[Edurealms.com]

Just thought you'd want to know...

I'm an instructional technology coordinator for a rural North Carolina school district. One of our most rural schools received one of Microsoft's big grants and as part of their purchases, installed Interwrite boards and pads in their classrooms (along with projectors, document cameras, classroom response systems, and a teacher laptop).

Initially, there was resistance on the part of the teachers to utilize the equipment. I had not yet been hired and our district was without anyone to offer professional development in the use of the equipment. So, there were the teachers, with all of this new technology, and no support. With technology innovations in the classroom, that often meets with equipment stowed in the closet and collecting dust.

Within months, news began to spread about the district that something amazing was going on at that school. Teachers were actively engaging their students like never before and this was largely due to the transformative power of the technology in their classrooms (of which the Interwrite equipment was a part). Mind you, this was without any formal, district professional development. The teachers were simply learning the software and hardware on their own. (A testament to a well-designed system.)

School board and principal's meetings were held at the remote school and now, nearly a year later, most of our schools have, in place, a plan to implement this technology.

In the past couple of months, I've equipped classrooms in three schools (one elementary, one middle, and one high) and the story is the same. There are, of course, early adopters, but there are also those who resist the change. One, in fact, laughed when I told her that it would replace her overhead projector and do much, much more. A few weeks after I set her classroom up, I peeked in to offer some follow-up support. "You're not going to take my equipment are you?" she asked clutching her Interwrite Pad. I believe her overhead projector is now... in the closet... collecting dust.

Our district, to date, is having very positive experiences with Interwrite hardware and software and we're looking forward to what's next.

-Lucas

[escanlin]

WOW!!

How great is that!!
Thank you so much for sharing your experience with our technology.
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Erin

[tigerlily]

I have a similar story. I've been using CPS in my classroom for the last few years. I've noticed the students enjoy class more, and I've certainly had more fun teaching. Better yet, our test scores have been improving as well.

Last year the class I was given had done poorly on their state exams the previous year. In fact, they did so poorly that our school was put on the at risk list in our state. I understandably was apprehensive about trying to bring this group up to par. By integrating PowerPoints with CPS I soon had this group looking forward to coming to my class and becoming involved with the lesson. I was nearly floored when we received our state scores this year! 91% of the students passed with flying colors! This group of low achievers had scored better than any group of students we've had in years! Needless to say, I am very proud of them.

I might add, that other teachers and administrators in my district have started taking notice of what is going on. This year, with our stimulus funds, our district is adding dualboards and mobis to many of our classrooms. As part of our professional development for the upcoming year I was asked to give workshops on how to utilize this equipment. The workshops went over very well and we now have an entire faculty anxious to begin utilizing this wonderful technology. With any luck, no teacher in our district will be faced with having to teach an "at risk" group of students again!

[weiphos2012]

This is a great tip and pretty impressive and thanks for sharing.
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