Instructor Bob Seuss uses an interactive whiteboard to display work assignments for his eighth-grade students.

Lakeview Junior High student Heidi Martinez wrote an essay, received editorial and spelling guidance and turned the final product into her teacher, all while using a laptop from the comfort of her desk.

Martinez’ class was using computers Wednesday in conjunction with a software package designed to improve student writing. It was all purchased last year by the district’s Student Writing Enhanced by Educational Technology program with a $1 million grant from the California Department of Education.

“It’s easier to do, and it’s (more fun) than using a piece of paper,” said Martinez, 13. “It helps with spelling, and it tells you when you’ve made a mistake.”

Since its inception, the program’s success is clear. In 2006, only 2.2 percent of students in the participating schools scored proficient or above on the state’s seventh-grade Writing Application Exam. In 2007, however, that number jumped to 49 percent.

“The students are so excited about what’s going on, they’re writing more,” said Grant Coffin, district technology administrator and SWEET director. “That’s one of the goals of the program.”

Teacher Bob Seuss was conducting the lesson using his computer, and broadcasting the information onto a huge, flat computer screen at the front of the room. Here, students can drag and “click” on icons with a touch of their finger, use special markers to write on the screen and watch videos.

In addition, Seuss was able to correct the students’ essays as they wrote them, far more efficient than grading 30 papers, he said. This provides instant feedback for the students, and allows them to complete writing projects more quickly.

“That’s one of the goals of the software,” said Coffin. “It cuts down on the work the teacher has to do, so they can spend more time on content, editing and style.”

The Enhancing Education Through Technology grant from the CDE allowed the district to purchase 310 laptop computers, hardware and writing improvement software for Lakeview, Pajaro Middle, Rolling Hills, E.A. Hall and Alianza Charter School. In addition to the computers, SWEET provided 2,600 Internet accounts, enough for every student at the schools.

In implementing the grant, PVUSD decided to focus on English Language Arts to target lagging test scores.

Earlier this year, Coffin wrote a new EETT grant request to the CDE, and in September SWEET received an additional $323,872 to continue the project. The new funds will be used over the next two years, and are earmarked for Valencia, Bradley and Aptos Junior High.

The schools will receive new and upgraded technology for the classrooms, training for the teachers and additional technical support for their language arts programs.

“Now we’re able to continue the work we started in 2006,” he said.

Next year, organizers expect supplementary funding of about $114,000, which will allow them to cover staff salaries and continued maintenance of the new equipment.

The grants are designed to be used over a two-year period. As long as the grants are available, Coffin hopes to provide the technology to a new group of schools.

Teachers volunteer to be part of the programs. These “Technology Integration Cohorts” are trained in the use of the computers, methods of integrating them into their curriculum, and management strategies for using technology in the classroom. The hope is that other teachers will see the successes, and eventually every classroom will want to use the technology. It’s the teacher’s enthusiasm about using the technology and willingness to integrate it into the classroom that will make the program successful, said Coffin.

“We’re seeing a lot more engagement from the kids,” said Coffin. “The more technology tools we give them, the more they enjoy school and the better they do in class.”

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For information, visit http://tinyurl.com/2xfbj2.

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*Photos by Tarmo Hannula*

(Published in 10/18/07 edition)

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