Details on Technology in Meriden

For my week 2 assignment I was asked to look at technology in my school district.  How is it used, "controlled", and spread throughout the school system.  The first thing I thought of was our bring your own device policy.  Meriden has embraced this BYOD policy. The document states each student is able to bring their own device if they uphold certain rules.  Unfortunately, all the students hear is, "I can use my phone and not get in trouble". Contrast to what the students believe, the Meriden school district is making a large push towards the use of technology for educational reasons in our school.  This year in particular all teachers as well as students received a device.  By being awarded the Nellie Mae grant we were able to provide students and teachers with devices hoping to push technology into our system.  Another way Meriden has incorporated technology into the school system is our communication to the parents through parent portal.  This portal allows parents to access student schedules, grades, assignments, and contact teachers.  The problem we have been running into is what I feel most urban schools have as well.  We also use an automated calling system.  As a teacher you are required to sign up for the call and parents as well.  If there is a message that needs to be distributed to the whole Meriden community it goes through the call service.  The system is used for school delays, upcoming events, emergency as well as many other topics.  The students access technology at school through the school WiFi.  Unfortunately, a common hurdle for our school district is many students cannot access it at home.  Does learning then stop for those students?  Wont they be farther behind then the other students who do have access?  

Some other ways our school uses technology is we just recently started to use Peachjar. Peach jar is a free website which allows users to create flyers and distribute them to a large group. Remind 101 is another way we as teachers, are encouraged to provide information and reminders. I do sometimes question, with all this easy access online, are we teaching our students responsibility? We also, just recently received an email to help teachers integrate technology in the classrooms with a Technology Flyer.  Some other areas we use technology are through the following programs:

• Climate Survey (a survey to help keep our school safe)
• Career Cruising (help students filter future colleges and careers)
• Odyssey Ware (an online learning program to help with credit recovery)
• Access Digital Learning with Moodle
• Video Imaging form (form necessary in order to be taped or filmed)
• Tablet Distribution Form
• Internet Use form

As you can see there are many ways Meriden utilizes technology in our schools.  Each day we are encouraged to learn a new type of technology and turn it into something useful in our classroom.  Just yesterday we had parents night and I developed a cartoon for the parents to watch rather than listening to a lecture.  It was a fun and easy way for the parents to learn our policy and expectations of the class.  As technology develops, I feel more professional development days should be utilized for teachers to learn how to use it.  There have been many times in my classroom when a student knows about the technology more than myself.  In order to continue on the upward push, all teachers should embrace the change.  In contrast, if they are expected to learn the technology schools need to provide the proper training to do so.