Excerpts+from+Site+Visit+Notes

.//From the minute I walked into the building, I observed students using technology in classes, labs – just about each classroom observed had students taking notes on laptops, teachers teaching with technology. The labs and cluster of eMacs in the library were dormant; more students were carrying laptops than textbooks...//

//...the District is decreasing reliance on text books overall...//The middle school is also moving to a "paperless classroom" - many worksheets, notes, reading, that would have been copied and distributed to students in the past, are now being scanned in and given to students via Study Wiz and other applications. This is a time-saving design, in addition to creating a "green classroom".

//...Study Island – immediately incorporated into classroom from a free trial...

...how to increase parental support and buy in? How to communicate value to parents and get them fully invested?

...tasks are automated and students were able to access files they needed instantly...

...technical downtime kept to a minimum...

...extensive integration into the curriculum...

...literacy is key area of focus...push for independent reading, writing process, and coordination of social studies with ELA...

...biggest hope for success - being able to reach all kids.//

...the computers are a great motivational tool for students; they are more engaged in a lesson when using the laptops

students are more willing/motivated to write when using the laptops

...teachers use current (up to the second) information regarding topics, enhancing connections with the life of a student...