This was a presentation for the Alaska School Leadership Conference as part of the Festival of Ideas. I discuss the how we came to the decision to create and implement our technology class as part of a larger digital literacy initiative.

1. Implementing a
New Digital
Literacy Initiative
Interview with
Jason Fastenau, Technology Director
Tracie Weisz, Technology Teacher
Alaska Gateway School District

2. Alaska Gateway School District
• 400 students -
seven communities
• Tok School is
highest student
population
• 60% Alaska Native

3. Issues
• Strategy for technology
integration
• Prepare students to
integrate technology
• Help teachers maximize
instructional time

4. Implementation

5. •
Vision Seamless
technology
integration
• Transparent use
• Changing the way
we teach and learn
• Natural tool for
students
• Collaboration and
creativity

6. Challenges
• Funding
• Convincing of necessity
• Adopting iPads for middle
school

7. Phases
• Benefits/challenges
• Build interest and
excitement
• Writing the course
• Securing resources

8. Sustaining Momentum
• 1:1 Laptop Initiative
• Support from families
• Trust - existing
models

9. Impact

10. Evidence
• NextGen Assessments • Websites with student work
• Tok School vs. other sites

11. Impact on Teachers
• More collaboration
• Evidence of use
• Teachers focus on content
• Integration across content areas

12. Impact on Students
• Transfer of skills to core • Public domain - higher
subjects standards
• Students stretch boundaries • Students aware of audience

13. Key Supports

14. Leadership Actions
support pressure
• support from admin and • Expectation of skills
school board transfer
• purposeful about use • providing resources
• parallel tech course for • expectation of district-
teachers wide implementation
• professional
development

15. Key Lessons Learned

16. Lessons Learned
• Keeping current
• Taking risks
• Having fun!
• Celebrate success
• Students drive change
• Deliberate, intentional instruction
http://weisztokschool.blogspot.com
http://tokschooltechclass.wikispaces.com/home