• With the recent purchase of two more SMART Boards, we now have these interactive boards in every classroom and resource room. The SMART Board uses a finger touch for user input instead of a mouse click. A projector is used to display video output on the board, which then acts as a large touch screen. The SMART Board comes with 4 digital pens, which use digital ink and replace traditional chalk or whiteboard markers. What an advancement from the old chalkboards and dusty chalk! Students love using them and can manipulate programs, text, learning games, and more.

• We have Assessment Technology systems (clickers) in all 3rd, 4th and 5th grade classes. These clickers interact with the SMART Board and provide instant feedback to teachers. The teachers can give a pre-assessment on what they are going to teach and will find out what the students already know. Teachers can then refine their lesson based on what the students need. Right now, grades 4 and 5 use the clickers every morning to SWK – Show What You Know! I create a quiz for a different subject every morning, teachers log on to the SMART Board, students pick up their clickers, and with a push of a button, show Mrs. Farrell what they know about the day’s subject. This is like having Alex Trebek and Jeopardy right here at Marlboro!

• Every classroom has three to five desktop computers (based on class size) for daily use by students.
  
  We also have two-dozen laptops available to be checked out by teachers for projects needing more computers.

• Second grade students each have their own flashdrive and know how to create documents and save them on their drive to take home written work without the paper! They will have a portfolio of projects at the end of the year. What a space and paper saver!

• We have a Brainchild Learning membership for students to practice their Language Arts and Math skills at school, home, the library, or at grandma’s house. They can access their account by logging in anywhere with their unique username and password. Students take a pretest on individual skills, then receive instruction and practice based on data. Data is continuously saved; teachers can adjust individual learning plans based on the information. For our Spanish students, questions can be translated into Spanish with the click of a button.

• Students in grades 3,4, and 5 are using the Reading Plus program to build their reading skills. Kindergarten and 1st graders are piloting Study Dog, a reading and phonics based program. Both programs are data driven instructional programs with engaging graphics and sound bytes.

• We have recently purchased 50 Kineo systems (Android tablets) to be used for instruction and assessment. The 7” tablets with touchscreen display have a feature that prevents students from accessing websites that have not been whitelisted by the school administration. These are also used as e-readers.

• We have purchased iPods and are piloting different classroom projects to see how the students can use them to assist their learning.

• We implemented Engrade, an online grading system with parent preview, for grades 3, 4, and 5. Parents can log on and see their child’s grades and missing assignments. The program has a built in email system so parents can leave a message or question for the teacher(s).

In addition to a sound foundation in academics, students at Marlboro Elementary are learning how to use technology for multiple purposes. I enjoy watching their faces as they are engaged in solving a problem or having fun practicing their skills! Technology is changing rapidly and our students will, no doubt, be ready for whatever comes their way!

The staff and I sincerely appreciate PTO, Marlington Administration, the Marlington Technology Department, and all who have made our advancement in technology possible.