Valentina Columbo

Professor Joni Flowers

EDU 214-1008
April 24, 2017
Midterm Interviews
I learned quite a bit what is happening in Technology at my own school, as well as other

schools in the district. The three additional questions I asked were; is there a tangible benefit to

using the technology? Does the technology allow more students to participate at a level that is

suitable for them? Does the technology encourage broader community participation?

Ms. Catherine Randell is a teacher at Findley Middle school where she teaches math and

multi-media. Some interesting facts about Ms. Randell is she is an avid hiker and has recently

climbed to Machu Picchu. Her joy is her daughter, Jessica who recently graduated law school.

Here are here answers to the interview questions.

We don't use any different software for grading than Infinite Campus. For any reports, I

use Google suites. In my classroom, I use the math program ConnectEd and Aleks, which is part

of the math text we use, and Google suites. The math programs works hand in hand with the

textbook. Students are able to access the text and all resources anywhere. Students might not

have computers at home but they do have phones. She learned her computer skills as a

combination of professional development and on her own. In regard to teaching students

software; in my math class, I took a day to get them set up. The math program has a tutorial

they have to take before going on the program. In my explorations class, I scaffold the program.

I will teach them a part of the program then add on. The time given to teach the program depends

on how it will be used in class o. She absolutely feels there is a digital divide and to help break

that divide there would be a need for the administration to prioritize their funding. She does not

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feel that technology interferes. She feels it is a great tool for student learning. Students are so

connected all the time and we need to use that to our advantage in teaching/student learning. She

would improve the use of technology by purchasing wireless in the classroom. I asked her if

there is a tangible benefit to technology. She feels it is a great tool depending on how it is used.

If the teacher monitors and uses reports to adjust teaching, there can be some great

benefits. Otherwise, I feel it is just a thing to do. Students won't take it seriously. Technology

allows more students to participate at a level that is suitable for them. The math programs are

geared to find the learning gaps in the student. The programs are individualized to each student.

I feel technology encourage broader community participation, it is quick and easy to send out

communications to parents, if they are willing to communicate.

Rachel Yates is the school librarian at Northwest Career and Technical Academy. She has

worked as a teacher and a librarian in the Clark County School District for the past 21 years. She

states, "We are able to offer our students a library that is anywhere on campus where they are.

For the same amount of money you would pay for a few thousand books on a shelf, you could

have access to digital databases that give students access to literally millions of sources."

In the library for students we primarily use: Google Apps for Education, Databases for

research, Revit/Cadd programs for engineering students, Destiny for book searching. The school

has access to; Lynda.com, Career 101, Oneplace, Turnitin.com. I find these programs most

effective in the teaching and learning process. The most effective software is Google Apps for

Education because when a student logs in, it can be accessed from anywhere and everything is

included in regards to programs such as docs, sheets, slides, etc. When we first became a Google

School I researched google classroom and other basics. With the support of our new principal, I

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was encouraged to attend a GAFE conference which really opened my eyes. Since then I have

pursued more training to become a Google certified educator. On teaching the students how to

use the software products; I see classes one period at a time so if it is a lesson on databases it

takes about 30 minutes. As for GAFE, that is mainly set up at the beginning of the year. If a

teacher brings a class in to learn how to create a slide show in Google that lesson also takes

about 30 minutes per class.

I consider NWCTA to be a school that provides technology access as we have many

classrooms with devices, a Resource Center (Library) that provides access all day and before

school and 2 hours after school access. I personally think the only digital divide may be with the

few students that may not have internet access or devices at home. As for a digital divide in all

schools (our school system) I would say funding for technology could alleviate that.

I do not you feel that technology interferes with teaching and learning in the classroom!

