School technology launches students into the future

Allison Kirsch, the fifth grade teacher at Holy Spirit School in East Greenbush, has heard students ask a question that many teachers never hear: "Can I work on my project?"

The reason for their enthusiasm can be attributed to the use of computers in the classroom.

"It's so motivating for my students," she said of computer technology. "It's exciting for them, and it's motivating them to learn."

Aid to research

The students did two major research projects using the computers during the last school year, one on the ecosystem and the other on light and sound.

The class also utilized the computer for other activities. For example, when they were reading books by Roald Dahl, author of "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" and "James and the Giant Peach," they were able to find an interactive photo archive of the author on the internet,

While generations of people completed school without ever using a computer, those days are over, said Miss Kirsch. "In the world we have today, this is what they need," she said. "They need to know computers in order to be successful."

Fun with learning

While the use of computers is laying the foundation for future success, computer use is also making school enjoyable for some students.

"It's a lot of fun," said Emily Cullings, a fifth grader. "When you have a report, you don't want to do it. Now we look forward to it. We get into the work."

Emily explained that the class was using Hyper Studio, a multi-media presentation program. "It's really cool," she said. "First, we design the report on cards. Then on the computer, we can add graphics and animation. It's really awesome."

Thundering approval

Classmate Mark Caramore agreed. "I enjoy it more now," he said of research reports. "I didn't have as much fun before. Now even a boring subject can be fun."

Mark's report on thunder and lighting included a mixture of sound and light to demonstrate each. Of his report, he said. "It's more organized. You click and have your information right there."

Getting wired

Those students are not alone in their enthusiasm for computers in the classroom. Computers are present in Catholic schools in the Albany Diocese in various stages, ranging from older models to the latest technology, like that present at Holy Spirit, according to Tom Buccino, director of educational technology for the diocesan Catholic School Office.

Technology is no longer an extra; it is something that must be addressed in the classroom, say educators like Miss Kirsch and Mr. Buccino.

"When I was in high school, this was unheard of," said Miss Kirsch, a first-year teacher. "Then in college, I used computers all of the time."

"Students need to be prepared for what faces them," said Mr. Buccino. "You need technology skills. They need to be able to use technology as a tool to be productive."

Use in classroom

Technology can be used two ways in the classroom, he explained. The first is as a productivity tool, like using a word processing program to write reports. The second is as a tool for learning itself, like Miss Kirsch's class researching author Roald Dahl on the internet.

During the last school year, there were many examples of technology being used in the classroom, Mr. Buccino said. At St. Mary's School in Clinton Heights, for example, the seventh grade language arts class used Claris Works, a word processing and spreadsheet program, to produce a literary journal.

The class was so enthusiastic about their project that they solicited work from other classes, published the book and sold it. Not only did they learn how to use the word processor, but they also learned project management skills. Profits from the book sale were used to purchase more computer equipment for the school.

Many styles

Technology is proving useful in many other schools:

* At St. James Institute in Albany, old technology was integrated with new technology in sixth and eighth grade science classes. The classes were able to use several Texas Instruments Graphing calculators equipped with Calculator Based Lab instruments to measure temperature, light and force. The information was then put into older Apple IIE computers.

* At St. Augustine's School in Troy, older computers were used to expose young students to technology. "They had an Apple II lab," explained Mr. Buccino. "The lab had only been offered to grades one and up. We structured a project with kindergarten to expose them to the lab. We used existing software to help them with alphanumeric and pattern recognition."

Part of their life

Mr. Buccino has found the students of the Diocese to be comfortable with technology, primarily because they are exposed to it at home.

"The rates of students with computers at home was 50 to 70 percent," he said. "Many of the houses had access to the internet."

With technology here to stay, schools face some challenges as they try to implement technology in the classroom, said Mr. Buccino. The big needs are for schools to do serious technology planning and find time for staff development in the already packed school year.

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