Connecting and Communicating the Innovation Plan

Despite the daily laundry list of duties and obligations teachers face, most teachers try to incorporate technology into their classrooms. While our access to technology has drastically increased over the last two decades, the support networks we need to make technology work successfully in our classrooms have yet to follow suit.  

 

I suggest creating a student technology team at McCullough to aid teachers with technology integration. The McC Geek Squad will not only help teachers with their technology needs, but it will also benefit our students.

 

As we can all attest, transitioning to junior high is tough for many students. During this time, students can experience a decline in their grades, motivation, confidence, and even a decline in their relationships with peers and teachers. Some researchers estimate that 40% of students show signs of being disengaged, such as apathy, not trying, not paying attention, and being uninvolved. 

 

For students interested in technology, the McC Geek Squad can increase student engagement by providing an activity that acknowledges their talents and interests while providing an opportunity for intellectually challenging real-world work.

 

The Geek Squad can also provide students with opportunities to have purposeful interpersonal interactions with teachers and their peers. Interpersonal interactions emphasize fundamental 21st-century leadership skills such as being present for others, listening intently to their concerns and issues, and advancing the other person’s interests through dialogue and conversation. These interpersonal interactions provide opportunities to increase a sense of belonging and build trust.

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If you are interested in creating a student technology team, AKA the McC Geek Squad, please come by my room to discuss making life better for the students and teachers at McC.

 

If you would like to learn more about the research behind student technology teams, please take a look at my literature review, where I discuss the positive effects that student technology teams can have on students and teachers. I have included my initial proposal, an implementation plan, and the literature review.

 

As I continue my research, here are a few books that I plan on reading.