VANGUARD A
L I M I T E D
T H E
VOLUME 105
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ISSUE SEVEN
F O R U M
F O R
S T U D E N T
E X P R E S S I O N
Unified team recognized
V I K I N G
| M A RC H 31, 2 017
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PUYALLUP HIGH SCHOOL
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c To “What I used to have is a projector on that cart and I would have to hook up my laptop to the projector and it would shine my powerpoint presentations onto the movie screen. I would use [my laptop] at my desk and then I would have to hook up to do my powerpoints and then unhook to bring it over here. Then the cart was in the way, so for a couple years I was complaining about that. Then all of a sudden I was asked to try the TV,” Orton said.“The truth is, it is kind of a joke because I am not much of a techy at all. I kind of thought that they wanted to give it to old Mr. Orton because if I could learn to use the flat screen TV, then anyone could.”
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teacher greets students as they file into the classroom, laptops under their arms. They take their seats, some in the front, some in the back. The teacher uses her tablet to pull up a PowerPoint on the flat screen mounted to the wall. While students answer the problems on the board, the teacher can sit at her desk and take attendance or respond to emails, using her desktop computer. If students are confused, they can easily Google how to do a problem and as soon as they finish, they can get their results to see how well they did. they As the class period rolls on, the teacher can roam and more around the class, changing the slides of their PowerPoint are with a tap on the tablet, not having to worry about tangled e n g a g e d . wires or blocking the projector’s light. Students from all [Additionally] the seats can see the crisp, clear image on the screen and hear teacher is able to see how the students the instructions the teacher is giving. With the new technology that the Puyallup School are doing,” Vetter said. Vetter describes a District is implementing into their schools, this scenario scenario in which the new can become reality. Executive Director of Digital Education Platforms, Mark technology will play a role. Knight, emphasizes how much change is being made to The new devices will benefit not only the students but the technology in the coming years. “We have spent the year doing some research and also teachers, too. doing some professional development with teachers to “If I am a math teacher and I be ready to roll out some new devices for the new school am able to watch year and actually some of the devices the students as they will be coming in fairly soon for use “We could have gone are practicing instead now. Basically, they are tablets that and purchased 12,000 of being up front with will help them to connect wirelessly to my technology, then I can devices so teachers will have the ability computers but we are modify my instruction to meet to roam around the classroom and help kids when necessary,” Knight said. starting small so we can do students’ needs easier. As we implement schoology, as students Rather than start by buying every it right.” get their one to one device, [we grade laptops, the district has decided will stay with math], there is actually to start with the class of 2023. MARK KNIGHT some automatic grading functions in “Starting with our next year’s seventh DIGITAL DIRECTOR schoology,” Vetter said. “Let us say at the graders, they will be receiving laptops. end of the math lesson, the teacher wants We started with the seventh grade because we needed a place to start so that we could to do a quick assessment to find out how the students eventually get to grades 4-12. We had to do it responsibly did on the learning of the day, they can give the students with our budget and we also had to do it responsibly an assessment within schoology and it will actually with our time. We could have gone and purchased 12,000 autograde and give immediate feedback to the students.” This summer, the Information Technology Center (ITC) computers but we are starting small so we can do it right,” Knight said. “[The students are] going to be receiving will be touching 7,000 pieces of equipment. Within two Lenovo Yoga ThinkPads and the purpose of that is they years, they will double the amount of computers in the [will] have the ability to do a lot of their course work, district and triple the amount in four years. The ITC also upgraded PHS’ Wi-Fi about a year and a combine with schoology, use digital ink so they can write half ago, which, along with the new devices, will allow the on the screen, do math and a lot of other things.” Additionally, secondary teachers will be receiving flat classrooms to become more wireless and mobile. “We do not teach technology, we use panel displays, basically LCD TVs, get technology to learn better,” Vetter said. enhanced sound systems and have the Social studies teacher Frederick Orton ability to connect wirelessly from their “We do not teach was chosen to pilot the new flat screens device to the screen, Knight explains. technology, we use this year. He describes why the district They hope to equip elementary classes wanted to upgrade the technology. with interactive TVs and anticipate technology to learn “I think it is trying to keep up with technology to change overtime. better.” industry. Everybody else has the latest, In two years, the district will be giving greatest equipment and it is more laptops to the classes of 2022 and 2024, as MARK VETTER efficient use of our time. A good example well as continuing with the class of 2023. TECH. DIRECTOR is this new thing [the desktop screens]. Executive Director of Instructional I can be using one of my pieces of Technology Mark Vetter explains how the equipment, like my laptop and do my powerpoint, and new systems will be beneficial for students’ learning. “We are preparing for the 1-to-1 rollout [one device for at the same time, I can use this screen and enter grades every student]. When a teacher interacts with what they or do attendance... it is a more efficient use of my time,” are projecting, research shows kids are more engaged. Orton said. Orton complained about his past devices because he When they highlight, when they circle, when it is active presentation and when the teacher is also actively with was tired of connecting and reconnecting his laptop and the students, the students then pay attention more pulling the movie screen up and down, he says.