JCPS candidates envision district's technology policy - Jefferson City News Tribune

The expansion of technology in the classroom continues to be a focus in education policy. Now that Jefferson City Public Schools has provided electronic devices to most of its students, future school boards will have to continue to chart a technological course for the district — but what will that course be?

The News Tribune asked the four candidates running for two available seats on the JCPS Board of Education to outline their ideas of technological opportunities available and whether the district should consider them.

Incumbent board members Michael Couty and Pam Murray — each with one term on the school board — face challengers Ken Enloe and Lindsey Rowden in Tuesday's municipal election.

JCPS this school year used funds appropriated from the increased operating levy voters approved in last April's election to provide Google Chromebooks to every middle school student and every two elementary students to use during the school day.

"I believe introducing technology at a younger age is important because not every student has access to the same resources when they leave the classroom," Enloe said.

Jefferson City High School students already had devices of their own. The last Apple iPads among those devices will be replaced with Chromebooks in the coming school year.

Chromebooks are thin laptops designed primarily as online gateways — light on physical features and loaded with software meant to be used while connected to the internet.

"I think that the district is in a good place considering technology and above par or comparable with schools across the country," Rowden said. "The district also provides advanced technology training for teachers that are interested in learning more, which is beneficial for those wanting to expand their knowledge."

JCPS administrators and learning and technology staff have cited that students have been able to collaborate on and engage with their learning more through the expanded technological resources. Research and writing work also has been sped up, giving students a chance to produce more.

"Technology transforms the way teachers teach in schools, a drift from text-based learning to something that would engage students in a different way and have the potential to take education to the next level. However, it should be noted that introducing technology in schools is surely not an easy road to success," Couty said, citing possible issues of teachers' and administrators' reluctance to experiment because of concerns about students' safety online, as well as costs of purchase, installation and maintenance.

Enloe said the district needs to make sure "the expanded use of technology in any form is constructive and viewed as an enhancement by our faculty and not a distraction or a greater burden on staff."

Rowden said: "I also think we need to have enough technology support staff to maintain products, stay on top of the security of information and train on new products as they are introduced."

Couty listed some further technological opportunities: video-conferencing, paperless classrooms, virtual reality and e-books.

"I believe we can complement the use of technology with skilled teachers and resources ensuring that safeguards are in place to protect students (online) and revolutionize education with improved opportunities for students," he added.

Murray said: "The drive to keep up must always incorporate critical thinking and teaching students how to learn and use tools so they may continue learning and adapting long after they leave JCPS. Technology is a tool, not the end point."

Education policy-makers beyond the local school district have also been thinking of ways to incorporate computer science and digital learning opportunities into more classrooms.

The Missouri Senate's Economic Development Committee heard testimony on and voted to pass a House bill Tuesday from state Rep. Travis Fitzwater, R-Holts Summit, that aims to allow high school students to take a district-approved credit hour of a computer science course in lieu of a credit hour of math, science or practical arts otherwise required for graduation.

A caveat included in the bill is districts would have to communicate to students who would take a computer science credit in place of a math credit that they may still need that math credit to meet college admission requirements.

Other bills in the state Legislature promote the expansion of virtual coursework opportunities to let students take courses that might not otherwise be offered at their local schools.

"I do not think that any technology can replace time in the classroom with a teacher — and a textbook — and haven't seen any data supporting virtual coursework for K-8," Rowden said.

Murray said: "It is imperative to continue to adjust the curriculum to best take advantage of emerging opportunities that have been vetted. Reviewing curriculum on a more frequent basis for technology-based fields and some Nichols Career Center courses must be done on a timely basis in order to keep up with new fields. At the other end of the spectrum, we must also be attuned to online and virtual opportunities for students to catch up after falling behind."

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