[etni] Tech tools reshaping the classroom

Tech tools reshaping the classroom
Gazette.Net - August 29, 2007

When Carol Dowling began supervising the computer lab at Cresthaven 
Elementary School 18 years ago, she had a few early-version Apple computers 
at her disposal.

Today, students are using the 24 modern computers to make PowerPoint 
presentations for class projects. "Very rarely do I have to show them things 
more than once," Dowling said of her students. "Sometimes they show me 
better ways to do things than I taught them."

Technology’s fingerprints are all over curricula and classrooms at county 
schools, providing new methods of instruction in all subject areas. 
Educators — most of whom now file grades electronically — say any problems 
with technology are worth the trouble because of the possibilities to engage 
students of all ages.

"It is an area where a lot of students struggling academically can benefit," 
said Michael Durso, principal at Springbrook High School. "It’s a nice hook 
for students not as academically motivated."

The Montgomery County Public Schools system has one computer for every five 
students, spokesman Brian Edwards said. The national average was one 
computer for every 3.8 students in 2005, according to a report last year 
from the National Center for Education Statistics.

The pervasiveness of computers and technology in the classroom has developed 
in the last five years, said Sherwin Collette, chief technology officer for 
MCPS. As more sophisticated equipment came into the hands of teachers adept 
at using it, the role of technology changed from supplemental to essential 
in lesson plans.

"It was used more as a tool than as a deeply integrated part of instruction 
as it is today," Collette said.

(To read the whole article, go to -
http://www.etni.org/news/tech_tools.htm )


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