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The Fermilab LInCLeadership Institute Integrating Internet, Instruction and CurriculumProgram Description |
The goal of the program, which began in 1995, was to create a network of leadership teams creating educational change. The objectives for the program were to:
Each 80-hour LInC Course was structured to include approximately twelve four-hour evening sessions held weekly and four eight-hour, Saturday sessions. One summer session was held over the course of two weeks. Each course developed participants' Internet skills (finding resources, publishing web pages including graphics) as they created engaged learning projects. On-line instructional materials were developed for each course: Fall 1995, Spring 1996 (2 sessions), Summer 1996 and Fall 1996.
Five courses were conducted for eighty participants from 17 school districts. The participants included fifty-three k-12 teachers, fifteen library/media coordinators, seven technology teachers/coordinators and five administrators.
Participants and their district and building administrators attended a Pre-Session meeting in-district to define expectations, solicit administrative support and to facilitate paperwork and evaluation. Each district was invited to schedule a half day hands-on session for administrators which was done by most districts. The Web page, I Have Some Questions About the Internet, was created to answer the questions that administrators and teachers most frequently asked.
Each participant received Plugging-In, ISBE/NCREL Learning through Technology: Study Group Framework and Profile Tool, and Developing a Plan for Learning through Technology as supporting texts to enhance the computer accessed information and hands-on training they received during the course.
Participants were asked to reflect upon each session through either paper/pencil evaluations and/or by e-mail journal prompts. They also completed a self-assessment at the beginning, middle and end of the course.
Participants each gave a presentation on their project to other participants and the instructors as a culminating activity of the course. Scenarios were incorporated into the project expectation during the summer and fall 96 sessions. The projects covered diverse topics in grades kindergarten through twelfth grade including art, music, mathematics, science, history and social studies. Participant project pages are also accessible from the home page for each LInC course.
As district teams, participants created a Staff Development Plan to guide their efforts to disseminate their learning throughout their district. Dissemination activities have been initiated by teams from all LInC courses. Participants have also been in high demand to serve as instructors for a variety of non-district staff development programs and university courses. In addition, some participants returned in subsequent courses to serve as interns and instructors.
Follow-on was an essential component to ensure that the learning was implemented back in the classroom. This follow-on took two forms: a listserv and CHAIN-LInC network meetings at the Lab. Participants and instructors shared concerns, ideas, information, and received support through the listserv created for each course and for the whole group. As a large group, participants met face-to-face five times a year to exchange ideas and learn about the latest innovations in technology and education.
Participating school districts supported the participants and the program in many ways. Support varied by district but included: recruiting participants; channeling communication; providing meeting time, space, released time, substitutes, professional growth credit, salary advancement, equipment and technology, Internet access at schools and at home; and assistance with planning and implementation of inservice activities.
Evaluation of the multi-year program revealed the following:
The following quote from a district administrator attests to the value of the program:
"This past week I had the pleasure of bringing twenty-two school administrators to the Science Education Center for Internet Staff Development. This workshop was one part of our district-wide staff development plan to train all 303 staff members in the use of this wonderful resource called the Internet. The plan was developed by six of our teachers who had the opportunity to participate in the LInC class this past spring . . . so by the end of the 96-97 school year, your facility and initial training will have an impact on all 10,000 students in our district."
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