Technology Innovative Programs Awards - 2004

Davis Elementary School

Lake Murray Elementary School

Johnakin Middle School

Fort Mill High School

 

 

Organization: Davis Elementary School, Lexington School District Two Category: Elementary I Program Title: Reading and Writing Kingdom Description: Davis Elementary has created excitement in its learning environment by integrating two unique components into every phase of the schools’ curriculum. The school has put into practice a literacy/project based learning program that uses the latest technology hardware and software to enhance the implementation of this program. The school has created the Reading and Writing Kingdom, an all-encompassing literacy model that integrates all curriculum areas, incorporating project-based learning opportunities and a home/family component. The school also has a technology instructional focus program that is creating the model twenty-first century classroom with the latest hardware and software components. Every classroom has an ACTIV board with infrared slate, wireless network access, a multi-station classroom computer research center that includes desktop and laptop computers, streaming video access, LCD projector, integrated sound system and a host of publishing software that allows the creation of every imaginable project. Through the use of technology, the students of Davis Elementary now can experience anything, any place, any event, at anytime – past, present, or future. Such learning and exploration has enhanced the their life experiences.

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Organization: Lake Murray Elementary School, Lexington/Richland School District Five Category: Elementary II Program Title: Electronic Portfolios Description: One third grade class at Lake Murray Elementary created a unique way to capture the year together and showcase their learning: Electronics Portfolios. The portfolios work similarly to a website in that an index page allows users to access the various parts of the portfolio. The class used video, audio recordings, pictures, web cam images, and written text to build the portfolios, allowing the students to preserve the year in many ways. Slideshows included images from field studies, class celebrations, and various school events. Recorded videos captured the students singing class songs. The class used PowerPoint to create audio recordings of recited poems. The students scanned writing pieces completed throughout the year into PowerPoint slideshows. These are just a few of the methods the class used to record their third grade experience. At the end of the year, all students were given a copy of the electronic portfolio on CD. The Electronic Portfolios proved to be an incredible tool for reflection and student growth.

Organization: Johnakin Middle School, Marion School District One Category: Middle School Program Title: Tech Team Description: Tech Team is an after-school club that focuses on middle-school girls. The club is unique in its emphasis on gender equity, encouraging girls to explore science and technology-related fields and set high goals for themselves. Fifteen sixth-grade girls entered the program in September 2002, and will stay together through the eighth grade. These “Technofoxes” have been introduced to a range of technologies that began with video production and interviewing skills, moved on to the web page creation, and now focuses on Flash animation projects. The fact that Tech Team is “for girls only” offers important benefits. The program gives girls the opportunity to connect with others their own age and to get to know successful women who can serve as role models. In addition, through contact with team members, watching the videos, and looking at the web pages, other girls in Johnakin Middle School see more possibilities for themselves.

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Organization: Fort Mill High School, York School District Four Category: High School Program Title: Project Lead the Way Description: The Project Lead the Way curriculum, which incorporates technology into all of the pre-engineering classes, was developed by high school and college educators, engineers, and business professionals. The goal of the program is to deliver a cutting edge pre-engineering curriculum to high school students. Students in the PLTW program have access to software, tools, and equipment used by prfessional engineers. The applications of technology in the PLTW courses provides students with experience and information that guides them as they make decisions for careers in engineering and technology.

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Organization: Charleston County School District Category: District Program Title: Teacher Technology Proficiencies Description: Charleston County School District has provided the framework to offer teachers and administrators a rigorous and relevant technology professional development program that is driven by ISTE/NETS Technology Standards, professional development, and state curriculum. Given that teachers learn in stages, the district has developed an online Proviso 1.29 Teacher Technology Proficiency Plan to accommodate teachers’ varying ability levels, ranging from beginning technology user to mentor teachers. Although they may begin their training at different levels, it is expected that all teachers will continually build upon their technology knowledge, skills, and experiences and apply these strategies appropriately in the classroom with students.

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Organization	Category	Program Title
Cannons Elementary School, Spartanburg School District Three	Elementary I	Learning Communities without Borders
Taylors Elementary School, Greenville County School District	Elementary II	Training in Technology Bytes Program
Sandhills Middle School, Lexington School District Four	Middle	Stories from the Dirt
Greenville County School District	District	Laptop Initiative for Parent Involvement (LIPI)