Tyler Henry ITEC 7445 Dr Bacon November 8

Tyler Henry ITEC 7445 Dr. Bacon November 8, 2013

Classworks: An Overview

What is Classworks? • Classworks is an educational supplement for grades K-12 • Provides individualized instruction based on student needs • Current focus is on Math and ELA • Effective for all students including special education, ELL, and gifted.

What can we expect from Classworks? The ability to provide multiple instructional assignments within a single class. The ability to control and differentiate instruction has never been easier! One-step process for creating Individualized Learning Paths (ILP’s) for all students in the District. Improved Rigor with a NAEP superset backbone of Skills and Objectives for K-HSEE Reading, Math and Language Arts.

What can we expect from Classworks? Teachers access and control of all content – the ability to create and assignments. Assessments that are stored and scheduled for students on a pre-determined date. Administrative and Principal Level Reports offering top-level data in a way that is relevant to administrative interests, and their ability to make data-driven decisions.

How can it help? • Classoworks will tailor Math and Language Arts instruction based on student needs • Students being by taking a Universal Screener Exam • Can be accessed on classroom computers, in computer labs, or at home • Students begin by taking a Universal Screener Assessment to determine their present level

Universal Screener Tool • 30 minute assessment for all students • Provides teachers with immediate data • Automatically assigns students an Individual Learner Path (ILP)

Data Management • CRCT Scores can be imported to better assess students’ present levels of performance • Every students receives an ILP and data is collected for each student • Data can be exported and used in creating IEPs, ELL modification plans, etc.

21 st Century Learning • Provides increased rigor with performance-based projects • Demonstrate learning through realworld application • Learning experiences with Classworks provide for higher Lo. Ti levels

Unit Structure • Classworks units are designed for real -world concept mastery. Within each unit, Classworks instructional activities feature an interactive, multi -sensory approach that includes voice, pop-up text, audio support, video, photographs, artist drawings, and animated clips to engage and motivate students.

Unit Structure • Learn, Apply, Review, Extend

Unit Structure Mini Lesson: An anticipatory set gives a 2 -3 minute overview that teachers can also use in classrooms on their interactive whiteboard to introduce the subject matter. Instructional Activities: Interactive activities differentiate instruction by learning style, offering extended learning and practice for the unit skill. Students remain engaged because the activities offer varied looks and feel, instructional approaches, and media components. Quick Quiz: This formative assessment consists of 10 questions designed to determine skill mastery. If students do not master the quiz on the first attempt, they are automatically moved into review activities.

Unit Structure Review Activities: If the student has not mastered the unit objectives, the system automatically generates a set of new activities designed to approach the objective from another perspective, addressing building block skills. These activities may increase the visual and auditory hints and clues or use a more concrete way of teaching. Performance-Based Projects: Additional performance-based projects are great for having students demonstrate true mastery and addressing college/career readiness skills.

Gwinnett County Public Schools • Mission: The mission of Gwinnett County Public Schools is to pursue excellence in academic knowledge, skills, and behavior for each student, resulting in measured improvement against local, national, and worldclass standards.

Gwinnett County Public Schools • Vision: Gwinnett County Public Schools will become a system of world-class schools where students acquire the knowledge and skills to be successful as they continue their education at the postsecondary level and/or enter the workforce.

Gwinnett County Public Schools • Goal 1: Gwinnett County Public Schools will ensure a world-class education for all students by focusing on teaching and learning the Academic Knowledge and Skills (AKS) curriculum. Goal 2: Gwinnett County Public Schools will ensure a safe, secure, and orderly environment for all. Goal 3: Gwinnett County Public Schools will optimize student achievement through responsible stewardship of its financial resources and the proactive pursuit of all resources necessary to meet current and future demands. Goal 4: Gwinnett County Public Schools will recruit, employ, develop, and retain a workforce that achieves the mission and goals of the organization.

Gwinnett County Public Schools • Goal 5: Gwinnett County Public Schools will meet the continuing and changing demand for essential information through technological systems and processes that support effective performance and desired results. Goal 6: Gwinnett County Public Schools will provide and manage the system's facilities and operations in an exemplary manner as determined by programmatic needs and best management practices. Goal 7: Gwinnett County Public Schools will apply continuous quality improvement strategies and principles as the way the organization does business.

Vision/Mission Support • Classworks makes student achievement easily attainable and measurable using technology resources • Supports 3 of the 7 district-wide goals

Target Population • Middle School Students Grades 6 -8 • Because of the diverse population of Gwinnett County, some families may not have internet access at home • Schools need to be equipped with computer labs and laptop carts in order to have successful implementation • Students need their own workstation

Equipment and Software • Classworks is web-based software • Computer labs or laptop carts will be needed for group work • In-classroom student workstation can be used for individual student learning • All accounts are setup within the software itself • Headphones are optional

Cost • Estimated $25, 000 one time setup fee • $1, 800 per day for training • $4. 00 per student for Universal Screener Assessment

Funding Sources • Gwinnett County Technology Initiatives Budget • Can replace older programs that are up for license renewal • Title 1 schools receive additional resources

Technical Support • Available by phone and e-mail during school hours • Training sessions for teachers are optional • Local School Technology Coordinators are trained an proficient in supporting Classworks

Limitations • Internet access is mandatory • Students may be unable to access internet from home • Students with limited attention spans may find it difficult to complete the Universal Screener Assessment • Students may be discouraged if they see peers are at higher levels than they are in the program

Objectives • Classworks will assist in closing the achievement gap by providing tailored learning based on student needs • Use research-based instructional strategies to deliver instruction • Increase technology use in classroom • Provide students with an option to access from home through the student portal

Benefits • Classworks comes with a support network of trained professionals to assist with implementation • All learning is tailored to student needs • Data collection is accurate and consistent

Implementation Plan • Purchase site license for Classworks as well as Universal Screener Assessments for each student • Schedule one two-hour professional development for teachers to attend and be trained by Classworks staff • Provide LSTCs and administrators with additional opportunity for training • Schedule each homeroom to take the Universal Screener Assessment in a computer lab • Link Classworks to the student portal so students can access Classworks from home • Train students and parents on how to use Classworks and how to monitor student progress

How can teachers use it? • Easily create and assignments

How can teachers use it? • Easily manage classes and export data to the district and state

How can teachers use it? • Align assessments with state standards

How can teachers use it? • Easily search for content to assign to students

How can teachers use it? • Easily run reports and collect data

How can teachers use it? • Run individual, detailed progress reports • Double-click the report for an example

Reflection • I began using Classworks in August 2013 • I believe that it can truly help make a dent in closing the achievement gap throughout all of Gwinnett County Public Schools • Although it is expensive, Classworks can do great things and successfully engage students to be high-level thinkers and realworld problem solvers

Works Cited Classworks Curriculum Advantage Inc. (n. d. ). Classworks Curriculum Advantage Inc. Retrieved from http: //classworks. com/ Brevard Public Schools. (n. d. ). Educational Technology Brevard Public Schools. Retrieved November 1, 2013, from http: //www. brevard. k 12. fl. us/