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Tech Savvy Schools

Cell phones, iPads and Netbooks; these are familiar terms in today’s world, especially among students. Today’s generation of students has grown up with the Internet as their companion and technology as go-to entertainment. However, the question is being asked more often today than ever before: Is technology a tool or a distraction when used in the classroom? 

We caught up with Decatur City Schools Technology Director Kathy Rains to get her opinion on the importance of technology in our schools, and how it is changing the face of education every day.

DCSF: What are your thoughts on the use of technology in education? How is it changing how things are done in the classroom?
KR: The promise of positive outcomes for technology use in the classroom is great. Used as an instructional tool by teachers, technology can make instruction engaging and can gain a student’s attention like nothing else and keep a student focused on instruction for longer periods of time. Used as a productivity tool, technology affords teachers with instant feedback regarding student progress. Used as a research and productivity tool for students, however, is where we find the true power of technology to change the learning landscape.To reach today's digitally connected student, teachers must become mentors and guides for students as they navigate new and constantly changing technology resources, and as they discover new learning methods. 

DCSF: How important is it that students are able to incorporate technology into their curriculum?
KR: This is an interesting question, since most of the time incorporating technology into the curriculum is seen as the teacher’s job. Turning the focus on the student is absolutely necessary. While technology in the hands of the teacher can make instruction more interesting for students, technology in the hands of the students prepares them for the world they face daily and will certainly be expected to thrive in for the rest of their lives. Incorporating technology into the curriculum is not only important, it is also absolutely necessary. It is the new standard for our teachers and is the new requirement for an educated student. To survive in today's technologically saturated world, students must be provided with hands-on curriculum that is most often made possible through technology.

DCSF: DCS Middle Schools have implemented the BYOT program, or Bring Your Own Technology, for students. Can you give us an update on how this is impacting the learning environment?
KR: In these times of strained budgets and technology advances, BYOT is a must for a community that expects their students to have current technologies available to them during their school day. Are these students texting and surfing the Internet? We hope so. Are they posting to Facebook? Probably, but we hope with parent and teacher permission! When using their own devices, students are expected to abide by the school district's Acceptable Use Policy as well as the Student Code of Conduct. When visiting [a DCS middle school], it may look no different from any other secondary school at first glance. On further inspection, however, watch out! You may hear a class discussion with all students excitedly participating and anxiously awaiting the next question with their responses charted automatically online and projected in front of the entire class. Students are free to post their assignments to their digital calendars and are free to look up answers to their questions online. Sound familiar? Most adults already organize their deadlines and research questions in a similar manner. Why shouldn't our students do the same? And why shouldn't educators embrace the opportunity to teach students valuable lessons in digital citizenship? 

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