For my first article, I decided to read an article and watch a video about the technology used at Mary Scroggs Elementary School.  This school starts using technology with their kindergartners by making classroom web page's, all the way up to their 5^th graders who use it for various things.  They use technology to create daily news casts with their students that are streamed live every morning.  Every classroom in this school is equipped with computers and even laptops and they want all of their students to have access to computers at home as well.  They are determined to “extend learning opportunities and resources,” (Curtis, 2002)to all of their students and that’s why they have created the “Tech-at-Home” program where they provide computers and low monthly internet charges to families who have free and reduced lunches.  Parents and students can log on at home to check the daily report of what was done in class that day, as well as any homework assignments that students may have.  The Tech-at-Home program is also a way for students and parents to communicate with teachers with any questions they may have or responses to homework.

I think that it is really great that this school is using technology with their students at such a young age.  It is great for students to become familiar with computers, creating web-pages and using the resources the computer offers for their homework.  I remember using computers when I was in elementary school, but it was only to play educational games or to take typing lessons.  This video showed students using Inspiration, (something we just used in IT444), to organize their thoughts before writing.  Inspiration is a great alternative to writing because it makes it very easy for students to neatly organize their thoughts and allows them to easily change things around.  I also like how this school set up the Tech-at-home program because it makes it very easy for students and parents to keep track of homework assignments and to quickly communicate with teachers at a time that is convenient for them.  It lets parents stay on top of their kids and how they are doing in school instead of just getting report cards.  I really like what this school has done with technology and bringing it to all of their students.

Here are links to the article and video:

video: http://www.edutopia.org/scroggs-elementary-school-technology-video

article: http://www.edutopia.org/technology-integration-digital-divide-scroggs

Curtis, Diane. (2002, November 11).  From Curriculum to Communication, a School Immerses Itself in Tech.  Retrieved from http://www.edutopia.org/technology-integration-digital-divide-scroggs