“This Is the Direction”

Reviewer:

Rob Lee, director of district technology, New Brighton Area School District, New Brighton, Pennsylvania

Number of students: 1,695

The products we use: PolyVision eno whiteboard, smart Tables (K-1), 3M short throw projectors, Qwizdom Student Response Systems, document cameras, iPod Touch classroom lab, MyVRSpot educational social networking solution, iPad labs, ILS (integrated learning systems), smartphones, netbooks

Goal: “We wanted to create a classroom where students could show their teachers and peers the information that they understand, beyond what’s needed to pass a test.”

Response: “Tremendously positive. Students, staff, and administrators have really bought into this initiative. They know that this is the direction, and it’s vital to provide students with the tools to be successful.”

Learning curve: “We know that meaningful professional development is the key and that it’s an ongoing process. We have full-time, district-wide technology integration support people.”

How we use it: “In the primary grades and with special needs students we use smart Tables in the learning centers. The rest of the elementary classrooms are equipped with PolyVision eno boards and mini slates, 3M short-throw projectors, elmo document cameras, and ‘mini labs’ teachers use for a variety of purposes.”

Full story: http://www2.scholastic.com/browse/article.jsp?id=3754647