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McLain Middle School, Fort Worth
Members: Amy Lahoud, 7th Language Arts & Texas History Mike Brotherton, 8th Grade Health /Coach Reena Reese 7th grade Literature MissyLand, 7th Grade Science/Coach Shannon Gray, 4th Grade Reading/Social Studies LJackson4, 4th Grade Reading Sheronda Giles, 5th Grade LA & SS

Purpose: The purpose of this site is to encourage open discussion about the challenges and opportunities facing teachers and administrators as we attempt to integrate technology in our classrooms and schools. It is also to be used as a means of collaborating and making our classroom communities a more engaging and productive environment through the use of technology.

Hi all! Having researched the ways that students around the globe are using technology and our campus STaR chart, I have found that my campus is lagging in the integration of technology. The data suggests we are using technology as an add on. We tend to dip our toes slowly into the waters of technology instead of taking full advantage of all we could. Most of the teachers on our campus use the technology we have to supplement lectures with students using technology to reinforce basic skills. We were rated as Developing Technology in all key areas. There is sporadic communication from administration to teaching staff about the vision for our campus. However, knowing that "at some point" we will have access to more technology both in our classrooms and schools is not helpful. Most of us would love to have access and give our students more access to technology. However, our everyday reality is that we do not have enough computers per student, our infrastructure is still a bit outdated, and preparing students for the TAKS drains the energy we should have to integrate technology. Of course, everything at my campus is not as grim as the picture I paint. We have wonderful programs, gifted students, involved parents, a caring administration and are considered one of the best middle schools in Fort Worth. In addition, we, as teachers, often take the lead in communicating to administration what we need for professional development and for students. It is simply that my analysis of my skills and knowledge and our campus STaR chart have left me wanting more opportunities to connect with students and expand student success through the use of technology. Is anyone else experiencing these same issues? I hope to learn from each of you as we all contribute to this page.
 * Conversation starters: **

At McLain, each classroom is equipped with an Elmo, a media projector, a teacher computer and a printer. There are two computer labs and since next year will be my first year there, I am not sure what other technology is available. At my old campus, Alvarado Junior High, I used a media projector, Elmo, Interwrite tablet, Media Cart with TV/VCR/DVD, teacher computer, and could reserve space in 3 computer labs. I also had access to a mobile computer lab, but I found that my students did not care for the dropped connections when using this. I shared a printer with several teachers in two halls, but it usually was not a problem (until grade reports were due!). Our campus had digital cameras (which I never used), GPS, podcasting, and was beginning to experiment with Avatars as a means of student communication between campuses. Of course there are always teachers who are resistant to change. I'm not sure if it is because they feel their current practices are under attack or if it is because they just don't have the knowledge to utilize the new technology. Being active learners along with their students sets up a collaborative learning environment.
 * What technology are you currently using on your campus and how does this compare with what is available on your campus?**
 * Have you found that some teachers on your campus are hesitant to use technology because they haven't mastered all of the applications or they fear their students will know more than they do ?**

Students definitely do get bored in classes that do not utilize technology and they do learn more when it is used.
 * Do you feel that students are bored or that their learning is suffering in classrooms lacking or lagging in technology?**

I'm not sure if it is great, but we created and maintained a blog in my Language Arts classes.
 * Will you please share one great way that you have used technology in your classroom?**