St. Mary's School is in a higher economic community and the parents of students are largely professionals with adequate technology tools in their homes. There is an expectation that all students have access to a computer with Internet access and a working printer in order to do their assignments. Our school computer lab is open after school in case there is too much competition for a computer at home. Elm Grove is a small community, and the public library is within walking distance of most students. Computers are readily available.
Students have formal technology classes beginning in first grade, with specific skills instructed and assessed. There is sometimes a "digital divide" when new students transfer from schools that did not provide rigorous instruction.
The greatest digital divide exists with our teachers. We are in a three year professional development initiative to bring skills up to date. Once teachers are completely comfortable with technology it will become easier to promote instructional integration.
2 comments:
Is your three year professional development initiative available online? I would love to see it. Who takes the lead on professional development in your building?
I find the same thing with the staff at my school. We have teachers that are very advanced and teachers who are all out scared about technology. We provide many opportunities for staff development but many teachers opt for staff development in other curricular areas. I find my self doing a lot of on the spot training because of this!
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