Officials expected to act on tech plan BY TALI ISRAELI Staff Writer MARLBORO - Administrators in Marlboro's K-8 school district are discussing the idea of purchasing $1 million worth of technology equipment in an effort to improve classroom instruction, communication with parents and productivity. Karen Kondek, the curriculum supervisor for the language arts and gifted and talented programs, presented an overview of the new equipment and its uses to the Board of Education on March 6. At a cost of about $1 million, officials are discussing the possibility of buying 400 new computers for the elementary schools and the Marlboro Middle School computer labs, 48 new projectors (six per building), 150 interactive whiteboards, and additional scanners. Interactive whiteboards are used with a computer and projector to create up to a 100-inch touch-screen display. New computers will not be installed in the Marlboro Memorial Middle School, since the computers in that building are up to date, according to administrators. The installation of the new computers in the elementary schools will begin in June and at the Marlboro Middle School in July. The installation process is expected to be completed over the summer. The 150 whiteboards will be given to teachers who express an interest in learning and using that particular piece of equipment. Supervisor of Technology Joe Bires noted that some of the whiteboards will be permanently placed in several classrooms throughout the district and some will be mobile so that other teachers can learn the program as well. He added that some of the whiteboards may be placed in shared rooms such as media centers so that every teacher could have the option to use the equipment with his or her class. According to Kondek, the reason for purchasing the new technology is to support and improve classroom instruction, communication with parents and productivity. As for instruction, Kondek said, the benchmark program will provide the district with assessments and benchmarks for the students, which she said will drive instruction. The video streaming program is an incredible resource that provides students with virtual field trips and video clips, she said. The interactive software such as the whiteboard will allow instruction to become more active and engaging for students, and the digital storytelling allows students to engage in the fluency of reading and writing, according to Kondek. There are several ways the technology upgrades will improve communication with parents, such as creating a new Web site; user-friendly teacher Web pages; and elementary report cards using the SASI software system, Kondek said. Productivity improvements include SASI scheduling at the elementary level, which is currently being done by hand, and an online grade book that links to SASI, which is also done by hand at the elementary level, Kondek said. The middle schools currently have an online grade book but it does not link to SASI. Other productivity improvements with the new technology include a data analysis system that will allow the district to connect students' state exam grades and create benchmarks, and an electronic lesson plan program which will easily link lesson plans to teacher Web pages and will allow teachers to share lesson plans. Board members Murray Hoffman and Joe Waldman were concerned with the amount of equipment being purchased at one time. The two board members said they would like it to start as a pilot program to see how it works in the district before purchasing too much equipment. Hoffman's other concern was that technology is constantly changing, and buying all the equipment now might not be the hardware that is up to date in a few years. Board President Terry Spilken noted that the whiteboard companies change the software as things are updated. Waldman questioned whether the new hardware was necessary in the younger grades considering the fact that administrators do not know if the tools will be effective. Bires said the lower grades is where engagement in learning really happens and he believes the interactive whiteboards and video streaming will be very effective for the younger pupils. Board member Andrea Miller disagreed with Waldman's concern and said if she was reluctant anywhere it was with the upper grades. She noted that the biggest challenge with the new technology will be the learning curve for teachers. Board member Isaac Levy said, "I think it's a great idea and it's about time we take such a step." The board is expected to take action on this issue at a meeting on March 20.