Wednesday, January 16, 2002
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Wednesday, January 16, 2002 |
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New computer lab gives Flat Rock an edge in technology A focus on integrating technology into the classroom at Flat Rock Middle School is helping prepare students for the 21st century work force, school officials say. One of the school's goals last year was to increase the availability of technology by adding a learning lab for students and teachers. Teachers agreed to use state lottery funding awarded to the school to help purchase new Dell computers. The U.S. Army at Fort Gillem also donated computers, bringing the total in the new lab to 26. "We were lucky to have computers donated by the U.S. Army," said Jim Uttley, computer teacher. "I go and pick them up and refurbish them. It saves the school money, and they work quite well." The new learning lab also is equipped with a smart board and LCD projector. As teachers talk their students through various software programs, they can project the computer monitor image on the screen and work the mouse by touching different sections of the screen. Students can listen and see what their teacher is doing simultaneously, helping them to better understand how to maneuver through different computer programs. The lab also has scanners and mounted digital cameras that can be removed for out-of-lab work. Pictures and movies can then be downloaded into presentation programs such as PowerPoint to create presentation for school projects. The cameras also allow students to teleconference between labs. With a camera mounted on the computer, students from remote locations can see each other and work together without being in the same room. "I use this a lot with my business students," said Uttley. "It helps to prepare them for how business people communicate in today's work force. When they get into the business world, they will already know about teleconferencing and how to do it." Teachers also are making use of the labs to receive training needed to complete their InTech requirements, part of a mandatory program to integrate technology into their classrooms. Approximately 50 percent of Flat Rock's teachers are InTech trained or in the process. As teachers learn how technology can enhance learning, the labs are booked solid every day, said Uttley. "Before InTech, teachers were apprehensive about using anything involving technology," he said. ":Now you can't keep them away from the computers." Math teacher Joy Long said with technology, she has noticed an increased interest level and reduced behavioral problems. "Going through InTech training has made me less apprehensive about using the computer because I now know that I can't destroy it," she said. "I am now less hesitant to try something new, but the important thing is that the kids love it. I have seen their interest level go up. "They will watch a television screen any day before they will pay attention to a white board," she added. Lisa Mason, who transferred from a school system in North Carolina this year, said she has been impressed with Flat Rock's technology resources. "The school I taught at last year had brand new computer labs on each grade level hallway and still didn't have as much technology as we do," she said. "The variety of software that we have available to students is wonderful." In addition to the newest computer lab, Flat Rock has 22 computer work stations in the media center and 26 new Dell computers in a keyboarding lab that is open to teachers on a scheduled basis. Also, each language arts teacher has a computer lab in his/her classroom with three to four Macintosh computers connected to printers. "We believe in the value of technology for our students and continually seek to procure and maintain state-of-the-art hardware and software to enhance the instructional programs at our school," said Principal Tyrone Jones. "I always say that Flat Rock is one of the county's best-kept secrets."
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