DUSD loads classrooms, teachers with technology

The Dysart Unified School District is stepping up efforts to incorporate technology in the classroom.

Laurie King, district technology coordinator, gave a brief presentation of the district’s current and future plans for technology use during Wednesday’s governing board meeting.

King said technology is used in instruction for literacy, adapting and transforming uses.

“When we are talking about technology in the district, our main goal is to use it in transforming ways,” King said.

However, King said findings indicate that 74 percent of teachers are not using technology in the classroom, and 81 percent of students are not using technology.

To help incorporate technology, teachers are offered a professional development program on the use of technology. Upon completion, teachers receive six laptop computers for their classroom.

Incorporation of technology also will be part of a Dysart teacher’s evaluation.

King said the district has a procedure that replaces each computer after five years.

The shift to use laptops instead of desktop computers is part of the district’s goal of “getting computers into the hands of kids,” King said. All of the new schools received laptops instead of desktop computers.

King said the district’s projects include installing projectors and providing teachers with laptops, which are scheduled to be complete by the end of 2009.

“Technology doesn’t sit around waiting for us,” King said.