Wishlist

1

Laptops for teachers

Teachers are in a transitional stage in their effort to learnhow to use technology on a daily basis. Giving them alaptop computer to move from home to work, to whereverelse they may be able to use it, provides the opportunityfor the computer to become a tool that is used on a dailybasis, inside and outside the classroom.

2

Presentation systems

Presenting information to students in a manner in whichthey are accustomed to receiving it is highly beneficial intoday’s video-game/MTV/quick-edit world. So, we need toput tools in teachers’ hands so they can present in thismanner. This would also encourage them to use the laptoptools they were issued.

3

Student engagement

Students complain that they are bored in school, butresearch says they’re bored because they are not engaged.We need to put tools in their hands that spark them, wowthem, and become so commonly used that the students endup learning from them. The tools can also provide vital, timelyfeedback to help teachers make curriculum decisions.

4

Writing more

Students need to write more and be provided with feedbackon their writing. Using technology, they can receivegrades for their efforts without the lag time of a teachergrading each essay by hand for 120 to 160 students.

5

Parental/community involvement

Parents and students should have up-to-date records oftheir grades so they can make decisions about their academicprogress. Parents should be able to contact teachersand receive responses in a timely manner, and teachersshould be able to respond at their convenience via e-mail,rather than fighting over telephones during breaks, searchingfor parents at home, work, or elsewhere. Finally, parentsand the community should be able to sample a dailyslice of life at the school.