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Texas ISD School Guide
Texas ISD School Guide







Technology for ESL

How to Use Technology Tools in Schools
By:Kurt Schanaman

Integration of technology in schools can help in making students ready for their future careers. Implementation of technology throughout the learning process includes computers and computer networks, audio-visual equipment, remote-control electronics and robotics for automated control in an environment. Technology should be used only as a tool to extend the learning process while not "getting in the way" of academic progress. To make use of technology tools in this way requires the assistance of system administrators on the campus to take care of the technical details.

Hire needed professionals trained in each area of technology to handle maintenance and repair details of the equipment. Computer programmers, networking specialists and robotics technicians should be available to the school when needed. By having these professionals within the school system, instructors and users can make use of the technology tools without being sidetracked by technical maintenance and repair details.

Use RAID (Random Array of Inexpensive Disks) storage systems for any school computer networks. These storage systems make use of redundant disk drives for prevention of data loss. RAID uses pairs of drives which are exact copies of one another. If one drive fails, it may be replaced and repopulated with all of the data on its parent. By using RAID, all data stored by the instructors and students is protected against loss.

Set up and use videotape and Digital Video Disc (DVD) players and televisions on carts that may be wheeled into any given classroom when needed. Video should never replace textbooks, but can be an effective way to show students how the material they are learning can be used in real-world applications.

Establish computer and robotics labs and offer extracurricular classes for students who may desire to learn computer programming for controlling real-world activities. Such programs may generate more interest from students during class time, as it fosters an excitement for real-world application possibilities. Integrate the math and physics information learned in the classroom into hands-on activities.






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