how students are learning requires a complete shift from room
layouts and resources needed for students, to continuing teacher
education and administrative observations. Each piece of the
education puzzle needs to be thoughtfully addressed in order to
successfully accommodate a new way of learning.
“What technology allows us to do is amplify and expand the
repertoire of techniques that effective teachers use to elicit the
attention, effort and engagement that are the basis of learning,”
Michelle Miller says in Minds Online. “The tools we use can
and do change us but when we use these tools mindfully, we
can remain in control of those changes, shaping them to benefit
our students.” As schools are implementing the infrastructure
needed for technology advancements in the classroom, teachers
are being tasked with providing their students with a more
individualized approach to learning. Professional development
for these teachers is critical to ensure that they are not stretched
too thin and their budgetary resources are properly allocated.
Support from administrators and coaching from peer mentors
in how to approach this new way of teaching has proven to
increase the likelihood of success in the classroom. In addition,
classroom evaluations are being reconfigured, as sitting in the
back of a classroom no longer accurately assesses a teacher’s
effectiveness in this new learning environment.
The World Economic Forum states that 75 percent of
educators and students feel there is a gap in their ability to meet
the needs of a growing IT-focused workforce. In addition, 90
percent of organizations currently have an IT skills shortage;
by 2020, it is estimated that there will be 1.5 million jobs in the
digital industry across the globe. These statistics alone make
technology integration into schools a necessity. Not only will
our young children come out of their education prepared for
a role in a booming industry, but our teachers will have the
confidence in knowing that they’ve provided their students the
best opportunity for success. ■
D
iscover Saint Joe’s.
Discover yourself.
CLASS OF 2018 BY THE NUMBERS
$5.2 �������
45%
������� ������������ � ������ ������
GRADUATED WITH A QPA OVER 4.0
Every day is an open house! Just call or email.
Admissions Director Mrs. Shane Palumbo ’92
(724) 226–4932 · [email protected]
SaintJosephHS.com
TODAY’S YOUTH
TOMORROW’S LEADERS
YMCA Youth & Government
This national YMCA program brings 7 th -12 th grade
students together to learn about politics, government
and debating skills. Join our delegation this fall!
For more information, please contact Karen Guise,
Senior Program Director at [email protected]
ROSE E. SCHNEIDER FAMILY YMCA
2001 Ehrman Rd, Cranberry Twp. • 724.452.9122 • http://rose.bcfymca.org
MARS AREA
❘
FALL 2018
23