ELF News
07/08 SMARTboard Campaign
(Please note: While ELF board members feel there are many educational imperatives
that we are trying to address, making SMARTboard technology available for all
teachers and students is so critical that we have temporarily elevated it to
our primary emphasis.)
What can SMARTboards do and why should I care?
- -A SMARTboard is an "interactive white board".
A touch-sensitive screen connects to a computer. A digital projector displays
the computer image on the screen and you simply touch the surface to control
applications and write notes. Your finger is the mouse.
- No technology can replace great teaching. However, by putting a powerful learning tool such as this in the hands of teachers and students the results are undeniably positive.
"It allows kids to be part of the lesson,
not just listening or even ignoring."
Emma Pearlson
6th Grade
"It has been the best teaching tool I have ever
used (and I have been around for a long time!). The students are so excited,
motivated and engaged it is just incredible."
Linda Maggi
6th Grade Earth Sciene Teacher
"I only wish I was in school again...I can't believe how technology will
improve the quality of education of our kids..."
A HKMS parent after seeing the SMARTboards
last year at Parent's Night.
Take a look at some of the reasons Easton teachers and students are clamoring
for more SMARTboards:
- "They engage students with vastly different kinds of
abilities and learning styles. And that's an increasingly important feature
in a world of tougher academic standards and higher expectations for all
students, regardless of ability."
eSchool News Special Report, Feb. '07.
Click here for full article.
- They have the ability to illustrate hard-to-understand
concepts in all subjects including science and math (think of being able
to view a geometric shape from all angles or use your finger to move a digital
protractor to measure those angels...).
- The large easy-to-see and read screen grabs students
attention and once teachers have their attention its much easier to for them
to learn.
- Handwritten notes taken on the board itself - which are often hard
to read and small- can be instantly changed to text of any size, shape or
color and then saved for review via email, the school website or print. Text
can be written over video and websites to illustrate points. Teachers can
save notes for absent students.
- Provides whole class collaboration to review
lessons, web sites, and showcases student presentations (HKMS 6th graders
collaborated with Earth Science teacher Linda Maggi to create an award winning
presentation on earthquakes using SMARTboard technology.
Click here to read the glowing CT Post article about these amazing kids.)
- Provides virtually endless lesson plan possibilities for educators including digital lesson activities with templates, images and on-line resource libraries from teachers in CT and across the country. SMART also provides over 1,600 free grade and subject-specific lesson activities that are correlated to local standards.
"The board has changed my instruction drastically
and the interactive features make a positive impact on my students. Each
lesson that I plan requires the use of the SMARTboard to model, guide, interact
with and motivate students."
Sarah MacMillan
7th grade Language Art Teacher
- Saves time: Teachers do not have to erase previous lesson
plans, put another one on the chalkboard and do it all over again for a new
class and another day.
- SMARTboards promote computer skills all kids need in today's
world. Teachers have a tool that provides countless lesson ideas, learning
opportunites and avenues for educational inquiry.
- Learn more at www.smarttech.com.
RESULTS OF 06/07 SMARTboard PILOT PROGRAM
- ELF and its sister organization, Redding Education Foundation
(REF), piloted SMARTboards in all Easton and Redding Schools last year. ELF
co-funds this technology, along with other programs, at our shared high school,
Joel Barlow.
- Because of the overwhelming success of these boards in the
Redding elementary and middle schools, the latest Redding budget provided
a SMARTboard for EVERY classroom K-8 in Redding!
- Samuel Staples Elementary
School:
Through private donations and funding from ELF there are currently 5 boards at SSES in Kindergarten, 2nd , 3rd ,5th and Music. Two recently funded boards will go to a 1st and a 4th grade teacher. The administration has a plan to place additional SMARTboards as they are provided - teachers are very eager for more board so they can collaborate with each other.
- Helen
Keller Middle School:
Currently there are 8 boards in place in 6th grade Math, Language Arts, & Science; 7th Grade Language Arts (2 boards go to the 2 teaching teams): 7th grade Life Science: 8th Grade Math: Media. An additional board was funded over the summer by ELF and will be placed according to need.
