Staff Development Grant Proposal

ActivSlate
FRIT 7232

Tamala Thomas
Whitney Gaddis
Shavannah Newkirk
Muno Abubakar

Needs Assessment:
Dekalb County Schools System is located in Dekalb Georgia. It educates over 101,000
students at 137 schools with more than 14,000 full-time employees with a student-to-teacher
ratio of 23:1. Dekalb County uses Teaching Strategies and technology to engage students and
to tailor education for individual needs of students with different needs and learning styles.
Dekalb County delivers rigorous Instruction, Curriculum, Assessments and Student-centered
learning activities. Career Technical Agricultural Education (CTAE) is the foundation for
preparing students to be College and Career Ready. CTAE integrates core academic
knowledge with technical and occupational skills to prepare students for postsecondary
education and the workforce. Staff, students and administrators are using more and more digital
tools in the classroom to meet 21st century instructional goals and objectives to meet the needs
of students. Teachers traditionally grade papers or quizzes by using pencil and pen which we
know can sometimes be overwhelming and time consuming due to the changing pace of
advanced technology. ActivSlate is an instrument teachers can use with other Promethean
Planet products such as; ActivInspire that can save teachers valuable time that can be use on
more instruction or other professional duties. ActivSlate also allows teachers to acquire teaching
ideas, lessons and other resources. Teachers, students and all educational professionals benefit
from ActivSlate by keeping up the pace with new advanced technology standards.
Staff, students and administers in Dekalb County are not familiar with using ActivSlate in their
classroom. ActivSlate is an innovative and new technology that will help meet the needs of each
student in a world where rapid advances in technology have a substantial impact on the way we
work, communicate and live. Providing Professional development for Dekalb County School
District Educators and staff will improve the impact of learning and the educational experience
for students and improve teachers, media specialists and administrators job responsibilities and

response to students. ActivSlate is a new drift that Dekalb county staff and students should feel
comfortable with and confident when navigating. It comes with the ActivPanel digital pen,
interactive table, ActivWand, ActivBoard digital pen, etc. (Appendix A)

Professional Development Goals:

Goals

Objectives

Goal 1: By the 2017-2018 school year, 85%

of teachers in the district will be able to use
the ActivSlate software proficiently in their
classroom.

Objective 1: Teachers will become familiar

with the hardware of ActivSlate such as the
portable slate, pen and connection to
ActiveBoard.
Objective 2: Teachers will become familiar
with ActivSlate software and how to utilize this
software for effective classroom usage.

Goal 2: By the 2017-2018 school year, 85%

of teachers in the district will be able to create
and collect resources to use with ActivSlate
that reflect the Georgia Standards of
Excellence being taught.

Objective 1: Teachers will use ActivSlate as a

support in the process of creating meaningful
lessons that are aligned with the Georgia
Standards of Excellence.
Objective 2: Teachers will be able to
proficiently gather resources from external
sources such as websites and utilize those
resources along with ActivSlate.

Goal 3: By the 2017-2018 school year, 85%

of teachers in the district will be able to
proficiently handle common technical
problems that may occur with ActivSlate.

Objective 1: Teachers will identify common

technical issues with ActivSlate.
Objective 2: Teachers will be able to correct
any issues with ActivSlate. If they cannot,
teachers will know where to get support to
correct the issue.

Planned Activities and Budget:

