58° | 
BY CARL BRUNER
Mount Vernon School District Superintendent
I recently received a note from a staff member recounting his frustrations dealing with a lack of basic classroom technology resources at our high school.
One of our English teachers had invited him to the classroom to present information about the Chinese culture.
Having lived in Asia for nine years, the staff member had many insights to share with students. He planned to use a variety of pictures as part of the presentation but, when he arrived at the classroom, he discovered that the teacher’s 10-year old computer could not open the picture files or accommodate his basic presentation equipment.
Several weeks later, this same staff member was unable to locate a scanner and an available television and DVD player. His story is not unlike ones I have heard in each of our schools over the last four years.
Those who have been in the education business for 10 years or more have seen technology grow from a classroom novelty — used largely for students to practice rote skills — into a basic teaching tool.
Where once a teaching station included an overhead projector and white board, teachers now need access to document cameras and updated computers, both of which are linked to a digital projector.
Students need access to updated computers at a ratio of 1:4. This isn’t about “entertaining” students, any more than the chalkboard was when it began to appear in most classrooms around 1850.
It’s about providing teachers with the tools they need to teach and assess students more efficiently and effectively and the training they need to put those tools to use.
There are many examples across the state and country of school districts that provide their students and teachers with a more powerful range of learning technologies.
These technologies include smart boards, pod casts and computers equipped with software that allows students to view Web casts, collaborate online and create movie presentations that demonstrate their learning.
In Mount Vernon, we have examples of teachers who have successfully applied for grants to bring these and other technologies to their classrooms.
However, given our reliance on donated equipment and financial support from parent groups over the last number of years, they’re few and far between.
While we’d like to be at the cutting edge of learning technology, our goal — based on where we find ourselves at present — is to (1) create reasonable access to updated computers, software and teaching equipment for all teachers and students; (2) provide training for teachers in how to use basic technology to enhance student learning; and (3) provide adequate support to keep classroom technology up and running.
If you have questions about our district technology plan, please feel free to contact me at 360-428-6110 or .
MV tech levy needed
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