- Joel Barlow High School:
ELF and REF have jointly funded 5 (? check this number) boards at Barlow. Because all Redding elementary and middle schools will have SMARTboards in place this Fall, ELF board members have decided to place our current fundraising emphasis on Easton's lower schools. With this said, we know the need for SMARTboards is of the utmost importance at the high school level. Teachers like Fred Barna (math) and Chris Poulos (Spanish) who have been using SMART technology are tireless advocates for this tool for all teachers at Barlow. ELF funded a full board this summer for the high school and will continue to support technology and professional development at Barlow when our funds allow.
To learn about the 06/07 SMART Campaign please click here. (links to what?)
Tell me about the 06/07 SMARTboard Campaign
After much thought and discussion with prinicipals, administrators,
teachers, parents and students and healthy debate amongst ELF board members,
Easton Learning Foundation has decided that the benefits of interactive whiteboard
technology in the hands of our wonderful teachers out weighs other funding
goals for the coming school year.
The response from teachers and kids at all
three schools to our pilot program has been just remarkable. This technology
seems to bring out the best in our teachers and kids by fostering all levels
of educational inquiry, reaching students of vastly differing abilities, bringing
a new level of excitement about the learning process to the classroom and connecting
our schools to the world of the internet.
Our new educational technology advisor, Tim DiScipio,
shared his recent experience in Africa on a business trip. In a small village
called Mombasa he visited students at the Kikambala school where, through
a government grant, the school was equipped with a SMARTboard. It's remarkable
to think of kids in a very remote area having access to all kinds of educational
opportunities andj the ability to online discussions and video conferences
with kids in other countries. The board in the photo below might as well
be a "window" on the world.
Kids here in Easton can connect to the world as well in a very direct way through
technology.
This is the power of technoloogy - - not in any way a replacement for passionate, caring and intelligent teachers. It is a tool and in the right hands it creates educational opportunities that simply were not possible before. Any teacher would jump for a new, fun and instructive way to reach their students - enhance a lesson- illustrate a point- and foster a life long love of learning in our kids.
Our sense of urgency has also arisen in part due to the
funding of SMARTboards for all classes K-8 in the Redding schools. One aspect
of the ER9 District Strategic Plan (visit www.er9.org for the plan) is to
provide "curriculum
allignment" for Easton and Redding schools so that all kids entering Barlow
will have a similar educational foundation with which to begin high school
- this includes technology competency requirements.
While Easton and Redding
teachers continue to use similar lesson plans and work toward similar grade
level requirements, there is no doubt that the introduction of interactive
whiteboards for all Redding students will create learning opportunities simply
not available here in Easton. It will be more difficult for Easton and Redding
teachers to collaborate if, because of technology, they are using different
resources to teach the same lesson.
Ideally, if all teachers have interactive
whiteboard technology available to them the two school districts can create
an expansive online library of resources and ideas for lessons and activities.
The boards also provide wonderful opportunities for professional development
for teachers and staff.
SSES and HKMS principals, Kim Fox-Santora and Joan Parker have worked closely
with ELF to create a plan to place boards as they are acquired. Our fundraising
goal of $125,000 covers the cost of placing boards in all classrooms 1-5 at
SSES (including the Media Center and Art) and all the core curriculum areas
at HKMS. We have allocated additional funding for training.
While the SMARTboards
are easy to use there are multiple levels of training from basic to highly
sophisticated. Teachers will share their training with others in an on-going
basis. Administrators will monitor usage and training to be sure boards are
used to the greatest extent possible and that teachers receive the support
they need.
We are eager to work with the Redding Education Foundation to continue funding
boards at Barlow where the need for technology is urgent. This year, with your
help, we are hoping to equip SSES and HKMS with the same kind of technology
already in place in Redding elementary and middle schools. When funding allows,
when we work jointly with REF to raise funds, and when donations are designated
to Barlow, we will gladly provide technology funding at the highschool. Future
efforts on the part of ELF will surely be directed at the high school.
For
now, we continue to offer grants and professional development through our grants
program to the outstanding teachers at JBHS. Stay tuned.....
To find out how you can support
ELF's general programs and the SMART campaign.
