New program bridges education gap

By Jennifer Killin
Del Rio News-Herald
October 21, 2007

 

 

 

Imagine a room full of middle school students arguing to stand at the head of the class and answer a question. No, it’s not some alternate universe of overly zealous 13 year olds – it’s Jessica Voss’ eighth grade language arts class at Del Rio Middle School.

Voss is one of more than 250 teachers in the San Felipe Del Rio Consolidated Independent School District who gave of their own time to obtain a technological foothold in their classrooms.

“Students today are surrounded by technology … get them into a regular classroom without it and they’re bored,” said district technology director Donnie Weaver.

Getting that technology into classrooms, however, proved to be a challenge, said Weaver.

In the past, the district purchased classroom computer equipment that sat almost entirely untouched because teachers weren’t properly trained on how to use it.

“One of the biggest needs in our district has been getting technology (education) for our teachers,” said Weaver, who said time posed the greatest challenge. “We can’t pull teachers from their class … and trainings offered on a voluntary basis had a low turnout.”

After brainstorming on the problem, Weaver launched a four-step plan that linked teacher training to equipment.

After teachers complete 23 hours of online – and four full days of instructor-led – training, equipment for classrooms is available in the form of Activboards, document cameras and overhead projectors.

Unassuming at first glance, the Activboard is similar to a large dry erase board. But when activated, the white display becomes a touch-sensitive screen capable of creating an interactive venue between teacher and student.

Teachers participating in the program have been receptive to their new teaching partner, while the kids just love it.

“I’ve seen more enthusiasm (among students) when we use it. They’ll even get their work done faster just to use it,” said Voss.

In Pete Coggi’s kindergarten class at Dr. Lonnie Green Elementary, students bounce at the opportunity to answer questions using his Activboard.

From a cadre of items pooled at the bottom of the screen, students approach the board one-by-one and using a stylus, drag items into their respective category – people, places or things.

“This has been awesome in getting kids motivated … the best thing I’ve seen in 20 years,” said Coggi, who also instructs other teachers on the use of the equipment.

As an instructor, Coggi’s classroom is fully equipped with all four stages of technology, including a laptop and hand-held answering devices his students call “eggs” because of their oval shape.

By pressing buttons on the “egg”, students in Coggi’s class can answer questions displayed on the Activboard.

A list of student names at the top of the board lets Coggi know who has answered and when the assignment is complete.

Weaver said another benefit to the system is that teachers can get immediate results on how students fared on exercises.

“The teacher gets immediate feedback on how students are doing in a particular lesson,” said Weaver. “Instead of waiting until the end of the week test, teachers can tell right away if a lesson needs further review.”

After Coggi’s students answered 12 questions, Coggi put their answers into the form of a spreadsheet, enabling him to see where students were having difficulty.

At a cost of around $6,000 for a complete technological classroom set up, funding for the program is also a challenge, but Weaver believes he’s found a solution.

All those under-utilized computers are no longer being replaced, making financial room for advanced equipment without hurting the district’s budget.

Weaver said the longer the program goes on, the more teachers become interested – even if they do lose some personal time.

“Once teachers began seeing this equipment in other classrooms they started saying ‘hey, I want that, too’,” said Weaver.

The ultimate goal, Weaver said, is to have the technology available to every teacher in the district – with proper training of course.