TIP+Phase+2

**Phase 2: Determine Relative Advantage** **Why should a technology-based method be used?**

A technology-based method should be used when..
 * 1) Students find practice boring...
 * 2) Students need skills in working collaboratively, opportunities to demonstrate learning in alternative ways...
 * 3) Students need technological competence in preparation for the workplace...
 * 4) Teachers have limited time for correcting students' individual practice...
 * 5) Schools have insufficient consumable materials...

**What problem would your team like to address?**

Our team feels that there are a variety of issues that impact technology instruction in our building. The first issue is students' lack of proper technology use at the beginning of the school year. Many of them need lessons and/or refreshers on etiquette, skills and early fundamentals. We feel that we can address this issue by incorporating a "Technology Orientation" unit during the first few weeks of the school year. This unit can be done during regularly scheduled lab time, which is approximately twice a week, for 10 to 15 minutes each session.

Another issue that we feel impacts our students technology ability is the lack of support from technology personnel and recent cut backs in aide positions. At the primary level, especially kindergarten, one teacher is not sufficient to address all of the student questions, problems, etc of students.

The last issue we feel impacts our students technology ability is the lack of technology curriculum being used in our building. Previously, there was a technology curriculum used at our building, however, this is obsolete.

**Does a technology-based method offer a solution with sufficient relative advantages?**

We estimate that if we take approximately 10 to 15 minutes during the first few weeks of lab sessions, that our students will benefit in the long run. It is important to ensure that they are knowledgeable of basic technology terminology (mouse, internet explorer, text, image, word processor, etc). Through the mini lessons, the hope is that students will gain knowledge of basic technology terminology to allow them to work semi-independently throughout the school year...both in the lab as well incorporation of technology work station in the classroom. There is no expense associated with this unit. We feel this will benefit the students by allowing them to feel more comfortable using technology both in the lab and the classroom. We also feel that through the incorporation of technology into lessons, that students will be able to follow along more closely and understand what they are viewing, etc.