ISTE Standards

At Fulton High School we have abundant technology for teachers and staff as well as the students.  Through grant and Title I money we have been able to acquire an immense amount of technology as well as what the district provides.  There are smart-boards in every classroom complete with speakers.  We have a school fusion website that is used by faculty and students.  This is a wonderful place for information dissemination and a way for colleagues to share ideas.  As a Math Dept. we are able to post our common assessments and have discussions about results through school fusion.  We have the STAR system for attendance and grading that truly makes life easy.  I am able to see where any of my students are, what their grades are in all their classes, and enter my attendance.  Through the school fusion, students are able to keep track of their own grades as well as the parents through the parent portal.  Truly amazing.  We are also able to provide every math student with a graphing calculator to use during class.


So tying all this in with the Essential Conditions and the ISTE Standards.

1)  Essential Condition:  Consistent and Adequate Funding
This is one condition that we are having no trouble with what so ever.  We are fortunate to be a Title I school and much of this technology is funded through that.  We were also fortunate to be rewarded a  grant for the use of technology.  I know this was a significant allocation.  Our administration  and Title I coaches have done a fantastic job in securing these funds and getting that technology in the school.  This helps with visionary leadership as it is implemented throughout the school and truly has transformed the school.  Example: smart-boards in every classroom.   It helps provide for the digital-age learning culture.  Students have access to this technology all day long in all of their classes.

2)  Essential Condition:  Ongoing Professional Learning
I feel this condition is lacking.  We have all been trained on the smart-board on how to use it, but how do I use it effectively for my math instruction besides it being a glorified smart-board.  We do have to share lesson ideas and we do have a person on staff to help, but me not being a technology guru has trouble implementing all this technology in a way that can replace traditional teaching ways.  When I look at the amount of curriculum that will be tested, I panic.  I use the smart-board every day, I even occasionally go down to the lab and have the kids work, but I don't feel as if it enough.  This ties in directly with the excellence in professional practice standard.  This could be a generational issue with me though!!!