March+08+Survey

The Google Docs version was not working as easy as I thought it might, so I have simply created this wiki page. To add your comments, click on **Edit This Page** and start writing. Be sure to click on **Save** when you have finished.

=**Technology Needs Survey - Cherokee School**=





Individual teachers are welcome to submit their own answers if interested. Please identify your group as you input your information. Thanks!**
 * Please meet with your department or grade level team to collect the information/responses to the following questions.

(In other words, if the district purchased new laptops, what would you want students to do with them? How many do you foresee needing?)
 * 1. What do you want students to be able to accomplish with new laptops?**

If I am to assume new laptops mean one per student..... First, it would be helpful if there were a small group of laptops in every classroom. If it had to be limited, at least 5 per 4th grade classroom. I find my students using laptops everyday. Certainly they are using them for wordprocessing more regularly, but if laptops were available more readily, students could be practicing typing. I see them using the laptops to access more information, creating/editing blogs, creating voice threads, using data collected in class to create online graphs, the possibilities are endless. If the district continues to set high expectations for tech knowledge/usage, I believe they need to back it up with solid equipment - for instance, recently I videotaped some things in my class, but found minimal to no hardware on which I would be able to burn my video onto a DVD. Very frustrating. JM

__Explore 3/4__: Utilizing new laptops, I invision my students to be global learners. The students will have easy access to research, compare literature, read fables, poetry and myths with students in other countries. Current events whether it be the latest primary information or NASA space shuttle news can be integrated daily without having to plan ahead to sign up for the laptops. Math projects can be planned, executed and shared within a short period of time.

__3rd Grade:__ 1.) Demonstrate curricular learning with authentic products using the computer and internet. (Podcasts, voice threads, PowerPoints or through new ways of sharing student work on computers.) 2.) Practice word processing skills consistently to become efficient keyboard users. 3.) Ability to access the internet (with limits appropriate for students) for learning at any given time of the school day. (Websites, Compass Learning, etc.)

__2nd Grade:__ 1. Enrichment and center activities to be used during guided reading 2. Word processing for writing - introduce 3. Compass Learning 4. KidPix - for illustrating and creating poetry 5. Kidspiration - for webbing

ILI: With use of laptops increasing and older machines not being reliable, teachers are becoming frustrated. Look at all activities they want to do! There are times now when Cherokee does not have enough laptops to support what the teachers want to do. If all grades are to use Compass Learning, more laptops are needed.

1st Grade: 1. Math and literacy center activities 2. Compass Learning 3. KidPix 4. Kidspiration We would like to have 12 laptops per classroom.

(In other words, aside from the student realm, what do you want to do with your computer? Would you prefer a laptop instead of a desktop?) laptop with the latest software available.
 * 2. As a teacher, what are your hardware and/or software needs for technology?**

A teacher laptop would be terrific. I find that I am constantly struggling to get data back and forth or create files that are too large to email or save on the memory stick. Many of the laptops available do not have the latest software updates, also. JM

__3rd Grade:__ We would prefer laptops in order to have easy access at home at school. We would love to have the latest software available with training in how to use it. Some specific items that interest us are: DVD burner, recording capabilities (microphone or sound), iPhoto, Web page building software.

__2nd Grade__ We would prefer laptops to be used from home during report card time and for lesson planning.

ILI: Laptop with the ability to burn CD and DVDs.

1st Grade: We would like to have the option of either having a laptop or a desktop computer. We would also like to have access to FileMaker Pro and Boardmaker.

(Some content areas need specific software titles or applications to accomplish their curricular goals, or they need a certain amount of contact time with computers, or they want to utilize a particular online website, or need the ability to save multi-media presentations, etc…).
 * 3. What, specifically, are your curricular area needs with regard to hardware and software?**

Software: available for multi media presentations; for creation of voice threads and podcast; small camera to place on top of classroom computer for global networking; i photo, i movie; software to hook up to museums around the world; inspire data, inspiration gr 6-12 ; time space map, newsmap.

I agree with this! JM Thank you also for the tech coaches. Fred and Madeleine have been life savers this year! :)jm

__Explore 3/4:__ Thank you for this opportunity. Thank you for providing technology coaches.... they make a world of difference!!!!!

__3rd Grade:__ It would be helpful if students had access to laptops more consistently and daily. It would be also helpful for each student to have their own USB drive to bring current work/projects being worked on at school, home.

__2nd Grade__ We would like Kidpix and Kidspiration to be on the teacher computers. At this time we cannot show these programs through our projectors. We would like the access to Brain Pop Junior restored. More software to help students practice basic facts in the classroom. Web based games have too many ads and pop ups.

ILI: Math software is the biggest demand I get.

1st Grade: We do not currently have much technology built into our curriculum, but would like to explore adding more if we are given the capabilities.