Plan of Operation

Dekalb County Schools District teachers and instructional support professionals will
participate in the ActivSlate Professional Development training. The Professional Development
training will extend over a three-day period. The initial training will be a pre-survey assessing
trainee understanding of teachers ActivSlate product knowledge. The training will take place in
the District Administrative Instructional Complex. Each training session will be led by a certified
ActivSlate Product Specialist. Training Sessions will be divided into small groups, based on
clustered and later on content areas. All pre-training surveys must be completed prior to
beginning Session I of the developmental training. According to Sumner and Captano, The
pre-survey based goals and learning objectives establish the baseline for student
understanding. This baseline is a reference point for the instructor to organize the pace and indepth explanations that will be required to impart mastery of the subject. (2009) Therefore, by
establishing a baseline of the teachers existing knowledge, trainers are able to effectively
design lessons that will target the desired learning objectives.
By implementing a pre and post survey strategy this allows specialist to design of
training materials that will successfully address the teachers technologic needs. During
instruction, teachers will be collaborating and working with content area teachers throughout the
district. In small groups teachers will explore features, learn to design student-centered
instruction with the use of ActivSlate and incorporate the multiple features of the ActivSlate
across the curriculum. Session II is designed to allow teachers the opportunity to explore
ActivSlate features, and specifically tailors their learning to their instructional needs. By
collaborating with teachers within their content area, this allows them to provide support for
enhanced instructional strategies. In addition to provided opportunities to collaborate, ActivSlate
Specialist will be meeting individually with Principals and Instructional Support Specialist to
provide more in depth product knowledge and to schedule potential follow up trainings.
To initiate the training session trainees will engage in a preliminary ActivSlate basic user
vocabulary and functions. Trainees will be provided essential user resources and product

information. Primarily content area teachers will participate in a follow me task, during this task
teachers will practice the modeled presentation provided by the ActivSlate Product Specialist.
Following the activity, teachers will be grouped and given an activity to collaborate and design a
quick task. In the quick task, teachers will design an opening lesson using the ActivSlate.
Teachers will save each activity as a flip chart, which will be added to their ActivSlate Training
Folder. Each of the activities are designed to provide teachers with an active experience utilizing
the available technology.
In concluding the ActivSlate professional development, Session II will start with a follow
up or review from Session I of ActivSlate Product vocabulary. Teachers will be given a quick
quiz based on Session I instruction. Beginning Session II, Teachers will be regrouped based on
their desired professional goals: i.e. assessment, class engagement, organizing resources etc.
to further enhance instructional outcomes. Within the small groups teachers will focus creating
lessons and exploring resources using the ActivSlate technology tool. Prior to concluding
Session II, teachers will participate in a Q&A Session on resolving technical problems that might
arise with ActivSlate, and discoveries they made while learning about ActivSlate product
features. Teachers will participate in a show what you know activity in which they will walk
through a series of directions in creating an ActivSlate model. Through Session II teachers will
be encouraged to join ActivSlate professional learning communities. By participating in the
ActivSlate professional learning communities, teachers are able to explore further possibilities
with ActivSlate, ask and answer questions and provide real-life support on best instructional
practices. In closing, teachers and administrative team will asked to provide feedback regarding
training and future aspirations in using the ActivSlate.

Session I Agenda
Time
9:00-9:45am

Activity

Goal/Objective

ActivSlate
Product Intro
(promotional
lesson)

9:45-10:30am

Introduction:
Preview Goals and
Objectives of
ActivSlate
Professional
Development
Training. Examine
ISTE Standards
Addressed. Discuss
Survey Results.

Goal 1: By the 20172018 school year, 85%

of teachers in the
district will be able to
use the ActivSlate
software proficiently in
their classroom.

10:30am-11:
15am

ActivSlate basic
user vocabulary
and functions. User
resources and
product
information.

Objective 1: Teachers
will become familiar
with the hardware of
ActivSlate such as the
portable slate, pen and
connection to
ActiveBoard

11:15am12:15pm

Follow me task.
ActivSlate practice.
Modeled Example
by Product
Specialist.
ActivSlate Product
Specialist will lead
small groups in
product activity.

Objective 1: Teachers
will become familiar
with the hardware of
ActivSlate such as the
portable slate, pen and
connection to
ActiveBoard
Objective 2: Teachers
will become familiar
with ActivSlate software

and how to utilize this

software for effective
classroom usage.

12:15pm1:15pm

Lunch Break

1:15pm2:30pm

Quick task,
teachers will design
an opening lesson
using the
ActivSlate. Opening
lessons are focused
on ActivSlate basic
skill exercises.

