| Technology is revolutionizing the way Americans | | | | schools look at their overall program and |
| communicate and conduct business; yet, it has | | | | revaluate how to accomplish the same tasks |
| been slow to really take foot in our schools | | | | while utilizing technology, there may be more |
| curriculum's. Up until recently, technology has been | | | | room to maneuver than originally thought. A |
| introduced to students as an elective versus a | | | | parent's best bet is to figure out how open the |
| complete integration and redefining of the way | | | | school is to change and how actively they are |
| students are taught. The fact of the matter is, | | | | perusing these changes. Thus, when the |
| today, children are growing up in a world much | | | | opportunities arise to incorporate technology, the |
| different from what their parents and | | | | school will be more likely to embrace them. |
| grandparents experienced. It is a world of | | | | Following are a list of questions that may be |
| computers, software, and wireless access to | | | | helpful in evaluating the technology initiatives at |
| information on-the-fly. It is a world that requires a | | | | your child's school:o Is the use of technology in |
| different set of skills to succeed; thus, it may be | | | | the classroom a school policy or an individual |
| worth your while to investigate the role | | | | decision made by the teacher?o What computer |
| technology plays in your child's schooling. | | | | and technology skills are teachers expected to |
| Studies show that the use of technology in the | | | | know?o Are teachers provided training on popular |
| classroom is highly beneficial to students and | | | | and new technologies on a regular basis?o What |
| teachers. Not only does it prepare students for | | | | type of projects will my child be required to |
| the "real world," it improves many skills that might | | | | complete that promote the use of technology?o |
| not otherwise be fully cultivated. Because | | | | Does the school have a computer lab or does |
| technology is so highly valued in America, students | | | | each class have a single computer students are |
| that become familiar and quite good at using it | | | | expected to share?o What precautions are taken |
| feel a sense of accomplishment, which improves | | | | to ensure student safety when surfing the Web? |
| self-esteem. When using technology, students are | | | | While it is important for schools to have an open |
| more likely to share their experiences with other | | | | mind about the use of technology in the |
| students, promoting peer-to-peer tutoring and | | | | classroom, parents need to support the efforts |
| reducing the pressure teachers feel when being | | | | made by the school. Ask your child's teacher and |
| the only source of student assistance. In addition, | | | | principal about the roadblocks and challenges they |
| students learn that there are numerous ways to | | | | face in implementing the changes that would |
| solve problems and identify with how what they | | | | encourage the use of technology. There may be |
| are learning actually applies to life outside of | | | | some things you can do on your end to spread |
| school. | | | | up the process, be it educating other parents on |
| Of course schools are limited by time and money, | | | | the issue, donating money, or expressing your |
| making it difficult to introduce anything new, | | | | concerns to the school superintendent. Whatever |
| especially expensive technologies that need | | | | you do, stay realistic about your expectations and |
| constant maintenance and upgrades. However, if | | | | keep the lines of communication open. |