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Research proves that the single most important factor in the quality of education in any classroom is the quality of the teacher.
NEF believes that by providing professional development to our 1,000 teachers and school leaders, we can positively affect the quality of education given to our district's 11,000 children.
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TechSmart Teachers
TechSmart Teachers (TST) delivers professional development in technology for Norwalk teachers and staff, guided by the district’s Technology Department. Teachers share knowledge and skills with their peers on how to integrate technology into classrooms. TST helps hundreds of teachers and thousands of students become citizens of the technology driven 21st Century. Classes are offered free of charge throughout the year. |
Course Examples
• SmartBoards
• 4 Courses targeting Elementary Teachers using MS Office
• Outlook E-mail
• Microsoft Powerpoint
• Microsoft Publisher
• Genesis Gradebook
• Study Island
Program Outcomes
• 143 TEACHERS have taken a TechSmart class from September 2008 – June 2009
• 298 TECHSMART CLASS SEATS have been filled in the past year, saving Norwalk teachers approximately $1,300 in CEU class tuition
• 63 TEACHERS have taken more than one class, some as many as 9 in one year
• 90+ COURSE HOURS taught from September 2008 – June 2009
Click here: TechSmart Teachers Schedule - to see our latest class offerings.
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Teachers Appreciate TST
"These courses are a great service and a good way to get CEUs. Thank you!"
"We’re lucky to have access to this instruction."
"This was a wonderful class filled with informative material. This teacher can inspire while at the same time challenge us. What an asset to have!" |
Technology Liaisons
Technology Liaisons coordinate and participate in the advancement, fluid maintenance, and integration of technology in the district through their roles in each building. The liaison is the point person for communication between the technology department, teachers, and administrators. At least one liaison serves in each of the district’s 19 schools.
Impact on the district
Technology Liaisons saved over $15,000 for the district by resolving 66% of the technology issues reported to them in their buildings (20 hours per school on average) from January – June 2009.
Outcomes
• 23 Liasons served in all 19 schools from December 2008 - June 2009
• 1000+ TECHNOLOGY ISSUES flowed through Technology Liaisons from January - June 2009, 66% resolved by Tech Liaisons
What Liaisons Are Saying
"The Tech Liaison position has enabled our school to operate in a concise manner in all tech areas. We are beginning the process of immersing our students into SmartBoard learning and advancing these children into 21st Century technological learning."
- Steve McAuley, Wolfpit School Technology Liaison
Funders: JPMorgan Chase Foundation, GE Capital
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"Currently, our Tech Liaison program (which works through a partnership with NEF) allows us to have a representative at each building that serves as a staff developer and troubleshooter.
Our time in fulfilling call tickets for malfunctioning equipment has drastically reduced and we have been able to offer more systemic professional development through the use of these individuals.
When teachers are more comfortable with using technology and can rely on it functioning, we see a better integration of technology into the classroom.
This has been possible because of the support NPS has received from NEF."
--- Victor Black, NPS IT Staff Developer
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