Teachers Get Technology Ready

July 8, 2009 - Teachers in the Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District are so excited about learning the “smart classroom” technology that is coming to their classrooms in the next 18 months that they are voluntarily attending classes this summer.

By the end of summer 2010, all classrooms in the Placentia-Yorba Linda USD will be equipped with scores of new high-tech teaching tools thanks to the technology portion of the Measure A bond dollars approved by the community last year. The equipment includes:

• Interactive white boards, or giant computer-like screens capable of uploading teacher lessons and during class actively engaging students by digitally manipulating or activating displayed items simply with a tap of the board;
  
• Student response pads, which enable students to enter/text their answers on individual hand-held remotes and instantaneously project on the board what percentage of the class has the correct answer allowing the teacher to re-teach the lesson or continue to the next section;
  
• Distributed sound systems and microphones, which carry the teachers’ voice so that it is equally heard regardless of whether the student is sitting in the front or the back of the classroom;
  
• Document cameras, that have the capability to project three-dimensional items on the screen and eliminate the need for transparencies and the accompanying photocopying;
  
• Writing tablets that allow the teacher to wirelessly control the board from anywhere in the room;
  
• LCD Projectors, which shine images from a computer, DVD/VCR or camera large enough for the whole class to see;
  
• Switching systems that activate or turn off the desired equipment by simply a touch of a button, change channels and control volume—similar to master remote control.

More than 325 teachers signed up for the two four-hour courses which take place every Tuesday and Thursday. The first session focuses on how to use the equipment and the second session is to share best practices. Every Thursday at noon, teachers who attend the sessions receive bundles of some of the technology equipment. The rest of the equipment requires installation. Classes are taught by Placentia-Yorba Linda USD teachers who applied to be in the first pilot group this past year.

“The technology has changed my teaching forever,” said elementary teacher Jackie Bartak. “There is definitely more interaction and every student volunteers to answer questions. They want to try, practice and learn. It’s an increased level of interaction.”

High school teacher Mindi Foote agrees. “It brings the ‘wow’ factor in a time when you are competing with texting, video games and new technologies. Students are more willing to volunteer to come up to the board and there is a sense of ‘buy in’ from the entire class as we set goals together. There is peer motivation for all of the class to understand the concept before we move on to a different topic. I know that they are learning.”

“There is so much enthusiasm and that is great news when the purpose of this technology is all focused on active learning and student engagement,” said Technology Director Bob Blackney.

Technology was one of the focus areas of the Measure A bond dollars. The bond will also modernize classrooms; upgrade athletic facilities; construct a district music hall and second gymnasiums; and transform career / technical education facilities. Bond dollars can only be used for bond projects approved by voters.