Objective 1: Teachers
will use ActivSlate as a
support in the process
of creating meaningful
lessons that are aligned
with the Georgia
Standards of Excellence

*Distinguished
Specialist*
Specialist will meet
with administrative
team and
instructional data
coach to discuss
further professional
development
opportunities and
specific features of
the ActivSlate that
interest them.
2:30pm3:15pm

Flipchart Features.
Customizing
ActivSlate to
instruction.
Teachers will
explore extended

Objective 1: Teachers
will use ActivSlate as a
support in the process
of creating meaningful
lessons that are aligned
with the Georgia
Standards of Excellence

features that allow

teachers to specify
instruction to their
students.
3:15pm4:30pm

Student Centered
Instructional
Practices. Teachers
will design lessons
focused on
enhancing student
participation.

4:30pm5:00pm

Closing Remarks
and Questions

Objective 1: Teachers
will use ActivSlate as a
support in the process
of creating meaningful
lessons that are aligned
with the Georgia
Standards of Excellence

Session II Agenda
Time

Activity

9:00am-9:45am ActivSlate
Product Review
of Session I
Vocabulary and
Quick Quiz
9:45am10:30am

Regroup: Teachers
collaborate with
colleagues based
on professional
learning goals.
Based on teacher
professional goals,
teachers will
collaborate on

Goal/Objective
Goal 1: By the 20172018 school year, 85%
of teachers in the
district will be able to
use the ActivSlate
software proficiently in
their classroom.
Objective 1: Teachers
will use ActivSlate as a
support in the process
of creating meaningful
lessons that are aligned
with the Georgia
Standards of
Excellence.
Objective 2: Teachers will be

10:30am-11:
15am

strategies to
enhance
instructional
outcomes.

able to proficiently gather

resources from external
sources such as websites and
utilize those resources along
with ActivSlate.

Collaborative Group
Presentations Using
ActivSlate. Teachers
will present their
findings as a whole.

Objective 2: Teachers
will be able to
proficiently gather
resources from external
sources such as
websites and utilize
those resources along
with ActivSlate
Goal 1: By the 20172018 school year, 85%
of teachers in the
district will be able to
use the ActivSlate
software proficiently in
their classroom.

Goal 2: By the 20172018 school year, 85%

of teachers in the
district will be able to
create and collect
resources to use with
ActivSlate that reflect
the Georgia Standards
of Excellence being
taught

11:15am12:15pm

Explore Technical
Issues that possibly
arise with
ActivSlate.
Resolving

Goal 3: By the 20172018 school year, 85%

of teachers in the
district will be able to
proficiently handle
common technical

ActivSlate common
technical issues.
Frequently Asked
Questions
Regarding
ActivSlate. What to
do if x happens?

problems that may

occur with ActivSlate.
Objective 1: Teachers
will become familiar
with the hardware of
ActivSlate such as the
portable slate, pen and
connection to
ActiveBoard.
Objective 2: Teachers
will become familiar with
ActivSlate software and
how to utilize this
software for effective
classroom usage

12:15pm1:15pm

Lunch Break

1:15pm-2:30pm Individualized
ActivSlate
Instructional Model.
Teachers walk
through a series of
step in creating
customized
ActivSlate
presentations.

Objective 1: Teachers
will use ActivSlate as a
support in the process
of creating meaningful
lessons that are aligned
with the Georgia
Standards of Excellence

2:30pm-3:15pm ActivSlate
Professional
Learning
Community. RealTime Support.
Sharing Knowledge
and Explore

Objective 1: Teachers
will use ActivSlate as a
support in the process
of creating meaningful
lessons that are aligned
with the Georgia
Standards of
Excellence.

