An integral part of the grant is a staff development coordinator who provides one-on-one classroom mentoring and coaching. The coordinator schedules classroom visits with the CLOUDS teachers. This provides the support, that essential "human" factor, which is critical for the success of beginning technology users.
The "teaming" of all teachers involved in the CLOUDS Project is being accomplished in a variety of ways. Group training and curriculum writing, private e-mail accounts, and on-line electronic conferencing facilitate communication.
At the end of the first year of the grant, the CLOUDS project was evaluated for effectiveness. Critical questions were asked regarding length of training, time of training, one-on-one contact, barriers to technology integration, etc. The project has been revised to reflect the input of the 46 original participants. For year two, 28 additional teachers have been identified to receive computers and technology staff development. The original 46 teachers are now "seeding" their buildings, becoming resident experts on technology. They have become trainers in their building, multiplying the effect of the grant and providing continuity for the goals and objectives of the CLOUDS project.
