Has your district noticed an increase in student performance and/or motivation as a result of this technology use? If so, how?
Student performance and motivation have increased as a result of the administration’s and staff’s commitment to integrate technology into classroom learning. The use of student response systems lets teachers quickly identify skills and concepts that students are able to grasp, and make immediate modifications in instructional delivery if results show a lack of understanding.
Promethean ACTIVboards enable teachers to engage students in learning by allowing them to use programs that make learning fun and exciting. Because students already have a plethora of personal handheld devices that they use daily, such as iPads, iPods, and Android devices, the KUNO Mobile Tablet was an easy way to integrate technology into the school day. The district’s administration lets students personalize their KUNO tablets with music and apps, which makes the device more appealing for students to use in the learning process. Parents have access to student grades, attendance, and discipline reports through the Harmony Student Information System, an online grade portal.
How does your district use technology to streamline school administration and aid in decision-making?
CCSC has a steering committee at the elementary and junior/senior high school, as well as a technology council that meets to discuss CCSC’s needs. Acuity, a program offered by CTB/McGraw-Hill, lets teachers and administration assess student skills, and it helps teachers provide support in areas where students might need improvement. Teachers in the elementary school use Essential Skills and Study Island for reinforcement and remediation.
Data-based decision making is essential in determining program effectiveness. Staff members meet regularly to pull information on the Promethean ACTIVboards from computer-based assessment programs. They use that information to help teachers modify instruction in the classroom, based on student needs. Five-Star Technologies provides CCSC with a Student Data Analysis system that shows student progress on a number of assessments over a course of many years. Teachers use iPads to assess primary students’ reading and math skills with programs including mClass Reading and mClass Math.
Has your district realized an increase in efficiency, a savings in administrative costs, a boost in staff or student performance, or some other tangible benefits as a result of this technology use? If so, how?
CCSC has seen numerous benefits resulting from the implementation of technology within the corporation. Prior to the use of virtualization, the district outsourced most of its technology-related repair and management issues. Virtualization has allowed those staff members who would routinely fix and develop new repair channels to work on digital curriculum and devote more time to developing classroom instruction. The VDI solution brings all PC maintenance to the data center, allowing for less “run” time by technology staff.
Student use of mobile technology is growing fast. Schools must align themselves with commonly-used forms of technology to gain interest from their student population. When CCSC decided to go with a touch-screen tablet solution, the kids were extremely excited.
How has your district financed its technology initiatives?
There have been many funding areas that CCSC has explored. During the country’s fiscal downturn, CCSC was able to leverage historically low bond rates and invest in technology at a time when technology was progressing rapidly. There also must be complete support from everyone within the corporation, because large technology deployments can be extremely resource-intensive.
- Arkansas Department of Education Names Curriculum Associates’ Magnetic Reading™ Foundations an Approved English Language Arts Foundational Skills Program for Grades K–2 - March 31, 2023
- New Mexico’s Aztec Municipal School District Renews Multiyear Partnership Driving Student Engagement in Science - March 30, 2023
- 7 Mindsets Announces Formation of 7m Cares - March 30, 2023