No, just the opposite. Our students thrive on technology and are engaged by it. Students are

different today. "21st Century" learners are more likely to think critically by using technology to

find answers and learn rather than sitting in a traditional setting "getting" information from an

instructor. Learning seems to have taken a more active role. In order to improve the use of

technology in the classroom, I think teacher training is #1, as with anything new, I believe it is

natural as humans to be hesitant. I think what is important for teachers to understand is that

technology enhances learning and teaching. Educators that may be hesitant to use technology

need to know it is ok to make mistakes as that is how we all learn and to not be afraid of trying

something new.

I would say yes there is a tangible benefit and that students are constantly using or are

exposed to technology whether it be a toddler playing with their parent's iPhone or a high school

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student using their phone. Our world is changing and we as educators need to step up to meet the

changing needs of our students in today's world. Technology can be a HUGE benefit for

differentiated instruction. For example, if a student is not confident with speaking publicly, they

may feel more confident to participate by collaborating on a Google Slide show with their peers

by typing out their comments. As educators, technology can assist with varied levels for example

an algebra teacher may have students that are struggling because they never mastered basic

multiplication and others that need more challenging lessons. As teachers, we can only teach one

lesson at a time, so in this case the Algebra teacher could compile a YouTube or Khan Academy

playlist of video tutorials for the struggling group and one for the group that is advanced while

teaching to the middle on a given day. Technology encourage broader community participation

for example with Infinite Campus, parents are notified in real time when a grade is entered and

how that child did. Parents can also login to IC to check on students tardiness, attendance, etc.

Google Classroom also has the capability of notifying parents about upcoming projects by

entering their email address.

Tina Statucki is the principal of Northwest Career and Technical Academy. She began her

career with the Clark County School District in 1996, and served 13 years as an English teacher

at Palo Verde High school prior to going into administration. CCSD plan for many of these

students collaboration will be virtual and global, requiring cultural and global awareness. The

traditional classroombased education of past decades is no longer adequate in this new era.

Sound pedagogy and personalization of learning through effective uses of technology are

increasingly becoming the norm. Each Principal has direction over which decisions are to be

made, as to which technologies should be purchased and where they should be placed in the

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school through a school strategic budget with input from the school organization team; material

resources are allocated and adjusted ensuring resources are aligned with student achievement

data to support and promote school improvement. For an administrative we use, Infinite Campus,

Google apps for Education, Datalab.

There are several ways for teachers to add technology into their classroom. First they get

an allocation based on student count and monies appropriated for their departments, next they

have several options for fund raising or donations. Last year Mrs. Statucki purchased wireless

support for the school to increase student connectivity and optimize student engagement. As far

as support, house staff includes a site based technician, a business and technology teacher that

assist our staff. Problems are usually resolved within the same workday. Professional

development is ongoing each quarter. Series of classes are offered with our technology teacher or

online through Pathlore, CCSDs professional development and learning management system; it

is used to deliver and track both classroom and online employee professional development. The

schools technology committees will roundtable ideas and are responsible for the collaboration on

how the budget money will be spent. Through family engagement, parents may enroll in a course

to understand the flipped and blended classroom. At various intervals through our PAC (Parent

Action Committee) meetings we offer Google classroom training for parents and community.

Yes, there is a digital divide, but not as prevalent as in other schools. I think all students should

be issued a computer to take home (and leave home) and have access to free Wi-Fi at home. How

can the schools and teachers ensure that all students have an equal opportunity to learn how to

use computers while enrolled in school? In most cases, proper classroom management and

teachers capitalizing on how technology can improve instruction and teaching, otherwise more

access to resources both equipment and training. (End Interview)

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 I have immersed myself into learning as much as I can about todays technology in

addition to Google software. I feel it will make me a better teacher for my students. When I first

started in 2014 with CCSD, the only program I was familiar with was Canvas that is used at

CSN. Additionally, I was not entirely comfortable with Canvas. My second year at Northwest

Technical and Career Academy, we were introduced to Google classroom. At the time it was an

option for the teachers. Some teachers did not want to change, but I did immediately, as I could

see the benefit of the software and for our students. The software integrates Google classroom as

described by Ms. Yates, Ms. Randell and Mrs. Statucki.