Graduate Project

Successful integration of technology into a rural elementary writing program: a professional development handbook

In 2013, California adopted new state standards the Common Core State Standards (CCSS). The new standards emphasized writing across the curriculum for an increase in the amount of time students spend writing. Embedded in the standards are expectations of writing to be addressed across all domains. By putting an emphasis for writing benchmark objectives to be addressed throughout the day it has encouraged teachers and schools to place greater importance on learning how to write. In addition, CCSS embedded technology standards with expectations that students will have improved instruction and use of technology in the classroom. With these new expectations, students’ 21st century skills will be enhanced and therefore, students’ will be better prepared for college and or career pathways. After extensive research on effective writing strategies and instruction, educational technology, rural schools, poverty, and professional development a handbook was created to guide leaders through implementation of technology in order to improving an elementary writing program by enhancing research based effective writing techniques and strategies, with the integration of technology, specifically Google Docs. The project is a professional development plan formatted in a way to include the elements of quality professional learning development that form seven Quality Professional learning Standards identified by the California Superintendent of Schools, Tom Torlakson.

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