|
|
Published November 30, 2008 10:28 pm - PITTSBURG, Kan. — When Pittsburg teacher Sherry Turnbull began her career in the late 1970s, she used a chalkboard to communicate concepts and facts to students, and they used handcrafted posters to communicate what they had learned. Those chalkboards slowly gave way to dry-erase boards and overhead projectors.
Pittsburg schools emphasize new technology, training
By Andra Bryan Stefanoni
news@joplinglobe.com
PITTSBURG, Kan. — When Pittsburg teacher Sherry Turnbull began her career in the late 1970s, she used a chalkboard to communicate concepts and facts to students, and they used handcrafted posters to communicate what they had learned.
Those chalkboards slowly gave way to dry-erase boards and overhead projectors.
“Technology has changed a great deal since the old purple mimeograph, filmstrip projector and overhead projector that I started with 30 years ago,” Turnbull said. “We thought yellow highlighting markers were a cool tool then.”
With technology evolving even more rapidly, the Pittsburg School District this year has put into place several initiatives to help teachers keep up with the changes.
“Technology has become a tool in our classrooms, one that we don’t even think about using,” said Noah Grotheer, district technology coordinator. “It has been worked into the everyday procedures and into our curriculum, and is now just another part of our teaching strategy.”
A year ago, the district also hired Pat Walker, whose title is technology facilitator.
“Pat’s role in our district is to research and plan implementation and training for new technology in our district,” Grotheer said.
Walker created “Mondays @ 4,” a professional development program open to teachers every other week. He said it gives them a chance to delve into technology they need to learn more about while he provides tips and guidance.
In addition, Dragon Tube — similar to YouTube — allows teachers to post videos and have an instant means of networking at their disposal.
“There is a wealth of knowledge to be gained from others,” Grotheer said. “This is a site that allows teachers to link to streaming media such as what’s found on YouTube, or to upload their own content, and it gives us the ability to manage the content and keep unwanted material out of our classrooms.”
At Pittsburg Community Middle School, administrators gave technology teacher Debbie Polen an hour each day so she could help other teachers with projects that incorporate technology.
“If a teacher e-mails me with a request for help with a project, I can bring software to her classroom, help her map out the steps, and make instructional videos to have ready for her class to view as the students start working on various parts of the project,” Polen said.
In one case, an eighth-grade language arts teacher wanted to create podcasts of poems her students wrote.
•
Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.
|
|
Announcements



: Special Offer For New Subscribers
:


 |
|
TRUCK DRIVERS NEEDED
for local construction project, must have CDL and experience on construction site belly dumps. 417-206-0930....>MORE
See all ads |
|
2001 FORD WINDSTAR SE
Sport, loaded, all options, great looking van, extra nice, $3200. 1317 Schifferdecker, Joplin....>MORE
2002 KIA OPTIMA EX
4 door, sharp, loaded, leather, CD, sunroof, extra nice, $3200. 1317 Schifferdecker, Joplin....>MORE
1998 CHEVROLET TRACKER
removable hard tops, automatic, air, CD, sharp, $2500. 1317 Schifferdecker, Joplin....>MORE
2003 SATURN L200
4 door, 4 cylinder, 127,000 miles, $4495. 417-434-0925...>MORE
1989 CHEVROLET STEPSIDE
350, V8, custom flames, runs great, $2500. 417-208-6717...>MORE
1998 CHEVROLET S10
4 cylinder, 5 speed, high miles, $1750. 417-214-0022....>MORE
2003 DODGE CARAVAN SPORT
loaded, 1 owner, 94,000 miles, nice. (417)385-7755...>MORE
TOYOTA 2004 TACOMA PRERUNNER
Toyota, 2004 Tacoma Prerunner, TRD off road, double cab, V6, new tires, CD, bed liner, lid cover, 100,000 miles, excelle...>MORE
2002 FORD TAURUS SE
nice car, 3.0 liter V6, $2900. 417-850-0731....>MORE
1979 SATURN
GOOD Economical car, 1979 Saturn, $2000 firm, cash only. (620)783-1751....>MORE
See all ads |
|
NEWER 3 BR/2 BA
Lots of upgrades and great location. $149,000 but all offers considered. 903 Katlin, Carl Junction. Pictures www.fsboloc...>MORE
Deerfield Estates
in Carl Junction, prime building sites, reduced $10,000 each. 417-825-0052...>MORE
525 E. 41ST, JOPLIN, MO
to be sold at auction December 5th or before. Lovely all red brick home on large corner. 4 bedroom, 2 bath, double...>MORE
3 ACRES
3 ACRES more/less with pond. Nice park-like setting, just minutes from Range Line. Close to area of newer homes. $19,900...>MORE
See all ads |
|
(2) TEACUP CHIHUAHUA
APRI puppies. (417)673-1997....>MORE
DIAMOND SOLITAIRE
Pear-shaped, one carat, diamond solitaire in gold setting. $2,000. Please call 417-825-3238...>MORE
YORKIES
12 weeks old, 2 males, AKC, 1st shots, $175. 417-291-6590, Webb City...>MORE
REWARD $50,000 REWARD
Offered for any information leading to conviction of any person or persons known to have been involved in alleged ...>MORE
ENGLISH BULLDOG PUPPY
male, AKC, fawn/white, champion bloodlines, $900 or best offer. (417)396-3340...>MORE
MALTESE PUPPIES ADORABLE!!
6 weeks old Thanksgiving. 2 boys and 2 girls. Shots, wormed, and vet checked. Healthy, active, and loved! Great Ch...>MORE
MALTESE PUPPIES
2 gorgeous AKC males, 8 weeks on 11/30, all shots/vaccines, $200 each. 417-325-4340 ...>MORE
NEW IN BOX
New in box, Lucchese cowboy boots, black, size 9D, $200. (620)231-9256...>MORE
5TH WHEEL
5TH WHEEL, 2004 Prowler Regal, 26’, 2 slides, loaded, nice. (620)674-2127....>MORE
POODLES
POODLES, standard pups, born 10/10, registered, shots, wormed, family raised. Adorable personalities! 417-673-3892....>MORE
See all ads |
|
 |
|