Carden 430 Technology Map (All years after 2001 and before 2017 are approximations due to the fact that I'm getting old and the years blend together!)
By Carden
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First Year of Teaching
In my first year of teaching, technology was pretty basic. We had a chalkboard, chalk slates, desks, and of course paper and writing tools. I had one desktop computer in my classroom along with a VCR and a CD player. The students really didn't get any opportunities to use the desktop. Quite honestly, I can't remember anything they did on the desktop. The most used technology tool that the kids used was something called Type Rights. Students used them to help develop their typing skills. -
A Few Years After
We still had the same technology as when I first started (Which I forgot to mention the overhead projector!) Some progress has been made. Students now had access to Alpha Smarts. These were small word processors that students could type on and then transfer the files to a word document on a desktop. We also now had something called a box light. I could connect it to my desktop which then enabled me to project my desktop or VCR onto a projector screen. It was pretty hi-tech for us! :) -
A Much Needed Makeover
This is actually a 2007-2009 time frame. My colleagues and I had a hard time recalling when the actual makeover started and finished. This was huge for our school. New paint, carpet in the classrooms, new desks, new cabinets/storage, a new IMC, whiteboards, and Smartboards were all installed in our school! We also got GeoThermal units put in. WE NOW HAD AIR CONDITIONING AND CONTROL OF THE HEAT IN OUR CLASSROOM! The feel of the learning environment dramatically changed...for the better! -
Not Much has Changed Since the Remodel
The makeover provided us with a nice computer lab but the availability was limited. The district did provide laptops for our building. However, they were always being used by other classes so we weren't really able to get much access to them. Because of that, we were still just using the "not new anymore" technologies that were given to us in the remodel. The one significant addition was document cameras. I used this a lot in addition with the Smartboard. -
Chromebooks!!!!!
Our primary wing (grades 1-3) were able to get our hands on about 20 laptops. Unfortunately, they weren't the best. The didn't keep a charge, and many times the would freeze up after logging in to them. On the positive note, though, my colleague and I asked for Chromebooks for the 3rd grade and are PTO granted us our wishes. We now have 20 Chromebooks to use between the 2 third grade classes. Not quite a class set for most years, but we are thankful for the ones we have. So are the kids. -
More Laptops for the Primary Hallway
We are not a 1:1 school. Thankfully, our school was able to get more laptops in our primary hallway. We now have 30 laptops available for the students in the primary wing. They have been great to have because they work really well and even though they get used often, they still seem to be available most of the time. -
Currently in my Classroom
We are still not 1:1. Most of the digital technologies that are used in my classroom are laptops, Chromebooks, and the Smartboard. Students use the laptops and Chromebooks to do learning activities like IXL and ReadWorks. They also use them for research and then to type up their information in a Word and Google document. I have students using these digital tools more than ever before, but I still need to be better about using them as more than just in a substitution way.
