Needs+Assesment-(JF)

__**Needs Assessment**__

On a daily basis I see 125 students. I currently teach 3 different courses, Spanish for Native Speakers Level 1, AP Spanish Language and Spanish 3 Honors. Although I do the majority of my teaching in my classroom, I am scheduled to take my class to the Language Lab approximately every 9 school days. The physical layout of my classroom is fairly basic. Technologically speaking I have access to an overhead projector and an LCD projector that is wired to display images from the desktop CPU. The DVD/VCR combo that is wired to the TV can also be displayed through the overhead projector. Besides an actual DVD player, this is the extent of the technology that I can use within my classroom. Although there is a mobile cart with laptops available there is only one cart for the entire school to use. Sign up for the cart must be done well in advance to be able to secure the laptops for the day you may need them. The laptops are in good shape, but their speed and processing power is slow and we usually end up waiting for slow connections. The more reliable manner in which we can have our students use computers is through sign up of the school computer labs. Currently we have 4 labs for which we may sign up on a first come first serve basis. Each lab has 32 computers in them and all of the labs are in good working order and run all of the latest software that a student needs to compete an assignment. Software ranges from comic life, to I-movie, and garage band. Each lab has an abundance of resources from which both the teacher and students can use. Furthermore, most labs are manned by a lab aide that can assist both the teacher and the students with any technological or software issue. By means of a donation by our booster club and a large donation by the school board a Language Laboratory was installed in the summer of 2009. This language lab comes complete with 32 working computers, head phones and microphones. Software came with the lab that enables the teacher to record, display and send out media in written, audio or video form. This lab has enabled teachers to create lesson plans that would have been impossible to do in a traditional classroom. Every teacher and student in our District is assigned a user account on the First Class server. This account enables a student to access email from a teacher or another student. The system enables students to contact any person in the district with relative ease. Furthermore, through department sites on the server students are able to access homework assignment, class notes, power points and other information covered in class. This software enables teachers to disseminate information to students without having to create a wiki or web page. Although it does not have all of the “bells and whistles” of these other mediums, it is easy accessible for both students and teachers.
 * My classroom**
 * Computers and Labs**
 * Language Lab**
 * First Class**

Smartboards, tablets, document cameras, and “clickers” are all being used throughout our building. Although we do not have them in our World Languages Department, it is more of a matter of not asking for or knowing how to use this technology that has kept it out of our department. Last year we had 2 different teachers pilot smart boards and promethean boards in their classrooms. Although they had only positive things to say about these technologies, long term implementation and use in a language classroom was not determined to be a great fit or an immediate necessity.
 * Other technologies being used in the building**

Having several different courses to teach and a variety of learners with their own special needs I have decided to focus on the following items that would benefit all learners. · Purchase Audio CD players with multiple jacks for listening comprehension o These could be used to do listening and speaking activities for both AP students and beginning students so that they may self pace. § This would allow for differentiation of the material for slower and faster learners. § Students would be able to rotate from station to station and be able to listen to a number of different audio files within a given class period. o CD players will be used to listen to audio books in small groups at all levels.
 * Action Plan**

· Purchase software to enhance the computer lab that was purchased this last year. o There is an abundance of software available such as audio and video files that are specifically targeted for ability level and language being learned.
 * Rationale:** All of my students are working towards the AP exam and struggle on the audio/listening portion of the exam. The purchase of this software would greatly enhance their ability to perform on the


 * Rationale**: Currently all of the ancillary materials for our courses have to be created from scratch or come directly from the web. A thematic software program specifically designed for language study would improve listening comprehension and oral production of the target language.