User talk:Everettcb

Technology has become a defining force in our lives, and its relevance is spreading to virtually every field in one way or another. While some people may go their entire lives never needing to recall the knowledge they gained in various classes throughout their educational career, their experiences with technology will most certainly come in to play very early during their adulthood. Colleges have taken steps towards online learning by giving students access to professors virtually that otherwise might have an overcrowded and counterproductive learning environment as a result. Assignments are given out and handed in more efficiently, and professors are able to use more of their time with students individually as their office schedules are easier to manage. Many students have to work their way through college to support themselves while receiving an education. This is much easier with a more flexible online schedule and for those that don’t have the ability to move to another state, the college they wish to attend is just a few mouse clicks away. Is this where grade-school level education is headed? I can’t say for certain that is the case, though it would be beneficial for students to have access to some of the greatest minds in the country during various lectures and lessons versus receiving their entire curriculum from local teachers that may or may not have the knowledge to present their content with the most efficiency. Bottom line, if you’re not connected to the Internet, you’re not learning as effectively as you could be. Face-to-face interaction is important for students. No one is denying that. What is being ignored by some districts is the importance of keeping technology within grasp as a way to prepare the student for the world that’s ahead of them. The workplace requires you, now more than ever, to know the ins and outs of whatever operating system they work with. If you wish to move up, you’ll need to prove again and again that you know how to navigate technology. Sometimes, having that little bit of extra knowledge can really make a difference in your salary and lifestyle down the road. Most of the recent research articles I've read on technology and my experience has shown me that classroom learning not only that there is an increase in student achievement in technology rich classroom environments, but also an increase in student motivation, especially among at risk students. One of the most important reasons to use technology in the classroom is simply that it mirrors work in the "real world." Most jobs require employees to have technology skills of varying degrees. These employers would not necessarily be willing to train people who do not have the appropriate skills. During times of economic downturns and instability, our students will have to compete for jobs. To acquire technology skills necessary for the workplace, students need to use technology consistently, not just one semester of one year of high school during technology class. If this is the only time they are given the opportunity to use technology, their skills will surely suffer. If our role as educators is to prepare our students for life after school, we need to do all we can to ensure they will be competitive in the workplace. Providing students with the opportunity to not only use but to also expand these skills across all content areas is essential to ensuring solid technology skills. Students going on to college also need to have technology skills to meet the demands of college courses. I'm not even sure if a student can register for courses without internet access. With more and more courses offered on line, students without these skills will certainly be at a disadvantage. One of the most important advantages of the technology rich classroom is the access it affords to information. At the most basic level, access to on line dictionaries, encyclopedias, maps, and other resource material puts current resource material in the hands of each student. The wealth of information, primary source materials, and variety of perspectives available on the internet is mind boggling to say the least. The ability to compare and synthesize information from a variety of perspectives within a matter of minutes is invaluable in the social studies classroom. Due to the time constraints most teachers are under, consistently allowing this kind of time to do research is simply not feasible. The internet affords my students the luxury of being able to regularly conduct research for projects and papers. More time can be spent working with information rather than finding information. Some may argue that there is so much information available on the internet that it could be overwhelming, or students will spend too much time searching for information. However, if students are given guidance with respect to which internet sites would be best suited for their needs, and are given specific instruction on how to conduct internet searches, their time will be used more efficiently. Furthermore, the internet provides my student with up to date information. Textbooks typically get replaced every ten years or so. Many of the textbooks available in classrooms still show the Soviet Union and East and West Germany. However, because we are a laptop program with wireless internet connection, we're able to keep up with changing world borders. Technology provides students with the opportunity to communicate their knowledge in new and exciting ways. Technology assists students in making high quality presentations. These presentations could include powerpoint presentations, digital video productions, digital photo essays, websites, and digital portfolios. It has been my experience that students who prepare work for an audience will usually take their work more seriously and are more motivated to produce a quality product. It has also been my experience that when students conduct electronically enhanced presentations, their classmates pay closer attention to what they have to say. Due to technology, the audience for these presentations is no longer limited to classmates. Projects can be posted to a website, broadening the communication potential. This also provides students with the opportunity to have their work displayed over a longer period of time. Email projects with students from other countries allow students the opportunity to personally connect with the far off places they are learning about without leaving the classroom. In addition, students can collaborate with other students on projects, with students not only from their own classrooms or schools, but with students from around the world. Technology can also improve communication between teachers and students. Assignments can be posted to a website so students have continual access to class requirements. Students can email teachers with homework questions and can receive feedback before the next school day. Teachers can email students with assignment updates, reminders, and encouragement. Up to date grades can be posted so students and parents) know their progress. Teachers cans set up chat rooms or have students post responses to bulletin boards.          Students with good technology skills can transfer these skills successfully into other content areas in classrooms that are technology rich.  In other words, students who successfully use technology can use it for success in other content areas

Submitted by Everett Bomgardner Everett Bomgardne has worked internationally and in the US as a school head. He is exceptional executive and school leader with proven experience in k-12 levels. Some of hissuccesses have been the following. As a veteran international school leader his schools have consistently outperformed schools and my students have done the same when looking at comparative data from our nationally and internationally normed tests. I have worked and held director positions and principal positions at all levels in many countries around the world. He has repeatedly had his schools outperform other schools in the face of new school startups, turnarounds and growth challenges. I have done this in diverse demographics and tough economic conditions. an developed a rare combination of experience, vision and leadership- which is the reason for looking at technology for all schools teachers and students.