Instructional Decision-Making: Moving From Data to Results
At last addressing the question of what assessments are for, I was delighted that Teachscape hired me as lead designer and producer for this series online and face-to-face professional development sessions. Using video interviews with leading experts, and an in-depth video case-study of one teacher applying the methods of data-driven instructional planning, I first walk participants through the process of documenting student performance, then organizing, analyzing, and interpreting individual and classroom trends. Next, teachers get started on organizing their current assessment data, identify gaps in what they are observing and assessing, and set goals for improving their instructional decision-making. Frequent consultation with the Teachscape facilitator was an essential aspect of this internationally highly successful program.
Teachscape, 2004

Scientifically-Based Literacy Instruction
I was lead designer and producer of this series of online professional development modules and face-to-face workshops for Teachscape. Using video case-studies to demonstrate research-based teaching methods as applied in real-world classrooms, I provided teachers with concrete examples as well as flash animations, and hands on activities that require both reflection on their own current practice, and collaboration with colleagues to determine take-away goals for their own classrooms. A Teachscape facilitator stays in touch with all participants to monitor their progress and continually adjust their professional development goals.
Teachscape, 2003

Project Achieve
Bringing the high ideals of standards-based curriculum to the real-world of classroom management and ongoing assessment, we mapped state standards in each subject area to our original taxonomy of learning concepts. Similiarly we mapped a vast library of teaching resources to the same taxonomy so that teacher could quickly locate grade-level appropriate lesson plans, worksheets, videos, etc. to address each state benchmark. The real power of this tool, however, was the classroom management function that captured student assessment data, correlated the data to state standards, identified individual and classwide trends, and put appropriate teaching resources at each teacher's fingertips. An outstanding example of how computational power can be applied to real-life complexities. I served as Business Analyst and Lead Designer. comp
Achievement Technologies, 2002

Vocabulary Workshop
This seven volume series teaches students strategies and habits for decoding, retaining, and mastering the meaning of unfamiliar words. I designed all content, functionality, user interface, and managed the project.
Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 1998

 

Elements of Literature
Bringing the online resources of the worlds libraries, museums, radio, television, and new media archives into the classroom is easier said than done. This seven level project integrates compelling and reliable online sources with specific literature and work assignments in the classic Elements of Literature textbook series. I served as Lead Content Designer and Project Manager.
Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 1999

 

Language Workshop
Gold Medal Winner at the 1997 International CINDY awards, this seven volume CD-ROM series is a complete course in English Grammar, Usage, and Mechanics. With animated instruction, interactive guided practice, scored quizzes, and a classroom management system, Language Workshop has been adopted in California, Texas, Florida, New York, and thousands of schools worldwide. I served as Lead Content Designer and Project Manager.
Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 1996

Writer's Workshop
Students enter their own virtual writing studio complete with reference works, popcorn, and a media room for brainstorming plus video interviews with well-known writers. A bulletin board displays notes from the teacher while the telephone connects to peer reviewers. Narrated instructional sequences, writer's models, and genre-specific prompts lend structure and guidance to a process-based writing method. I served as Development Editor and wrote program documentation.
Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 1995

Page Under Construction...
Links to detail pages for my work with the University of Utah, Achievement Technologies, Classroom Connect, and others are in progress.