Action Research Project Update 9-29-2012

Curriculum Improvement Through 6th Grade Technology TEKS Integration The action research project that I chose deals with the integration of the technology application TEKS in 6th grade classrooms at Lumberton Intermediate School. I chose this project because I am concerned that the technology TEKS are always overlooked when teachers think about their responsibilities in the classroom. Many think that the computer lab paraprofessional should cover these TEKS. The problem with that line of thinking is that students are not scheduled in the computer lab at all or more than nine weeks out of the school year. Also, research shows that the integration of technology into the core curriculum increases student test scores. Currently I am working on documenting the list of technology TEKS that the 6th grade teachers have indicated that they teach throughout the school year. I will be comparing this with the information collected through the walkthroughs that the principal and the assistant principals will be doing over the next semester. I am also looking for more research evidence that teaching the technology TEKS in the core curriculum improves student learning. In making observations, I have found that not all teachers who marked that they are teaching multiple technology TEKS throughout the school year are actually checking out laptops or taking their students to the computer labs. We are currently implementing a BYOT program this school year. Almost every 6th grade student on campus will have permission to have a device on campus. This will help with the shortage of computers to use with the technology integration. As a result of the discoveries found by this Action Research Project, I am working on training that will help teachers understand what integration truly looks like in a classroom and what level of integration they are currently implementing.