It's fascinating to try to imagine what the world of technology will be like in the year 2012 when this year's kindergarten class will be heading out into the world. As we speed into the millennium, one thing is absolutely certain; the technology that students have access to today will be radically different and more powerful in a few short years. As a result, Oyster River Cooperative School District has been charged to cultivate a learning environment where every student, teacher, administrator and community member has easy access to the kind of technology solutions and know-how that can nourish a learning society. We must use technology to develop educational experiences for all students by integrating technology throughout the curriculum.
As we strive towards our optimum vision of technology integration, our intermediate goals this year were threefold:
First, to work with staff members to integrate technology into the curriculum and increase technology comfort level;
second, to develop a set of technology standards for kindergarten - grade 12; and
finally, to continue to enhance communication between schools and the community through regular district and building technology committee meetings.
Specific highlights for the district included applying for the Technology Literacy Challenge Funding Grant. This grant would provide opportunities for school staff to participate in ongoing professional development courses on-line, in addition to providing other resources such as tutorials and curriculum binders. The content is appropriate for all grade levels, including administration. The project is designed to embrace a wide range of prior expertise with technology from techno-novice to techno-whiz.
The district technology committee is working hard to develop technology standards for grades K-12. These standards are not intended as mandates, but as guidelines that give flexibility to design curriculum that reflects needs, interests, and resources. The committee is exploring policies and procedures for distance learning and is constantly reviewing and updating the three-year technology plan.
Information access is another essential piece of effective educational technology used within the Oyster River School District. We are working extensively with our library media specialists to establish access to a wealth of on-line resources.
A district technology integration web page is now accessible from every school's home page:
This site includes many examples of multimedia projects, teacher training materials, curriculum web pages by subject, assessment tools, special education links, and parent-student projects.
We are excited that technology projects are happening at every grade level. Specific highlights of each school include:
For the first time, Mast Way has the capacity for a full technology lab. It is truly an extension of the classroom; a place where Native American multimedia projects are created, digital pictures are taken, and Millennium T-shirts are printed. Regular training is happening through-out the school year. Teachers have had instruction on KidPix, Web Quest, and integration of age-appropriate software. Teachers contributed in a 'Share-a-thon' where best practices were shared and technology projects developed in the lab were demonstrated by staff. Chris Oxford, Technology Coordinator, works diligently with teachers, librarians, and students in the new lab.
The building technology committee is concentrating on staff development opportunities and age-appropriate software. Teachers have taken advantage of the technology training happening throughout the school year by designing inquiry-based web quests to enhance student learning. Ten teachers attended the Christa McAuliffe Technology Conference in December on scholarships. Mrs. Whittier, second grade teacher, presented her student's Elephant Slide Show project at the conference for an audience of 200 people. Fred Stiteler, Technology Coordinator, has been instrumental in obtaining donated computer equipment from local businesses for their network.
All teachers have attended training on GradeQuick, a new computerized report card system. Sue Johnson, Technology Coordinator, worked countless hours to ensure a smooth transition from paper to computer-generated report cards. She is consistently working with students, staff, and administration to provide technology services. Watching students using a chat room on-line in a group discussion with a class in California to discuss The Island of the Blue Dolphins, or viewing Quick Cam videos of Mt. Everest's summit are just a bit of what goes on at the middle school. Students use computers to present information, graph data, and research topics; all powerful activities allowing kids with different learning styles to work together. This also helps students develop thinking and communication skills, and increase confidence to tackle challenging problems. Janet Martel and Al Stuart also presented their Dream House project at the Christa McAuliffe Technology Conference. The rigor and relevance of the fully integrated, interdisciplinary, project they presented impressed many of the participants.
As we anxiously await the new school renovations the building technology committee is looking at new technolo-gies such as presentation tools, distance learning, and networking schemes. Individual teachers have benefited from direct instruction on e-mail, web design, and troubleshooting their computers. Dave Lucas, Technology Coordinator, is working hard to keep 160 high school computers working along with his districtwide networking responsibilities. Students design their own web pages, produce both the yearbook and a monthly newspaper using desktop publishing tools, and conduct Internet-based research.
The Oyster River Cooperative School District has an exciting future ahead. Putting the power of technology to work for all students requires a broadly conceived approach to educational change that integrates new technologies and curricula with new ideas about learning, teaching, and assessment. We recognize that technology is not enough: training, technical assistance and ongoing support are key elements for success. Students are exploring, learning, and communicating with purpose and creativity. The power is not in the machine; it is in how it is used. In the hands of creative teachers and inspired students technology provides classrooms where all students are working to their full potential toward a future we can only imagine.
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Last update on 22-Feb-00 at 10:20 PM.
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This page is edited by David K. Taylor. Please send questions or comments to editor@orol.org.