Partners in Learning

Washington State’s Educational Technology Support Centers have been selected to join Microsoft in the development of models that can serve as technology integration blueprints for other schools or educators across the U.S. Microsoft is extending early support, including funding, in this nationwide effort to Washington State. The Ed Tech Support Centers at each of the Educational Service Districts have committed to guiding and sustaining the effort, building off the solid foundation created by the partnership. The early phase of this “Partners in Learning” effort includes introduction of several professional development modules to a select audience for deployment in their classrooms and buildings.

To see an overview of the Partners in Learning program, download this PowerPoint.

The following curricula is being offered through Microsoft’s investment in Partners in Learning (click on each for full descriptions):

Integrating ICT Skills into Teaching and Learning

Using Microsoft Office XP for Learning Projects

Deploying Student Technical Support Solutions

Understanding and Building Basic Networks

Developing Basic Applications Using Microsoft Visual Basic .NET

Program Descriptions

• Apply higher-order thinking skills and technology through new lessons.
• Make clear connections between technology, project-based learning, and higher-order thinking skills.
• Assess the essential conditions needed to create learning environments that foster technology skills and usage.
• Employ model methods for integrating technology into the curriculum.
• Apply a variety of assessment methods and strategies to lessons.
• Provide support strategies to students to enhance student learning.

After teachers use this curriculum in the classroom, students will be able to:

• Make connections between schoolwork and real-life problem solving.
• Address real-world issues through the use of technology.
• Gain critical technology skills that will help them in and out of school.
• Use information from several disciplines to solve problems and think critically.
• Collaborate and communicate with others to apply skills and knowledge.

Using Microsoft Office XP for Learning Projects: For teachers and secondary students

After attending training for this curriculum, teachers will be able to:

• Integrate use of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint®, Access, and Outlook® through cross-curricular, project-based units.
• Use technology to acquire, access, analyze, and evaluate information.
• Select appropriate technology, synthesize knowledge, create a solution (or solve a problem), and evaluate results.
• Create digital information for effective communication.
• Deliver product or activity results electronically in a variety of media.
• Use desktop applications to facilitate communication to the audience.

• Create and format documents, use templates to produce newsletters, and collaborate and edit through comments and document tracking in Microsoft Word.
• Develop and organize powerful presentations with the Microsoft PowerPoint presentation graphics program, incorporating graphics, animation, and sounds.
• Collect, analyze, and manage data in electronic worksheets, create formulas, develop budgetary reports, and produce charts and graphs to illustrate data using Microsoft Excel.
• Create databases to store, organize, and track information using the structure and flexibility of Microsoft Access.
• Communicate through e-mail, manage schedules, and maintain a contact list using the Microsoft Outlook messaging and collaboration client.

After attending the training for this curriculum and gaining the experience in the exercises, teachers will be able to:

• Define an appropriate scope of the student-run help desk.
• Gain student buy-in to the scope of the help desk, and the duties and scheduling of team members.
• Train students to determine the support category of a problem.
• Train students to solve specific hardware and operating system problems.
• Determine an appropriate schedule for and train students to perform important computer maintenance tasks.
• Identify and guide students in special projects.

• Work together as a team.
• Define the scope and duties of their student help desk.
• Determine the support category of a computer problem.
• Solve specific hardware and operating system problems for help-desk customers.
• Perform important computer maintenance.
• Perform special documentation, research, and analysis projects.

Understanding and Building Basic Networks: For teachers and secondary students

After attending training for this curriculum, teachers will be able to:

• Describe the workings of the Internet to students in easy-to-understand concepts.
• Describe the ways in which the Internet can provide the link to personalized knowledge that will empower the students to be lifelong learners.
• Involve the students in the network environment to learn the value of information and the sharing of information.
• Empower the students to use network technology to gain an understanding of the world, cultures, and people around the globe to foster greater appreciation for others.
• Teach the students to use simple network environments, like peer to peer, to collaborate for work, leisure, and just plain fun.
• Show possible career opportunities and foster an interest in pursuing network technology as a necessary part of the future working world.

• Understand the power of information access using networking technologies.
• Learn to use networking technologies to collaborate on projects.
• Understand how networking technologies impact life on an everyday basis to make it richer and more relevant.
• Understand the way in which data is exchanged using networking technologies within their home, school, and work environments.
• Learn to create simple networks for collaboration, entertainment, and communication.
• Understand that many career paths may exist for them in networking technologies and how to begin exploring those paths.

Developing Basic Applications Using Microsoft Visual Basic .NET: For secondary students

After attending training for this curriculum, teachers will be able to:

• Use this curriculum as part of an existing class or as self-paced learning for students.
• Incorporate this online course, delivered on CD, to engage students and give them the skills to begin developing simple applications right away.

• What a programmer does and what a program is.
• How to program graphical user interface (GUI) applications using the Microsoft Visual Basic .NET development system.
• How to create and compile executable programs.

Your regional ETSC has committed its resources to this effort, and ETSC staff are preparing to make each of the Partners in Learning modules available to a select audience in its service region. The initial offering for each of these modules will be at no cost to attendees. In return, participants are asked to:

During training
• Provide data (type of school, subject area taught, grade level, etc)
After training
• Give feedback (# of students exposed, etc.)
• 3rd party research
• Follow up conversations

If you are interested in being part of this pilot project, please contact your regional ETSC Director. Contact information.