July 2004 — SETDA
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Tennessee: BEACONS Project Gets Blue Springs Elementary On the Road to True Technology Integration
www.bluespringselementary.com, was created that presents a chance to "shine" our BEACONS and allows for increased two-way communication between school and home. Special celebrations also are held that showcase technology. Parents witness their child's success firsthand by viewing student-created technology projects and multimedia presentations.Partnering for Success
Another unique component of the Tennessee EdTech Launch grants is the partnering of a Launch school with a TLCF (Technology Literacy Challenge Fund) Pilot school (part of Tennessee's first round of technology integration grants). Blue Springs has been very fortunate to have a sister school in the Bradley County District as a mentor. This school, the Black Fox Elementary School, has been an important factor in the success of our BEACONS Project. Their original efforts to change the way they use and view technology was the inspiration for our own journey toward technology integration. Our schools have worked closely to develop activities that can connect our respective students technologically.
Cindy Ray, Black Fox Elementary School's technology coach, has been an invaluable resource, helping with tried and tested strategies and ideas. Blue Springs faculty members were paired with teachers from Black Fox with similar classroom assignments. This relationship has helped create an exchange of ideas at a more personal level. It is our hope that both schools will become part of the future Orbit Centers that the state envisions for systemic change. Each school plans to reach out to other schools in Bradley County to provide training and resources, assisting in efforts to integrate technology districtwide. Bradley County Director of Schools Bob Taylor agrees with this bold vision and is committed to providing the necessary support to enhance technology education in the school district. As testimony to this fact, six schools from the district have been given approval to apply for the new EdTech Launch 2 grants that will be awarded this year.
The success of the Blue Springs Elementary BEACONS Project is perhaps best expressed by Suzanne Wallace, veteran kindergarten teacher with 30 years of experience: "Where was I, technologically speaking, before the grant on a scale of one to 10? I was definitely a one. I have surprised myself! I can do things I didn't think I could learn. I thought I was too old for new tricks. Now I try to integrate technology into each week's lessons. I look for more ideas on the Internet and use PowerPoint presentations for review." At Blue Springs, we have only just begun our journey toward true technology integration. It is our goal to become a shining example that will light the way for other schools in Tennessee.
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