BY MARSHA NEELEY
mneeley@etcnonline.com

Teachers at Pittsburg Primary School have a few more tools to use in the classroom to help motivate the young minds of their students.

“We have the eno interactive whiteboards, made by Polyvision, in each kindergarten and first grade classroom on our campus and they are fabulous,” said Vicki Rockett, principal. “We also have iPods and ceiling-mounted short-throw data projectors from Epson and an AverVision CP300 document camera in each classroom.”

The technology bug was firmly planted when numerous representatives from Pittsburg Independent School District attended the TCEA (Texas Computer Education Association) Annual Convention and Exhibition in Austin last February, according to Mrs. Rockett.

“It is probably the most amazing professional development event that we have participated in, and we were able to see the latest technology developments and learn how to implement them into our classrooms,” she said.

Throughout the conference drawings were held and PISD won the document camera.

“This allowed us to actually bring it back and use it in one of our classrooms to see if it would work for us,” Mrs. Rockett said. “We were all amazed at the things it allowed us to add to our instruction.”

Lessons now can be projected from a computer screen onto the whiteboard. The presenter has the ability to navigate through documents, presentations or Web sites from the board.

Notes can be made with a Dry Erase marker and the board and then saved to post to a server, print or e-mail. The session can also be opened the following day to allow teachers to pick up where they left off during class the previous day.

“Of course, funding new technology is a challenge for every school district,” Mrs. Rockett said. “We want our students to have access to state-of-the-art tools, and we have to find creative ways to make these available to our students.

“With the help of Beth Anne Dunavant, assistant superintendent, and Dale Rockett, director of technology, we were able to combine our state technology allotment funds and funds from a Rural Schools grant to purchase our new equipment.”

The whiteboards were installed during spring break of the 2008-09 school year.

As for the kids, they love to do their work as a whole group on the whiteboard using the projector, according to Laura Smith, kindergarten teacher.

“It is their leader of the day duty. If they miss a turn they remind me the next day that they didn’t get to do work on the big screen,” Mrs. Smith said.

Teachers were amazed at how quickly the kids picked up on what could be done with all of the new technology, according to Angela Brotherton, first grade teacher.

“I realized during that time how engaged every student was when I used the new board. We spent the rest of that year exploring the possible uses for the board,” Mrs. Brotherton said. “For example, I was teaching the vocabulary word ‘switch’ before Christmas break. After teaching the definition for the word in a whole group setting. I linked it to an online game that talked about trains switching tracks. It allowed the kids to play a game where they had to decide which switches to use to get the train to the station. It took about five minutes and they knew exactly what a train switch was and how to use it.”

The technology that is available for students’ use at the primary school is amazing, according to first grade teacher Elisabeth Seale.
“Our school’s technology has opened up a whole new world to the children of Camp County. Since young children aren’t afraid to try out new things, they are soaking up the knowledge that is presented using the classroom eno board. They feel that they are in charge of their learning,” Mrs. Seale said. “My first grade students check the weather each morning and discuss highs and lows, compare temperatures over a five day period, and tell all of our classroom visitors about phases of the moon using our interactive eno board.”

Like her colleagues, Benita Tomlinson, first grade English as a second language teacher, said she is always interested in ways to increase the use of technology in the classroom environment.

“Teaching with this technology allows students to have a visual and hands on learning approach. Our goal as teachers is to prepare our students for the real world. When these students graduate they need to know how to use technology in this time era. With the supplies I have in my classroom I can help accomplish this,” said Mrs. Tomlinson.

The newest technology tool that has been implemented at the school is the iPod.

“Students use iPods during station time. They listen to stories read aloud, directions, math fact practice and so much more. There are more plans to use the iPods to help increase comprehension and fluency in reading,” said Mrs. Tomlinson.

The main aspect of all the technology use in the classroom is how everyone works together as a team.

“I do not have time to do all of the things mentioned,” Mrs. Tomlinson said. “Several of the first grade teachers work together to provide a successful technology learning environment.

“Each teacher does one part of the task or activity and shares with all. This allows us to really learn from each other in a professional environment and will ultimately benefit all the students in first grade.”

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