The emphasis on SAT9, Standards, and the Institute for Learning has in effect pushed technology into the back seat position. Teachers realize the value of educational technology and the richness it can bring to curriculum but are continually frustrated with the lack of support, time, and training from the district. Because most of the students score high on SAT9 and meet the Standards these classes are free to break away from the explicit mandates of the Institute. This translates into the freedom to integrate technology more fully into the daily lives of students. The Seminar Classes are at the high end of the STAR Mid Technology School Profile.
Every computer is used all day each day.
The purpose of this case study is to determine how technology is used to support learning in the Seminar Class rooms at Maya Elementary This case study will examine five questions centered around technology and curriculum. In view of the Institute for Learning, the push to attain high SAT9 scores, and meet district standards this case study will hopefully prove that when used as a tool, technology become invaluable in meeting the district standards and literacy expectations. Both are self-contained classrooms in a loft type setting. The teachers and students move freely between both classrooms. They share computers, software, books, TVs, VCRs, tape recorders, and expertise.