The use of new technology in the classrooms can transform both the teaching and the learning process. Carroll Magazine asked Carroll County Public Schools administrators in-the-know to brag about the school systems’ top three technology investments. Here is what we learned:
TECHNOLOGY 1
The Technology Investment:
- Bee Bots for each elementary school. Bee-Bots are easy-to-operate ‘robots’ designed for young children.
- 15 Mindstorm Lego EV3s for each middle school. These are kits with pieces that can be used to build 5 different types of robots.
The price:
- $26,000 for Bee-Bots
- $50,000 for Lego EV3s
Before: K-6 students did not have access to any tangible, hands-on equipment to use in exploring computer coding. There was access to software, but no specific hardware that worked with the software.
How has the technology helped?
- The use of Bee-Bots for our young students is incorporated into the K-2 curriculum to give students early experiences in coding as they explore curriculum topics across content areas.
- The Mindstorm Lego EV3s are used as the basis for learning to create a variety of different robots. Middle school sixth grade students use related software to program the robots to move, use sensors, and complete missions. The use of these devices and the use of the programming software strengthens the STEM skills of building, programming and strategic planning.
TECHNOLOGY 2
The Technology Investment: Data projectors, assistive technology and other instructional technologies.
The price: $275,000 from the Kahlert Foundation, Sykesville. Provided150 data projectors and assistive technology in the school year 2014-2015.
Before: Some classrooms were equipped with data projectors, but many other classroom teachers were using overhead projectors, which can only project information that is written or printed on clear transparency media. Television sets were also used to access school news programs, watch instructional DVDs, show websites, or project a computer screen. The screen quality of the television monitor was poor.
How has the technology helped? This investment has provided the necessary funds to ensure that CCPS classrooms have the necessary equipment to support a 21st Century digital learning environment. A data projector installed in a classroom enables teachers to project charts, images, video, audio, animations, and also participate in video conferences to address a variety of learning modalities which makes learning more powerful for the students. Students can also present their work to a class. The projected image is much larger and sharper than a standard television screen. Assistive technologies promote greater independence by helping students with special needs work around challenges so they can learn and communicate to increase their confidence and independence.
TECHNOLOGY 3
The Technology Investment: Subscription to Discovery Education Streaming Plus, Science Techbook and Math Techbook. These services provide access to engaging, multimedia resources and interactive tools for teacher directed or student directed learning. The Discovery Education Techbook series provide content that helps teachers transition to the world of digital resources at school or at home on any device. Some of the resource types included are video, audio, images, interactive tools, as well as text. Teachers and students also have access to several interactive content tools.
The price:
- $950,000 in competitive grants awarded in the 2013-2014 and 2015-2016 school years from the Maryland Digital Learning Innovation Program.
- CCPS currently uses a combination of local funds and these grant funds to provide access to these online resources for multiple year licenses. The total investment also includes quality professional development for teachers to ensure full implementation in the classroom.
Before: Prior to the availability of Discovery Education, teachers and students had limited and controlled access to digital content within the classroom. Instruction was primarily based on traditional print resources.
How has the technology helped? We have been able to provide CCPS students access to curriculum-based digital content with millions of digital learning objects. This digital innovation has helped teachers transition to a digital classroom and support multi-modality learning. Students now have 24/7 access to digital content on any device.
