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July 2010
Pelham and Westchester County Schools
Pelham Education Foundation Donates Technology Tools, Professional Development
The Pelham Board of Education accepted at its June 7 meeting two gifts totaling $103,050.04 from The Pelham Education Foundation. The first grant, in the amount of $76,859.56, is the third grant under the Foundation’s ongoing “21st Century Tools for Teaching and Learning” project, and brings the total Foundation contribution to that project to $200,750.56. The second grant, in the amount of $26,190.48, will support the school district in providing sustained professional development to ensure that teachers use new technologies effectively in their classrooms.
The “21st Century Tools” grant will provide funds for critical technology tools (SMART Boards, document cameras and laptop computers) for 10 elementary art, music and general purpose classrooms. As a result of this latest gift, all elementary classrooms will be outfitted with SMART Boards and other technology tools by the beginning of the 2010-11 school year.
In addition, the grant will fund similar equipment for five High School classrooms, one Middle School classroom and the Middle School library/information center. These tools will greatly facilitate interdisciplinary, project-based learning and lead to increased student participation and engagement.
The Technology Professional Development grant will fund a 30-hour summer workshop for 14 teachers who are already skilled at using instructional technology. This group will include one teacher representing each elementary grade level, one representing each secondary department (English, social studies, science, math and world languages), one art teacher, one music teacher and one library-media specialist. The participants will become the technology coaches for their grade level or department, and will be responsible for holding monthly technology workshops during scheduled District professional development time.
The goal for next year is to ensure that all teachers will build on knowledge acquired in previous District staff development sessions to deepen their ability to use the SMART Board and other technology (including digital storytelling and video production using flip cameras funded by the Foundation) in ways that enhance the learning environment. Teachers will learn, among other skills, to differentiate instruction, assess learning throughout the lesson, use visualizations and simulations to deepen conceptual understanding, and engage students in analysis, critical thinking and knowledge creation.
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