Three Village Central School District technology questionnaire
These are the replies from some districts to the Newsday questionnaire regarding the use of new technologies in their classrooms.
Some of the answers are elaborate, and have not been edited or reduced. Some districts did not answer the questions directly.
1. Please list any major technological innovations introduced in the classroom in the past three years. Please give the name and list the use for each item.
nComputing – (desktop virtualization) – Prior to updating, each elementary classroom had three old, slow computers for student use. The District has updated every elementary classroom with three computer workstations by installing nComputing devices. These devices allow the District to utilize the processing power of a single computer for multiple users. By utilizing this type of technology the District has realized cost reductions in several areas, including the initial purchase of equipment, support for each device, and a reduction in overall energy consumption, as by using this type of technology the District is able to eliminate the need for two full computers in each classroom.
Moodle – A Virtual Learning Environment Approximately 250 courses have been added to Moodle by teachers districtwide. This program provides students with access to electronic notes, presentations, and lessons. It also provides a secure way for students and teachers to exchange assignments via the Internet.
Electronic, Open Gradebooks – All teachers in grades 6-12 post ongoing assignments, tests, and projects in an electronic Gradebook that is viewable via the web by all parents and students. This technology innovation allows the District to openly communicate ongoing academic progress with both parents and students.
Document Cameras – Have been introduced into each school for use by teachers. These devices allow teachers to display pictures, documents, books, or any other type of item onto a large screen. The cameras also have the ability to magnify and capture pictures.
Interactive White Boards and Projectors are installed in every High School science room and are also available for use throughout the schools. All secondary departments and elementary grade levels share mobile boards to enhance teaching and learning. Permanently installed boards are located in District’s computer labs, elementary science labs and libraries, and select classrooms throughout the District.
Wireless Netbooks, which are smaller, lighter, and less expensive than full-blown laptops, are utilized by the HS English department for researching and writing. Class sets of 28 are housed and charged in mobile carts and can travel from class to class when needed.
Laptop Carts – In addition to traditional computer labs, the District provides teachers and students with sets of mobile, wireless laptop carts that are available in every secondary department and in each of the elementary schools. This resource provides teachers and students with one-to-one access to technology for streaming video, research, writing, publishing, etc.
Student Response Systems are available in each elementary school. The student response system sets provide teachers with a class set of individual student response clickers. The handheld devices allow students to respond to questions asked verbally, on paper, or on screen and enable the teacher to instantly assess student understanding and comprehension of content.
Digital Recording Studios - All secondary music classrooms have been equipped with the built-in ability to instantly record students’ digitally and directly download the files to an iPod. There are also new music technology labs with both computers and music keyboards used in the study of music, theory, notation, composition, and instrumentation.
Assistive Technology Initiatives - Utilizing voice recognition and word prediction software to assist students with reading/writing disabilities, registered students with disabilities to receive free online digital textbooks and periodicals through Bookshare, and piloting the use of an Apple iPad and iTouch as augmentative communication devices.
Security Cameras – digital video recording is conducted in all buildings.
Electronic Notification System – Increased communication with parents regarding school events/emergency situations.
2. Please tell us about any major innovations you are planning to introduce within the next year.
Budgeting for technology must include the total cost of ownership, which is made up of the purchase price, as well as, the costs of professional development/training, technical troubleshooting and repair, supplies and parts (i.e., projector bulbs, batteries, etc.). All of these things must be considered in order for the technology to be fully adopted and integrated into instruction. As the District has realized reductions in state aid and decreasing budgeting for technology, the planning, implementation, and maintenance of any major technology initiative is always very difficult.
The District’s major efforts (in addition to maintaining what is already in place) will revolve around installing projectors in every classroom, providing increased access to devices mentioned above, and adding a wireless infrastructure to the school buildings.
3. Are teachers or students using cell phones in the district for instructional purposes?
No.
