November 2005 — Software/Courseware
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The Power of Digital Integration
Overall, Kutztown’s 1-to-1 laptop program is opening many doors for the district’s high school students and teachers. New digital communications skills are being acquired that can be applied in the classroom and beyond. Teachers are finding that the students are more motivated and that the quality of their assignments has continued to grow throughout the implementation of the program. Parents are pleased that their children are learning to use professional-quality software through curriculum integration, while acquiring the skills that will bring them success in the real world. At Kutztown, this strategy has enabled high school students to have access to the technology resources that are preparing them for the future.
Training in Tiers
Teachers and student ‘tech gurus’ prove to be
vital resources for Kutztown’s laptop initiative.
Professional training is always an important component when
launching such a large implementation. Working with the high
school principal and assistant superintendent, the Kutztown
Area School District set up training for teachers, grouping
them into three tiers. Tier 1 included a group of early
adopters interested in integrating the new technologies
immediately. The district had planned on training three tiers
in three years, but because of the great feedback, bumped
up the schedule and has already begun training the final two
tiers of teachers.
The teachers attend eight full days of training and are paired with training mentors. The training is focused on practical uses of all the software that is included with the laptops. Teachers come away from the sessions with well designed lessons they can begin to incorporate into their classrooms immediately. The teachers also are afforded collaborative time with their peers to discuss projects and use each other for support throughout the process. “Quick Hitter” training sessions on a variety of topics are held every other Thursday before school, and many of the topics are generated through suggestions made by the teachers.
Another outstanding resource has been the students themselves. A group of 20 high school students was trained to be ”tech gurus” and help the district support team assist other students and faculty with the laptops and software.
Mark Erb is the technology director for the Kutztown Area School District.
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