Our students today live in a world where everything happens at the speed of light. They get their information in a blink, their music and movies download in seconds, they are in constant contact with friends, and don’t have to leave the comfort of their homes. They have it easy. Remember the good old days when we had to write papers for school…in pencil? You had to visit a library, use the card catalogue, and hunt for your information. Encyclopedias were our best friend. Today’s research is very different. A tap of a keyboard and the world of research is at your fingertips, quickly accessible on a phone or laptop. Students today live and communicate in a tech savvy world.
So what can a school do to engage them in the classroom? No longer are overheads and mimeograph machines with the smell of fresh ink the cutting edge in the classroom. Now days it’s Podcasting, social networks, smart phones, smart boards, wi-fi hot spots, blogs, wikis, netbooks and recently the new Apple iPad. With all this in mind, there are a number of exciting and proven technologies coming into the Tyler Independent School District this year and more on the horizon.
Wireless Networks
Wireless networks are now available on all campuses. Our wireless networks provide a multi-layered security system that enables encrypted communication between district owned laptops to resources both inside and outside Tyler ISD. At the same time the wireless network provides filtered access to the Internet for public users or vendors working on our campuses.
Laptops
All Tyler ISD teachers have laptops and access to document cameras. Laptops give teachers the versatility to work from any location at any time. The laptops also have a built-in security system that acts like LoJack for an automobile. The system enables the district to track down and recover stolen laptops no matter where they may be located in the US and many countries around the globe.
Smart Boards
Smart Boards are being rolled out to campuses as needed with available funds. A Smart Board is an interactive white board. Teachers or students can write, erase and perform functions on the board with a finger, a pen or an eraser. A person picks up a pen or the eraser, and the pen tray automatically detects which tool has been selected. These electronic notes written on the board can then be printed and distributed to students or saved as a document. Buttons activate the on-screen keyboard so typing or surfing the internet is visible by all in the classroom.
iPods
This year Tyler ISD is beginning to introduce iPods and podcasting in the middle schools. The Board of Trustees approved the Boulter iCan project at Boulter Middle School and the expenditures associated with the plan through technology funding. As the District continues to move forward with 21st Century Learning and further use of technology integration, this pilot program will give Tyler ISD the opportunity to evaluate and assist in future technology planning. Boulter Middle School will provide iPod Nanos to 115 English as a Second Language (ESL) students to provide a review of content vocabulary in math, language arts, science and social studies. Students will create and share Podcasting reviews of content, vocabulary and concepts learned in class during their ESL time. Students will also build reading fluency by recording into the iPod to practice their reading skills. The iPods will also contain the CSCOPE material and other activities and software to provide the students the opportunity to review and learn new content.
Student E-mail Accounts
Student E-mail accounts are being tested at both the elementary and middle school levels. The Board of Trustees approved this step at the February 5th Board Workshop. Funding for the project is provided by the federal E-rate funds. Final cost to the district after E-rate priority one funding will be approximately $6,850.00 per year. Three campuses: Orr Elementary School, Hubbard Middle School and Moore Middle School will pilot the student E-mail accounts this spring. The student E-mail accounts will incorporate reading, writing and provide an avenue for students to complete assignments and learn the proper E-mail process and etiquette. These pilots will provide the opportunity for teachers and students to use technology before, during and after class within a safe web environment. Preparations are being made to offer student E-mail as an instructional tool to all campuses, grades four through twelve, for the 2010-2011 school year.
Graphing Calculators
High schools have received new graphing calculators for math and electronic probes and lab equipment for science. These tools are all utilized within the district’s CSCOPE curriculum as well as state modules for math and science instruction to ensure that our students are properly prepared for testing and continued education.
The Future
What can you expect to see next? Recent changes in legislation have opened the door for electronic textbooks. Will the era of students lugging heavy, outdated textbooks finally be coming to an end? Another technology that will be undergoing rigorous testing this year in Tyler ISD is called thin client or “cloud computing.” These inexpensive devices may replace the traditional student desktop PC and provide a “virtual desktop” that can be accessed in a classroom, around campus on a wireless device, such as a netbook or smart phone, or even from home. These long lifecycle devices may dramatically reduce costs while providing a more stable, secure and accessible platform for student computing needs.
We have to be careful to not get caught up in neither the euphoria that comes from a new innovation nor the gloom that descends when something doesn’t live up to all the excitement generated at the introduction of the latest and greatest invention. The value of a technology, and perhaps most important in educational technology, is usually found somewhere between the peak of the euphoria and the valley of gloom. An innovation in technology needs time to mature and research to be conducted before we know if it will really have any value in either raising student achievement or lowering administrative costs. Careful consideration must also be given to curriculum support, network and data security, student safety, maintenance and support. We must also not forget about disposal once a device has reached the end of its useful life.
The stream of technology innovation shows no sign of slowing down. As a district we will continue to carefully watch and evaluate past, current and future technology. We will endeavor to select the best technology available to help our students achieve their academic goals and prepare them for the future while being good stewards of funds. It is a stiff challenge, but one we are eager to meet.
