Technology upgrades discussed
BY TALI ISRAELI
Staff Writer

MARLBORO - A proposal to imple-ment technology improvements in the Marlboro K-8 School District was presented to the Board of Education in February.

Supervisor of Technology Joe Bires presented the board with an overview of the current state of the district's technology programs and suggested future initiatives.

According to Bires, other districts are technologically advanced compared to Marlboro, which could result in students falling behind.

Technology can engage and promote active learning, which will increase student achievement, Bires said.

He said the district's computer labs and media centers currently lack the proper hardware to allow teachers to implement digital storytelling, video streaming, distance learning and virtual field trips into their classrooms.

The supervisor's proposal includes a plan to replace the computers in the labs and media centers with upgraded computers and to use the old computers in the classrooms so teachers will have consistent access to grade books, Web sites and lesson plans.

With updated software, programs such as a computerized grading system and a system that would allow parents to pull their child's grades and attendance records would be possible.

Bires' presentation also included a proposal for a new school district Web site in which the goal would be take the site to a new level that reaches out and pulls people in. The new Web site would include e-mail registration and video and audio pod casting.

Bires added that an electronic lesson plan system is needed to facilitate effective instructional management. The system would communicate homework assignments with students and parents through a classroom Web site that Bires said is easy to create and maintain.

The board was expected to continue a discussion on technology improvements at its March 6 meeting.