Teachers get laptops at new schools
NISD Communications Department
April 11, 2008
In an exciting new pilot project, teachers at three of the District's newest schools, Brandeis High School, Vale Middle School, and Forester Elementary School, will receive wireless laptops instead of traditional desktop computers when these schools open in August 2008. The laptops will give teachers more flexibility in the classroom, while modeling 21st century skills for their students.
"This is a new initiative that provides more flexibility for our teachers and administrators allowing them to be more mobile and productive," said Kelly Smith, assistant superintendent for Technology Services.
The laptops can be used at school and at home, and will be equipped with "docking stations" for quick connect and disconnect each day. The docking station allows the laptops to be connected to the ceiling-mounted digital projector and to the District's network instantly without having to connect cables, allowing the machines to act as desktop computers.
"Many of our teachers float and don't have an assigned desk, so this allows them to be able to access online resources, such as the Curriculum Management System (CMS), Gradebook, and other instructional and professional resources that are available to them more conveniently," Smith said.
"An indirect benefit of this new initiative is that teachers may become even more comfortable with technology and be better able to model 21st century information and communication technology skills for students in their classrooms," she continued.
In addition, all educators district-wide as well as students at both Brandeis High School and Vale Middle School will be allowed to bring their own personal laptops to access the Northside wireless network and internet. These schools, along with Scarborough and Carnahan elementary schools, all open in Summer 2008.
"Northside is a leader in instructional technology." Superintendent John Folks said. "The resources are in place. It is our job to help teachers and students maximize their use of the technology that is available so that students are successful in achieving their educational goals. "
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