Teacher’s Remarks about the eLearning program:

When I think of my teenage girls, their lives are rich in technology --- computer, iPod, stereo, TiVo, cell phone, etc. it only makes sense that curriculum is more interesting when delivered using “technology methodology” instead of traditional methods.  I guarantee you students are spending more time reading their textbooks now that they are on the computer than they spent reading the traditional “paper” texts.

                                                            Cheryl Purdy,  CS teacher

Laptops have changed the way I teach my Fine Arts classes. I am able to access most any visual or musical composition and make it available for viewing or listening. Students seem to love this and I am convinced laptops have helped them better understand art by creating a stimulating atmosphere for learning. The wealth of information available to students and teachers is unlimited. Best of all laptops make learning quick, easy, and fun.   

                                                            Sheila Sanders, Arts and Humanities teacher

I haven’t had students with them yet, but I often use mine with the boxlight in class.  I’m anxious to begin teaching kids who have access to the laptops.

I also use my laptop at home – on a daily basis.  I’ve recently spent time surfing the net for powerpoints for literature, writing, Socractic seminars, and other stuff and found some cool things, which has saved me the time of creating them.  Time is often teachers’ most precious commodity and having my laptop at home has saved me considerable time and energy. 

As far as the worth of the program, we’re on the cutting edge of what will be commonplace in a decade.  As a result, DCPS will be a leader in the state and nation.  I also can’t believe how fortunate I am to teach in a system offering this program.  I have a cousin who teaches in a burb of Chicago, and he can’t believe how much we have to offer our kids. 

                                                            Nancy Skiadis, Language Arts

“I feel that having my laptop, projector, United streaming and other resources allow my students to get involved in my classes more.  Lectures that used to be boring, now involve pictures, video clips and keep the students’ attention.  I really feel that without my laptop my class wouldn’t be as engaging and educational as it is now.”

                                                            Chris Renfrow, Social Studies

The students have the opportunity to expand their knowledge and understanding of technology. Thanks to the e-Learning program, the students will have a jump on their competition when they enter the workforce because of this knowledge.

                                                            Stephen Hall, Business

From a teacher’s perspective, having laptops is wonderful as it opens up so many additional options for me.  With a laptop, I am free to take my work anywhere.  I can prepare a test at my son’s soccer practice or search the internet at home for teaching tools, projects, or new ideas and be ready to present up-to-date information or implement new things on the next school day.  Today I require that all assignments are turned in type-written.  No more do I have to try to decipher poor handwriting!  They can print their work if I ask or e-mail it to me.  E-mail is especially beneficial when a student is absent.  Many have contacted me when absent about make-up work and have e-mailed their assignments to me from home so they won’t be behind when they get back.   I can post assignments for the students on Moodle and even include study materials through innovative programs like Jeopardy over specific materials in the chapter or lesson.  Students can play these fun games to assist them in studying for an upcoming test or quiz.    

For students, the laptops have also opened up opportunities for additional learning and exploration.  They really enjoy the freedom and creativity the laptops have given them.  They, too, are able to work from anywhere at any time.  They are also able to keep up with their assignments and grades on a daily basis from STI.   Research and reports and can be completed more quickly because the students and teachers don’t have to wait for an available computer lab. 

                                                                        Kim Myers, Business

            Computers have changed the way I teach and my classroom activities. Laptops have allowed my students the opportunity to access ancillary materials for their textbook online.  There they can find vocabulary, grammar and cultural activities, as well as self tests.  Each unit in our text deals with a different Spanish speaking country. My students have been able to access cultural information about those countries to share in class.  They enjoy doing spontaneous research on an important festival, site, or historic event to contribute to the class.

            Laptops have cut down on paper waste, losing papers, and have sped up and facilitated feedback.  Students can submit papers through drop boxes, where the teacher can review then, highlight and easily insert comments or questions and mail them back to the student as soon as they are scored.  

            They have also changed student work.  A double-bladed sword in some instances is that language students have found free online translators and simply type in their assignments in English, select the target language and press a button. Voila! Their assignment is done for them.  This wouldn’t be all bad if they would take the time to proofread, make corrections, and actually learn from the process.  However, it does mean they are not doing the work themselves, thus they are not learning.  Many of the free online translation sites do a poor job and the students may also pick up some wrong impressions of the language.  For example, idiomatic expressions are often translated literally rather than colloquially.  This gives students the idea that a literal translation is the same as a colloquial one.  An example is the English expression “It costs an arm and a leg” would not be translated word for word except by a free online translator.  The expression in Spanish is translated to English as “It costs and eye from the face.”

            Students are typing rather than handwriting papers.  This change has been a real blessing in a few ways.  Students are much more willing to go into a paper and edit it when they do not have to hand write it again. It is much easier to read and the double spacing leaves plenty of space to hand write comments if the papers are not submitted electronically.

            It does increase the temptation for students to plagiarize.

            Our students are being better prepared for life.  They are learning how to access the wealth of information at their fingertips.  They are subconsciously learning to “sift through the rubble” of the Internet. They are becoming technologically savvy in a world that will require that of them when they enter the workforce.  Some students are being drawn out of their shells as they know how to do things and show classmates and teachers how to perform certain tasks on the laptops (movie making, power point presentations, importing sound clips and videos, etc.)

            The one thing it does that I really like is that it levels the playing field among students of different economic classes.  Now, if we could somehow supply all our students with free or cheap Internet service at home, things would be equal.

                                                                        Jill Milton, Foreign Language