General Information Project Overview Curriculum Connections Resource Connections Evaluation

  General Information

  Project Overview

For the past 2 years students of Leo Burke Academy, a 7-12 school, have participated in a Peer Tutoring program. Senior students who elect to participate in the program are paired up with junior students who have indicated that they would like assistance with their course work. The program has been met with enthusiasm by students from both junior and senior high.

The student body at Leo Burke Academy does not have Internet access at the school. A small group of students who are registered for Communications Technology 2101 are the only students who have an opportunity to become familiar with the Internet through directed experiences within the course.

We believe it is important for students to have access to facilities and training to take advantage of the World Wide Web. It is especially important realizing that Leo Burke Academy is the only high school in Bishop's Falls and many of the students who attend this school are economically disadvantaged and have no access to computer technology outside the school.

Therefore, we would like to incorporate Internet access with our Peer Tutoring program. We propose training a group of senior students to act as peer tutors to younger students who wish to access the Internet. The older students would be responsible for teaching younger students how to use a variety of applications to browse/search the Internet. Tutors would also monitor on-line activities to ensure that inappropriate sites would not be accessed. Tutors would also be trained to develop simple web sites that could be used by others to make browsing more efficient and pleasant.

  Curriculum Connections

This project has implications for all subject areas. Students will have access to information through the Internet and they will gain experience in the use of technology. The concept not only supports the current Peer Tutoring program, it encourages it's practical application.

Intended Learning Outcomes:

Students will develop skills necessary for accessing information on the Internet.
Students will develop skills necessary for downloading and manipulating information on the computer.
Students will develop critical thinking skills as they browse and evaluate a variety of Internet sites and make appropriate selections.
Students will work toward improving their communication skills.
Students will be active learners as they develop strategies to solve problems they experience as they make use of the technology.
Students will make extensive use of a variety of computer applications as they search, collect and edit relevant information and finally publish their documents.
Students will be required to make moral judgments as they search through the Internet for information that is important to them.

Impact on Curriculum:

This project will have both direct and indirect effect with respect to the curriculum. Students will have access to a much larger body of information than our school has been able to provide through traditional means. This will positively affect student achievement and enthusiasm for research and school life itself. While students are using the technology, they will be developing skills that will be necessary for preparing them for the work force. They will develop and improve communication skills. The use of tutors will act as a bonding mechanism for students, making them feel both needed and an important component of the lives of others. Older students will build confidence as they use the technology to help others.

  Resource Connections

Resources on the Internet will become an integral component in the students' educational environment.
Older students will become a resource to younger students as they work together with the technology.
Students will make greater use of facilities in the research centre and the technology centre.

  Evaluation

Constant monitoring of the Student Leadership program will provide valuable information concerning student interaction via the Internet.
We will gather information regarding the effectiveness of using technology as an idea generating mechanism to help improve school climate.
Analysis of the level of technology use will provide indicators of the effectiveness of the program.
Interviews with other staff and students will indicate whether the quality of school life has improved academically, behaviourally and socially.