Technology In the Classroom

The use of instructional technology within the curriculum matter has reached a new high in our district. With the increase of training over the past years and the greater awareness placed on the integration of technology as a tool to be used within the curriculum, teachers are discovering the effectiveness this media brings to classroom assignments, activities, and initial instruction.

Through shared information, training sessions, conferences, and individual discussions, teachers are discovering how to use Microsoft Applications, various other software titles, Internet resources, and hardware peripherals to teach the curriculum. The increasing use of technologies provides for a great variety of student activities, demonstrations, and projects. Students are discovering the benefits of using electronic sources of information, the power of using computer generated software, and simplicity of using computers for the completion of assignments.

In using the Internet alone, students are availed to more information about classroom subject matter than any single school library could contain within its four walls. Students are able to view movie clips of scientific experiments and processes. On the Internet, students can take electronic field trips to places around the world without leaving their classrooms.

Teachers are using Internet resources to introduce and expound on subject matter. Lesson plans on every subject in the curriculum can be found on numerous web sites. Teachers are able to copy and use available reproducibles to enhance their lessons.

The Microsoft applications Word, Excel, and Power Point are being used to a greater potential district-wide. Teachers are learning how to better perform classroom management tasks, execute curriculum instruction, and provide for software integration in making assignments. Power Point is being used by students to create electronic portfolios, book reports, and presentations. Students are using Word to complete assignments requesting reports, to create classroom and school newsletters, and to present information in outline form.

Various selected pieces of software are used throughout our schools to enhance instruction and practice skills. Teachers are discovering ways to use curriculum based third-party software to introduce skills, encourage practice of those skills, and to provided opportunities for students to work in groups to accomplish tasks.

Currently, we are engaged in exploring different avenues of funding for the purchases of SMART Board for our schools. We recognize the importance of this technology and the benefit it provides in meeting the needs of all types of learners. Our goal it to make this technology available to all interested teachers.

Future plans for providing for a greater immersion of technology into instruction include continued development and circulation of ideas, methods, and activities that will promote the desired outcome. Also, the sharing of ideas at faculty meetings and inservices will continue to be encouraged. In addition, teachers will be provided opportunities to discover uses of technology with visitation and offered events in the area.

The timeline for integration is a consistent one being made up of day-to-day functions in our district. We strive to meet these goals annually, monthly, weekly, and daily. Integration is dependent on the need, funding available, time for implementation, development of new technologies, and creative thought.

Below is list of some of the ways we are currently integrating technology in the district.