Teachers updated on tech in class

Thanks to an enrichment program, teachers in Catholic schools in the Albany Diocese have new ways to integrate computer software and technology into standard curriculum -- improving their own and their students' learning.

Eleven teachers recently attended a 40-hour "Teach To The Future" training session at St. Pius X Church in Loudonville to become certified as "master teachers," which allows them to lead similar training for their colleagues.

The program is an effort by Intel, a computer-technology firm.

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The internet, web page design and computer-based student projects were discussed during the training, as well as creating student publications and multimedia presentations.

Darlene Cardillo, director of educational technology for the diocesan Schools Office, heard about the program at a national conference and "realized this is exactly what we were looking for."

Because the training is tailored to meet individual schools' technology bases and capabilities, she explained, "teachers create projects that are specific to their instructional needs."

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Deborah Flaherty-Kizer, a teacher at St. Madeleine Sophie School in Guilderland, appreciated the program's "focus on selecting the right computer application for what you are trying to teach. Too often, there's not much thought given to what application is best matched to" the curricula.

Colleen Pasquale, a teacher at St. Jude the Apostle School in Wynantskill, said, "As a teacher, I am always aware that my job is as much about learning as it is about teaching. Taking the class was a marvelous opportunity to learn."

Jacque Chaisson-Warner from Albany's Academy of the Holy Names agreed: "I am so glad that I was able to participate in this experience, meet other teachers who were only names before, and develop the skills and confidence that I need to assist teachers at my school to better integrate technology into their courses."

(10/14/04)