Technology in Our Schools Matter

This week I had the pleasure to attend the TCEA conference in Austin, TX with 12,000 other educators to learn new ways to incorporate technology in our schools. I was more than excited to serve in a district, Castleberry ISD, where we are ahead of the game when it comes to our students'  access to computers and our teachers'  implementation of technology in the classroom. 

For instance,  in Castleberry ISD, all 5th grade students have an iPad and from grades 6-12th grades all students are 1 to 1 with netbooks. In addition, our school district use Canvas to enhance students' 21st skills. Canvas provides secure spaces for posting readings and other documents, holding class discussions, collaboration, collecting and grading assignments, etc for students and teachers. Canvas also allows the use of media such as on-the-spot video, live video conferences, and more. 

This implementation of technology is important because of the every changing economy. Schools everyday are preparing students for a world that's constantly changing due to new developments of technology, medicine, and jobs. When surveyed, major corporations agreed the top five skills needed by students upon graduation are problem solving 51% (agreed), team-working 33% (agreed), communications 26% (agreed), critical thinking 21% (agreed), and creativity 18% (agreed). 

What we have created in our schools at Irma Marsh Middle and throughout Castleberry ISD are platforms and structures for students to demonstrate those skills every day through the lessons designed by teachers. What an awesome system to be apart of where students are prepared to leave each grade level with the skills necessary to be competitive in a global economy. Let's continue to support our students at home by requiring them to read daily for 20 minutes; use their computers or iPads to blog their reading to other students, and mostly importantly, make sure students are at school everyday.