Florida schools receive $257,000 federal boost to expand its classroom technology and equipment
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Standing at the podium inside the S.S. Seward Institute on Tuesday, U.S. Rep. John Hall, D-Dover, discusses upgrades to the Florida School District’s technology. The congressman is flanked by School Board President Dan Codi, S.S. Seward Principal Michael Rheaume, Florida School Superintendent Douglas Burnside, Florida Mayor Jim Pawliczek and members of the Florida School Board. Hall was in town to announce the district will receive more than a quarter million dollars in federal funds for the technology upgrades. Photo provided by Meaghan Smith/U.S. John Hall’s Congressional staff office
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Florida n The Florida School District will receive $257,000 from the federal government to upgrade its equipment and expand the use of technology in classrooms, U.S. Rep. John Hall announced this week at S.S. Seward Institute.
“Today’s ‘toolbox’ looks a lot different than it did when I was growing up,” Hall said. “In today’s world, businesses expect their employees to be able to use different types of technology related to their workplace. If we do not adequately prepare our children to use the technology which is widely-used by businesses across the country, our children will be at a severe disadvantage.”
Hall, the 19th Congressional District Democrat, said the money was included in the 2009 Omnibus Appropriations bill.
Florida School Superintendent Douglas Burnside noted the importance of the grant not only in terms of educating the district’s 850 students, but also in the current economic climate.
“Every child needs to have a sound education, which in today’s world must include the mastery of technology skills,” Burnside said. “With today’s economy, however, it’s a challenge to find the money to cover all of the costs of a good education. Congressman Hall came to our aid.”
How the money will be used
Some of the funds will be used to continue the district’s instructional technology program at both Golden Hill Elementary School and the S.S. Seward Institute, which provides students with age-appropriate lessons on using computers and other types of technology.
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For younger students that means learning how to use keyboards and word processing software. They also receive lessons on Internet searching, as well as how to navigate online safely.
Older students will complete projects using more advanced software like Excel, PowerPoint and other video and graphic programs. The money also will be used to purchase computers, printers and other equipment for these lessons.
The funding will also go toward expanding the use of instructional technology used by teachers, such as Smart Boards and digital projectors. With this technology, teachers can use videos, audio files and other new media to keep students interested in the lesson, regardless of their learning style. For instance, a Smart Board lesson on Africa could incorporate text, photos and videos, graphics, maps and sound in an immediate and interactive presentation.
Burnside also described equipping classrooms with devices called “clickers.” A teacher could pose a question, students could “click” their answer, and the teacher would have an immediate idea of how well the students have learned the material.
The funding will also be used to train some of the district’s 83 teachers on the technology this summer, Burnside said, noting the value and economy of in-house training and expertise.
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“That doesn’t mean we plan to purchase every new item that’s out there,” Burnside said. “But we need to explore what’s appropriate for the students. We need to provide the technology that is essential for our students in today’s world to communicate.”
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