About LASF: Contra Costa Sun Articles

Program moves technology forward

By Sandy Mouat
CORRESPONDENT

"Technology Integration for Teachers and Students" was the title of an LASF sponsored pilot program last year in which teachers from each grade level at Burton Valley Elementary School were trained as technology mentors. The idea behind the program is that educational technology will only be put to its best use if it is integrated completely into the teaching experience. The idea is that it becomes second nature for a teacher to turn to the computer to present a lesson, or for a student to turn to technology tools to research a topic or develop a presentation. These teacher-mentors attended several workshops and brought back to their colleagues new knowledge and renewed enthusiasm. The pilot was so well received, that LASF will continue to help fund the program this year, to be implemented in all four elementary schools.
         This program is not about giving more technology to the schools, but instead provides to the students technologically confident teachers. The teachers leave the workshops inspired to implement their new technology skills to enrich already established curriculum, giving it a new and exciting twist.
         The first workshop, "Great Teaching in the One-Computer Classroom," created by David A. Dockterman, Ed.D, presented by Tom Snyder Productions, focused on enlivening demonstrations and encouraging student participation. During the segment "One Computer and Large Groups," the teachers modeled a classroom of students who were divided into table groups, each table representing the government of a city, and each member playing either the "mayor" or an "advisor". Like Sim City the ramifications of their decisions were displayed. The teachers became completely immersed in the activity, and marveled at how engrossing it would be for their students.
Click to see photos: "Great Teaching in the One Computer Classroom".
         "One Computer and Small Groups," divided the teachers into groups of four. Each group was given a set of computer generated maps and goals, and had to trace a route from state to state, in order to achieve a specific goal. The groups spent a good deal of time discussing strategy options, and all computer activities could be easily seen up on the TV monitor by every person there.
         The segment "Computers as a Presentation Tool," was an opportunity for the teachers to model a class brainstorming together. The computer was being used as a smart chalkboard as the "teacher" suggested a topic, and the "students" threw out ideas which were entered into a bubble/flow chart on the screen. The presenter then demonstrated how all of their ideas could be automatically organized into outline and list form. Data could be entered on a graphing program that developed information in such a way that those with different learning styles could more easily assimilate it. Information could be presented as a picture graph, a bar graph, a time line, or a list.
         Some of the teachers had come to the workshops with preconceived, negative ideas about their own abilities to integrate computer technology into their lesson plans, but became very enthusiastic about how many different new ideas they wanted to try. They spent their lunch break discussing the ways in which they might use what they had learned to present their current curriculum, and returned eager to "soak-up" more information.
         "In addition to promoting interaction which is prized by employers," said teacher Kent Peterman, who first brought the training program idea to the LASF, "another benefit of technology is the kind of divergent, creative thinking that is so important as we move into the millennium. Technology with it's spell and grammar checkers rather than being a way of "cheating" has freed people to become thinkers rather than scribes. LASF is to be commended for taking this step to help teachers more effectively deal with technology in all aspects of teaching and learning. Their commitment is not just to technology but to the future of education. The benefactors are the enthusiastic teachers and children."
         "The mentoring aspect of the program encourages teacher sharing between grade-levels and school sites," said the school district's Instructional Technology Specialist, Angie Corritone. "The projects and ideas mentors develop as a result of this program will be compiled into an ever-growing portfolio, and will be posted on our District web page as a resource for teachers within our District, as well as around our global community. As research shows, the most effective training programs in schools are those that are teacher-centered and provide continued interaction among participants immediately after training components are completed."
         "As teachers become more familiar with the many different integrations for technology in their classrooms," continued Corritone, "they will find that technology is very good at facilitating interaction amongst students, and is not an isolating instrument. This has important implications because the number one skill companies are seeking in new employees is the ability to work and interact with others. Technology is terrific at facilitating social interaction, and that is the primary factor I personally hope result from this mentor program. We are extremely fortunate to be part of a District which has such an abundance of technology resources. We are even more fortunate, however, that many of our teachers and administrators are so eagerly embracing this new era of educational philosophy."
         "We are so thankful for the support LASF has provided to our technology programs throughout the years, and I am personally so grateful for this opportunity to help implement a well-designed training program," said Corritone.
         LASF believes enthusiastic teachers who are encouraged to be creative impart a unique love of learning to our children and is happy to support the district efforts in this way.

12/29/99 Reprinted with permission. Visit the Contra Costa Times on the web at www.contracostatimes.com.

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