A Message from Dr. Domenech:
School-Based Technology Specialists (SBTS) are the key players in the FCPS effort to integrate technology into our schools and classrooms. They are on the scene every day, making sure that teachers understand how to use the technology and that the technology works. Technology has become integral to instruction in FCPS. Without the School Based Technology Specialists, many teachers would be technologically lost.
When "microcomputers" first came into schools in the 1970's a principal was lucky if one or two people were interested in trying to use them. Often the frustration of complicated instructions and unreliable mechanical function relegated the equipment to a dusty corner in a hidden storage room. Every few years a few more brave souls would persevere. As technological advances made computers more versatile and user friendly, more and more teachers made the effort to become computer literate. It has only been in the last 10 years, however, that computers have become an integral part of the curriculum.
I strongly believe that technology support is vital to our classrooms. Idle computers are useless. Although it is taking us much too long to get an SBTS in every one of our schools, it is a very real goal. SBTS are vital to student success. The services of our SBTS are critical to our vision of providing a gifted-quality education to every child in Fairfax County.
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| The Basic Image (Things to do on Any Computer):
Do you know your computer will make a great timeline without purchasing any special software? While there are several commercial programs available for purchase, you can do a great timeline with Microsoft Excel . Excel is available on every FCPS computer!
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Possibilities (Technology Next Steps):
Visual learning is an effective way to teach students to think, to organize, to connect, and to extend all kinds of learning experiences. Teachers have always known this and have scrounged for pictures, posters, and manipulatives to give the written word and the spoken word visual life in their students’ minds.
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Interactive Internet (Ways to Use Internet Access in Your Classroom):
Blackboard offers a quality, no-advertising site in which teachers at all levels can not only enrich their class but provide students and their parents with class orientation documents that our transient student population needs all during the school year.
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| TSIP: (The Technology Standards for Instructional Personnel):
Meeting the TSIP requirement is the first step on the road to effectively using technology to support student learning. The School Based Technology Specialist (SBTS) at your site can guide you through this simple process. Find out more about the "who" and "how" of meeting the TSIP requirement.
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On Your Own: (Information about Technology Training )
Every year there is more information to consume and knowledge to process. How can teachers make the best use of these resources? There are only so many meetings, in-services, and classes teachers can attend. Teachers need ways to experience this wealth of evolving information while not depriving them of their time.
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Healthy Computer Habits : (How to Keep Your Computer Running ):
When you store your information and documents on a computer, there are a few regular habits you can adopt that will insure that your data remain safe and easily accessible.
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Who to Call: (Technology Resources in FCPS)
[The editorial staff, information about the SBTS, the SBTS Managment Group and the curriculum technology specialists.]
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