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Lone Star 2000: Documenting Successful School or University Teaching and Learning
Semester Goals Project goals for the 1996 spring semester were to:
Provide concentrated instruction to interns and directing
teachers in the uses of specific educational technologies, and
Facilitate transfer of the new knowledge and skills to students as
efficiently and effectively as possible to guide classroom
teaching and learning outcomes.
Spring's Objectives
The objectives of the spring semester project were to enable
participants to:
Learn to use multimedia computers for producing multimedia
presentations and instructional activities.
Learn what software, courseware and related technology-based
materials were available for classroom teaching and learning
activities and how IBM’s TLC (Teaching and Learning with
Computers) approach facilitates their effective use.
Become familiar with the technologies necessary to use a single
computer to present whole-class instruction and to successfully
conduct a lesson using it.
Demonstrate skill in the use of CD-ROM technology.
Learn how the multimedia presentation tool LinkWay Live! can
enhance teaching and learning in the classroom via creation of
materials that include text, video, sound and graphics.
Use LinkWay Live! to create electronic portfolios showing what
interns learned about educational technologies. Portfolios
included such things as: pictures of the intern, the directing
teacher, the class, the school, the classroom layout; a diary of
the technology training and intern experiences, highlighted with
sound and pictures; sample lesson plans; samples of student
folders, etc.
Assist students in creating electronic LinkWay Live! folders that
document their new technology skills, as well as their knowledge
of the subject matter. These folders included student art,
student- produced text, voice and pictures.
Courseware Overview
In January 1996, under the auspices of Ruth Ann Smith, IBM donated
new computer courseware for use in the project. Included in the
courseware installed on Lone Star’s computer network were IBM’s Write
Along and Exploring Math Concepts - Levels I, II, and III; Cornerstone;
Student Writing Center; and LinkWay Live! programs. Each participant
at Lone Star Elementary used a multimedia networked computer in their
classroom. Each classroom had one IBM PS/2 Model 55 computer, with
a CD-ROM drive, plus four other PCs, either an IBM Model 25, or
EduQuest 30, 35 or 40. Technical support for networking and software
installation was provided by IBM. Part of the technical support was
purchased by the school and the remainder donated by IBM.