Technology Committee Launches 21st Century Education

Interim Assistant Superintendent Wallis Raemer served two roles at last week's School Committee meeting. She prepared a handout that explained the use of expert reading teachers, and launched the district into the direction of preparing its students for 21st century learning, careers and citizenship.

Raemer was assisted by the co-chairs of the Technology Advisory Committee: David Good, chief technology officer; and Peter Kidwell, parent, Dallin School. As she explained education today must focus on four C’s. These are creativity, collaboration, critical thinking and communication.

After 15 months of meetings and research the Techology Plan defines its first goal to be improving teaching and learning. For schools to be competitive and appropriate in preparing students for the life that lies ahead of them teachers and students need access to computers and other technology that use student response systems and other modes of interactive learning.

“It’s important to understand what this means,” Raemer said. “Students and teachers need to embed or integrate the use of computers in the classroom in the very work they do. They don’t just need to learn about computers, they need to learn through using computers.”

One of the slides in her power point presentation showed a model of a good 21st century classroom. In this environment students sat in groups at a number of round tables, each student with a computer. Instead of a teacher standing at a blackboard, the teacher guides students with projects and research. In another scenario Raemer alluded to more teachers and students would learn using SMART boards, an interactive large screen that has specialized computer functions.

In spite of upgrades such as increasing band width and equipping teachers with one–on-one computer access, Raemer and her committee explained that Arlington is not meeting the technology benchmarks set by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. In order to do so Arlington not only needs to invest in more hardware but also needs more investment in professional development to train teachers in the effective use of the essential technologies.

Adequate staffing goals need to be addressed, as well as monitoring the technological literacy of students. Baseline expenditures were defined. They include incorporating wireless technology in more classrooms and libraries, buying additional equipment, staffing the AHS Library with a K-12 Director of Media and purchasing more software. The committee calculated these additions at a cost of $365, 000 in the first year of operation.