I love your idea for the ideal classroom. However, as Ozni pointed out, technology alone will not conquer student apathy, particularly if the teachers are not well versed in ways to use the technology effectively. Kudos to Ms. Amador as well. We live in an increasingly technological world. Texting, instant messaging, googling, aps, social networking and virtual environments are everywhere and are a part of almost every student’s life. Education has to adapt to, respond to and use that “real world”.

Although an LCD projector in every room would be terriffic, the board, or the powers that be, are not even giving us printer cartridges for the printers on which they are always telling us to print out documents. We have monitors in our classrooms half of which don’t work and are not being used effectively. They should be able to be used with our class computers, VCR’s, Blackberries, IPads and DVD’s in much the same way the LCD’s would be used, but not one in ten of the classroom monitors is presently capable of running a simple power point from our computer or of being used to write down even a bell ringer. And when they were capable of doing these jobs, not one in ten teachers knew how to work them or use them effectively.

Ok, I am rambling. The points I want to make are these:
We don’t make effective use of the technology we have nor do we keep it in proper repair. We have speakers, printers, computers, smart boards, monitors and even clocks that don’t work or don’t work properly.
We can’t afford even the very basic necessities of a modern classroom such as printer supplies. So where is the money going to come from for this ?
We not only could use new technology, but we desperately need training in how to use it .

I would also suggest some protective caps (like those used to cover electrical sockets from toddlers’ fingers) for the unused data ports throughout the building. This will help protect these for future use.

Thanks

Has anyone visited Northside Prep? How does our school compare to other schools?
Do we have a technology budget? What is it? and who make the decisions on the purchase of equipment…etc? What about grants…???
What about all the ‘free computers’ our LSC was distributing to students?
I don’t see students using any in school. Also…what about a “how to use and maintain your home computer” club. Lots of our students have computers at home but don’t know anything about virus protection…or let alone how to organize their files, etc…many parents can’t even use one.

As far as the art classes go, our desk top computers are so ancient. I’d like to see a Mac in each class with the latest software. All art classes should have an LCD installed from the ceiling, and reliable wi-fi connection to a “color printer” and computer. (for crying outloud…we teach art using color…not in black and white!!!!) I would also like to see a lab where our students can use computers for research. I have taken my classes down to the library for research, but Carol had to shut down access of the library for the entire school…that’s insane. Students need access to the many interactive art related websites including You Tube for the ‘how to demonstrations” by artists.