Could Free Online Resources Replace Textbooks?

Officials in the Sanford school district in Maine hope to one day replace textbooks with online resources to save money on textbooks. Recently, however, schools were unable to increase technology spending because of tight budgets. One state official said many online resources are free and have the added benefit of being updated frequently -- compared with traditional textbooks that can become outdated quickly. 

Using digital resources in place of textbooks, though a foreign concept to many, is a viable solution for presenting instructional content to students.

Online Resources

Six Ways to Make Student Laptop Programs Successful

There are six key lessons that can be learned from Maine's decade-old student laptop initiative, according to this blog post. Among them: Teachers should use technology as a tool and alter instruction accordingly. Schools also should adopt laptop programs -- not test them first -- and encourage teachers to integrate technology into existing lessons, rather than developing new curricula. School leaders should give teachers as much training and support as possible and encourage technology use among staff.

To read more, click on the link below.

Laptop Programs

Safari Montage to be Launched at Lowell Middle School

Lowell Middle School is set to implement a new video-on-demand system next month that will allow teachers and students in all grades to access video resources on their computers. Teachers can upload clips or entire video lessons from Safari Montage.

"It will really allow us to enhance the learning environment," said Principal Reid Gault.


Technology Director Bob Hopper is providing training for teachers to learn to use the program in the classrooms.  Media personnel at both Lowell Middle School and Lowell High School, which already has the system up an running, will be trained to manage and distribute the system content.

Tri-Creek strives to improve its learning environment daily!
 

Myth Buster!

Dr. Tony Bennett has put together a slide show to address misconceptions surrounding his "Putting Students First" agenda.  He stated that IDOE has been fielding questions from teachers and administrators regarding these misconceptions and presents the information attached to help teachers, school officials, and the public evaluate the most important pieces of IDOE's legislative agenda. 




Bennett Facts