I am also an IT teacher in a rural school in South Africa and we have received 20 computers through donation. We have about 600 learners and few computer education instructors and, of course, limited resources. What do you think I can do to improve the situation?

I am in a class now that is about distance learning. We have been learning about video conferencing and how it would apply to online learning. When I read your message it struck me as an idea I have never thought of before. In other classes that I've been in, we have talked about using digital cameras and things but I never thought of the conferencing to make the transition from school to school smoother! This is a wonderful idea!

I am a student at Lincoln University in the elementary education department working on an area of concentration in instructional technology. We have just learned how to design a WebQuest that lets our students use technology to reseach in a fun and interesting way. They are presented a problem and then they are required to go through different levels of clues in order to sovle the ending. To see some samples, feel free to visit the site that we used as a reference to create our WebQuest (emints.org) When you get to the page, click on WebQuest and then a subject area and grade level.

Hi Julia Like the previous reply from Lorraine, USA. I also exchange Multi Media PowerPoint shows with teachers around the world based on life in our area of the UK (Outer London)and places we visit around the UK. Being now retired it gives me more time to develop these further and using other Microsoft software extend my range of everyday study subjects, Auto Marking and Testing systems in support of them. These avoid repetitive subject marking by the teacher of group or class study materials. Once you start using it you will soon see the many benefits ICT offers you and your students. Regards John F

Hello I am interested in this way of teaching. Can you tell me more about concrete activities while using technologies?:) And I also would like to ask whether it is more difficult to lead the class this way than in normal teaching?:) Thank you very much for the answer:) julia

Hello, I am a technology teacher in a private elementary school in the metropolitan Boston area. I thought that I would share with you a few of the things that I am working on. I send whole-class correspondance with teachers who I have met with in ePALS. We exchange a variety of files including realaudio, powerpoint, and movie files on various topics with these classes. By snail mail we have exchanged DVD's of concerts and school fairs. We have done audio conferencing through Learningtimes as well. The most interesting web-based project that I work with is through sitesALIVE where we follow voyages of a teacher/skipper as he sails. He just began another voyage that will continue through the next 10 weeks as he sails the Transat 2004. It's a most amazing way to integrate technology throughout the curriculum. Regards ~Lorraine

I've just applied for a $5,000 grant to work on Maths and Technology - will let you know how it goes if you're interested. Cheers Marg from Oz South Australia

Me interesa comunicarme contigo, porque mi grupo quiere comunicarse con otras personas que esten interesadas en el uso de la teconología en las aulas gracias

Erin, I am in the same position as you are. I too am a tech leader at my school. We are located in California. I would like to get your ideas and feedback. When you have a free minute (HA HA) please e-mail me at michael_towne@colton.k12.ca.us or visit my website at http://www.towne-web.com I look forward to hearing from you, Michael

Hey Mark! There are schools at your on back door that are doing wonderful things in technology. I too am working on my masters in instructional technology. Clarkton School of Discovery in Bladen County is in the country, but we have a high tech lab that has a wind tunnel, stress test, flight simulator, TV studio, create webpages that have won top awards at NC State Fair, use technology on lap tops for science fair projects. I teach the gifted students in social studies. They must present power point presentations each year. I also teach surfing the internet. I teach figurative language and they must surf the internet for poetry that matches. My next plan is to download LOGO to integrate geometry and social studies together. Barbara

I am the Campus Instructional Technologist at an elementary school campus. Some things I have done with students this year are: - Spelling Flashcard Template There was a 2nd grade student really struggling to learn her words each week. She was making F after F on her spelling tests. I taught her how to make a flashcard template. She comes in every week and makes new flashcards for herself. We started this about 6 weeks ago and she hasn't made below a 90! -Calendar Page I had 3rd grade students create a calendar page in Word. They started from scratch and built a page that will be printed and made into a 2004 calendar. -Power Point 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students have learned how to make PP presentations on topics such as volcanoes, Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss, All About Me, My Hobbies, etc. -Inspiration 3rd-5th grade students use this software program to develop webs, graphic organizers on stories or topics of study. -Kidspiration K-2nd grade students use this "small kid" version of Inspiration. They can make Venn Diagrams, sort things, etc. The possibilities are endless. -Kid Pix Deluxe 3 This is used mainly with our K-2 students, but can be used in all elementary grade levels. The possibilities with this program are also endless. We use Word for many different activities in 1st-5th grades. I have created tutorials for many of the activities that we do. If you are interested in looking at some, let me know. Erin Marshall, CIT Woodlawn Elementary San Antonio, TX

Hello, I've been using this program with my students for the past 3 years. It's an incredible way to integrate technology across the curriculum and very exciting at the same time. I highly recommend it to anyone grades 2 - 8. The next voyage begins in 10 days. http://www.sitesalive.com/ocl4/ Lorraine

Hi Mark, I am a fifth-grade classroom teacher in Bloomington California (about 50 mi east of L.A.). I am the technology facilitator at our school and we are the technology magnet for our district (18 elementary schools, 4 JH, 3 HS). Our school serves a large population of ELL students (About 350 of our students out of 850). I have campaigned for, along with my colleagues, an emphasis on technology infusion in the classroom. We seek to integrate technology into our daily work in meaningful ways. We have 4 computers in each primary classroom and 9 computers in each intermediate classroom. We also have a computer lab. My struggle, as technology facilitator, is to get all of our staff trained to successfully use technology. We have 42 credentialed staff members, split into four year-round tracks. All of them have various degrees of teaching experience, technology experience and educational philosophy. As you can imagine, this represents quite a hurdle for us to overcome. Here are some the things we use technology for: 1) Communication among staff. We use e-mail and a local network to share information and messages. 2) Internet research: Our school is fully networked and connected via the district server to the Internet. 3) Educational Software: Many of our teachers use educational software such as Math Blaster and Reader Rabbit to support classroom instruction. 4) Generative Software: Each of our computers is loaded with MS Office. We have trained teachers to use generative programs such as MS Publisher to support classroom instruction. 5) Inspiration: A dynamic cognitive mapping tool, we use this in a variety of ways. For example, prewriting, cognitive orginization among other things. If you are interested in more information, you can probably tell this is my passion. Visit my website at http://www.towne-web.com or visit my virtual office in TappedIn (there is a link on my splashpage). Good luck,(I hope this helps, there is so much more I could discuss) Michael

Hi Instructors in my college provide assignments, and students then get information on the internet to help them complete the assignments. Besides that, students who are weak in English use our software-based language labs to practise their English. We also provide them with useful websites for them to improve their spoken English, so they do use chat software and communicate with people from other parts of the world. In the next semester, we will be experimenting the use of ePALS in learning English. Welcome to our website: http://www.iputra.edu.my Warmest regards Kevin

Hi! I am a middle school special ed teacher. I am using i-Sight camera, i-chat, i-Books, digital cameras in my room. I use the i-Sight for live video conferencing with another special ed room sin the district to work on transitioning from elementary to middle school. It has been a fun year. Dianna