Summary of district technology vision
The vision statement is titled Enhancement of Teaching and
Learning through Technology. The vision, as stated in the
plan, is to create a multi-sensory educational environment which
will provide the technology and training critical for success in
today’s information age and tomorrow’s ever changing
world. To realize this vision, current technology will be
upgraded, technology will be integrated across the curriculum
with increased emphasis on learning styles and engagement of the
learner, training of Trainers Professional Development Programs
will be increased, a Staff training Center will be created to
provide on site quality training for all district staff, and the
use of the District’s technological resources will be
extended to parents and the community through training
opportunities at each attendance center and increased
opportunities for use of the Staff Training Center
The major emphasis of the plan is staff development, classroom
integration and computer labs. The reasons for adding technology
to schools are to improve student learning, develop computer
literacy, develop computer based employment skills and improve
operational efficiency for staff. Curriculum change and updates
will include technology. Teachers will go through a staff
development process as technology is added to their classroom.
Training includes how to use computers, how to integrate it into
their curriculum and how to use the computer in the management of
their classroom.
A vision for classroom use of computers
Danville District 118’s vision for the classroom includes 4
computers for students and1 laptop computer for teachers. All
computers will be networked. On the network will be 1 color
inkjet printer and one laser printer. All computers will be
connected to the internet through the district wide area network.
Each classroom will have a large screen TV that can be connected
to a computer for group teaching. Each classroom will have access
to digital cameras, scanners and video cameras. Teachers will
receive training that includes how to use computers, how to
integrate it into their curriculum and how to use the computer in
the management of their classroom.
Computers in the Classroom
The technology plan is moving ahead as planned. The plan was
implemented in 1995 and the district has accomplished some of the
the stated objectives. This year the plan is to implement
classroom computers, large screen TV, printers, a network,
scanners, digital cameras and necessary software at the K-5
level. To date the district has added 8 new student labs and 2
staff training labs. Each year we have continually added
computers and other technology to the classroom. The district
staff training center is completed and the process has begun to
prepare teachers to use the computers. Wide area networks are in
the process of being installed to all buildings this year.
Teacher training
The first step to improving classroom use of technology is to
implement a teacher training program. The program should include
access to computers when the teacher is not in the train
facility. One method is to offer staff the ability to buy
computers through the district payroll deduction. Training would
include how to use computers, how to use the internet, how to use
email, classroom management with technology, how to use a
integrated word processor, spreadsheet and database, how to use a
presentation software such as PowerPoint or Hyperstudio and how
to integrate technology into their curricular areas. It is
critical to the success of technology in the classroom that the
teacher be comfortable with the technology. I believe to be
successful we need to develop a core group of teachers at each
building and train them to be leaders in technology. Teachers
getting together to discuss how they use technology can be of
real benefit to excite and encourage other teachers to use
technology. Sending teachers to seminars and conventions will
help the teacher to see what others are doing. I would have the
core group of teachers develop technology enriched activities
that can be shared with other teachers. The addition of building
level technical support person will be necessary to keep the
technology working. The process of training technical support
staff will begin this summer.
Hardware
In the classroom I believe we can put 2 computers, 1 network
printer, large screen TV in the classroom. The computers will
have internet access. Within each building a scanner, digital
camera and camcorder/VCR would be available. Basic computer
software such as Office 98, Internet browser and Eudora email
will be provided. Software that is specific to the curriculum
areas being taught will be reviewed and some titles will be
chosen for this year.
Engaged learning
Engaged learning has been bantered around for some time. Most of
the teachers I know are skeptical about new methods of teaching.
Over the years we have seen many different methods to improve
education. Improving education no matter the means has to
recognize that it still is dependent upon a good teacher
involving students in active learning. I have pointed out to
teachers that most of them use engaged learning already and that
it is not really a new idea. I think it is important to begin
with what teachers are already doing and add technology as
another tool to achieve their curriculum goals. This will allow
them to become comfortable before they take the next step of
changing some of their methods. Using the training center we will
begin the process this year.
In the classroom
Structured learning with a little chaos is a good description of
how I see a classroom using technology. I believe it is important
to make clear to students, parents, administrators and the
teacher that a little chaos is acceptable. I think we must
recognize that technology by itself does not improve learning. A
student who can use a word processor but has not been taught
writing skills will not improve. Students need to be shown the
basic skills of each subject and then shown how to use technology
with it.
I have found that it takes 3 years for change to take place and
become a part of the norm. The first year is the year of the
teacher, the second is the year of the student and the third year
is the year it really starts to fly. After the fifth year we
begin to question what is next and the process begins again.
Equipment in the classroom
A day in the classroom
Students will enter the classroom and scan their ID card through
a scanner for attendance. This information would automatically be
entered in the teachers electronic grade book. The attendance
will be forwarded to the central office for state required
reports. When the teacher logs into their computer, daily
announcements will appear and any notes from the front office
regarding their students would be listed.
As the students plug their computer into the network and login
they will see daily announcements for students and a list of work
to be preformed for that day. A list of work not completed from
prior days will appear.
Teachers as well as students will have email. Students will have
electronic portfolios to keep all their work in.
After students login and the required classroom management has
been completed the students will receive directions from the
teacher for the daily assignments. The teacher from that point
will become a facilitator/teacher and move around the room
helping groups of students and individual students to complete
their assigned work. Students will work in groups moving from
station to station. Modules will include the use of digital
cameras, scanners, video cameras, and other peripheral devices as
needed. Students will have access to electronic reference
software on the network as well as on the Internet. Each module
will be based on the objectives of the curriculum. Work will
include the traditional curriculum of reading writing, math,
science, social studies and fine arts. Technology will be used as
another tool to motivate and excite students. The curriculum
itself will not change only the tools to educate the students
will. As the students complete the work of each stations module
they will record their work on their computer. At the end of the
day students will call up their work and compile it into a
finished product for their portfolio. The class is brought back
together to discuss their work with the teacher and fellow
classmates. Students will be given assignments just as they did
before computers. They will use their computers to create,
record, analyze and save the daily work. Parents can access
student info from home using internet or telephone. Telephones
will be in every classroom for parent and teacher contact.
Teachers will be able to conduct group discussions using
computers and large screen projection. Students will login to the
internet and have live online discussions using video
conferencing equipment. Students will be able to output their
work to a video source, multimedia presentation or a printed
document. Printed documents can be printed into a book format for
distribution.