Editor's note: The following Q&A is derived from information provided by the Monroe school district about its ongoing professional collaboration time and early release Mondays. Three more topics in the series will follow: PBIS, May 7; grading, May 21; and safety, June 4. A story on collaboration time was published April 1.
MONROE - The Monroe school district continues to advance its use of technology to provide the best possible learning environment for students. Over the past few years, it has been able to provide each middle and high school student with a mobile learning device (iPads for middle school students and Chromebooks for high school students) for use during the school year, while students in the elementary schools have access to both Chromebooks and iPads. This use of technology is in keeping with the district's goals to integrate technology that emphasizes real-world applications and to integrate 21st century skills along with college and career readiness skills.
We didn't have all this technology when we were kids and we turned out just fine. Why is it so important to be on the "cutting edge"?
In today's world, technology is becoming less "cutting edge" and more of the norm in schools. Staff, teachers and the community need to be at least in line with current trends in technology in order to best prepare our students for life beyond the school environment.
The district heard from a community task force on the importance of applying technology to the "real world" due to the workforce needing to know how to utilize technology and not fear it. Supporting this technology helps bolster that work-place readiness in our students.
Staying current with technology has the additional benefit of making the district even more attractive to families looking to relocate or send their children to the district.
"Attracting bright minds and fostering community development will ensure a long-term positive impact within the community. We are in full support of the 1:1 learning environment and are glad we can partner with the school district to make this initiative a reality," said Ryan Kubly, President of Colony Brands Foundation.
What do you mean by "technology?"
Technology is more than computer or devices - because it encompasses many different things, technology is being infused in the curriculum and across the curriculum at all levels, 4K through grade 12.
Technology Education has really evolved and utilizes multiple forms of technology. Other technology-centered curriculum, for example, includes Project Lead the Way, an engineering program that uses multiple forms of technology; Coding; CNC Machining; and Computer Aided Design. Because of access to technology, our schools are also able to teach more robotics.
Another example of technology being used in multiple ways is the Business and Information classes taught at the middle school. Sometimes the technology is taught so that it can be applied in other classes, other times it is used as a tool to solve a problem. Spreadsheets are used to create graphs for real-world issues like their stock portfolios in Marketing and Money or students' growth in keyboarding speed and accuracy. Game design promotes creative thinking and problem-solving skills. Students enjoy the variety of ways technology is used, making them excited, engaged learners.
Even the youngest students are using technology on a regular basis. Keyboarding skills are required at a much earlier age because all state testing requires it. Mandated state tests require online testing which utilizes technology.
Some other forms of technology used throughout the district include 3D printers; multiple software programs used and learned by students; maker-spaces using technology in the LMCs; and physical education equipment used to track the physical activity and biometrics of students.
Isn't all this expensive?
The district has been able to accelerate the integration of technology and 21st Century skills into classrooms, thanks to significant support from The Colony Brands Foundation in the amount of $100,000 per year for four years for a total donation of $400,000, along with other sizable financial donations towards technology. The district has also received substantial support from many other local individuals and organizations such as the Kiwanis Club, Optimists, The Berbee Derby Foundation, AT&T, Faith Engineering, Precision Drive & Control, School Parent-Teacher Organizations, and many others.
In addition to receiving outside support for technology, we spend a significant amount within the district on technology. It's a necessary investment in our students' futures: Students need to learn how to navigate multiple programs and devices. When students leave us for college or work, they are required to know how to effectively use and navigate multiple forms of technology and multiple programs and devices. It's all part of preparing our students to succeed in today's word.
What are the benefits to students?
Technology benefits students in innumerable ways. Having better access to technology means students have access to information at their fingertips. They can access this information globally - important as our students are competing globally. Students are better able to show what they know using technology.
Technology has significantly improved the instruction teachers give to students. It has enabled educators to better teach problem-solving skills to students. Teachers' use technology to give more individual attention to students, which means student needs are better and more effectively met. For example, they can provide formative feedback immediately.
We also know that the 1:1 initiative has "leveled the playing field" for students because there are many families that would not be able to afford a device for their child. This has provided a resource and experience that some students may not have ever had without the experience within the school district of Monroe.
Students themselves say having the device has helped them stay organized and keep track of their work. "It helps me stay on task because it is fun and I really want to learn then. I've learned to be more independent," one said.
We've found technology has really improved communication for students, staff and parents. Students and staff are able to use technology to collaborate. Announcements at the high school are done via email so there is less class disruption. Scheduling within buildings and across the district is more efficient with technology. And Schoology, our learning management system, allows better and more informed access for parents.
