Cognitive

Analyze, synthesize, use inductive and deductive reasoning, solve problems effectively and creatively.

Artifacts

http://www.madera.k12.ca.us/imrieweb/ESGIToolkit/index.html
ESGI Teacher Survey Analysis

Project Description

Madera Unified had selected Educational Software for Guiding Instruction (ESGI), a web-based software application, to use as a progress report and report  card for Kindergarten students.  Our EDTEC 795A group, consisting of Kim Imrie, Greg Johnson and myself, designed and implemented a plan for the training, web site development, follow-up training and evaluation of the implementation of the ESGI program for all district Kindergarten teachers.

Outcomes

We began by conducting a needs assessment to determine procedures. The team created a survey using Survey Monkey to establish the needs of the learners involved.  Through the inductive reasoning of the results we were able to see what positive behaviors were lacking in our learners. Then, by looking at these behavioral generalizations, we were able to create appropriate training materials to help clarify our work, deductive reasoning.  We were able train all district kindergarten teachers to begin the implementation and use of the ESGI program.  The school site and district training allowed the teachers to begin to use the program correctly and to take full l advantage of the program’s key features and functions.

Challenges & Opportunities

The collection and reporting of standard progress for kindergarten students in our district was left up to each school site and ultimately, each kinder teacher.  This led to one hundred different reporting systems used by one hundred different teachers.  And every one of the one hundred teachers was happy with the system they were using.

The ESGI Kindergarten testing and reporting software was offered to a selected group of kinder teachers and they all felt that kindergarten teachers might accept this solution.  With committee and district approval, we began creating a training and implementation procedure.

Our biggest challenge was to work on changing the mindset of Kinder teachers toward a change.  We were asking them to change the way they assessed students and report the data.  We were asking them to change they way they communicated progress to parents.

Lesson Learned

Work hard, work smart, stay positive.  We only had about 12 weeks to analyze, begin and test a pilot program, design and develop training materials and videos, and schedule and implement a training program.  We did not have time to be indecisive.  We coerced administrators to meet with our team on our schedule (not an easy task). We worked long hours in development.  We compressed our training schedule by meeting with multiple school sites at a central location.  We were successful in changing the mindset of over one hundred kinder teachers.  Staying positive, and believing in a product (ESGI software) is what got us through this entire project.  Teachers wanted to resist change (what else is new?).  Morale was low district-wide due to the state budget cuts.  We were training some teachers that felt they might not even have a job with the district next year, or their colleague and friend wouldn’t.  We worked emphatically, to convince kinder teachers that the product and the training would make the teacher’s job of assessing their students and reporting that progress more efficient and easier.  We assured ourselves of success because of our solid design process and our enthusiasm toward good product.  This allowed for a system change that would lead to improved teaching because the teachers now had a new tool that would help them easily monitor progress and hopefully drive instruction, with an emphasis on what each student needs.