TEACHER PARTICIPANTS

RECOMMENDATIONS

	Future Use of Technology
	Training
	Time
	Suggestions

FUTURE USE OF TECHNOLOGY

Many teachers indicated that they were at the early stages of incorporating technology resources and training into their teaching. As indicated in the amount of reported increased computer activity with a variety of technological tools, some participants were just beginning to use the resources provided by Urban Dreams. Comments were that plans were being made to expand their use of technology in the future. Teachers were generally anxious to improve their teaching practices as well as their skills with technology. In addition, teachers were hopeful that they would be able to collaborate with their colleagues more successfully in the future. The general attitude was that the technology resources and training were impacting their roles as teachers in the classroom, as well as supportive colleagues in the profession.

FUTURE PLANS FOR MORE INTEGRATION OF TECHNOLOGY INTO CURRICULUM

	I have not integrated as much as I want, yet. It is a slow process, but I am using some of the materials on Human Rights. I am hoping to do a project in my U.S. History class later in the spring on human rights and U.S. government policy.
	During the summer institute we heard speakers who spoke to the topic of human and civil rights. I have not integrated the information yet, but to use some of the information for a future unit that I have already written.
	I don't think I've used any of the materials yet, but I plan to.
	King Papers Project -"A certain kind of fire." curriculum unit...more in the works!

FUTURE PLANS FOR COLLABORATION

	I plan on working on curriculum in the future with the English teacher to improve integrated projects.
	I have not yet been able to work with other teachers.
	I haven't had time to take up the opportunities offered.
	We haven't done that much collaboration. We have meetings on Wednesdays that I go to once in a while.
	But I have not involved myself in collaboration outside of my site. I have assisted teachers at my site to produce their own material but we haven't really collaborated yet.

TRAINING

The participants were pleased with the training they had received in the summer workshops as well as from support staff throughout the year. Concerns were expressed over the need for ongoing training both in technology and in the integration of technology and curriculum. Several comments were made concerning the need for more basic computer training in order to effectively use the technology in the classroom. Some respondents felt that they needed more instruction in the use of the technological tools in order to be comfortable using them in classroom instruction.

	Teachers could be asked what are their priorities, what would they like to do with computers. In addition, Urban Dreams could provide ongoing training.
	I think they probably need to repeat some of the technology workshops they have already offered. Not everyone got to the first round, and I also think that when you are learning a new technology, you sometimes have to see, hear or practice something more.
	Technology training should precede lectures on human and civil rights. Ways to incorporate technology into instructional strategies should be demonstrated using content standards and instructional materials.
	For the next round of teachers, there should be some computer basics provided before teachers are deluged with more advanced ideas. Workshops might be designed with a closer view of teachers' skills.
	There needs to be more basic instruction for beginners before introducing the Internet resources. Once the equipment is installed at a site there should be an on-site "refresher" course in how to use it.
	Training, reflection on lessons with trusted coaches, back up.
	I need additional assistance form the project staff and perhaps additional summer workshops to act as a continuum. Reinforcement for what we learned last summer would be of great value.

CURRICULUM TRAINING - TECHNOLOGY INTEGRATION

Requests for improving training of teachers were made relating to the problems of integrating technology with curriculum. Several teachers requested more guidance on how this should be accomplished in the classroom. For many teachers, the focus was on curriculum rather than the technology.

	Recruit teachers (from schools that have successfully integrated curriculum and technology for practical application-the classroom) to provide us with staff development opportunities.
	The mixing of the curriculum with the technology in my classroom.
	More English involvement. I have suggested the Mark Twain papers and Museum at UC Berkeley. I have doubts about the staff's facility with obtaining top notch literature people for presenters even though I have used every opportunity to highlight the need.
	More information like the human rights workshops.
	A library of human/civil rights videos and software!
	English, English, English!

TIME

One of the major frustrations expressed by teacher participants was the lack of time. Participants felt they needed more time to work on professional development and they expressed feelings relating to the pressure of trying to change instructional strategies without sufficient time for preparation. In addition, the teachers needed time to collaborate and communicate with one another and reflect on their own learning processes.

	We don't have enough time to ponder and reflect.
	The biggest issue for me is to have the time to really integrate the technology into my classroom. It is time-consuming to do things differently and that is why it takes awhile to do a good job of bringing this technology into the classroom.
	I need TIME for curriculum development.
	Any chance of having some of the technology training on Saturday mornings or from 1:30-3:30 at the school site on weekdays?
	I'd like to see professional development activities offered for a longer period of time. Maybe a semester.
	Meeting at the end of the day is sometimes difficult for classroom teachers. More professional development opportunities like the summer institute are preferable.
	I think I would enjoy additional collaboration time. I want to talk with other are planning units and who have completed units using the technology.
	Need more reflection, personal assessment.
	Time to learn to use technology equipment.
	More money, more time, more energy-for me.
	I guess the main thing would be if there were a way to buy a substantial amount of time for us to plan, train and communicate. Maybe some of that could happen at another Summer Institute. Is that a possibility for those of us in the first cohort?

TECHNOLOGY RESOURCES - Hardware and Software

Specific concerns over hardware and software were expressed by a number of teachers in the study. The primary issue was with internet access. In addition, some teachers mentioned specific software programs that were needed in their classroom. The participants were asked if there was anything they would like to add that would help improve the Urban Dreams project (Question #21). Teachers responded both in areas of technology and curriculum.

Hardware

	Internet connection for Urban Dreams computers.
	To further improve my understanding of the use of the computer. Could we get laptops for students?
	As far as technology goes-getting good Internet sources that the students can use and understand. There is abundant material out there and the reading level varies.
	There is no longer a computer lab here due to vandalism.
	Obviously, my #1 concern is internet access. I'm sure that the summer workshop curriculum will have some components added and deleted.
	A big one is learning how to use five computers and the internet in the most effective way with my classes. How to coordinate my students' use of the hardware and software and how to teach them to do research using the many resources we have through Urban Dreams.

Software

	Narrowing down the choices of software and being able to focus. Many of the teachers involved were not that computer literate, so it slowed down the learning process.
	Training in Pagemaker, Powerpoint, PC-Windows 98-intermediate, internet frustrations, AOL, Microsoft Word, scanning and entering, and general computer doo-dad stuff.
	I want to learn how to use Power Point, how to teach typing to my students, how to use art programs, data sheets, and more.
	I know some of my students would like to use computers to take exams and it would also make it easier for me to read them if word processing was available.

Support

	Several sections should be run concurrently! a) Beginners b) Intermediate c) Advanced. School site demonstrations and lectures should be done during each school's staff development scheduled time.
	On-site walk through in hooking everything up and using it, like plugging the computer into the TV monitor, how to install a cartridge in the printer. Prevention, for me, will be the mother of invention. I need to feel free to roam around in the equipment
	Continued technology support.

TEACHER SUGGESTIONS

	Stay the course, don't disappear.
	Keep it going - Teachers unfamiliar with tech and curriculum development and over 40 years old need all the encouragement and substantial opportunity to be professionally developed.
	Continued opportunities to meet colleagues; to be exposed to social justice issues through guest presenters and on-going partnerships; more demonstrations of what's possible w/integrating technology with curriculum.
	For the projects, you could provide samples of what other participants have done, where to find information .
	An e-mail group for sharing ideas.