August+2010+-+Activity+3+-+CSCOPE+Curriculum+Training

August 2010 - Activity 3 - CSCOPE Curriculum Training for Teachers New to LPISD

On the third day of their district introduction, teachers new to the district attended a morning of training on the CSCOPE curriculum support system. CSCOPE is "a comprehensive, customized, user-friendly curriculum support system. In addition to the curriculum, CSCOPE encompasses resources for the implementation, monitors the curriculum and establishes an accountability process to ensure a quality implementation." (TESCCC, 2010)

The request for our participation in this training did not come under the best of circumstances. We discovered that the product had been given a dramatically different user interface, and we made this discovery the same day we were told we would be conducting the training in 2 days' time. This turn of events actually had a positive ending for me. In past years, as a campus ITS, I was not deeply involved in CSCOPE. The junior high department chairs took the lead on working with their departments in implementing this program. Therefore, by having to recreate the training documents to reflect the new organization and by taking an active role in delivering the training to new teachers, I had the opportunity to truly become familiar with CSCOPE.

The first part of the training was informational, so we were able to keep the computers off and audience attention on the presenters. However, I was astonished to note several of the new teachers texting on their cell phones as the Deputy Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction spoke to them. Later, during the hands-on portion of the training, some of those same teachers were looking at the local baseball team's web page, believing they were cleverly hiding the pages behind the CSCOPE site. I eventually had to ask one of them to stay on task, something I am not very comfortable doing with adults.

By and large, the teachers were eager participants and seemed to understand and see the value of the curriculum tool in planning their lessons. I learned a great deal about the program and how it is intended to guide teachers in creating their lessons. The technology resources are a little thin and it is our plan to begin to create model integration lessons to supplement instruction.

__ISTE Technology Facilitation Standards__ II.A - Design developmentally appropriate learning opportunitites that apply technology-enhanced instructional strategies to support the diverse needs of learners.

III.A - Facilitate technology-enhanced experiences that address content standards and student technology standards.

V.A - Use technology resources to engage in ongoing professional development and lifelong learning.

VII.A - Use the school technology facilities and resources to implement classroom instruction.

VII.C - Participate in professional development opportunities related to management of school facilities, technology resources, and purchases.

__References__ Engels, J., & Lambert, L. (2010). //CSCOPE Navigation//. Retrieved from [].

The Texas Education Service Center Curriculum Collaborative (2010). CSCOPE. Retrieved from [].

Williamson, J., & Redish, T. (2009). //ISTE's Technology Facilitation and Leadership Standards.// Eugene: International Society for Technology in Education.