Impact for students, teachers, administrators and parents:

E-Mail:

I’m planning to develop not only Camtasia videos with my narration, but also video without narration and audio files.  One of our lessons addressed the need to provide support files that were video/audio, just video video and just audio.

                                                                                                                        D.K.

                                                                                                                        Canadian

Responses from December survey for Parents, Students, Teachers and Administrators: “Please describe how grant funds or activities have impacted you.”

Four teachers, two parents, four students, and seven administrators completed the survey.

•   help save money for more college classes
•   I have learned many new Blackboard skills through the WICCI class and other trainings
• It is just good to know that we get paid to learn kind of, and that we as students in high school don’t have to pay all of this money to take college classes.
• They have helped me achieve what I need to get done academically while not putting A toll on me or my family for expensive. Very grateful
• Help students that cannot pay for dual credit classes.
• I have seen an increase in the number of students taking the dual credit online courses and because the grant requires them to pass the course with a 70, I have seen a rise in their grades as well.
• I have had a chance to take online classes and am now able to understand what the students face in an online environment. I have learned how to implement more technology into my curriculum and have become better at adapting curriculum to fit my students' needs and my own.
• help save money for more college classes
• The grant funds enabled us to have the mobile computer cart which we have used for our online students and for professional development and for class use.
• In the two years that we have had this grant we have noticed an increase in the amount of students taking online classes. Our numbers have doubled. Parents are excited that their child gets to take an online class, as well as, grateful that there is financial help to pay for the course.
• The teachers are moving classes into on online environment which will allow anytime/anywhere learning.
• Grant allowed our district to provide Dual Credit and Virtual students with a computer 24/7. It also helps our students transition to college by giving them the opportunity to take online classes in a supported environment. Thank You!!!!!!!!!!
• They have taught me the importance of keeping up with your work and studys on the college level.
• This money has made it possible for my student to take online classes for several semesters at a cost that was reimbursed to us. She would just turn around and pay for the next set of classes with the money that was reimbursed. This has made it possible for her to earn hours and continue to stay in college classes over time and then when she graduates, she will still have the college money she saved to put toward classes when she is a full time student. It has been an amazing blessing for our family and will have a huge financial benefit.
• Having one child in college, this money really helps our family out in expenses.
• Increased awareness of both the issues and rewards that online teachers face. We need all the help we can get in learning how to reach our students with their new learning modalities! Thanks so very much for this opportunity.
• I have learned many new Blackboard skills through the WICCI class and other trainings

General survey Comments:

The biggest impact for our school has been that students who previously did not have computer access at home are able to have access and take online courses for high school credit as well as college credit.  Because of this grant we are able to access TxVSN and offer courses we have not been able to offer any other way.  Administratively, it opens up courses for us that we can't offer and it gives us more flexibility with scheduling.  The students and parents have been very receptive and appreciative of the opportunities now available.

Memphis ISD:

This grant has had a positive impact on our students, parents, teachers and administrators because it has given the opportunity for these students to become very familiar with the way to take an online course, how to communicate with an instructor and classmates online, etc… The course reimbursement has helped so many of our students to be able to take the courses. We doubled our number in students taking on-line courses.

Boys Ranch ISD:

This grant made online learning a reality for our students.  Approximately 25% of our senior class participated in online classes.  The hardware made it possible to give students computers access 24/7 and provided a trial run for issuing computers to students in a 1:1 ratio in the future closer to becoming a reality.  Technology use exploded in other tradition courses as a result of each student having a personal computer available all the time.  This grant opportunity transformed our students into technology experts and makes an online learning platform familiar.

Dimmitt ISD:

This grant has enabled our district, teachers, and students to experience distance learning. In order to reach the 21^st Century Learner, the LEA must move towards more technologically efficient methods and change our paradigm of what is an appropriate delivery method.

Booker ISD:

We have 190 students who have benefited at some point from the mobile cart computers. 

Dimmitt ISD Provider Teacher:

As far as the grant, the impact on our school has been that we are better able to address student needs. Students have an alternative to regular classes that allows them to graduate sooner than they might otherwise. Some students need or want to graduate early--or make up time missed for some reason--, and the online class allows them the freedom and flexibility to complete their coursework on their schedule. Parents like the idea of choices and alternatives in selecting the most appropriate education path/coursework for their children.  Offering online classes allows the school to fulfill its mission of providing an appropriate education for all students. 

Exposure to distance learning, new technology, and attendance at the different sessions at the TXDLA conference provided opportunities for me to see how education is evolving and what it may be in the future.  Teaching the online course has also given me a different perspective on English 4 curriculum.  I am rethinking some parts of my English 4 classes and even some elements of my English 3 classes.  Because of the online teaching experience, l am a better teacher/instructor.

District Needs 

Achievement - Cycle 1