And our parents have seen the positive effects: Eighty-four percent of our sixth-grade parents reported the iPad program has had a positive impact on their student's learning and 88 percent supported the expansion to other grade levels.
MONROE - The Monroe school district continues to advance its use of technology to provide the best possible learning environment for students. Over the past few years, it has been able to provide each middle and high school student with a mobile learning device (iPads for middle school students and Chromebooks for high school students) for use during the school year, while students in the elementary schools have access to both Chromebooks and iPads. This use of technology is in keeping with the district's goals to integrate technology that emphasizes real-world applications and to integrate 21st century skills along with college and career readiness skills.
We didn't have all this technology when we were kids and we turned out just fine. Why is it so important to be on the "cutting edge"?
In today's world, technology is becoming less "cutting edge" and more of the norm in schools. Staff, teachers and the community need to be at least in line with current trends in technology in order to best prepare our students for life beyond the school environment.
The district heard from a community task force on the importance of applying technology to the "real world" due to the workforce needing to know how to utilize technology and not fear it. Supporting this technology helps bolster that work-place readiness in our students.
Staying current with technology has the additional benefit of making the district even more attractive to families looking to relocate or send their children to the district.
"Attracting bright minds and fostering community development will ensure a long-term positive impact within the community. We are in full support of the 1:1 learning environment and are glad we can partner with the school district to make this initiative a reality," said Ryan Kubly, President of Colony Brands Foundation.
What do you mean by "technology?"
Technology is more than computer or devices - because it encompasses many different things, technology is being infused in the curriculum and across the curriculum at all levels, 4K through grade 12.
Technology Education has really evolved and utilizes multiple forms of technology. Other technology-centered curriculum, for example, includes Project Lead the Way, an engineering program that uses multiple forms of technology; Coding; CNC Machining; and Computer Aided Design. Because of access to technology, our schools are also able to teach more robotics.
Another example of technology being used in multiple ways is the Business and Information classes taught at the middle school. Sometimes the technology is taught so that it can be applied in other classes, other times it is used as a tool to solve a problem. Spreadsheets are used to create graphs for real-world issues like their stock portfolios in Marketing and Money or students' growth in keyboarding speed and accuracy. Game design promotes creative thinking and problem-solving skills. Students enjoy the variety of ways technology is used, making them excited, engaged learners.
Even the youngest students are using technology on a regular basis. Keyboarding skills are required at a much earlier age because all state testing requires it. Mandated state tests require online testing which utilizes technology.
Some other forms of technology used throughout the district include 3D printers; multiple software programs used and learned by students; maker-spaces using technology in the LMCs; and physical education equipment used to track the physical activity and biometrics of students.
Isn't all this expensive?
The district has been able to accelerate the integration of technology and 21st Century skills into classrooms, thanks to significant support from The Colony Brands Foundation in the amount of $100,000 per year for four years for a total donation of $400,000, along with other sizable financial donations towards technology. The district has also received substantial support from many other local individuals and organizations such as the Kiwanis Club, Optimists, The Berbee Derby Foundation, AT&T, Faith Engineering, Precision Drive & Control, School Parent-Teacher Organizations, and many others.
In addition to receiving outside support for technology, we spend a significant amount within the district on technology. It's a necessary investment in our students' futures: Students need to learn how to navigate multiple programs and devices. When students leave us for college or work, they are required to know how to effectively use and navigate multiple forms of technology and multiple programs and devices. It's all part of preparing our students to succeed in today's word.
What are the benefits to students?
Technology benefits students in innumerable ways. Having better access to technology means students have access to information at their fingertips. They can access this information globally - important as our students are competing globally. Students are better able to show what they know using technology.
Technology has significantly improved the instruction teachers give to students. It has enabled educators to better teach problem-solving skills to students. Teachers' use technology to give more individual attention to students, which means student needs are better and more effectively met. For example, they can provide formative feedback immediately.
We also know that the 1:1 initiative has "leveled the playing field" for students because there are many families that would not be able to afford a device for their child. This has provided a resource and experience that some students may not have ever had without the experience within the school district of Monroe.
Students themselves say having the device has helped them stay organized and keep track of their work. "It helps me stay on task because it is fun and I really want to learn then. I've learned to be more independent," one said.
We've found technology has really improved communication for students, staff and parents. Students and staff are able to use technology to collaborate. Announcements at the high school are done via email so there is less class disruption. Scheduling within buildings and across the district is more efficient with technology. And Schoology, our learning management system, allows better and more informed access for parents.
And our parents have seen the positive effects: Eighty-four percent of our sixth-grade parents reported the iPad program has had a positive impact on their student's learning and 88 percent supported the expansion to other grade levels.