Enhancing Education Through Technology (EETT; NCLB II-D)
Maryland Educator Comments
May, 2006
President Bush has emphasized in public speeches the importance of America striding forward and competing in the fields of science and technology. tomorrow's innovators can develop only through sufficient resources provided to them and their educators. America needs this funding to remain strong!
Avraham Y. Pinson, Social Studies Teacher, Milford Mill Academy, Baltimore
Technology is now embedded in the infrastructure of our daily lives and the way that schools do business. Teachers use it to create and collect digital instructional materials, display instruction to students, collect and manage student information, access digital libraries and uptodate scientific and headline information as well as museum and historical information. Agencies can remotely share virtual field trips and experiences with students all over the world. Schools can diseminate curriculum and materials more effectively. Parents and students can use instructional materials and communicate with teachers and administrators. We cannot cut the funding necessary to teach and learn in the 21st century.
Dawn Schaeffer, Coordinator, Charles County Public Schools, La Plata
Our children and our grandchildren cannot be permitted to fall behind the rest of the world in acquiring the necessary technological skills to be competitive in a global marketplace in the 21st century. Fund the EETT adequately!
Deborah A. Cotter, Academic Technology Coordinator, Loyola Blakefield, Towson
The role of techonology in education is a critical one. It enhances learning and contributes to the academic development of all students while preparing them for real life work bases.
Glynis Jordan, Teacher, Laurel High School, Laurel
At a time when we are enterring the 21st century why are we cutting back as if we are enterring the 19th. If anything the Federal government should be leading the way with funds, TRAINING and implementation MODELS of usage.
John Bridgeo, Technology Coordinator, Kettering MIddle School, Upper Marlboro
As teachers face increasingly diverse students in their classrooms with different abilities, languages, cultures, and resources, they need resources to motivate and engage all students in learning and achieving. Teaching without technology leaves some students behind because traditional teaching methods lack flexibility to meet learning needs. With technology and access to the Internet, teachers can present more authentic opportunties for learning and differentiate their instruction for a variety of student needs.
Judy Rein, Assistive Technology Consultant, Occupational Therapist,
Prince George's County Public Schools, Upper Marlboro
I have used technology to enhance my lessons with resources from the Internet. I have also used technology to motivate students to reseach and write about works of art. This is a resource that enlarges the classroom to the world. Student motivation is greatly enhanced by the use of technology.
Kandyce Mizell Douglas, Teacher, Williamsport High School, Hagerstown
In preparing our students for a technology rich world, it is vital that we have sufficient technology resources available. This is impossible without sufficient funding.
Karen Engleman, Teacher, Wicomico County Board of Education, Fruitland
The technology in our building has made an impact in all aspects...Students are able to participate in online courses...courses that are not normally offered in our building. Students are able to particpated in a video conference provided by higher education as well as podcasts. Students are always on the go...learning on the go must be provided to continue to motivate this next generation.
Linda Watson, Technology Coordinator, Eleanor Roosevelt High School,
Prince George's County, Greenbelt
You want student achievement raised? Try making learning fun, motivating and engaging again with the use of today's tech tools. We're creating a workforce who will be exceptional in 'taking tests.' Will they do as well as problem solvers, thinkers, and life long learners?
Marcie Zisow, Ed.D., Technology Resource Teacher, Balto County Public Schools, Baltimore
Please continue the EETT funding. Our students, the leaders of tomorrow, need the technology skills that we are providing. We need your support and funding dollars to provide those skills essential to our country's future. Thank you.
Marian Leibforth Chaprnka, Paraeducator/Library, Towson High School,
Baltimore County Public Schools, Towson
EETT funding is critical if we are to have an "educated citizenry." Today and tomorrow's citizen need to be able to use technology in meaningful ways to access, evaluate and act on the Nation's problems and goals.
Martha Daly, Librarian, Connelly School of the Holy Child, Potomac
EETT funding is helping MCPS ensure that all children in our county have access to technology, not just those whose families can afford technology at home… EETT funding supports after-school computer clubs in low income elementary schools, where students without computer access at home do their homework using online resources. The teachers in these schools report that the students in the after-school club are more exited about their class work and have improved their grades. This funding also helps us provide professional development for instructional staff and for the staff that support the integration of technology into instruction.
Melissa Woods, Director of Technology Planning and Fiscal Management,
Montgomery County Public Schools, Rockville
I currently have two computers for use in my classroom my studeents literally are begging to use the two that we do have. They are begging for computer technology within the classroom. I utilize reading blaster and phonics programs to help those students who are struggling with reading. Technology would help those visual learners learn reading concepts in a different way. Students need to become computer savvy.
Patricia Quarles, Teacher, Prince George County Public Schools, North Forestville
As a district with high minority populations the availablity of technology for our schools and our children is vital. The use of these funds to provide technology training and resoources serves our community and our schools.
Renee Henderson, Science and Technology Instructional Specialist,
Prince George's County Public Schools, Upper Marlboro
Funding for technology allows all students to have access to the same types of learning. Integrating technology into the curriculum affords us the opportunity for our students to visit places around the world and to meet and discuss the same concerns facing young people today.
Saralee Bernstein, Librarian, Callaway Elementary, Baltimore
Instructional technology prepares students to contribute meaningfully in the 21st century workplace. My 16 years of work as a teacher, 10 years of work prior to that as a business professional, and 34 years of parenting 4 children have convinced me that this is true. Please restore NCLB II-D funding.
Sheila LoCastro, M.Ed., Instructional Technology Specialist,
Prince George's County Public Schools, Odenton
Technology plays a crucial role in today's world and students must be educated in using technology. Teachers must have access to quality technology to teach increasingly technology-savvy children.
Teresa Fleming, 4th-grade teacher, Wicomico County Public School, Fruitland
If our teachers are not proficient users of technology resources, they cannot pass skill in their use along to students. Teachers can only become proficient through specialized training. Grants and other financial assistance are crucial to their receiving that needed training.
Tom Cooke, IT Teacher, Library/Media Specialist, Maryland School for the Deaf –
Columbia Campus, Ellicott City
Without appropriate funding we will widen the gap between those that have access and those who don't. ALL of our children deserve to have world class technology instruction to be competitive in our future workforce.
Vivian Rosskamm, Instructional Specialist, Montgomery County Public Schools, Rockville