Journal 8

A “Fantastic Super” Use of Technology: Closing the Digital Divide

Curtis, Diane (2002, November, 11). A "Fantastic Super" Use of Technology: Closing the Digital Divide . Edutopia, Retrieved 2008, October, 11, from http://www.edutopia.org/fantastic-super-use-technology

At Mary Scroggs Elementary School the students are given a user I.D. and a password for the school’s computer network. There are computers in every classroom, wireless laptops, programs for learning, and the school’s daily news can be watched on closed circuit Internet. The principal of Mary Scroggs, Paula McCarthy is able to send out messages to teachers and is able to send messages to 90 percent of student families. As well as being able to access the Internet, communication has grown among teachers, administrators, parents, and students through email. Parents are encouraged to ask questions and have concerns. Email keeps the parents involved and informed in their students’ school activities, progress, and assignments. Each teacher at Mary Scrogg Elementary have a web page where students and parents can access homework assignments, weekly newsletters, announcements, volunteer opportunities, student work, and websites. With access to technology, teachers are able to collaborate more with their co-workers, feel more like professionals and be able to use technology as a means to teach and communicate with their students and their families. Technology at Mary Scroggs has shown to increase test scores and improve the school overall.

How could I incorporate a lesson where the students could email each other?

I would develop a lesson where my students would do peer review on a writing assignment. I would have my students write a first draft and send it to at least three other students as an attachment, and let those students give feedback on content, grammar, and spelling errors. The students will be able to give comments and suggestions to their classmates’ assignments using email.

How would I use cameras in the classroom?

I would let the students take a camera home with permission from their parents. I would also advise parents to supervise their child while taking the pictures and patrol what images they may be capturing. I would encourage my students to take pictures of any after school activities that they do, sports they play, their family, and/or anything special that they would like to share with their classmates. After they have taken pictures, I would have the students share them with the class as a presentation or offer them to download/import their pictures into any projects we may be doing.