Technology Education Plays Prominent Role

Every year around budget time one reads and hears an assortment of opinions and ideas. 

In recent years I've noticed there's one comment/question in particular that seems to have considerable staying power: "Why do the schools have to have the latest and greatest in technology?"

At one time I could answer that question. But since I've been retired going on six years, I don't think I'm in a position to address the issue with any real authority, so I decided to go to a person steeped in the field of educational technology.

Her name is Bev Bjorklund and she is the Library Media Specialist (and my friend and former colleague) at Sandy Hook Elementary School.

When I posed the above question to Bev, she was very quick to point out that by no means do the schools have "the latest and greatest" hardware.  I can attest to this because whenever I'm there to substitute, I see pretty much the same computers year after year. 

One thing, however, that is different is the presence of "smart boards" in most, and perhaps by now, all classrooms. To the best of my knowledge smart boards are purchased by the various PTAs at each of the elementary schools.

The other thing that is very different indeed is the quality of instruction that students receive in educational technology.

You'd be amazed at the number of people who have the  misguided notion that elementary age children spend their computer time simply playing games or practicing keyboarding skills.

Such is not the case. There is, in fact, a carefully thought out curriculum that covers kindergarten through high school.

Part of the curriculum is delivered by classroom teachers, while part of it is delivered by specialists like Bev. Each elementary, Reed Intermediate and Newtown Middle schools have a library media specialist. Newtown High School has at least two.

To receive state certification as a school media specialist, one must complete a master of science program.  All teachers, regardless of area of certification, must complete a given number of hours of educational technology instruction each year. 

Some of the skills taught to ALL children, culminating in the creation of  portfolios at the high school, are word processing, presentation software, web design skills and spreadsheets (at the high school), data analysis, graphics management and --  perhaps the most important of all -- effective research skills. 

It never ceases to amaze me to see some of the PowerPoint presentations created by 3^rd and 4^th graders.  By the time students enter Reed Intermediate or the Middle schools, they are proficient at it. 

The point being made here is that students are learning to use technology as a tool to be used to enhance the learning process.  Newtown students are learning extremely valuable skills that will follow them into college and beyond. 

Is it important for our students to have equipment that will allow effective instruction? 

Yes, absolutely. Because as much as some may want a return to the "good old days," we live in a digital age and our schools have an obligation to prepare students for it.