Are we eons away?

Did you guys make up your minds if the story in the previous blog was a fact or fantasy?
Well, to all the unbelievers it is a true story. The story described the activities that occur in the classroom of Todd E. Wright who is a teacher at Fernley Elementary and also co-author of the article; Literacy Instruction with Digital and Media Technologies (see reference).
Though the article described a factual situation, we all know that the average first form classroom in our country is eons away from the classroom described in the previous blog. Why do I say that, you asked? The following is a description of the path Fernley Elementary School took to complete its transformation.
Administration Initiative
· “The school targeted a goal that 80% of instruction in each content area would be supported with technology in fourth and fifth grades.” Barone & Wright, 2008-9 (p.298).
· A computer lab equipped with multiple computers with internet access was started and two mobile wireless laptops were also bought.
· Principal received funding for one-to-one laptop classrooms after three years.
· The fourth-grade one-to-one laptop classroom is created
Preparation and Professional Support
· Mr. Wright received support from Apple when he became an Apple Distinguished Educator(ADE) where he learnt cutting edge techniques for integrating technology.
· Apple came to Fernley and provided professional development for all teachers.
· Additionally, Mr. Wright, trains teachers in laptop instruction in 20-hour workshops each summer.
· He also created a group of students called the ‘Wright Techies’ who are the more tech-savvy students from his previous fourth-grade class. They are trained while in fourth-grade and during the summer to assist their new fifth grade teachers and classmates.
That’s not all folks. Stay Tuned. See the next blog for more juicy details.
Reference:
Barone,D., & Wright, T.E., (2008-9). Literacy instruction with digital and media technologies. The Reading Teacher, 62(4), p. 292-303.