In this program, 14 teachers (2 from each grade level, grades 4-10) were selected as technology mentors. As incentives, these teachers each received a laptop computer, digital camera, and other equipment and software. They also received stipends to attend an intensive 40-hour class on using instructional technology, which provides a high level of proficiency in general computer use, troubleshooting and instructional integration. In return, mentor teachers act as technology mentors for their peers.

Requirements or Teacher Mentors:

1. Attend all of the 40 hour technology class and complete the web page project that accompanies the class

2. Complete the Virtual Warrensburg student learning activities with their students during the designated time

3. Devote at least 2 hours per week to the role of teacher technology mentor

4. Meet with visitors from other districts who are interested in the program.

5. Present sessions on district technology inservice days.

Approximately 900 students in 4th through 10th grades in the Warrensburg R-VI School District are improving their basic process skills and their achievement in the four core content areas while engaged in the production of a "virtual tour" of the Warrensburg community and surrounding area. This is an innovative application of cutting-edge technology in which students learn while producing a product that will benefit the entire community. Fourteen teachers at three targeted schools (Sterling Elementary, Warrensburg Middle School, and Warrensburg High School) will be provided with the equipment needed to allow their students to conduct research on local sites of interest, communicate with representatives of the sites and with other students involved in the project, take series of digital photographs of sites, use specialized software to "stitch" the photos into Quicktime VR panorama movies, and produce web pages that feature these virtual scenes. All of the student virtual tours then will be combined into a comprehensive Virtual Warrensburg web site. The student activities of this project have been designed to facilitate the teaching of Communication Arts, Science, Math, and Social Studies, providing a rare opportunity for students to experience how these content areas are integrated into real-world tasks.

The fourteen teachers involved in this project will also serve as "teacher technology mentors," and will make themselves available to assist the other teachers in their schools with instructional technology issues. These mentor teachers will participate in a 40 hour training class during September and October, in which they will master a variety of skills related to technology use and troubleshooting, as well as the skills needed to carry out the Virtual Warrensburg student activities described above. This unique technology mentor program will establish an infrastructure of peer support among teachers, resulting in increased levels of competence and self-confidence with regard to instructional technology.

Incentives for Teacher Mentors:

1. Teachers receive a Macintosh G3 laptop computer, a digital camera, tripod, panorama head for tripod, Multimedia Design software bundle, including Apple QuicktimeVR Studio, and various other items.

2. Hourly stipend for time in class (40 hours total). Determined by standard district hourly rate.

Selection of teacher mentors:

Proposal forms are submitted by teachers interested in participating as technology mentors. Interested teachers are asked to complete an application, on which they describe their experiences with technology and their commitment to the role of technology mentor, providing ideas for innovative approaches to helping other teachers with technology applications. A total of 14 teachers (2 from each grade level) are selected as mentors, based on the quality of proposals. Each of these teachers receives a set of the equipment and materials which will allow their students to complete the Virtual Warrensburg project. During the school year following completion of the training, participating teachers will carry out their role of technology mentors, making themselves available for assistance to the other teachers in their buildings.

Instructional Technology Class for Mentor Teachers

The 40-hour class (titled "teaching with Technology") is taught by Stan Smith (Instructional Technology Coordinator, Warrensburg Schools). This class has been customized for the purposes of this "Virtual Warrensburg" program. The class takes place after school or in the evenings during October and November on various dates that were scheduled by the participating teachers in an organizational meeting. Class sessions are typically 2 or 3 hours in length.

Topic #1 Overview of Instructional Technology/Basic Macintosh Use and Use of Peripherals

Topic #2 Email and Listservs (a Virtual Warrensburg listserve is established)

Topic #3 Introduction to the Internet

Topic #4 Working with Images

Topic #5 Using Scanners

Topic #6 Using Digital Cameras

Topic #7 Creating Web Pages

Topic #8 Macintosh Troubleshooting

Topic #9 Using Multimedia

Topic #10 Using QuicktimeVR

Assessment of Mentor Program Success:

At this time (Fall 1998), the program is in progress and assessment of success has not been completed. The following assessment approaches, however, will be used (check back in Spring 1999 for results!):

1. Objective:

By December 1998, 100% of the teacher mentors (14 teachers in all) will perform at 100% mastery the skills needed to integrate technology into their teaching, particularly those that are needed to continue the activities and assessments of the Virtual Warrensburg project, as measured by a series of performance assessments.

Evaluation:

As part of the 40-hour class on Teaching with Technology, each of the mentor teachers involved in the program will participate in performance assessments in which they demonstrate the ability to perform a variety of tasks related to the hardware and software used for this program, as well as a variety of tasks related to general instructional technology use. They, in turn, will teach these skills to the other teachers at their schools. By December 1998, they will be assessed for these skills, which include basic computer operation and file management, equipment set-up and general troubleshooting, Internet and local area network connections, Using the LAN and Internet to communicate, planning and shooting photographs for Quicktime VR panoramas, planning and shooting photographs for Quicktime VR "object" movies, Using Quicktime VR software to "stitch" panorama and "object" movies, and constructing web pages with Quicktime VR content. A record will be kept of teacher performance to see if all teachers master 100% of these skills.

2. Objective:

Teachers at the 3 targeted schools will increase their levels of competence and self-confidence with regard to instructional technology. Using a customized version of the Mankato Scale, average teacher scores will increase at least 10% between September 1998 and May 1999.

Evaluation:

A modified version of the Mankato Scale (developed by the Mankato MN Public Schools to measure staff progress on technology-related competencies) will be administered in September 1998 and again in March 1999 (to all teachers, not just the technology mentors). Scores will be compared to see if there is a 10% increase in the average.

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