Iowa Master Teachers

Kim LestinaCarol Miller

Nancy MoothartShandra Sarasio MeyerBarbara VanRheenen

Project: Master Teachers of Iowa

• The Master Teacher Project is an important part of the larger Join Together Project. Through the Master Teacher Project, innovative and effective preK-12 teachers of students who are deaf/hard of hearing are identified and invited to become involved.

• We are working to facilitate collaboration, reduce isolation, and increase recognition of deaf educators through the design and use of a Virtual Professional Development School (VPDS) network. This emerging VPDS links preK-12 Master Teachers and d/hh teacher preparation programs.

Project: Master Teachers of Iowa In 2008-2009, teachers were nominated. Teachers completed the application process. Teachers engaged in initial steps related to being a Master Teacher of

Iowa• Submit Bio Info and be interviewed by an MSU Student Teachers - Stories

were then published on the “Communities of Learners” wiki page as “Stories of Success”

• Share a Problem/Solution document containing the following information:• Problem: a brief description (~ one paragraph) of a common problem you

encounter in teaching students who are deaf/hard of hearing; • Solution: a description (one to two pages) of the strategies and resources you

use(d) to address the problem; • Impact: a brief description (~ one paragraph) of how students react when you

use(d) the solution; and • Contact information: email address at which you can be reached if someone

would like to contact you for more information.

(www.deafnet.edu)

Iowa Master Teachers wiki

A wiki site was created for the Iowa Master Teachers. The site includes • Contact Info

• IMT Action Plans

• Skype Documentations

• Wiki Proposals

Overall Goal

As part of our work day, we will begin to utilize simple yet sustainable technological tools which will support the work of teachers  of students who are deaf and hard of hearing across the state and across the country. 

Fall 2009

The World of Skype – participants were gently encouraged to engage with this technological pursuit to facilitate communication; steps included for the novice user included:• Downloading application

• Purchase of cameras (if computers were not already equipped with cameras)

• Initial social connections with fellow Master Teachers

Fellow Master Teachers In the pursuit of utilizing Skype, the challenge to

document two contacts with fellow Master Teachers with a print screen function – (log date, time, persons + topics + ideas) and any notes addressing any/all of the following was given:• Proposals related to current and future technology in our

own interactions• Proposals related to current and future technology in our

teaching• How we can utilize student researchers in our practice. • Targets that we may propose for student researchers

related to language assessment and intervention (spring 2010 course)

• Include additional topics discussed

Fellow Master Teacher Contacts

Learning Maximized using Skype Topical Interest Area - Vocabulary

• Which words are being targeted: high incidence words, teacher selected curriculum vocabulary and academic vocabulary list; discussed how we assess, select targets and monitor progress related to both mastery and generalization

• How are words being assessed: probe project targeting vocabulary measurable goals and related progress monitoring.

• Strategies: wordle, DISSECT – acquisition strategy- related grid work on parts of a word, LINC – storage strategy – context then use as probe over time with, Dictionary. Com, word of the day work

Learning Inquiries Shared using Skype

Proposals related to current and future technology in our own interactions• 21st Century Skills

• Iowa Core Curriculum

• Support services – Typewell

• Future Interests - Guidance on what is out there and what we should be learning about – guidance on what is out there and what are our students are using which we should be learning about (i.e. iTouch, apps, flip cameras)

Learning Collaboration via Skype

Anecdotal comments about the kinds of errors that are being made by students with cochlear implants and age appropriate activities (winter and windy / home maid and old maid)

BAHA – Bone Anchored Hearing Aid Documentation for IEPs related to students’ absences and the

conflict of collecting information for the data points. Caseload Coverage – discussion of caseloads and new

students were reviewed IFSP – training The Toolkit – Appendices for Starting with Assessment – A

Developmental Approach to Deaf Children’s Literacy by Martha M. French

ECC DHH – Expanded Core Curriculum for Students Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing.

Collegial Contacts using Skype

Fellow Master Teachers • Within Area Education Agency (AEA) areas

• Across AEA areas

Fellow AEA Colleagues• Within AEA areas

• Across AEA areas

State Lead Work Groups Professional Organization Contacts

Peer Contacts using Skype

First grade peer connections in different school districts• Facilitated by Itinerant

Teachers of the Deaf/HH

• Provide opportunities for peers to interact when geographic limits access

Family Contacts using Skype

Student to Relative Connection• Facilitated by Itinerant

Teachers of the Deaf/HH

• Provide opportunities for student to read to a family member (reader, written language story, etc.)

Family Observations using Skype

Home to Work Connection• During a home visit,

pursuit is being considered for Dad to observe home visits with Mom during the work day.

• Opposite of evening home visits, this allows Dad to observe and engage in the home visit held during the work day.

Future Goals in the use of Skype

To become more familiar with this technological tool in facilitating communication with colleagues

To integrate technology in intervention and practice

To routinely utilize technology as part of the work day

Next Project using Skype

With the guidance of MSU Staff Kristan Knight and Graduate Student Lauren Doski,• Teachers will become more knowledgeable

about the features and use of Skype.

• Each Master Teacher will become more familiar with 1-2 features and then will be responsible for sharing these features with their colleagues

Skype Features Learning Will Include

Setup of New Users Existing Users Welcome Screen Making a Call Useful Things You Can do on a Call Call Phones, Directory, and Shop Buttons Lighting Tips

Challenges – Skype

Within the itinerant role, lugging in, setting up and taking down a computer in varied sites is limiting

With the Skype feature, computer speed seems to be affected (need to learn how to manage)

Knowledge and comfort in the utilization of all the Skype features to really maximize the technology tool

Next Steps

Continuation with Skype interactions Initiate iVisit to maximize a group of

learners • iVisit accounts have been secured

• iVisit chat room has been developed

During the Fall 2009 – MSU Graduate Cyber Mentors

Kim, Carol, Shandra, and Barbara were MSU Graduate Cyber Mentors with Graduate Students enrolled in CEP 431: Lesson & Instructional Design – Frequently Encountered Problems Course

During the Spring 2010 – MSU Graduate Guest Speakers

Kim, Nancy, and Shandra will be MSU Graduate Guest Speakers in the Graduate Class CEP 432 - Language Assessment & Intervention in Deaf

Nancy – April 28

Shandra – May 5

Kim – May 12(I have not heard a confirmation regarding Barbara’s participation yet; Carol has bowed out of this one.)

CEP 432 - Language Assessment & Intervention in Deaf

(http://pili.wiki.educ.msu.edu/CEP+432+-+Language+Assessment+%26+Intervention+in+Deaf+Education+-+Dr.+Johnson

http://pili.wiki.educ.msu.edu/Topical+Info+Bank 

 

Future Goals – Technology Building the skills to be more effective and building the

comfort and troubleshooting associated with using the technology developed in the 2009-10 Iowa Master Teachers Project. • Expanding to the use of iChat or iVisit which will create

multiple direct links with colleagues across the state and country.

Guidance on what is out there and what are our students are using or will be using in the world of technology – targeting access, academic support, and recreation/leisure for them and US! • iTouch