Casey Doyon

SLM 521

Created 6-11-02

Article Critique #1 – Article “The Simple Joys of Technology: A Tale from Camelot (Idaho).” http://www.educationworld.com/a_tech/tech090.shtml

At Camelot Elementary in Lewiston, Idaho Debbie Kuntz computer technologist, has created excitement about technology. Camelot has been named one of the top 100 “wired schools” in the U.S.. Camelot’s affiliation with the J.A. and Kathryn Albertson Foundation gave them the opportunity to be one of fifteen schools to receive a high tech computer lab. The training of facility was so important in enhancing technology and the incorporation of it into the classroom. Technology training is offered year round through workshops. In Idaho all teachers are required to pass a technology competency exam and be awarded a certificate. Camelot’s staff was among the first to achieve this. The staff at Camelot now integrates technology into some part of their yearly curriculum. By age appropriateness all students are involved with technology. Kindergartens through second grade students become familiar with a keyboard and drawing tools. The progression follows to more difficult learned activities. For example fifth and sixth grades students are asked to do up to three major projects and become experienced with multi-media. All students are required to create their own website. The web page is used to display their school work. Every month students are required to add a new page to their site. Other opportunities are given to those who want to do more. They can participate in a student created online newspaper. The common use of technology in the school makes everyone, students, teachers and staff more comfortable with it. One of the favorite activities of students is video conferencing. This affords them the opportunity to meet students from other states and other countries. Students become so excited with what they learn; they then want to teach others. This activity has been incorporated in Camelot, where the six grade class helped the first grade students type a project. Technology has even become integrated before kindergarten. Summer camps are available for anyone entering or already in school at Camelot. Overall the attitude toward technology by students, staff and parents has been extremely positive. A parental organization has also been financially supportive to the schools needs.

I think it is great that Camelot had the opportunity to use technology to such a degree. The enthusiasm of the technology teacher, the support of the staff and the excitement of the students all contributed to this schools success story. Without the funding and the connection they had to the foundation to provide them with this high-tech computer lab, I wonder if they would have been one of the top 100 wired schools. I am curious about how much training the teachers went through before they felt they could incorporate technology in their classrooms. That all teachers are required to pass a technology competency exam and receive a certificate, I think speaks volumes to the commitment of technology within the school. This is awesome! The projects they involve students with are not only age appropriate, but fun. That is so important to keep the enthusiasm high among children. I really enjoyed hearing about the videoconferencing and how they can speak with students of other countries. Overall I think that the training of staff, the creativity of teachers and the commitment to technology is a step in the right direction towards teaching the 2000 and beyond students.

Cara Bafile. (2001, July 11) Education World [Online]. Retrieved 10/6/02 from the World Wide Web: http://www.educationworld.com/a_tech/tech090.shtml