Journal #8

Curtis, Diane (2002, October, 1). A '"fantastic super" use of technology: Closing the digital divide. Edutopia, Retrieved October 11, 2008, from http://www.edutopia.org/fantastic-super-use-technology

This article discusses the uses of technology in Mary Scroggs Elementary School in North Carolina. It talks about the way it uses the internet to both connect with parents and improve communication with in the staff. Done with a grant this school manages not only to supply every classroom with computers but also any families without computers are given "internet access devices" in order to communicate with teachers. Scroggs elementary is designed around the idea of collaboration. Two teachers share any given office and there are spots around the school for gathering and meeting. Upon arriving a new teacher commented on the lack of competition and how great that felt. The most impressive thing about Mary Scroggs Elementary was not any one of those things but the way they planned and build it so that all the parts worked together.

1. How can I incorporate the ideas behind the layout of the school without the actual building?

I think a big thing is making sure that the space I am given is being utilized. Making sure that as a teacher I have a space in my classroom for myself seems important in feeling professional. I also think that if possible the administration should try to group teachers either by teams in middle school or by subject in high school. That way there is more opportunity for collaboration.

2. What technology can I best use in my classroom?

I'd like to definitely incorporate a way to use an online grade program so that my students are always aware of their grades. I think that a class blog would be useful in a high school classroom especially simple things like the daily warm ups or what the homework was that day.