Instructional Technology Home
Welcome!
Moses Lake School District is proud to be a Google district. This means that each student and staff member has a Google account which includes apps such as Gmail, Calendar, Drive, Docs, Sheets, Slides, Forms, Classroom, and Sites. The Google suite of tools allows us to collaborate and learn more effectively through the use of technology, and offer a range of new learning opportunities for teachers and students. Students in our district have consistent access to Chromebooks in the classroom. As of the 2019-20 school year, all students in grades 5 - 12 have a Chromebook checked out to them and are allowed to take it home each night. Additional technology in classrooms includes tools such as Promethean boards, Starboards, laser projectors, and a variety of document cameras.
With the increase of technology use in our district, we are committed to providing instruction in Internet Safety and Digital Citizenship. Primary teachers primarily utilize the NetSmartz (https://www.netsmartz.org/Home) curriculum. Teachers in grades 4-6 use Common Sense Media and supplement with Google's Be Internet Awesome - Interland (https://beinternetawesome.withgoogle.com/en/interland) game-based play. Secondary teachers utilize the Common Sense Media Digital Citizenship curriculum. This curriculum covers the following eight topics: Self-Image and Identity, Relationships and Communication, Digital Footprint and Reputation, Cyberbullying and Digital Drama, Information Literacy, Internet Safety, Privacy and Security, and Creative Credit and Copyright.
In addition to instruction in Internet Safety and Digital Citizenship, we also utilize GoGuardian (https://www.goguardian.com/teacher.html) to help us with our on and off-campus filtering and management of devices. GoGuardian allows teachers the opportunity to see students working in real-time, view students' open tabs and previous browsing history, and to create Study, Work, and Testing environments to maximize learning time and minimize distractions.
As teachers in our district infuse technology into their classrooms they are encouraged to reflect on the SAMR model of technology integration. This model supports teachers in the development of lessons that transform learning experiences. The SAMR model moves from simple Substitution (technology is a direct tool substitute) into Augmentation (technology creates a functional improvement), then Modification (technology allows for task redesign) with the end goal being Redefinition (technology allows for the creation of a new task, previously inconceivable).
Lastly, MLSD teachers are encouraged to focus on the ISTE (International Society for Technology in Education) standards for educators and students. The seven standards for students include Empowered Learner, Digital Citizen, Knowledge Constructor, Innovative Designer, Computational Thinker, Creative Communicator, and Global Collaborator.
For more information on ISTE please visit the following link: https://www.iste.org/standards/for-students.
Monica McAtee K-8
As Instructional Technology Coaches for the MLSD we commit to the following:
- Provide support/training for the Google Suite for Education
- Support teachers in the research of tools (apps, extensions, websites, etc) to best meet the needs of learners in their classroom
- Help to find coverage to support peer to peer evaluations
- Participate in team/PLC learning meetings to develop lessons/activities/units supporting the SAMR model of technology integration
- Facilitate communication with parents regarding the use of devices in and out of the school environment
- Help to design appropriate instruction in Internet Safety/Digital Citizenship using Common Sense Media, NetSmartz and Be Internet Awesome.
- Encourage principals/school district leadership to support professional development for the 1:1 Classroom Model
- Model and/or co-teach lessons using the ISTE standards for students.
- Provide a line of communication to the district’s tech department making sure all technical needs of equipment are being met
- Help with the integration of data/assessment to improve and impact daily instruction.
- Support cognitive communities