The District 186 technology plan begins by stating that "a familiarity with computers, collaboration, and the ability to process and safeguard information are among the most important job skills, according to the new survey of American workers conducted for the U.S. Departments of Education and Labor." The District plan strives to incorporate multiple kinds of technology as part of the curriculum for all students enabling them to be independent, productive learners. Technology used in the classroom supports and enhances the curriculum taught to and learned by the children. The use of technological materials also creates an environment of cooperative learning, student-centered instruction, and critical thinking skills. This incorporation also encourages students to successfully make the transition from student to productive member of society.
The plan calls for increasing the number of computers, software, and training in schools. Each year schools receive technology funding based on the enrollment of each school. It is planned that one-third of moneys for technology goes toward technology training for teachers, one-third of the fund goes toward hardware purchases, and one-third goes toward software purchases. Technology training includes faculty meetings/planning time, inservices on technology, after school training on specific topics, resource guides, building facilitators, and summer training. Software and hardware purchases are based on each school's needs. This plan is intended to balance acquisition of technology with the ability to use it productively.
Owen Marsh recognizes the need and importance of technology in enhancing every student's learning. Incorporation of technology in the learning environment is beneficial not only to the high percentage of "gifted and talented" students, but also to the socially, mentally, and/or economically challenged students.
Owen Marsh makes arrangements for teachers to take part in four inservices on the use of technology. The teachers evaluate and determine which hardware and software purchases they wish to recommend for purchasing. The staff and PTO work together to provide additional funds for upgrading computers and purchasing additional hardware and software. An overall balance between inservices, hardware purchases, and software purchases is the goal of the school.
I feel that for the most part, my classroom and my teaching strategies reflect the vision and goals both of my district and my school though there are areas for improvement. I would begin by being more familiar with all technology available to me in my building and district. I am aware that there are many resources for loan within the district that are appropriate for use in my classroom, I am just not fully aware of all that is out there. Knowledge and familiarity would benefit me in being a better teacher and my students as learners. I would also focus more on incorporating the technologies available to me more efficiently. At times it is easier to forget or ignore the vast technological resources available when planning units and themes. While often more beneficial to students, the incorporation of multiple technologies in activities and projects is also much more time consuming in the planning for and implementation of these activities and projects. Another area which I see that I need improvement is in the teaching of technology skills to my students. While I begin each school year with structured basic skills activities for computers, I don't continue the year with new and different ones; I should. While my students do continue to learn computer skills, the learning is inconsistent do to my strategies. The more familiar students are with the tools they are using, the better off they are as learners and the more self-motivated they are to "go the extra mile." Most of these ways to improve my classroom involve more structure and strategy on my part.
This assignment asks me to tell what I feel I can "realistically" improve in the near future. There was a period in my life when I spent much time and effort trying to "do it all" (or my perspective of it all) at one time. School was the primary focal point in my life and everything else took second priority. After experiencing a life threatening bout with cancer in 1996-1997, I gained a new perspective and philosophy on numerous aspects of life. In the past, I ran around in circles and often did not know my students as I should. I was very busy "doing" a great deal with my students in my classroom, yet on reflection, there were times that I feel we "did" more than we learned. So, when I returned to teaching in 1997-1998, I made sure to continue to challenge my students, remain an active, motivated, and positive teacher, and do many of the fun and educational extra activities and projects of the past. Though, this time I took a close look at them to make sure these activities were relevant, useful, and purposeful. I also made sure not to be so involved with the product that I forgot the purpose. I truly believe that I am a better teacher for my changes. My slightly more relaxed, focused and paced activities and projects allowed me to be a better evaluator, monitor, and teacher of my students' individual abilities and needs. More importantly, and somewhat surprising to me even now, my students were the great beneficiaries of my revised philosophy. So, what does my life-history have to do with realistically improving my classroom's use of technology in the near future? My first impulse is to run out, scrap everything I teach, and start anew with needed improvements. Well, while I intend to make all the above improvements, I plan to make them in a logical and productive way that will best benefit my students. This may take more time, but it will reap better results.
I am very fortunate in that I teach in what many others would consider a "dream" technological classroom already. Being human, though, I can always think of more I could want and use. First of all, in my "dream" classroom I would have a teacher's aid who could assist students with those "minor" delays and technical problems that constantly arise. This would free me of many distractions while working with other individuals or groups. Secondly, I would have several lap top computers for use as take-home loaners for students. These computers would provide a great opportunity for disadvantaged students. I would also upgrade all my computers or, better yet, go with all G-3's (since reality is no issue here)! I feel this would greatly reduce current memory problems. Finally, I would have a technology support person available in the building at all times. I could call on him/her to answer any questions, deal with any problems, upgrade, download, etc., etc.. This would save me much time before school,during breaks, and after school working on technical problems. More importantly, these technical problems would be solved with this technical specialist. I am not always able to solve the technical problems when I attempt to tackle them. Ahhh, to dream. . .