Journal 8

Journal 8:
A "Fantastic Super" Use of Technology: Closing the Digital Divide’
Diane Curtis

Curtis, D. (2002, November, 11). A '"fantastic super" use of technology: closing the digital divide. Edutopia, Retrieved January 5, 2009, from http://www.edutopia.org/fantastic-super-use-technology

In this article, Curtis discusses how much technology is integrated into Mary Scroggs Elementary School. While many schools use computers as a resource tool for students, teachers at Mary Scroggs take technology to another level. With a grant from BellSouth, the school integrates technology into almost every part of the day. They have internet, a daily closed –circuit school TV show, laptops, computers in every classroom, and software programs. Email is also a huge part of communication. The principal sends out a daily email to every teacher while teachers and parents are in constant communication. The BellSouth grant includes brain research on the students to determine the best learning plan for each child. They also loan devices to families who cannot afford internet are so they aren’t left out.

The people at Mary Scroggs are very lucky with the BellSouth grant. They seem to be taking full advantage of every piece of technology that is given. The technology of email and class newsletters is a great way to stay in touch with parents without it being overwhelming or frustrating. I love the idea of doing brain research to determine different learning plans. I work in special education and the most difficult part is trying to figure out how to explain to these children in a way that they can understand. The brain research would be awesome. I think the way the parents and teachers communicate and the way the teachers communicate with each other at Mary Scroggs is a huge reason why they are so successful.

1.) What tips could schools that don’t have the technological tools like Mary Scroggs take from this article?
I think the general way that the faculty looks at communication is a way that any school could improve tremendously. Most schools around the country have computers in each classroom, and I don’t think that teachers take full advantage of it. Many teachers resist calling parents back because they don’t want to be on the phone for forever. Email fixes that. Teachers in the same grade at Mary Scroggs meet once every other week to discuss ideas. I think that’s a great idea that brings the staff together and ultimately gives the child a better education.

2.) What is one idea from this article that would be most beneficial in a Special Education classroom?
I think something that would be very beneficial would be to have daily/weekly newsletter online for parents. This way parents could see what their child was doing in class, instead of sometimes getting no feedback at all from their child or the information being lost in translation.