When Beth Rapple's third-grade class began studying world history, they had no idea they would be visiting the places they studied.
Keenan Eischen, a kindergartner at Cato-Meridian Elementary School, leans in to look at teacher Amy Murtari's laptop as she connects to the Internet. Devon DelloStritto / The Citizen
But after using the Internet to look up flight information on cheap seats.com and figuring out how much it would cost to stay in a hotel, the Cato-Meridian elementary students took a virtual field trip from their classroom, which was set up like the inside of an airplane, to Paris, France.
Cato-Meridian is just one of three local districts opening up classrooms to a whole new interactive style of learning thanks to a $1.5 million federal grant. The grant was secured by the Cayuga-Onondaga BOCES in collaboration with the Cato-Meridian, Port Byron and Auburn school districts.
"It is important to create an interactive atmosphere," instructional technology integration specialist Peter Grabowski said. "Technology puts students in charge of their own learning."
In order to receive the grant, districts had to meet the federal criteria, including socioeconomic levels, schools' proficiency levels on state exams and the ratio of technology to students available in the district. Becky Kaune, BOCES director of curriculum and staff development, said each district could have applied to receive an individual grant, but receiving a joint grant has been more beneficial.
"We are trying to make program development available at no cost to the districts," Kaune said. "By pulling resources together we will be able to create a more powerful program."
The grant money is being spread out over the next three years and will be used to fund professional development and equipment. Each district created cohorts, made up of faculty members, who are being trained by integration specialists. Specialists have been working one-on-one with teachers, as well as providing in-class training, since September. Each district has also been provided with laptop computers and projectors.
Computer programs like WebQuest and Inspiration are being used to help create a more hands-on learning environment. Resources are not limited to technology teachers, but can be used to help develop students reading, writing and math skills. Students are now able to take virtual tours, do on-line book reports and access educational videos.
"Using the Internet and computer programs is a great way to motivate students and raise their levels of interest," Cato-Meridian first-grade teacher Ellen Engle said. "But we should not let technology drive our programs. "
In Cato-Meridian and Port Byron, the program is being integrated districtwide. For Cato-Meridian, five faculty members from each school have been undergoing training, and Port Byron has chosen 20 teachers combined.
"In order for change to take place, it needs to be a K-12 effort," Cato-Meridian Elementary School principal Ann Marie Dillon said. "Our teachers have been real pioneers, and it has been wonderful." Auburn has only begun to implement the grant into the district's two middle schools, though in later stages administrators are hoping to build upon the program.
Next year a new group of teachers will be chosen to go through program training, but ongoing training and opportunities will be available for current staff.
Grabowski has been encouraging teachers to build up a library of lesson plans and techniques learned through the program that can be used by new teachers later on.
All three districts are hoping that new technology programs will help open up opportunities for teachers and students alike.
"Technology itself is exciting for everyone," Port Byron superintendent Neil F. O'Brien said. "It is a type of learning kids want to be part of.
"It let's you go places inside the four walls of your classroom you can't normally go."
Staff writer Ashley Lipsky can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 235 or at ashley.lipsky@lee.net
Cato-Meridian is just one of three local districts opening up classrooms to a whole new interactive style of learning thanks to a $1.5 million federal grant. The grant was secured by the Cayuga-Onondaga BOCES in collaboration with the Cato-Meridian, Port Byron and Auburn school districts.
"It is important to create an interactive atmosphere," instructional technology integration specialist Peter Grabowski said. "Technology puts students in charge of their own learning."
In order to receive the grant, districts had to meet the federal criteria, including socioeconomic levels, schools' proficiency levels on state exams and the ratio of technology to students available in the district. Becky Kaune, BOCES director of curriculum and staff development, said each district could have applied to receive an individual grant, but receiving a joint grant has been more beneficial.
"We are trying to make program development available at no cost to the districts," Kaune said. "By pulling resources together we will be able to create a more powerful program."
The grant money is being spread out over the next three years and will be used to fund professional development and equipment. Each district created cohorts, made up of faculty members, who are being trained by integration specialists. Specialists have been working one-on-one with teachers, as well as providing in-class training, since September. Each district has also been provided with laptop computers and projectors.
Computer programs like WebQuest and Inspiration are being used to help create a more hands-on learning environment. Resources are not limited to technology teachers, but can be used to help develop students reading, writing and math skills. Students are now able to take virtual tours, do on-line book reports and access educational videos.
"Using the Internet and computer programs is a great way to motivate students and raise their levels of interest," Cato-Meridian first-grade teacher Ellen Engle said. "But we should not let technology drive our programs. "
In Cato-Meridian and Port Byron, the program is being integrated districtwide. For Cato-Meridian, five faculty members from each school have been undergoing training, and Port Byron has chosen 20 teachers combined.
"In order for change to take place, it needs to be a K-12 effort," Cato-Meridian Elementary School principal Ann Marie Dillon said. "Our teachers have been real pioneers, and it has been wonderful." Auburn has only begun to implement the grant into the district's two middle schools, though in later stages administrators are hoping to build upon the program.
Next year a new group of teachers will be chosen to go through program training, but ongoing training and opportunities will be available for current staff.
Grabowski has been encouraging teachers to build up a library of lesson plans and techniques learned through the program that can be used by new teachers later on.
All three districts are hoping that new technology programs will help open up opportunities for teachers and students alike.
"Technology itself is exciting for everyone," Port Byron superintendent Neil F. O'Brien said. "It is a type of learning kids want to be part of.
"It let's you go places inside the four walls of your classroom you can't normally go."
Staff writer Ashley Lipsky can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 235 or at ashley.lipsky@lee.net
