State Tech Standards for Students

After examining Tri-Valley's technology and tablet policies, I do feel that the school covers the state's student technology standards whether it is in the individual classrooms or done in our advisory time.

Tri-Valley is a One-to-One school, and many of the policies and classroom procedures have been written to fulfill the student technology standards. Tri-Valley does a good job explaining how computers are a part of our everyday lives and that in order for our students to be ready to enter the workforce they need to be trained and skilled in the area of technology. The tablets really do enhance the educational experience for the students. However, even though there are real advantages to the tablets and other technologies, students and staff do see first hand what happens when technology fails. It may be that the servers are down, the internet is down, or email is not functioning; this is part of being in a technological society, and it is one of the students' standards.

Students in my classroom are instructed on how to evaluate a source and determine whether or not it is accurate or biased. This is important for students; I don't want them to think that even though all this information is at their fingertips that it is all reliable. Students are assessed in project based learning activities which incorporate technology into the assessment. Both of which are student standards.

The staff at Tri-Valley use WebCT6 as a central learning hub for the students. This builds so many skills, and the students are becoming very fluent in the program. They use the calendar feature to organize their classwork, they get their notes for lecture, and they take their e-quiz during class.

The students also have evaluated the acceptable use policy that covers our district in their advisory time. This was a great way for students to feel like they were are part of the implementation process.

Not a day goes by when I am not using technology in the classroom. It is a learning process for students and staff alike: a wonderful learning experience.

Ellory Stroh