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May 1, 2003
Technology Rich, Computer Poor: Integrating Technology into the Two Computer Classroom
By Brandi Evans
When the principal of our school started his technology push three years ago, the teachers were a bit apprehensive. For the most part, they were content using their classroom computers for drill and practice or as a reward for students who finished their work early. Teachers never imagined that they could effectively integrate technology with only two computers in the classroom and one lab that was shared by thirty-five other teachers. After all, many of the teachers only had brief introductions to isolated integration concepts, few of which they ever anticipated using. No wonder that the mere mention of technology integration set off panic bells.
The school's technology committee consisted of a technology specialist and twelve tech savvy teachers; their mission was to find practical ways to help every teacher integrate technology into their classroom curriculum. The task was not easy and the teachers were not always cooperative, but the reward was far too great to give up. The committee decided that it was most important to build on all the existing strengths that the teachers had.
Walk into any elementary classroom and you will encounter numerous centers: reading centers; writing and art centers; science centers, and math centers. Why not add a technology center? With the aid of a technology committee member, each teacher set up a technology center consisting of two computers with Internet access. Nothing fancy, but add the usual teacher decorations and you have a great work environment. Once the teachers outlined their major units of study, the Technology Coordinator purchased software that would support each grade level's curriculum. The team also encouraged teachers to take the time to pick meaningful activities and bookmark Web Quests or Internet pages that students could use to guide self discovery. With careful planning, the technology center thus becomes a great place for small groups or individuals to do research.
What better strength than to focus on teachers' lectures. They spend the majority of their day standing in front of students dispersing knowledge, so doesn't it seem logical to support great information with a great presentation? The members of the technology committee brainstormed several grade-appropriate ways for teachers to dazzle their students during their classroom lectures. Using a portion of the school's technology funds and soliciting from local business partners and the PTA, the technology committee decided to purchase a TvAtor for every classroom. A TvAtor is a relatively inexpensive device that allows the contents of your computer screen to be viewed on a television. Teachers were able to make slide presentations, activity demonstrations, and interactive group lessons that could be viewed via the TV screen. The lessons keep students focused and on task, in addition to making the lessons more enjoyable for everyone involved.
Imagine if every school provided each teacher with a personal assistant that communicated with parents, kept track of student grades, created portfolios to monitor progress, and organized lesson plans. Sounds too good to be true? Well with a computer and the correct software, that's exactly what you have; and that's exactly what the technology committee set out to convince the teachers to use. They worked tirelessly to train teachers to use progress reports, report cards and lesson plan templates. The school invested in new electronic grade book software and then helped the teachers learn to use it. The teachers also attended hands-on workshops that focused on creating a distribution list so that they could communicate with parents via Email. After training, the teachers were encouraged to immediately implement the new ideas in their classrooms.
Our school still has a long way to go, but the progress that has been made is commendable. Students and teachers are benefiting from the integration of technology. We have 100% of our teaching staff using electronic grade books, progress reports and report cards, which save countless hours of hand calculating and writing. We motivate Kindergarteners, first-, and second-graders with curriculum-appropriate software. Third-graders take virtual field trips through a medieval castle, via CD-ROM, to learn more about ancient civilizations, and they're improving their writing skills using writing software. Fourth-graders are creating electronic story webs, researching famous explorers, and learning to create Web pages. Fifth-graders are using multimedia to enhance their presentations, using digital cameras to create photographic essays, and creating and editing digital presentations. Students at each grade level are using the Internet to research and complete Web Quests.
Finally, remember that the word technology is not synonymous with the word computer. There are many forms of technology that can be used to promote academic success. For example, a digital video camera can take a simple in-class news broadcast to new heights and motivate students to produce a better product. Other useful technologies might include calculators, CD players, electronic microscopes, overhead projectors, word processing devices, or digital cameras. The list goes on and on, the important point to remember is that any technologies you choose should enhance your existing curriculum not cause you to create a new one.
Email: Brandi Evans
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