology Competencies

Certification Program Improve Student Achievement?

TexasTTCC makes teachers more confident

What districts discovered was that as their teachers prepared the products for their TexasTTCC electronic portfolios, they became more confident with integrating technology into curriculum and instruction

Teachers Exceed Expectations

Godley ISD

“It started out as a concept of requiring a lesson plan dealing with technology this year…. It snowballed…I can state absolutely, unequivocally, had it not been for TTCC our teachers would not be doing what they are doing today. They have far exceeded any of our expectations.”

Jimmy SmithTechnology Director

Godley ISD

“If the network is down, it’s like someone dropped a bomb in here. … They have integrated technology that much into their everyday lesson plans that if it is not working, it’s a BIG deal.”

TexasTTCC Accelerates Technology Integration

Teachers who are proficient and confident in using technology integrate technology into student activities and instruction more often than other teachers.

“I had just done a spreadsheet for TTCC and I thought, if I can make a spreadsheet, I know my 8 year olds can do it! So we made a spreadsheet on our whales and they incorporated it into their PowerPoints and they did an excellent job. I was bragging to everybody…

“The student who doesn’t want to risk giving a wrong answer in class is not afraid to click that button (on CPS system) because they’ve seen their teachers be lifelong learners (with TTCC)…”

How Are School Districts Implementing the TexasTTCC

Program?

• With Superintendent-directed long term plans to have every teacher certified

Godley ISD• Superintendent, Technology Director,

Administrators, Finance Director, School Board• “All these entities must be on the same page”

• Jimmy Smith, Technology Director Godley ISD

• 103 teachers certified

• Reluctant teacher– “Give me a book and I’ll teach. … I didn’t want to do it. I

didn’t have time to do it and I wasn’t going to find time to do it. … The more I got into learning things on the computer…I have come full circle to appreciate technology. I enjoy it. The kids love it. … I have my diploma (TexasTTCC certificate) on the field house wall.”

Randolph Field ISD

• Superintendent learned about TexasTTCC at the Midwinter conference

• TexasTTCC became part of the District Technology Plan

http://classroom.rfisd.net/webs/tech/technology_plan_2004-2007.htm

Randolph Field ISD

• By September of 2005, 90 teachers were TexasTTCC certified

• According to the student produced video on the home page of their Web site, http://www.rfisd.net/:– Technology is everywhere– 1-1 Student/computer ratio– SOAR program (Student Online Achievement

Resources)

Cleburne ISD

• Superintendent, Curriculum Director and Technology Director developed 5 year plan– Stipends

– Professional Development

– TexasTTCC certification

Cleburne ISD

• 301 Teachers certified

• Part of new teacher contract

Mansfield ISD

• Superintendent and Technology Director developed plan using Title IID funds– Professional Development

– Virtual Field Trips

– TexasTTCC certification

Laptops Distributed for Technology Certification

Mansfield ISD

•522 Teachers certified

•Instructional Technology Cadre

Another Implementation of the TexasTTCC Program is for Grant

Evaluation

Arlington ISD

• One school was in the grant• Instructional Technology department became

certified

Arlington ISD

• Teachers at other campuses were encouraged to participate

• 453 Teachers now certified

At a district staff development facility, Arlington ISD frequently has three computer labs filled with TTCC participants. The atmosphere is like a think tank of professionals discussing curriculum content, instructional strategies, and problem-solving techniques. The result of the competency program is well-informed educators who are prepared to use technology to improve teaching and learning for students.

Sue McGaheeDirector of Instructional Technology

TARGET Grant ISDs

• Denton, Bluffdale, Dublin, Sivells Bend. Erath Excels, Fort Worth CAN, Strawn, Three Way

• One school from each district

• Another 100 TexasTTCC certified teachers

Birdville ISD

• 12 Districts across the state partnered with Birdville ISD

• Online and face-to-face professional development

• TexasTTCC

Belton ISD & Rosebud-Lott ISD

• 180 Teachers certified

Another implementation of the TexasTTCC Program is to create a cadre of technology-using teachers to help others integrate technology

Mansfield ISD

Instructional Technology team piloted TTCC when it was a regional program and again when it was revised as TexasTTCC

Team members work with several campuses to assist teachers in technology integration and portfolio preparation

Pasadena ISD and Ector County ISD Instructional Technology

Departments Become Cadres

All central office and campus-based instructional technology specialists become certified

Yet another way to use the TexasTTCC Program

• Lewisville ISD is using the TexasTTCC program as the equivalent of their own program in qualifying teachers to receive a laptop computer

“It is imperative that school districts have the ability to demonstrate accountability for their teachers’ technical competency certification. The state’s education service centers are providing a needed support mechanism with this high quality program to help ensure legitimacy in this critical professional development area.”

Greg Veal, Executive Director of Technology, Lewisville ISD

Some School Districts are using the TexasTTCC Program in collaboration with the Education Service Centers for professional development and assessment

New Diana ISD

Two Step Program• Prepare with Teaching

with Technology online classes

• TexasTTCC assessment

• Some districts are using the TexasTTCC program as a model for performance-based portfolio assessment to show that their 8th grade students are Technology Literate

• Many teachers and school district leaders are asking questions about how TexasTTCC will work for them

• What questions do you have?– Mary Jones Pearson mcjones@esc11.net

• 817 723-7286

– Karin Horn khorn@esc11.net 817 740-3668– Norma Smith nsmith@esc11.net 817 740-3612