Dear Parents,

Together with the PTA, administrators, teachers, and staff are focused on providing the best education for all students attending our district.  In the past 20 years much has changed in education, with the most dramatic changes being in computers and technology. To prepare for this new digital world, having access to the right materials is essential.  One of the top ten issues shaping technology uses in education today is “Society’s increasing dependence on technology to communicate information” (Roblyer, Doering, 2010, p. 21).  With future funding in question and the unquestionable need for new technologies in schools, donations and contributions from companies, community organizations, and parents are the only source of hope to prepare for the future.

Blogging, browsing, surfing, emails, multimedia production, digital pictures, word processing, presentation software, and many other words and actions have been a part of this new culture that we live in.  Although these advancements have shaped the organization of business and communications around the world, the power of the brain still remains supreme. Therefore, education will always include foundational knowledge from traditional subjects integrated with critical thinking skills.  However, having access to the latest technological equipment in classrooms will allow teachers to provide effective ways to help students realize their own potential.  By utilizing technology while integrating the components of higher order thinking with standards based knowledge, your sons and daughters will become highly adaptive, sought after professionals in an ever changing world.  

                Within my own classroom, I am searching for tools that will help me to instantly track and evaluate the knowledge and understanding of my students to improve the productivity of the class while ensuring full participation. One important tool that can be used to provide these results is called an electronic white board or Smart board.  According to Roblyer, Doering (2010), “Electronic whiteborads are often used along with video conferencing and course management systems because they make it possible for everyone to see illustrations and demonstrations of concepts as they are being drawn up and revised” (p. 231).  They are also capable of receiving answers and graphing them instantly from multiple choice questions answered by remotes.  This way I could adjust my instruction instantly for any activity that we were doing instead of the day after.  Here is a link that will tell you more about this specific product and what it is capable of doing.  http://smarttech.com/smartboard Another product that also has the capability to improve class participation and decrease the need for future costs are the inclusion of educational Ipads.  These products not only can take place of all the textbooks required for school but they can also cut huge costs and environmental impact associated with paper use, copy machines and other soon to be downsized technologies.  These devices can also support many students who are visually impaired or deaf or hard of hearing.  More information on the amazing capabilities and application of these devices can be found on this link: http://www.apple.com/education/ipad/#classroom

                Parents, I urge you to communicate with other teachers and reflect on their ideas for technology integration into their classrooms as well.  With the many innovative things that are at our fingertips and the teachers ready make a huge impact on the growth and productivity of their students, we can only hope that we find enough financial support to make these changes occur.  I encourage you to talk with other parents, keep yourself informed, communicate your concerns, frustrations, ideas, and wishes through this blog and others so we know that we have your support.  Thank you,

Mr. Malone