Robert E. Willis Elementary

Willis Elementary has a wireless network with internet access throughout our entire two story facility. A wide variety of technology equipment is available in classrooms which includes a teacher laptop, LCD projector, digital cameras, iPods, printers, document cameras, desktop computers for students and more. Each fourth and fifth grade student is issued a laptop as part of our Education through Dynamic Global Experiences (EDGE) program. These laptops go home with the students giving them continuous access. Mobile computer labs are available for all other grade levels. As a result of extensive and ongoing professional development and the availability of technology, the infusion of technology into learning occurs as a natural component of the instructional process at Willis. Through the use of the laptops students are developing e-portfolios. This is an electronic file of student work. Each student creates their own website and posts samples of their work on their website. The intent of the e-folio is for it to follow the student from grade to grade showing their development and progress. This also allows opportunities for students to evaluate their own work and reflect on their progress.

Second grade students have mastered podcasting and created podcasts about topics such as the coral reef. Parents were invited to tour the coral reef created in the classroom. They were guided on the tour by the podcasts. As a result of their expertise with creating podcasts, the second grade students were invited to teach a group of district administrators, who were attending an administrative technology retreat, how to create a podcast. The availability of technology in the classroom has also allowed for a long distance learning experience. During the school year, it was necessary for a second grade student to travel to France with her family for eight weeks. Not wanting the child to fall behind, the teacher and the student remained connected through the internet and schoolwork was emailed back and forth. The child created a blog as a social studies and writing assignment. On the blog she wrote about her experiences and the class responded. This enabled not only the child to keep up with her classwork, but it also taught her classmates about a foreign country. When the child returned she was able to step seemlessly back into the classroom. The Technology Committee develops an annual technology plan, conducts annual surveys and schedules opportunities for teacher collaboration, formal and impromptu training sessions based on need. Through this process we are continuously infusing technology in our instruction and evaluating and assessing the success of our students’ learning. There is a comfortable use of technology at Willis, which creates a synergistic effect between the students and teachers. The teachers and students are constantly learning together.