Teacher Drive + Classroom Technology = Success!

At Center Grove Community Schools, Technology Director Julie Bohnenkamp found when teachers felt the need and had the drive they successfully embraced using technology in their classroom. Teachers were given the opportunity to apply through district funding to receive a classroom multi-media station in their classroom. The station includes a computer, cable television w/speakers, wireless chalkboard, document camera, and a DVD/VCR player. A centralized control panel provides technical ease in controlling use and coordinating class activities. Currently, 112 classrooms have received this local grant for implementing this center in their classroom. In an Algebra class at the high school, the teacher is able to move from introducing a concept in PowerPoint,™ model that concept using the document camera, provide student practice using the wireless chalkboard and project a quick video clip from United Streaming which reinforces the concept. The teacher, Ms. Heather Hart excitedly exclaimed “my lesson was seamless. I just can’t teach without the technology anymore.” Teachers have found the equipment and software easy to use and it provides students an environment that is easier to learn in.

Center Grove Schools is now adding an additional technology piece to their program. Epsilen Environment, an online social network for academic file sharing, was originally designed for higher education. Center Grove Community Schools is a developmental pilot project for K-12 and presently has 245 teachers and 1663 students enrolled in the Epsilen Environment. They use features such as wikis, blogs, forums and online courses. Presently, 43 online courses have been set up by staff to enhance traditional classroom courses. Teachers are able to add calendars linked to daily class outlines and homework assignments along with lesson resources and a drop box for assignments.

Julie and her technology staff have set up a Epsilen course for their teachers who are participating in the Multi-Media Classroom project. It provides up-to-date information about their equipment, a place to share ideas about implementation and to collaborate online. Staff is also able to connect with others across the globe in the Epsilen Community concerning research and teaching interest. Julie says “Our next step will be to connect with students in Kenya through the Community. It will provide many opportunities for students to compare and contrast their lifestyles.”

Students report they are happy to have moved into the 21st century in their classrooms. This move happened because classroom teachers had the drive and persistence to acquire and integrate technology into their teaching experiences.

For more information about Center Grove Community Schools, contact Technology Director Julie Bohnenkamp: BOHNENKAMPJ@centergrove.k12.in.us. For more information about the Epsilen environment: http://www.epsilen.com/.

	Heather Hart, Algebra teacher at Center Grove High School, utilizes the wireless tablet with her projector to demonstrate key points of the lesson and also hands the unit to her students for demonstration of their calculations. Heather says that she can't teach without technology!
	John Frank, Center Grove High School U.S. History teacher, utilizes the digital presenter integrated into his multimedia classroom to show students pertinent information to the lesson.  Students also use the equipment for their presentations.

PowerPoint™ is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation.
Epsilen Environment™ is a registered trademark of Indiana University Research & Technology Corporation.