Possibilities
3:15pm-4:30pm Post-Assessment
Survey. Evaluating
Provided
Professional
Development.
Successful Learner
Outcomes
4:30pm-5:00pm Closing Remarks
and QuestionsFeedback for
enhanced
instructional
practices. Further
hopes and
aspirations using
ActivSlate

Goal 1: By the 20172018 school year, 85%

of teachers in the
district will be able to
use the ActivSlate
software proficiently in
their classroom

Budget:
Dekalb Countys focus for this project is centered around training for the use of the existing
technology, ActivSlate. The need for teachers and administrators to become more proficient with
the use of this technology will require professional learning provided by ActivSlate in the amount
of $2,062.29. The two day session will be built into the pre-planning calendar for Dekalb County
school district to ensure each teacher gets the full benefit of the training and that the district
meets its goal of 85% proficiency.
Budget Category

Direct Cost

In Kind Cost

Personnel
ActivSlate Training
(Provided by Promethean)
Teachers, administrators,
instructional coaches

$2,062.29
Professional Development
Days included in calendar
year. No additional cost.

Materials
4 Surveys

Online (no cost)

Total Cost

$2,062.29

Evaluation Plan:
Goals
Goal 1: By the 2017-2018 school year, 85%
of teachers in the district will be able to use
the ActivSlate software proficiently in their
classroom.

Goal Evaluation
A pre-assessment survey will be used to
measure learners skills and knowledge of
ActivSlate to use as a guide for the
professional development session. The preassessment survey will focus on the use of
ActivSlate in the classroom as well as the
effectiveness it has on student learning.
The same survey will be will be given at the
end of the professional development session..
The survey used at the end of the
professional development session will
determine whether or not this goal has been
met. Learners will be able to show that they
will be able to use ActivSlate proficiently in
their classroom. (Appendix B and C)

Goal 2: By the 2017-2018 school year, 85%

of teachers in the district will be able to create
and collect resources to use with ActivSlate
that reflect the Georgia Standards of
Excellence being taught.

After the first six weeks of the 2016-2017

school year learners will be issued an email
questionnaire. The purpose of this survey is
to determine where educators stand with their
knowledge and use of ActivSlate and the
effectiveness of it in the classroom.
This questionnaire will determine whether or
not this goal has been met. Learners will
complete the email survey and will be
required to provide examples of resources
used in their classroom along with ActivSlate
that reflect the Georgia Standards of
Excellence. (Appendix D)

Goal 3: By the 2017-2018 school year, 85%

of teachers in the district will be able to
proficiently handle common technical
problems that may occur with ActivSlate.

After the professional development session,

learners will be given an ActivSlate
Troubleshooting Checklist. This checklist will
consist of information to assist the learners

with some troubleshooting tips and keyboard

shortcuts.
This checklist will ensure that teachers are
able to handle common technical problems
that may occur with ActivSlate. This
troubleshooting checklist will also be available
to learners on the school website as well as
any contact information for ActivSlate
technician if necessary. (Appendix E)

Appendices:
Appendix A: Proposal Survey
Surveys were used to collect data from staff members to vote for purchase of and professional
development in ActivSlate.
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/5CL9C8K
Appendix B: Pre-Survey
Survey to be used before the beginning of professional development session.
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/CV7PG9Z
Appendix C: Post Survey
Post survey to be used immediately after professional development session.
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/CVQ6TYD
Appendix D: Questionnaire
Questionnaire via e-mail to be sent out six weeks after the beginning of the school year.
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/CVN2WJZ
Appendix E: ActivSlate TroubleShooting Survey
Survey used for troubleshooting common technical problems with ActivSlate.
https://aasd.wikispaces.com/file/view/Troubleshooting+the+ACTIVslate.pdf
Appendix F: ActivSlate Practice
https://docs.google.com/document/d/13ZAn3iWGeRGSxJo8DefNZc4nqmQ_AliKIJNbakMDPW
w/edit?usp=sharing

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C,Capano. Sumner,S. 2009. Pre and Post Evaluations for Assessment of Student Learning
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DeKalb County School District. (n.d.). Retrieved October 23, 2016, from
http://www.dekalbschoolsga.org/

ISTE Standards. (n.d.). Retrieved October 23, 2016, from

http://www.iste.org/standards/standards

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