Jeffco Classrooms Get Infusion of Technology
Published Jan 06, 2009
Laptop computers are becoming as common as pencil and paper in many Jefferson County classrooms.
When Jeffco Public Schools decided to create a technology plan, the district polled educators and community leaders to identify gaps. Then school officials did their homework.
“We looked at the corporate world, we looked at the education world – both K-12 and higher ed – we looked at other school districts’ plans,” says Lorie Gillis, chief financial officer of Jeffco Public Schools. “We looked internationally; we even looked at what China was doing.”
The information helped Jeffco develop its own plan, with a mission to align technology with classroom instruction.
The plan involves more than equipment. “You can’t just throw a bunch of equipment in the classroom if you’re not training teachers how to use [it],” Gillis says.
The curriculum is now fully online, a far cry from the thick binders of yesteryear. “Instructors can see where they’re supposed to be and what the kids are supposed to have learned and the time frame,” she says.
The program also provides links to digital resources to help teachers prepare classroom lessons.
All teachers have access to laptop computers that connect to Smart Boards – interactive whiteboards they can use in the classroom.
There are equipment standards for schools and a plan for updating inventory.
Classroom laptops are vital. Using technology is no longer about trekking to a computer lab, Gillis says. It’s become an integrated tool, just like pencil and paper.
While the technology plan sets goals for the years 2009-2011, Jeffco is primarily focusing on 18 months at a time, which is more digestible given how fast technology changes. “It’s basically a roadmap,” says Don Jenkins, chief information officer for Jeffco Public Schools. “It shows all the key things we need to do based on gaps, where the industry is headed and what they want us to do at the national level.”
Each year, a committee will review the plan for new “detours” in information technology. “We’ll be as flexible as possible,” he says.
In 2009, Jenkins adds, the district will ensure it has the proper bandwidth and infrastructure to support the increased use. “It’s about developing a good, solid foundation that everyone can count on.”
Story by Pam George
Photo by David Mudd
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