Wireless solution used to enhance instruction
Both Palmyra High School and Charles Street Elementary School utilize a targeted wireless solution for instruction, giving both students and staff an opportunity to infuse 21st Century Technology into the learning experience at Palmyra Public Schools. Each school is equipped with one mobile unit that includes a locking cart, 15 Dell Latitude 2100 wireless Netbooks, and one wireless access point. The mobile units can be scheduled for use in any teacher's classroom once an initial teacher orientation is completed. Additionally, one wireless access point is permanently mounted in the all-purpose room at Charles Street Elementary School and one wireless access point is permanently mounted in the auditorium at Palmyra High School. We are hopeful that future funding will allow the targeted wireless solution to become building-wide at both schools and that more mobile units can be deployed at both schools.
The wireless Netbooks are used in a variety of ways. At the elementary school the devices are used for broadband, filtered internet research, for using the Microsoft Office suite, for extended school hour access by the After School Program, and for viewing real-time videos of world events. The devices are also used to access the Essential Skills instructional series which offers over 30 content titles and a database that tracks each student's progress individually with a full reporting feature for analyzing student progress. New Jersey Core Curriculum Content Standard 8.1 (Educational Technology) is delivered for all third and fourth graders using Learning.com. This online resource offers a full technology literacy curriculum and assessment. Each student's progress is tracked individually and a full reporting feature is used to analyze student progress.
At the high school the wireless Netbooks are also used in a variety of ways. The devices are used for broadband, filtered internet research, for using the Microsoft Office suite, and for expanding student access in the library. The Virtual High School program is supported by giving more students more opportunities for collaborative online education. Spanish instruction is enhanced by the Foreign Language Department's use of an online resource that quizzes students individually and then emails the results directly to the teacher.
Please use the link below to view a video highlighting this 21st Century Technology resource.