Project Venture Project Venture in Tempe School District #3 INTRODUCTION
The Project Venture Program has had a tremendous impact on educational technology in the Tempe Elementary School District. Since its implementation in 1999, a substantial number of teachers, administrators, students, and parents have been affected by the grant in numerous ways.
A product of the Federal Government’s Technology Innovation Challenge Grant Program, the goals of Project Venture in the Tempe Elementary Schools have been to:
Increase the number of teachers trained to use technology.
Develop and implement integrated Technology Curriculum, aligned to state standards.
Develop and implement an ongoing evaluation protocol that assists with project refinement.
Ensure sustainability and replication
What the Project Venture grant provided:
Two Technology Mentor Teacher positions.
Seminars and other training events in-district and with consortium partners.
What the Tempe School District #3 provided:
Funding for mini-labs in the classrooms.
Additional mentoring through the Educational Technology staff.
When teachers apply and are accepted to become Project Venture Teachers, they receive:
Mini-labs in their classrooms
Assistance from their assigned Technology Mentor Teacher
Professional development opportunitiesWhen accepted into the Program, Project Venture teachers promise to:
Meet regularly with their mentor.
Use technology to support student learning.
Develop replicable lessons and units that integrate technology.
Attend meetings and seminars.
Serve as models for others.
The Technology Mentor Teacher’s Role:
Directly supports PV Teachers
Participated in training with TMT’s from other districts.
Participate in training events such as:
Cognitive Coaching
Project-based learning
The role of technology in student achievement
