MARION LOCAL SCHOOLS - GRANT ABSTRACT Technology is moving into society and schools at a very quick pace . . .

a pace that many of us are finding difficult to keep up with. Sometimes the focus on technology becomes so great that it overshadows the curriculum and what is to be learned. MLHSs proposal will make sure that education is at the forefront and technology a mere assistant, or tool, in the learning process. This proposal focuses on an instructional strategy that will easily incorporate many modes of technology while making learning authentic and discovery-based. The RAC Model, (developed by the Center for Educational Progress in Denton, Maryland), is a very simple instructional strategy. It is composed of Research, Analysis, and Communication. In the research phase, students will be given a real-world problem to solve or project to create. They will be encouraged to use all sorts of media for their investigation, from the traditional (reference books, lecture) to a variety of technology (science probes, Internet references, video cameras, etc.). After the data gathering is complete, they will begin the next step, which is analysis. Now the students must internalize the data by comparing, contrasting, predicting, or evaluating the information. Technology will play a part through the use of spreadsheets, graphs, databases, and other tools. After all data is collected and analyzed, students will need to demonstrate the knowledge they have learned in the communication phase. The mode of communication may be in the form of a simulated newscast, commercial, multimedia presentation, brochure, web page, speech, or many other options. Once teachers incorporate this instructional strategy, they will find the technology piece will flow naturally. MLHS teachers have already proposed a variety RAC lessons, such as advertising campaigns, videotaping community members on historical events, using science probes in field tests, collaborating with experts, and videotaped job shadowing experience, just to name a few.