What is the New Mexico Laptop Learning Initiative?

In 2003, Governor Richardson proposed a dramatic initiative on the premise that technology and innovation play key roles in New Mexico's economic future and in enhancing learning opportunities for students and teachers. One of the strategies proposed by the Governor is not only to prepare youth to be viable contributors to the state's economy but also to advance the ideals of substantive educational reform through a statewide program that provides seventh grade student and their teachers with laptop computers. The NMLLI is a response to such educational reform.

What is the corresponding professional development program?

Educators at NMLLI sites participate in a systemic professional development program the supports the effective integration of laptops into the core curriculum areas. The program develops technological and pedagogical skills of  campus administrators and grade 7 core area classroom teachers.

What professional development services and products are included?

This year’s program includes the following:

·          1:1 Coaching: Core area grade 7 educators who are in their first or second year of the NMLLI receive in-class coaching on a 1:1 basis. The goal of coaching is to assist teachers in the effective technology integration through best practices, online resources and local support.

·         Connected Tech: Connected Tech is an award winning, online K-8 technology applications program for teachers and students with  over 800 lesson plans and over 40,000 authorized-safe web resources. The subscription is for 12-months and the service is accessible both in and off the campus.

·         Effective Technology Integration: Effective Technology Integration (ETI) is a personalized, online professional development series for K-12 educators in the promotion and delivery of best practices in tech integration. The program is comprised of six one-hour modules that focus on local professional development needs using experts, online lessons and resources and teaching tips via convergent technologies. Each online module integrates video vignettes that model best practices in the classroom with supporting online content, interactive activities and assessment in which users demonstrate mastery of key concepts.

·         Workshops: One-day workshops that support the use of Effective Technology Integration (ETI) program.

·         Laptop Integration Institute: Two-day event that helps teachers to network with other NMLLI participants, provides skills development, and increases knowledge of strategies in areas such as

• using laptop technology in the classroom;

• managing student laptops;

• understanding Internet tools and services;

• accessing teacher and student resources, and

• creating and integrating student activities and projects.

Attendees will participate in collaborative, hands-on activities and group discussions throughout the Institute. They will also have the opportunity to create an online student project that addresses academic areas of deficiencies.  

·         Connected Newsletter: Connected Newsletter is a print resource with a 10 month subscription. It provides articles, tips, lesson plans, activities and resources that support tech integration in the daily curriculum. It is also a helpful guide for identifying effective sites for use in building lesson plans and tapping into necessary resources.

Further descriptions of each of these services can be found at http://www.harcourtcl.com.

Who gets what professional development services and programs?

Participants will receive services and products based on their previous experience in the NMLLI program and are broken into three main groups: Year 1, Year 2, and Year 3+.

Year 1 Core Area Teachers: a minimum of 9 hours of coaching per teacher and 12-month access to Connected Tech

Year 2 Core Area Teachers: a minimum of 6 hours of coaching per teacher and 12-month access to Connected Tech

Year 3⁺ Core Area Teachers:  Two-days of onsite training and support on ETI and one year subscription to Connected Tech.

All Teachers: Two-day Laptop Integration Institute to be delivered on October 2^nd and 3^rd during the NM TIE Conference in Ruidoso. All Year 1 core area 7^th grade teachers are expected to attend, Year 2 core area teachers are encouraged to attend and Year 3⁺ teachers can attend if desired. A second 2-Day Institute will be scheduled in spring of 2008. The content for this will be determined soon.

All Students: All students will receive access to Connected Tech, online content that builds core academic and technology applications skills in project-based instructional settings.

All school sites: Two Connected Newsletters will be delivered to each site during the regular school year for use by Instructional Media and Library Services personnel, award site educators and students in identifying online resources and lessons.

How will 1:1 coaching be implemented at the schools?

1:1 coaching for Core Area teachers will take place in the classroom, eliminating the need for substitutes.  The coach assigned to your site will be contacting you to arrange a schedule that is convenient for the teachers and the campus. 

Please remember that coaching is intended for 7^th Grade Core Area teachers only.  Any request to train teachers outside of those intended should be taken to Michelle Lewis for approval. 

How will Effective Technology Integration (ETI) modules be implemented at the schools?

Once the disks for ETI are created, shipped and received by the schools, Harcourt Connected Learning will schedule the first training day for the Year 3⁺ Core Area Teachers and selected administrators. The assigned coach will coordinate the scheduling of the full-day workshop  at each site. Some sites may have difficulty finding substitutes and/or allowing teachers to have a full-day away from their students. In the case of such constraints the school site is expected to give HCL a solution that enables the participants to receive the necessary training. This may include 1:1 training during prep periods or an after school session. A second session will be scheduled a few weeks later. All participants must complete each of the first four modules and at least one of the last two modules. They may opt to complete all six modules.

How will Connected Tech training be implemented at the schools?

A 1-year subscription to Connected Tech will be provided for Core Area teachers, Special Education teachers, and technology teachers at each participating school.  An introduction and orientation to the Connected Tech product will be provided during the coaching sessions.

Who do I contact when I have questions?