Christy Kindel
Jefferson School
Springfield, Illinois
After reviewing the district's technology plan I was able to determine the district vision for the future. The plan was very similar to our school's plan so I was fairly aware of where our district is headed within the next five years. To put it simply our district foresees our resources for technology divided equally three ways, one third of the resources will be spent for on educator training, one third will be spent on hardware, and one third will be spent on software.
In order to accomplish the division of resources the district has created a five year plan that will increase the amount of technology used and located in the classroom. This plan outlines the grade level priority, as well as, gives descriptions as to why this division would be beneficial. The plan calls for the addition of one Macintosh computer in every K-4 and high school classroom in the first year, and two such computers in every 5-8 building. It outlines the increase with the result being a total of four computers in every K-4 classroom and a total of six computers located in every grade 5-8 and high school classroom.
In addition to the computers being added to the classroom the district also plans to allocate additional funds to continued training for educators. There will be the addition of two new positions to serve as teacher trainers at each of the three grade levels. These people will be responsible for the workshops and summer training sessions that will become available to each teacher. They will also serve as resources for teachers needing assistance with technology and its implementation in the classroom. The plan states very clearly that the addition of technology will require a great deal of continued education for all teachers in the district, and they clearly plan to accommodate this need.
In comparison of the district and school technology plan I came to the conclusion that both plans were almost completely similar. Jefferson's technology plan addressed the issues of the three way division of funds. Our school plan basically states that at the beginning of each school year Jefferson will be allocated a certain amount of money to be used for technology. With these funds we intend to update current computers by purchasing additional memory, purchase new computers so that each classroom will have a least six computers available for student use, and develop teacher training with the help of our grade level trainer. The plan clearly states that we will work together with other schools in the district to increase the amount of technology being used in the schools, and to make technology a integral part of the our daily instructional program.
I feel that our principal has made a substantial effort to make Jefferson a school were computers are available to all students. I currently have two computers located in my classroom for approximately 15 special education students. Along with these computers I also have access to peripherals such as, Quick Cams, Flex cams, LTV's, and printers. At the conclusion of the school year each teacher is asked to fill out a "technology wish list". On this list we are to place any technology, software, or equipment that we feel could be beneficial to students, along with a brief justification of its benefit. This information will be given to the group of Jefferson teachers who serve on the committee to decide how our allocated funds should be used. We also have ongoing training taking place throughout the year both in our building and at different locations in the district. We are greatly encouraged to attend these training's and are often given monetary compensation for our participation. For the most part I feel like my classroom reflects the school and district vision of the future.
In order to better improve the use of technology in my classroom I would make several changes. The first change would be to use more projects where my students would be given the opportunity to communicate with others through the use of email. The second change would be to incorporate technology into the presentation of research activities. Finally, I would begin to allow my students to create a web page that would represent our classroom.
I would begin to implement the use of Email projects in my classroom by allowing the students to have their own student mailbox. Through the student mailbox they will be able to communicate with other students across the country or the world. This project would look somewhat like a traditional pen pal project, with the use of technology giving it a much wider spectrum.
Another way I would use Email projects would be to allow my students to survey students of other schools around the nation. This would be accomplished through the use of the list serve I currently subscribe to . Students would be asked to develop a survey for other students to respond. As my students receive the responses they can begin to draw conclusions and design graphs to convey the information they received. This will be a wonderful way to teach graphing and develop reading and writing skills at the same time.
An additional change will be made in the way my students present the information they have research about a particular subject or person. Traditionally, I have had the students use several forms of technology to research their information. However, I have resorted to the oral reporting project as a way to reflect the information they researched. I would change from this model to the use of slide shows or power point presentations. The students would have many more options to be creative and would be learning how to develop organized presentations at the same time.
Finally, I would have my students begin to develop a web page that each students would be able to help create. Up until this time I did not posses the knowledge necessary to have my students create a web page. However, I now feel that a web page would be an excellent way for my students to come together as a class and develop something that will include a little bit of each of them. I hope to begin the development of a web page during the coming school year.
Although I currently use a good deal of technology in my classroom I feel that several additional uses can be incorporated. I intend to introduce my students to the use of email and allow the students to maintain their own mailbox. I also will change the manner in which my students conclude their research assignments. I will teach my students to use slide shows or power point presentations to present their topic. Finally, I will have the students begin to develop a web page that will represent the accomplishments of each student in my classroom.
The description of my dream classroom will take a much different look than that of most tradition classroom teachers. Due to the fact that I am a special education teacher I deal with different daily issues. After giving it much thought I came up with a few additions that would make my classroom the classroom of my dreams.
The first addition to my classroom would be to add enough computers to have one computer for every two students. Based on the fact that my students are emotionally disabled the ability to work in a group of more than two seldom exists. These computers would all be upper end computers, for example the new Macintosh G3, with Internet connections and AV. capabilities. I would also like to have two laser printers located in my classroom, with one of these printers being color. This would allow my students to access their work without having to leave the classroom.
In the perfect classroom I would have computers that would posses the ability to read the text along with my students who function at low reading levels. This would allow these students to experience the information found on the Internet or in some of the software that they are currently unable to use. The dream would be for all of my students to share the same experiences regardless of their reading level. I would like to have programs that would make all technology accessible to low functioning children.
I guess my last addition to the creation of the dream classroom would be to have the addition of Internet videoconferencing. This would provide my lower functioning students with the opportunity for real interactive opportunities. This I believe is more commonly called CU-SeeMe. Students could participate in the use of the Internet regardless of their reading skills, and at the same time would be developing valuable communication skills.
My dream classroom would combine all of the components mentioned above to create a classroom were students are being provided daily exposure to to the vast opportunities of technology. My students would be able to have the same daily experiences that their non-disabled classmates have through the use of the devices mentioned above. My students could have daily access to the information on the Internet without the distraction of their limited reading capabilities. Basically, I want to create a classroom were students are using technology to explore the world, and these explorations are not limited by there disabilities.