Sharon Slavinsky, Bayou Woods Elementary

Our vision for the portable computer lab is a simple one. We have an unique opportunity for ALL the students at Bayou Woods Elementary to enhance their education by being able to use a hands on approach to the technology that we are so fortunate to have.

Using exciting lessons to spark student's interest will ultimately result in the use of the programs outside of the scheduled lab time. This being the case, an overall growth of computer knowledge at our school level as well as academic success in the use of the programs will be evident.

For this program to be successful, it must be a true team teaching/partnership between the tech teacher and the classroom teacher. Most importantly providing a means for integrated professional development for the faculty. By teaching the teacher to use the software confidently and by modeling positive lessons, the fear of technology (or the fear of using technology) will begin to diminish and hopefully be eliminated altogether.

As teachers become more aware of the resources available to them and students are introduced to those resources, we will begin to see classrooms in which students and teachers will use technology across the curriculum to enhance their lessons and learning experiences.

The technology teacher is actively involved in all aspects of technology in the school, including but not limited to the upkeep of the Bayou Woods Web page and ordering equipment and software for the school.