October 9th, 2011 
Admin We’re not going to focus on the specifics of the funding and how it’s being accounted for. We are going to talk about how this funding will greatly impact our students!
Due to funding education hasn’t been able to keep up with technology. We’re not talking about not being able to upgrade to Windows Vista…how about upgrading to Windows XP!! For those that aren’t familiar with software releases, Windows XP was released in 2005…that’s four years ago! Schools currently with Windows 98 (11 years old!) are trying to come across the funds to enhance their software.
Software and hardware will greatly improve the students experience as they discover in today’s Facebook, MySpace, gamer society.
Aside from the video games and the multimedia, students want to be engaged; they will need interactivity in the classroom. How is this completed? With technology.
There are numerous devices obtainable on the market nowadays. mimio is an example of an incredibly inexpensive, portable device that turns ANY whiteboard or surface into an interactive board! Did you get that?!? Look up interactive boards in Google. How ridiculous is it to buy a whiteboard when schools already have whiteboards? This device enables schools to maintain their whiteboards, save funds, and gain the interactivity they will need to engage their students. Capture is also a feature in this device. Capturing regular dry erase marker notes on the whiteboard Without a projector. If you haven’t seen this, it’s a should!
The 21st Century Classroom and creating interactivity in the classroom doesn’t stop with just an interactive whiteboard. Classroom Response Systems, On-line Assessments, Personal computer-based Prescription, off-line extension activities, etc…are all essential to engage students for the lengthy term.
A term that is being utilized really a bit is Universal Screening. This allows for true differentiated instruction. But just supplying the teachers with the data to then turn around and teach 25+ students based on their needs is not the answer. Technology can prescribe content helping the teacher genuinely comprehend where the student needs that one on one attention.
How does this all relate to the 2009 Education Economic Stimulus Plan? I think it’s pretty clear. A teacher’s objective is to move a student forward both academically and behaviorally. Technology can diagnose, prescribe and monitor. Technology also has the ability to offer the interactivity and teamwork so that true engagement occurs.
We’ll have to discuss training and the importance of the teacher’s capacity to implement this technology an additional time. The Education Economic Stimulus Package, Plan, Bill for 2009 WILL support students engage and retain their academic skills so that they’re successful in the work place.
Posted in