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Presentation by: Michael Glennon, Maria Cornish and Kelli Murphy **THE 21st CENTURY LANGUAGE LAB**

**PROJECT DEFINITION:** Our proposal for creating a 21st century learning space is focused on the World Languages Department. More specifically this plan will begin in the high school with hopes to begin expanding into the lower grades within two years. This plan will not only include the transformation of the brick and mortar learning environment, but will expand to virtual spaces to offer 24/7 learning opportunities.
 * Remap World Language Curriculum to include traditional offerings (Spanish, French and German) and expand the offerings to include Mandarin, Farsi and Hindu;
 * Expand learning opportunites for students that may need alternative learning environments, increased access to resources, and/or choices of language opportunities;
 * Renovate B234 general purpose computer lab to modern language learning lab, (see LANGUAGE LEARNING LAB page for more details); and
 * Offer Professional Development opportunities to all district staff in cultural awareness, language literacy, and community relations.

** RATIONALE: ** The ability to communicate with other peoples and thrive in other cultures is an important aspect and a focal point for many discussions in our district. ([|The Benefits of Learning a Second Language] by the PA Department of Education). We have since developed goals that bring this skill to a higher importance in our district. We conducted an assessment of our community, current world language program, resources and teacher expertise. The research of what type needs would be addressed are divided into the following areas: curriculum, instruction and resources. The key issues that our district will be addressing with this proposal are: = =
 * Current course offerings of Spanish I-IV, French I-IV and German I-II have not been reformulated in over twenty years;
 * Stage 3 and 4 language courses have shown decreasing enrollment (students are taking the required courses and not pursuing further study options);
 * Current facitilies are limited to a traditional in-class course of study (minimal technology resources available in classrooms);
 * Current educational resources rely on paper print materials;
 * Changing community ethnicity has shown a need to increase course variety; and
 * New District Vision which lists the importance of all graduates to receive preparation for a globalized society.   

     ** TIMELINE: ** This room will be designed and the equipment will be installed over the summer (2-3 months).


 * **Construction** is slated to begin the week following graduation. All furniture and equipment will be removed over the next two weeks. Existing electrical system will be upgrade to include a separate power switch for the room. Air conditioning will be installed prior to any equipment installations. Windows treatments will be applied. District maintenance crew will perform these duties.
 * **Equipment** will be installed once the furniture has arrived. District technicians will perform the technology installations for the computers, printer, projector, printer and ELMO.
 * **Robotel equipment** installations will be performed by both the contracted installed by Robotel and district technicians. Some work will be completed in lab and system setups will be performed virtually through our network.
 * Initial **professional development** will begin directly following the end of the school year, but will continue on an ongoing basis. The teachers have been working through the Assistant Superintendent's office to map their curriculum throughout the school year. School Board approval has been granted for all program changes in the curriculum.
 * **Schedule changes** have already been applied for the renovated room in the high school schedule. The first classes scheduled to use the room will be in the fall.

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