Stakeholders Interview Interview with Dana Penland, Parent Daulton Taylor, Seventh Grade Traevin Penland, Second Grade

How is technology affecting the learning process? Daulton- “We do research in the computer lab. Instead of using books to look up information, we go online. We also get to play educational games which is more fun than paper and pencil.”

When you hear the phrase “technology integration” what does that mean to you? Dana-”It means putting technology into the classrooms and using it to teach with. My children talk about using smart boards and I am impressed with what they say.”

How should technology be used in education? Dana- “I think it should be used to teach students the benefits of technology, but also teach them the disadvantages of it. I think technology should be used as a resource, but also allow students to be creative and use their own minds.”

If you were in charge of the modern classroom, what would it look like? Daulton- “We would have laptops for every student and also have ipods instead of books.”

Are you happy with the level of technology use at your school? Daulton- “Not really, I wish that we had smart boards in every classroom. I also want laptops for the students.”

Has technology changed your assignments? Daulton-” Well we have to do research in the lab now instead of going to the library. We also have to type our assignments instead of doing it on paper. And also if I don’t turn in an assignment, my parents know about it because my teacher emails them immediately!”

How much technology is used in your classroom? Traevin- “We have two computers in our classroom. If we finish our classwork then we get to go to the computer and play games.” Daulton- “Our teachers use the LCD projector more than anything. They also email our progress reports to our parents.”

Describe a lesson using technology. Daulton- “We do practice tests in the computer lab. In the classroom the teacher will go online and put something up with the LCD projector.” Traevin- “When we go to the computer lab we get to do math on the smart board.We get to put things like balls on the smart board and then subtract them.”

What technology is missing from your school? Daulton- “All the teachers have LCD projectors but not smart boards.”