http://www.ccsd.edu/files/filesystem/2011-12CCSDInstrucTechBudgetProposal.pdf
My district (Clarkstown) just presented it's budget. Within this proposal is a technology budget proposal. The total that is being asked for is $1,000,000 but only $250,000 per year. The district is planning on replacing computers that are 6 years and older. Instead of replacing them with regular desktops, they are going to replace them with what is technologically necessary to each field. Their plan is to buy desktops, laptops, netbooks, apples, and tablet computers.
Do you feel it is appropriate to ask for money to update technology when the economy is so poor?
Do you think the community understands the needs to replace these computers with new ones?
Do you think the district is making a good choice in the technologies they have choosen?
As a parent and student, I feel that schools should have updated technology to teach from. Even though the economy is poor it is still imporatnt to request these transforming tools for education. The community should realize that technology chsnges everyday and for schools and teachers to keep up with the teaching that they must review this everytime.
ReplyDeleteI cannot personally say whether the school district is making good choices on theirdecisions. A person who is well versed in implementing technology in to the classrooms should be the correct person to talk to, when doing something like this.
The idea is there with the choices of technology that they would like to purchase. I don't think they should have a surplus in Desktop Computers and they should get more Laptops and Netbooks. This gives the district the opportunity to transport the computers for room to room or building to building. I think that technology does need to be improved but if its a matter of keeping teachers or getting new technology then I don't think the technology is as important. I don't think the community understands why new technology is important. Let's be real some teachers (the older ones) don't agree with using technology in the class let alone the community understanding!
ReplyDeleteYes and yes to the first and third questions, and I don't think so for the second question. Although the economy is not doing well, I think it is still appropriate to ask for more money for technology because it is being used to enhance learning for our students. However, this then raises the argument that more money should be spent on education in general. Nonetheless, more money on technology is a good thing because instead of buying new textbooks, we could be buying new technologies that may serve to be much better learning tools, such as laptops, apples, netbooks, etc. However, I think the community as a whole may not realize the value of technology in the classroom and the benefits that can be gained from it. Therefore, it can be difficult to convince those who are skeptical of spending money on technology in the classroom if they're not only familiar with it but reluctant as well.
ReplyDeleteI think that the Clarkstown board of education should consult the high and mighty Russel Diaz for help on this issue. Technology can be improved in cost effective ways during these "tough economic times". Technology is important however if the school goes bankrupt no one is benefiting. There are also tons of grant options out there for incorporating technology into the classroom. The Clarkstown school district should improve their technology but they need to figure out how to do this on a budget.
ReplyDeleteKudos to Clarkstown for wanting to update their technology. Since most people understand how quickly computers get outdated from personal experience, I think most taxpayers would understand the need to upgrade. It does make sense for the different departments to decide what type of technology is appropriate for their disciplines, as long as the tech support people can handle using different formats. As we have been learning, simple technologies can truly transform the learning process if used correctly, so I think it is important to implement new technologies even in tough economic times.
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