Curriculum & Instruction

Instructional Technology
Enhancing the Learning Process Through Emerging Technologies

The District’s Instructional Technology Department keeps abreast of developments in educational technology that may benefit teachers and students, enhancing the learning process. Training is designed and delivered to maximize the instructional use of new technologies.

Students at Mt. Bethel Elementary School began using the components of the 21st Century Classroom in November 2007 as part of the District’s pilot program.

The pilot program for the District’s 21st Century Classroom initiative began in seven schools in November 2007. Technology Integration Specialists assigned to each school coordinate training and work with teachers to integrate the curriculum with these new tools. Teachers in the 21st Century Classrooms are providing constant feedback to their Technology Integration Specialists through a Blackboard online course environment and, in turn, are receiving ongoing training. Mentor teachers at each school are receiving additional training and are modeling instruction for their colleagues as well.

The 21st Century Classroom components are integrated to keep the focus on learning and not on the tools themselves. An interactive whiteboard (IWB) is a large interactive display
connected to a computer and projector. A ceiling mounted LCD projector projects the computer’s desktop onto the board’s surface, where students and teachers control the computer using a wireless mouse-pen or their own fingers.

The most basic use of the IWB allows students to view educational content in large screen format. However, higher level learning is achieved through the interactivity these boards afford, with tools such a graphs, shapes and diagrams, special software, and interactive lessons aligned to the curriculum. Teachers can save lessons from the board and post them to a web page or blog for viewing by students who were absent or just in need of repetition to reinforce learning. Students can solve problems, display their knowledge and enhance projects individually or in groups using the board.

Teachers can gauge students’ understanding of subject matter using student response systems (SRS). Each 21st Century Classroom has a set of remote control devices that allow teachers to quiz students on concepts being taught. Their answers are beamed to the teacher’s computer and are displayed on the interactive whiteboard. Teachers can see whether all students have responded, how many correct answers are displayed, and can save graphs charting the responses. Students do not know the identity of responders, but the teacher does, allowing her to move on to the next topic or reteach all or only a portion of the class.

Online Learning

With more than one million K-12 students participating in an online learning experience last year and the numbers growing 30 percent annually, the Cobb County School District is a leader in offering online learning experiences for students through whole course instruction, eHigh School, and blended instruction that extends the walls of the regular school day.

eHigh School continues to provide quality, Internet-delivered online high school courses for students enrolled in the Cobb County School District. Since Summer 2001, eHigh School has served 4500 students taking courses as part of the regular school day and outside the school day. During the 2006-2007 school year, eHigh School enrolled 1300 students who completed 1600 seats (.5 units) in 45 courses.

Students also participate in a virtual learning experience as part of their regular classroom by using online blogs, accessing classroom resources, viewing podcasts, etc. This blended classroom model allows learning to extend class time beyond the traditional school day. During the 2006 – 2007 school year, more than 400 students participated in a blended learning experience that prepared them for higher education, in which combining online learning with lectures is fast becoming the norm.

Students at Kell, Lassiter and Wheeler high schools are using video conferencing technology to enroll in advanced Calculus classes at Georgia Tech for college credit. Approximately 35 students attend these courses before the regular school day begins, beginning at 8:00 a.m. Supplemental material available online helps reinforce the course content for students, without the burden of leaving the high school campus. Tuition for the course is paid through HOPE funds within the ACCEL program for post secondary study.