Journal #8

This article discusses the use of technology at Mary Scroggs Elementary in North Carolina. It allows for open communication between parents, teachers, administration, and even students. The article gives a brief overview on a couple teachers who have incorporated this technology into the classroom and how they educate both parents and students. Using technology allows for instant feedback from teachers to parents and also lets parents know what's going on in the classroom and the assignments due. Because the school is technologically advanced, it has received grants from BellSouth, therefore allowing all parents, even ones who financially don't have the means, access to a computer. This is a great way for all parents to have involvement and understand the expectations for their child.

What about those parents that don't know how to use a computer?
Even though all parents are provided with computers, there might be some that don't know how to use one. For example, there might be ELL and ESL students who have parents that don't understand English. They have never been exposed to technology, therefore resulting in their inability to use a computer. As a result, they are not able to communicate with the school and monitor their child's progress. A possible solution for this might be providing these parents with a basic technology class to give them a step by step explanation of how they will need to use the computer they are provided with. Also, having one on one time with the teacher will allow the teacher to show the parent(s) what has been published on the website and the activity going on in the classroom.

What if the teacher is not technologically advanced?
I know for myself personally, I would have a lot of difficulty with many of the things these teachers are doing. I think the same way a class should be provided for parents, there should also be a class provided for teachers so they know exactly what it is they should be doing and how to go about doing it. It seems to appear this school only has teachers that are already technologically advanced. By providing teachers with a class, the school is then creating opportunities for all teachers.

Curtis, D (2002,11,01). A '"fantastic super" use of technology: closing the digital divide. Retrieved 2008,20,12, from http://www.edutopia.org/fantastic-super-use-technology