By Tiana Tibbs

Meet the Teacher…I spoke with Tiffany Rollins. She is a 6th grade Language Arts teacher at Howard Middle School. This is her second year at the school.

The Setting…100 Language Arts students

49% are females and 51% are males

71% are African American

7% are Asian

20% are White

2% are Hispanic

Technology IntegrationHoward Middle School was awarded the Teachers,

Teamwork and Technology (T-3) Grant in 2008.

This grant is used to help teachers to embark on a journey towards standards-based teaching with engaged learners in a technology-enabled classroom.

Some of the items that was awarded: Smart Board, Digital Cameras, Laptops MP3 Players, and Activ Expression

Technology Integration

“The students use a plethora of technology to complete assignments in my language arts classroom. For example, in my class room I use the Smart Board, computers, MP3 players, Active Expression (polling devices), and digital cameras to foster student achievement. I have the students interact with the Smart Board on a daily basis by having them use the board to complete grammar exercises. “

Technology Integration“The students also type all of their writing assignments for their writing folder on the computers. I also use the computers by allowing the students to use PowerPoint and Moviemaker to complete projects.”

Technology Integration“I use the MP3 players by having the students record their voices for both digital stories and other assignments such as a poem for two voices. The poem for two voices requires that students read a poem simultaneously which is made easier through the use of the MP3 player.”

“The students use the Active Expression to complete assessments. I use this data to check for student understanding and to make grading simpler. The students enjoy using the Active Expression polling devices because it provides them with immediate feedback. The digital cameras are use to make video recordings for projects and to take still images.”

Effectiveness

“The CRCT scores for the students in the T-3 grant classrooms were significantly higher. The four T-3 classrooms scores were the highest scores out of all ELA classes in the school. The students’ behavior has also been impacted by the use of technology. Students who would not normally complete an assignment are more likely to complete the assignment when technology is involved. Also, the students understand that they have to be on their best behavior in order to use the technology.”

Support Issues“The main fault in using technology is when it fails. When the equipment stops working it is hard to get it repaired in a timely manner. For example, when I moved to a different room this school year, my Smart Board was not working properly and it took a few weeks for someone to come out and fix it. Another draw back is the amount of time it takes students to become familiar with how to use the technology.”