Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
Technology in schools took center stage at the Warsaw school board meeting Monday as the board received recognition from a national organization.
The Ohana Foundation, a nonprofit organization that promotes the use of technology to enhance education, named Warsaw Community Schools one of the three most technologically advanced school districts in Indiana.
The recognition was based on recommendations from the Indiana Department of Education and staff members in the WCS district and other school districts, said Dr. Lee Harman, superintendent.
The school district is now in the running for regional and national competition, Harman said.
Criteria for the award include the use of varied applications of technology, networking, innovation, teacher training and access to technology by all students.
Dennis VanDuyne, coordinator of instructional technology for WCS, gave his annual report to the board Monday, and said, "What technology's really about is improving learning."
He said some of the classroom uses of computers and the Internet include improving communications, science simulations, on-line lessons and tutorials, distance learning and, most important, constructing and communicating knowledge.
"Students should be able to access information, organize it and bring it back," he said.
Immediate assessment after tests also now can be done, he said, with instant remediation.
And on-line curriculum can be updated as often as necessary instead of waiting six years between textbook changes.
"Technology continues to explode at an increasing rate and there are things possible today that we really didn't think would be possible about 10 years," he said.
However, he cautioned the school board against what he called the "digital divide," in which students with computer and Internet access, especially at home, would have an advantage over students with no access.
"Because of on-line tutorials, we have a lot of students taking classes that no one at Warsaw can teach them," he said. "But what about the kids who don't have access? ... Some kids will be left behind."
In other business, the board:
• Unanimously approved revisions to the Warsaw Community High School student handbook in such areas as attendance policies, early graduation, student discipline and dress codes.
• Approved a two-year contract with Huntington Beauty College to provide the cosmetology program at WCHS.
• Set a special meeting for 7 p.m. June 26 in the lecture room at WCHS to hear the report of the Community Based Planning Committee.
• Reminded the public that three board seats are up for election this year, in Districts 3, 4 and 6. Filing for candidates is from July 26 to noon Aug. 25. Filing information is available at the administration offices.
School board members are Craig Allebach, Brad Brail, Larry Chamberlain, Cathy Folk, Dan Robinson, Charles Sauders and Roy Szymanski.
The board meets at 7 p.m. the second Monday of each month at the administration building.
