Grant Proposal 1

Staff Development for Technology

Microsoft Sway Grant Proposal

Ben Beggs, Brittany Epps, & Chelsea George

Abstract
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Due to lack of training, teachers often struggle to incorporate new technological

resources into instruction effectively. They are expected to not only provide communication with

all stakeholders but also to provide engaging lessons and projects to increase student

understanding. Under normal circumstances, this would require multiple technology-based tools;

however, we believe that Microsoft Sway can fill this gap with relatively simple professional

development over a short period. The expected outcomes of this proposal are that teachers will

be able to create effective and attention grabbing newsletters for stakeholders and that they will

be able to structure Sway outlines to allow students to create their own projects. To evaluate this

argument, we will use a pre and post-test to assess teachers' familiarity and comfort with the

Sway software to ensure they can effectively use the program after the training. We believe that

upon completion of this professional development, the teachers and students of Rockdale County

Public Schools will both be able to use this program effectively.

Proposal Text/Operational Plan/ Budget

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The school-based digital learning specialist conducted a survey using Microsoft forms

(see Appendix A) at the beginning of the academic year to determine the most beneficial

professional development for teachers. This survey asked the teacher to provide their grade level

and how comfortable they are with technology integration. The survey also asked them to

describe what they would like to be trained on and explain what programs they would like to

have modeled for their students. The results indicated that many teachers needed professional

development on Microsoft Sway (see Appendix B). It would be most beneficial for the DLS to

provide a comprehensive overview of this tool and demonstrate how Microsoft Swat can be used

in the classroom and by students.

Goal 1: Teachers will use the storyline, design, and media features on Microsoft Sway to create

a newsletter to share with stakeholders.

Goal 2: Teachers will learn how to structure and complete an outline within Sway to create book

report projects with students.

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Timeline Activity Cost Goal

September The school-based digital learning DLS: $50 Teachers will receive
Afternoon #1 specialist will conduct a training training twice a month for
session after school hours for 2 months on Microsoft
homeroom, SPED, EIP, and Sway.
other support teachers. This Office 365
30-45 minutes introduction will serve as the Subscription
foundation of understanding for for the 50
the rest of the professional teachers/staff: The first 2 sessions will
development series. $4,800 emphasize how to use the
(annually stack, focus points
billed) feature, and other
functions within
Topics will include: Microsoft Sway to create
· How to access Sway within a classroom newsletter.
your Microsoft 365 account.
· What Sway is and how to
navigate the platform.
· What type of assignments,
projects, or presentations
Sway can be used for
· Basic functions of Sway
· Adding text, pictures,
stacks, videos
· How to save a Sway
presentation.

September The DLS will help teachers DLS: $50

Afternoon #2 further understand the usefulness
of Sway and how it can be used
to create captivating and exciting
newsletters to share with
30-45 minutes stakeholders. Teachers will work
collaboratively within their grade
level groups. By the end of this
session, teachers will have
created a newsletter for use
within their own classrooms.
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Topics will include:

· What makes a strong
classroom newsletter?
· Uploading classroom videos
· Including links in the
newsletter
· Integrating a slideshow
· How to share with parents
through a link or embed code

October Afternoon Now that teachers have DLS: $50 Teachers will receive
#1 successfully learned how to use training twice a month for
Sway to create newsletters, the 2 months on Microsoft
DLS will focus this instructional Sway.
session on how to use Sway with
30-45 minutes students for book reports and
other projects.
The last 2 sessions will
include how to use
different functions to
Topics will include: create presentations for
· How to introduce the Sway student book reports.
platform and its features to
students.
· How to help students outline
their presentation on Sway

October Afternoon This last session will help DLS: $50

#2 teachers understand how students
can create a full book report Teachers will receive
using the functions within Sway. training twice a month for
2 months on Microsoft
30-45 minutes Sway.

Topics will include:

· How to help students fill in
their outline to create a The last 2 sessions will
include how to use
complete book report.
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· How students can use the

storyline and design features different functions to
to create engaging content. create presentations for
student book reports.
· How to guide students into
using Sway collaboratively
and individually.
· How to help students share
their presentation on a
classroom blog or school
protected website.

Teachers are often required to stay after school hours for professional development

opportunities that do not qualify for additional pay; therefore, the proposed budget does not

include a stipend for teachers and staff. Since the digital learning specialist must become an

expert on Sway and find appropriate resources to conduct the professional development, they

will be compensated for their time and work by receiving a $50 stipend per session. Lastly,

teachers must consistently access the Sway platform and other Microsoft 365 programs that

might supplement their Sway presentations. For that reason, we have included an $8/user

subscription (billed monthly, $4,800 if billed annually) for the 50 teachers and staff that will

receive this training. With the cost mentioned above, the proposed budget is $5,000.

Evaluation Plan

"Pre- and post-tests are used to measure knowledge gained from participating in a training

course" (Shivaraju et al., 2017). Therefore, teachers will receive an assessment (see Appendix C) at the

beginning and end of the professional development session to determine the effectiveness of the session

as well as the knowledge gained by the teachers from the session. Relevance and effectiveness are top

priorities for our district. We always want to ensure that funds are being appropriately used and that

teachers utilize the resources being purchased to enhance their instruction. The technology team always
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follows up every professional development session with a questionnaire (see Appendix E) within two

months to see if teachers are implementing the tool into their instruction and if they feel that it is a tool

and/or resource we should continue investing in the resource. Lastly, at the end of every professional

development session, we receive feedback from teachers on how effective they felt the session was and

how we can improve professional development for them. Teachers will complete a professional

development evaluation questionnaire (see Appendix D).

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References

Appendix A
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Survey

1. What is your Grade Level/levels & Position?

2. On a scale of 1-10, (1 being not comfortable at all) how comfortable are you with using
the technology RCPS has to offer?

3. What would you like more training on?

4. What would you like to be modeled for your students?

5. Are there any other programs in Classlink not listed above that you would like training?

6. Please make suggestions on how we can make our coaching sessions/trainings more
beneficial and engaging.

7. Additional comments?

Appendix B

Survey Data
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Appendix B Continued
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Appendix B Continued
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Appendix B Continued
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Appendix C

Pre/Post Assessment

1. Have you ever heard of Sway?

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2. Have you ever used Sway?

3. What is Sway?

4. Is Sway a collaboration tool?

5. Sway is a new app from?

6. What can you create using Sway?

7. Can you share your Sway creation?

8. What is the storyline in Sway?

9. Can you add images and text in Sway?

10. Can videos be added in Sway?

11. Can Sway be used with mobile devices?

12. Does Sway have accessibility features?

13. Can you create password protected Sways?

14. Can Sway be easily incorporated into what you are already doing in the classroom?

15. Sway allows you to focus on ___________ and not design.

Appendix D

Microsoft Sway Professional Development Session Evaluation

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Appendix E

Sway Professional Development Follow-up Survey

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1. How often do you utilize Sway for instructions?

2. How often do you utilize Sway in the classroom as a tool for students to demonstrate

their understanding and mastery of a concept?

3. Have you attended any other professional development session and/or meetings and the

facilitator or utilizing Sway?

4. Did the Sway professional development session make it easier for you to begin

implementing the tool in your classroom?

5. Since you started using Sway in your classroom have you suggested it to any of your

peers?

6. Have you learned anything about Sway that you would like to share?

7. Do your students like using Sway?

8. Do your students like when you use Sway?

9. What benefits have you noticed about using Sway within your classroom?
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